Abstract: A small-sized vibration motor. The vibration motor includes a vibrator having a piezoelectric element, a contact member brought into friction contact with the vibrator, and a fixing member to which the contact member is fixed. The vibrator and the contact member are moved relative to each other in a driving direction by high-frequency vibration of the piezoelectric element. The contact member includes a sliding portion brought into friction contact with the vibrator when the vibrator and the contact member are moved relative to each other in the driving direction, and fixed portions via which the contact member is fixed to the fixing member. The fixed portions are formed at respective locations alongside the sliding portion in a second predetermined direction orthogonal to the first predetermined direction, and also inward of opposite ends of the contact member in the first predetermined direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for joining a ceramic friction element (11) to a piezoelectric element (1), comprising, among other things, the following steps: pressing (14) a joining surface (10) of the friction element and a contact surface (9) of the piezoelectric element against each other with a low-melting glass mass (12) arranged therebetween and maintaining the pressing force for all subsequent steps; heating (17) the piezoelectric element and the friction element to a defined temperature above the Curie point of the piezoceramic material of the piezoelectric element and above the melting point of the low-melting glass mass; thereafter, while maintaining the temperature, applying an electric polarization voltage Up to electrodes of the piezoelectric element; removing the polarization voltage after the Curie point has been fallen below; and cooling the piezoelectric element and the friction element to room temperature without an electric voltage being applied to the electrodes.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator includes a degenerately-doped single-crystal silicon layer and a piezoelectric material layer disposed on the degenerately-doped single-crystal silicon layer. An electrically-conductive material layer is disposed on the piezoelectric material layer opposite the degenerately-doped single-crystal silicon layer, and patterned to form first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A motor includes a first vibrator, a plurality of biasing parts that are disposed around the first vibrator and that presses the first vibrator onto a contacting member in contact with the first vibrator, a first pressing member that is biased by the plurality of biasing parts and that includes a pressing part pressing the first vibrator by biasing force of the plurality of biasing parts, and a second pressing member that is biased by the plurality of biasing parts. The first vibrator and the contacting member move relatively by vibrations that occur in the first vibrator. The first and second pressing members integrally moves while the first vibrator moves. The first pressing member and the first vibrator are tiltable around a first direction orthogonal to both of a moving direction of the first vibrator and a biasing direction of the plurality of biasing parts.

Abstract: A lead screw actuator device includes a base configured to support a plurality of actuators. A first bridge is supported by one of the plurality of actuators and a second bridge is supported by another one of the plurality of actuators. A nut is supported by the first bridge and the second bridge and is rotatably coupled to a screw with a sliding contact friction between the screw and the nut. The plurality of actuators generate small movements of the first bridge, the second bridge, and the nut that produce relative rotation between the nut and the screw. A method of making a lead screw actuator device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Micromachined microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based resonators offer integration with other MEMS devices and electronics. Whilst piezoelectric film bulk acoustic resonators (FBAR) generally exhibit high electromechanical transduction efficiencies and low signal transmission losses they also suffer from low quality factors and limited resonance frequencies. In contrast electrostatic FBARs can yield high quality factors and resonance frequencies but suffer from increased fabrication complexity. lower electromechanical transduction efficiency and significant signal transmission loss. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to overcome these limitations by reducing fabrication complexity via a single metal electrode layer topping the resonator structure and supporting relatively low complexity/low resolution commercial MEMS fabrication processes by removing the fabrication requirement for narrow transduction gaps.

Abstract: A spacecraft including a frame including a joint coupling a first frame portion to a second frame portion, and an acoustic communication system configured to transfer acoustic data signals across the joint between the first frame portion and the second frame portion.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes a vibrating plate having a piezoelectric material, and a contact part provided in an end portion of the vibrating plate in contact with a driven part, wherein the contact part has a first portion in contact with the driven part and a second portion provided between the first portion and the vibrating plate and having lower rigidity than the first portion. Further, a width of the second portion in a direction crossing an arrangement direction of the first portion and the second portion is smaller than a width of the first portion in the crossing direction.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element that includes a plurality of laminated piezoelectric films and adhesive layers. The piezoelectric films stretch and contract in a predetermined direction parallel to principal surfaces thereof when a voltage is applied thereto. The adhesive layers are formed partially between the piezoelectric films when seen from a plan view, are aligned at intervals in the predetermined direction of the stretching and contracting of the piezoelectric films and bond the piezoelectric films to each other. The adhesive layers are formed at both ends of the piezoelectric films in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A vibration type actuator includes a first member that has a vibrator; a second member that extends in a predetermined direction and has a friction sliding surface where the vibrator is press-contacted; a third member that rotatably holds the second member with respect to an axis parallel to the predetermined direction; and a pressing unit that generates a first force for rotating the second member with respect to the axis relative to the third member. The first member is sandwiched between the second member and the third member by the first force. The first member is driven in a driving direction parallel to the predetermined direction relative to the second member by the vibration of the vibrator.

Abstract: A vibration driven actuator includes a vibrator, a vibrator holder, a friction member, a pressing member that enables the vibrator to compressively contact the friction member in a first direction, and a pressure transmitting member disposed between the vibrator and the pressing member. The vibrator and the friction member relative move in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction due to the vibration. A first contact portion disposed to one of the vibrator holder and the pressure transmitting member contacts a second contact portion disposed to the other of the vibrator holder and the pressure transmitting member so as to restrict a relative displacement between the vibrator holder and the pressure transmitting member in the second direction, and to allow a relative rotation between the vibrator holder and the pressure transmitting member on a plane parallel to the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: The lens drive device is provided with an autofocus drive unit and a shake correcting drive unit. A second support for supporting a shake correction moving part in a state separated from a shake correction fixed part has a power supply line for supplying power to an autofocus coil from the shake correction fixed part. An autofocus moving part has power supply line connection parts for electrically connecting the autofocus coil and the power supply line at two positions opposite each other in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis. First supports for supporting the autofocus moving part in a state separated from an autofocus fixed part are disposed at two positions opposite each other in a second direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the autofocus moving part, and have a self-holding mechanism for holding the position of the autofocus moving part in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: A vibration actuator can be reduced in manufacturing cost and size thereof without using a magnet. An elastic body of a vibration element includes a base portion joined to an electromechanical energy conversion element, and a pair of contact portions extending from the base portion. The contact portions are brought into pressure contact with a driven element, by elastic deformation, in a third direction orthogonal to both of a first direction of relative motion of the vibration element and the driven element and a second direction as a thickness direction of the conversion element. When driving vibration is excited in the vibration element by applying a predetermined AC voltage to the conversion element, the contact portions apply frictional driving forces to the driven element, for moving the vibration element and the driven element relative to each other in the first direction.

Abstract: A vibration drive device giving an appropriate click feeling when an operation member driven by a vibration actuator is manually operated. A controller applies, to a piezoelectric element, a drive signal for exciting, in an elastic body joined to the piezoelectric element, only a first vibration perpendicular to a contact surface between the elastic body and a driven element, or the first vibration and a second vibration parallel to the contact surface. When the position of the operation member is outside a driving section, only the first vibration is excited, whereas when within the driving section, the first vibration and the second vibration are excited so as to make the position closer to a target position set within the driving section. Application of the drive signal is stopped when the position is in a section in the driving section for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for actuating a piezoelectric motor by two driving electrodes by applying periodic control voltages to the driving electrodes. A simplified closed-loop control of the piezoelectric motor is realized by reducing the static friction of a friction contact between a friction element of the piezo-electric motor and an output element to be driven by the friction element without a propulsion of the output element at the same time. In exemplary embodiments, the periodic control voltages are applied with a phase shift to the driving electrodes in a first step of the method, and in a second step of the method, the amplitude ratio of the periodic control voltages is changed with respect to the first step.

Abstract: An optical device includes: an optical element; a housing unit configured to accommodate the optical element; a support part configured to pivotally support the optical element to be tiltable with respect to the housing unit; a piezoelectric element configured to connect the optical element and the housing unit to each other; and an electrode arranged at the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: When an actuator using a conventional piezoelectric element is used as a general-purpose mechanical component, such as a linear actuator and an electric cylinder, the absence or weak constraint of a guide in the moving direction causes the problem that the moving direction of a moving member is changed or the moving member is rotated due to a change in the posture of the moving member by an external force. A restraint member presses a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped output shaft, which has high stiffness, thermal conductivity, and lubricity and to which a piezoelectric element is attached at one end, against a guide member so as to limit the degree of freedom to one degree, in order to realize a linear actuator, an electric cylinder, and a force generation device that can be used for general purposes and have a high straight movement property.

