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.

A driving apparatus which reduces power consumption as compared to conventional driving apparatuses. A voltage amplitude of first AC voltages is controlled based on a relative angle between a moving direction of a moving body, which is indicated by a driving command for moving the moving body, and a driving direction of a first vibrator, and a voltage amplitude of second AC voltages is controlled based on a relative angle between the moving direction and a driving direction of a second vibrator. Each of the first vibrator and the second vibrator is controlled based on a deviation between the driving command and a detected position of the moving body while the first AC voltages and the second AC voltages are being controlled. The driving direction of the first vibrator and the driving direction of the second vibrator cross each other.

A control apparatus of a vibration actuator performs control of the vibration actuator using a control amount calculated using both of a first deviation which is a difference between a command value and a relative position, and a gain changed in accordance with a second deviation which is a difference between a target position and the relative position, so as to reduce the gain in accordance with reduction of the second deviation.

Provided is a vibration wave motor including a holding structure that does not inhibit vibration of the entire vibrator. The vibration wave motor includes: a vibrator that generates an elliptic motion; a holding means that holds the vibrator; and a driven body driven by the vibrator, wherein the holding means includes a first abutting portion and a second abutting portion abutting the vibrator, the vibrator includes a first displacement portion at a part abutting the first abutting portion and includes a second displacement portion at a part abutting the second abutting portion, a displacement of the first displacement portion is smaller than a displacement of the second displacement portion, and an area of the first abutting portion of the holding means is greater than an area of the second abutting portion.

A vibration-type driving apparatus is capable of, in a case where a sintered body is impregnated with resin, preventing the resin that has hardened from interfering with other members. A movable body is brought into pressure contact with a vibrating body having an electro-mechanical energy conversion element and an elastic body. The vibrating body and the movable body are moved relatively to each other through vibrations excited in the vibrating body. The movable body has a frictional surface including the sintered body impregnated with the resin and comes into contact with the vibrating body. The movable body has a sloped surface adjacent to the frictional surface in a cross section perpendicular to a direction in which the vibrating body and the movable body move relatively to each other. An angle formed by the frictional surface and the sloped surface is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

A linear driving mechanism capable of moving a driven object smoothly and lengthening its service life. A first vibration element and a second vibration element sandwich a friction member therebetween. A first holding member holding the first vibration element is rotatably supported by a first shaft. A second holding member holding the second vibration element is rotatably supported by a second shaft. An urging part moves the first holding member and the second holding member to press these vibration elements against the friction member. A coupling member couples the first holding member with a driven object. A pressing part presses the coupling member against a moving body including the first and second holding members. A direction of a pressing force of the pressing part intersects with the first shaft when the coupling member couples with the first holding member.

A piezoelectric motor according to one embodiment may include: a vibrating body including an elastic body and a piezoelectric element attached to the elastic body; and a rod coupled to the vibrating body and configured to move on the basis of vibration of the vibrating body. The piezoelectric element may include a first surface and a second surface facing opposite to the first surface of the piezoelectric element and attached to the elastic body. The rod can extend perpendicular to the piezoelectric element. The vibrating body can be configured to generate a bending vibration in the longitudinal direction of the rod on the basis of a voltage applied to the piezoelectric element, and can be configured to define a nodal position during the bending vibration. The elastic body may include a base portion attached to the second surface of the piezoelectric element and a protruding portion protruding from the base portion and formed at a position corresponding to the nodal position of the vibrating body.

An optical system is disclosed, comprising an image sensor (110) having a sensor surface (112) configured to be positioned perpendicular to an optical axis (A) of a lens system (120), and a mechanical image-stabilization arrangement (130) for changing a relative position between said lens system and said image sensor. The mechanical image-stabilization arrangement comprises two actuator sets (131, 132), each of which being capable of providing a moving force for changing the relative position in two transverse translation directions perpendicular to the optical axis as well as in one rotational direction. having an axis of rotation parallel to the optical axis. A method for image stabilization of such an optical system is also disclosed.

A manufacturing method for an electromechanical drive element comprises providing (S10) of an excitation body comprising at least one volume of electromechanical material. The excitation body has a metal plate integrated as a surface of the excitation body. The excitation body being arranged to cause shape changes of the electromechanical material and the metal plate when the volume(s) of electromechanical material being excited by a voltage signal. A composite drive pad is provided (S20). The composite drive pad comprises a metal portion directly joined to a ceramic portion. After the providing of a composite drive pad, the metal portion of the composite drive pad is irreversibly attached (S30) to the metal plate of the excitation body by use of a metal-based bond. An electromechanical drive element and an electromechanical motor using such an electromechanical drive element are also disclosed.

A first member, a second member, a bearing that rotatably supports the second member about a rotation axis relative to the first member, a driven member placed on the first member, and a plurality of piezoelectric actuators that transmit driving forces for rotating the second member about the rotation axis relative to the first member to the driven member are provided, and the piezoelectric actuators are supported by the second member while being pressed against the first member or the member fixed thereto, and, as seen from a direction along the rotation axis, a center of pressing forces from the plurality of piezoelectric actuators to the driven member is located inside of an outer circumferential part of the bearing.