Vibration wave motor

Claim 2

A vibration wave driven device, comprising: a vibration member; an electro-mechanical energy conversion member provided on said vibration member for generating a travelling vibration wave in the vibration member in response to an applied electrical signal, whereby the travelling vibration wave has a first wavelength and creates a relative movement between the vibration member and a contact member in frictional contact with the vibration member; and vibration damping means for making a dynamic rigidity of a predetermine done of said vibration member and said contact member non-uniform with respect to a second vibration wave having a wavelength other than said first wavelength, the vibration damping means being located at a portion of the predetermined member substantially corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of the second vibration wave and substantially not corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the first wavelength of the travelling vibration wave.

Claim 3

A vibration wave driven device according to claim 1, wherein said vibration damping means includes a plurality of vibration damping elements located at portions of said predetermined member corresponding to integer times or approximately integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of said second vibration wave.

Claim 4

A vibration wave driven device according to claim 2, wherein said vibration damping elements are provided on said vibration member.

Claim 5

A vibration wave driven device according to claim 3, wherein said vibration member includes a plurality of projections defined by a plurality of grooves formed therein, for amplifying the amplitude of said travelling vibration wave.

Claim 6

A vibration wave driven device according to claim 4, wherein the other vibration damping means includes selected ones of said grooves, the selected grooves having a depth greater than said grooves forming the amplitude amplifying projections.

Claim 7

A vibration wave driven device according to claim 4, wherein said vibration damping means includes selected ones of said projections, the selected projections having a height less than the height of the other amplitude amplifying projections.

Claim 8

A vibration wave driven device according to claim 4, wherein said vibration damping means includes selected ones of said grooves, the selected grooves having a width greater than the width of the other grooves forming the amplitude amplifying projections.

Claim 9

A vibration wave driven device according to claim 3, wherein said vibration damping means comprises a plurality of grooves having a predetermined width and formed in the contact surface side of said vibration member.

Claim 10

A vibration wave driven device according to claim 4, wherein said vibration damping means is formed by selected ones of said projections, the selected projections having a width greater than the width of the other amplitude amplifying projections.

Claim 11

A vibration wave driven device according to claim 2, wherein said vibration damping means is provided on a vibration absorbing member for absorbing a vertical-direction vibration normal to a travelling direction of said travelling vibration wave.

Claim 12

A vibration driven motor, comprising: a vibration member; an electro-mechanical energy conversion member coupled to said vibration member for generating a selected driving vibration in the vibration member in response to a periodic signal applied thereto, whereby the driving vibration creates relative movement between the vibration member and a contact member in frictional contact with the vibration member; and vibration damping means for making a dynamic rigidity of a predetermined one of said vibration member and said contact member non-uniform with respect to a vibration other than said selected driving vibration, the vibration damping means being located at a portion of the predetermined member substantially corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of said vibration other than the selected driving vibration and substantially not corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of the driving vibration.

Claim 13

A vibration driven motor, comprising: a vibration member; an electro-mechanical energy conversion member coupled to said vibration member for generating a selected driving vibration in the vibration member in response to a periodic signal applied thereto, whereby the driving vibration creates relative movement between the vibration member and a contact member in frictional contact with the vibration member; and vibration damping means for making a dynamic rigidity of a predetermined one of said vibration member and said contact member non-uniform with respect to a vibration other than said selected driving vibration, the vibration damping means being located at a portion of the predetermined member substantially corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of said vibration other than the selected driving vibration and substantially not corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of the driving vibration.

Claim 14

A vibration driven motor according to claim 11, wherein said vibration damping means includes a plurality of vibration damping elements located at portions of said predetermined member corresponding to integer times or approximately integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of said vibration other than the selected driving vibration.

Claim 15

A vibration driven motor according to claim 12, wherein said vibration damping elements are provided on said vibration member.

Claim 16

A vibration wave driven device, comprising: a vibration member; an electro-mechanical energy conversion member provided on said vibration member for generating a travelling vibration wave in the vibration member in response to an applied electrical signal, whereby the travelling vibration wave has a first wavelength and creates relative movement between the vibration member and a contact member in frictional contact with the vibration member; and vibration damping means for making the dynamic rigidity of a predetermined one of said vibration member and said contact member irregular with respect to a second vibration wave having a wavelength other than said first wavelength, the vibration damping means being located at a portion of the predetermined member substantially corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of the second vibration wave and substantially not corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the first wavelength of the travelling vibration wave.

Claim 17

A vibration wave driven device, comprising: a vibration member; an electro-mechanical energy conversion member provided on said vibration member for generating a travelling vibration wave in the vibration member in response to an applied electrical signal, whereby the travelling vibration wave has a first wavelength and creates relative movement between the vibration member and a contact member in frictional contact with the vibration member; and vibration damping means for making the dynamic rigidity of a predetermined one of said vibration member and said contact member irregular with respect to a second vibration wave having a wavelength other than said first wavelength, the vibration damping means being located at a portion of the predetermined member substantially corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of the second vibration wave and substantially not corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the first wavelength of the travelling vibration wave.

