Vibration type actuator, optical apparatus, and electronic apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides a vibration-type actuator, an optical apparatus, and an electronic apparatus. The vibration-type actuator includes a vibration member including an electro-mechanical energy conversion element and an elastic member, and a contact member in contact with the vibration member wherein the vibration member and the contact member are configured to move relatively in a first direction, the vibration-type actuator including: a base; a holding member held by the base and configured to hold the vibrating member; a rotating member including a rotating shaft held by the base and extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, and configured to contact the holding member and rotate in association with relative movement of the vibrating member; and an output portion held by the base so as to be movable in a third direction crossing the second direction, and configured to come into contact with the rotating member and move in association with rotation of the rotating member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vibration-type actuator, an optical device, and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] Generally, a vibration type actuator generates a driving force by pressing a vibration member and a driven member to drive the vibration member and the driven member by relative friction of the vibration excited in the vibration member. For this reason, the vibration type actuator has a simple structure and a thin shape, and can be driven with high precision and quietly. The vibration type actuator has been applied as a driving motor to rotation driving equipment such as a lens barrel and a pan / tilt head, production equipment such as factory automation (FA) equipment, and office automation (OA) equipment.

[0003] For example, a vibration-type actuator is known, which includes: a driven member; a vibration member provided with two protrusions protruding from one surface (front) of a flat elastic member and a piezoelectric element coupled to the other surface (back) of the elastic member; and a pressure member for pressing the two protrusions and the driven member (contact member). Here, the back of the elastic member refers to a surface on which no protrusions (described below) are formed. In addition, the driven member may also be referred to as a "contact member".

[0004] A predetermined AC voltage (hereinafter, also referred to as a driving voltage) is applied to the electric-mechanical energy conversion element in the vibration type actuator having the above structure. The application of the AC voltage generates an elliptical motion or a circular motion at the front end of the two protrusions in a plane including a direction connecting the two protrusions and a protrusion direction of the protrusions. With this operation, the contact member receives a friction driving force from the two protrusions (vibration member) so that the vibration member and the contact member can move relative to each other in the direction connecting the two protrusions.

[0005] As a direct-operation type vibration actuator that performs translational motion, a structure is known that uses the relative movement between a contact member and a vibration member to obtain an output equivalent to the relative movement between the contact member and the vibration member in the relative movement direction via an output portion connected to either the contact member and the vibration member. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-19753 discusses a structure in which the contact member and the vibration member move relative to each other to move the output portion fixed to the holding member that holds the vibration member through the relative movement between the contact member and the vibration member.

[0006] However, in the case of the above-mentioned vibration type actuator as a conventional example, since a rectangular vibration member that is long in one direction and has two protrusions is used, the direction of the output motion (output direction) is limited to the output direction that is the same as the long side direction of the vibration member. In addition, since the relative movement of the vibration member and the contact member is used as the output, the movement amount to be output is limited to the movement amount of the relative movement. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present disclosure advantageously provides a vibration-type actuator having improved design flexibility. Another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide an optical device and an electronic device including a vibration-type actuator having improved design flexibility.

[0008] According to some embodiments, a vibration-type actuator includes a vibration member and a contact member, the vibration member including an electric-mechanical energy conversion element and an elastic member, the contact member being in contact with the vibration member, wherein the vibration member and the contact member are configured to move relative to each other in a first direction, the vibration-type actuator including: a base; a holding member, which is held by the base and configured to hold the vibration member; a rotating member, which includes a rotating shaft held by the base and extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and is configured to contact the holding member and rotate in association with the relative movement of the vibration member; and an output portion, which is held by the base to be movable in a third direction intersecting the second direction, and is configured to contact the rotating member and move in association with the rotation of the rotating member.

[0009] Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a vibration-type actuator according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the vibration type actuator shown.

[0012] Figure 3A and Figure 3B The diagrams are respectively shown in Figure 1 The illustrated diagram is a perspective view of a first vibration mode and a second vibration mode excited in a vibration member included in a vibration-type actuator.

[0013] Figure 4A and Figure 4B They are respectively shown when viewed in the XZ plane. Figure 1The illustrated vibration type actuator and a diagram of the vibration type actuator when viewed in the XY plane.

[0014] Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5C These are diagrams of the vibration type actuator when viewed in the XY plane when the vibration member is located at the left end of the stroke, at the center of the stroke, and at the right end of the stroke, respectively.

[0015] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a vibration-type actuator according to a modification example of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed in an XY plane.

[0016] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B are diagrams illustrating the vibration-type actuator according to the second exemplary embodiment when viewed in the XZ plane and when viewed in the XY plane, respectively.

[0017] Fig. 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C The diagrams respectively show the vibration components at the left end of the stroke, at the center of the stroke, and at the right end of the stroke when viewed in the XY plane. Fig. 7A and Figure 7B Diagram of the illustrated vibration type actuator.

[0018] Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a vibration-type actuator according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Fig.10 is a perspective view illustrating a vibration-type actuator according to a modified example of the third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Fig.11 is a top view illustrating a schematic configuration of an imaging apparatus including a vibration-type actuator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in more detail using various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects with reference to the drawings.

[0022] In a vibration-type actuator that performs translational movement, since a rectangular vibration member having two protrusions and being long in one direction is used, the direction of the output motion (output direction) is limited to the output direction that is the same as the long side direction of the vibration member. In addition, since the relative movement of the vibration member and the contact member is used as the output, the amount of movement to be output is limited to the amount of movement of the relative movement. Thus, the inventors of the present disclosure have studied a method for enhancing the design flexibility of the vibration-type actuator. As a result, the inventors have discovered that the output direction of the vibration-type actuator can be converted by setting a rotating member, wherein the rotating member has a rotation axis extending in a second direction that intersects the relative movement direction (first direction) between the vibration member and the contact member, thereby enhancing the design flexibility.

