US4926085A
Expired / Lapsed
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Vibration wave motor
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1989-05-03
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Granted: 1990-05-15
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Expires: 2009-05-03
Abstract
Abstract A vibration wave motor which produces a relative movement between a vibrator and a member which is in contact with the vibrator via friction surfaces by means of a traveling vibration wave produced in the vibrator. In the motor, a friction surface of either one of the vibrator and frictional member is made of a material subjected to a hard alumite processing, and at least a friction surface of another one of the vibrator and frictional member is made of an ultrahard material consisting of a nickel-phosphorus-base alloy which contains at least one kind of material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, boron carbide, titanium boride and boron nitride.
Inventors
- 👤 Ippei Sawayama
- 👤 Masayuki Jinnai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:26
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02N; H02N2/00; H02N2/10; H02N2/16; H02N2/163; H02N2/0005; H02N2/005; H02N2/0065; H02N2/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
In a vibration wave motor having a vibrator and a movable body, a friction surface of the movable body being in contact with a friction surface of the vibrator, the movable body being driven by a traveling vibration wave produced by an electromechanical energy conversion element fixed on the vibrator, wherein the improvement comprises: the friction surface of one of the vibrator and the movable body being a hard alumite-processed materials; and the friction surface of the other of the vibrator and the movable body being an ultrahard material consisting of a nickel-phosphorus-base alloy which contains a material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, boron carbide, titanium boride and boron nitride.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a vibration wave motor having a vibrator and a movable body, a friction surface of the movable body being in contact with a friction surface of the vibrator, the movable body being driven by a traveling vibration wave produced by an electromechanical energy conversion element fixed on the vibrator, wherein the improvement comprises: the friction surface of one of the vibrator and the movable body being a hard alumite-processed materials; and the friction surface of the other of the vibrator and the movable body being an ultrahard material consisting of a nickel-phosphorus-base alloy which contains a material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, boron carbide, titanium boride and boron nitride.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
In a vibration wave motor according to claim 1, wherein the content of said material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, boron carbide, titanium boride and boron nitride is 2-20 vol %.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
In a vibration wave motor according to claim 2, wherein said ultrahard material is formed on the vibrator in the form of a film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a vibration wave motor according to claim 3, wherein said hard alumite-processed material is a material in which aluminum or an aluminum alloy has been processed by anodic oxidation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
In a vibration wave motor according to claim 1, wherein said ultrahard material is formed on the vibrator in the form of a film.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a vibration wave motor according to claim 5, wherein said hard alumite-processed material is a material in which aluminum or an aluminum alloy has been processed by anodic oxidation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a vibration wave motor according to claim 1, wherein said hard alumite-processed material is a material in which aluminum or an aluminum alloy has been processed by anodic oxidation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a vibration wave motor according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, wherein said hard alumite-processed material has a Vickers hardness not less than 250 Hv.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
In a vibration wave motor according to claim 8, wherein said hard alumite-processed material has a Vickers hardness not less than 350 Hv.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
117 words
A vibration wave motor comprising: a vibrator having a friction surface; a frictional member having a friction surface in contact with the friction surface of said vibrator; and an electromechanical energy conversion element fixed to said vibrator for producing a traveling vibration wave in said vibrator, thereby to cause relative movement between said vibrator and said frictional member; the friction surface of one of said vibrator and said frictional member being a hard alumite-processed material; and the friction surface of the other of said vibrator and said frictional member being an ultrahard material consisting of a nickel-phosphorus-base alloy which contains a material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, boron carbide, titanium boride and boron nitride.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
117 words
A vibration wave motor comprising: a vibrator having a friction surface; a frictional member having a friction surface in contact with the friction surface of said vibrator; and an electromechanical energy conversion element fixed to said vibrator for producing a traveling vibration wave in said vibrator, thereby to cause relative movement between said vibrator and said frictional member; the friction surface of one of said vibrator and said frictional member being a hard alumite-processed material; and the friction surface of the other of said vibrator and said frictional member being an ultrahard material consisting of a nickel-phosphorus-base alloy which contains a material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, boron carbide, titanium boride and boron nitride.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A vibration wave motor according to claim 10, wherein the content of said material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, boron carbide, titanium boride and boron nitride is 2-20 vol %.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A vibration wave motor according to claim 11, wherein said ultrahard material is formed on the vibrator in the form of a film.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vibration wave motor according to claim 12, wherein said hard alumite-processed material is a material in which aluminum or an aluminum alloy has been processed by anodic oxidation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A vibration wave motor according to claim 10, wherein said ultrahard material is formed on the vibrator in the form of a film.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vibration wave motor according to claim 14, wherein said hard alumite-processed material is a material in which aluminum or an aluminum alloy has been processed by anodic oxidation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vibration wave motor according to claim 10, wherein said hard alumite-processed material is a material in which aluminum or an aluminum alloy has been processed by anodic oxidation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vibration wave motor according to claim 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16, wherein said hard alumite-processed material has a Vickers hardness not less than 250 Hv.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A vibration wave motor according to claim 17, wherein said hard alumite-processed material has a Vickers hardness not less than 350 Hv.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-05-14 | 1993-11-13 | 1994-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-14 | 1997-11-13 | 1998-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-14 | 2001-11-13 | 2002-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |