Abstract: A vibration type actuator providing a satisfactory actuator performance even when an increase in speed is achieved and having a contact spring. The actuator includes a vibrator equipped with an electrical-mechanical energy conversion element, an elastic member to which the electrical-mechanical energy conversion element is fixed, and a protrusion provided on the elastic member. The vibrator can generate an elliptic movement in the protrusion. A driven body is configured to come into contact with the protrusion and to make a relative movement with respect to the vibrator. The protrusion includes a contact portion having a contact surface contacting the driven body, a continuous side wall portion protruding with respect to one end surface of the elastic member and forming a hollow structure, and a connection portion connecting the contact portion and the side wall portion and exhibiting flexibility in a direction normal to the contact surface.

Abstract: A sodium niobate powder includes sodium niobate particles having a shape of a cuboid and having a side average length of 0.1 ?m or more and 100 ?m or less, wherein at least one face of each of the sodium niobate particles is a (100) plane in the pseudocubic notation and a moisture content of the sodium niobate powder is 0.15 mass % or less. A method for producing a ceramic using the sodium niobate powder is provided. A method for producing a sodium niobate powder includes a step of holding an aqueous alkali dispersion liquid containing a niobium component and a sodium component at a pressure exceeding 0.1 MPa, a step of isolating a solid matter from the aqueous dispersion liquid after the holding, and a step of heat treating the solid matter at 500° C. to 700° C.

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: The task of the present invention is to provide an inertial drive actuator having a small-size arrangement, without using a vibration substrate. The inertial drive actuator includes a coil, a movable body which is disposed in a direction in which, a magnetic flux of the coil is generated, and which is formed of a magnetic material having a surface facing the coil, and a displacement generator (piezoelectric element) which displaces the coil in a direction different from the direction in which the magnetic flux is generated. Moreover, the movable body is displaced relatively with respect to the displacement generator (piezoelectric element), along a direction of displacement of the displacement generator (piezoelectric element).

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic actuator (2) with a polarization axis P, said actuator being made of a piezoelectric ceramic. The ultrasonic actuator (2) has a temperature expansion coefficient which is parallel to the polarization axis P and which differs from a temperature expansion coefficient that is perpendicular to the polarization axis P, and at least one friction element (8) is arranged on the ultrasonic actuator. The friction element (8) consists of an anisotropic monocrystal with temperature expansion coefficients which are different along the three crystal axes a, b, and c. The temperature expansion coefficient along a first of the three crystal axes is the lowest, and the temperature expansion coefficient along a second of the three crystal axes is the greatest.

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: In an inner bottom surface of a case, a substantially oblong recess having a long axis and a short axis forms a vibration area. A piezoelectric element is bonded to the center of the recess. On the opposite sides of the vibration area, vibration suppression areas thicker than the vibration area are disposed. A side portion of the case is formed to be thin over the entire circumference thereof. A reinforcing member higher in rigidity than the case is bonded to upper portions of the vibration suppression areas. The reinforcing member has a bottom surface substantially equal to the shape of the vibration suppression areas, and has a predetermined height. A gap between the reinforcing member and an inner side surface of the case is also filled with a filling member.

Abstract: A vibration-type driving apparatus including: a vibrator holder wherein a plurality of vibrators each having at least an electro-mechanical energy conversion element and a elastic member having a contact portion formed therein are connected to a vibrator holding member, for generating an ellipsoidal movement of the contact portion, to move, relative to the vibrator, a driving member contacting the contact portion, wherein the plurality of vibrators are connected to a surface of the holding member at a side at which the contact portion contacts the driving member, and on a surface of the vibrator holding member opposite to the side at which the contact portion contacts the driving member, a pressing member is placed to set the contact portion to be pressed and contacted to the driving member.

Abstract: An actuator includes the first and the second extendable driver portions. The first extendable driver portion includes an electrolyte layer laminated with electrode layers each including an electroconductive polymer and expands and contracts according to application of a voltage between the electrode layers. The second extendable driver portion includes an electrolyte layer laminated with electrode layers each including an electroconductive polymer and expands and contracts according to application of a voltage between the electrode layers. The first and the second extendable driver portions are arranged between a fixation portion and an application portion. The application portion moves as the first and the second extendable driver portions extend and contract.

