DRIVE DEVICE AND VIBRATION WAVE MOTOR UNIT

Organization Name

Inventor(s)

DRIVE DEVICE AND VIBRATION WAVE MOTOR UNIT - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240266974 titled 'DRIVE DEVICE AND VIBRATION WAVE MOTOR UNIT

The abstract describes a drive device utilizing a vibration wave motor to move two members in a predetermined direction. The device includes a contact body, a vibrator with a protrusion generating vibration, a pressurization mechanism, and a guide mechanism.

Contact body and vibrator generate vibration to move the members
Pressurization mechanism presses vibrator against contact body
Guide mechanism facilitates relative movement of the members
Contact body or pressurization mechanism connected to each member
Vibration wave motor used as the drive source

Potential Applications: - Precision positioning systems - Robotics - Medical devices - Industrial automation

Problems Solved: - Precise control of movement - Efficient energy utilization - Smooth and accurate motion

Benefits: - Enhanced precision - Reduced energy consumption - Improved reliability

Commercial Applications: Title: Advanced Drive Device for Precision Applications This technology can be used in industries requiring precise movement control, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and research. It offers a reliable and energy-efficient solution for various applications.

Questions about the technology: 1. How does the vibration wave motor contribute to the precise movement of the members? 2. What are the key advantages of using a pressurization mechanism in this drive device?

Original Abstract Submitted

a drive device configured to relatively move a first member and a second member in a predetermined direction by using a vibration wave motor as a drive source includes a contact body, a vibrator including a protrusion coming into contact with the contact body and configured to generate vibration by a piezoelectric element to move the contact body in the predetermined direction, a pressurization mechanism configured to pressurize the vibrator against the contact body via a pressurization member in contact with the vibrator, and a first guide mechanism connected to at least one of the first member and the second member and configured to guide the relative movement, wherein one of the contact body and the pressurization mechanism is connected to the first member, and wherein the other of the contact body and the pressurization mechanism is connected to the second member.