Abstract: A vibration-type actuator capable of suppressing reduction in holding torque or holding force under influence of humidity. A vibration-type actuator 10 includes a vibrating body 2 and a driven body 1. The vibrating body 2 has a piezoelectric element 2c and an elastic body 2b. The driven body 1 is in contact with the vibrating body 2. The vibration-type actuator 10 moves the vibrating body 2 and the driven body 1 relatively to each other by vibration excited to the vibrating body 2. At least one of a first contact portion of the vibrating body 2 and a second contact portion of the driven body 1 includes a stainless-steel sintered body with pores and at least some of the pores are impregnated with a resin.

Abstract: A vibration-type actuator capable of suppressing reduction in holding torque or holding force under influence of humidity. A vibration-type actuator 10 includes a vibrating body 2 and a driven body 1. The vibrating body 2 has a piezoelectric element 2c and an elastic body 2b. The driven body 1 is in contact with the vibrating body 2. The vibration-type actuator 10 moves the vibrating body 2 and the driven body 1 relatively to each other by vibration excited to the vibrating body 2. At least one of a first contact portion of the vibrating body 2 and a second contact portion of the driven body 1 includes a stainless-steel sintered body with pores and at least some of the pores are impregnated with a resin.

Abstract: A vibration-type actuator capable of suppressing reduction in holding torque or holding force under influence of humidity. A vibration-type actuator 10 includes a vibrating body 2 and a driven body 1. The vibrating body 2 has a piezoelectric element 2c and an elastic body 2b. The driven body 1 is in contact with the vibrating body 2. The vibration-type actuator 10 moves the vibrating body 2 and the driven body 1 relatively to each other by vibration excited to the vibrating body 2. At least one of a first contact portion of the vibrating body 2 and a second contact portion of the driven body 1 includes a stainless-steel sintered body with pores and at least some of the pores are impregnated with a resin.

Abstract: A vibration-type actuator capable of suppressing reduction in holding torque or holding force under influence of humidity. A vibration-type actuator 10 includes a vibrating body 2 and a driven body 1. The vibrating body 2 has a piezoelectric element 2c and an elastic body 2b. The driven body 1 is in contact with the vibrating body 2. The vibration-type actuator 10 moves the vibrating body 2 and the driven body 1 relatively to each other by vibration excited to the vibrating body 2. At least one of a first contact portion of the vibrating body 2 and a second contact portion of the driven body 1 includes a stainless-steel sintered body with pores and at least some of the pores are impregnated with a resin.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a vibrating body for a vibration wave drive device using a vibrator in which an electromechanical energy conversion element is joined to a vibrating body having a plurality of protruding portions, the method including a first step and a second step. In the first step, an elastic material having a plurality of protruding portions is produced. In the second step, a pressure in a direction opposite to a protruding direction of the protruding portions of the elastic material is applied to press at least parts of the protruding portions to reduce slits between the protruding portions adjacent to each other.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a vibrating body for a vibration wave drive device using a vibrator in which an electromechanical energy conversion element is joined to a vibrating body having a plurality of protruding portions, the method including a first step and a second step. In the first step, an elastic material having a plurality of protruding portions is produced. In the second step, a pressure in a direction opposite to a protruding direction of the protruding portions of the elastic material is applied to press at least parts of the protruding portions to reduce slits between the protruding portions adjacent to each other.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a vibrating body for a vibration wave drive device using a vibrator in which an electromechanical energy conversion element is joined to a vibrating body having a plurality of protruding portions, the method including a first step and a second step. In the first step, an elastic material having a plurality of protruding portions is produced. In the second step, a pressure in a direction opposite to a protruding direction of the protruding portions of the elastic material is applied to press at least parts of the protruding portions to reduce slits between the protruding portions adjacent to each other.

Abstract: Projections of a bevel gear or a vibrating body are formed by bending a metal-made plate member having a plurality of projections so as to direct them in the same direction and make their projecting direction include a component of out-of-plane direction and subsequently applying a load to the bent plate member to crush the projections so as to reduce the height thereof and increase the plate thickness.

Abstract: A method of producing a metallic member that reduces the burden on a mold during molding is provided. The method of producing the metallic member according to the present invention includes the step of forming a cup-like member by applying a load to a metallic plate member, and the step of forming a plurality of protrusions at an opening end portion of the cup-like member by placing the cup-like member into a mold.