Abstract: Included are a vibrator including a protruding portion that performs high frequency vibration; a friction member, the vibrator being pressed to cause the protruding portion to abut to the friction member; a fixing member to which either the vibrator or the friction member; a movable member that moves integratedly with either the vibrator or the friction member; a plurality of rotating members enabling relative movement between the friction member and the movable member; and a falling off restriction portion that prevents the rotating members provided in either the fixing member or the movable member from falling off, wherein the falling off restriction portion abuts to an opposed portion opposed to the falling off restriction portion to restrict a movable range of the movable member in a pressing direction and to prevent the rotating members from falling off.

Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric driving device for a motor including: a vibrating plate which includes a fixed portion and a vibrator portion in which a piezoelectric element is provided and which is supported by the fixed portion; and a contact portion which comes into contact with a driven body and transmits motion of the vibrating plate to the driven body, in which the fixed portion, the vibrator portion, and the contact portion are provided along an X direction in this order, when seen in a Y direction, when two directions parallel to a main surface of the vibrating plate and orthogonal to each other are set as the X direction and the Y direction and a direction orthogonal to the main surface of the vibrating plate is set as a Z direction.

Abstract: A single hybrid motor of the present invention has a rotor, a first stator, a first torsional vibrator, a first longitudinal vibrator, a first template, and a first connecting element. One end of the first connecting element is connected with the rotor, the first torsional vibrator, the first longitudinal vibrator, the first template, the first elastic block and the second elastic block. The first elastic block is disposed between the rotor and the first torsional vibrator. The second elastic block is disposed between the first template and the first longitudinal vibrator. Adjusting the length of the first elastic block or/and the second elastic block allows the first torsional vibrator and the first longitudinal vibrator of the single hybrid motor to obtain a plurality of sets of resonance frequencies within a degeneracy range.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic motor, comprising a piezoelectric ultrasonic actuator (1) having four friction elements (4) disposed thereon, a friction surface (6) which is in frictional contact with the friction elements, and an electrical excitation device (16), wherein the ultrasonic actuator is in the shape of a ring or hollow cylinder, having an inner circumferential surface (14), an outer circumferential surface (12) and two planar end surfaces (5) connecting the inner and the outer circumferential surfaces.

Abstract: A vibration wave motor includes: a vibrator including a vibration plate and a piezoelectric element; a friction member frictionally contacting the vibrator; a pressing member generating a pressing force to bring the vibrator in frictional contact with the friction member; and a pressing force transmitting member between the vibrator and the pressing member to transmit the pressing force to the vibrator. The vibrator and the friction member move in a relative movement direction by an elliptical vibration, and the pressing force transmitting member includes: an engagement portion formed near a contact portion with the pressing member and engaged with the pressing member; a first restricting portion restricting movement in the relative movement direction; and a second restricting portion. restricting movement in a direction perpendicular to a pressing direction by the pressing member and the direction. The pressing force transmitting member is rotatably held with respect to the pressing member.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor includes at least two piezoelectric actuators. Each actuator includes two piezoelectric elements on opposite sides of a coupling element, the sides being main sides of the piezoelectric actuators and having a larger area than other surfaces or sides of the piezoelectric actuators. The main surfaces of each of the piezoelectric actuators connect with at least four side surfaces of the piezoelectric actuator. The motor includes an elastic element coupled to and spacing the first and second piezoelectric actuators from each other and there is also a frictional element that couples the first and second piezoelectric actuators for frictional contact for driving an object. The first and the second piezoelectric actuators are adapted to deform in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the side surface to which the elastic element is attached using a longitudinal piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: A piezoelectric driving device includes a vibrating plate and a piezoelectric vibrator provided on the vibrating plate. The piezoelectric vibrator has a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric body located between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a thickness of the piezoelectric body is within a range from 50 nm to 20 ?m.

Abstract: A method of providing motion using a loop-band device is disclosed. An outer, restraining loop constrains an inner, buckling loop to form a buckled mode having one or more buckles. An activation force generated in one of buckles provides a stress, resulting in a change of configuration of the buckling loop that produces movement of the restraining loop. Depending on the composition of the buckling loop, the stress is generated via heat, light, an electric current or voltage, a magnetic field, or a combination thereof. The restraining loop is a suitably thin, relatively inextensible but flexible material. The buckling loop is a suitably thin, relatively flexible, reactive material that develops stress when subject to suitable activation forces. Suitable reactive materials include electroactive polymers, electrostrictive materials, magnetostrictive materials and materials having a high coefficient of linear, thermal expansion. The motion is linear or rotary, depending on device configuration.

