JP3524248B2 - Vibration device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vibrating device that excites a bending vibration and a longitudinal vibration in a vibrating member by a piezoelectric converting means and obtains a driving force by using a vibration wave generated by combining these.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some vibration devices utilizing vibration waves vibrate a rectangular plate-shaped vibrating body and linearly drive a moving body (contact member) in contact with the vibrating body. Such a vibration device is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. In this figure, 171 is an elastic body made of an elastic material, and 172 is a piezoelectric element for exciting vibration in the elastic body 171. The vibrating body is composed of the elastic body 171 and the piezoelectric element 172.

Further, 172a, 172b and 172c are electrode films for applying a voltage of a specific frequency to the piezoelectric element 172, and 174 is a moving body. Further, 175 is a pressing spring for pressing the moving body 174 against the elastic body 171 with an appropriate force, and 177 is a bearing for reducing the frictional resistance between the pressing spring 175 and the moving body 174. In the vibrating device configured in this manner, the voltage control circuit (not shown) causes the electrode films 172a and 172b to rotate 90 ° from each other.
Voltages of specific frequencies with different phases (sin, c
os) is applied, the piezoelectric element 172 repeats expansion and contraction at that frequency. Due to the expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric element 172, the elastic body 171 is longitudinally vibrated (for example, first-order mode vibration).
And bending vibration (for example, fourth-order mode vibration) is excited, and a standing wave for moving the moving body 174 is synthesized by these vibrations. Then, due to the combined standing wave, each mass point on the surface of the elastic body 171 makes an elliptical motion in the same direction. Therefore, the moving body 17
When 4 is brought into pressure contact, the moving body 1 is caused by friction between the two.
74 is driven in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The elastic body 17
1, motion extractors 173a and 173b for amplifying the elliptic motion and transmitting the amplified elliptical motion to the moving body 174 are attached.

As a unit structure of a driving device which operates on the same principle, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-22826.
Proposed in Japanese Patent No. 6 (see FIG. 18 (a))
Alternatively, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-261568 (see FIG. 18B). In these unit structures, the contact portions of the vibrating body 181 and the moving body 184 with the vibrating body 181 are covered with the case 186.

[0005]

However, as shown in FIG.
In both of the examples shown in FIG.
Since the pressing spring 185 for pressing to the inside is attached inside the case 186, a space for accommodating the pressing spring 185 must be provided inside the case 186, which causes a problem that the case 186 tends to be large. there were.

It is possible to reduce the space by increasing the spring constant of the pressing spring 185 to reduce the amount of deformation, but if the spring constant is large, the amount of deformation of the pressing spring 185 is slightly different. Therefore, a large difference occurs in the pressing force, making it difficult to properly set the pressing force.

In addition, if the pressing spring 185 is housed in the case 186, it is difficult to assemble the unit.

Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to provide a vibration device in which the case member can be made as small as possible.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, in the first invention of the present application, a vibrating member vibrating by electric-mechanical energy conversion, a case member accommodating the vibrating member, and the case member. A vibrating device comprising: a contact member that is in contact with the vibrating member through the inside of the vibrating member; and a biasing member that generates a pressing force that press-contacts the contact member and the vibrating member.
An opening is formed on the side facing the urging member, the urging member is attached to the outside of the case member, and the urging member is attached.
The pressing force of the material is applied to the vibrating member through the opening.
I am trying to make it .

[0010] That is, opening of formed to case members
Is, by configured to exert a pressing force to the vibrating member through the opening in biasing member, eliminating the need to secure a space for accommodating the biasing member to the inside of the case member, the miniaturization of the case member I am trying to Further, by attaching the biasing member to the outside of the case member, the assembly is simplified as compared with the case where the biasing member is attached to the inside of the case member, and the biasing member has a relatively large deformation amount (that is, a small spring constant). ) Is allowed to suppress variations in pressing force.

The opening may be formed on the side facing the vibrating member, and the biasing member may be configured to press the vibrating member in the direction of contacting the contact member. In this case, It is desirable to interpose an elastic member between the vibrating member and the biasing member so that the vibration of the vibrating member is not transmitted to the biasing member. Further, it is desirable to interpose a supporting member for supporting the vibrating member between the biasing member and the vibrating member so that the vibrating member can be more stably supported.
In this case, the support member should be positioned and supported by the biasing member.
By holding the urging member, it plays a role of generating a pressing force and a role of positioning and supporting the supporting member,
It is desirable to reduce the number of parts and further facilitate assembly.

The biasing member may be attached to the case member by, for example, locking the biasing member to a locking portion formed on the outer surface of the case member, or by attaching the biasing member to the vibrating member. When a guide member for guiding the contact member that moves with respect to the case member is attached, the biasing member may be fixed to the case member by this guide member.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) A vibration wave motor (vibration device) according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the vibration wave motor. In this figure, 1
Is a vibrator as a vibrating member serving as a drive source of the vibration wave motor. As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the vibrator 1 includes an elastic body 1a having a substantially rectangular shape and made of brass, phosphor bronze, stainless steel, or the like, and piezoelectric elements 1b and 1c bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the elastic body 1a. , The motion extractors 1d and 1e attached to the upper surface of the piezoelectric element 1c, and the piezoelectric element 1b,
It is composed of electrode films 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i divided and formed with a predetermined width so as to be divided at the center of 1c in the longitudinal direction.

Reference numerals 2a and 2b in FIG. 1 denote elastic members such as felt, and the motion extractors 1d and 1e provided on the vibrator 1.
It is arranged so as to be located substantially on the opposite side of. Reference numeral 3 denotes a support member that supports the vibrator 1 via the elastic members 2a and 2b, and is fixed to the lower surface of the elastic members 2a and 2b with an adhesive or a double-sided tape. In the present embodiment, the elastic member 2
Although two a and 2b are provided, one or three or more may be provided as long as they are located on the substantially opposite sides of the motion extractors 1d and 1e.

Numeral 4 is a moving body which is brought into contact with the motion extractors 1d and 1e to convert the elliptical motion generated in the motion extractors 1d and 1e into a linear motion. The moving body 4 has a D-shaped cross section whose bottom surface is flat.

Reference numeral 5 is a motion extractor 1 of the moving body 4 and the oscillator 1.
A pressing spring for contacting d and 1e with a predetermined pressing force, and a case 6 for housing the vibrator 1. The lower surface of the case 6 is formed with an opening having an opening area in which the support member 3 can be vertically movably fitted.

Further, 7a and 7b are guide members for guiding the moving body 4 in the moving direction and around the axis in the moving direction. The guide members 7a and 7b are made of resin or metal excellent in wear resistance and slidability. Etc. are desirable. In addition,
As shown in FIG. 4, in order to prevent relative displacement of the two guide members 7a, 7b, the guide members 7a, 7b
The convex portion provided on the case 6 is fitted into the concave portion provided on the case 6. Further, in this embodiment, the guide members 7a, 7
Although b is separate from the case 6, there is no problem if it is provided integrally with the case 6.

As shown in FIG. 3, two guide support portions 6a and 6b for the vibrator 1 are provided on the side surface of the case 6 in the width direction, and they are provided on both sides of the elastic body 1a of the vibrator 1 in the width direction. The vibrator 1 is guided in the height direction of the case 6 by fitting the two convex portions 1m and 1n. Further, the support member 3 has a convex portion 3a, and by fitting the convex portion 3a into a hole portion 5a formed in the longitudinal center of the pressing spring 5, the supporting member 3 is positioned and supported by the pressing spring 5. It A flexible printed circuit board for voltage application and a circuit for voltage application, which will be described later, are omitted in FIG.

Next, a method of supporting the pressing spring having the above structure will be described. The pressing spring 5 has locking arms that are divided into both sides in the width direction and extend upward at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and the locking arms are cut out in a concave shape at the upper portions of the locking arms 5c and 5d. , 5e, 5f are formed. Further, convex locking protrusions 6c, 6d, 6 are provided at positions corresponding to these locking portions 5c to 5f in the case 6, respectively.
e, 6f are formed.

The engaging portions 5c, 5d of the pressing spring 5 are
5e, 5f are locking protrusions 6c, 6d, 6e, 6 of the case 6
By engaging with each of f, the pressing spring 5 is locked to the case 6 as shown in detail in FIG. The lower portions of the locking protrusions 6c to 6f are formed in a tapered shape, so that the locking portions 5c to 5f can be easily engaged from the lower side. Further, the vertical lengths of the locking portions 5c to 5f are the same as those of the locking protrusion 6c.
Since it is longer than the vertical length of 6 f, the vertical movement of the pressing spring 5 with respect to the case 6 is allowed.

Next, the procedure for assembling this vibration wave motor will be briefly described.

[Procedure 1] First, as shown in FIG. 7, the flexible printed board 9 for voltage application is mounted on the vibrator 1. The mounting state is shown in FIG.

[Procedure 2] As shown in FIG.
In advance, the guide members 7a and 7b are integrated, and the moving body 4 is passed through the inside of the case 6 and the guide members 7a and 7b. Then, the convex portions 1m and 1n of the vibrator 1 with the flexible printed circuit board 9 for voltage application prepared in step 1 are fitted to the guide portions 6a and 6b of the case 6.

[Procedure 3] As shown in FIG. 10, the elastic members 2a and 2b are previously attached to the supporting member 3 with double-sided tape or the like, and the convex portion 3a of the supporting member 3 is pressed by the pressing spring 5.
The holes 5a are fitted to each other so that they are aligned and integrated. This is attached to the case 6 in which the vibrator 1 prepared in step 2 is incorporated. At this time, as described above, the engaging portions 5c, 5d, 5e and 5f of the pressing spring 5 are engaged with the case 6. The protrusions 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f are engaged. As a result, the vibrator 1 is housed in the case 6 through the lower surface opening of the case 6. FIG. 11 shows the locked state.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the vibration wave motor assembled as described above. As can be seen from this figure, the pressing force of the pressing spring 5 depends on the supporting member 3 and the elastic members 2a, 2
It acts on the vibrator 1 via b and makes it contact the moving body 4 under pressure.

Here, since the vibrator 1 is supported by the support member 3, the vibrator 1 can be stabilized. Also,
Since the support member 3 is held by the pressing spring 5, the number of parts is smaller and assembly is easier than in the case where a member for holding the support member 3 is provided separately from the pressing spring. Although the moving body 4 has a D-shaped cross section in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a moving body having a flat plate shape or a triangular column cross section is used. Is also good.

Next, a method of driving the present vibration wave motor will be briefly described. When the electrode films 1e and 1h (A-phase electrode film), 1f and 1i (B-phase electrode film) of the vibrator 1 are electrically connected to each other, the A-phase electrode film 1e and the B-phase electrode film 1f are separated from each other by 9
When voltages of specific frequencies different in 0 ° phase are applied through the flexible printed board 9 for application, the piezoelectric element 1a repeats expansion and contraction movements different in 90 ° phase in the portion corresponding to the electrode film. As a result, longitudinal vibration and bending vibration are excited in the elastic body 1a, which causes the motion extractor 1d,
1e performs an elliptic motion rotating in the same direction. Then, this elliptical movement drives the moving body 4 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, for example, due to the friction with the moving body 4.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a vibration wave motor (vibration device) according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the present vibration wave motor. In this figure, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described.

In FIG. 13, reference numeral 135 is a pressing spring for bringing the moving body 4 and the motion extracting bodies 1d and 1e of the vibrator 1 into contact with each other with a predetermined pressing force. Further, reference numeral 136 is a case for housing the vibrator 1.

In the first embodiment, the pressing spring 5 is locked on the side surface of the case 6, but in the present embodiment, the upper end of the locking arm of the pressing spring 135 is bent inward in the horizontal direction, and this bending is performed. Locking portions 136c to 136 provided with the portions 135c to 135f on the upper end surface of the case 136.
The pressing spring 135 is engaged with the case 1 by engaging with the f.
It is attached to 36.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a vibration wave motor (vibration device) according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the present vibration wave motor. In this figure, the same components as those in the first and second embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described.

In FIG. 14, reference numeral 145 is a pressing spring for bringing the moving body 4 and the motion extracting bodies 1d and 1e of the vibrator 1 into contact with each other with a predetermined pressing force. Further, 146 is a case for housing the vibrator 1. In the second embodiment, the locking arms on both sides of the pressing spring 135 in the width direction are provided separately, and only the upper portions of them are bent. However, in the present embodiment, the upper portions of the locking arms of the pressing spring 145 are separated from each other. While being connected, a locking portion 146c provided on the upper end surface of the case 146,
Protrusions 146e and 146f are formed on 146d, and connecting portions 145c, 1 of the locking arm are formed on the protrusions 146d and 146e.
I am trying to hook 45d . As a result, the locking arm of the pressing spring 145 is locked by the locking portion 146 of the case 146.
Can be prevented from coming off from c and 146d

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a vibration wave motor (vibration device) according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the present vibration wave motor. In this figure, the same components as those in the first to third embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. As in FIG. 1, the locking arm of the pressure spring 155 is locked.
Locking portions 155c to 155f are formed on the frame.
The locking portion engages with the locking protrusions 6c to 6f of the case 6.

In the first to third embodiments, the support member 3 and the elastic members 2a and 2b are interposed between the vibrator 1 and the pressing springs 5,135 and 145, but in the present embodiment, the support members are provided. 3 is eliminated and only the elastic members 2a and 2b are interposed.

In this case, the elastic members 2a and 2b may be attached to the vibrator 1 or the pressing spring 155 in advance by a double-sided tape or the like. In this embodiment, since the pressing spring 155 also plays the role of the support member 3, the number of parts and the number of assembling steps can be reduced as compared with the first to third embodiments.

(Fifth Embodiment) Next, a vibration wave motor (vibration device) according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the present vibration wave motor. In this figure, the same components as those in the first to fourth embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the pressing springs 5 and 1 are used.
35, 155 and the cases 6, 136, 146 are engaged with each other, but in this embodiment, the guide member 7 is attached to the pressing spring 165.
a and 7b are attached in advance and the guide members 7a and 7b are attached.
By attaching the to the case 166,
5 is also adapted to be attached to the case 166. In this case, the guide members 7a and 7b need the positioning portions similar to those in the first embodiment in order to prevent their relative positional displacement.

In the vibration wave motor described above, a relatively large deformation amount of the pressing spring can be allowed without increasing the size of the case member. Therefore, the spring constant of the pressing spring can be reduced to some extent, and the pressing force can be prevented from varying due to a slight difference in the amount of spring deformation.

Further, the present invention may be used by combining the above-described embodiments and modified examples, or the technical elements thereof as needed.

(Relationship Between Embodiments and Claims) In the above embodiment, the vibration wave motor is equivalent to the vibrating device in the claims, and includes a vibrator (elastic body 1a, piezoelectric elements 1b and 1c, electrode films 1f to 1i). And the motion extractors 1d and 1e) press against the vibrating member in the claims, the moving body 4 presses against the contact members in the claims, and the cases 6, 136, 146, 166 press against the case members in the claims. Springs 5,135,14
5, 155 and 165 are biasing members in the claims, the support member 3 is a movable part in the claims, the lower surface opening of the case 6 in FIG. 15 is an opening in the claims, and a guide member. Reference numerals 7a and 7b correspond to the guide members in the claims.

The above is the correspondence relationship between each configuration of the present invention and each configuration of the embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration of these embodiments, and the mechanism or the embodiment shown in the claims is not limited. Any structure may be used as long as the function of the structure can be achieved.

[0042]

As described above, in the first invention of the present application, it is unnecessary to secure the space for accommodating the biasing member inside the case member by attaching the biasing member to the outside of the case member. . Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size of the case member because the space can be omitted. Furthermore, since the unit can be attached to the outside of the case member, the structure and assembly of the unit can be simplified, and since a large amount of spring deformation can be tolerated, the spring constant can be reduced to suppress the variation of the pressing force and facilitate the pressing force. It can be set appropriately.

Further, when the vibrating member is pressed by the biasing member in the contact direction with the contact member, a supporting member for supporting the vibrating member is interposed between the biasing member and the vibrating member.
The vibrating member can be stably supported. In this case, if the support member is positioned and supported by the biasing member, it plays a role of generating a pressing force on the biasing member and a role of positioning and supporting the support member. It is possible to reduce the number of parts and further facilitate the assembly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a vibration wave motor that is a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a vibrator of the vibration wave motor.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing a supporting state of the vibrator.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a case and a guide member of the vibration wave motor.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a locked state of the case and the pressing spring of the vibration wave motor.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the vibration wave motor.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the vibrator and a flexible printed circuit board connected to the vibrator.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the vibrator and a flexible printed circuit board connected to the vibrator.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a coupling relationship between the vibration wave motor and a flexible printed circuit board.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a coupling relationship between the case member and the pressing spring.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of the vibration wave motor.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled state of the vibration wave motor.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a vibration wave motor that is a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a vibration wave motor that is a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a vibration wave motor that is a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a vibration wave motor that is a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the operating principle of the vibration wave motor.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a conventional vibration wave motor.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 vibrating body 1a Elastic body 1b Piezoelectric element 1d, 1e Motion extractor 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i electrode film 2a, 2b elastic member 3 Support members 4 moving bodies 5,135,145,155,165 Pressing spring 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f Locking part 6,136,146,156,166 Case 6a, 6b guide part 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f Locking protrusion 7a, 7b guide member

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-2-228266 (JP, A) JP-A-7-168245 (JP, A) JP-A-3-256577 (JP, A) JP-A-7- 163126 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H02N 2/00

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A vibrating member that vibrates due to electrical-mechanical energy conversion, and a case member that houses the vibrating member.
A vibrating device comprising: a contact member that comes into contact with the vibrating member through the case member; and a biasing member that generates a pressing force for press-contacting the contact member and the vibrating member. Opening on the side facing the vibrating member
A portion is formed , the urging member is attached to the outside of the case member, and the pressing force of the urging member is applied to the vibration member through the opening.
A vibrating device characterized by being applied to a moving member . 2. The vibrating device according to claim 1 , wherein an elastic member is interposed between the biasing member and the vibrating member. 3. A vibration device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that by interposing a support member for supporting the vibration member between the vibration member and the biasing member. 4. The support member is provided by the biasing member.
The vibrating device according to claim 3 , wherein the vibrating device is positioned and supported . Wherein said biasing member, the vibration device according to any of the four preceding claims 1, characterized in that is engaged with the engaging portion formed on an outer surface of said case member. 6. A guide member for guiding the contact member moving with respect to the vibrating member is attached to the case member, and the biasing member is fixed to the case member by the guide member. The vibrating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .