Abstract: A rotary-to-linear motion converter includes: a drive portion including a vibrating portion vibrating by a piezoelectric body and a convex portion coupled to the vibrating portion; a housing; a rotating member including a first screw portion and a driven surface that contacts the convex portion and that receives driving force of the drive portion, the rotating member pivoting around an axial center relative to the housing; a linearly moving member including a second screw portion threadably engaging with the first screw portion; and a restricting portion that is disposed at the housing and that restricts rotation of the linearly moving member.

Abstract: A flap actuator for adjusting the orientation of a flap or the like, the actuator. The actuator includes: a static arcuate member having a radius of curvature; a piezoelectric motor biased to be in operable contact with the static arcuate member; a housing for housing the piezoelectric motor; and a flap orientation shaft operably connecting between the housing and the flap. The distance between the shaft and the static arcuate member is essentially equal to the radius of curvature of the static arcuate member.

Abstract: A rotary ultrasonic motor includes an ultrasonic actuator, a driven element, an inner casing member and an outer casing member. A piezoelectric or electrostrictive or magnetostrictive material is arranged between an excitation electrode and at least one general electrode. The ultrasonic actuator is between the inner and outer casing members of a casing, and is directly or indirectly in contact with the element to be driven, so that periodic deformations generated in the ultrasonic actuator by electrical excitation are transferable to the drive element. The ultrasonic actuator is mounted by a retaining device arranged on the casing with at least one retaining section which engages in a recess associated with a respective retaining section.

Abstract: A vibration-type drive apparatus, which increases productivity and also prevents undesired vibration from occurring during operation, includes an elastic body, a vibrating body having an electro-mechanical energy conversion element mounted on the elastic body, a driven body that is brought into pressure contact with the vibrating body, and a pressurizing member that brings the driven body into pressure contact with the vibrating body. Relative positions of the vibrating body and the driven body change due to vibrations excited in the vibrating body. The pressurizing member has a positioning portion, and the driven body has a fitting-receiving portion that is to be fitted onto the positioning portion. During operation, the positioning portion and the fitting-receiving portion are not in contact with each other.

Abstract: A built-in piezoelectric type online dynamic balance actuator which includes two structurally identical left and right piezoelectric drive adjustment mechanisms at two sides of a housing. The piezoelectric drive adjustment mechanism includes a shaft having one end supported inside a housing chamber by bearing, a middle portion connected to an end cover by bearing, and the other end supported on bearing housing by bearing, a weight mass coupled to the shaft and positioned inside a tightening sleeve with one side connected to the bearing housing and another side connected to the end cover and the housing, and a stator fixedly connected to one side of the end cover, a mover pressed against a surface of the stator through a disk. Through a control center, the mass weights of the left and right piezoelectric drive adjustment mechanisms are fixed to a preset angle.

Abstract: A self-cleaning lens system disposed adjacent a camera is disposed. The system may incorporate a piezoelectric (PZT) lens system having a first PZT element secured to a first peripheral portion of the lens element, which may be responsive to an alternating current (AC) signal applied to the first PZT element. An AC signal may excite the first PZT element to cause shear displacements in opposite longitudinal directions and to create an oscillating shear motion for the first PZT element. The oscillating shear motion may cause an oscillating rotational movement of the lens element that removes the environmental element from a surface of the lens element.

Abstract: A vibration-type actuator that is capable of reducing an unnecessary vibration during driving includes a vibration body configured by connecting an electro-mechanical energy conversion element and an elastic body. A driven body is in pressure contact with the vibration body. A controller moves the vibration body and the driven body relatively by a vibration that is excited in the vibration body by applying driving voltage to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element so that a difference between a resonance frequency in a natural vibration mode of the vibration body that is higher than an upper limit frequency of a predetermined driving frequency range and that is nearest to the upper limit frequency and a frequency of the driving voltage is greater than a difference between a resonance frequency in a natural vibration mode used for moving the vibration body and the driven body relatively and the frequency of the driving voltage.

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 motor includes a vibrator, a mover guided by a guide member to move with the vibrator, and rollers sandwiched between the mover and the guide member. The mover includes first and second groove shapes formed along a moving direction of the vibrator to separate from each other. The guide member includes first and second guide parts opposite to the first and second groove shapes, respectively. The rollers are sandwiched among the first and second groove shapes, and the first and second guide parts. On a rear side of a surface of the guide member where the first and second guide parts are formed, the mover includes regulating parts regulating a movement of the guide member to the rear side. When the guide member abuts against the regulating parts, part of each of the rolling balls is positioned inside the first and second groove shapes.

Abstract: A cable connection on a motor unit of an electric auxiliary drive for a bicycle, the motor unit includes an external rotor having a rotational axis that is perpendicular to the plane of the wheels. The cable connection has a solid connecting piece which can be connected to the motor unit and conductors for connection to the cores of a cable to be fed at an angle.

Abstract: There is provided a vibration generating apparatus including: a housing having an internal space; a vibrating plate fixedly installed in the housing and having a disc shape; a piezoelectric element fixed to the vibrating plate and having a hollow disc shape; and a vibration element vibrating together with the vibrating plate when the piezoelectric element is deformed.

Abstract: A vibration-type driving device includes a vibrator including an electro-mechanical transducer and an elastic portion supported by a shaft, and a rotor the position of which relative to the vibrator changes. The rotor includes a first rotor having a threaded portion engaging with a first threaded portion formed on the elastic portion, and a second rotor having a threaded portion engaging with a second threaded portion formed on the shaft. The first rotor and the second rotor are configured to be driven integrally with each other, with a spring member between the first rotor and the second rotor.

Abstract: A vibrating actuator assembly including: a rotor that is rotatable; a first stator disposed at one surface of the rotor and including a first vibrating plate that is elastically deformable and a first vibrating device that is disposed at the first vibrating plate and transforms the first vibrating plate by vibrating when an electrical signal is applied; and a second stator disposed at the other surface of the rotor and comprising a second vibrating plate that is elastically deformable and a second vibrating device that is disposed at the second vibrating plate and deforms the second vibrating plate by vibrating when an electrical signal is applied, in which electrical signals having different phases are respectively applied to the first and second vibrating devices.

Abstract: A vibration-type driving apparatus includes a vibration member, to which an electrical-mechanical energy conversion element is fixed and which is vibrated when a driving voltage is applied to the electrical-mechanical energy conversion element; and a moving member that comes into contact with the vibration member and rotates relative to the vibration member in accordance with the vibration. The moving member includes a body portion and a contacting portion with a friction surface that comes into frictional contact with the vibration member and, in an area extending from a rotation axis in a radial direction, a line connecting a centroid of a shape of the moving member to an arbitrary point of the contacting portion of the moving member is parallel to a direction of the vibration trajectory of the vibration member.

Abstract: An oscillatory wave motor includes an oscillator having an oscillation body and an electro-mechanical energy-converting element, and a flexible heat-conducting member configured to dissipate heat generated by the oscillatory wave motor. The oscillatory wave motor drives a moving body in contact with a contact portion formed in the oscillation body by an elliptical movement of the oscillator, and the heat-conducting member is provided in addition to a heat-conducting path that conducts heat generated by the oscillatory wave motor through an oscillator supporting member that supports the oscillator or a heat-conducting path that conducts heat through the moving body.

Abstract: A vibration-wave driving device includes a vibrator having an electromechanical-energy converting element, and a moving mechanism configured to allow the vibrator to move relative to a movable body, in a plane parallel to a plane where the vibrator and the movable body are in contact, in a second direction intersecting with a first direction being a direction of a driving force produced by the vibrator. The moving mechanism includes a guide member that regulates a moving direction of the vibrator, and the guide member includes a member having a rollable curved portion.