Claim 18

A vibration wave driven device according to claim 14, wherein said vibration damping means includes a plurality of vibration damping elements located at portions of said predetermined member corresponding to integer times or approximately integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of said second vibration.

Claim 19

A vibration driven motor, comprising: a vibration member; an electro-mechanical energy conversion member coupled to said vibration member for generating a selected driving vibration in the vibration member in response to a periodic signal applied thereto, whereby the driving vibration creates relative movement between the vibration member and a contact member in frictional contact with the vibration member; and vibration damping means for making a dynamic rigidity of a predetermined one of said vibration member and said contact member irregular with respect to a vibration other than said driving vibration, the vibration damping means being located at a portion of the predetermined member substantially corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of the second vibration wave and substantially not corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the first wavelength of the travelling vibration wave.

Claim 20

A vibration driven motor, comprising: a vibration member; an electro-mechanical energy conversion member coupled to said vibration member for generating a selected driving vibration in the vibration member in response to a periodic signal applied thereto, whereby the driving vibration creates relative movement between the vibration member and a contact member in frictional contact with the vibration member; and vibration damping means for making a dynamic rigidity of a predetermined one of said vibration member and said contact member irregular with respect to a vibration other than said driving vibration, the vibration damping means being located at a portion of the predetermined member substantially corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of the second vibration wave and substantially not corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the first wavelength of the travelling vibration wave.

Claim 21

A vibration driven motor according to claim 16, wherein said vibration damping means includes a plurality of vibration damping elements located at portions of said predetermined member corresponding to integer times or approximately integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of said vibration other than the selected driving vibration.

Claim 22

A vibration wave driven device, comprising: a vibration member; an electro-mechanical energy conversion member having first and second elements which are located with a spatial phase difference on said vibration member, said first element generating a first standing wave in said vibration member in response to a first electrical signal applied thereto, said second element generating a second standing wave in said vibration member in response to a second electrical signal having a phase difference with said first electrical signal, a combined vibration wave of said first and second standing vibrations having a first wavelength and causing relative movement between said vibration member and a contact member in frictional contact with said vibration member; and vibration damping means for making a dynamic rigidity of a predetermined one of said vibration member and said contact member non-uniform with respect to a second vibration wave having a wavelength other than said first wavelength, the vibration damping means being located at a portion of the predetermined member substantially corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of the second vibration wave and substantially not corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the first wavelength of the travelling vibration wave.

Claim 23

A vibration wave driven device, comprising: a vibration member; an electro-mechanical energy conversion member having first and second elements which are located with a spatial phase difference on said vibration member, said first element generating a first standing wave in said vibration member in response to a first electrical signal applied thereto, said second element generating a second standing wave in said vibration member in response to a second electrical signal having a phase difference with said first electrical signal, a combined vibration wave of said first and second standing vibrations having a first wavelength and causing relative movement between said vibration member and a contact member in frictional contact with said vibration member; and vibration damping means for making a dynamic rigidity of a predetermined one of said vibration member and said contact member non-uniform with respect to a second vibration wave having a wavelength other than said first wavelength, the vibration damping means being located at a portion of the predetermined member substantially corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of the second vibration wave and substantially not corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the first wavelength of the travelling vibration wave.

Claim 24

A vibration wave driven device according to claim 18, wherein said vibration damping means includes a plurality of vibration damping elements located at portions of said vibration member corresponding to integer times or approximately integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of said second vibration wave.

Claim 25

A vibration wave driven system, comprising: a vibration member; a contact member provided in frictional contact with said vibration member; an electro-mechanical energy conversion member having first and second elements located with a spatial phase difference therebetween, said first element generating a first standing wave in said vibration member in response to a first electrical signal applied thereto, said second element generating a second standing wave in said vibration member in response to a second electrical signal having a phase difference with said first electrical signal, a combined vibration wave of said first and second standing vibrations having a first wavelength and causing relative movement between the vibration member and the contact member; vibration damping means for making a dynamic rigidity of a predetermined one of said vibration member and said contact member non-uniform with respect to a second vibration wave having a wavelength other than said first wavelength, the vibration damping means being located at a portion of the predetermined member substantially corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of the second vibration wave and substantially not corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the first wavelength of the travelling vibration wave; and a load member to be driven by said contact member.

Claim 26

A vibration wave driven system, comprising: a vibration member; a contact member provided in frictional contact with said vibration member; an electro-mechanical energy conversion member having first and second elements located with a spatial phase difference therebetween, said first element generating a first standing wave in said vibration member in response to a first electrical signal applied thereto, said second element generating a second standing wave in said vibration member in response to a second electrical signal having a phase difference with said first electrical signal, a combined vibration wave of said first and second standing vibrations having a first wavelength and causing relative movement between the vibration member and the contact member; vibration damping means for making a dynamic rigidity of a predetermined one of said vibration member and said contact member non-uniform with respect to a second vibration wave having a wavelength other than said first wavelength, the vibration damping means being located at a portion of the predetermined member substantially corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of the second vibration wave and substantially not corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the first wavelength of the travelling vibration wave; and a load member to be driven by said contact member.