[0023] The rotating member is held by the base and contacts with a holding member holding the vibration member, whereby the vibration member rotates around a rotation axis extending in the second direction in association with the relative movement between the vibration member and the contact member. In addition, the rotating member contacts with an output portion held by the base in a movable manner in a third direction intersecting the second direction, whereby the output portion moves in association with the rotation of the rotating member. In this way, the present disclosure is capable of converting the output of the vibration-type actuator, and as a result, the design flexibility can be enhanced.

[0024] Furthermore, in conventional technology, the size of the vibration type actuator is preferably larger than the driving amount of the vibration member in the driving direction. However, even in a configuration that performs micro-driving, the size of the vibration type actuator in the output direction can be made compact by converting the output direction.

[0025] As an exemplary embodiment, a configuration example according to the present disclosure will be described in detail below.

[0026] [Structure of vibration type actuator]

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a vibration-type actuator 100 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the vibration-type actuator 100 .

[0028] The vibration type actuator 100 includes a vibration member 2 , a holding member 6 , a pressurizing spring 7 , a contact member 8 , a vibration-damping rubber 9 , a first guide member 10 , a second guide member 12 , a screw 13 , a base 14 , a rotating member 15 , and an output portion 16 .

[0029] The vibration member 2 includes an elastic member 3, a piezoelectric element 4, and a flexible printed circuit board (not shown).

[0030] The elastic member 3 includes a rectangular main member 3c, two protrusions 3a provided on one surface of the elastic member 3, and a plurality of extensions 3b (four extensions in the present exemplary embodiment) extending from a plurality of positions (two positions in the present exemplary embodiment) of the main member 3c in the X direction, the extensions 3b extending from a plurality of positions (four positions in the present exemplary embodiment) of the main member 3c that are different in the X direction and the Y direction.

[0031] The piezoelectric element 4, which is an electro-mechanical energy conversion element that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, is bonded to the surface of the elastic member 3 opposite to the surface on which the protrusion 3a is provided by an adhesive. The piezoelectric element 4 is configured to have electrodes of a predetermined shape on both sides of the piezoelectric ceramic plate. In addition, a flexible printed circuit board (not shown) is fixed to the surface of the piezoelectric element 4 opposite to the surface on which the elastic member 3 is fixed. A driving voltage (AC voltage) having a predetermined frequency is applied from the flexible printed circuit board to each electrode of the piezoelectric element 4.

[0032] The elastic member 3 is an elastic member made of metal and, for example, martensitic stainless steel is used as a material. In addition, as a hardening treatment for increasing durability, the elastic member 3 is subjected to, for example, a quenching treatment. The protrusion 3a is formed integrally with the elastic member 3 by, for example, performing a stamping operation on a plate configuring the elastic member 3. In this case, the protrusion 3a is formed with a predetermined thickness to have a spring characteristic. However, the configuration is not limited thereto, and the protrusion 3a may be fixed to the elastic member 3 by welding or the like. Since the leading edge (upper surface) of the protrusion 3a slides frictionally with the contact member 8, they are subjected to a hardening treatment such as a quenching treatment to increase their wear resistance.

[0033] Now, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction will be defined. The X direction is the direction of the front edges of the two protrusions 3a connecting the vibration member 2, and is also the long side direction of the vibration member 2. The Z direction is the protrusion direction of the protrusion 3a of the vibration member 2, and is also the direction in which the vibration member 2 and the contact member 8 are pressed against each other. The Y direction is a direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Z direction, and is also the short side direction of the vibration member 2. In addition, in this specification, the upper side and the lower side correspond to the upward direction and the downward direction in the Z direction, respectively.

[0034] Next, the pressurizing mechanism according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described. A holding member 6 for pressurizing and holding the vibration member 2 is provided on the lower side of the vibration member 2, and a second guide member 12 is provided on the upper side of the vibration member 2. Pressurizing fulcrums 6e provided at two positions of the holding member 6 at one end in the X direction of the holding member 6 and engaging portions 12b provided at two positions of the second guide member 12 are engaged with each other to be rotatable around the Y-axis direction.

[0035] In addition, the pressure springs 7 are respectively provided between the second guide member 12 and the spring setting portion 6f, and the spring setting portion 6f is provided at the other end in the X direction of the holding member 6. As the pressure spring 7, for example, a tension coil spring can be used. The two convex portions 6a are provided at a substantially central position on the holding member 6 between the pressure fulcrum 6e and the pressure spring 7 in the X direction, and the two convex portions 6a are in contact with the vibration member 2.

[0036] As described above, in the pressurizing mechanism according to the present exemplary embodiment, the pressurizing force is applied to the vibration member 2 in the Z direction based on the lever principle, the pressurizing fulcrum 6e serves as a fulcrum, the spring setting portion 6f serves as a force point, and the convex portion 6a serves as an action point. In addition, the contact member 8 is arranged on the upper side of the vibration member 2, and due to the pressurizing force applied to the vibration member 2 by the pressurizing mechanism, the contact member 8 is pressurized in the Z direction to contact the protrusion 3a of the elastic member 3. Through the above-mentioned pressurizing mechanism, the vibration member 2, the retaining member 6 and the second guide member 12 can move together in the X direction. The rotating member receiving portion 6g arranged on the surface of the retaining member 6 opposite to the surface on which the convex portion 6a is arranged will be described below.

[0037] Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, the pressurizing fulcrum 6e is provided at one end in the X direction of the holding member 6, and the spring setting portion 6f is provided at the other end of the holding member 6. However, the pressurizing fulcrum 6e and the spring setting portion 6f are not limited to the configuration of being provided at the X direction end of the holding member 6, and in the case where the convex portion 6a serves as the action point, the pressurizing fulcrum 6e and the spring setting portion 6f may be provided at a position that can function as a fulcrum and a force point of the lever principle.

