Abstract: It is an subject of the present invention to provide a vibration actuator in which a plurality of rotors can be driven by a single vibration unit. When a composite vibrator (2) is driven to generate a composite vibration combining a plurality of vibrations, a first stator (3) and a second stator (4) vibrate, thereby causing elliptical movements in corner portions (8) and (9) of the first stator (3) and the second stator (4), respectively. As a result, a first rotor (A) abutting onto and pressurized against the corner portion (8) of the first stator (3) and a second rotor (B) abutting onto and pressurized against the corner portion (9) of the second stator (4) are rotated at the same time. Further, in this case, by selecting vibration modes of the plurality of vibrations constituting the composite vibration, the two rotors (A) and (B) can be rotated in the same direction or in opposite directions with respect to each other.

Abstract: A linear drive ultrasonic motor includes at least an ultrasonic vibrator having a piezoelectric element, a driven member which is driven by a frictional force between the driven member and the ultrasonic vibrator, a pressing member which presses the ultrasonic vibrator such that a frictional force is generated between the ultrasonic vibrator and the driven member, a case member which accommodates the ultrasonic vibrator, the pressing member, and the driven member, and a coupling member which is coupled with the driven member at an interior of the case member. The case member includes an opening portion for allowing a part of the coupling member to pass through.

Abstract: Provided is a stacked type piezoelectric element including a surface electrode layer as a first layer and a piezoelectric layer as a second layer. A third layer to an N-th layer thereof are formed by alternately arranging piezoelectric layers and piezoelectric layers. A surface of the piezoelectric layer is provided with four-way split inner electrodes S+, B+, A?, and B?. A surface of the piezoelectric layer is provided with four-way split inner electrodes AG+, BG+, AG?, and BG?. A surface of the piezoelectric layer is provided with four-way split inner electrodes of A+, B+, A?, and B?. The piezoelectric layers are formed such that only the inner electrode S+ serving as a sensor phase and the inner electrodes A+ and AG+ being arranged in the same phase as the inner electrode S+ are exposed to an outside of the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor includes a driven object, a piezoelectric element for driving the driven object, a vibration plate including a notch having an inner peripheral surface of an arc-shaped form having a central angle larger than 180 degrees and being vibrated by the piezoelectric element, and a contact portion made of a material different from that of the vibration plate, having a portion overlapping the piezoelectric element in a plan view and being smaller in thickness than the piezoelectric element, attached to the notch of the vibration plate by press fitting or forced fitting and being in contact with the driven object. Thereby, the ultrasonic motor can have a high shock resistance and a high wear resistance, and can be driven with high efficiency.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor, which rotates a rotor by elastic movement generated by simultaneously exciting vertical oscillation and twisted oscillation in an ultrasonic oscillator, by using expanding and contracting oscillations of a multilayer piezoelectric element formed by laminating two kinds of piezoelectric sheet, is configured as follows. Namely, the multilayer piezoelectric element is formed by alternately laminating a first piezoelectric sheet and a second piezoelectric sheet. The first piezoelectric sheet is provided with a first internal electrode, which is divided into two or more parts, and each divided part is exposed to a peripheral edge of the piezoelectric sheet. The second piezoelectric sheet is provided with an internal electrode, which has a polarity reverse to the first internal electrode, and is divided into two or more parts, and each divided part is exposed to a peripheral edge of the piezoelectric sheet.

Abstract: There is provided a driving device with less wiring and of which driving circuit is simplified. A driving device comprising: a plurality of vibratory actuators 6, 7 respectively having a vibration generating portion which transform an electric power into a vibration and a driven portion which engages with the vibration generating portion; and a driving circuit to which the plurality of vibratory actuators are connected in parallel, wherein the vibration generating portion of at least one of the vibratory actuators has a different frequency characteristic from that of other vibratory actuators, and the driving circuit is capable of outputting a plurality of driving voltages each having a different waveform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a piezoelectric linear motor that can make relatively low abrasion and accurate linear movement since stationary AC voltages are applied to two piezoelectric elements with a phase difference. The present invention provides a piezoelectric linear motor, comprising: a piezoelectric substrate having a first piezoelectric element and a second piezoelectric element, wherein AC voltages are applied to the first and second piezoelectric elements with a phase difference; a metallic elastic body having first and second elastic bodies coupled to the piezoelectric elements and a central protrusion protruded at the central portion connecting the first and second elastic bodies, wherein the central protrusion oscillates elliptically during an application of the voltage; and a mover brought into contact with the central protrusion of the metallic elastic body for a linear movement, and wherein the movement of the mover is orthogonal to the central protrusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear micro motor having an forward and backward reciprocating motion. The linear micro motor includes at least two actuators which can be a scratch drive actuator (SDA), a bounce drive actuator (BDA) or a combination thereof. To achieve the reciprocating motion, the linear micro motor is arranged in a way that at least two SDAs are disposed in an opposite manner, at least two BDAs are disposed in an opposite manner, or at least a SDA and at least a BDA are disposed in an identical manner. The linear micro motor of the present invention in accordance with the arrangement of the actuators can be realized to be applicable to a digital camera or camera phone by the advancing and receding linear motion caused by the motion of the actuators to achieve a focus-adjustable liquid crystal lens.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electromechanical motor having a stator that has a drive unit and a frame component in which the drive unit is held, and a sliding element that is constructed such that, actuated by the drive unit, it performs a movement with respect to the stator in a direction of translation, wherein the drive unit has at least one electromechanical drive element that extends in the direction of translation and a power transmission element that is constructed so as to transmit a movement of the drive element to the sliding element. The sliding element has a supporting component and a drive rail, the drive rail extending in the direction of translation and interacting with the power transmission element and the drive rail being held at both its end faces in the supporting component, and between the supporting component and the frame component of the stator, there is a bearing for supporting the sliding element in the frame component.

Abstract: With the invention, both a longitudinal vibration mode and a flexural vibration mode are independently detected, or only the longitudinal vibration mode is detected, without using a special device. The invention provides an ultrasonic motor including electromechanical transducers for driving, electromechanical transducers for vibration detection, and an ultrasonic vibrator in which, by supplying two-phase alternating voltages with a predetermined phase difference and predetermined driving frequency to the electromechanical transducers for driving, two different vibration modes are simultaneously generated to produce a substantially elliptical vibration at an output. It is possible to independently detect both the longitudinal vibration mode and the flexural vibration mode with the electromechanical transducers for vibration detection.

Abstract: A drive unit (1) includes a stage (3), a first ultrasonic actuator (4A) for driving the stage (3) in the X direction, and a second ultrasonic actuator (4B) for driving the stage (3) in the Y direction. In driving the stage (3) in only one of the X and Y directions, one of the first and second ultrasonic actuators (4A, 4B) corresponding to the one of the directions generates a composite vibration of a longitudinal vibration parallel to a contact surface of the stage (3) and a bending vibration orthogonal to the contact surface, while the other ultrasonic actuator generates only a longitudinal vibration parallel to the contact surface of the stage (3).

Abstract: An ultrasonic actuator (3) includes an actuator body (4) performing a plurality of vibrations including a bending vibration, and a driver element (5) which is attached to a long side surface (40b) of the actuator body (4), and outputs a driving force by making an orbit motion in response to the vibrations of the actuator body (4). The driver element (5) is provided with an attachment surface (51), and is attached to the long side surface (40b) with the attachment surface (51) in surface contact with the long side surface (40b). A width of the attachment surface (51) in the longitudinal direction of the long side surface (40b) is smaller than a maximum width of the driver element (5) in the longitudinal direction of the long side surface (40b).

Abstract: An ultrasonic actuator (2) includes an actuator body (3) generating a driving force, a case (4) containing the actuator body (3), and support rubbers (51) placed between the actuator body (3) and the case (4) to elastically support the actuator body (3) at both sides of the actuator body in a supporting direction. The case (4) includes a first case (8) having an opening at a position where one of the support members (51) is placed and a second case (9) coupled to the first case (8) to cover the opening in the first case (8). The support rubbers (51) are compressed as the second case (9) is coupled to the first case (8) and elastically support the actuator body (3) in the compressed state.

Abstract: A mirror system comprising: a mirror; at least one piezoelectric motor having a coupling surface for coupling the motor to a moveable body; at least one spherical contact surface coupled to the mirror; and a motor mounting frame that holds a piezoelectric motor of the at least one piezoelectric motor and presses the piezoelectric motor coupling surface to a contact surface of the spherical contact surface; wherein the motor is controllable to apply force to the contact surface that rotates the mirror.

Abstract: To provide a piezoelectric actuator whereby impact resistance can be greatly improved without complicating the design or causing a reduction in drive efficiency. When a piezoelectric actuator 31 is incorporated into a main plate 14, an arm part 513 of a vibrator 50 is disposed across from a protrusion 144 via spaces SP1, SP2 having specific dimensions. With the presence of these spaces SP1, SP2, a free end FR moves freely within the spaces SP1, SP2 during driving, but a vibrating part 511 is captured at the free end FR by the protrusion 144 when external impact is applied, and the vibrating part 511 can therefore be prevented from moving beyond the dimensions of the spaces. Resistance against impact from falling can thereby be easily and greatly improved without reducing the drive efficiency, and the usual difficulty of reconciling both drive efficiency and impact resistance can be resolved.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor that is capable of stable driving by preventing uneven rotation of a driven body and maintaining the drive efficiency is provided. The ultrasonic motor includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers including alternately stacked first piezoelectric elements and second piezoelectric elements, and a control unit for applying the same two-phase driving AC voltages to the plurality of ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasonic motor simultaneously generates longitudinal vibration and flexural vibration at the ultrasonic transducers to generate substantially elliptic vibration at output ends of the ultrasonic transducers and relatively moves the ultrasonic transducers and a driven body in contact with the ultrasonic transducers.

Abstract: The invention provides an ultrasonic motor including internal electrodes provided in an ultrasonic vibrator and disposed in regions where electrical charges of the same sign are generated in one vibration mode and where electrical charges of opposite sign and substantially the same amount are generated in another vibration mode; and a control unit configured to detect a phase difference between a vibration detection signal detected on the basis of electrical signals from the internal electrodes and any one of driving AC voltages, and to set a driving frequency such that the phase difference becomes a reference phase difference. Each driving AC voltage with the driving frequency set by the control unit is applied to the ultrasonic vibrator.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor produces elliptical vibration by inducing longitudinal vibration and flexural vibration at the same time and drives a driven body by obtaining a drive power from the elliptical vibration. The ultrasonic motor includes a piezoelectric device, reinforcing members which are provided at the antinodes of the flexural vibration on the top side of the piezoelectric device, friction contact members which are provided at the antinodes of the flexural vibration on the bottom side of the piezoelectric device so as to transmit the driving force to the driven body, a holding member which is provided on the piezoelectric device and positioned and held by a case, and a pressure member which presses the holding member so that the friction contact members are brought into a pressure contact with the driven body such that the driven body can be driven by friction.

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: An ultrasonic motor produces elliptical vibration by inducing longitudinal vibration and flexural vibration at the same time and drives a driven body by obtaining a drive power from the elliptical vibration. The ultrasonic motor includes a piezoelectric device, friction contact members which are provided on the piezoelectric device so as to transmit the driving force to the driven body, a holding member which is provided on the piezoelectric device and to be positioned and held by a case, a pressure member which presses the holding member so as to bring the friction contact members of the piezoelectric device into a pressure contact with the driven body such that the driven body is capable of being driven by friction, and a first reinforcing member which is fixed to the outer face corresponding to nodes of the longitudinal vibration of the piezoelectric device.

Abstract: A ultrasonic motor includes a piezoelectric device, and friction contact members moves a driven body by a elliptical vibration. And the ultrasonic motor includes a holder member which is disposed corresponding to a node of a longitudinal vibration or in the vicinity thereof on the face of the piezoelectric device and a node of a flexural vibration or in the vicinity thereof, the holder member having an engagement convex portion and being provided with a pair of sliding contact projection portions, a position limiting member which has accommodation holes each constituted of a sliding contact concave portion for accommodating the sliding contact projection portion such that it makes a sliding contact therewith freely and an engagement concave portion for accommodating the engagement convex portion, and a pressure member which presses the holder member so as to bring the friction contact members into pressure contact with the driven body.

Abstract: A vibration actuator by which stable drive can be obtained, a lens barrel, a camera system and a vibrating element are provided. In first vibration mode and second vibration mode, vibrating elements of the vibration actuator can vibrate. Resonance frequency of the second vibration mode, which is different from the first vibration mode used for driving a relatively moving member, is prevented from being same as the frequency of the higher harmonic of a driving signal.

Abstract: A stacked piezoelectric element comprising that can suppress periodic damping on miniaturization of a vibration wave motor and improve its performance. A stacked piezoelectric element comprises piezoelectric layers and electrode layers alternately stacked to have a shape of a cylinder. The electrode layers are divided into a plurality of electrode layer regions along a circumferential surface of the shape of a cylinder.

Abstract: An ultrasonic actuator includes: a piezoelectric element 10 producing stretching and bending vibrations; driver elements 2, 2 placed on the piezoelectric element 10 so as to be actuated in accordance with the vibrations of the piezoelectric element 10, thereby outputting a driving force; a case 12 for supporting the piezoelectric element 10; and wall-surface supporters 6A and 6B, top-surface supporters 7A and 7B and a bottom-surface supporting part 8 all placed between the case 12 and the piezoelectric element 10 to previously apply compressive forces to non-node parts of the vibrations of the piezoelectric element 10 along the directions of the vibrations.

Abstract: A vibrational actuator includes an oscillator that generates vibrational energy; a mover that is rotationally driven around a first axis by the vibrational energy; an output shaft that rotates around a second axis by using a rotational force communicated from the mover; and a flange portion projecting out from the output shaft along a direction intersecting the second axis, that rotates together with the output shaft. Pressure is applied to the mover at a position between the flange portion and the oscillator. A distance from the first axis to an outer portion of the mover over an area where the mover is pressed against the flange portion is set to a value large enough to prevent the first axis and the second axis from becoming tilted relative to each other.

Abstract: It is an object to provide an ultrasonic motor that can stably and finely (that is, minutely) move a driven body. The invention provides an ultrasonic motor comprising an ultrasonic vibrator which includes an electromechanical transducer and which is configured to simultaneously generate two different vibration modes to produce substantially elliptical vibrations at output terminals by supplying two sets of alternating-current voltages with a predetermined phase difference and a predetermined driving frequency to the electromechanical transducer; and a pressing unit for pressing the output terminals of the ultrasonic vibrator against a driven body. The output terminals include first friction-contact members disposed at positions substantially corresponding to antinodes of a flexural vibration and a second friction-contact member disposed substantially at the center in the longitudinal direction of the ultrasonic vibrator.

Abstract: An ultrasonic actuator includes: a piezoelectric element 10 for generating various kinds of vibrations having different vibration directions; a driver element provided on the piezoelectric element 10 and actuated in accordance with the vibration of the piezoelectric element 10 to output driving force toward a certain driving direction; feeding electrodes 8 provided on the piezoelectric element 10 and electrically connected to the piezoelectric element 10; and feeding-supporting parts 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B and 9A abutting the feeding electrodes to elastically support the actuator body and serving as feeding terminals for supplying a voltage to the feeding electrodes 8.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a small ultrasonic actuator whose voltage control is easy. The ultrasonic actuator acts on a rotatable rotor to rotate the rotor, the ultrasonic actuator includes: a plate vibrator having one end which contacts the rotor, a corner portion bent at a midpoint in the vibrator, and the other end which is fixed; and a piezoelectric device which contacts a part of the vibrator between the one end and the corner portion, and transmits a vibration to the vibrator by vibrating in response to application of an alternating voltage between one of electrodes provided respectively on both surfaces or the plate vibrator serving as the one of the electrodes and the other of the electrodes.

