Electrical generator or motor structure – Non-dynamoelectric – Piezoelectric elements and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-11
2002-04-30
Dougherty, Thomas M. (Department: 2834)
Electrical generator or motor structure
Non-dynamoelectric
Piezoelectric elements and devices
C310S323170
Reexamination Certificate
active
06380660
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vibration type actuator and vibration type driving apparatus using vibrations of a vibration member.
2. Related Background Art
Spherical vibration type actuators are proposed in, e.g., Japan Soc. Prec. Eng. (Vol. 61, No. 3, pp. 1227-1230, 1995) and Nikkei Mechanical (No. 5, pp. 26-27, 1997.4.28) as vibration type actuators for generating multiaxial motions.
There is also proposed a vibration type actuator using a single vibration member, for generating driving forces having a multi-degree of freedom (three degrees of freedom) with a simple arrangement.
Such vibration type actuator using a single vibration member for generating driving forces having, e.g., three degrees of freedom has the following basic mechanical structure. For example, a recess is formed at one end of a rod-like vibration member. Part of a spherical rotary member is fitted in the recess. A press mechanism brings the rotary member into press contact with the vibration member. Where the axial direction of the vibration member is defined as the Z-axis, the two axes perpendicular to the Z-axis are defined as the X- and Y-axes, respectively. Driving vibrations, as a combination of vibration displacements, are generated in the vibration members in these three axes so as to apply X-, Y-, and Z-axis rotations to the spherical rotary member.
For example, a piezoelectric element serving as an electro-mechanical energy conversion element applies to the vibration member vibration displacements in three different directions, e.g., a Z-axis vibration (longitudinal vibration), a bending vibration in Z-X plane, and a bending vibration in Z-Y plane. By generating two bending vibrations having a time phase difference, a composite vibration of these two bending vibrations forms driving vibration, thereby rotating the spherical rotary member about the Z-axis.
A composite vibration of the longitudinal vibration and Z-X bending vibration rotates the spherical rotary member about the Y-axis.
A composite vibration of the longitudinal vibration and Z-Y bending vibration rotates the spherical rotary member about the X-axis.
The conventional multi-degree-of-freedom vibration type actuator has one spherical rotary member as a driven member and suffers the following problems.
(1) Since one rotary member has three degrees of freedom, it has no mechanically fixed rotation axis.
Complicated control is required to determine the rotation axis. For example, even if an axial member having an axis matching the spherical center of the rotary member is disposed to extend radially outward, the axial member is not axially supported so as to be rotatable at a fixed position. Accordingly, control is required to maintain the axial member at a position coinciding with a predetermined axial direction position. In addition, driving control must be performed to rotate the rotary member about the axis of the axial member, thereby complicating control.
(2) Since the rotary member is spherical and has no mechanically fixed axis, the structure and arrangement of the press member becomes complicated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, the first arrangement of a vibration type actuator comprise a vibration member forming vibration generation means for generating vibration displacements in at least three different directions, wherein the vibration displacements in the three different directions are applied to the vibration member to generate a composite vibration, and the vibration member and at least one of a plurality of contact members brought into contact with the vibration member is moved relative to the vibration member.
The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Kojima Nobuyuki
Maeno Takashi
Okumura Ichiro
Takemura Kenjiro
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Dougherty Thomas M.
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
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