Claim 27

A vibration wave driven system according to claim 20, wherein said load member includes a lens for a camera.

Claim 28

A vibration wave driven system, comprising: a vibration member; a contact member provided in frictional contact with said vibration member; an electro-mechanical energy conversion member having first and second elements which are located with a spatial phase difference therebetween on said vibration member, said first element generating a first standing wave in said vibration member in response to a first electrical signal applied thereto, said second element generating a second standing wave in said vibration member in response to a second electrical signal having a phase difference with said first electrical signal, a combined vibration wave of said first and second standing vibrations having a first wavelength and causing relative movement between said vibration member and said contact member; vibration damping means for making a dynamic rigidity of a predetermined one of said vibration member and said contact member irregular with respect to a second vibration wave having a wavelength other than said first wavelength, the vibration damping means being located at a portion of the predetermined member substantially corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of the second vibration wave and substantially not corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the first wavelength of the travelling vibration wave; and a load member to be driven by said contact member.

Claim 29

A vibration wave driven system, comprising: a vibration member; a contact member provided in frictional contact with said vibration member; an electro-mechanical energy conversion member having first and second elements which are located with a spatial phase difference therebetween on said vibration member, said first element generating a first standing wave in said vibration member in response to a first electrical signal applied thereto, said second element generating a second standing wave in said vibration member in response to a second electrical signal having a phase difference with said first electrical signal, a combined vibration wave of said first and second standing vibrations having a first wavelength and causing relative movement between said vibration member and said contact member; vibration damping means for making a dynamic rigidity of a predetermined one of said vibration member and said contact member irregular with respect to a second vibration wave having a wavelength other than said first wavelength, the vibration damping means being located at a portion of the predetermined member substantially corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of the second vibration wave and substantially not corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the first wavelength of the travelling vibration wave; and a load member to be driven by said contact member.

Claim 30

A vibration wave driven device, comprising: a vibration member for generating a travelling wave having a first wavelength therein in response to an applied electrical signal, whereby the travelling wave creates relative movement between the vibration member and a contact member in frictional contact with the vibration member; and vibration damping means for making a dynamic rigidity of a predetermined one of said vibration member and said contact member non-uniform with respect to a second vibration wave having a wavelength other than said first wavelength, the vibration damping means being located at a portion of the predetermined member substantially corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of the second vibration wave and substantially not corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the first wavelength of the travelling vibration wave.

Claim 31

A vibration wave driven device, comprising: a vibration member for generating a travelling wave having a first wavelength therein in response to an applied electrical signal, whereby the travelling wave creates relative movement between the vibration member and a contact member in frictional contact with the vibration member; and vibration damping means for making a dynamic rigidity of a predetermined one of said vibration member and said contact member non-uniform with respect to a second vibration wave having a wavelength other than said first wavelength, the vibration damping means being located at a portion of the predetermined member substantially corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of the second vibration wave and substantially not corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the first wavelength of the travelling vibration wave.

Claim 32

A vibration wave driven device, comprising: a vibration member for generating a travelling wave having a first wavelength therein in response to an applied electrical signal, whereby the travelling wave creates relative movement between the vibration member and a contact member in frictional contact with the vibration member; and vibration damping means for making a dynamic rigidity of a predetermined one of said vibration member and said contact member non-uniform with respect to a second vibration wave having a wavelength other than said first wavelength, the vibration damping means being located at a portion of the predetermined member and substantially not corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the first wavelength of the travelling vibration wave.

Claim 33

A vibration wave driven device, comprising: a vibration member for generating a travelling wave having a first wavelength therein in response to an applied electrical signal, whereby the travelling wave creates relative movement between the vibration member and a contact member in frictional contact with the vibration member; and vibration damping means for making a dynamic rigidity of a predetermined one of said vibration member and said contact member non-uniform with respect to a second vibration wave having a wavelength other than said first wavelength, the vibration damping means being located at a portion of the predetermined member and substantially not corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the first wavelength of the travelling vibration wave.

Claim 34

A vibration wave driven device, comprising: a vibration member for generating a travelling wave having a first wavelength therein in response to an applied electrical signal, whereby the travelling wave creates relative movement between the vibration member and a contact member in frictional contact with the vibration member; and vibration damping means for making a dynamic rigidity of a predetermined one of said vibration member and said contact member non-uniform with respect to a second vibration wave having a wavelength other than said first wavelength, the vibration damping means being located at a portion of the predetermined member substantially corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of the second vibration wave.

Claim 35

A vibration wave driven device, comprising: a vibration member for generating a travelling wave having a first wavelength therein in response to an applied electrical signal, whereby the travelling wave creates relative movement between the vibration member and a contact member in frictional contact with the vibration member; and vibration damping means for making a dynamic rigidity of a predetermined one of said vibration member and said contact member non-uniform with respect to a second vibration wave having a wavelength other than said first wavelength, the vibration damping means being located at a portion of the predetermined member substantially corresponding to integer times 1/2 of the wavelength of the second vibration wave.