Abstract: A motor having a rotor, the rotor including a first metal plate having a first size and a second metal plate having a second size arranged on a first surface associated with the rotor. The first metal plate and the second metal plate are arranged adjacent to each other at a predetermined distance from an axis of rotation of the rotor. The first surface rotates perpendicularly about the axis in response to the rotor being rotated about the axis. A stator includes a third metal plate arranged on a second surface associated with the stator. The third metal plate is arranged on the second surface at the predetermined distance from the axis. The second surface is parallel to the first surface and faces the first surface.

Abstract: A driving apparatus according to the present invention includes: a movable part including a vibrator including a piezoelectric element and a pressurization part for bringing the vibrator into pressure contact with a base part by applying impression force to the vibrator, the movable part being linearly driven; and a cover part for receiving reactive force of the impression force through intermediation of a rolling part, the cover part being fixed to the base part by a holding part extending in a direction crossing a movement direction of the movable part, in which the rolling part is sandwiched by a guide part of the movable part extending in the movement direction of the movable part and a cover guide part of the cover part extending in the movement direction of the movable part, and the movable part is positioned on an outer side beyond a side of the holding part facing the movable part.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor includes a vibrator to which a piezoelectric element is fixed and a friction member having a frictional contact surface in contact with the vibrator. A pressurizing member pressurizes the vibrator toward the friction member using a resilient force of a coil spring. A pressurizing force setting unit transmits a driving force of a pressurizing force setting motor to a holding member and then sets the pressurizing force by altering an amount of deflection of the coil spring depending on the relative position of the holding member with respect to the pressurizing member. The friction member is driven relative to the vibrator by an elliptic vibration of the vibrator in a state where the projections provided on a vibration plate are brought into pressurized contact with the frictional contact surface of the friction member by the pressurizing force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device including: a movable element (1) comprising teeth (11; 11i, i, 11i+1, 11i+2, 11i+3, 11i+4); a driving element (2) for engaging with the teeth (11; 11i, 11i+1, 11i+2, 11i+3, 11i+4) of the movable element (1) so as to set the movable element (1) in motion in a direction of movement; an actuator element (3) capable of generating an alternating movement so as to move the driving element (2) according to at least two phases, i.e.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor includes a vibrator configured to generate a vibration, a relatively movable member configured to be movable by the vibrator, wherein the relatively movable member is movable relatively according to the vibration of the vibrator, a holding unit configured to hold the vibrator, wherein the holding unit includes a first holding member configured to hold the vibrator and a second holding member; and a damping member provided between the vibrator and the second holding member and configured to reduce a vibration transmitted to the second holding member, a pressure unit configured to press the vibrator against the relatively movable member, wherein the second holding member is configured to press the vibrator against the relatively movable member, and wherein the first holding member is made of a material having a higher damping capability against the vibrator than a material of the second holding member.

Abstract: A six-degree-of-freedom micro vibration suppression platform includes a basic platform, a load platform, six sets of single-degree-of-freedom active and passive composite vibration isolation devices that are exactly the same and a controller. Upper and lower ends of each set of single-degree-of-freedom active and passive composite vibration isolation devices are connected with the load platform and the basic platform, respectively. A control method includes: calculating a logical axis signal, calculating a logical axis control signal, calculating physical axis real-time control signals and a transfer step.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator comprises a substantially rectangular parallelepiped piezoelectric element. One outer surface of the piezoelectric element includes a first region, and a second region located such as to project from the first region and to overlap a region corresponding to an active portion in the one outer surface. The second region has a flat surface configured to come into contact with a body to be driven and to generate a frictional force therewith. The flat surface is shorter in a longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric element than in a lateral direction thereof. The flat surface is longer in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric element at a lateral center region thereof than at a lateral end region thereof.

Abstract: There is provided a vibrator including: an elastic member of which both end portions are fixedly attached to a housing; a piezoelectric element installed on one surface of the elastic member; and a circuit board attached to the elastic member to be connected to the piezoelectric element, wherein an opening portion for a connection between the piezoelectric element and the circuit board is provided in the elastic member, and a step portion insertedly disposed in the opening portion is formed at the circuit board.

