Abstract: The present invention combines bending mode mechanical (frm) and electrical (fre) resonances, whereby a relatively good efficiency can be achieved within a relatively broad frequency range (?f3). An electrical resonance (frc) or mechanical resonance is designed to be situated in the same order of magnitude as another mechanical resonance (frm), but separated therefrom. Preferably, the separation (?f2) is smaller than 2f1/Q1, where f1 is the resonance frequency for the resonance having lowest quality value, and Q1 is the corresponding quality value of the mechanical resonance. An electromechanical motor comprising a driving element and electrical resonance circuit according to the above ideas may comprise a double bimorph driving element having one single actuating point influencing a body to be moved. The double bimorph driving element is excited in bending vibrations perpendicular to a main displacement direction, whereby both tangential and perpendicular motions are created by bending mode vibrations.

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: A drive device for a piezoelectric actuator, wherein the time needed to achieve highly efficient drive conditions is shortened to reduce power consumption, and stabilized control can be performed. The device has a phase difference detection device (phase difference/voltage conversion circuit (51)) for detecting detection signals of longitudinal oscillation and bending oscillation from an oscillator (5) and detecting the phase difference between these two signals, frequency control devices (52 to 56) for comparing the phase difference detected by the phase difference detection device with a standard phase difference value and controlling the frequency of a drive signal sent to a piezoelectric element (17) on the basis of the results of this comparison, and an amplitude detection device (amplitude detection circuit (57)) for detecting the amplitude of the detection signal of the piezoelectric element (17).

Abstract: A rotary drive device is configured to be reduced in size while still delivering a prescribed torque. The rotary drive device has a base part with a vibrating body and a rotating body attached to the base part. The vibrating body has at least one piezoelectric element that vibrates an abutting part, which rotates the rotating body. Specifically, the rotating body has a contact part that is positioned at a prescribed distance from the rotational center and that is abutted against by the abutting part. When voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element, the vibrating body vibrates to repetitively press the abutting part against the contact part to rotate the rotating body. The vibrating body is positioned in a plane that intersects the rotational axis of the rotating body, and is disposed at least as close to the rotational axis of the rotating body as that of the contact part.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor of the present invention has a vibrating element 6. The vibrating element 6 includes a first piezoelectric element 62 that undergoes extension and contraction by application of an AC voltage, a reinforcing plate 63 having a contact portion 66 and an arm portion 68, and a second piezoelectric element 64 that undergoes extension and contraction by application of an AC voltage. The first piezoelectric element 62, the reinforcing plate 63, and the second piezoelectric element 64 are laminated in this order. The vibrating element 6 is fixedly mounted through the arm portion 68 so that the contact portion 66 abuts on a driven element (rotor 51). Further, the vibrating element 6 has a body portion and a length L of the body portion in a direction in which the vibrating element 6 extends and contracts by application of the AC voltage is 1 to 20 mm.

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.

Abstract: The piezoelectric motor (6) comprises a stator (1) and a runner (4) which form a gap (7) as well as comprising a piezoelectric transducer (3) which is connected to the stator (1) or the runner (4) and which with the stator (1) or the runner (4) forms a resonator (1,3;4,3), wherein the resonator (1,3; 4,3) may be excited in a main oscillation direction (H), characterised in that the stator (1) comprises an engagement surface (1a) facing the runner (4), or the runner (4) an engagement surface which faces the stator (1), and that the stator (1) or the runner (4) comprises an elastic advance element (5) which bridges the gap (7) between the stator (1) and the runner (4) in a manner such that the advance element (5) at least temporarily lies on the engagement surface (1a). The advance element (5) comprises a first part-section (5c) as well as a second part-section (5d), wherein the part-sections (5c, 5d) have a different resonant frequency.

Abstract: A present invention provides a drive unit and an operating apparatus each having a simple structure and therefore having an advantage to be miniaturized, which can obtain a large drive torque. A drive unit 1 of the present invention includes a rotor 4 and a plurality of actuators 5A, 5B for driving the rotor 4. Each of the plurality of actuators 5A, 5B includes an electro-mechanical converting element which applies driving force to the rotor 4 when electric power is applied thereto. In this case, the rotor 4 is driven in a cooperation manner in which the plurality of actuators 5A, 5B are cooperatively driven. Further, the electro-mechanical converting element is a vibrating element 50 containing a piezoelectric element.

Abstract: Devices with mechanical drivers for displaceable elements are described. In one aspect, a device includes a displaceable element, a driver, and a controller. The driver includes a plurality of actuatable drive elements. Each drive element has a respective engagement area that is operable to move from a respective start position to a respective end position and back to the start position. During movement from the start position to the end position the engagement area is engaged with the displaceable element and applies a mechanical force urging the displaceable element to move. During movement from the end position to the start position the engagement area is disengaged from the displaceable element. The controller is configured to choreograph the operation of the actuatable drive elements in moving the displaceable element.

Abstract: A rectangular vibrating plate 10 in which a piezoelectric element and a reinforcing plate are stacked is supported on a main plate by a support member 11, and is urged toward the rotor 100 by an elastic force of the support member 11. This brings a projection 36 provided on the vibrating plate 10 into abutment with an outer peripheral surface of the rotor 100. In this construction, when the vibrating plate 10 vibrates in the horizontal direction in the figure by an applied voltage from a driving circuit (not shown), the rotor 100 is rotated in a clockwise direction in accordance with the displacement of the projection 36 due to the vibration.

Abstract: A piezoelectric drive (1) with an inner part (2) that is surrounded by an outer part (3). The inner part (2) includes at least one piezoelement (9) that is actively connected to an oscillation element (5). The oscillation element (5) has a middle part (6) about which at least one arm (7, 15) is arranged. The arm is actively connected to the outer part (3) via an interaction region (16) and is designed such that, when set into oscillation by way of the at least one piezoelement (9), it drives the outer part (3) relative to the inner part (2).

Abstract: A piezoelectric micromotor for moving a moveable element comprising: a vibrator in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped formed from a plurality of thin layers of piezoelectric material having first and second identical relatively large rectangular face surfaces defined by long and short edge surfaces wherein the layers are aligned one on top of the other and have their face surfaces bonded together; electrodes on surfaces of the layers; a contact region located on one or more edge surfaces of the layers, urged against the body; and at least one electrical power supply that electrifies electrodes to excite vibrations in the vibrator and thereby in the contact region that impart motion to the body.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator 10 is disclosed, having drive elements (14a–d) movable in two dimensions and connected to an actuator backing (12). The actuator backing (12) is made of a material being ferromechanically inactive. Furthermore, the joint between the drive element (14a–d) and the actuator backing (12) is stiff and highly stable. This is achieved by use of an irreversible joint made e.g. by thermoset plastic glues, diffusion bonding or co-sintering. Co-sintering is to prefer. The actuator backing (12) material is selected to be stiff, preferably having a stiffness above 70 GPa and more preferably above 100 GPa, and having a high heat conductivity, preferably above 5 W/mK and more preferably above 10 W/mK, Electrodes (22) are preferably integrated in the actuator backing to increase stiffness as well as improving the heat conductivity. The drive elements (14a–d) are preferably covered (28, 26), at least at the driving surface, by heat-conducting material.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer in which internal electrodes and piezoelectric elements are alternately layered includes outer electrodes, each being connected to the corresponding internal electrodes. The ultrasonic transducer has a first layered part, a second layered part, a first outer-electrode group, and a second outer-electrode group. The first layered part includes at least the internal electrodes, each being divided in half in a second direction orthogonal to a layering direction, which is a first direction. The second layered part includes at least the internal electrodes, each being divided in half in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. The first outer-electrode group is provided so as to be connected to predetermined internal electrodes in the first layered part. The second outer-electrode group is provided so as to be connected to predetermined internal electrodes in the second layered part.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus achieving improvement in operation characteristics in the operation of stopping or reversing the direction of or decelerating movement of a vibrating wave actuator constructed to apply an alternating voltage to an electro-mechanical energy conversion element to vibrate a vibration member to obtain a driving force. In the operation of stopping the vibrating wave actuator, it is necessary to cancel the vibration to stop the actuator, in order to stop the actuator in good response. The present invention has achieved the above object by applying an excitation signal, which excites vibration in a direction to cancel free vibration in the vibration member, to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element in the stop operation or the like.

