A vibration device is provided that includes a vibration element with a piezoelectric vibrator and a driving device that causes the vibration element to vibrate. The vibration element includes a translucent body and the piezoelectric vibrator is electrically coupled to the driving device. The driving device includes a first circuit that applies an electric signal to the piezoelectric vibrator to render the vibration element in a resonant state, a second circuit that applies an electric signal to the piezoelectric vibrator according to a feedback signal output from the piezoelectric vibrator, and a switch that switches coupling between the first circuit and the piezoelectric vibrator and coupling between the second circuit and the piezoelectric vibrator at a certain timing.

In a vibration unit, a piezoelectric element enters an internal space of a through hole; and thereby, a second case member can be arranged proximate to a first case member. Therefore, a thickness of the vibration unit can be reduced, namely, a height of the vibration unit can be reduced. As described above, since the thickness of the vibration unit is reduced, a size of the vibration unit can be reduced.

The devices and systems described herein generally relate to programmable surfaces. A set of tiles in conjunction with actuators, allow for the surface to be constantly changeable from a first shape to an unlimited variety of second shapes. Once a desired second shape is achieved, the shape can be held by actuating the actuators. The system can include detection and maintenance of the shapes of the programmable surface by controlling which of the actuators are released and when they are released.

A six-degree-of-freedom large-stroke uncoupling large hollow series-parallel piezoelectric micro-motion platform includes a base, a movable platform top, a second platform and a first platform, wherein a first guide unit, a second guide unit, a third guide unit, a fourth guide unit, a fifth guide unit and a sixth guide unit are respectively connected in sequence to the second platform and the first platform; the first guide unit is internally provided with a first drive unit, the second guide unit is internally provided with a second drive unit, and the third guide unit is internally provided with a third drive unit; and the base is provided with a fourth drive unit, a fifth drive unit, a sixth drive unit and a seventh drive unit, the fifth drive unit is provided below the second drive unit, and the sixth drive unit is provided below the third drive unit.

A piezoelectric actuator includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements that generate a driving force to be transmitted to a driven portion; and a power supply portion that supplies power to the plurality of piezoelectric elements. The plurality of piezoelectric elements are electrically connected to the power supply portion in parallel.

There is provided a wafer making it possible to stably break off the piezoelectric vibrator element. The wafer includes a piezoelectric vibrator element, a frame part, and a connection part adapted to connect the piezoelectric vibrator element and the frame part to each other, and the connection part is provided with a guide part adapted to guide force, which is applied to the connection part from one surface side in the thickness direction of the connection part when breaking off the piezoelectric vibrator element from the frame part at the connection part, to at least one side in the width direction of the connection part.

A method for manufacturing a vibration actuator includes forming an elastic body integrally with a projection protruding from a surface of the elastic body, by press working. Forming the elastic body includes forming a bonding portion surrounding the projection, forming a contact portion at a top portion of the projection, forming a spring portion between the contact portion and the bonding portion, and forming a standing portion having a hollow structure, between the spring portion and the contact portion, so that the standing portion has a ring shape in a cross-sectional view in a direction parallel to the surface of the elastic member and that a space surrounded by the contact portion, the spring portion, and the standing portion. The spring portion is formed by press working, and the bonding portion is formed by press working.

A hybrid generator using a thermoelectric generation and a piezoelectric generation are provided. The hybrid generator includes first and second insulating layers spaced apart from each other; a thermoelectric structure disposed between the first and second insulating layers; a first electrode disposed on the second insulating layer; a piezoelectric structure disposed on the first electrode; a third insulating layer disposed on the piezoelectric structure; and a second electrode disposed on the third insulating layer.

A regenerative drive system for generating a rotary movement, which is in the form of a direct hub drive and includes an electric machine that works on the piezoelectric principle, more particularly in the form of a swash plate motor is provided. The drive system can be fitted in vehicles such as box trucks, truck tractors and trailer vehicles.

A vibration device includes vibration elements arranged side by side in a plane direction of a thin film, and the vibration elements are capable of being controlled in different vibrations respectively. The vibration device includes vibration elements having different frequencies of vibration. Further, the vibration device includes vibration elements having different phases. A vibration unit includes the vibration device and a control part controlling vibration of the vibration elements included in the vibration device. A vibration apparatus includes the vibration device, the control part, and a housing accommodating the vibration device and the control part, and includes a vibration part arranged on an outer surface of the housing and generating vibration caused by the vibration elements included in the vibration device.