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 piezoelectric motor includes a piezoelectric element having a piezoelectric layer, and a first and a second electrodes, the first electrode provided on one surface side of the piezoelectric layer, and the second electrode provided on the other surface side of the piezoelectric layer; a piezoelectric actuator having a vibrating member anchored to the first electrode of the piezoelectric element; and a rotational shaft with which the vibrating member makes contact and is rotated thereby.

Abstract: A vibration-type driving apparatus includes a vibrator holder, wherein a plurality of vibrators each having at least an electro-mechanical energy conversion element and an elastic member having a contact portion formed therein are connected to a vibrator holding member, for generating an ellipsoidal movement of the contact portion, to move, relative to the vibrator, a driving member contacting the contact portion. The plurality of vibrators are connected to a surface of the holding member at a side at which the contact portion contacts the driving member, and on a surface of the vibrator holding member opposite to the side at which the contact portion contacts the driving member, a pressing member is placed to set the contact portion to be pressed and contacted to the driving member.

Abstract: A motor includes a vibrating plate having a projection part to be pressed against a driven member and a piezoelectric material provided on the vibrating plate, wherein a Young's modulus EL in the pressing direction of the vibrating plate and a Young's modulus ES in a direction crossing the pressing direction are different.

Abstract: A haptic actuator apparatus and a method of making the same include an ultrasonically vibrating motor and its housing. The housing includes a guide structure coupled to the ultrasonically vibrating motor and at least one spring. The guide structure defines at least one path of motion of the ultrasonically vibrating motor. The at least one spring delimits the at least one path and generates human-detectable vibrations in response to an impact with the ultrasonically vibrating motor.

Abstract: Provided is a vibration apparatus, method and computer-readable medium generating vibrations and ultrasonic waves. The vibration apparatus, method and computer-readable medium may generate the vibrations or the ultrasonic waves in accordance with a first control signal and a second control signal each having a frequency band different from each other.

Abstract: A vibration wave driving apparatus includes a vibrator for driving a driven body and a member for supporting the vibrator. The construction can restrain increases in the number of components and in necessary space and can maintain a stable contact state of frictional surfaces of the vibrator and the driven body.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor includes: a piezoelectric actuator; and a driven portion. The piezoelectric actuator includes a piezoelectric element and a vibration member. The piezoelectric element has a piezoelectric layer and a first and a second electrode provided on both surfaces of the piezoelectric layer, respectively, and the vibration member is fixed on the first electrode side of the piezoelectric element. The driven portion which is rotated by the protrusion portion of the vibration member vibrated by the piezoelectric element, while the driven portion being abutted thereon. In the piezoelectric motor, a plurality of grooves which are open at a tip end surface of the protrusion portion and penetrate in a thickness direction are provided on a plurality of points of the protrusion portion along a rotation direction of a rotation shaft of the driven portion.

Abstract: A vibration-type driving device according to the present invention includes a plurality of vibrators in which contact portions perform an elliptical motion using a combination of vibrations in different vibration modes; and a driven object having contact regions that come into contact with the contact portions and move relative to the plurality of vibrators, wherein the contact regions for the individual vibrators differ in position so as not to overlap.

Abstract: A vibration wave driving apparatus can match the vibration direction of a projecting portion of a vibrator to the displacement direction of a contacting portion of a driven body so that the projecting portion of the vibrator and the contacting portion of the driven body can be brought into contact and driven with stability. The vibration direction of the projecting portion is affected by selecting the position of the projecting portion relative to the nodes of vibration.

Abstract: A vibrator according to an aspect of the present invention is provided with an adjustment region which is realized with use of an electro-mechanical energy conversion element that is designed for an adjustment on a resonance frequency, and an impedance element is arranged to be connected to the adjustment region.

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: A vibration wave actuator includes a vibrator, a driven element, and a magnet. The vibrator has at least an electro-mechanical energy conversion element and an elastic body to which the electro-mechanical energy conversion element is joined, the elastic body including a contact portion. The driven element is in pressure contact with the contact portion of the vibrator, and includes a magnetic substance. The magnet is arranged such that the vibrator is placed between the driven element and the magnet.