Abstract: A scanner actuating device is disclosed. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the scanner actuating device can include a piezo actuator, which includes a plurality of piezo elements, which are contracted or expanded, and a friction contact part, which moves in an elliptic motion according to the contraction or expansion of the piezo element, a friction bar, which converts the elliptic movement into a straight-line movement and is protruded toward a different direction from the direction of the straight-line movement, a rotation member, which includes a sliding contact part moving with the straight-line movement of the sliding contact part, the sliding contact part, which rotates about a settled axis, and a scanning mirror, which is mounted on the rotation member and reflecting an incident beam of light in a desired direction by rotating about the rotation axis.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor includes: a base; first and second piezoelectric elements that are provided symmetrically on the base to face with each other, the first and second piezoelectric elements actuating in opposite directions; first and second displacement enlarging mechanisms that respectively enlarge actuating displacements of the first and second piezoelectric elements through first and second levers that rotate around first and second fulcrums fixed to the base; first and second leaf springs that are respectively coupled to action points of the first and second levers at one ends thereof; and an actuating portion that is coupled to the other ends of the first and second leaf springs and swings in accordance with actuation of the first and the second piezoelectric elements, the actuating portion being urged against a driven member to actuate the driven member with a frictional force.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic motor capable of realizing high torque. When two terminals are selected from a first terminal (31t), a second terminal (32t), and a third terminal (33t) of a vibrator (3), and AC voltages whose phases are shifted by 90 degrees relative to each other are respectively applied through both of those two terminals, vibration is generated in the stator vibration body (S), and elliptical vibration in a plane corresponding to the selected two terminals is generated at each of a step (9) of a first stator (2) and a corner (11) of a second stator (10), which are in contact with a rotor (6). Since the first stator (2) and the second stator (10) form the single stator vibration body (S), the step (9) of the first stator (2) and the corner (11) of the second stator (10) vibrate in the same vibration mode, rotational force is transmitted from both the step (9) of the first stator (2) and the corner (11) of the second stator (10), and the rotor (6) rotates with high torque.

Abstract: Provided are an ultrasonic actuator and a method for manufacturing an piezoelectric deformation portion in which wiring a drive circuit can be easily processed, and in which productivity can be increased. The ultrasonic actuator comprises: a triangular vibrating member which has a piezoelectric deformation portion which is deformed by driving signals; a moving member that is pressure-contacted to at least one of the vertices of the vibrating member and generates a movement relative to the vibrating member; and a plurality of external electrodes integrally provided on one side surface of the vibrating member; wherein the piezoelectric deformation portion is formed by alternately laminating piezoelectric layers made of piezoelectric material and internal electrode layers including internal electrodes, and the plurality of external electrodes interconnect the internal electrodes in a prescribed combination.

Abstract: An ultrasonic actuator includes: a piezoelectric element 1 for generating a bending vibration and a stretching vibration; and a driver element 2 attached to a surface of the piezoelectric element 1 facing the direction of the bending vibration in point contact with the piezoelectric element 1 and actuated in accordance with the vibration of the piezoelectric element 1 to output driving force.

Abstract: Internal electrode layers (5) include a common electrode layer (3) and feed electrode layers (6) alternately placed in a stacking direction with piezoelectric layers (1) interposed between the common electrode layer (3) and the feed electrode layers (6). The common electrode layer (3) has a common electrode (3a). The feed electrode layers (6) include a first feed electrode layer (6a) and a second feed electrode layer (6b). The first feed electrode layer (6) has four divided electrodes (2a through 2d) and a first connection electrode (2e) for providing connection between two of the divided electrodes (2b, 2d). The second feed electrode layer (6) has four divided electrodes (4a through 4d) and a second connection electrode (4e) for providing connection between two of the divided electrodes (4a, 4c).

Abstract: Provided are ultrasonic actuators and magnetic recording apparatuses that are stably equipped with superior driving performance without making the apparatus complex or raising cost. By providing an approximately equilateral triangular shaped vibrating member provided with piezoelectric deformation members that expand and contract upon the application of a driving signal, and a moving member that is in pressure contact with the three vertices of the vibrating member to cause relative movement with respect to the vibrating member. The moving member is caused to move relative to the vibrating member due to elliptical vibrations in the same rotational direction in basically the three vertices of the vibrating member due to a deformation vibration of the piezoelectric deformation parts.

