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 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 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: 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: 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 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibration wave driving apparatus including 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 ratio 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 vibration wave driving element includes a vibration element and a moving element. The vibration element includes a member joined with an electro-mechanical energy conversion element. The moving element is in contact with a surface of the vibration element. The vibration element is in contact with the moving element through the surface opposite to a surface with which the electro-mechanical energy conversion element is joined, and a projection portion inside the moving element is formed on the surface of the vibration element that is in contact with the moving element. When a frequency of alternating signal applied to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element is varied, a ratio of vibration displacements in the same direction, each of which is generated on one of both ends of the vibration element, is varied.

Abstract: A vibration wave driving apparatus includes an electro-mechanical energy conversion element that is sandwiched and fixed between elastic members, in which a flange-shaped elastic member is provided between the electro-mechanical energy conversion element and one of the elastic members. When a driving vibration is applied to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element, bending vibrations are excited in a vibration element and those bending vibrations allow out-of-plane bending vibrations to be excited in the flange-shaped elastic member. A rotor is brought into contact with the third elastic member sandwiched between the elastic member and the electro-mechanical energy conversion element. A travelling wave produced by the bending vibration of the vibration element and a travelling wave produced by the out-of-plane bending vibration of the third elastic member are generated at the frictional surface of the vibration element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibration wave driving apparatus including 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 ratio 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: This invention relates to a vibration wave driving apparatus including an electro-mechanical energy conversion element that is sandwiched and fixed between elastic members, in which a flange-shaped elastic member is provided between the electro-mechanical energy conversion element and one of the elastic members. When a driving vibration is applied to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element, a vibration element excites bending vibrations and those bending vibrations allow out-of-plane bending vibrations to be excited in the flange-shaped elastic member. Since a rotor is brought into contact with the third elastic member sandwiched between the elastic member and the electro-mechanical energy conversion element, the size of the vibration wave driving apparatus can be reduced.

Abstract: There is disclosed vibration wave motor comprising: a movable member; a molded elastic member having a surface for urging the movable member; and a piezoelectric member arranged in contact with the elastic member to apply vibration to the elastic member and produce a travelling vibration wave in the surface of the elastic member.

Abstract: A vibration wave driving apparatus relatively moves a contact member and a vibration member by a vibration generated in the vibration member. The vibration member has a plurality of projections for magnifying the vibration displacement. At least the projections are formed on the vibration member by a press work.

Abstract: A vibration driven motor or actuator including a vibration member, having a contact portion, for generating a vibration therein, and a contact member including a contact portion which is in contact with the contact portion of said vibration member, the vibration causing relative movement between the vibration member and the contact member, and means for shifting a neutral plane of a vibration generated in the contact member in a direction toward the contact portion of the vibration member.

Abstract: There is disclosed vibration wave motor comprising: a movable member; a molded elastic member having a surface for urging the movable member; and a piezoelectric member arranged in contact with the elastic member to apply vibration to the elastic member and produce a travelling vibration wave in the surface of the elastic member.

Abstract: A vibration member generates a first bending vibration on a first plane and a second bending vibration on a second plane transverse to the first plane, and a moving member is driven with a combined vibration of the first and second bending vibrations generated on the first and second planes. The vibration member is machined, or made of different materials, so that the directions of respective natural vibration modes will be predetermined.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic motor wherein a driving signal is applied to an electro-mechanical energy conversion element provided in a vibration member to thereby excite flexural vibrations of the same shape in the two different planes of the vibration member with a phase difference in time and thereby create rotational motion on the surface of the vibration member, thus frictionally driving a movable member which is in pressure contact with the vibration forming surface, electro-mechanical energy conversion elements for exciting the flexural vibrations are each disposed at a position whereat the sum totals of strains created in the electro-mechanical energy conversion elements are substantially equal to each other.

Abstract: A vibration driven motor including a vibration member for generating a vibration therein as a driving force, and a contact member in press contact with the vibration member, wherein a vibration generated in the vibration member causes relative movement between the vibration member and the contact member. The vibration member includes an elastic contact portion, and the contact member includes an elastic contact portion in contact with the contact portion of the vibration member.