Abstract: A drive unit includes an actuator main body configured to vibrate to output a driving force, a movable body, which is contacted by the actuator main body and is movable relative to the actuator main body in a predetermined moving direction, and an opposing member positioned to face the actuator main body with the movable body interposed therebetween and hold the movable body together with the actuator main body so that the movable body is sandwiched therebetween. A portion of the movable body, which contacts the opposing member, has an elastic modulus lower than that of the opposing member.

Abstract: Provided is an annular vibration wave actuator capable of distributing a contact surface pressure at a contacting portion over the entire contacting face and capable of reducing sliding in the direction orthogonal to the driving direction, thus improving durability.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of increasing the lifetimes of an oscillatory wave motor and a sound generation device using the oscillatory wave motor as a drive source, and proposed the structure and mechanism for integrally increasing the lifetimes of the oscillatory wave motor and the sound generation device using the oscillatory wave motor as the drive source. To maintain the drive performance of a drive unit, the drive unit is provided with a core sheathing structure, with the result that the drive unit is prevented from breaking and being damaged, and even if the entire drive unit is worn down, an intrinsic drive unit member serving as a core portion keeps the same drive area, so an initial drive feature is maintained. The descending order of a wear resistance of the members is the drive unit core material, a moving unit, and a drive unit sheathing material.

Abstract: A vibration wave driving apparatus according to the present invention includes a vibrator having at least a vibration body formed with a projecting portion having spring characteristics and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element, the vibration wave driving apparatus using motion of the projecting portion to drive a driven body in contact with the projecting portion, wherein the vibration body includes a base portion and the projecting portion, the projecting portion includes two wall portions formed in parallel to a direction orthogonal to a drive direction of the driven body extending in an out-of-plane direction with respect to the base portion and two wall portions formed in parallel to the drive direction of the driven body extending in an out-of-plane direction with respect to the base portion and a contact portion including a contact surface with the driven body formed by connecting the wall portions.

Abstract: A power transmitting mechanism assembly including a supporting plate; a first roller, which is rotatably attached to the supporting plate; a first plate, which contacts a first end of the first roller and is arranged to be able to rotate with respect to the supporting plate; a power generating unit, which generates power for rotating the first plate when a signal is applied; a second plate, which is arranged to contact a second end of the first roller; and a friction changing unit, which is attached to at least one of the first roller, the first plate, and the second plate and changes friction of a portion of a contacting surface between the first roller and the first plate or friction of a portion of a contacting surface between the first roller and the second plate.

Abstract: A vibrational wave motor which can realize a suitable drive performance and can be driven quietly. The vibrational wave motor includes: an electromechanical-conversion element excited by a driving signal; a vibrating element joined with the electromechanical-conversion element, and having a drive surface where a progressive vibrational wave is generated by the excitation; a relative motion member having a sliding surface pressure-contacting the drive surface of the vibrating element, and which is driven by the wave; and a driving device for providing the driving signal to the electromechanical-conversion element, wherein: the driving device provides the driving signal to the electromechanical-conversion element, the driving signal generating the wave satisfying a-value/??0.00025 in the drive surface, where a vibration amplitude generated in the drive surface of the vibrating element is a-value, and a wavelength generated in the drive surface of the vibrating element is ?.

Abstract: A driving apparatus is capable of efficiently transmitting a reciprocating displacement of an electromechanical transducer element to a movement member and of effectively utilizing a vacant space. The driving apparatus includes an electromechanical transducer element having first and second end faces opposed to each other in a direction of expansion and contraction thereof, a vibration friction portion attached to the second end face of the electromechanical transducer element, and a movement member friction-bonded to the vibration friction portion. The movement member is movable along the direction of expansion and contraction of the electromechanical transducer element. The driving apparatus includes a vibration transmission member arranged between the second end face of the electromechanical transducer element and an end face of the vibration friction portion. A central axis of the electromechanical transducer element and a central axis of the vibration friction portion are not on the same line.

Abstract: A vibration actuator having excellent driving performance, a method for manufacturing the vibration actuator, a lens barrel and a camera. The vibration actuator is provided with: an electromechanical conversion element which converts an electric energy into a mechanical energy; an elastic body which generates vibration waves by oscillation of the electromechanical conversion element; a resin layer, which is formed of a conductive thermoplastic resin and bonds the electromechanical conversion element and the elastic body with each other; and a relatively moving member which is brought into contact with the elastic body with a pressure and is relatively moved to the elastic body by vibration waves.

Abstract: A piezoelectric oscillator that generates a travelling wave using two B (1, n) mode (n is a natural number) standing waves that are out of phase with each other by 90°. On a lower surface of an oscillating body, (4/3)n piezoelectric elements are provided in order to generate an n-wave travelling wave by combining the two B (1, n) mode standing waves that are out of phase with each other by 90°. When a wavelength of the travelling wave is given by ?, each of the piezoelectric elements has a dimension in a circumferential direction occupying a central angle corresponding to (1/2)??, and a plurality of piezoelectric elements are spaced apart from each other at intervals each occupies a central angle corresponding to (1/4)??.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor includes a fixed member including a surface, a movable member positioned to face the surface of the fixed member, and an actuator to cause at least a portion of the movable member to contact the surface of the fixed member and cause the movable member to move relative to the fixed member.

Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric element including: an electrode portion including a piezoelectric layer and an electrode layer that are laminated; and a non-electrode portion that is in contact with the electrode portion and includes a piezoelectric layer without an electrode layer, in which the non-electrode portion includes a region having a density smaller than a density of the piezoelectric layer of the electrode portion.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus of the present invention is an image pickup apparatus including an ultrasonic motor 35 that moves a focus lens 24, and further including a correction control part 100 that operates the ultrasonic motor 35 under a predetermined condition. The correction control part 100 is capable of executing a correction process by measuring a frequency characteristic of an applied voltage at the time of operating the ultrasonic motor 35 at a predetermined rotation speed, comparing the frequency characteristic with a preset reference frequency characteristic, and correcting the frequency characteristics on the basis of a difference between the frequency characteristic and the reference frequency characteristic so as to calculate a correction frequency characteristic. Accordingly, even when the frequency characteristic of the ultrasonic motor varies due to wear of the ultrasonic motor and mechanical components coupled thereto, a stable drive can be maintained over a long time.

Abstract: Positioning apparatus comprises: a first surface; a tubular body and a first end surface at a first end of the tubular body and arranged in contact with the first surface; and surface wave generation means arranged to generate a first travelling surface wave on the first end surface, the first travelling surface wave travelling along a first portion of the first end surface in a first direction, and, while the first travelling surface wave is travelling along the first end surface, to generate a second travelling surface wave on the first end surface, the second travelling surface wave travelling along a second portion of the first end surface in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction. Interaction between the first surface and the first and second travelling surface waves effects relative movement between the first surface and the tubular body.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor includes a stator and a rotor. In the stator, an n number of piezoelectric elements (wherein n is a natural number) are affixed to one surface of a vibrating member, whose outer circumferential edge is circular or polygonal, along a direction in which the outer circumferential edge extends. Each of the piezoelectric elements has a size corresponding to ??/2 in terms of center angle, and the piezoelectric elements that are adjacent to each other are disposed so as to be separated by an interval corresponding to ??/4 in terms of the center angle along a circumferential direction of the vibrating member. The piezoelectric elements are polarized in opposite directions in a thickness direction. The rotor is disposed so as to contact the stator, and is rotated by receiving vibration resulting from a 3n-wave traveling wave generated by the stator.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ultrasonic motor and a method of manufacturing the piezoelectric ultrasonic motor. The piezoelectric ultrasonic motor includes: a piezoelectric body that generates a traveling wave according to an applied voltage signal; a vibrator that is attached to the piezoelectric body and vibrates; and a rotator that contacts the vibrator and is rotated by friction with the vibrating vibrator, wherein the rotator includes a plate spring member having a contact portion that contacts the vibrator, a support member that is coupled to the plate spring member and supports the plate spring member, and a buffer space defined by the plate spring member and the support member.

Abstract: A vibration actuator with good driving performance, and a lens barrel and camera equipped therewith, is provided. There is provided a vibration actuator comprising: an electromechanical conversion element that is excited by a driving signal; a vibrating body including a joining face, to which the electromechanical conversion element is joined, and a driving face, at which a vibration wave is produced by the excitation; and a relative motion member that is pressingly touched against the driving face, is driven by the vibration wave, and relatively moves with respect to the vibrating body, wherein at a first and a second portion of the electromechanical conversion element in a direction parallel to the joining face and orthogonal to a direction of the relative movement of the vibrating body and the relative motion member, thickness in a direction orthogonal to the joining face differs between the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A vibration-type actuator having a vibrating body adapted to be deformed for driving and mounted with a contact member having a spring function. The contact member is comprised of a protruding portion adapted to be in contact with a driven body and fixing portions fixed to the vibrating body, and is provided with converting portion disposed between the projecting portion and the fixing portions. The converting portions each have an inclined surface obliquely extending relative to a contact surface provided in the protruding portion for contact with the driven body and extending to a side opposite from the contact surface. The converting portions convert a change in relative distance between the fixing portions caused by deformation of the vibrating body into a displacement of the contact surface.

Abstract: A piezo drive system includes an elastic fixing frame, a drive element, a rod, and a rotor. A vamplate portion is formed on the outer surface of the rod. One end of the rod is secured to around the center of a face of the drive element. The rotor consists of a cylindrical portion and a disk portion, and can rotate relative to the rod. Protrusions are formed on the inside of a top surface portion of the fixing frame to push against the disk portion. Using the drive element, the rod rotates while tilting and makes a surface contact with the vamplate portion, producing friction. Consequently, the rotor is rotated.

Abstract: A piezoelectric generator includes a piezoelectric ring having upper and lower plane surfaces and a first quality factor (Q-factor), a sound-wave conducting gasket acoustically coupled to the upper plane surface, a metal resonator ring positioned acoustically coupled to the conducting gasket, the metal resonator ring having a second Q-factor substantially greater than the first Q-factor, and at least one bent elastic pusher extending from a periphery of the metal resonator ring. In the generator, an external diameter of the conducting gasket is less than half of an external diameter of the metal resonator ring and the piezoelectric ring, the conducting gasket, and the metal resonator ring are concentrically aligned with respect to a rotational axis.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor includes a fixed member including a surface, a movable member positioned to face the surface of the fixed member, and an actuator to cause at least a portion of the movable member to contact the surface of the fixed member and cause the movable member to move relative to the fixed member.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ultrasonic motor includes a piezoelectric stator including a metal tube with an inner space and piezoelectric elements mounted on the outer circumference of the metal tube, a rotary shaft including a rotation bar inserted into the inner space of the metal tube, and a rotation member provided around the rotation bar in contact with the piezoelectric stator. The piezoelectric stator strains with an electric field applied thereto, and the rotation member rotates in response to the strain of the piezoelectric stator. A power transmission member is provided at one portion of the rotation bar to transmit the rotation of the rotation member to an object to be transported. With face contact the motor achieves stable actuation together with enhanced force and sufficient strain, and a flexibility to be applied to various apparatuses such as a camera module.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piezoelectric thin film vibrator having a piezoelectric device formed by using thin film formation technology, a fabrication method thereof, a driving apparatus and a piezoelectric motor using the same, and an object is to provide a piezoelectric thin film vibrator which can provide an excellent piezoelectric characteristic at low cost, a fabrication method thereof, a driving apparatus and a piezoelectric motor using the same. A piezoelectric thin film vibrator is configured to have a resonator which generates a flexure traveling wave, a lower electrode which is formed on the resonator, a piezoelectric thin film which is formed by epitaxial growth on the lower electrode, and a plurality of upper electrode parts which is formed on the piezoelectric thin film.

Abstract: An ultrasonic wave handling device for freely revolving and/or sliding (protruding and pulling in) a working member is provided. An ultrasonic wave handling device (1) includes a stator (11) with a working member hole H and a pillar shaped working member (12) which is inserted in the working member hole H. The outline of the working member hole H forms a square shape. Ultrasonic wave generating elements (13) for revolving and/or sliding the working member (12) are attached to each side of the square stators.

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 vibration actuator with good driving performance, and a lens barrel and camera equipped therewith, is provided. There is provided a vibration actuator comprising: an electromechanical conversion element that is excited by a driving signal; a vibrating body including a joining face, to which the electromechanical conversion element is joined, and a driving face, at which a vibration wave is produced by the excitation; and a relative motion member that is pressingly touched against the driving face, is driven by the vibration wave, and relatively moves with respect to the vibrating body, wherein at a first and a second portion of the electromechanical conversion element in a direction parallel to the joining face and orthogonal to a direction of the relative movement of the vibrating body and the relative motion member, thickness in a direction orthogonal to the joining face differs between the first portion and the second 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: An electro-mechanical wave device which may be used for movement of a mechanical member, e.g. by friction, a motor comprising one or more wave devices, and a method of providing the electro-mechanical wave device. The electro-mechanical wave device comprises a substrate comprising a plurality of conductors, and a plurality of actuators positioned on the substrate for generation of mechanical waves along a predetermined propagation path, each of the actuators being connected to a respective set of the conductors of the substrate for reception of an excitation signal transmitted by the set of conductors.

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: The present invention provides an ultrasonic motor including a wire having a coiled stator at one end thereof, a vibration generating device disposed at another end of the wire, a moving member that is in contact with the stator, a guide member that guides the rotation of the moving member, and an elastic member that covers the periphery of the wire. Accordingly, the driving efficiency of the ultrasonic motor that has a simple structure and that can be easily downsized can be enhanced and the performance stability thereof can be realized.

Abstract: A method for displacing a movable element (3) by means of at least two actuators (4, 5) facing each other on a stator (2). Electrical wave signals are simultaneously applied to at least two actuators facing each other so that oppositely directed waves are generated in the surface of the stator. The two oppositely directed waves form a compound wave in the surface of the stator by means of which the movable element is displaced over a moving area located between the actuators.

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: The invention relates to a piezoelectric ultrasound motor with an oscillator in the form of a piezoelectric plate of the length L and the height H as well as with one or two friction elements which are arranged at the oscillator and elastically pressed against the friction surface of the part to be moved. According to the invention, the piezoelectric plate is divided into two identical parts by a section plane extending vertically to the large surfaces, with at least one of these parts including an asymmetrical generator of an asymmetrical acoustic standing wave, which upon its activation generates an asymmetrical two-dimensional standing wave, so that the friction elements which are arranged in the centre of the long end face of the plate carry out a movement with an inclination relative to the end face, so that the energy of motion is transferred to the element to be moved.

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 driving apparatus includes a vibration member in which an electro-mechanical energy conversion element is fixed to an elastic member, and a contact member pressed against a sliding part provided in the vibration member, so as to be kept in contact therewith. The vibration wave driving apparatus is configured to supply alternating signals in a predetermined driving frequency band to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element, thereby generating a predetermined natural vibration mode in the elastic member to drive the contact member. In the apparatus, the natural vibration mode is generated in the elastic member, a natural frequency of another vibration mode different from the natural vibration mode is detected, and a stiffness of the support member is altered if the natural frequency of the other vibration mode detected is included in the driving frequency band.