Vibration Wave Motor Guide Mechanism for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic motors of linear motion type face limitations in reducing thickness due to compromised component rigidity, leading to noise generation from vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A vibration wave motor design incorporating a piezoelectric element, vibrating plate, friction member, and a guide mechanism with a first guide member and rolling members, where the first guide member has a groove portion with a V-shaped cross-section, enhancing rigidity without increasing thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the thickness of each individual component is reduced to achieve reduction in thickness, then the device becomes more compact, but the rigidity of each component is lowered, causing squeal or noise generation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from reducing thickness in one dimension to achieving compactness through planar optimization in two dimensions. The guide mechanism is designed with a groove portion that extends in the movement direction, allowing the rolling member to be guided effectively without increasing thickness, thus resolving the contradiction between thickness reduction and rigidity maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove portion is designed with asymmetric surfaces where the first surface is longer than the second surface in the movement direction. This local structural differentiation provides enhanced rigidity and guidance functionality at critical locations while maintaining overall compactness, preventing squeal and noise without increasing overall thickness.
2Length of stationary object
If the thickness of each individual component is reduced to achieve reduction in thickness, then the device becomes more compact, but individual components are excited by vibration of the vibrator, generating squeal or noise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the potentially harmful vibration excitation into beneficial guidance functionality. The groove portion with its asymmetric surface design is specifically configured to guide the rolling member while being excited by the vibrator's vibration, transforming the harmful vibration into effective guidance motion and preventing squeal and noise generation.
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 design achieves a compact and high-rigidity vibration wave motor, reducing noise and squeal issues while maintaining efficiency, allowing for further thickness reduction without compromising performance.
Implementation Method 1
a vibrator including a piezoelectric element and a vibrating plate
Implementation Method 2
a guide mechanism, which includes a first guide member, a second guide member, and a rolling member arranged between the first guide member and the second guide member, and is configured to guide the relative movement
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a vibration wave motor, including: a vibrator including a piezoelectric element and a vibrating plate; a friction member, which includes a friction-contact surface to be brought into contact with the vibrator, and is configured to perform relative movement with respect to the vibrator by vibration generated by the vibrator; and a guide mechanism, which includes a first guide member, a second guide member, and a rolling member arranged between the first guide member and the second guide member, and is configured to guide the relative movement, wherein the first guide member includes a groove portion formed of a first surface and a second surface to be brought into contact with the rolling member, and wherein the first surface is longer than the second surface in a direction of the relative movement.