Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electromechanical linear drive having a housing, an electromechanical drive unit, a transmission element which is coupled to the electro-mechanical drive unit, and an element to be driven which is in frictional contact with the transmission element, where the transmission element is mounted on at least two bearing points with respect to the housing. Improved accessibility to the element to be driven and a longer adjustment path of the element to be driven can be achieved by placing the element to be driven in frictional contact with the transmission element at a point of engagement outside of all bearing points.

Abstract: A vibration wave motor includes a vibrator including an electrical-mechanical energy conversion element and an elastic member, a contact member in contact with the elastic member, and a supporting member that supports the vibrator, wherein the supporting member supports an outer periphery portion of the vibrator so as to be movable along a direction in which the vibrator is pressed toward the contact member, and selectively supports a node of a vibration of the vibrator.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor includes an annular vibrator and an annular moving member that is brought into pressure-contact with the vibrator. The vibrator includes an annular vibrating plate and an annular piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element includes an annular lead-free piezoelectric ceramic piece, a common electrode arranged on one surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece, and a plurality of electrodes arranged on the other surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece. The plurality of electrodes include two drive phase electrodes, one or more non-drive phase electrodes, and one or more detection phase electrodes. A second surface of the vibrating plate includes a plurality of groove regions extending radially, and the depths of the groove regions change in a circumferential direction along a curve obtained by superimposing one or more sine waves on one another. The ultrasonic motor exhibits a sufficient drive speed while suppressing generation of an unnecessary vibration wave.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor, usable in a drive control system and the like, includes an annular vibrator and an annular moving member arranged so as to be brought into pressure-contact with the vibrator. The vibrator includes an annular vibrating plate and an annular piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element includes an annular piezoelectric ceramic piece, a common electrode arranged on one surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece, and a plurality of electrodes arranged on the other surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece. The piezoelectric ceramic piece contains lead in a content of less than 1,000 ppm. The plurality of electrodes include two drive phase electrodes, one or more non-drive phase electrodes, and one or more detection phase electrodes.

Abstract: A vibrator and an ultrasonic motor can exhibit a sufficient drive speed even when using lead-free piezoelectric ceramics. The ultrasonic motor includes an annular vibrator and an annular moving member arranged so as to be brought into pressure-contact with the vibrator. The vibrator includes an annular vibrating plate and an annular piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element includes an annular piezoelectric ceramic piece, a common electrode arranged on one surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece, and a plurality of electrodes arranged on the other surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece. The piezoelectric ceramic piece contains lead in a content of less than 1,000 ppm. The plurality of electrodes include two drive phase electrodes, at least one non-drive phase electrode, and at least one detection phase electrode.

Abstract: A vibrating actuator assembly includes a diaphragm, at least one vibrator at the diaphragm and that vibrates when an electric signal is applied thereto, a vibration shaft having one end connected to the diaphragm, a rotor on an outer side of the vibration shaft to contact an outer surface of the vibration shaft and that moves by vibration of the vibration shaft, and an elastic presser at another end of the vibration shaft and that elastically presses the rotor toward the diaphragm.

Abstract: A vibration wave driving apparatus can match the vibration direction of a projecting portion of a vibrator to the displacement direction of a contacting portion of a driven body so that the projecting portion of the vibrator and the contacting portion of the driven body can be brought into contact and driven with stability. The vibration direction of the projecting portion is affected by selecting the position of the projecting portion relative to the nodes of vibration.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic motor unit includes a piezoelectric element, a holder member, a pressing member, a pressing auxiliary member, a driven member, an ultrasonic motor accommodation member, a power extraction member. The piezoelectric element has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The holder member holds the piezoelectric element so as to cover an outer surface of a portion of the piezoelectric element. The pressing member applies a predetermined pressing force to the piezoelectric element. The pressing auxiliary member transfers a pressing force generated by the pressing member to the holder member. The driven member is in contact with one end face of the piezoelectric element. The power extraction member is coupled to the ultrasonic motor accommodation member to form a joint portion. The ultrasonic motor unit is formed by connecting a plurality of sections each formed by coupling the ultrasonic motor accommodation member to the power extraction member.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor for driving a driven object with a multi-degree of freedom includes a vibrator configured to simultaneously excite two vibration modes to generate an elliptic vibration on an output surface thereof, a driven object configured to be driven by the elliptic vibration generated on the output surface, and a driving element interposed between the output surface and the driven object. The driven object includes a spherical portion to be brought into contact with at least the output surface via the driving element. The elliptic vibration exhibits different vibration amplitudes at different positions on the output surface. The output surface includes a plurality of regions which exhibit greater vibration amplitudes than other regions on the output surface. The driving element includes a contact portion with at least two regions exhibiting greater vibration amplitudes than other regions of the contact portion, and is provided on the output surface.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor includes a piezoelectric element; a stator comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the piezoelectric element is disposed on the first surface and a plurality of projections are formed on the second surface; a rotor comprising an operating portion that contacts the plurality of projections and that rotates via waves of the stator generated by the piezoelectric element, wherein a part of each of the plurality of projections that contacts the operating portion comprises a curved contact portion.

Abstract: A linear drive ultrasonic motor includes at least an ultrasonic vibrator having a piezoelectric element, a driven member which is driven relatively by a frictional force between the ultrasonic vibrator and the driven member, a plurality of coupling members which are coupled with the driven member, a frame body which is coupled with the coupling member, a bias applying member which applies a bias to the driven member by the ultrasonic vibrator, a base member which movably supports the driven member, and a rolling member having a spherical shape which movably supports the driven member with respect to the base member. The plurality of coupling members include a positioning portion which determines a position of the respective frame body, and which have a shape which enables to fix by a point contact, sandwiching the frame body.

Abstract: A vibration wave driven apparatus includes a vibrator configured to generate vibration, a rotor configured to be in frictional contact with the vibrator and to rotate about an axis of rotation, and a transmitting member configured to rotate about the axis and to transmit rotation of the rotor to an external component. A part of the transmitting member forms a worm portion of a worm gear.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor includes a fixed member including a surface, a movable member positioned to face the surface of the fixed member, and an actuator to cause at least a portion of the movable member to contact the surface of the fixed member and cause the movable member to move relative to the fixed member.

Abstract: The drive efficiency of a vibratory actuator is improved without increasing a weight of a driver element. An ultrasonic actuator (2) includes an actuator body (4) for generating longitudinal vibration and bending vibration, and driver elements (8), provided on a mounting surface (40a) which is one of side surfaces of the actuator body (4), for making an orbit motion according to the vibrations of the actuator body (4) to output driving force. In the driver element (8), a through hole (80) is provided.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor has a cylindrical rotor for performing a mechanical output, a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators each having two points in internal contact with the rotor, and a preload mechanism for pressing the ultrasonic vibrators from an inside toward an outside of the rotor, and the ultrasonic vibrators are provided to be rotatable relative to the preload mechanism. With this configuration, an internal contact type ultrasonic motor capable of performing efficient drive by using a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators each in contact with a cylindrical rotor at two points and allowing contact at all contact points without requiring a high machining accuracy can be provided.

Abstract: A piezo drive system includes an elastic fixing frame, a drive element, a rod, and a rotor. A vamplate portion is formed on the outer surface of the rod. One end of the rod is secured to around the center of a face of the drive element. The rotor consists of a cylindrical portion and a disk portion, and can rotate relative to the rod. Protrusions are formed on the inside of a top surface portion of the fixing frame to push against the disk portion. Using the drive element, the rod rotates while tilting and makes a surface contact with the vamplate portion, producing friction. Consequently, the rotor is rotated.

Abstract: It is an subject of the present invention to provide a vibration actuator in which a plurality of rotors can be driven by a single vibration unit. When a composite vibrator (2) is driven to generate a composite vibration combining a plurality of vibrations, a first stator (3) and a second stator (4) vibrate, thereby causing elliptical movements in corner portions (8) and (9) of the first stator (3) and the second stator (4), respectively. As a result, a first rotor (A) abutting onto and pressurized against the corner portion (8) of the first stator (3) and a second rotor (B) abutting onto and pressurized against the corner portion (9) of the second stator (4) are rotated at the same time. Further, in this case, by selecting vibration modes of the plurality of vibrations constituting the composite vibration, the two rotors (A) and (B) can be rotated in the same direction or in opposite directions with respect to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a linear ultrasound piezoelectric motor comprising a mobile element that is in frictional contact with a plate-like rectangular resonance plate, wherein the frictional surface is embodied by means of at least one of the longitudinal narrow sides of the resonance plate, and electrodes for producing acoustic vibrations which are arranged on the longitudinal wide sides of the resonance plate. According to the invention, the generator for producing acoustic vibrations is asymmetrically arranged in relation to a plane which symmetrically cross-cuts the resonance plate, and comprises two opposing electrodes generating a stationary asymmetrical space wave when excited.

Abstract: To provide a screw fastening device that, when performing a screw tightening operation, can substantially reduce the running torque directly applied by external force 5 to a screw driving device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a miniaturizable motor (1) comprising a rotor (12) that is driven by a hollow cylindrical piezo oscillator (2). Said rotor is effectively connected to a frictional face (13) of the piezo oscillator while a main electrode or counter electrode (3) and excitation electrodes (4, 5, 6) are disposed on the surface of the hollow cylinder. The hollow cylindrical piezo oscillator is made of a monocrystalline material with a trigonal crystal system which is provided with three main electrical axes that are placed at a 120° angle relative to each other as well as an optical axis. Said optical axis encloses a 90° angle along with the point of intersection of the electrical axes while coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical piezo oscillator. Furthermore, the axial axis of symmetry of the respective excitation electrode intersects one of the main electrical axes while said axial axis of symmetry extends parallel to the optical axis.

Abstract: An ultrasonic actuator (3) includes an actuator body (4) performing a plurality of vibrations including a bending vibration, and a driver element (5) which is attached to a long side surface (40b) of the actuator body (4), and outputs a driving force by making an orbit motion in response to the vibrations of the actuator body (4). The driver element (5) is provided with an attachment surface (51), and is attached to the long side surface (40b) with the attachment surface (51) in surface contact with the long side surface (40b). A width of the attachment surface (51) in the longitudinal direction of the long side surface (40b) is smaller than a maximum width of the driver element (5) in the longitudinal direction of the long side surface (40b).

Abstract: Provided is a vibration actuator in which a plurality of rotors can be driven by a single vibration unit. Two rotors (A) and (B) are attracted toward corresponding stators to be contacted with and pressurized against the corresponding stators (3) and (4), respectively, through a tension of a wire member (8). A composite vibration combining a plurality of vibrations is generated by a composite vibrator (2) to cause elliptical movements in corner portions of the stators (3) and (4). As a result, the two rotors (A) and (B) abutting onto and pressurized against the two stators (3) and (4) are rotated about rotation centers (C1) and (C2) thereof, respectively, at the same time.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor for generating an elliptic motion by adding a longitudinal vibration to a bending-direction vibration is provided. The piezoelectric motor includes a piezoelectric member which generates a first vibration mode and a second vibration mode simultaneously by an applied power and a frictional member of which a portion is insertedly attached into a concave portion indentedly formed on one side of the piezoelectric member, wherein the frictional member is in an elliptic motion by the vibration generated by the piezoelectric member, so that an influence of the attachment of the frictional member to a resonance frequency can be minimized. Accordingly, a driving efficiency of the piezoelectric motor can be improved. In addition, attachment strength of the frictional member can be improved.

Abstract: A driving apparatus includes a piezoelectric element which expands and contracts when a voltage is applied thereto, a driving shaft fixed to one end of the piezoelectric element in an expanding-and-contracting direction, a friction part frictionally engaged with the driving shaft, a lens holder moved along a direction of an optical axis of a lens, and a direction-changing unit which reciprocates the lens holder in the front-rear direction along the optical axis. The direction-changing unit includes a translation cam mechanism including a moving member and a moved member, and converts a linear movement along the expanding-and-contracting direction into a linear movement along the direction of the optical axis.

Abstract: The invention is intended to provide a high-capacity ultrasonic composite oscillating device that is sufficiently rigid as a composite oscillating body for various strong ultrasonic applications. One constructed such that BLTs (1, 1?, 2, 2?, . . . n, n?) of the same characteristics are disposed around an outer peripheral portion of a disk-shaped oscillating body 4 in n-sets opposed to each other and disposed at regular intervals, opposed BLTs being driven in an opposite phase mode, and driven in an oscillating mode in which the phase between the BLTs in adjacent sets is shifted by ?/n, and an oscillating rod connected to a center of the disk-shaped oscillating body is induced with a composite oscillation output of oscillation capacity n-times that of one set of BLTs induced in the center of the disk-shaped oscillating body 4, and one in which a plurality of these oscillating devices are jointed together to increase the oscillation capacity.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor is provided with a circular stator including a piezoelectric element and a comb teeth body with a multitude of comb teeth circumferentially aligned thereon, and a circular rotor supported by a rotating shaft and pressed against the comb teeth body, wherein the comb teeth respectively include, at least in a portion thereof press-contacting the rotor, a plurality of pin-shaped elements radially aligned at a predetermined interval. The pin-shaped element is elastically deformable in a radial direction at least in a tip portion thereof, and has a predetermined rigidity in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (42) provides drive signals to a piezo element (48) of a milli-actuator device (20) in a mass data storage device (10). The integrated circuit (42) includes a circuit (61) for selectively operating the integrated circuit (42) in either a voltage or a charge mode of operation. A first amplifier circuit (44) can be compensated for a variable number of piezo elements in the charge mode of operation by adjustable output impedance adjusting elements (124, 126, 138-141) that are switchably connectable into the amplifier circuit (44).

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor that allows movement of an arbitrary object in an arbitrary direction is described. The piezoelectric motor includes at least two piezoelectric drives positioned to direct energy at an angle to each other. A contact element translates the energy from the piezoelectric drives to an object, thereby moving the object in the desired direction.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor comprising: a piezoelectric vibrator (50) having a surface comprising a localized non-planar shaped first surface region thereon which first surface region has a shape different from the shape of the surface on which it is located; and a friction nub (52) formed with a second surface region that is substantially a negative relief of the first surface region, which first and second regions are bonded together. Preferably the friction nub (52) is detachably mounted to the vibrator (50) via a boss (54) waving a protuberance (56) of conical shape. Alternatively the friction nub (52) has a protuberance (76) which is form-fitted to a recess (72) in the vibrator (50) or boss (70), respectively. First and second surface regions can also be threading surfaces.

Abstract: An acoustic driver assembly for use with a spherical cavitation chamber is provided. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass, coupled together with a centrally located threaded means (e.g., all thread, bolt, etc.). The driver assembly is either attached to the exterior surface of the spherical cavitation chamber with the same threaded means, a different threaded means, or a more permanent coupling means such as brazing, diffusion bonding or epoxy. In at least one embodiment, the transducer is comprised of a pair of piezo-electric transducers, preferably with the adjacent surfaces of the piezo-electric transducers having the same polarity. The surface of the head mass that is adjacent to the external surface of the chamber has a spherical curvature greater than the spherical curvature of the external surface of the chamber, thus providing a ring of contact between the acoustic driver and the cavitation chamber.

Abstract: An acoustic driver assembly for use with a spherical cavitation chamber is provided. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass, coupled together with a centrally located threaded means (e.g., all thread, bolt, etc.). The head mass of the driver assembly is permanently attached to the exterior surface of the spherical cavitation chamber via brazing or diffusion bonding. In at least one embodiment, the transducer is comprised of a pair of piezo-electric transducers, preferably with the adjacent surfaces of the piezo-electric transducers having the same polarity. The surface of the head mass that is adjacent to the external surface of the chamber has a spherical curvature equivalent to the spherical curvature of the external surface of the chamber, thus providing maximum coupling efficiency between the acoustic driver and the cavitation chamber.

Abstract: A vibration type driving apparatus, which is capable of increase of output torque and rotational speed without increasing the size of a vibration body, is described. The apparatus comprises a vibration body which generates vibration by supplying a driving signal to an electro-mechanical energy converting element and a contact body which contacts this vibration body and is moved by vibration received from the vibration body. The vibration body comprises a base portion having the electro-mechanical energy converting element and a plurality of vibration amplification portions for amplifying vibration generated at this base portion. Neighboring vibration amplification portions of the plurality of vibration amplification portions are connected at a position different from a connecting position of each vibration amplification portion with the base portion.

Abstract: An acoustic driver assembly for use with a spherical cavitation chamber is provided. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass, coupled together with a centrally located threaded means (e.g., all thread, bolt, etc.). The driver assembly is permanently attached to the exterior surface of the spherical cavitation chamber via brazing or diffusion bonding. In at least one embodiment, the transducer is comprised of a pair of piezo-electric transducers, preferably with the adjacent surfaces of the piezo-electric transducers having the same polarity. The surface of the head mass that is adjacent to the external surface of the chamber has a spherical curvature equivalent to the spherical curvature of the external surface of the chamber, thus providing maximum coupling efficiency between the acoustic driver and the cavitation chamber. In at least one embodiment a void filling material is interposed between one or more pairs of adjacent surfaces of the driver assembly.

Abstract: An acoustic driver assembly for use with a spherical cavitation chamber is provided. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass, coupled together with a centrally located threaded means (e.g., all thread, bolt, etc.). The driver assembly is either attached to the exterior surface of the spherical cavitation chamber with the same threaded means, a different threaded means, or a more permanent coupling means such as brazing, diffusion bonding or epoxy. In at least one embodiment, the transducer is comprised of a pair of piezo-electric transducers, preferably with the adjacent surfaces of the piezo-electric transducers having the same polarity. The surface of the head mass that is adjacent to the external surface of the chamber has a spherical curvature greater than the spherical curvature of the external surface of the chamber, thus providing a ring of contact between the acoustic driver and the cavitation chamber.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (42) provides drive signals to a piezo element (48) of a milli-actuator device (20) in a mass data storage device (10). The integrated circuit (42) includes a circuit (61) for selectively operating the integrated circuit (42) in either a voltage or a charge mode of operation. A first amplifier circuit (44) can be compensated for a variable number of piezo elements in the charge mode of operation by adjustable output impedance adjusting elements (124, 126, 138-141) that are switchably connectable into the amplifier circuit (44).

Abstract: A vibration wave driving apparatus includes an electro-mechanical energy conversion element that is sandwiched and fixed between elastic members, in which a flange-shaped elastic member is provided between the electro-mechanical energy conversion element and one of the elastic members. When a driving vibration is applied to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element, bending vibrations are excited in a vibration element and those bending vibrations allow out-of-plane bending vibrations to be excited in the flange-shaped elastic member. A rotor is brought into contact with the third elastic member sandwiched between the elastic member and the electro-mechanical energy conversion element. A travelling wave produced by the bending vibration of the vibration element and a travelling wave produced by the out-of-plane bending vibration of the third elastic member are generated at the frictional surface of the vibration element.

Abstract: A lower metal block of a stator includes a plurality of securing projections, which engage with an external member and are arranged in an outer peripheral surface of the lower metal block at generally equal angular intervals. Each securing projection is circumferentially located between corresponding two of slits of the lower metal block and has first and second axial ends, which are opposed to one another in a direction generally parallel to the axial direction of the stator and are oriented toward first and second axial ends, respectively, of the stator. The first axial end of each securing projection is axially positioned within an axial extent of the slits, which is measured in the axial direction of the stator.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a spindle structure of an ultrasonic machine which can reduce the number of assembling steps, can improve working accuracy, and can reduce heat generation due to an ultrasonic wave leakage during the working process.

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: Structure for transmitting displacement of a piezoelectric element includes a piston member. A distal-end plate portion has a receiving face adapted to be brought into direct contact with a distal-end face of the piston member. The distal-end face of the piston member is brought into direct contact with a mating member at a displacement transmitting face which is situated on an opposite side to the receiving face. End faces of a piezoelectric element in a displacement direction are maintained substantially in parallel to each other while the piezoelectric element is being driven. The contact configuration between the distal-end face and the receiving face is an annular and linear contact condition, whereby the piezoelectric element, the piston member and the distal-end plate portion are constructed so as to remain substantially stationary while the piezoelectric element is being driven.

Abstract: A driver (40) for supplying drive signals to a piezo element (48) of a milli-actuator device (21) in a mass data storage device (10) in a charge mode of operation has a first circuit (96, 98) for providing a charging current to a sense capacitor (58) in response to head position control signals. The first circuit is powered by a voltage supply (VM) that is referenced to a substrate potential, or a ground potential (AGND). A second circuit (104, 106) for mirroring a current in the first circuit at a predetermined mirror ratio (1x:Nx) to provide drive currents to the piezo element (48). The substrate potential may be, for example, an analog ground potential. If desired, the integrated circuit may also include a first switch (60) connected to selectively disable the first circuit (96, 98) a second switch (62) connected to selectively provide a feedback path from the second circuit (104, 106) to an input of the second circuit (104, 106).

Abstract: A traveling wave ultrasonic motor includes a ring-shaped stator (2) and two groups of electromechanical transducers (3 to 6). Each group comprises a pair of diametrically opposed longitudinal transducers, polarized in opposite directions, disposed perpendicularly to the stator (2). The transducers are in permanent contact with the stator (2) and excited by an alternating current with a &pgr;/2 phase shift between the groups so as to produce a traveling wave-like deformation on the surface of the stator (2). The motor comprises at least one rotor (1) held elastically in contact with the stator (2) for the rotational driving thereof by the traveling wave produced on the stator. The stator is in contact with the rotor only via two or four equal and diametrically opposed segments (9, 10) whose aggregate span is at most equal to a wavelength of the traveling wave produced in the stator.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor includes a stator and a rotor. A plurality of slits are arranged at substantially equal angular intervals along an outer peripheral surface of the rotor. A photosensor is supported inside of an upper housing of the motor. The photosensor is arranged to oppose each one of the slits in a radial direction of the rotor when the slit comes in front of the photosensor during rotation of the rotor. Based on a signal outputted from the photosensor, a control device applies a high frequency alternating voltage between first and second electrode plates of the stator.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing high power sandwich type ultrasonic transducers and, more particularly, a new method of tuning high power sandwich type ultrasonic transducers without the need for a trimming process. A method in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of assembling a sandwich type ultrasonic transducer, measuring the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer, and selecting from a plurality of tuning elements, whereby a dimension or material property of a selected tuning element alters the measured resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer to a desired resonant frequency after the tuning element is attached to the ultrasonic transducer.

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.