Vibrating Actuator Slope Mechanism for Orthogonal Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibrating actuators have limited design flexibility due to their rectangular shape, which restricts the output motion direction to the long-side direction, and the relative movement between the vibrator and the contact body limits the amount of output movement.
Innovation Solution
The vibrating actuator incorporates a pedestal, a holding member with a slope intersecting the direction of relative movement, and an output unit in contact with the slope, allowing the output unit to move in a direction perpendicular to the driving direction, thereby enhancing design flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the vibrator has a rectangular shape with two protrusions, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the output motion direction is limited to the long-side direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a slope surface that converts linear motion in the first direction into motion in a second direction (perpendicular or intersecting direction). The output unit moves along the slope surface, transforming the vibration direction from the long-side direction to a perpendicular direction, thereby adding dimensional flexibility to the output motion while keeping the vibrator structure simple
2Device complexity
If the output is obtained from relative movement between vibrator and contact body, then the structure is simple, but the amount of output movement is limited to the relative movement amount
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing the slope surface, the patent converts small linear displacement in the vibration direction into larger displacement in the perpendicular direction. The output unit travels along the inclined slope, amplifying the effective output movement distance while maintaining the simple relative movement mechanism between vibrator and contact body
3Device complexity
If the output unit moves in the same direction as the driving direction, then the transmission mechanism is simple, but the design flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The slope surface acts as a mechanical converter that redirects motion from the driving direction (first direction) to the output direction (second direction). This allows the output unit to move perpendicular to or at an angle to the driving direction, providing design flexibility for applications requiring orthogonal or angled output motion while keeping the transmission mechanism relatively simple
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
This configuration enables the vibrating actuator to produce output in directions other than the driving direction, reducing the size of the actuator in the output direction while maintaining efficient output movement.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element is bonded to the back side of the elastic body
Implementation Method 2
the contact body receives a friction driving force from the two protrusions (vibrator)
Data Source
AI summary
A vibrating actuator includes a vibrator including an electromechanical energy conversion element and an elastic body, and a contact body in contact with the vibrator, the vibrator and the contact body moving relatively in a first direction. The vibrating actuator includes a pedestal, a holding member configured to hold the vibrator, held on the pedestal, having a slope intersecting with the first direction, and moving in the first direction along with relative movement of the vibrator, and an output unit held on the pedestal so as to be movable in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, being in contact with the slope, and moving along with the movement of the holding member.