Abstract: To realize a driving apparatus where vibrational movement of a piezoelectric element is ensured; sufficient impact resistance is provided; and damages to the piezoelectric element is prevented, a driving apparatus of the present invention has: a flex movement member 1A or 1B for serving as a driving source to drive a lens barrel 4, the flex movement member including: a piezoelectric member 22X or 22Y which extends and contracts under electric control; and a shim 21 larger than the piezoelectric member 22X or 22Y, the piezoelectric member and the vibrational plate attached to each other; and protruding sections 8 for restricting an excessive flex movement of the shim 21 of the flex movement member 1A or 1B, the protruding sections 8 being at a position where the protruding sections 8 will not contact with the piezoelectric member 1A or 1B of the flex movement member 22X or 22Y when the flex movement member is making an excessive flex movement beyond a maximum flex movement amount, where the maximum flex moveme

Abstract: A drive device includes an actuator, a fixed member, a movable member, rotating members, and a guide member. The actuator is arranged on the fixed member, and includes a piezoelectric element and at least two drivers on the piezoelectric element in parallel with the central axis of the piezoelectric element. The movable member moves by the drivers on the fixed member. The rotating members are located between the fixed member and the movable member to support the movable member. The guide member is arranged on at least one of the fixed member and the movable member, and guides movement of the rotating members in a direction parallel to the central axis of the piezoelectric element. The drivers are located between the rotating members in the direction parallel to the central axis of the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator comprises a first piezoelectric element pre-polarized towards a first direction and displaceable towards an about orthogonal direction with respect to said first direction, a second piezoelectric element pre-polarized towards a direction about parallel to the first direction and displaceable towards a direction about parallel to said first direction, a relative moving member clamped by displacement of said first piezoelectric element and relatively moves by displacement of said second piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A spring biasing locking mechanism is provided for a step and repeat motor. The motor includes a base having a channel, an output member in the channel, at least one translator drive element and first and second clamping elements. The spring biasing locking mechanism includes a locking structure joined to the base by a hinge. The locking structure spans both clamping elements. A spring biases the locking structure toward the channel so that the spring force is transmitted to the two clamping elements. The spring biased locking mechanism accommodates wear of the device, accommodates thermal expansion of the motor components, provides a limit on clamping force and provides a zero power hold condition.

Abstract: A vibration wave motor includes a housing, a rotor, a bearing member, a vibrator serving as an actuator and having a support shaft and a driving element, and a leaf spring having a pressing protrusion. The vibrator is slidably disposed in an opening of the housing along a rotation axis direction of the rotor, and a support shaft of the vibrator is rotatable. The vibrator is held while being urged by the leaf spring and being in contact with the rotor. The vibrator is excited to generate supersonic vibration so that the rotor is rotated. Since the vibrator is movably supported by the housing in the rotation axis direction and the vibrator is urged by the leaf spring and is in contact with a friction contact surface of the rotor, the vibrator is evenly in contact with the rotor in a direction perpendicular to the friction contact surface so as to provide superior driving conditions of the vibration wave motor.

Abstract: In a friction drive actuator 1 according to the invention, a rotor 2 and a stator 4 are held in contact at a plurality of positions by a plurality of vibrators 3, and at least one of the vibrators 3 vibrates to rotate the rotor 2 relative to the stator 4. Accordingly, the rotor 2 is supported without using a bearing and, hence, the rotor 2 can be more easily elastically deformed as compared with the case where the rotor 2 and the stator 4 are held in contact over the entire circumference. Therefore, a frictional force between the stator 4 and the rotor can be stabilized.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an electro-mechanical energy converter and a vibration wave driving apparatus that can facilitate miniaturization, high power, low cost and low voltage drive, by using a polygonal piezoelectric element with a plurality of electrode films divided by a boundary of electrode film on the polygonal piezoelectric element.

