A piezoelectric device includes a base and a laminated portion. The laminated portion includes, at least above a recess, a piezoelectric layer, a pair of electrode layers to apply a voltage to the piezoelectric layer, and a membrane covering the recess. The membrane includes a piezoelectric membrane, in the piezoelectric layer, that swells on at least one of a side of the recess and a side opposite to the side of the recess.

A vibration type actuator includes a vibrating body including an elastic body and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element, a contact body contacting the vibrating body, a flexible printed board provided with a concave portion on a surface opposite to a surface contacting the electro-mechanical energy conversion element and configured to supply electric power to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element, and a holding member provided with a projection portion engaging with the concave portion.

A vibration type actuator includes a vibrating body including an elastic body and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element, a contact body contacting the vibrating body, a flexible printed board provided with a concave portion on a surface opposite to a surface contacting the electro-mechanical energy conversion element and configured to supply electric power to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element, and a holding member provided with a projection portion engaging with the concave portion.

A dispensing system includes a piezoelectric stack having a distal end and being configured to expand upon application of a voltage such that the distal end is moved by a first length. The system further includes an amplifier with a primary surface to contact the distal end of the stack and a secondary surface, a base configured to contact the secondary surface, and a valve assembly with an outlet orifice and valve element. The valve element is configured to move in first and second directions and is coupled with the amplifier. When the distal end is moved by a first length, a portion of the amplifier is moved by a second length that is greater than the first length, and the valve element is moved in a first direction by the second length.

An actuator and a tactile sensation providing apparatus that can reduce the number of elements are provided. The actuator includes a piezoelectric element and a diaphragm that has the piezoelectric element attached thereto and vibrates according to an expanding and contracting displacement of the piezoelectric element. The diaphragm converts the expanding and contracting displacement of the piezoelectric element into a vibration in a predetermined direction. The diaphragm supports a vibration object for providing a tactile sensation, in a displaceable manner.

An actuator and a tactile sensation providing apparatus that can reduce the number of elements are provided. The actuator includes a piezoelectric element and a diaphragm that has the piezoelectric element attached thereto and vibrates according to an expanding and contracting displacement of the piezoelectric element. The diaphragm converts the expanding and contracting displacement of the piezoelectric element into a vibration in a predetermined direction. The diaphragm supports a vibration object for providing a tactile sensation, in a displaceable manner.

A vibration-type actuator includes a vibrator, a contact member, a ball, and a base table having a third guide. The vibrator has an elastic member and an energy conversion element. The contact member is fixed to the base table, contacts the elastic member, and extends in a predetermined direction. The vibrator and the contact member are driven along the predetermined direction due to a vibration generated by a voltage applied to the energy conversion element. A first guide provided on the contact member extends in the predetermined direction and a second guide that is connected with the vibrator faces the first guide and moves integrally with the vibrator. The ball is held between the first guide and the second guide rollably in the predetermined direction. The second guide extends in the predetermined direction and includes a fitting projection portion loosely fitted to a groove portion provided on the third guide.

A piezoelectric drive unit is configured for driving a passive element relative to an active element, wherein the active element includes a resonator with two arms, each extending in parallel to a reference plane and ending in a contact element, which is movable by oscillating movements of the arms and thereby drives the passive element. Each of the arms has, at the outer end of the arm, a protrusion extending inward, toward the other arm, and on at least one of the arms, the respective contact element, arranged at the arm's outer end, extends outward, away from the other arm.

A piezoelectric drive unit is configured for driving a passive element relative to an active element, wherein the active element includes a resonator with two arms, each extending in parallel to a reference plane and ending in a contact element, which is movable by oscillating movements of the arms and thereby drives the passive element. Each of the arms has, at the outer end of the arm, a protrusion extending inward, toward the other arm, and on at least one of the arms, the respective contact element, arranged at the arm's outer end, extends outward, away from the other arm.

A control apparatus for a vibration type actuator that moves a vibrating body in which vibrations are excited by an electromechanical energy conversion element, and a contact body contacting the vibrating body relative to each other includes a generation unit configured to generate multi-phase driving signals having a phase difference applied to the electromechanical energy conversion element, and a detection unit configured to detect an actual position of a movable unit including the vibrating body or the contact body. The generation unit sets the phase difference based on a deviation of the actual position from a target position of the movable unit. The generation unit makes larger a change rate of the phase difference against the deviation from when the movable unit stops to when the movable unit starts moving as the target position changes than that after the movable unit starts moving.