Patent ID: 7116033
Filing Date: 2006-10-03
Classification: H02N

Abstract:
1. A control apparatus for controlling drive of a vibration-type drive device in which a vibration member excited by receiving an input of a drive signal and a contact member brought into contact under pressure with the vibration member can move relative to each other, the control apparatus comprising: a vibration detection unit which detects a vibration state of the vibration member; a speed detection unit which detects a relative movement speed between the vibration member and the contact member; and a control unit which outputs the drive signal to the vibration member to control drive of the vibration-type drive device, wherein the control unit performs: a first frequency control step of lowering a frequency of the drive signal from a predetermined frequency at a first change rate, when the vibration-type drive device is started; a determining step of, when the vibration state detected by the vibration detection unit becomes a predetermined state in accordance with a change in the frequency in the first frequency control step, determining whether or not the relative movement speed detected by the speed detection unit has reached a predetermined reference speed; a second frequency control step of, when it is determined in the determining step that the relative movement speed has not reached the reference speed, lowering the frequency of the drive signal at a second change rate which is smaller than the first change rate; and a third frequency control step of, when the relative movement speed has reached the reference speed, changing the frequency of the drive signal such that the relative movement speed reaches a target speed.