[0038] On the upper side of the contact member 8, a vibration-damping rubber 9, a first guide member 10, and a second guide member 12 are provided. The contact member 8 is fixed to the first guide member 10 by the adsorption force of the vibration-damping rubber 9. The vibration-damping rubber 9 is made of, for example, butyl rubber or silicone rubber having high vibration-damping performance, and when the vibration-type actuator 100 is driven, the vibration-damping rubber 9 prevents unnecessary vibration from being generated in the contact member 8. Therefore, the generation of abnormal sounds can be reduced, and the reduction of output can be prevented. In addition, the vibration-damping rubber 9 also acts as a vibration isolator that prevents the vibration generated by the vibration member 2 from being easily transmitted to the first guide member 10.

[0039] The first guide member 10 is fixed to a base 14 as a fixing member with a screw 13. In addition, the contact member 8, the first guide member 10 and the vibration-damping rubber 9 can be fixed by bonding with an adhesive or fastening with screws. The contact member 8 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel, and the contact member 8 is subjected to a hardening treatment such as a nitriding treatment on its friction sliding surface that slides against the protrusion 3a to increase wear resistance.

[0040] The first guide member 10 and the second guide member 12 provided as the guide mechanism are respectively provided with two rolling grooves 10a and two rolling grooves 12a so as to sandwich the two rolling balls 11 therebetween. With this configuration, when the vibration type actuator 100 is driven, since the rolling balls 11 roll in the rolling grooves 10a and 12a, the vibration member 2, the retaining member 6 and the second guide member 12 can move smoothly in the X direction. The first guide member 10 and the second guide member 12 can have a predetermined hardness or greater hardness because the first guide member 10 and the second guide member 12 receive a pressing force at the rolling grooves 10a and the rolling grooves 12a, respectively. Thus, from the viewpoint of workability, metal is used, and among the metals, stainless steel is particularly used.

[0041] The base 14 is provided with a screw hole and a stopper for fixing the first guide member 10, and includes two fixing portions 14a provided with holes for fixing the base 14 to a target device to be driven, a connecting portion 14b connecting the two fixing portions 14a, a groove portion 14c, and an anti-collision portion 14d. The groove portion 14c is formed in a portion of the connecting portion 14b along the X direction. The groove portion 14c is loosely fitted with the tilt limiting portion 12c provided on the second guide member 12, that is, with a predetermined gap, to limit the rotation of the vibration member 2, etc. around the X axis.

[0042] The collision prevention portion 14d extends from the fixing portion 14a toward the holding member 6 side in the X direction to prevent the pressing fulcrum 6e and the spring setting portion 6f of the holding member 6 from colliding with the fixing portion 14a when the holding member 6 moves. In addition, from the viewpoint of workability and slidability, the base 14 is formed of a resin material.

[0043] [Driving principle of vibration type actuator]

[0044] Next, refer to Figure 3A and Figure 3B , a vibration mode excited in the vibration member 2 will be described. In the present exemplary embodiment, an alternating current (AC) voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 4 via the flexible printed circuit board to excite standing waves (out-of-plane bending vibrations) having phases different from each other in the vibration member 2 to generate vibrations combined with the out-of-plane bending vibrations. Figure 3A The diagram shows the vibration member 2 vibrating in mode A (ie, the first vibration mode). Figure 3B The vibration member 2 is illustrated vibrating in mode B (ie, the second vibration mode).

[0045] Mode A (i.e., the first vibration mode) is a primary out-of-plane bending vibration mode in which two nodes appear in a direction parallel to the X direction (long side direction) of the vibration member 2. By vibrating in mode A, the two protrusions 3a are displaced in the Z direction (pressurization direction). Mode B (i.e., the second vibration mode) is a secondary out-of-plane bending vibration mode in which three nodes appear in a direction roughly parallel to the Y direction (short side direction) of the vibration member 2. By vibrating in mode B, the two protrusions 3a are displaced in the X direction.

[0046] By combining the vibrations of mode A and mode B, the two protrusions 3a perform elliptical motion or circular motion in the XZ plane. Pressing the contact member 8 against the protrusion 3a generates a friction force in the X direction, which generates a driving force that causes the vibration member 2 and the contact member 8 to move relative to each other. In the present exemplary embodiment, as described above, since the contact member 8 is fixed to the base 14, the vibration member 2 moves in the X direction. In other words, the vibration member 2 moves in the same direction as the long side direction of the rectangular vibration member 2.

[0047] In order to effectively drive the vibration type actuator 100, it is preferred to support the vibration member 2 in a manner that does not hinder the vibration of the two vibration modes to be excited in the vibration member 2, thereby, it is desirable to support the vicinity of the nodes of the two vibration modes. To this end, the two convex portions 6a are provided on the holding member 6 in a manner that pressurizes and holds the common nodes of the two vibration modes excited in the vibration member 2. In addition, by positioning the vibration member 2 in the X direction and the Y direction using the stopper 6c provided on the holding member 6, the two convex portions 6a can be brought into contact with the vibration member 2 near the nodes of the two vibration modes.

[0048] In addition, the convex portion 6a not only pressurizes the vibration member 2, but also holds the vibration member 2 in the X direction and the Y direction by friction. In the present exemplary embodiment, the vibration member 2 does not move relative to the holding member 6 because the maximum value of the static friction force between the convex portion 6a and the vibration member 2 is always greater than the reaction force received by the vibration member 2 from the contact member 8 when the vibration member 2 is driven. In this way, the vibration actuator can be driven with higher precision.

[0049] [Output transmission mechanism]

[0050] Next, refer to Figure 2 , Figure 4A and Figure 4B , the output transmission mechanism according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described.

[0051] Figure 4A is a diagram illustrating the vibration-type actuator 100 viewed in the XZ plane, Figure 4B 2 is a diagram illustrating the vibration-type actuator 100 viewed in the XY plane.

[0052] The output transmission mechanism according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a rotation member receiving portion 6 g provided on the holding member 6 , the rotation member 15 , and the output portion 16 .