Abstract: The actuator includes a vibration plate including a fixing portion for fixing the vibration plate to a holding member, and a connection portion for connecting a center portion and the fixing portion, and is provided between a surface and a friction-sliding surface in a direction in which the vibration plate is pressed against the rotor by a pressurizing force produced by a pressure member. When finishing a surface on which a piezoelectric device is to be fixed to the vibration plate to a uniform surface by polishing, a decrease in the performance of the ultrasonic motor due to deformation of the vibration plate that is caused by warping of support portions that extend from both ends thereof or by burrs or the like can be prevented, and the time required to polish the vibration plate can be reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for control of the second order temperature dependence of the frequency of a mechanical resonating structure are described. The second order temperature dependence of frequency of the mechanical resonating structure may be non-linear. Control may be provided by doping of a semiconductor layer of the mechanical resonating structure.

Abstract: Provided is an injector in which adhesion between a stator and a rotor of an ultrasonic motor can be released efficiently. An injector (1) which injects a chemical liquid includes: an ultrasonic motor unit (3) including an ultrasonic motor (31); a drive mechanism (4) to be driven by the ultrasonic motor unit (3) so as to feed the chemical liquid when the ultrasonic motor (31) rotates forwardly; and a control device (5) which controls the ultrasonic motor (31) of the ultrasonic motor unit (3). The ultrasonic motor (31) includes a stator (32) and a rotor (33), and the control device (5) controls the ultrasonic motor (31) to alternately repeat forward rotation and reverse rotation so that adhesion between the stator (32) and the rotor (33) is released.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic motor, comprising: a vibrator including a piezoelectric element and a contact surface to be brought into contact with a member to be driven, the vibrator driving the member to be driven by an ultrasonic vibration excited by the piezoelectric element; a holding part configured to hold the vibrator; a pressurization unit configured to apply a bias force for biasing the holding part toward the member to be driven so as to impress the contact surface against the member to be driven; and a fixing unit configured to support the pressurization unit, in which the holding part holds the vibrator on both sides of the contact surface in a driving direction of the member to be driven.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator with integrated features to provide linear displacement of a threaded rod is presented. One mechanism provides mechanically amplified piezo motion for high speed/short travel position scanning whereas the other provides a low speed/long travel piezo motorized position adjustment. Mechanical amplifier incorporates one or more piezo stacks in longitudinal axis with preload to translate an amplified motion in the order of a few times in the transverse axis, perpendicular to the piezo stack motion. The piezo amplified output travel is transmitted to the internally threaded features of the other mechanism where a screw with a ball at the end to push a desired surface for high speed scanning mode translation. The internally threaded feature of the other mechanism is also operated by a secondary piezo stack which produces slip-stick motion steps to rotate the screw in one direction or the other to produce a slow speed/long travel mode.

Abstract: The subject application is directed to various sonic motion devices including a number of play sets in which a number of components located on a vibrating surface are moved in multiple directions as determined by the orientation of vibration fibers secured thereto and responsive to the vibrating surface. Also included an action figure having various features moved by sonic motion which may be correlated with sound such a movable jaw and a synchronized sound.

Abstract: A micro-electrical-mechanical systems (MEMS) device includes a substrate, one or more anchors formed on a first surface of the substrate, and a piezoelectric layer suspended over the first surface of the substrate by the one or more anchors. A first electrode may be provided on a first surface of the piezoelectric layer facing the first surface of the substrate, such that the first electrode is in contact with a first bimorph layer of the piezoelectric layer. A second electrode may be provided on a second surface of the piezoelectric layer opposite the first surface, such that the second electrode is in contact with a second bimorph layer of the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A vibration actuator includes an elastic member and a relative movement member. The elastic member generates oscillatory waves by oscillation of an electromechanical conversion element. The relative movement member with which the elastic member is in pressure contact is driven by the oscillatory waves to rotationally move with respect to the elastic member. Of the elastic member and the relative movement member, at least one member has a plurality of spaces at one contacting face opposite to the other contacting face of the other member. The spaces are filled with friction coefficient adjusting substances so that a coefficient of friction of the one contacting face of the one member changes in a radial direction.

Abstract: An inertial drive actuator includes a displacement unit, a vibration substrate, a movable body, a first magnetic field generator which generates a magnetic field so that, a magnetic attractive force or a magnetic repulsive force acts in a direction opposite to the movable body, a first yoke, and which induces a magnetic flux generated by the first magnetic field generator such that, the flux generated by the first magnetic field generator is concentrated on a surface of the movable body, opposite to the vibration substrate, and second yokes and on a side of the vibration substrate, opposite to a direction facing the movable body, and the second yokes and control a frictional force acting between the movable body and the vibration substrate by controlling the magnetic field generated by the first magnetic field generator.

