Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an electro-mechanical energy converter and a vibration wave driving apparatus that can facilitate miniaturization, high power, low cost and low voltage drive, by using a polygonal piezoelectric element with a plurality of electrode films divided by a boundary of electrode film on the polygonal piezoelectric element.

Abstract: Provided is a stacked type piezoelectric element including a surface electrode layer as a first layer and a piezoelectric layer as a second layer. A third layer to an N-th layer thereof are formed by alternately arranging piezoelectric layers and piezoelectric layers. A surface of the piezoelectric layer is provided with four-way split inner electrodes S+, B+, A?, and B?. A surface of the piezoelectric layer is provided with four-way split inner electrodes AG+, BG+, AG?, and BG?. A surface of the piezoelectric layer is provided with four-way split inner electrodes of A+, B+, A?, and B?. The piezoelectric layers are formed such that only the inner electrode S+ serving as a sensor phase and the inner electrodes A+ and AG+ being arranged in the same phase as the inner electrode S+ are exposed to an outside of the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A stacked piezoelectric element comprising that can suppress periodic damping on miniaturization of a vibration wave motor and improve its performance. A stacked piezoelectric element comprises piezoelectric layers and electrode layers alternately stacked to have a shape of a cylinder. The electrode layers are divided into a plurality of electrode layer regions along a circumferential surface of the shape of a cylinder.

Abstract: A stacked piezoelectric element comprising that can suppress periodic damping on miniaturization of a vibration wave motor and improve its performance. A stacked piezoelectric element comprises piezoelectric layers and electrode layers alternately stacked to have a shape of a cylinder. The electrode layers are divided into a plurality of electrode layer regions along a circumferential surface of the shape of a cylinder.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an electro-mechanical energy converter and a vibration wave driving apparatus that can facilitate miniaturization, high power, low cost and low voltage drive, by using a polygonal piezoelectric element with a plurality of electrode films divided by a boundary of electrode film on the polygonal piezoelectric element.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an electro-mechanical energy converter and a vibration wave driving apparatus that can facilitate miniaturization, high power, low cost and low voltage drive, by using a polygonal piezoelectric element with a plurality of electrode films divided by a boundary of electrode film on the polygonal piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A vibration type driving apparatus capable of inhibiting wear in an elastic member and a contact member is provided. The vibration type driving apparatus is a vibration type driving apparatus relatively driving an elastic member given vibrations by an electric-mechanical energy conversion element and a contact member contacting the elastic member, wherein at least one of the elastic member and the contact member is formed by aluminum oxide ceramics containing 5 wt % to 40 wt % of zirconium oxide.

Abstract: A stacked piezoelectric element comprising that can suppress periodic damping on miniaturization of a vibration wave motor and improve its performance. A stacked piezoelectric element comprises piezoelectric layers and electrode layers alternately stacked to have a shape of a cylinder. The electrode layers are divided into a plurality of electrode layer regions along a circumferential surface of the shape of a cylinder.

Abstract: A stacked piezoelectric element comprising a driving unit and a non-driving unit, and a vibration wave driving apparatus, which are capable of suppressing occurrences of deformation, particularly warping, that are generated during firing and polarization of the stacked piezoelectric element. A driving unit has a first conductive layer and a first piezoelectric layer consisting of a piezoelectric material, which is driven by an application of voltage to the first conductive layer to generate vibration on the stacked piezoelectric element. A non-driving unit has a plurality of second conductive layers and a plurality of second piezoelectric layers consisting of the piezoelectric material, which is arranged to have a thickness that enables generation of the vibration.

Abstract: A vibration-wave drive motor incorporating a multilayer piezoelectric element having reduced vibration damping as well as a design lending itself to reduced manufacturing costs and miniaturization. The multilayer piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric active part formed by a plurality of piezoelectric layers having an internal electrode, and a piezoelectric inactive part formed by an integrated piezoelectric layer with no internal electrodes. The vibration-wave drive motor consists of a vibration body including the multilayer piezoelectric element, and a contact body press contacting the vibration body.

Abstract: A vibration element for a vibration wave driving apparatus includes a first elastic member, a second elastic member, and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element disposed between the first and second elastic members. The electro-mechanical energy conversion element generates in the vibration element at least one of a plurality of vibration modes. Each vibration mode is generated in accordance with a frequency of a driving signal applied to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element and has the same direction of displacement, but has a different relative ratio between displacements of respective ends of the vibration element.

