Abstract: A microfluidic valve device includes a microfluidic chip including a substrate having a channel, a valve disposed within the channel and configured to change a conductance of the channel, with the valve having an inner channel formed therein, and an oscillator configured to generate a traveling wave. The valve is moved by generating the traveling wave to open and close the channel.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a terminal holding mechanism that holds a terminal portion configured to conduct power from an external terminal, a terminal base that forms a part of the terminal holding mechanism, a partition wall having an open portion on a side, the partition wall separating the terminal portion and the terminal base, and a contact surface facing the open portion of the partition wall and provided integrally with the terminal base, the contact surface being electrically connected to the terminal holding mechanism.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes first and second image bearing members on which toner images are to be formed, a conveying member, and a conveying member position index detecting device for detecting a conveying member position index provided on the conveying member. The apparatus also includes an image bearing member position index detecting device for detecting image bearing member position indices provided on the second image bearing member, an adjusting device for adjusting a rotational speed of the second image bearing member, and a controller for controlling the adjusting device so as to adjust a position of an image bearing member position index correspondingly to the conveying member position index, on the basis of detection results of the conveying member position index detecting device and the image bearing member position index detecting device.

Abstract: A liquid control apparatus is used for controlling the movement of liquid in a microfluidic device having a flow channel for holding liquid. The apparatus comprises a vibration wave generating section for generating a vibration wave to be applied to the microfluidic device and a signal supplying section for supplying drive signals to the vibration wave generating section so as to oscillate in an oscillation mode selected from a transfer mode for moving liquid in a predetermined direction, a stop mode for stopping the movement of liquid, a mixing and/or agitation mode for mixing and/or agitating liquid and a localization mode for localizing a predetermined substance in liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus system for controlling liquid in a fluid channel in a micro-fluid device has an ultrasonic oscillator for conveying liquid. The ultrasonic oscillator oscillates with amplitude modulation. The apparatus system has a holding section for holding the micro-fluid device on the ultrasonic oscillator to allow a micro-fluid device to be removably fitted to it. A liquid conveying method and a liquid conveying unit showing an improved liquid conveying efficiency are provided.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a microfluidic chip and an ultrasonic stator. A holding portion is formed at the ultrasonic stator to hold the microfluidic chip. The microfluidic chip is formed of a substrate with a very small channel, and a valve is provided movably in the channel. The cross section of an upstream portion of the channel is larger than that of a downstream portion. When the valve is moved to the downstream side, the valve closes and decouples the downstream portion of the channel. When the valve is moved to the upstream side, the upstream and downstream portions of the channel are coupled. The valve is moved by a traveling wave generated by the ultrasonic stator, and the traveling wave is transmitted to the substrate via the holding portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes first and second image bearing members on which a toner images are to be formed; a conveying member onto which the toner images are to be transferred; a conveying member position index detecting device for detecting a conveying member position index provided on the conveying member along the movement direction of the conveying member; an image bearing member position index detecting device for detecting the image bearing member position indices provided on the second image bearing member along a rotational direction of the second image bearing member; an adjusting device for adjusting a rotational speed of the second image bearing member; a controller for controlling the adjusting device so as to adjust a position of an image bearing member position index correspondingly to the conveying member position index, on the basis of detection results of the conveying member position index detecting device and the image bearing member position index detecting device; and an initial

Abstract: This invention provides a vibration wave driving apparatus which makes it possible to reduce the localized abrasion of a contact member, and reduce the deterioration of performance due to long-term driving. This vibration wave driving apparatus has a contact member which is provided with fixed portions fixed to the lengthwise opposite end portions of the vibration expanding portion of the vibration member, and a connecting portion integrally connecting the two fixed portions together and having opposite ends fixed beam structure divided into a plurality.

Abstract: A foreign substance removing apparatus that can provide the desired vibration amplitude to a light transmitting member, without using a large driving voltage. The foreign substance removing apparatus removes foreign substances adhered to a surface of an optical member disposed in a light ray incident path and includes a piezoelectric element fixed to a first plane of the optical member, a circular disk fixed to a second plane, opposite from the first plane, of the optical member so as to face the piezoelectric element, and a driving unit for applying an AC voltage to the piezoelectric element to cause the optical member to elastically vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the planes thereof, thereby removing the foreign substances adhered to the surface of the optical member.

Abstract: A vibration wave driving apparatus includes a vibration member in which an electro-mechanical energy conversion element is fixed to an elastic member, and a contact member pressed against a sliding part provided in the vibration member, so as to be kept in contact therewith. The vibration wave driving apparatus is configured to supply alternating signals in a predetermined driving frequency band to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element, thereby generating a predetermined natural vibration mode in the elastic member to drive the contact member. In the apparatus, the natural vibration mode is generated in the elastic member, a natural frequency of another vibration mode different from the natural vibration mode is detected, and a stiffness of the support member is altered if the natural frequency of the other vibration mode detected is included in the driving frequency band.

Abstract: A control apparatus and a control method for a vibration type driving apparatus are disclosed which can maintain output performance even when low-speed driving is continued for a long time. The vibration type driving apparatus comprises a vibrating body and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element, and a contact body in contact with the vibrating body. By applying a plurality of driving signals to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element to excite a traveling vibration on the vibrating body, the vibrating body and the contact body are relatively moved. The control apparatus and the control method controls the driving signals such that the largest displacement of the traveling vibration fluctuates and a position where the largest displacement reaches the peak is changed in a direction of the relative movement of the vibrating body and the contact body.

Abstract: This invention provides a vibration wave driving apparatus which makes it possible to reduce the localized abrasion of a contact member, and reduce the deterioration of performance due to long-term driving. This vibration wave driving apparatus has a contact member which is provided with fixed portions fixed to the lengthwise opposite end portions of the vibration expanding portion of the vibration member, and a connecting portion integrally connecting the two fixed portions together and having opposite ends fixed beam structure divided into a plurality.

Abstract: When starting a vibration-type drive device, the frequency of a drive signal is lowered from a predetermined frequency at a first change rate. When the vibration state of a vibration member reaches a predetermined state, it is determined whether or not a relative movement speed has reached a reference speed. When the relative movement speed has not reached the reference speed, the frequency of the drive signal is lowered at a second change rate that is smaller than the first change rate. This avoids problems which could occur when moisture intervenes on a slide surface of the vibration-type drive device, such as the vibration-type drive device not starting, and a desired rpm not being achieved.

Abstract: When starting a vibration-type drive device, the frequency of a drive signal is lowered from a predetermined frequency at a first change rate. When the vibration state of a vibration member reaches a predetermined state, it is determined whether or not a relative movement speed has reached a reference speed. When the relative movement speed has not reached the reference speed, the frequency of the drive signal is lowered at a second change rate that is smaller than the first change rate. This avoids problems which could occur when moisture intervenes on a slide surface of the vibration-type drive device, such as the vibration-type drive device not starting, and a desired rpm not being achieved.

Abstract: A control apparatus and a control method for a vibration type driving apparatus are disclosed which can maintain output performance even when low-speed driving is continued for a long time. The vibration type driving apparatus comprises a vibrating body and an electromechanical energy conversion element, and a contact body in contact with the vibrating body. By applying a plurality of driving signals to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element to excite a traveling vibration on the vibrating body, the vibrating body and the contact body are relatively moved. The control apparatus and the control method controls the driving signals such that the largest displacement of the traveling vibration fluctuates and a position where the largest displacement reaches the peak is changed in a direction of the relative movement of the vibrating body and the contact body.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vibration member comprising: a driving portion; an elastic member including the driving portion; and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element as a driving source in contact with the elastic member. The electro-mechanical energy conversion element is provided with an alternating signal to generate a plurality of vibrations, and the plurality of vibrations are combined to generate a driving vibration in the driving portion. An ununiformity of rigidity of the vibration member caused by a polarization treatment performed on the electro-mechanical energy conversion element is offset by partially changing the rigidity of the vibration member, so that a stable driving vibration of the vibration member can be outputted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration wave driving apparatus which comprises a vibration member in which an electro-mechanical energy conversion element is fixed to the elastic member, and a contact member pressed against a sliding part provided in the vibration member, so as to be kept in contact therewith, and which is configured to supply alternating signals in a predetermined driving frequency band to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element, thereby generating a predetermined natural vibration mode in the elastic member to drive the contact member. In the apparatus, the natural vibration mode is generated in the elastic member, a natural frequency of another vibration mode different from the natural vibration mode is detected, and a stiffness of the support member is altered if the natural frequency of the other vibration mode detected is included in the driving frequency band.

Abstract: A vibrating type driving device is constructed by a vibration member in which a vibration is excited, a moving member which is brought into contact with the vibration member and is rotated thereby, an output shaft which is coupled to the moving member and is rotated thereby, pressurizing means for making the vibration member and the moving member come into pressure contact with each other, and a plurality of bearings which are separately arranged in an axial direction for rotatably supporting the output shaft, wherein the plurality of bearings are arranged so as to separately receive a reactive force of pressure applied by the pressurizing means.

Abstract: A vibrating type driving device is constructed by a vibration member in which a vibration is excited, a moving member which is come into contact with the vibration member and is rotated, an output shaft which is coupled to the moving member and is rotated, pressurizing means for making the vibration member and the moving member come into pressure contact with each other, and a plurality of bearings which are separately arranged in an axial direction for rotatably supporting the output shaft, wherein the plurality of bearings are arranged so as to separately receive a reactive force of pressure applied by the pressurizing means.

Abstract: A vibration driven device includes a vibration member having a plurality of projective portions, and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element contacting the vibration member. The conversion element has a plurality of electrodes, and the vibration member is vibrated by applying a signal to the electrodes. Each end portion of the plurality of electrodes of the conversion element is located coincident with one of the plurality of projection portions of the vibration member.