Abstract: A vibration type driving apparatus includes a vibrating body having an electrical-mechanical energy converting element, a first elastic body and a second elastic body; and a moving body that moves relative to the vibrating body. The vibrating body has a third elastic body that includes a sliding surface. A resonance frequency in a mode where the non-sliding surface side of the vibrating body in the axial direction mainly vibrates with the third elastic body is adapted so as to fall out of a frequency range between a multiple of a maximum frequency of a driving signal applied to the electrical-mechanical energy converting element, and a multiple of a minimum frequency of the driving signal.

Abstract: An inertial drive actuator includes a displacement unit, a vibration substrate, a first magnetic field generator which generates a magnetic field, a movable body disposed on a flat surface of the vibration substrate, and which includes a first yoke that concentrates a magnetic flux of an N-pole and an S-pole generated by the first magnetic field generator, at a predetermined position, and a second yoke which is disposed on a side of the vibration substrate, opposite to a direction facing the movable body. A movement in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which, the movable body is driven is regulated mechanically by end portions of the second yoke facing end portions of the first yoke at an outer side of the vibration substrate, and a frictional force is controlled by controlling the magnetic field, and the movable body is driven.

Abstract: Provided are embodiments of piezoelectric motors which comprise at least one piezo-electrically active part and one passive part which are mounted with the ability of relative movement with respect to each other and which interact with each other by friction. The piezo-electrically active part includes at least one oscillator of acoustic vibrations with one or more piezoelectric elements in the form of a planar ring with acoustically attached flat pushers made from materials such as steel or ceramic. The flat pushers are pressed to a flat surface of the piezoelectric element, either directly or through an elastic element.

Abstract: Provided is a vibration wave motor including: a vibration member having an elastic body joined with a electric-mechanical energy converter; and a moving member contacting the vibration member, the vibration member and the moving member being annularly formed, the vibration wave motor frictionally driving the moving member by a motion generated at a contacting portion with the moving member of the vibration member upon application of an AC signal to the electric-mechanical energy converter. The vibration wave motor includes a centrifugal fan provided at an outer peripheral portion and/or an inner peripheral portion of a circular ring formed of the vibration member and the moving member, and the centrifugal fan rotates integrally with the moving member.

Abstract: A piezo motor has a stator and a rotor as well as a drive finger which is held by the stator, drives the rotor and interacts with at least one piezo element. In order to improve the force transmission, the free end of the drive finger moves a driver jaw, which can be pressed against a ring surface of the rotor. The free end of the drive finger is held such that it can move in the longitudinal direction between two stops on the driver jaw, and the driver jaw can be pressed against the rotor, in time with the drive movement of the drive finger, by at least one piezo actuator during the drive movement of the drive finger, and can be pivoted in the drive direction and back about the rotor axis, together with the piezo actuator, corresponding to the magnitude of a deflection of the drive finger.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes: a first electrode; a piezoelectric body layer which is provided on the first electrode; and a second electrode which is provided on the piezoelectric body layer, the piezoelectric body layer is made of a composite oxide with a perovskite structure, which contains bismuth, barium, iron, titanium, and strontium, and the content of strontium with respect to barium is equal to or greater than 5 mol % and equal to or less than 18 mol %.

Abstract: A vibration actuator includes a vibrator including an electromechanical transducer and an elastic body, a vibrator fixing member configured to hold the vibrator, a driven member configured to come into frictional contact with the vibrator so as to move relative to the vibrator, a pressing portion configured to press the vibrator against the driven member, a guide portion configured to guide the vibrator in a direction in which the vibrator moves, and a vibration damping member disposed between the vibrator fixing member and the movable plate. The guide portion includes a movable plate configured to move integrally with the vibrator, a rolling member configured to roll in the direction in which the vibrator moves, and a press-and-hold member configured to press the rolling member against the movable plate.

Abstract: A vibration type driving apparatus including: a vibrator including an electro-mechanical energy conversion device; a driven body between the vibrator and a movable body and driven in a first direction by the vibrator; and a moving mechanism that allows the movable body to move in a second direction relative to the driven body, in which the second direction is a direction intersecting the first direction in a plane parallel to a plane where the vibrator and the driven body are in contact with each other.