Abstract: A vibration type drive unit comprises a vibrator made of an elastic body to which an electromechanical energy conversion element is fixed and a moving element which is in contact with a surface of the vibrator so that by applying an alternating signal to the electromechanical energy conversion element. A progressive wave is generated on a surface of the vibrator to move the moving element, wherein the vibrator has a plate-like elastic body and a column-like elastic body, the electromechanical energy conversion element is fixed to a side surface of the plate-like elastic body. The column-like elastic body is formed on a central portion of a surface of the plate-like elastic body which is different from the surface to which the electromechanical energy conversion element is fixed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear motor which draws its operating power from ultrasonic vibration above the frequency of 20 kHz which is generated by piezoelectric ceramic. More particularly, the invention relates to a linear piezoelectric ultrasonic motor which linearly operates a slider due to a frictional force generated by applying sinusoidal electric field with a 90 degree phase difference to a pair of piezoelectric ceramic. This causes an elliptical mechanical vibration on a shaking beam which is connected to the piezoelectric ceramic.

Abstract: A piezo actuator system, is presented herein. A piezo actuator system comprises a number of piezo actuators which may lengthen and shear. Using the lengthening and shearing, the piezo actuator system grips and moves an object in response to a first and a second control signal, respectively. The possible displacement of the object is limited by the maximum shear of the piezo actuators. To increase the possible displacement, the piezo actuators may be controlled to perform a linear shear sequence or a shuffle sequence. During the linear shear sequence, the object is moved; during the shuffle sequence the object is substantially stationary, while the piezo actuators are repositioned with respect to the object, after which the object may be moved further using the linear shear sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a piezo-electric drive consisting of a stator (2) and a rotor (4). It is characterized by the following features: It is provided that the stator (2a) has a cylindrical piezo-element (2) that has at least two electrodes and at least one contact surface (2b) and a first resonant frequency, the rotor has a mechanical transfer element (1) between the piezo-element (2) and the rotor (4), which transfer element (1) has elevations (3) that point at a particular angle into the direction of the contact surface (2b) of the piezo-element (2) and under pretension are adjacent to the contact surface (2b) and that have a second resonant frequency, and said piezo-element (2a) is provided to stimulate vibrations of the second resonant frequency in the elevations (3) by periodic exertion of pressure on the elevations (3), whereby the elevations (3) periodically lift-off from the contact surface (2b) and the rotor (4) is set into rotation.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave actuator has a mover arranged on a first surface of a piezoelectric board and comb-shaped electrodes formed on the first surface. High frequencies are applied to the comb-shaped electrodes to generate Rayleigh waves that move the mover. In the surface acoustic wave actuator, the com-shaped electrodes include first to fourth electrodes formed on the first surface of the piezoelectric board, the first and third comb-shaped electrodes being on each side of the mover on an X-axis, the second and fourth comb-shaped electrodes being on each side of the mover on a Y-axis. The mover at least has a permanent magnet. The surface acoustic wave actuator further has a unit to selectively apply a high frequency to at least one of two electrodes one selected from the first and third comb-shaped electrodes and the other from the second and fourth comb-shaped electrodes. The surface acoustic wave actuator also has a mover holder facing the mover with the piezoelectric board interposed therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a threaded shaft assembly that contains a threaded shaft with an axis of rotation and, engaged therewith, a threaded nut. Subjecting the threaded nut to ultrasonic vibrations causes the threaded shaft to simultaneously rotate and translate in the axial direction. The threaded shaft is connected to a load that applies an axial force to the threaded shaft.

Abstract: An ultrastiff precision sonic bearing assembly and method thereof for controlling an effective coefficient of friction between two elements in slidable contact configured along an interface under a force sufficient to maintain contact and having static friction therebetween, by inducing a repetitive motion in one of the elements parallel to the interface thereby altering the effective coefficient of friction therebetween. The bearing assembly also provides for additional and independent electronic control over the average thickness thereof and senses the force thereon to allow the bearing assembly stiffness to be altered.

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: An actuator is disclosed which has a driving section driven by means of electro-mechanical displacing members such as a piezoelectric members. The electro-mechanical displacing members are connected to a driving piece at one ends thereof and the driving piece is driven by the composition of displacements of the electro-mechanical displacing members. The movement of the driving piece is transmitted to a driven section. The electro-mechanical displacing members are also connected to a base member at the other ends thereof. A restraining member restrains unnecessary movement of the actuator which is composed of the electro-mechanical displacing members, the driving piece and the base member, thereby insuring stable operation of the actuator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for micropositioning of an object (4), e.g. for use in a microscope. The device comprises an acceleration unit (1) and an intermediate part (3), connecting said acceleration unit (1) with said object (4). The position of the object relative to the acceleration unit (1) is variable at high acceleration or retardation of said acceleration unit (1), owing to mechanical inertia of the object (4). Further, the intermediate part (3) has a first end (3?), being attached to said acceleration unit (1), and a second end (3?), being provided with an essentially circumferential contact surface (3a), and the object (4) is provided with clamping elements (4?). These clamping elements (4?) are adapted to clamp around said contact surface (3a) of said intermediate part (3) in order to hold the object (4) in relation to the intermediate part (3) merely by the clamping force and the frictional force exerted by said clamping elements (4?) upon said contact surface (3a).

Abstract: A mover assembly (16) that moves or positions an object (12) includes a mover output (226), an actuator (230), and a measurement system (20). The mover output (226) is connected to the object (12), and the actuator (230) causes the mover output (226) to rotate about a first axis and move along the first axis. In this embodiment, the measurement system (20) directly measures the movement of the mover output (226) and provides feedback regarding the position of the mover output (226).

Abstract: In a guide apparatus having an ultrasonic motor as a driving source of a stage, it is intended to accurately comprehend a degree of abrasion between a friction member of a frictionally driven ultrasonic motor and a drive transmitting member of the stage.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a vibration type actuator is disclosed, with which at least three kinds of vibrations are excited, and a desired motion can be carried out with high efficiency. The vibration type actuator includes a rotatable moving member, an elastic member contacting the moving member, and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element exciting at least three different kinds of vibrations in the elastic member by supplying at least three periodic signals having different phases. The control apparatus includes a rotation axis determining unit, a parameter determining unit and a control circuit. The rotation axis determining unit determines a rotation axis for rotating the moving member. The parameter determining unit determines, by using an inverse model, phase and amplitude of the periodical signals.

Abstract: A lower metal block of a stator includes a plurality of securing projections, which engage with an external member and are arranged in an outer peripheral surface of the lower metal block at generally equal angular intervals. Each securing projection is circumferentially located between corresponding two of slits of the lower metal block and has first and second axial ends, which are opposed to one another in a direction generally parallel to the axial direction of the stator and are oriented toward first and second axial ends, respectively, of the stator. The first axial end of each securing projection is axially positioned within an axial extent of the slits, which is measured in the axial direction of the stator.

Abstract: An electromechanical motor (1) has a driving element (20) comprising two electromechanical vibrators (22, 24). The two electromechanical vibrators (22, 24) are interconnected by a link member (26). The electromechanical vibrators (22, 24) are, at the ends (21, 23) connected to the link (26), attached to a backbone (12) of a stator (10) by a respective resilient joint member (14, 16). A mechanical connection to the backbone (12) is thus introduced essentially between the vibrator (22, 24) and the link (26). A vibration of one of the electromechanical vibrators (22, 24) is transferred into a tilting or torsion of one of the joint members (14, 16), and a similar vibration of the other electromechanical vibrator (22, 24) provides a tilting or torsion of the other joint member (14, 16). The liner (26), interconnecting the vibrators (22, 24) is subsequently caused to deform and move.

Abstract: A single piezoelectric is excited at a first frequency to cause two vibration modes in a resonator producing a first elliptical motion in a first direction at a selected contacting portion of the resonator that is placed in frictional engagement with a driven element to move the driven element in a first direction. A second frequency excites the same piezoelectric to cause two vibration modes of the resonator producing a second elliptical motion in a second direction at the selected contacting portion to move the driven element in a second direction. The piezoelectric is preloaded in compression by the resonator. Walls of the resonator are stressed past their yield point to maintain the preload. Specially shaped ends on the piezoelectric help preloading. The piezoelectric can send or receive vibratory signals through the driven element to or from sensors to determine the position of the driven element relative to the piezoelectric element or resonator.