Abstract: To provide a vibration actuator, a lens barrel, a camera, a manufacturing method for a vibration body and a manufacturing method for a vibration actuator, which have a high driving efficiency and can lead to easy manufacture. A vibration actuator of the present invention is provided with an elastic body and an electromechanical transducer element sintered onto the elastic body in the state that the element is divided into a plurality of areas by a groove-shaped border portion.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor comprising a vibratory element is configured to move a first driven element by vibrations generated by the vibratory element. A second driven element is brought into frictional contact with the first driven element to form a multistage piezoelectric drive system. Alternatively, a selected contacting portion on a support for the first driven element is provided for drivingly engaging the second driven element. The system is configured to also move the second driven element by vibrations generated by the vibratory element, these vibrations being transmitted from the vibratory element into the first driven element and possibly also into the support for the first driven element. The system is preferably configured to move the first and second driven elements independently from each other using only electric signals that are applied to the same one vibratory element.

Abstract: Provided is a vibration wave motor including a pressurizing mechanism and a guide mechanism which are used for a moving member and can be thinned. The influence of a restoring force can be eliminated. The vibration wave motor includes an elastic vibration member which is composed of a permanent magnet and a piezoelectric element which are fixed to each other, a plurality of motion extraction portions provided on the permanent magnet, and a moving member which is pressurized to be in contact with the plurality of motion extraction portions. A closed magnetic circuit of a magnetic flux is formed to connect between the elastic vibration member and the moving member through the plurality of motion extraction portions. A flow direction of the magnetic flux passing through the moving member is aligned with a moving direction of the moving member.

Abstract: A vibration type driving apparatus includes a vibrating member configured to simultaneously generate a plurality of standing wave vibrations to cause an elliptic motion on surfaces located at nodes of the standing wave vibration, a driving unit formed on the surface located at the node to perform the elliptic motion, and a moving member configured to contact the driving unit and to be driven by the elliptic motion. The driving unit protrudes from a surface of the vibrating member, and includes a first driving unit and a second driving unit that are formed to sandwich the moving member in a perpendicular direction to the surface. The first driving unit and the second driving unit are located at the nodes that are separated by odd-number times a half-wave length of the standing wave vibration, and located where the directions of the elliptic motions are opposite to each other.

Abstract: The invention provides a driving method and driving device for a standing-wave-type ultrasonic actuator which can prevent falling of and eliminate unstable motion of a driven body during activation, and which can shorten the time for the driven body to stop moving when driving is to be stopped. In the driving method for a standing-wave-type ultrasonic actuator, by generating a longitudinal vibration and a flexural vibration in an ultrasonic vibrator, a substantially elliptical vibration is produced at a friction-contact member of the ultrasonic vibrator, and with a frictional force of the elliptical vibration serving as a propulsive force, the ultrasonic vibrator and a driven body in contact with the ultrasonic vibrator are made to move relative to each other. The longitudinal vibration is excited at activation time, and the flexural vibration is excited thereafter.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor includes a vibrator formed by stacking a plurality of rectangular piezoelectric plates in a thickness direction, a driving circuit for applying a driving signal to a piezoelectric plate, and a detection circuit for detecting an electromotive force generated when the piezoelectric plate deforms, and this ultrasonic motor is configured in such a manner that there are a first piezoelectric plate and a second piezoelectric plate among the plurality of rectangular piezoelectric plates, the first and the second piezoelectric plate each is a piezoelectric plate in which a longitudinal vibration polarization portion that can excite longitudinal vibrations and a bending vibration polarization portion that can excite bending vibrations are polarized in a thickness direction, and the first piezoelectric plate is connected to the driving circuit and the detection circuit, and the second piezoelectric plate is connected to the driving circuit and is not connected to the detection circuit.

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 oscillator, comprises a group of internal electrodes divided into four approximately equal parts along two directions, i.e., a second direction which is perpendicular to a direction of layers as first direction, and a third direction which is also perpendicular to the first direction; and comprises an electrode connection-use conductor film which is formed along a face perpendicular to the aforementioned direction of layers for electrically connecting a predetermined external electrode among the first group of external electrodes and a predetermined external electrode among the second group of external electrodes, respectively.