Abstract: A driving mechanism comprises: (i) an actuator comprising: an electro-mechanical conversion element; and a driving member which moves according to elongation and contraction of the electro-mechanical conversion element; (ii) a driven member frictionally engaged with the driving member; and (iii) a case, wherein the actuator allows the driven member to move along the driving member, and the actuator is supported by the case laterally in elongating and contracting directions of the electro-mechanical conversion element.

Abstract: A driving mechanism comprises: (i) an actuator comprising: an electro-mechanical conversion element; a driving member which is connected to one end of the electro-mechanical conversion element and moves in accordance with elongation or contraction of the electro-mechanical conversion element; and a weight member provided on the other end of the electro-mechanical conversion element; and (ii) a driven member frictionally engaged with the driving member, wherein the actuator allows the driven member to move along the driving member, and the weight member comprises a member which reduces a resonance frequency of the actuator.

Abstract: A driving apparatus comprises an actuator, the actuator comprising an electromechanical conversion element and a driving shaft attached to the electromechanical conversion element, wherein the driving apparatus expands and contracts the electromechanical conversion element by applying a driving signal to the electromechanical conversion element and reciprocally moves the driving shaft in accordance with expansion and contraction movement of the electromechanical conversion element so as to move a driven member frictionally engaged with the driving shaft, and wherein the driving signal is a pulse signal, and half of a time period corresponding to a reciprocal of a lowest resonance frequency in the actuator is set as a shorter output time among a high output time period and a low output time period of the drive signal.

Abstract: A driving device, comprises: an electro-mechanical conversion element enabled to expand and contract in response to input of an electrical signal; and a frictional member that is frictionally-engaged with the electro-mechanical conversion element and that is mounted on the electro-mechanical conversion element movably along a longitudinal direction of the electro-mechanical conversion element.

Abstract: A driving apparatus comprises an actuator, the actuator comprising an electromechanical conversion element and a driving shaft attached to the electromechanical conversion element, wherein the driving apparatus expands and contracts the electromechanical conversion element by applying a driving signal to the electromechanical conversion element and reciprocally moves the driving shaft in accordance with expansion and contraction movement of the electromechanical conversion element so as to move a driven member frictionally engaged with the driving shaft, and wherein the driving signal is a pulse signal, and half of a time period corresponding to a reciprocal of a lowest resonance frequency in the actuator is set as a shorter output time among a high output time period and a low output time period of the drive signal.

Abstract: A driving device comprises: an electro-mechanical conversion element enabled to expand and contract in response to input of an electrical signal; a pair of clamping members that come closer to and move away from each other with expansion and contraction of the electro-mechanical conversion element; a moving member disposed between said pair of clamping members; and flagellar members which are provided between the moving member and each of said pair of clamping members to be inclined to a direction in which said pair of clamping members come closer to and move away from each other, and which are adapted to swing when said pair of clamping members come closer to and move away from each other, to cause the moving member to move in a constant direction.

Abstract: A driving device comprises: an electro-mechanical conversion element enabled to expand and contract in response to input of an electrical signal; a pair of clamping members that come closer to and move away from each other with expansion and contraction of the electromechanical conversion element; a moving member disposed between said pair of clamping members; and flagellar members which are provided between the moving member and each of said pair of clamping members to be inclined to a direction in which said pair of clamping members come closer to and move away from each other, and which are adapted to swing when said pair of clamping members come closer to and move away from each other, to cause the moving member to move in a constant direction.

Abstract: A driving device, comprises: an electromechanical conversion element enabled to expand and contract in response to input of an electrical signal; and a frictional member that is frictionally-engaged with the electromechanical conversion element and that is mounted on the electromechanical conversion element movably along a longitudinal direction of the electromechanical conversion element.

Abstract: A driving mechanism comprises: (i) an actuator comprising: an electro-mechanical conversion element; and a driving member which moves according to elongation and contraction of the electro-mechanical conversion element; (ii) a driven member frictionally engaged with the driving member; and (iii) a case, wherein the actuator allows the driven member to move along the driving member, and the actuator is supported by the case laterally in elongating and contracting directions of the electro-mechanical conversion element.

Abstract: A driving mechanism comprises: (i) an actuator comprising: an electro-mechanical conversion element; a driving member which is connected to one end of the electro-mechanical conversion element and moves in accordance with elongation or contraction of the electro-mechanical conversion element; and a weight member provided on the other end of the electro-mechanical conversion element; and (ii) a driven member frictionally engaged with the driving member, wherein the actuator allows the driven member to move along the driving member, and the weight member comprises a member which reduces a resonance frequency of the actuator.