Abstract: A piezoelectric drive, and the rotor and/or pushers thereof, have long life, e.g. at least about 6000 hours of actual operation. The piezoelectric drive also is highly accurate, and is relatively inexpensive to make. The rotor friction surface and/or pushers are made from a material having a low mechanical quality factor, yet with high strength and stability under the conditions encountered in the ultrasonic fields typical of piezoelectric drives. The material is preferably a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer (e.g. polyarylamide) with filler (e.g. glass particles or fiberglass), e.g. about 30-60% polymer and about 40-70% filler, and can easily make injection molded components or parts or components. A pair of drives may be connected together to form an instrument, for example rotating a shaft connected to a pointer of analog instrument either clockwise or counterclockwise. Analog instruments, such as thermometers, barometers, speedometers, altimeters, pH meters, anemometers, etc.

Abstract: An ultrasonic drive apparatus for preventing a slip between an object to be driven and a driving part of the apparatus to drive the object. The driving part includes an elastic member through which vibrations from electrical-mechanical converters are transmitted to the object. The elastic member can deform in a direction in which the object is driven. The driving part makes a predetermined locus to drive the object while the elastic member deforms in the direction so as to absorb the slip between the object and the driving part. The elastic member and the converters are mounted symmetrically relative to an axis which is generally perpendicular to the direction in which the object is driven, so that the object can be driven forward and backward.

Abstract: A potential difference is applied between a movable electrode disposed a facing surface of a movable member, which the facing surface confronts a substrate extended in a predetermined direction or a vibrating member supported on the substrate vibratably in the predetermined direction, and a counter electrode disposed on the substrate or the vibrating member so as to confront the movable electrode. The applied potential difference causes an electrostatic force to act such that an apparent friction between the vibrating member and the movable member is greater than an apparent friction between the substrate and the movable member when displacing the vibrating member in a desired direction relatively on the substrate by vibrating in the predetermined direction, and thereby the movable member is relatively moved in the desired direction on the substrate.

Abstract: A piezoactuator has a diaphragm, and the diaphragm has flat piezoelectric elements that oscillate in a longitudinal oscillation mode and a sinusoidal oscillation mode. A first electrode for detecting oscillation in the longitudinal oscillation mode, and a second electrode for detecting the amplitude of oscillation in the sinusoidal oscillation mode, are disposed on the surface of the diaphragm. When the piezoactuator is driven with a drive signal, the phase difference of a first detection signal output from the first electrode and a second detection signal output from the second electrode is detected. The frequency at which the detected phase difference becomes the maximum phase difference is then obtained, and a drive signal of a matching frequency is applied to the piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: A system of providing movement along an axis. The system includes a beam, a piezo-electric actuator, and a plate. The beam includes a body that generally extends parallel to the axis between first and second ends. The beam also includes a plurality of arms that extend from the body to respective tips that are spaced from the body. The piezo-electric actuator is coupled to the beam and vibrates the beam so as to induce in the beam a wave between the first and second ends. And the plate is biased toward the body of the beam and contiguously engages the respective tips of the plurality of arms.

Abstract: A linear actuator is an actuator for directly driving (moving) a slider. The linear actuator has an actuator unit constituted by the slider and an actuator body on which the slider is movably provided for linear movement. The actuator body has a base, a vibrating element for moving the slider, two rollers to movably support the slider, pushing means for pushing the vibrating element into contact with the slider, and a conducting circuit for conducting each of electrodes of the vibrating element by selecting a conducting pattern to each of the electrodes. Grooves are respectively formed in outer circumferential surfaces of the rollers, and the slider is arranged inside each of the grooves.

Abstract: A single piezoelectric is excited at a first frequency to cause two vibration modes in a resonator producing a first elliptical motion in a first direction at a selected contacting portion of the resonator that is placed in frictional engagement with a driven element to move the driven element in a first direction. A second frequency excites the same piezoelectric to cause two vibration modes of the resonator producing a second elliptical motion in a second direction at the selected contacting portion to move the driven element in a second direction. The piezoelectric is preloaded in compression by the resonator. Walls of the resonator are stressed past their yield point to maintain the preload. Specially shaped ends on the piezoelectric help preloading. The piezoelectric can send or receive vibratory signals through the driven element to or from sensors to determine the position of the driven element relative to the piezoelectric element or resonator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piezoelectric drive, containing a driven element (1) fitted with a friction layer (2) and at least one solid-state plate-shaped piezoelectric transformer (6) as driving element. The length of the transform (L) does not match its width (H). First and second groups of electrodes (12, 13) are provided on the surfaces (7) of the transformer. The first and the second groups of electrodes have areas with identical configuration on the opposite large-surface metallized surfaces of the plate-shaped piezoelectric transformer. Each group of electrodes forms at least one independent transformer of the acoustic waves that are not coupled to one another and which propagate along the long side of the piezoelectric transformer. Hence, the first group of electrodes (12) operates as longitudinal wave generator (17) while the second group of electrodes (13) operates as flexural wave generator (18) of the acoustic waves.

Abstract: An actuator using a piezoelectric element and an operating method thereof. The actuator includes: the piezoelectric element; a drive rod fixed to the piezoelectric element; a moving unit engaging with the drive rod by a frictional force; and a driver for applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element. The voltage repeats a cycle of a first value which is one of a maximum value and a minimum value, a second value which is intermediate between the maximum value and the minimum value, and a third value which is the other of the maximum value and the minimum value so as to drive the driving unit with respect to the drive rod.

Abstract: A piezo linear drive including a group of piezo actuator stacks configured to drive a moving member located in a guidance device, and located on a joint substrate in a hybrid arrangement; wherein within a stack extending from the substrate a first stack part is configured as a longitudinal actuator and a second stack part is configured as a shearing actuator, the second stack part is equipped with a wear-resistant end plate which is in at least one of a clamping contact and shearing contact with the moving member, and at least two identical motors are located adjacent to each other in order to perform alternating clamping and advancing movements during a stepping operation.

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.

Abstract: A kind of piezoceramic shaft-driving type ultrasonic motor is a piezoelectric disc device as the driving stator of the motor in which the A.C power is supplied to form extend-contract motion of piezoceramic based on converse piezoelectric effect. The flexural wave of back plate is generated by push-pull force of piezoceramic oscillation. By utilizing the pin head above the stator as the dynamic shaft bearing wherein the rotor being drive is connected directly on the bearing to transmit the power with friction contact force. The rotating speed of the prototype motor could be reached as high as 3000 rpm on the driving condition of 74 kHz, voltage +/−10Vpp, and 0.2 A current, wherein the torque is about 0.003 N·m. It could be utilized in the driver of CD, the actuator in the biomedical engineering, or the cooling fan in the computer CPU.

Abstract: According to the present invention, electromechanical motors are driven in such a way that contact portions of driving elements (10) are moved along smooth trajectories. The velocity is varied, the average velocity being lower during the time when the element (10) is in contact with a moving object (22) than during the contact free time. Preferably, the main displacement velocity component is non-negligible when switching between sets of elements (10). When stopping the motor, the actuating sets of elements (10) are brought into a voltage-free condition, one set at a time. The contact portions of the elements (10) are lapped with such an accuracy, that the normal force applied between the moving object and the stator (2) is large enough to cause elastic deformations of the stator (2) that are in the same order of magnitude or larger than the accuracy of the lapping.

Abstract: A vibration wave driving device that may be manufactured in a short time and with high accuracy includes a vibrating member which has an elastic member and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element and which causes vibration when a drive signal is applied to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element, and a moving member coming into contact with the vibrating member and driven by the vibration, where contact portions of the vibrating member and the moving member are formed such that at least one contact portion protrudes toward the other contact portion and that the vibrating member or the moving member having the protruding contact portion has in a same plane as an end surface of the protruding contact portion a surface of a part other than the protruding contact portion.

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: Piezoelectric elements 10 and 10′ are driven so as to satisfy the relationship Nt=X0(1/(1/k2+1/k3)−1/(1/k1+1/k2+1/k3)) when the drive member, tip 20, and driven member, rotor 40, are in a state of intermittent contact, and in a state near the condition of transition from the intermittent contact state to the normal contact state. When the spring constant of the spring 41 is designated k1, the spring constant of the combined piezoelectric elements 10 and 10′ and the tip 20 is designated k2, the spring constant of the rotor 40 is designated k3, the amount of displacement of the piezoelectric elements 10 and 10′ is designated X0, and the compression force of the spring 41 is designated Nt.

Abstract: A piezoelectric drive having an excitation piezoelement (10) and a resonator (2). The resonator is coupled to the piezoelement and is in interactive connection with a body (3) to be driven. The resonator (2) has a mass distribution that is designed such that, as a result of an excitation oscillation by the piezoelement (10), the resonator (2) begins to asymmetrically oscillate in several directions dependent on the frequency of the excitation oscillation. The asymmetric oscillations, via the interactive connection, displace the body to be driven into a directed movement.