Abstract: A stacked type electromechanical energy conversion element which is compact in size and capable of providing higher output power and enhanced operating efficiency. A plurality of electrode layers are formed, respectively, on one surfaces of a plurality of piezoelectric layers, and the material layers and said electrode layers are stacked one upon another. Electrodes are formed at least in the plurality of material layers for providing electrical connections between corresponding ones of the plurality of electrode layers. The plurality of electrode layers have a non-uniform configuration depending on a predetermined strain distribution that is to occur in the stacked type electromechanical energy conversion element.

Abstract: Provided is a stacked type piezoelectric element including a surface electrode layer as a first layer and a piezoelectric layer as a second layer. A third layer to an N-th layer thereof are formed by alternately arranging piezoelectric layers and piezoelectric layers. A surface of the piezoelectric layer is provided with four-way split inner electrodes S+, B+, A?, and B?. A surface of the piezoelectric layer is provided with four-way split inner electrodes AG+, BG+, AG?, and BG?. A surface of the piezoelectric layer is provided with four-way split inner electrodes of A+, B+, A?, and B?. The piezoelectric layers are formed such that only the inner electrode S+ serving as a sensor phase and the inner electrodes A+ and AG+ being arranged in the same phase as the inner electrode S+ are exposed to an outside of the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A slide fastener is provided which has two sliders arranged to be slidable on a pair of interlocking stringers so as to open the fastener when separated and close the fastener when brought together, at least one receiving portion disposed on one of the sliders, at least one latching member disposed on one of the sliders and engageable with the receiving portion. The sliders engage and are separated by deformation of the receiving portion and/or the latching member. The slider body portion is formed separately to the latch body portion so that different materials may be used. A two part slider having a decorative surface body portion, in place of the latch body portion, is also disclosed.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an electromechanical energy converter and a vibration wave driving apparatus that can facilitate miniaturization, high power, low cost and low voltage drive, by using a polygonal piezoelectric element with a plurality of electrode films divided by a boundary of electrode film on the polygonal piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A vibration type driving apparatus capable of inhibiting wear in an elastic member and a contact member is provided. The vibration type driving apparatus is a vibration type driving apparatus relatively driving an elastic member given vibrations by an electric-mechanical energy conversion element and a contact member contacting the elastic member, wherein at least one of the elastic member and the contact member is formed by aluminum oxide ceramics containing 5 wt % to 40 wt % of zirconium oxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibration wave driving apparatus includes a vibration element having an electro-mechanical energy conversion element that is disposed between a first elastic member and a second elastic member, characterized in that the vibration element can have a plurality of vibration modes which are different in relative displacement ration between respective ends of the vibration element. Specifically, a third elastic member is disposed between the first elastic member and the second elastic member, and the vibration element is allowed to have two portions which are different in dynamic stiffness from each other and are arranged in the axial direction thereof with the third elastic member interposed therebetween. According to this structure, the length of the vibration wave driving apparatus in the axial direction can be reduced and internal loss of vibration energy can be suppressed to be small.

Abstract: A stacked type electromechanical energy conversion element which is compact in size and capable of providing higher output power and enhanced operating efficiency. A plurality of electrode layers are formed, respectively, on one surfaces of a plurality of piezoelectric layers, and the material layers and said electrode layers are stacked one upon another. Electrodes are formed at least in the plurality of material layers for providing electrical connections between corresponding ones of the plurality of electrode layers. The plurality of electrode layers have a non-uniform configuration depending on a predetermined strain distribution that is to occur in the stacked type electromechanical energy conversion element.

Abstract: A method for producing a stacked piezoelectric element by alternately stacking a plurality of layers of an electrode material and piezoelectric layers having an electro-mechanical energy converting function and provided with penetrating electrodes, which are obtained by forming through holes in each piezoelectric layer and filling such through holes with the electrode material, to be connected at a contact portion with a layer of the electrode material and sintering the thus stacked layers, includes a step of forming, on a first layer of the electrode material, a second layer of electrode material by printing at a peripheral area of the contact portion between the first layer of the electrode material and the penetrating electrodes.

Abstract: A vibration element for a vibration wave driving apparatus includes a first elastic member, a second elastic member, and an electromechanical energy conversion element disposed between the first and second elastic members. The electromechanical energy conversion element generates in the vibration element at least one of a plurality of vibration modes. Each vibration mode is generated in accordance with a frequency of a driving signal applied to the electromechanical energy conversion element and has the same direction of displacement, but has a different relative ratio between displacements of respective ends of the vibration element.