The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 28, 2000
Filed:
Apr. 11, 1997
Nikon Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A vibration actuator produces a driving force by generating elliptic motion in the surface of an elastic member through electromechanical converting elements. The vibration actuator then generates relative motion between the elastic member and a relative moving member which is in compressive contact with the elastic member The electro-mechanical converting elements, in the form of piezoelectric elements, generate longitudinal vibrations and bending vibrations in the elastic member. The elastic member has a rectangular plate shape and includes a plurality of driving force output units which contact the relative moving member. Plural sliding members are respectively mounted on portions of the plurality of driving force output units such that the sliding members do not fully extend across the driving force output units in a short side direction.