Patents by Inventor Satoru Kitajima
Satoru Kitajima has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11658587Abstract: A vibration actuator includes a vibrating body and a contact body having an annular shape. The vibrating body vibrates and includes an annular elastic body and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element. The contact body is in contact with the vibrating body and moves relative to the vibrating body. The contact body includes a base portion, a supporting portion annularly extending from the base portion in a radial direction of the annular shape of contact body, and a friction member that is on the supporting portion, is different in member from the supporting portion, and is in contact with the vibrating body. A first gap is between one end of the friction member and the supporting portion, and a second gap is between the one end of the friction member and the vibrating body.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Satoshi Tsuchiya, Satoru Kitajima
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Patent number: 11644736Abstract: A vibration type actuator includes a vibration body, having an annular elastic body and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element, and includes a contact body having an annular shape. The contact body contacts the vibration body and relatively moves with regard to the vibration body. The contact body includes a base portion, a supporting portion that extends in an annular shape from the base portion in a radial direction of the contact body, and a friction member that is provided to the supporting portion, is a member different from the supporting portion, and is in contact with the vibration body. The friction member is connected to the supporting portion by a first surface extending along a central axis direction of the contact body and an annular second surface extending in the radial direction. The first surface includes a portion inclined with respect to the direction of the contact body central axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Satoru Kitajima, Satoshi Tsuchiya
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Publication number: 20220043327Abstract: A vibration type actuator includes a vibration body, having an annular elastic body and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element, and includes a contact body having an annular shape. The contact body contacts the vibration body and relatively moves with regard to the vibration body. The contact body includes a base portion, a supporting portion that extends in an annular shape from the base portion in a radial direction of the contact body, and a friction member that is provided to the supporting portion, is a member different from the supporting portion, and is in contact with the vibration body. The friction member is connected to the supporting portion by a first surface extending along a central axis direction of the contact body and an annular second surface extending in the radial direction. The first surface includes a portion inclined with respect to the direction of the contact body central axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Inventors: Satoru Kitajima, Satoshi Tsuchiya
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Publication number: 20220029558Abstract: A vibration actuator includes a vibrating body and a contact body having an annular shape. The vibrating body vibrates and includes an annular elastic body and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element. The contact body is in contact with the vibrating body and moves relative to the vibrating body. The contact body includes a base portion, a supporting portion annularly extending from the base portion in a radial direction of the annular shape of contact body, and a friction member that is on the supporting portion, is different in member from the supporting portion, and is in contact with the vibrating body. A first gap is between one end of the friction member and the supporting portion, and a second gap is between the one end of the friction member and the vibrating body.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Satoshi Tsuchiya, Satoru Kitajima
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Patent number: 10948011Abstract: A vibration drive device that suppresses an increase in the number of component parts and can be easily downsized. Vibration is excited in a vibration element in pressure contact with a driven element to thereby rotationally move the driven element relative to the vibration element. A bearing rotatably supports the driven element. A first and a second bearing portions are joined to the driven element. The second and a third bearing portions are pressed against each other via rolling elements in a direction along the axis of the bearing. The rolling elements are brought into pressure contact with the first raceway surface of the first bearing portion, the second raceway surface of the second bearing portion, and the third raceway surface of the third bearing portion. One of the second and third bearing portions is integrally formed with the driven element from the same material.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2016Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Satoru Kitajima, Yasumichi Arimitsu
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Patent number: 9867667Abstract: A positioning apparatus is provided that is configured to perform a biopsy or therapy support by puncture using a needle or other needle-shaped equipment. This positioning apparatus is exemplified by an apparatus that includes a first rotation member, a guide for guiding a needle or other needle-shaped equipment in a longitudinal direction, a second rotation member with a different rotation axis, and a friction applying unit configured to apply friction force to the first rotation member directly or indirectly and generates friction torque.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2015Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignees: Canon USA Inc., The Brigham and Women's Hospital Inc.Inventors: Kosuke Fujimoto, Satoru Kitajima, Kemal Tuncali
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Publication number: 20160319860Abstract: A vibration drive device that suppresses an increase in the number of component parts and can be easily downsized. Vibration is excited in a vibration element in pressure contact with a driven element to thereby rotationally move the driven element relative to the vibration element. A bearing rotatably supports the driven element. A first and a second bearing portions are joined to the driven element. The second and a third bearing portions are pressed against each other via rolling elements in a direction along the axis of the bearing. The rolling elements are brought into pressure contact with the first raceway surface of the first bearing portion, the second raceway surface of the second bearing portion, and the third raceway surface of the third bearing portion. One of the second and third bearing portions is integrally formed with the driven element from the same material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2016Publication date: November 3, 2016Inventors: Satoru Kitajima, Yasumichi Arimitsu
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Publication number: 20150238266Abstract: A positioning apparatus is provided that is configured to perform a biopsy or therapy support by puncture using a needle or other needle-shaped equipment. This positioning apparatus is exemplified by an apparatus that includes a first rotation member, a guide for guiding a needle or other needle-shaped equipment in a longitudinal direction, a second rotation member with a different rotation axis, and a friction applying unit configured to apply friction force to the first rotation member directly or indirectly and generates friction torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: Kosuke Fujimoto, Satoru Kitajima, Kemal Tuncali
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Patent number: 7583008Abstract: A vibration wave driven apparatus which makes it possible to secure a required component accuracy obtained by machining and can increase a power ratio to the size of the apparatus. A plurality of contact parts are formed on one surface of an elastic vibration plate of a vibrator, and are disposed in contact with a friction member of a slider. A piezoelectric element plate is joined to the other surface of the vibration plate. Thinner parts as recessed parts are formed in the vibration plate at locations other than the contact parts, whereby the vibration plate is disposed in contact with the friction member of the slider at the contact parts.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2008Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuyuki Kojima, Satoru Kitajima
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Patent number: 7518286Abstract: A vibration wave driven apparatus which makes it possible to secure a required component accuracy obtained by machining and can increase a power ratio to the size of the apparatus. A plurality of contact parts are formed on one surface of an elastic vibration plate of a vibrator, and are disposed in contact with a friction member of a slider. A piezoelectric element plate is joined to the other surface of the vibration plate. Thinner parts as recessed parts are formed in the vibration plate at locations other than the contact parts, whereby the vibration plate is disposed in contact with the friction member of the slider at the contact parts.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2005Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuyuki Kojima, Satoru Kitajima
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Publication number: 20090015100Abstract: A vibration wave driven apparatus which makes it possible to secure a required component accuracy obtained by machining and can increase a power ratio to the size of the apparatus. A plurality of contact parts are formed on one surface of an elastic vibration plate of a vibrator, and are disposed in contact with a friction member of a slider. A piezoelectric element plate is joined to the other surface of the vibration plate. Thinner parts as recessed parts are formed in the vibration plate at locations other than the contact parts, whereby the vibration plate is disposed in contact with the friction member of the slider at the contact parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2008Publication date: January 15, 2009Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nobuyuki KOJIMA, Satoru KITAJIMA
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Publication number: 20070069609Abstract: A vibration wave driven apparatus which makes it possible to secure a required component accuracy obtained by machining and can increase a power ratio to the size of the apparatus. A plurality of contact parts are formed on one surface of an elastic vibration plate of a vibrator, and are disposed in contact with a friction member of a slider. A piezoelectric element plate is joined to the other surface of the vibration plate. Thinner parts as recessed parts are formed in the vibration plate at locations other than the contact parts, whereby the vibration plate is disposed in contact with the friction member of the slider at the contact parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2005Publication date: March 29, 2007Applicant: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuyuki Kojima, Satoru Kitajima
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Publication number: 20040084800Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a friction member used for a vibration wave driving apparatus including a vibration member, a contact member which is brought into frictional contact with the vibration member and relatively moved by vibrations produced in the vibration member, and the friction member formed on one of friction portions of the vibration member and contact member, a molded member is formed by compression molding of a fluoroplastic powder and an additive, a sintered member is formed by sintering the molded member, a sheet is formed by cutting the sintered member in the form of a sheet, and a modified layer formed by cutting is removed from the friction surface of the sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2003Publication date: May 6, 2004Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Satoru Kitajima, Yutaka Maruyama
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Patent number: 6726866Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a friction member used for a vibration wave driving apparatus including a vibration member, a contact member which is brought into frictional contact with the vibration member and relatively moved by vibrations produced in the vibration member, and the friction member formed on one of friction portions of the vibration member and contact member, a molded member is formed by compression molding of a plastic powder and an additive, a sintered member is formed by sintering the molded member, a sheet is formed by cutting the sintered member in the form of a sheet, and a modified layer formed by cutting is removed from the friction surface of the sheet.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2003Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Satoru Kitajima, Yutaka Maruyama
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Patent number: 6720707Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2001Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Jun Tamai, Satoru Kitajima
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Patent number: 6643906Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a friction member used for a vibration wave driving apparatus including a vibration member, a contact member which is brought into frictional contact with the vibration member and relatively moved by vibrations produced in the vibration member, and the friction member formed on one of friction portions of the vibration member and contact member, a molded member is formed by compression molding of a plastic powder and an additive, a sintered member is formed by sintering the molded member, a sheet is formed by cutting the sintered member in the form of a sheet, and a modified layer formed by cutting is removed from the friction surface of the sheet.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1999Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Satoru Kitajima, Yutaka Maruyama
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Publication number: 20030041435Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a friction member used for a vibration wave driving apparatus including a vibration member, a contact member which is brought into frictional contact with the vibration member and relatively moved by vibrations produced in the vibration member, and the friction member formed on one of friction portions of the vibration member and contact member, a molded member is formed by compression molding of a fluoroplastic powder and an additive, a sintered member is formed by sintering the molded member, a sheet is formed by cutting the sintered member in the form of a sheet, and a modified layer formed by cutting is removed from the friction surface of the sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 1999Publication date: March 6, 2003Inventors: SATORU KITAJIMA, YUTAKA MARUYAMA
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Publication number: 20020014811Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2001Publication date: February 7, 2002Inventors: Jun Tamai, Satoru Kitajima