[0053] The rotating member 15 includes a roller portion 15a and a rotating member shaft 15b, wherein the roller portion 15a is a roller-shaped rotating portion as a smooth roller. The roller portion 15a is a metal roller rotatable around the Z axis, and the Z axis is the axial direction of the rotating member shaft 15b. In addition, the roller portion 15a contacts the rotating member contact surface 6h of the rotating member receiving portion 6g of the retaining member 6. The rotating member contact surface 6h is a surface parallel to the XZ plane formed by the driving direction and the pressurizing direction of the vibration-type actuator 100, and is a smooth surface. In addition, the roller portion 15a is not limited to a metal roller, and can also be a rubber roller or a resin roller selected as appropriate based on the environment or the thrust size.

[0054] The rotating member shaft 15b is fixed to the shaft fixing portion 14e of the base 14 at a position where a force is applied to the rotating member contact surface 6h and the roller portion 15a with a predetermined force in the Y-axis direction. In this way, the vibration type actuator 100 is driven to move the holding member 6 in the X-direction (i.e., the first direction). The roller portion 15a of the rotating member 15 rolls on the rotating member contact surface 6h by an amount corresponding to the amount of movement, and rotates around the Z-axis relative to the rotating member shaft 15b, which is a rotating axis extending in the Z-axis direction (i.e., the second direction).

[0055] In this case, the rotating member 15 is preferably arranged inside the position where the holding member 6 is located in the Y direction and the X direction. In other words, the rotating member 15 is preferably shorter in the Y direction than the holding member 6 and located inside the region occupied by the holding member 6.

[0056] It is more desirable that the rotating member 15 is shorter in length in the Y direction and the X direction than the holding member 6 and is located inside the projection area of ​​the holding member 6 in a plane including the Y direction and the X direction. With this configuration, even if the rotating member 15 is provided, the size of the vibration-type actuator 100 can be prevented from increasing and its shape can be kept compact.

[0057] The output portion 16 has a D-cut surface 16a which is a flat surface parallel to the YZ plane as a part of its surface, and is supported to be movable in the Y direction relative to the output guide portion 14f of the base 14. In addition, the D-cut surface 16a supports the output portion 16 in a manner that is non-rotatable about the Y axis relative to the output guide portion 14f.

[0058] The D-cut surface 16a is configured to contact the roller portion 15a of the rotating member 15 and is pressed with a predetermined force in the X-axis direction. With this configuration, when the roller portion 15a rotates about the Z-axis, the output portion 16 performs translational movement in the Y-direction by an amount corresponding to the rotation amount of the roller portion 15a.

[0059] More specifically, when the vibration-type actuator 100 is driven to make the holding member 6 translate in the X direction, the roller portion 15a of the rotating member 15 in contact with the rotating member receiving portion 6g rotates around the Z axis, and the output portion 16 in contact with the roller portion 15a translates in the Y direction (i.e., the third direction). In this way, the translational movement of the vibration-type actuator 100 in the X direction is converted into the translational movement of the output portion 16 in the Y direction at a ratio of 1:1, and output. In addition, the third direction in this exemplary embodiment is the Y direction, but the output direction of the output portion 16 is not limited to the Y direction. More specifically, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the vibration member 2 and the contact member 8 perform relative translational movement in the X direction (i.e., the first direction), and the output portion 16 performs translational movement in the Y direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction, and the output portion 16 can be configured to move in a direction different from the Y direction or in a direction opposite to the Y direction.

[0060] In this way, the relative movement direction of the vibration member 2 and the contact member 8 of the vibration-type actuator 100 can be converted and output, whereby the design flexibility of the vibration-type actuator 100 can be improved.

[0061] Now, refer to Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5C , a driving example of the output portion 16 according to the present exemplary embodiment when the driving amount is set to 2 millimeters (mm) will be described.

[0062] Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5C 1 and 2 are diagrams respectively illustrating the vibration type actuator 100 when viewed in the XY plane when the vibration member 2 is located at the left end of the stroke, at the center of the stroke, and at the right end of the stroke.

[0063] like Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5C As shown in FIG. 1 , when the vibration member 2 moves 2 mm relative to the contact member 8 from the left end toward the right end in the X direction, the roller portion 15a of the rotating member 15 rotates counterclockwise around the Z axis, and the output portion 16 moves in the X direction. Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5COn the other hand, when the vibration member 2 moves 2 mm from the right end to the left end, the roller portion 15a of the rotating member 15 rotates clockwise around the Z axis, and the output portion 16 moves 2 mm from the lower side to the upper side in the Y direction. Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5C Move 2 mm along the Y direction from the upper side to the lower side.

[0064] In other words, by rolling of the roller portion 15 a of the rotating member 15 , the relative movement between the vibration member 2 and the contact member 8 in the X direction of the vibration type actuator 100 is converted into a translational movement of the output portion 16 in the Y direction at a ratio of 1:1 and output.

[0065] Since the contact member 8 and the first guide member 10 may have a certain length in the X direction, the dimension L1 of the vibration type actuator 100 in the X direction, which is the relative moving direction of the vibration member 2 and the contact member 8, is larger than the stroke. In addition, in the case where two protrusions 3a are provided on the vibration member 2 as in the present exemplary embodiment, the contact member 8 may preferably always be in contact with the two protrusions 3a. Therefore, since the contact member 8 may preferably be made larger in the X direction than the length between the protrusions 3a in addition to the stroke, the dimension L1 is further increased.

[0066] On the other hand, the dimension L2 of the vibration actuator 100 in the Y direction, which is the output direction of the output portion 16, is determined by the size of the vibration member 2 in the Y direction and the size of the connection portion 14b of the base 14 in the Y direction, and the dimension L2 is smaller than the dimension L1 in the X direction.

[0067] With this configuration, when the driving amount is set to 2 mm as in the present exemplary embodiment, since the moving range of the output portion 16 falls within the dimension L2 of the base 14 , a compact size of the vibration-type actuator 100 in the output direction can be achieved.

[0068] In the case of driving an optical device such as a lens barrel, because the relative movement direction between the vibration member 2 and the contact member 8 of the vibration-type actuator 100 and the output direction of the vibration-type actuator 10 are consistent with each other, even if the lens barrel is expected to be thin in the optical axis direction, there is a limitation in reducing the size of the lens barrel according to conventional technology.

[0069] On the other hand, as in the present exemplary embodiment, by converting the drive in the relative moving direction of the vibration member 2 and the contact member 8 of the vibration type actuator 100 into the output (movement) in the Y direction, the Y direction of the vibration type actuator 100 can be configured in the optical axis direction of the lens barrel. In this way, the compactness of the lens barrel in the optical axis direction can be achieved. In addition, since the X direction of the vibration type actuator 100 can be configured in the radial direction of the lens barrel where there is relatively enough space, the lens barrel can be prevented from becoming larger in the radial direction.

[0070] In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, the conversion of the output direction is achieved by the rolling of the roller portion 15a. Thus, since the movement of the vibration member 2 can be smoothly transmitted to the output portion 16, it is possible to achieve high-precision and silent driving of the vibration-type actuator 100 with good controllability. In addition, in order to drive the vibration-type actuator 100 with high precision, the friction force between the rotating member contact surface 6h and the roller portion 15a and the friction force between the D-cut portion 16a of the output portion 16 and the roller portion 15a are made sufficiently greater than the thrust to be generated, so that the force generated by the rolling of the roller portion 15a can be continuously transmitted without slipping.

[0071] In the present exemplary embodiment, the roller portion 15a is urged against the output portion 16 by the urging force generated by holding the roller portion 15a at a predetermined position, so that the roller portion 15a is located at a position where a desired friction force can be obtained. However, the configuration is not limited thereto, and the roller portion 15a may be urged against the output portion 16 by the urging force of a spring or the attraction force of a magnet.

[0072] In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, an encoder may be provided for detecting the rotational position of the roller portion 15a of the rotating member 15. With this encoder, the rotation amount can be detected, so that the driving amount of the vibration-type actuator 100 in the translation direction can be detected.

[0073] Conventionally, the encoder used for translational drive can preferably use a certain amount of space, because a scale having a length corresponding to the stroke in the driving direction as the detection portion of the encoder can be preferably provided. In this exemplary embodiment, since the translational motion is converted into rotational motion and further converted into translational motion, the final movement amount of the translational motion can be detected by detecting the rotation amount. Thus, since the scale length corresponding to the stroke of the translational drive amount is not required, the rotation amount can be preferably detected. In this way, a more compact vibration type actuator 100 capable of detecting the position of the vibration type actuator 100 can be realized.

[0074] Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, the stroke is set to 2 mm, but is not limited thereto, and the stroke may be appropriately selected and applied according to the driving target.

[0075] In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, the driving direction is converted by the rotation transmission of the rolling of the roller portion 15 a , but the present exemplary embodiment is not limited to this configuration.

[0076] [Modifications]

[0077] Figure 6 is a diagram showing a vibration-type actuator 200 when viewed in the XY plane according to a first modification example of the vibration-type actuator 100 according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0078] like Figure 6 As shown, in the case where the vibration type actuator 200 has a relatively low accuracy requirement for determining the driving position of the vibration type actuator 200 and a relatively simple structure requirement, a gear and a rack can be used to convert the driving direction. More specifically, a gear portion 115a as a gear-shaped rotating portion is provided on the rotating member 115, and a gear contact surface 106h is provided on the rotating member receiving portion 106g of the holding member 106, and the gear contact surface 106h is a rack portion that meshes and contacts with the gear portion 115a.

[0079] The rotating member 115 includes a gear portion 115a on which gear teeth are formed and a rotating member shaft 115b. The gear portion 115a is a resin gear and can rotate around the Z axis, which is the axial direction of the rotating member shaft 115b. In addition, the gear portion 115a meshes with a gear contact surface 106h formed on the rotating member receiving portion 106g of the retaining member 106. As a so-called rack, the gear contact surface 106h acts on the gear portion 115a. With this configuration, when the vibration type actuator 200 is driven and the retaining member 106 moves in the X direction, the gear portion 115a of the rotating member 115 rotates around the Z axis relative to the rotating member shaft 115b by meshing with the gear contact surface 106h by an amount corresponding to the movement amount of the retaining member 106. In addition, the gear portion 115a is not limited to a resin gear, but can be formed by metal or other materials.

[0080] The output portion 116 also has a gear contact surface 116a that meshes with the gear portion 115a of the rotating member 115, and the gear contact surface 116a functions as a so-called rack. With this configuration, when the gear portion 115a rotates about the Z axis, the output portion 116 performs translational movement in the Y direction by an amount corresponding to the amount of rotation of the roller portion 15a.

[0081] More specifically, when the vibration-type actuator 200 is driven to translate the holding member 106 in the X direction, the gear portion 115a of the rotating member 115 in contact with the rotating member receiving portion 106g rotates around the Z axis, and the output portion 116 in contact with the gear portion 115a performs translational movement in the Y direction. In this way, the translational movement of the vibration-type actuator 200 in the X direction is converted into the translational movement of the output portion 116 in the Y direction at a ratio of 1:1 and output.

[0082] In this way, the vibration member 102 and the contact member 108 ( Figure 6 The relative movement direction of the vibration-type actuator 200 is not shown, thereby improving the design flexibility of the vibration-type actuator 200.

[0083] In addition, since the force is transmitted by using gears and a member for applying a force or high-precision processing is not required, the vibration type actuator 200 can be made more compact and simpler than the case of transmitting the force by rolling of a roller, which reduces the production cost. In addition, since no slip occurs, a larger thrust can be transmitted than the case of transmitting the force by rolling of a roller.

[0084] Reference Fig. 7A and Figure 7B , a configuration example of a vibration-type actuator 300 according to a second exemplary embodiment having a configuration different from that according to the first exemplary embodiment will be described. Fig. 7A and Figure 7B The configuration of the illustrated exemplary embodiment is similar to Figure 1 The illustrated configuration of the first exemplary embodiment is different in that two output portions 216 are provided. Other components in the present exemplary embodiment are the same as corresponding components according to the first exemplary embodiment, and description thereof is omitted.

[0085] Fig. 7A is a diagram illustrating the vibration-type actuator 300 according to the present exemplary embodiment when viewed in the XZ plane, and Figure 7B is a diagram illustrating the vibration-type actuator 300 when viewed in the XY plane.

[0086] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B The output transmission mechanism of the illustrated vibration-type actuator 300 includes a rotation member receiving portion 206 g provided on the holding member 206 , a rotation member 215 , and two output portions 216 - 1 and 216 - 2 .

[0087] The rotating member 215 includes a roller portion 215a as a smooth roller and a rotating member shaft 215b. The roller portion 215a is rotatable around the Z axis relative to the rotating member shaft 215b, and the Z axis is the axial direction of the rotating member shaft 215b. In addition, the roller portion 215a contacts the rotating member contact surface 206h of the rotating member receiving portion 206g of the holding member 206. The rotating member contact surface 206h is a surface parallel to the XZ plane formed by the driving direction and the pressurizing direction of the vibration type actuator 300, and is a smooth surface.

[0088] The rotating member shaft 215b is fixed to the shaft fixing portion (not shown) of the base 214 at a position where a force is applied to the rotating member contact surface 206h and the roller portion 215a with a predetermined force in the Y-axis direction. With this configuration, when the vibration type actuator 300 is driven and the holding member 206 moves in the X-direction, the roller portion 215a of the rotating member 215 rotates about the Z-axis relative to the rotating member shaft 215b by rolling on the rotating member contact surface 206h by an amount corresponding to the amount of movement of the holding member 206.

[0089] The two output parts 216-1 and 216-2 respectively have D-cut surfaces 216-1a and 216-2a which are flat surfaces parallel to the YZ plane as a part of their surfaces, and are supported by the base 214 so as to be slidable in the Y direction and non-rotatable around the Y axis relative to the base 214. In addition, the two output parts 216-1 and 216-2 are supported so that the D-cut surfaces 216-1a and 216-2a face each other in the X direction.

[0090] The D-cut surfaces 216-1a and 216-2a are configured to contact the roller portion 215a of the rotating member 215 and be urged with a predetermined force in the X-axis direction. With this configuration, when the roller portion 215a rotates about the Z-axis, the output portions 216-1 and 216-2 each perform translational movement in the Y-direction by an amount corresponding to the amount of rotation of the roller portion 215a.

[0091] Now, refer to Fig. 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C , a driving example of the output portions 216 - 1 and 216 - 2 according to the present exemplary embodiment when the driving amount is set to 2 mm will be described.

[0092] Fig. 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C 1 and 2 are diagrams illustrating the vibration-type actuator 300 when viewed in the XY plane when a vibration member (not shown) is located at the left end of the stroke, at the center of the stroke, and at the right end of the stroke, respectively.

[0093] like Fig. 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C As shown, when the vibration member moves 2 mm relative to the contact member (not shown) from the left end toward the right end in the X direction (i.e., the first direction), the roller portion 215a of the rotating member 215 rotates counterclockwise around the Z axis as the rotation axis extending in the second direction. Fig. 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C The output portion 216-2 moves 2 mm from the lower side to the upper side, and the output portion 216-2 moves 2 mm from the lower side to the upper side along the Y direction. Fig. 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C On the other hand, when the vibration member moves 2 mm from the right end to the left end, the roller portion 215a of the rotating member 215 rotates clockwise around the Z axis. In this way, the output portion 216-1 moves in the Y direction. Fig. 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C The output portion 216-2 moves 2 mm from the upper side to the lower side, and the output portion 216-2 moves 2 mm from the upper side to the lower side along the Y direction. Fig. 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C Move 2mm from the bottom to the top.

[0094] In other words, the relative movement between the vibration member and the contact member of the vibration-type actuator 300 in the X direction is converted into the translational movement of the output parts 216-1 and 216-2 in the Y direction at a ratio of 1:1 and output by the rolling of the roller part 215a of the rotating member 215. In addition, the output parts 216-1 and 216-2 move in opposite directions to each other in the Y direction (i.e., the third direction).

[0095] By using a configuration in which the output parts 216-1 and 216-2 move in opposite directions, for example, in an electronic device such as a robot, the opening and closing operation of the gripper of the robot can be realized by one vibration-type actuator 300. In the case where the vibration-type actuator 300 according to the present exemplary embodiment is applied to the gripper of the robot, for example, by setting the components constituting the gripper to the output parts 216-1 and 216-2 and driving the components, the target object can be clamped between the components and the target object can be released. In addition, since the direction of the opening and closing operation is orthogonal to the relative movement direction of the vibration component and the contact component of the vibration-type actuator 300, the vibration-type actuator 300 can be configured without causing the size of the gripper to become larger in the direction of the opening and closing operation.

[0096] In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, the conversion of the output direction is achieved by the rolling of the roller portion 215a. Therefore, the movement of the vibration member can be smoothly transmitted to the output portion 216, and the vibration-type actuator 300 can be driven with high precision and silence with good controllability.

[0097] Reference Fig. 9 , a configuration example of a vibration-type actuator according to a third exemplary embodiment having a configuration different from that according to the first exemplary embodiment will be described. Figure 1 The illustrated configuration differs in that Fig. 9 The illustrated configuration of the rotating member 315. The other components in the present exemplary embodiment are the same as the corresponding components according to the first exemplary embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0098] Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the vibration-type actuator 400 according to the present exemplary embodiment in an enlarged manner.

[0099] Fig. 9 The output transmission mechanism of the illustrated vibration-type actuator includes a rotation member receiving portion 306 g provided on a holding member 306 , a rotation member 315 , and an output portion 316 .

[0100] The rotating member 315 includes a first roller portion 315a-1 and a second roller portion 315a-2, which are first rotating portions and second rotating portions as smooth rollers, and a rotating member shaft 315b. The first rotating portion and the second rotating portion are not limited to smooth rollers, but may be gear-shaped rotating portions illustrated as a modified example of the first exemplary embodiment.

