Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator including first and second piezoelectric cantilevers is disclosed. Wirings are provided on an upper surface of a support body on which the first and second piezoelectric cantilevers are formed. The wirings are formed of patterned metal films.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator including first and second piezoelectric cantilevers is disclosed. Wirings are provided on an upper surface of a support body on which the first and second piezoelectric cantilevers are formed. The wirings are formed of patterned metal films.

Abstract: A driving device includes an electro-mechanical transducer having first and second end portions opposite to each other in an expansion/contraction direction, a stationary member coupled to the first end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, a vibration friction portion mounted to the second end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, and a moving portion frictionally coupled to the vibration friction portion, whereby moving the moving portion in the expansion/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical transducer. The moving portion is driven by equalizing a constant expanding speed of the electro-mechanical transducer with a constant contracting speed of the electro-mechanical transducer and by setting a constant rest time interval after one of contraction of the electro-mechanical transducer and expansion of the electro-mechanical transducer.

Abstract: A driving device includes an electro-mechanical transducer having first and second end portions opposite to each other in an expansion/contraction direction, a stationary member coupled to the first end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, a vibration friction portion mounted to the second end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, and a rod-shaped moving portion frictionally coupled to the vibration friction portion, whereby moving the moving portion in the expansion/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical transducer. The stationary member consists essentially of a base alloy which consists of, by weight, 88 to 97% tungsten, 2 to 11% nickel as a binder, and, as the balance, 0.1 to 2% at least one metal having an ionization tendency which is higher than that of tungsten. The stationary member has a surface without nickel plating.

Abstract: A driving device includes an electro-mechanical transducer having first and second end portions opposite to each other in an expansion/contraction direction, a stationary member coupled to the first end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, a vibration friction portion mounted to the second end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, and a rod-shaped moving portion frictionally coupled to the vibration friction portion, whereby moving the moving portion in the expansion/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical transducer. A frictionally coupled portion has a height (a length of the vibration friction portion in a sliding direction in contact with the moving portion) which is not more than 1.15 mm.

Abstract: A driving device includes an electro-mechanical transducer having first and second end portions opposite to each other in an expansion/contraction direction, a stationary member coupled to the first end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, a vibration friction portion coupled to the second end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, and a rod-shaped moving portion frictionally coupled to the vibration friction portion, whereby moving the moving portion in the expansion/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical transducer. The vibration friction portion is made of a material having a vibration transfer rate of 4900 meters/second or more. The moving portion is made of a material which has a vibration transfer rate of 4900 meters/second or more and which is different from that of the vibration friction portion.

Abstract: A driving device includes an electro-mechanical transducer having first and second end portions opposite to each other in an expansion/contraction direction, a static member coupled to the first end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, a vibration friction portion coupled to the second end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, and a rod-shaped moving portion frictionally coupled to the vibration friction portion, whereby moving the moving portion in the expansion/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical transducer. The driving device is covered with a cabinet. An elastic member lies between the cabinet and the static member.

Abstract: A driving device includes an electro-mechanical transducer having first and second end portions opposite to each other in an expansion/contraction direction, a stationary member coupled to the first end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, a vibration friction portion coupled to the second end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, and a rod-shaped moving portion frictionally coupled to the vibration friction portion, whereby moving the moving portion in the expansion/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical transducer. The vibration friction portion is made of a material having a vibration transfer rate of 4900 meters/second or more. The moving portion is made of a material which has a vibration transfer rate of 4900 meters/second or more and which is different from that of the vibration friction portion.

Abstract: A driving device includes an electro-mechanical transducer having first and second end portions opposite to each other in an expansion/contraction direction, a stationary member coupled to the first end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, a vibration friction portion mounted to the second end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, and a moving portion frictionally coupled to the vibration friction portion, whereby moving the moving portion in the expansion/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical transducer. The moving portion is driven by equalizing a constant expanding speed of the electro-mechanical transducer with a constant contracting speed of the electro-mechanical transducer and by setting a constant rest time interval after one of contraction of the electro-mechanical transducer and expansion of the electro-mechanical transducer.

Abstract: A driving device includes an electro-mechanical transducer having first and second end portions opposite to each other in an expansion/contraction direction, a stationary member coupled to the first end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, a vibration friction portion mounted to the second end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, and a rod-shaped moving portion frictionally coupled to the vibration friction portion, whereby moving the moving portion in the expansion/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical transducer. A frictionally coupled portion has a height (a length of the vibration friction portion in a sliding direction in contact with the moving portion) which is not more than 1.15 mm.

Abstract: A driving device includes an electro-mechanical transducer having first and second end portions opposite to each other in an expansion/contraction direction, a stationary member coupled to the first end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, a vibration friction portion mounted to the second end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, and a rod-shaped moving portion frictionally coupled to the vibration friction portion, whereby moving the moving portion in the expansion/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical transducer. The stationary member consists essentially of a base alloy which consists of, by weight, 88 to 97% tungsten, 2 to 11% nickel as a binder, and, as the balance, 0.1 to 2% at least one metal having an ionization tendency which is higher than that of tungsten. The stationary member has a surface without nickel plating.

Abstract: A driving device includes an electro-mechanical transducer having first and second end portions opposite to each other in an expansion/contraction direction, a static member coupled to the first end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, a vibration friction portion coupled to the second end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, and a rod-shaped moving portion frictionally coupled to the vibration friction portion, whereby moving the moving portion in the expansion/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical transducer. The driving device is covered with a cabinet. An elastic member lies between the cabinet and the static member.

Abstract: In a light-emission and reception module for use in an optical pickup, a polarization beam splitter transmits an outgoing laser beam from the laser-emitting element and reflects, as a reflected laser beam, a return laser beam reflected by the optical disc in a direction perpendicular to the outgoing laser beam. The laser-emitting element, the polarization beam splitter, and the photo-detecting element are mounted on the holder. The reflected laser beam is perpendicular to a reception surface of the photo-detecting element.

Abstract: An optical pickup unit comprises an objective lens driving device including an objective lens holder, a damper base, and a yoke for forming a magnetic circuit together with coils. The optical pickup unit further comprises an optical base in which the objective lens driving device is assembled and a mirror for entering a laser beam into an optical disc through the objective lens. The yoke comprises a bottom portion and a first rising portion extending upward from an end of the bottom portion near the damper base, and has a first opening extending from the proximal end of the first rising portion to the end opposite from the first rising portion. The optical base comprises a projection extending from the proximal side of the first rising portion within the first opening and a mirror mounting portion provided at the distal end of the projection.