Vibrator With Opposing Protrusions For High Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vibration-wave motors face challenges in generating high torque while maintaining durability due to limited contact surface area and deformation under high motor pressing forces, leading to insufficient driving force transmission.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a vibrator with protrusions on opposing surfaces, increasing the friction surface area and using a piezoelectric element to generate bending vibrations, which enhances the rotational driving force and durability by distributing the load across a larger contact area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the motor pressing force is increased to generate high torque, then the frictional force is increased, but the contact pressure increases and durability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vibrator is divided into multiple vibrating members (first vibrating member and second vibrating member), each with their own protrusions. This segmentation distributes the contact pressure across multiple friction surfaces, allowing high torque generation without excessive contact pressure on any single surface, thereby maintaining durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-plane friction surface to a multi-layer friction surface structure by stacking multiple vibrating members. This adds a vertical dimension to the friction surface area, increasing the total contact area without expanding the horizontal footprint, thus distributing pressure effectively.
2Area of stationary object
If projecting portions are formed on both front and rear surfaces of a single vibrating member, then the friction surface area is increased, but the contact area remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of forming all protrusions on a single vibrating member, the invention segments the structure into multiple vibrating members, each with protrusions on their respective surfaces. This creates multiple independent friction surfaces that collectively provide a larger total contact area.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple vibrating members with protrusions into a single integrated vibrator assembly. The friction surfaces of all members work together simultaneously, merging their individual contact areas into a cumulative total that exceeds what a single member could provide.
3Power
If a high motor pressing force is applied to a thin plate vibrating member, then high torque is generated, but the vibrating member elastically deforms and driving force transmission is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The vibrator is segmented into multiple thin vibrating members stacked together. This distribution of structure allows each individual member to remain thin (maintaining flexibility for vibration) while the stacked assembly collectively resists elastic deformation under motor pressing force, ensuring adequate driving force transmission.
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 allows for the generation of high torque with improved durability by increasing the friction surface area and reducing the load on each contact surface, enabling efficient transmission of driving force.
Implementation Method 1
an electric-mechanical energy conversion element that is fixed to the first vibrating member
Implementation Method 2
a frictional force generated as a result of bringing a movable member into contact with such a vibrator
Data Source
AI summary
A vibrator of a vibration-type driving device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first vibrating member that includes first protrusions protruding in a first direction, a second vibrating member that includes second protrusions protruding in a direction that is opposite to the first direction, and an electric-mechanical energy conversion element that is fixed to the first vibrating member. The first protrusions and the second protrusions each have a hollow structure, and the first vibrating member and the second vibrating member are disposed in such a manner that a surface of the first vibrating member on which the first protrusions are not formed and a surface of the second vibrating member on which the second protrusions are not formed face each other.