[0101] The two roller portions 315a-1 and 315a-2 are rotatable around the Z axis which is the axial direction of the rotating member shaft 315b. The diameter of the first roller portion 315a-1 is twice as large as the diameter of the second roller portion 315a-2.

[0102] The first roller portion 315a-1 contacts a rotating member contact surface 306h of a rotating member receiving portion 306g of the holding member 306. The rotating member contact surface 306h is a surface parallel to an XZ surface formed by the driving direction and the pressing direction of the vibration type actuator 300, and is a smooth surface.

[0103] The rotating member shaft 315b is fixed to a shaft fixing portion (not shown) of a base (not shown) at a position where a predetermined force is applied to the rotating member contact surface 306h and the roller portions 315a-1 and 315a-2 in the Y-axis direction. With this configuration, when the vibration type actuator 400 is driven and the holding member 306 moves in the X-direction, the roller portions 315a-1 and 315a-2 of the rotating member 315 rotate around the Z-axis relative to the rotating member shaft 315b by rolling on the rotating member contact surface 306h by an amount corresponding to the amount of movement of the holding member 306.

[0104] The output portion 316 has a D-cut surface 316a as a flat surface parallel to the YZ plane as a part of its surface, and is supported to be slidable in the Y direction relative to a base (not shown) and cannot rotate around the Y axis by the D-cut surface 316a.

[0105] The D-cut surface 316 a contacts the second roller portion 315 a - 2 of the rotating member 315 , and when the second roller portion 315 a - 2 rotates about the Z axis, the output portion 316 performs translational movement in the Y direction by an amount corresponding to the amount of rotation.

[0106] More specifically, when the vibration type actuator 400 is driven and the holding member 306 performs translational movement in the X direction, the first roller portion 315a-1 in contact with the rotating member receiving portion 306g and the second roller portion 315a-2 of the rotating member 315 rotate together around the Z axis. In addition, the output portion 316 in contact with the second roller portion 315a-2 performs translational movement in the Y direction. In this way, the translational movement of the vibration type actuator 400 in the X direction is converted into the translational movement of the output portion 316 in the Y direction and output in a manner of reducing the speed at a ratio of 2:1.

[0107] Thus, the relative movement directions of the vibration member (not shown) and the contact member (not shown) of the vibration type actuator 400 can be converted and output, whereby the size of the vibration type actuator 400 in the output direction can be made small.

[0108] In addition, by making the diameter of the second roller portion 315a-2 half the diameter of the first roller portion 315a-1, it is possible to output at a speed reduced by a reduction ratio of 2 times, and double the thrust of the vibration-type actuator 400. Thus, since the relationship between the thrust and the speed can be changed according to the specifications of the target object to be driven, the vibration-type actuator 400 can be used for various targets to be driven by changing the diameters of the two roller portions (i.e., the first roller portion 315a-1 and the second roller portion 315a-2) of the rotating member 315.

[0109] Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, the ratio between the diameters of the first roller portion 315a-1 and the second roller portion 315a-2 as the speed reduction mechanism is set to 2:1, but is not limited thereto and may be changed as appropriate. However, the greater the thrust, the smaller the speed and the amount of movement.

[0110] In addition, the diameter of the second roller portion 315a-2 can be made larger than the first roller portion 315a-1 to serve as a speed increasing mechanism. In this way, the output can be made at a speed faster than the relative movement speed between the vibration member and the contact member of the vibration type actuator 400. At the same time, the stroke can be made longer. However, the thrust becomes smaller by this amount.

[0111] In addition, the rotating member 315 is configured to include two roller portions 315a-1 and 315a-2 with different diameters, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the rotating member 315 may be configured to include two gears with different diameters, and each of the rotating member receiving portion 306g and the output portion 316 may be provided with a rack.

[0112] In addition, the movement of the vibration-type actuator 400 in the X direction is reduced in speed and converted into the movement in the Y direction, but is not limited thereto.

[0113] For example, as Fig.10 In the illustrated variation of the exemplary embodiment, the output portion 416 may be configured to move in the same direction as the X direction (ie, the first direction). In this way, the vibration-type actuator according to the variation is driven, and the holding member 406 is moved in the Fig.10 In addition, the first roller portion 415a-1 in contact with the rotating member receiving portion 406g and the second roller portion 415a-2 of the rotating member 415 rotate together around the Z axis (i.e., the rotating member shaft 415b). The output portion 416 in contact with the second roller portion 415a-2 rotates in the X direction from left to right. Fig.10 Shifts in the Y direction from right to left.

[0114] In other words, output can be obtained in the same output direction as the X direction, and output can be obtained in the reverse direction at a reduced speed.

[0115] Fig.11 1 is a top view schematically illustrating an imaging device 360 ​​as an example of an optical device including a vibration-type actuator 100 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The imaging device 360 ​​includes an imaging device body 61 provided with an imaging element (not shown) on which light passing through a lens (described below) forms an image, and a lens barrel 62 that can be attached to and separated from the imaging device body 61. The lens barrel 62 includes a lens group 63 (lens), a focusing lens 64 (lens) as an example of an optical element, and a vibration-type actuator 100, and the lens group 63 includes a plurality of lenses. A lens holder (not shown) that holds the focusing lens 64 is connected to an output portion 16 as a moving member in the vibration-type actuator 100. By driving the vibration-type actuator 100, the focusing lens 64 is driven in the optical axis direction to focus on an object.

[0116] In the case where a zoom lens is provided in the lens barrel 62 , the vibration-type actuator 100 can also be used as a driving source for moving the zoom lens in the optical axis direction.

[0117] In addition, an image shake correction lens is provided in the lens barrel 62 , and the vibration-type actuator 100 can be used as a driving source for driving the image shake correction lens in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis.

[0118] The present disclosure has been described above based on exemplary embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited to specific exemplary embodiments, and various forms completed within the scope of the present disclosure are also included in the present disclosure. In addition, the above exemplary embodiments are only examples of the present disclosure, and the exemplary embodiments can be combined as appropriate.

[0119] The disclosure of the present exemplary embodiment includes the following configurations.

[0120] [Structure 1]

[0121] A vibration type actuator, comprising a vibration member and a contact member, the vibration member comprising an electric-mechanical energy conversion element and an elastic member, the contact member being in contact with the vibration member, the vibration member and the contact member being configured to move relative to each other in a first direction, the vibration type actuator comprising:

[0122] Base,

[0123] a holding member held by the base and configured to hold the vibration member,

[0124] a rotating member including a rotating shaft held by the base and extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and configured to contact the holding member and rotate in association with relative movement of the vibration member, and

[0125] The output portion is held by the base so as to be movable in a third direction intersecting the second direction and is configured to come into contact with the rotating member and move in association with the rotation of the rotating member.

[0126] [Construction 2]

[0127] The vibration-type actuator according to Configuration 1, wherein the rotating member has a length in the third direction shorter than that of the holding member and is located inside a position where the holding member is located.

[0128] [Construction 3]

[0129] A vibration-type actuator according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the rotating member is shorter in length in the first direction and in the third direction than the holding member, and is located inside a region projected by the holding member in a plane including the first direction and the third direction.

[0130] [Construction 4]

[0131] The vibration-type actuator according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, wherein the rotating member includes a roller-shaped rotating portion, and the rotating portion is in contact with the holding member.

[0132] [Structure 5]

[0133] The vibration-type actuator according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the rotating member includes a gear-shaped rotating portion, and the holding member includes a rack portion configured to mesh with and contact the rotating portion.

[0134] [Construction 6]

[0135] The vibration-type actuator according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the vibration-type actuator includes two output portions, and the two output portions move in directions opposite to each other in the third direction.

[0136] [Construction 7]

[0137] A vibration-type actuator according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the rotating member includes a first rotating portion configured to contact the holding member and a second rotating portion configured to contact the output portion, and the first rotating portion and the second rotating portion have different diameters.

[0138] [Construction 8]

[0139] The vibration-type actuator according to Configuration 7, wherein the first rotating portion has a larger diameter than the second rotating portion.

[0140] [Construction 9]

[0141] A vibration-type actuator according to Configuration 7, wherein the first rotating portion has a smaller diameter than the second rotating portion.

[0142] [Structure 10]

[0143] The vibration-type actuator according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the first direction is substantially orthogonal to the third direction.

[0144] [Structure 11]

[0145] The vibration-type actuator according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the first direction and the third direction are the same direction.

[0146] [Structure 12]

[0147] The vibration-type actuator according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the vibration member is rectangular, and a long side direction of the vibration member is the same direction as the first direction.

[0148] [Structure 13]

[0149] The vibration-type actuator according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, wherein the elastic member includes two protrusions, and the two protrusions and the contact member are in contact with each other.

[0150] [Structure 14]

[0151] An optical device comprising:

[0152] The vibration type actuator according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, and

[0153] At least one of an optical element and an imaging element is driven by the vibration-type actuator.

[0154] [Structure 15]

[0155] An electronic device, comprising:

[0156] components, and

[0157] The vibration type actuator according to any one of configurations 1 to 13 is configured to drive the member.

[0158] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a vibration-type actuator having improved design flexibility can be provided. In addition, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an optical device and an electronic device including a vibration-type actuator having improved design flexibility can be provided.

[0159] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A vibration type actuator, comprising a vibration member and a contact member, the vibration member comprising an electric-mechanical energy conversion element and an elastic member, the contact member being in contact with the vibration member, the vibration member and the contact member being configured to move relative to each other in a first direction, the vibration type actuator comprising: Base; a holding member held by the base and configured to hold the vibration member; a rotating member including a rotating shaft held by the base and extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and configured to contact the holding member and rotate in association with relative movement of the vibration member; and The output portion is held by the base so as to be movable in a third direction intersecting the second direction and is configured to come into contact with the rotating member and move in association with the rotation of the rotating member.

2. The vibration type actuator according to claim 1, wherein: The rotating member has a shorter length in the third direction than the holding member, and is located inside a position where the holding member is located.

3. The vibration type actuator according to claim 2, wherein: The rotating member is shorter in length in the first direction and in length in the third direction than the holding member, and is located inside a region projected by the holding member in a plane including the first direction and the third direction.

4. The vibration type actuator according to claim 1, wherein: The rotating member includes a roller-shaped rotating portion, and The rotating portion is in contact with the holding member.

5. The vibration type actuator according to claim 1, wherein: The rotating member includes a gear-shaped rotating portion, and, The holding member includes a rack portion configured to mesh with and come into contact with the rotating portion.

6. The vibration type actuator according to claim 1, wherein: The vibration type actuator includes two output parts, and, The two output portions move in directions opposite to each other in the third direction.

7. The vibration type actuator according to claim 1, wherein: The rotating member includes a first rotating portion configured to contact the holding member and a second rotating portion configured to contact the output portion, and, The first rotating portion and the second rotating portion have different diameters.

8. The vibration type actuator according to claim 7, wherein: The first rotating portion has a larger diameter than the second rotating portion.

9. The vibration type actuator according to claim 7, wherein: The first rotating portion has a smaller diameter than the second rotating portion.

10. The vibration type actuator according to claim 1, wherein The first direction is substantially orthogonal to the third direction.

11. The vibration-type actuator according to claim 1, wherein: The first direction and the third direction are the same direction.

12. The vibration-type actuator according to claim 1, wherein: The vibration member is rectangular, and a long side direction of the vibration member is the same direction as the first direction.

13. The vibration type actuator according to claim 1, wherein: The elastic member includes two protrusions, and the two protrusions and the contact member contact each other.

14. An optical device comprising: The vibration type actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 13, and At least one of an optical element and an imaging element is configured to be driven by the vibration-type actuator.

15. An electronic device, comprising: components, and A vibration-type actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 13 configured to drive the member.

Images