Vibration Wave Motor Structure for Higher Thrust at Lower Voltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration wave motors face challenges in increasing thrust force without increasing applied voltage, leading to higher power consumption and circuit costs, especially when driving heavier loads.
Innovation Solution
The vibration wave motor design includes a vibrator with an electro-mechanical energy conversion element and an elastic body featuring a flat plate portion, a protruding portion with a contact surface, a side wall portion forming a hollow structure, and a coupling portion that allows for flexibility in the pressure direction, with specific dimensions and configurations to optimize force generation while maintaining low applied voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the heights of the protruding portions are increased to increase the thrust force, then the velocity of relative movement increases, but the applied voltage must be increased leading to higher power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the protruding portions, specifically setting the height h1 and thickness t1 to satisfy h1/t1 ≤ 2.0. This parameter optimization allows the protruding portions to generate sufficient thrust force through optimized vibration amplitude while avoiding the need to increase applied voltage, thereby resolving the contradiction between force generation and power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces flexibility to the protruding portions by controlling the ratio of height to thickness. This dynamic characteristic allows the protruding portions to efficiently transfer vibration energy to the contact body, generating thrust force without requiring excessive voltage input, thus achieving force generation with reduced energy consumption
2Force
If the heights of the protruding portions are increased to increase the thrust force, then the velocity of relative movement increases, but the circuit cost increases due to higher applied voltage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By optimizing the geometric parameters h1 and t1 to satisfy h1/t1 ≤ 2.0, the invention achieves efficient thrust force generation without requiring high applied voltage. This parameter optimization simplifies the circuit requirements and reduces circuit cost while maintaining the necessary force output
3Force
If the ratio of height to thickness of the side wall portion is increased, then the thrust force increases, but the vibration loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the ratio of height to thickness of the side wall portion to satisfy h1/t1 ≤ 2.0. This parameter optimization balances the generation of thrust force with the minimization of vibration loss, preventing excessive vibration energy dissipation while maintaining sufficient force output
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 design achieves a higher thrust force with equivalent applied voltage, reduces power consumption, and allows for downsizing of the motor while minimizing noise and vibration loss, eliminating the need for complex lapping processes and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element is fixed to a back surface of the elastic body. The vibration wave motor applies a predetermined alternating voltage to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element. Accordingly, two bending vibrations (standing waves) are excited
Implementation Method 2
The contact body that is in pressure contact with the protruding portions receives frictional drive force (thrust force) from the two protruding portions, whereby the vibrator and the contact body can be relatively moved
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration wave motor, includes a vibrator including an electro-mechanical energy conversion element and an elastic body, and a contact body, wherein the elastic body includes a flat plate portion on which the electro-mechanical energy conversion element is fixed, and a protruding portion, wherein the protruding portion includes a contact portion, a side wall portion, and a coupling portion that is configured to couple the contact portion and the side wall portion, and wherein a predetermined inequality is satisfied, where a thickness of the side wall portion in a direction orthogonal to the pressure direction is t1, and a distance in the pressure direction from a second surface of the flat plate portion to the coupling portion is h1, the second surface of the flat plate portion facing a first surface of the flat plate portion on which the electro-mechanical energy conversion element is fixed.