US5859490A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vibration actuator and driving apparatus
Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1997-09-22
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Granted: 1999-01-12
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Expires: 2017-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A vibration actuator for use with a relative moving element includes a plate shaped elastic member. An electro-mechanical conversion element is attached to an upper surface of the elastic member. The electro-mechanical conversion element generates longitudinal and bending vibrations in the elastic member such that a side surface of the elastic member constitutes a neutral surface of the vibrations. A driving force output member is disposed at a bottom surface of the elastic member, and contacts the relative moving element. An extension member is disposed at the side surface of the extension member. A pressing force is applied by the extension member to the driving force output member to press the driving force output member toward the relative moving element.
Inventors
- 👤 Daisuke Saya
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:17
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02N; H02N2/00; H02N2/0005; H02N2/001; H02N2/003; H02N2/004; H02N2/02; H02N2/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A vibration actuator for use with a relative moving element, comprising: an elastic member of rectangular parallelepiped form having upper, lower and side surfaces; an electro-mechanical conversion element attached to the upper surface of the elastic member that generates longitudinal and bending vibrations in the elastic member such that the side surface of the elastic member constitutes a neutral surface of the bending vibration; a driving force output portion at the lower surface of the elastic member, the driving force output portion contacting the relative moving element; and an extension member attached to the side surface of the elastic member directly and has a thickness that is thinner than the thickness of the elastic member and which is disposed at or near the neutral surface of the bending vibration and extends along a long side direction of the side surface, whereby a pressing force is applied by the extension member to the driving force output portion to press the driving force output portion toward the relative moving element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A vibration actuator for use with a relative moving element, comprising: an elastic member of rectangular parallelepiped form having upper, lower and side surfaces; an electro-mechanical conversion element attached to the upper surface of the elastic member that generates longitudinal and bending vibrations in the elastic member such that the side surface of the elastic member constitutes a neutral surface of the bending vibration; a driving force output portion at the lower surface of the elastic member, the driving force output portion contacting the relative moving element; and an extension member attached to the side surface of the elastic member directly and has a thickness that is thinner than the thickness of the elastic member and which is disposed at or near the neutral surface of the bending vibration and extends along a long side direction of the side surface, whereby a pressing force is applied by the extension member to the driving force output portion to press the driving force output portion toward the relative moving element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A vibration actuator according to claim 1, wherein the extension member is disposed symmetrically with respect to the long side direction of the elastic member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A vibration actuator according to claim 1, wherein the driving force output portion includes two driving force output portions, and the extension member is disposed between the two driving force output portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A vibration actuator according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing unit disposed at an edge of the extension member and extending in a vibration direction of the bending vibrations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A vibration actuator according to claim 3, wherein the extension member has a thickness that is not greater than 1/2 of a thickness of the elastic member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A vibration actuator according to claim 1, wherein the extension member has a characteristic vibration frequency that is at least 1.2 times greater than a characteristic vibration frequency of the bending vibrations of the elastic member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A vibration actuator according to claim 1, wherein the relative moving element contacts a driven member, and a pressing force adjustment mechanism presses the vibration actuator toward the relative moving element via the extension member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A vibration actuator according to claim 1, wherein the bending vibrations in the elastic member have plural nodes, and the extension member is disposed between the nodes in a long side direction of the elastic member.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of providing a vibration actuator that generates vibrations in an elastic member through an electro-mechanical conversion element, comprising the steps of: generating longitudinal and bending vibrations in the elastic member with the electro-mechanical conversion element such that the vibrations cause relative motion between the elastic member and a relative moving element, wherein a side surface of the elastic member constitutes a neutral surface of the bending vibration; and applying a pressure force by an extension member attached to a side surface of the elastic member directly and which has a thickness that is thinner than the thickness of the elastic member and which is disposed at or near the neutral surface of the bending vibration and extending along a long side direction of the side surface, to press a driving force output portion of the elastic member toward the relative moving element.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of providing a vibration actuator that generates vibrations in an elastic member through an electro-mechanical conversion element, comprising the steps of: generating longitudinal and bending vibrations in the elastic member with the electro-mechanical conversion element such that the vibrations cause relative motion between the elastic member and a relative moving element, wherein a side surface of the elastic member constitutes a neutral surface of the bending vibration; and applying a pressure force by an extension member attached to a side surface of the elastic member directly and which has a thickness that is thinner than the thickness of the elastic member and which is disposed at or near the neutral surface of the bending vibration and extending along a long side direction of the side surface, to press a driving force output portion of the elastic member toward the relative moving element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of providing a vibration actuator according to the steps of claim 9, further comprising the step of positioning the extension member symmetrically with respect to a long side direction of the elastic member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method of providing a vibration actuator according to the steps of claim 9, wherein the driving force output portion includes two driving force output portions, further comprising the step of positioning the extension member between the two driving force output portions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method of providing a vibration actuator according to the steps of claim 9, further comprising the step of providing a pressing unit at an edge of the extension member such that the pressing unit extends in a vibration direction of the bending vibrations.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of providing a vibration actuator according to the steps of claim 9, further comprising the step of pressing the vibration actuator toward the relative moving element by a pressing force adjustment mechanism via the extension member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method of providing a vibration actuator according to the steps of claim 9, wherein the bending vibrations in the elastic member have plural nodes, and further comprising the step of providing the extension member between the nodes in long side direction of the elastic member.
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) | 2002-01-11 | 2002-07-13 | 2003-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-11 | 2006-07-13 | 2007-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-11 | 2010-07-13 | 2011-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |