Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrator includes: a flat plate piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric vibrator vibrating in a mixed mode of stretching vibration that generates a displacement in a first direction within a plane of the piezoelectric element and a bending vibration that generates a displacement in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; a vibrating member provided with the piezoelectric element and vibrated by applying voltage on the piezoelectric element; a support member provided on the vibrating member to support the vibrating member in a vibratable manner the support member being provided on an outer edge of the vibrating member at a position adjacent to anti-node other than free end of the bending vibration, the support member including a first support section extending in a direction approximately orthogonal to the first direction and a second support section extending in a direction approximately orthogonal to the direction in which the first support section extends; and a fixing portion

Abstract: A vibration wave driven apparatus which makes it possible to secure a required component accuracy obtained by machining and can increase a power ratio to the size of the apparatus. A plurality of contact parts are formed on one surface of an elastic vibration plate of a vibrator, and are disposed in contact with a friction member of a slider. A piezoelectric element plate is joined to the other surface of the vibration plate. Thinner parts as recessed parts are formed in the vibration plate at locations other than the contact parts, whereby the vibration plate is disposed in contact with the friction member of the slider at the contact parts.

Abstract: A broad band energy harvesting system to harvest energy from a structure and associated methods are provided. The system includes a structure carrying a plurality of environmentally produced vibration frequencies extending over a frequency range and an energy harvesting apparatus positioned in vibration receiving communication with the structure to harvest energy from the structure. Each energy harvesting apparatus includes broadly tuned energy harvesting generators having relatively low quality factor and corresponding relatively wide bandwidth. The energy harvesting generators collectively provide energy harvesting over multiple modes to thereby provide energy harvesting over a substantial portion of the frequency range. Each energy harvesting generator can include a cantilevered beam connected to a common backbone comprised of a resilient material configured to transfer energy between adjacent generators to further enhance energy harvesting.

Abstract: In a control system and method for operating an ultrasonic liquid delivery device a first drive signal is delivered according to a first drive signal control schedule to an ultrasonic waveguide assembly to excite the ultrasonic waveguide for a predefined time. At each of a plurality of instances of the first drive signal control schedule a phase angle associated with the current and voltage in the waveguide assembly during ultrasonic vibration thereof is determined. A second drive signal control schedule is determined, including a second ultrasonic drive signal frequency for each of the instances at which the phase angle of the first drive signal was determined. The second drive signal frequency at each of the instances is based at least in part on the phase angle determined at each instance during ultrasonic vibration of the waveguide assembly in accordance with the first drive signal control schedule.

Abstract: An ultrasonic rotary drive device includes an ultrasonic motor including an ultrasonic generating portion and a first rotary output portion, wherein the first rotary output portion is in contact with the ultrasonic generating portion to be rotatable relative to the ultrasonic generating portion and rotates by ultrasonic vibrations generated by the ultrasonic generating portion; and a one-way rotational transfer mechanism including a rotary input portion and a second rotary output portion. The rotary input portion rotates with the first rotary output portion. The second rotary output portion is rotatable independently of the rotary input portion. Rotation of the rotary input portion is transferred to the second rotary output portion when the rotary input portion is rotated. Rotation of the second rotary output portion is prevented from being transferred to the rotary input portion when the second rotary output portion is rotated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piezoelectric drive unit and a method for generating a preferably rotating drive movement for such a drive unit. The drive unit comprises a stator (1), a rotor, embodied to rotate about a rotational axis (2), with relation to the stator and drive elements, preferably in the form of several piezoelectric actuators (8). The drive unit further comprises an annular gap (4?), filled with a fluid medium (10), arranged between the facing surfaces of the stator (1) and the rotor (2), several piezoelectric actuators (8a, 8d), arranged adjacent to the gap, which perform an essentially radial length change in the direction of the gap (4?) on electrical activation, such that the mechanical energy, provided by the actuators, is transformed into flow energy of the fluid medium, whereby the flow energy of the fluid medium is transmitted to the rotor (2) and transformed into a rotating drive movement of the rotor.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed in which a press contact force for bringing a vibrator and a contact member into press contact with each other is generated between them, and thereby the reaction force of the press contact force is difficult to transmit outward. The optical apparatus comprises a lens holding member which holds a lens, and a vibration type linear actuator which drives the lens holding member in an optical axis direction. The vibration type linear actuator includes a vibrator on which vibration is produced through an electromechanical energy conversion action and a contact member which is in press contact with the vibrator. The vibrator and the contact member is in press contact with each other by a magnetic force acting between them.

Abstract: A vibration wave driven apparatus which makes it possible to secure a required component accuracy obtained by machining and can increase a power ratio to the size of the apparatus. A plurality of contact parts are formed on one surface of an elastic vibration plate of a vibrator, and are disposed in contact with a friction member of a slider. A piezoelectric element plate is joined to the other surface of the vibration plate. Thinner parts as recessed parts are formed in the vibration plate at locations other than the contact parts, whereby the vibration plate is disposed in contact with the friction member of the slider at the contact parts.

Abstract: A generally diamond-shaped detection electrode is formed in the approximate center of the piezoelectric element. The strain resulting from the bending secondary vibration mode in the vicinity of the detection electrode is minimized because the detection electrode is formed in such a manner as to include a vibrational node of the longitudinal primary vibrational mode and a vibrational node of the bending secondary vibrational mode. As a result, when the phase difference between the drive signal and the detection signal is detected, the effect of vibration in the bending secondary vibration mode on the detected phase difference can be suppressed and a single drive frequency can be determined with respect to a prescribed phase difference. Thus, the drive performance of the vibrating body with respect to a driven body (i.e.

Abstract: A horn that can suppress oscillation components other than the component in the horizontal direction, a horn unit, and a bonding apparatus using same are provided. The horn has a cross-section variable section in which a cross section perpendicular to the lengthwise direction (X direction) thereof has a first region extending in the Z direction and a pair of second regions sandwiching the first region from Y direction. In the position P3 corresponding to an anti-node of a standing wave of oscillations excited in the horn, a sectional area S1 of the first region assumes a maximum and a sectional area S2 of the second region assumes a minimum. With a transition from the position P3 to the other positions corresponding to nodes, the sectional area S1 decreases and the sectional area S2 increases. As a result, oscillation components other than those in the X direction are suppressed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic actuator includes an actuator body, a case and a support rubber. The support rubber is made of conductive rubber having alternately stacked insulating layers and conductive layers and arranged between the case and the actuator body such that an external electrode and an electrode is brought into conduction and applies in advance a compressive force in the direction of longitudinal vibration to the actuator body at a non-node part of the vibration of the actuator body. The support rubber is arranged such that the stacking direction of the conductive rubber intersects with a plane including the direction of longitudinal vibration and the direction of bending vibration of the actuator body.

Abstract: A vibration wave motor includes a housing, a rotor, a bearing member, a vibrator serving as an actuator and having a support shaft and a driving element, and a leaf spring having a pressing protrusion. The vibrator is slidably disposed in an opening of the housing along a rotation axis direction of the rotor, and a support shaft of the vibrator is rotatable. The vibrator is held while being urged by the leaf spring and being in contact with the rotor. The vibrator is excited to generate supersonic vibration so that the rotor is rotated. Since the vibrator is movably supported by the housing in the rotation axis direction and the vibrator is urged by the leaf spring and is in contact with a friction contact surface of the rotor, the vibrator is evenly in contact with the rotor in a direction perpendicular to the friction contact surface so as to provide superior driving conditions of the vibration wave motor.

Abstract: A micro manipulator for electrode movement, a driving method thereof, and a brain signal measuring device using the same are provided.

Abstract: A resonant actuator includes a driving unit having a displacement element that vibrates at a resonance frequency or in a frequency range in the vicinity of a resonance frequency and having a driven member that is driven by the displacement element, in which the displacement element has a piezoelectric ceramic body made of a bismuth layered compound. The displacement direction of the displacement element is preferably substantially the same as the direction of polarization of the piezoelectric ceramic body. The bismuth layered compound is preferably oriented such that the direction of the c crystallographic axis is substantially perpendicular to the direction of polarization of the piezoelectric ceramic body. More preferably, the degree of c-axis orientation is determined to be at least about 75% by the Lotgering method.

Abstract: A drive unit for the movement of an active element with respect to a passive element, wherein the active element includes a resonator and at least one excitation device for exciting oscillations of the resonator. The resonator includes contact regions for exerting forces onto the passive element. The active element may be driven with respect to the passive element by way of oscillating movements. The resonator includes at least two arms, preferably a pair of arms. The at least two arms of an arm pair, proceeding from a connection region of the resonator, are formed on the same side of the resonator. In each case the contact regions are formed at the outer ends of the arms, wherein the contact regions may be moved to and away from one another by way of oscillating movements of the arm pair. Thereby, a relative movement of the passive element with respect to the active element may be effected.

Abstract: A mover assembly (16) that moves or positions an object (12) includes a mover output (222), an actuator (344), and a mover housing assembly (220). The mover output (222) is connected to the object (12), and the actuator (344) causes the mover output (222) to move. The mover housing assembly (220) seals many of the other components of mover assembly (16), including the actuator (344) within a clean, nonvolatile, housing chamber (420) that isolates all contaminants from the outside working environment.

Abstract: A cryogenic variable temperature scanning tunneling microscope of novel design and component configuration, for use in conjunction with a variety of low temperature methodologies.

Abstract: A linear actuator using a metal beam-type piezoelectric material, and an apparatus and a method for actuating the same. The piezoelectric actuator includes: a moving member having a predetermined length and moving in a forward or a backward direction; and a piezoelectric portion contacting the moving member and moving the moving member linearly using a vibration generated when a piezoelectric element contracts or expands in response to an electrical signal.

Abstract: A determination is made whether a moving speed of a slider section with respect to a rod section in a piezoelectric actuator is lower than a predetermined speed. When the moving speed is lower than the predetermined speed, it is considered that a friction-bonded portion between the rod section and the slider section is in a fastened state or a nearly fastened state. A resonance frequency of the piezoelectric actuator or a frequency proximity to the resonance frequency is set as a driving frequency for the piezoelectric actuator. The slider section is moved in a reciprocating manner plural times with respect to the rod section. As a result, an abnormal state is eliminated from the piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: An actuator comprises: an electro-mechanical conversion element; a driving frictional member mounted onto one side in an extension/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical conversion element, the driving frictional member being frictionally engaged with a driven member; and a weight member mounted onto the other side in the extension/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical conversion element, wherein at least a part of the weight member is disposed at the one side from an end face of the other side of the electro-mechanical conversion element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piezoelectric motor comprising a piezoelectric component that is connected to a resonator and a two-dimensional resonator that interacts with a movable. element, the resonator having principal surfaces that are parallel to each other and that are also identical in shape and size. The invention further relates to methods for producing such piezoelectric motors, wherein the resonators are manufactured by cutting a profiled, extruded bar into lengths or by cutting, preferably by punching, from sheet metal having constant thickness. Finally, this invention relates to a method for exciting such a piezoelectric motor, wherein the excitation frequency or frequencies is/are generated by the control electronics as a function of time in response to the respective peak current and/or in response to the respective phase minimum between current and voltage and/or in response to the change in phase.

Abstract: An electromechanical motor (1), using at least two bimorph, monomorph or multimorph electromechanical actuating elements (6) interconnected by a common actuator backbone (5) is disclosed. The actuating elements (6) are controllable in both a longitudinal direction (L), i.e. in the main extension direction of the actuating element (6), and a flexural direction, i.e. bending of the actuating element (6), separately. The different actuating elements (6) can be controlled individually as well. The actuator (3) dimensions are preferably selected to resonance frequencies in vicinity of a certain frequency. The actuating elements (6) are provided with interaction portions (7) at which any contact between the actuator and a body (2) to be moved is made. In order to operate well both in fine-positioning and resonant motion, the interaction portions (7) are arranged to partially suppress the transfer of acoustic waves between the actuating elements (6) and the body (2) to be moved.

Abstract: A driving device including: a vibrating body composed of a plurality of electric elements which are arranged to intersect in a predetermined angle, to vibrate based on a high frequency signal; a driven member having disk shape to be rotated by vibration of the vibrating body; a male screw member formed to rotate integrally with the driven member; a female screw member to be engaged threadably with the male screw member and to move by rotation of the male screw member; wherein the vibrating body is arranged on the male screw member side of the driven member.

Abstract: There is provided a flat type piezoelectric ultrasonic motor for generating a rotation force to a rotor by ultrasonic vibrations. In the piezoelectric ultrasonic motor, a vibrator is formed of elastic material at a given size, a plurality of piezoelectric plates are attached on the vibrator, a rotor is drivingly connected to the vibrator thereby to be rotated, and a power source unit applies driving voltages to the piezoelectric plates. The piezoelectric plates are arranged on quartered surface areas of the vibrator in such a way that longitudinal axes of neighboring piezoelectric plates form a given angle therebetween and opposing piezoelectric plates have opposite polarizations, and the power source unit applies alternating driving voltages to the piezoelectric plates thereby to make the rotor rotated, thereby making it possible to simplify the piezoelectric plates' shape, minimize its size and enhance its driving efficiency.

Abstract: An ultrasonic actuator including: a vibration member, which comprises a plurality of piezoelectric displacement sections each being expanded and contracted by electric signals, and a connection section to connect the plurality of piezoelectric displacement sections, wherein the vibration member is vibrated by resonance of the plurality of piezoelectric displacement sections; and a movement member which generates relative movement to the vibration member by being pressed and contacted with the vibration member, wherein the plurality of piezoelectric displacement sections and the connection section are formed in one body with one and the same material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drive system comprising at least one motor with at least one vibration generator each as well as at least one resonator each and a device driven by said motor, wherein the resonator comprises a contact area that cooperates with the surface of the device in order to drive said device.

Abstract: A device and method for propelling objects using periodic or harmonic vibrations is described. The device comprises a flexible substrate or surface and a source of vibrational energy that is applied to the substrate or surface. Specific embodiments include a device which can move along a flat surface, which can climb a smooth vertical or slanted wall, which can move along a ceiling while suspended upside down, which can climb up a smooth hollow tube, or which can move through liquids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ceramic tube type ultrasonic motor having a stator including a tube-type elastic body that is formed of a ceramic material; and a plurality of piezoelectric diaphragms that are attached on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic body in a longitudinal direction thereof and to which voltages having a phase difference are respectively applied and a rotor that is rotated by the friction with the elastic body flexurally vibrating due to the voltages applied to the plurality of piezoelectric diaphragms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shear motion driven motion actuator. The motion actuator provides a plurality of driving modes to drive a main body, including the inertial drive mode, the friction drive mode and the scanning mode. The motion actuator comprises a base having a V-shape concave groove and a main body having a V-shape convex. A plurality of piezoelectric elements is provided on the base to drive the main body using the shearing deformation force of the piezoelectric elements. The present invention also provides motion control using a variety of driving modes to achieve stable, high resolution and linear driving of the main body along the base.

Abstract: An inertial drive actuator includes a vibrating substrate configured to be reciprocally moved by small reciprocally displacements generated by a displacement generating unit arranged on a fixing member. The vibrating substrate has a first electrode on a plane of the vibrating substrate and an insulating layer on the first electrode. The inertial drive actuator further includes a mobile object arranged on the plane of the vibrating substrate and having a second electrode on a plane facing the first electrode through the insulating layer, a frictional force control unit configured to control frictional force between the vibrating substrate and the mobile object such that a potential difference is applied across the first electrode and the second electrode to cause electrostatic adsorptive force to act, and a frictional force applying unit configured to frictionally couple the mobile object and the vibrating substrate to each other by magnetic adsorptive force.

Abstract: A driving apparatus comprises: an electro-mechanical conversion element; a driving member that drives backwards and forwards in a straight line in response to extension and contraction of the electro-mechanical conversion element which are brought about by a drive signal being supplied thereto; a driven member, frictionally engaged with the driving member, that moves backwards and forwards in a straight line along the driving member by driving the driving member; and a drive control unit that divides a whole traveling area of one or both of an outgoing traveling path and an incoming traveling path of the driven member into a plurality of divided areas and supplies different drive signals to the divided areas so as to implement a drive control.

Abstract: In a cutting tool, a shank is a support member made of ceramics and although it is light, it is hardly bent. Further, a processing tip made of a diamond having a cutting edge and is fixed to the tip portion of the shank by an active metal method or brazing. The shank is fixed so as to be pressed to the bottom surface of a slit-shaped groove formed in a fixing portion by a fixing screw and a washer. In this case, the washer is a ring-shaped member transforming as a cushioning member and prevents the fastening stress by the fixing screw from locally concentrating.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor has an actuator which drives a slider. The actuator has a rectangular steel core of square cross-section with an axially projection driving tip. A ceramic piezoelectric element is bonded to each of the four faces of the core. Each piezoelectric element has four quadrants covered by quadrant electrodes on one side and a common or earth electrode on the other side contacting the core which electrically joins the common electrodes. By selective excitation of corresponding diagonally opposite quadrants of opposite piezoelectric elements, the actuator is made to drive the tip in either the X direction or the Y direction. The preferred slider is a spherical ball held captive within arms extending from a housing of the actuator. The driving tip is pressed against the ball by a preload spring acting on the actuator.

Abstract: A vibration wave linear motor is a vibration wave linear motor that can drive a plurality of driving targets with a simple and small configuration. In the linear motor, two guide members sandwich two vibrators, which are individually and electrically connected to a driving circuit by a flexible board and an electrode connecting part, and individually driven with an independent operation. Two lens frames are individually driven by the two vibrators via a pin member, a board spring, and an engagement protruding part. For example, in a lens apparatus, one of the two lens frames holds a lens unit in the third group, which is involved in focus achievement, whereas the other lens frame holds a lens unit in the second group, which is involved in zooming.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (42) provides drive signals to a piezo element (48) of a milli-actuator device (20) in a mass data storage device (10). The integrated circuit (42) includes a circuit (61) for selectively operating the integrated circuit (42) in either a voltage or a charge mode of operation. A first amplifier circuit (44) can be compensated for a variable number of piezo elements in the charge mode of operation by adjustable output impedance adjusting elements (124, 126, 138-141) that are switchably connectable into the amplifier circuit (44).

Abstract: The present invention is including: a piezoelectric element actuator provided on a chassis frame and capable of generating a load along the chassis frame; and, a control unit that controls the load of the piezoelectric element actuator.

Abstract: A radial piezoelectric motor comprises a housing, a motor shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and a plurality of piezoelectric actuators inside the housing radially disposed about the axis of the motor shaft. The motor also includes circuitry for applying a voltage to the piezoelectric actuators to expand the actuators repeatedly and in succession and apparatus responsive to the repeated and successive expanding of the actuators for rotating the motor shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus including a base configured to slidably engage a driven element, a piezoelectric element interposing the base and the driven element and attached to the base proximate a first piezoelectric element end, and a friction element attached proximate a second piezoelectric element end and configured to selectively engage the driven element.

Abstract: Provided is a closed-loop feedback control positioning stage comprising at least one block formed therein, a plurality of hinge mechanisms for attaching the block in the stage, at least one actuator formed in the block, the actuator adapted to bend for moving the block in at least one direction, and a plurality of strain gauges each attached in a corresponding hinge mechanism for measuring its strain. The invention can repeatedly position the block at the moved location for carrying out a highly precise positioning of the stage.

Abstract: A piezoelectric drive that is used to create a relative movement between a first and a second body on a plane of movement. The drive includes a flat metal sheet (1) that forms, or is secured to, the first body and that is arranged parallel to the plane of movement. The metal sheet (1) has a rest region (3) and at least one resonator area (4). An elastic spring area (5), which is parallel to the plane of the metal sheet, is disposed between the rest region (3) and the resonator area (4). A flat, rectangular piezoelement (6), which can be excited in a 3,1 mode, is coupled to a longitudinal axis (A) such that the longitudinal axis of the piezoelement (6) lies essentially on a longitudinal axis of the resonator area (4). The resonator area (4) protrudes above the piezoelement (6) in the direction of the longitudinal axes (A), and forms a tapered horn shape (7).

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 rotation/displacement converting actuator has an actuator unit constituted by a displacing body and an actuator in which the displacing body can be linearly displaced. The actuator has a pair of plate-shaped bases, a rotor, a vibrating element that rotates the rotor, and a cam mechanism for converting rotary motion of the rotor to linear motion of the displacing body. The rotor is fixed to a shaft to which the rotor (cam rotor) is fixed. An outer circumferential surface of the rotor constitutes a cam surface of the cam mechanism. A roller is provided at a tip portion of the displacing body. The roller abuts on the outer circumferential surface (cam surface) of the rotor.

Abstract: An acoustic driver assembly for use with a spherical cavitation chamber is provided. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass, coupled together with a centrally located threaded means (e.g., all thread, bolt, etc.). The driver assembly is either attached to the exterior surface of the spherical cavitation chamber with the same threaded means, a different threaded means, or a more permanent coupling means such as brazing, diffusion bonding or epoxy. In at least one embodiment, the transducer is comprised of a pair of piezo-electric transducers, preferably with the adjacent surfaces of the piezo-electric transducers having the same polarity. The surface of the head mass that is adjacent to the external surface of the chamber is non-flat and has a spherical curvature less than the spherical curvature of the external surface of the chamber, thus providing a ring of contact between the acoustic driver and the cavitation chamber.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a first vibrator comprising a piezoelectric unit and at least one driving contacting part which vibrates by applying a predetermined voltage thereto, a second vibrator which comprises a piezoelectric unit and a plurality of driving contacting parts which vibrate by applying a predetermined voltage thereto, a pressing component which relatively presses the opposing parts of both the first vibrator and the second vibrator, and a driven component which is sandwiched between the first and second vibrators, in contact with the driving contacting part of the first and second vibrators which are pressed by the pressing component, and supported to enable movement with respect to the first and second vibrators in the long-side direction perpendicular to the direction relative to the opposing part.

Abstract: A driving apparatus has at least two driving members and at least one driven member. Each of the driving members is frictionally engaged to the at least one driven member to move the driven member. The friction between each driven member and each driving member is such that the driven member moves when, over half of the driving members being in frictional engagement with the driven member, are moved, simultaneously between first and second positions. Further, the friction between each driven member and each driving member is such that the driven member substantially remains stationary when, less than half of the driving members being in frictional engagement with the driven member, are moved.

Abstract: The vibration wave linear motor of the present invention is structured comprising a driven component, a first vibrator having two or more driving contacting parts for driving the driven component in a certain predetermined direction, a second vibrator having one or more driving contacting parts for driving the driven component in the same direction as the drive by the first vibrator, a first supporting part for fixing and holding either one of the first or second vibrators, a second supporting part for holding the other of either the first or second vibrator such that swinging is possible, and a pressing component for pressing the first or second vibrator which is held by the second supporting part, such as to enable swinging, to the driven component.

Abstract: An acoustic driver assembly for use with any of a variety of cavitation chamber configurations, including spherical and cylindrical chambers as well as chambers that include at least one flat coupling surface. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass. The end surface of the head mass is shaped to limit the contact area between the head mass of the driver assembly and the cavitation chamber to which the driver is attached, the contact area being limited to a centrally located contact region. The area of contact is controlled by limiting its size and/or shaping its surface.

Abstract: Detection electrodes 82D and 82E are formed at positions that include an antinode of a flexural oscillation mode. The strain of flexural oscillation reaches a maximum and the effects on the phase difference in the longitudinal oscillation mode can be cancelled out. The detection electrodes 82D and 82E are formed at the positions of drive electrodes 82B and 82C used to excite the flexural oscillation mode. A phase difference in the flexural oscillation mode opposite in sign relative to the longitudinal oscillation mode is created making it is easy to classify based on the phase difference between a frequency at which the longitudinal oscillation mode is dominant and a frequency at which the flexural oscillation mode is dominant. Thus, reliable control can be achieved based on the oscillation behaviors at each frequency ensuring a satisfactory drive force based on oscillation in the longitudinal oscillation mode.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator A has an oscillator 10 that has a flat base layer 32 and piezoelectric elements 30, 31 layered on the base layer 32 and oscillates as a result of a drive signal applied to the piezoelectric elements 30, 31, and a rotor 100 driven by vibrations from the oscillator 10. The piezoelectric actuator A includes a fastening part 11 for securing the oscillator 10, and lead substrates 14A, 14B that are secured to the fastening part 11 for applying a drive signal to the piezoelectric elements from a drive circuit 500 for driving the piezoelectric elements 30, 31. The lead substrates 14A, 14B have connecting parts 17A–17C extending to the power supply electrodes 33A, 33C and a detection electrode 34.

Abstract: A vibration-type driving device comprises a vibration element including a driving member and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element having an electrode and arranged to displace the driving member with a driving signal supplied to the electrode, and a driven element that is kept in contact with the driving member of the vibration element. According to the driving signal supplied to the electrode of the electro-mechanical energy conversion element, the vibration element excites vibrations in two flexural vibration modes in which a direction of generation of a node in one mode is perpendicular to that in the other mode.