Abstract: A vibration-type driving device according to the present invention includes a plurality of vibrators in which contact portions perform an elliptical motion using a combination of vibrations in different vibration modes; and a driven object having contact regions that come into contact with the contact portions and move relative to the plurality of vibrators, wherein the contact regions for the individual vibrators differ in position so as not to overlap.

Abstract: A vibration wave driving apparatus including: a vibrator in which a first elastic body, a second elastic body and an electrical-mechanical energy converting element provided between the first and the second elastic bodies are arranged in a direction of a rotation axis; a rotor performing a rotational motion due to the vibration excited to the first elastic body by applying a driving signal to the electrical-mechanical energy converting element; an output transmitter rotating synchronously with the rotor; and a shaft passing through the vibrator, the rotor and the output transmitter in the direction of the rotation axis, wherein the output transmitter has a fitting portion to which the shaft or a flange fixed to the shaft is fitted, and wherein a portion of the fitting portion of the output transmitter and a portion of the first elastic body are overlapped in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

Abstract: A vibration wave actuator includes a vibrator having at least an electro-mechanical energy conversion element and an elastic body to which the electro-mechanical energy conversion element is joined, with the elastic body including a contact portion formed therein, and a driven element that is in pressure contact with the contact portion of the vibrator and includes a magnetic substance. In addition, a vibrator holding portion holds the vibrator via a first elastic member having a stiffness lower than that of the vibrator, and a magnet is arranged on the vibrator holding portion such that the vibrator is placed between the driven element and the magnet.

Abstract: A vibration actuator includes an elastic body on which at least one projection is formed and a vibrating body including an electromechanical conversion device, and drives a driven member that is in contact with a contact portion of the projection by causing an end portion of the projection to perform an ellipsoidal movement in response to a combination of two vibration modes generated in the vibrating body when an alternating driving voltage is applied. The elastic body is formed integrally with the projection and a bonding portion between the projection and the electromechanical conversion device. A space is provided between the contact portion and the electromechanical conversion device to which the projection is bonded. The spring portion is provided between the bonding portion and the contact portion and causes the projection to exhibit a spring characteristic when the contact portion is pressed by the driven member.

Abstract: Provided is a vibration actuator including: an electromechanical transduction member that transduces electric power to a mechanical vibration; a transmission member that transmits the vibration from the electromechanical transduction member as a driving force; and an abutting portion that abuts on the transmission member and moves relative to the transmission member in response to the driving force. One of the transmission member and the abutting portion includes pores in its surface contacting the abutting portion or the transmission member at an area occupancy of 2% or higher. In this vibration actuator, the average area of the pores may be 3 ?m2 or larger. The other of the transmission member and the abutting portion may include iron in its surface contacting the one.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a composite polarization type piezoelectric actuator comprising a ceramic element having a first polarizing region and a second polarizing region, wherein the first polarizing region has a first polarizing direction different from a second polarizing direction of the second polarizing region. When a voltage is applied to the composite polarization type piezoelectric actuator, an end face of the ceramic element is deformed. When a pulse wave voltage is applied to the composite polarization type piezoelectric actuator, the end face of the ceramic element generates an elliptical motion.

Abstract: A highly-durable vibratory drive apparatus is provided without the need for additional assembly processes. The vibratory drive apparatus includes: a vibrator including a first elastic member, a second elastic member and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element, the electro-mechanical energy conversion element being between the first elastic member and the second elastic member; a moving member configured to contact the vibrator and be moved relative to the vibrator; and a lubricant provided between the first elastic member and the electro-mechanical energy conversion element.

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: 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: 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 piezoelectric motor includes a first supporting member, a second supporting member, a third supporting member, and a fourth supporting member configured to support a piezoelectric element, and the respective supporting members are formed with irregularities on contact surfaces thereof. In this configuration, the contact surfaces are prevented from being displaced, and reliable holding of the piezoelectric element and prevention of drive energy loss of a driven member are achieved.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic motor unit includes a piezoelectric element, a holder member, a pressing member, a pressing auxiliary member, a driven member, an ultrasonic motor accommodation member, a power extraction member. The piezoelectric element has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The holder member holds the piezoelectric element so as to cover an outer surface of a portion of the piezoelectric element. The pressing member applies a predetermined pressing force to the piezoelectric element. The pressing auxiliary member transfers a pressing force generated by the pressing member to the holder member. The driven member is in contact with one end face of the piezoelectric element. The power extraction member is coupled to the ultrasonic motor accommodation member to form a joint portion. The ultrasonic motor unit is formed by connecting a plurality of sections each formed by coupling the ultrasonic motor accommodation member to the power extraction member.

Abstract: Provided is a vibration-type driving apparatus comprising a vibrating body including an electro-mechanical energy conversion element and an elastic body to which the electro-mechanical energy conversion element is joined; and a flexible printed board connected to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element, wherein the flexible printed board includes a first region bonded to at least the location of an antinode portion of vibration of the vibrating body and a second region that is adjacent to the first region and that is not bonded to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element; the boundary portion between the first region and the second region is located at a node portion of the vibration of the vibrating body; and a gap is present between the second region and the vibrating body.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor includes a vibrator configured to generate an elliptical vibration, a driven member configured to be driven by the vibrator, wherein the driven member is driven according to the elliptical vibration of the vibrator, a holding unit configured to hold the vibrator, and a pressure unit configured to press the vibrator against the driven member, wherein the holding unit includes a first holding member configured to hold the vibrator, and a second holding member configured to press the vibrator against the driven member, and wherein the first holding member and the second holding member are relatively movable in a direction perpendicular to a contact surface of the driven member with the vibrator.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor (10) includes a vibrator (50) and an application means (oscillation circuit 80). A first vibrator area (51) and a second vibrator area (52), which form a vibrator (50), include piezoelectric elements polarized in the thickness direction, and fixed portions (30a, 30b) respectively. The oscillation circuit 80 applies an AC voltage to the piezoelectric elements respectively and makes the first vibrator area (51) and the second vibrator area (52) resonate individually in the surface-spreading directions. The ultrasonic motor (10) includes a coupling portion (55) for coupling vibration end portions (23a, 23b) each other and a contact element (60) which is provided on this coupling portion (55). The vibration end portions (23a, 23b) are positions which vibrate respectively in the approaching and separating directions by the resonances of the first vibrator area (51) and the second vibrator area (52) in the surface-spreading directions with respect to the fixed portions (30a, 30b).

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor includes a piezoelectric element, a first support member, a second support member, a third support member, and a fourth support member that support the piezoelectric element, a elastic portion that presses the first support member and the second support member, a case that comes in contact with the third support member and the fourth support member, and a pressing plate that presses the elastic portion.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor for driving a driven object with a multi-degree of freedom includes a vibrator configured to simultaneously excite two vibration modes to generate an elliptic vibration on an output surface thereof, a driven object configured to be driven by the elliptic vibration generated on the output surface, and a driving element interposed between the output surface and the driven object. The driven object includes a spherical portion to be brought into contact with at least the output surface via the driving element. The elliptic vibration exhibits different vibration amplitudes at different positions on the output surface. The output surface includes a plurality of regions which exhibit greater vibration amplitudes than other regions on the output surface. The driving element includes a contact portion with at least two regions exhibiting greater vibration amplitudes than other regions of the contact portion, and is provided on the output surface.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor is configured as follows. Namely, the ultrasonic motor includes an oscillator whose cross section vertical to a central axis has a rectangular shape which has a predetermined length ratio of a narrow side and a wide side, wherein the oscillator comprises driving electrodes and oscillation detecting electrodes near a node portion of the longitudinal oscillation and near ventral portions of the torsional oscillation, an external electrode achieving electrical conduction with the driving electrodes and an external electrode associated with one polarity of an external electrode achieving the electrical conduction with the oscillation detecting electrodes are formed on a first surface of outer surfaces of the oscillator, and an external electrode associated with the other polarity of the external electrode achieving the electrical conduction with the oscillation detection electrodes is formed on a second surface different from the first surface of the outer surfaces of the oscillator.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor is configured as follows. Namely, the ultrasonic motor includes an oscillator which is configured to has a shape that conforms a resonant frequency of longitudinal oscillation exited in the oscillator to a resonant frequency of torsional oscillation, a driven body that comes into contact with an elliptic oscillation generation surface of the oscillator and is driven by the elliptic oscillation, and a pressing mechanism unit that welds the elliptic oscillation generation surface of the oscillator to the driven body by pressing, wherein the oscillator has a first polarization unit that is formed in a region associated with a node portion of the longitudinal oscillation and configured to excite the longitudinal oscillation in the oscillator, and a second polarization unit that is formed in a region associated with a ventral portion of the torsional oscillation and configured to excite the torsional oscillation in the oscillator.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor includes a stator. The stator includes a seat and a driving unit. The driving unit includes a generally semi-elliptical driving mechanism formed integrally with the seat, and two spaced-apart piezoelectric actuators disposed between the seat and the driving mechanism. Each of the piezoelectric actuators has a first end abutting against the driving mechanism, and a second end opposite to the first end and abutting against the seat.

Abstract: A vibration type driving device includes a vibrator configured to make an elliptic motion of a contact portion by combining vibrations in different vibration modes, and a driven body configured to be rotated relative to the vibrator by the elliptic motion while being in contact with the contact portion. A contact pressure of the contact portion with the driven body is lower on a radial inner side than on a radial outer side in a radial direction of the rotation.

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: In an ultrasonic actuator, piezoelectric layers and internal electrode layers are stacked. External electrodes are formed on a principal surface exposed to an outside of the outermost piezoelectric layer. Side electrodes connected to the internal electrode layers and the external electrodes are formed on side surfaces of a body including the piezoelectric layers and the internal electrode layers. A first divided electrode and a first external electrode are connected together by a plurality of side electrodes. A second divided electrode and a second external electrode are connected together by a plurality of side electrodes. A minus electrode layer and a third external electrode are connected together by a plurality of side electrodes.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic motor, an elliptical vibration is generated by combining a longitudinal primary resonance vibration, resulting from an expansion and a contraction of a vibrator in a direction of a central axis, and a torsional secondary resonance vibration or a torsional tertiary resonance vibration resulting from twisting of the vibrator about the central axis. A dimension ratio of a rectangle of the vibrator is chosen such that a resonance frequency of the longitudinal primary resonance vibration, resulting from the expansion and the contraction of the vibrator in the direction of the central axis, and a resonance frequency of the torsional secondary resonance vibration or the torsional tertiary resonance vibration, resulting from twisting of the vibrator about rotation axis, substantially match.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor in which driving signals of two phases are applied to a vibrator having a driving member in contact with a driven member to simultaneously generate a longitudinal vibration and a flexural vibration, thereby generating an elliptic vibration in the vibrator, and the driving member frictionally drives the driven member upon obtaining a driving force from the elliptic vibration, is configured as follows. Namely, the ultrasonic motor includes a driving phase difference switching unit which switches a driving phase difference serving as a phase difference between the driving signals of the two phases, and changes a switching cycle of the driving phase difference.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic motor includes a transducer, a driven member, a pressing mechanism unit. The transducer includes stacked piezoelectric sheets on which internal electrodes are formed. The internal electrodes form driving activated areas and vibration detection activated areas in the transducer. The driving activated areas are located in portions which correspond to a node of the longitudinal vibration and an anti node of twisting vibration, so as to be symmetrical about a central plane in the stacking direction and a plane which is perpendicular to the stacking direction and includes the center axis, and are polarized in the stacking direction. The vibration detection activated areas are located in portions which correspond to a node of the longitudinal vibration and an anti node of the twisting vibration and are closer to the central plane than the driving activated areas, and are polarized in the stacking direction.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a piezoresonator body (3) having opposing first and second surfaces and opposing third and fourth surfaces. The device also includes at least one common electrode (8) disposed on the second surface (15) and electrodes (4a, 4b) disposed on the first surface (14) in pairs along a first longitudinal axis. The device further includes contact elements (5) disposed on the third (16) and the fourth (17) surfaces at contact locations along the first longitudinal axis and aligned between each pair of excitation electrodes. In the device, the piezoelectric body has a first order natural resonance frequency (v1) along a second longitudinal axis and an even order natural resonance frequency (v2) along the first longitudinal axis, where a percent difference between v1 and v2 is greater than 0% and less than or equal to 20%.

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.