Abstract: A vibration-type actuator includes a vibration member, a driven member configured to move relative to the vibration member by a vibration of the vibration member, an output member connected to the driven member, a shaft inserted in a through-hole in the vibration member, a fixing member coupled to the shaft and configured to support the output member, and a coil spring provided between the driven member and the output member and configured to bring the driven member into pressure contact with the vibration member. The coil spring includes, at an end portion thereof, a first end turn portion with a plural number of turns. The coil spring is connected to the output member at the first end turn portion. The thickness of the first end turn portion is greater than a gap between the driven member and the output member.

Abstract: A driving mechanism comprises: (i) an actuator comprising: an electro-mechanical conversion element; a driving member which is connected to one end of the electro-mechanical conversion element and moves in accordance with elongation or contraction of the electro-mechanical conversion element; and a weight member provided on the other end of the electro-mechanical conversion element; and (ii) a driven member frictionally engaged with the driving member, wherein the actuator allows the driven member to move along the driving member, and the weight member comprises a member which reduces a resonance frequency of the actuator.

Abstract: A driving device includes an electro-mechanical transducer having first and second end portions opposite to each other in an expansion/contraction direction, a stationary member coupled to the first end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, a vibration friction portion coupled to the second end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, and a rod-shaped moving portion frictionally coupled to the vibration friction portion, whereby moving the moving portion in the expansion/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical transducer. The vibration friction portion is made of a material having a vibration transfer rate of 4900 meters/second or more. The moving portion is made of a material which has a vibration transfer rate of 4900 meters/second or more and which is different from that of the vibration friction portion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system, especially adapted for high-power motors, comprising at least one rotor (1a; 1b) and means (4a, 4b; 5a, 5b) comprising active elements (7, 8) capable of rotating the rotor(s) (1a; 1b) by their synchronized deformation; said rotating means of the rotor(s) comprising at least one petal (6) comprising a hot top (11), characterized in that the material of each hot top (11) is such that it has a thermal mass capacity (Cp22C) of greater than 0.35 [J/g/K], and/or the material of each rotor (1a; 1b) is such that it has a thermal capacity of greater than 2 [J/cm3/K].

Abstract: A vibration actuator has a vibration member for generating a vibration, and a contact member which contacts the vibration member and moves relative thereto when the vibration member vibrates. A portion of the vibration member, which is in sliding-contact with the contact member, is formed as a separate first member which is coupled to rest of the vibration member.