Vibration Wave Motor Compact Design via Dimensional Shift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration wave motors face limitations in downsizing due to the need to position supporting members outside the driving direction to avoid interference, restricting their compactness.
Innovation Solution
A vibration wave motor design that incorporates a holding member, power transmission member, and guide member to enable the vibrator and friction member to move relative to each other within the driving direction, with a base member supporting the friction member and using tension springs for biasing forces, allowing for a compact configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the unit supporting member supports both end portions and the surface of the slider to avoid interference with the vibrator, then the reliability of the support structure is improved, but the device complexity and size in the driving direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the supporting member from a configuration that supports the slider from the side (requiring space in the driving direction) to a configuration that supports the slider from the bottom (using the thickness direction). This dimensional shift allows the supporting member to be located beneath the slider rather than alongside it, eliminating interference with the vibrator's movement in the driving direction while maintaining support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting member is integrated into the base structure, with the slider positioned above it and the vibrator positioned above and adjacent to the slider. This nested arrangement allows multiple components (supporting member, slider, vibrator) to occupy overlapping projections in the driving direction, with each component supported from beneath, thereby compacting the overall structure in the driving direction while maintaining all necessary support functions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the supporting member is placed outside the range of movement of the vibrator, then interference between the vibrator and supporting member is avoided, but downsizing in the driving direction is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the supporting member outside the vibrator's range of movement in the driving direction (which increases size), the patent positions the supporting member beneath the slider in the thickness direction. This allows the supporting member to be within the projection of the vibrator's movement range without causing interference, as the vibrator moves horizontally above while the supporting member remains below, both occupying the same driving direction space without conflict.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than avoiding interference by placing the supporting member outside the movement range (traditional approach), the patent inverts the approach by placing the supporting member inside the movement range projection but in a different vertical position (beneath the slider). This inversion allows compact arrangement where components overlap in the driving direction without interfering with each other's function.
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 downsizing in the driving direction by optimizing the movement and support of the motor components, enhancing its compactness and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a vibrator (1) including a piezoelectric element (3)
Implementation Method 2
a pair of tension springs (11) which generate elastic forces in the direction in which the friction member (4) and the guide member (9) approach each other
Implementation Method 3
a friction member (4) configured to come into friction contact with the vibrator (1), wherein the vibrator (1) moves relative to the friction member (4) by the vibration generated by the vibrator (1)
Data Source
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AI summary
A vibration wave motor comprises a vibrator including a piezoelectric element and a vibrating body, a friction member including a first surface configured to come into contact with the vibrator, and a second surface, which is a surface on the opposite side of the first surface, the vibrator and the friction member moving relative to each other in a driving direction by a vibration generated by the vibrator, a supporting member configured to support the friction member on the second surface side; and a pressure member configured to bring the vibrator and the friction member into pressure contact with each other. A fixing portion configured to fix the friction member to the supporting member is provided in the friction member. The vibrator can move to a position where at least part of the vibrator and the fixing portion overlap each other in a pressure direction of the pressure member.