Abstract: To provide an alloy which can suppress minute temporal deformation of a Super Invar alloy as much as possible, and a method for producing the alloy. The alloy of the present invention includes iron, nickel, and cobalt, which are the basic components of a Super Invar alloy, and is characterized in that an amount of a fraction which has not carbidized in carbon contained in the alloy is 0.010 wt % or less.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a vibrating body for a vibration wave drive device using a vibrator in which an electromechanical energy conversion element is joined to a vibrating body having a plurality of protruding portions, the method including a first step and a second step. In the first step, an elastic material having a plurality of protruding portions is produced. In the second step, a pressure in a direction opposite to a protruding direction of the protruding portions of the elastic material is applied to press at least parts of the protruding portions to reduce slits between the protruding portions adjacent to each other.

Abstract: Projections of a bevel gear or a vibrating body are formed by bending a metal-made plate member having a plurality of projections so as to direct them in the same direction and make their projecting direction include a component of out-of-plane direction and subsequently applying a load to the bent plate member to crush the projections so as to reduce the height thereof and increase the plate thickness.

Abstract: A vibration type actuator has an elastic member in which a shaft center portion is formed in hollow shape along an axial direction and in which driving vibration is generated in a driving portion, a fastening member which fastens the elastic member to an electro-mechanical energy conversion element, an output shaft which penetrates the shaft center portion of the elastic member, a moving member which is kept in press contact with the driving portion of the elastic member and which rotates together with the output shaft, and a bearing member which is located between an inner periphery portion of the elastic member and a distal end portion of the fastening member and which journals the output shaft.

Abstract: A vibration wave driving apparatus includes a vibration member having an electro-mechanical energy conversion element and a vibration member supporting member fixed to an elastic member, each having a through-hole in the axial portion thereof; the apparatus further includes a rotary member in pressure contact with the vibration member and having a through-hole in the axial portion thereof, an output shaft extending through the through-holes of the vibration member and the rotary member, a case supporting the vibration member with the end portion of the vibration member supporting member fixed thereby, and a plurality of bearing for supporting the output shaft provided in the case.

Abstract: A vibration type actuator has an elastic member in which a shaft center portion is formed in hollow shape along an axial direction and in which driving vibration is generated in a driving portion, a fastening member which fastens the elastic member to an electro-mechanical energy conversion element, an output shaft which penetrates the shaft center portion of the elastic member, a moving member which is kept in press contact with the driving portion of the elastic member and which rotates together with the output shaft, and a bearing member which is located between an inner periphery portion of the elastic member and a distal end portion of the fastening member and which journals the output shaft.

Abstract: A vibration actuator has a vibration member for generating a vibration, and a contact member which contacts the vibration member and moves relative thereto when the vibration member vibrates. A portion of the vibration member, which is in sliding-contact with the contact member, is formed as a separate first member which is coupled to rest of the vibration member.

Abstract: A convex sliding portion (30) is provided on the driving surface of a vibrating member (1) formed with a frictional layer (31) on its surface. Inner and outer ridges (2c, 2b) of a contact portion (21) of a rotor (2) formed with a frictional layer (2a) on its surface are located at the inner and outer sides of the inner and outer edges of the sliding portion (30), respectively, so that the ridges (2b, 2c) of the contact portion (21) do not contact an effective contact portion (B) of the sliding portion (30).

Abstract: A vibration type actuator comprises an electro-mechanical energy conversion element, a plurality of elastic members sandwiching the conversion element therebetween, a fastening member for fastening the plurality of elastic members, a movable member contacting with at least one of the plurality of elastic members and rotated by vibration created in the elastic members, an output shaft rotated by the rotation of the movable member, and a case covering the elastic members and the movable member. The fastening member is formed with a through-hole through which the output shaft extends, and the output shaft extends through the through-hole and is rotatably supported at the positions of the axial end portions of the case.

Abstract: A vibration type driving device includes a vibration element by which vibration is excited, and a contact element brought into contact with the vibration element and relatively moved by the vibration. One of two opposing slide portions of the vibration and contact elements is made of an alumina ceramic containing an additive except alumina, and the other one of the two opposing slide portions is made of an iron-based material. An apparatus using this vibration type driving device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vibration wave driving device comprises a vibration member in which a vibration is generated, and a contact member contactable with the vibration member and movable relative to the vibration member by the vibration generated in the vibration member, wherein a material having resin as a chief component is used for one of a first contact portion of the vibration member, which contacts the contact member, and a second contact portion of the contact member, which contacts the vibration member, and wherein a ceramic of carbide origin is used for the other one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion.