Piezo Vibration Motor Flexible Substrate Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vibration wave driving devices face challenges in miniaturization and cost reduction due to complex support structures, which often result in unwanted noise from undesired vibrations, and existing damping solutions compromise motor efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A vibration wave driving device with a simplified and thinned support structure using a flexible substrate with a lamination structure to damp undesired vibrations without affecting the driving vibration mode, incorporating a support portion that enhances stability and reduces noise generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a complex support structure is used to support the vibrator, then the vibrator can be stably supported, but the device size increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibrator support stabilityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible substrate as the support structure for the vibrator. This thin film structure replaces complex rigid support components, achieving both mechanical support and vibration damping functions while significantly reducing device size and enabling miniaturization without compromising vibrator stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a support structure for the vibrator, provides vibration damping to suppress unwanted vibrations, and contributes to the overall structural integrity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate support and damping components, reducing device complexity and size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a complex support structure is used to support the vibrator, then the vibrator can be stably supported, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibrator support stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible substrate provides a simplified support structure that is easier and cheaper to manufacture compared to complex rigid support assemblies. The thin film structure can be produced using standard flexible PCB or thin film fabrication techniques, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining support stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

By integrating support and damping functions into a single flexible substrate component, the patent reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked. This consolidation simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces overall manufacturing cost while maintaining vibrator stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If conventional damping solutions are applied to suppress undesired vibrations, then noise is reduced, but motor efficiency is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise from undesired vibrationsVSAvoidmotor efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible substrate acts as a vibration damping element that selectively suppresses undesired vibrations while maintaining the driving vibration mode. Its flexible nature allows it to damp high-frequency unwanted vibrations without significantly affecting the low-frequency driving vibrations, thus reducing noise while preserving motor efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of vibration damping (which could reduce motor efficiency) into a beneficial effect by using the flexible substrate's inherent damping properties to selectively suppress only the undesired vibrations that cause noise, while allowing the driving vibrations to proceed unimpeded. This transforms what could be a performance-limiting factor into a noise-reduction mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables miniaturization and cost reduction while effectively damping undesired vibrations, preventing noise without impacting motor efficiency, thus improving the overall performance and reliability of the device.

Implementation Method 1

Piezo-electric element 15 in a horizontally long rectangular shape is held by holder 19, energized by blade spring 20 toward driven member 17

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a vibration-damping member made of a rubber material or the like brought into contact with a node of the driving vibration mode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

a driven member brought into contact with a part of the vibrator driven frictionally by vibration excited in the vibrator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2242123B1Vibration wave driving device
Publication Date: 2013.11.06 CANON KK
  • EP2242123B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2242123B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2242123B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A vibration wave driving device comprises a vibrator (22) constituted at least of a piezo-electric element (21) and a contact member (20) capable of causing an ellipsoidal movement by synthesis from stationary wave vibrations, and a supporting member (24) for supporting the vibrator (22), for driving a driven member (25) in contact with the contact member (20) of the vibrator (22) by ellipsoidal movement of the vibrator. Furthermore, the vibration wave driving device has a vibration-preventing member (23) attached to a node (Q1, Q2) other than a support portion (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007) of the vibrator (22) among the common nodes of a nodal circle or a nodal line (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5) of the plural stationary wave vibrations excited in the vibrator (22).