An inertial drive actuator includes a shift unit that generates a small shift, a vibration base plate that moves to and fro with the small shift of the shift unit, a mover having a first magnetic field generating unit, a first yoke, and a second yoke. The first yoke and an end portion of the second yoke are opposed to each other at a position outside the vibration base plate, thereby restricting movement of the mover with respect to the direction perpendicular to the driving direction. The frictional force acting between the mover and the vibration base plate is controlled by controlling a magnetic field generated by the first magnetic field generating unit to drive the mover.

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).

An inertial drive is disclosed, comprising a length-changeable actuator element (I), a frame element (4) with a support section and with a deformation section, against the contact surfaces of which the actuator element bears, wherein the deformation section has an articulation section (13), a flat spring element (5) which is arranged on the deformation section and has a friction section (3) at the free end thereof, and a friction body (2), which can be driven, in mechanical contact with the friction section. A change in length (S) of the actuating element causes a rotatory movement (D) of the deformation section about the articulation section, which movement is transmitted via the spring element to the friction section for driving the friction body which can be driven.

In object to provide a unit of piezoelectric element having a preferable bending strength and preferably used as a part of a driving unit, a unit of piezoelectric element comprising: a multilayer piezoelectric element, having internal electrodes laminated having a piezoelectric body layer in-between and a pair of external electrodes formed on side surfaces extending along laminating direction and electrically connected to the internal electrodes, a wiring part connected to the external electrodes via a solder part, wherein a solder is solidified, a resin part, joining one end surface in the laminating direction of the multilayer piezoelectric element and a mounting surface of a connection member placed to face the one end surface, wherein the resin part is continuous from the one end surface and the mounting surface to the solder part; and the resin part covers the solder part, is provided.

A stick-slip stage device includes a carriage assembly configured to support a payload, the carriage assembly comprising at least three piezoelectric stick-slip actuators each having one or more contact points. At least two rails are positioned on opposing sides of the carriage assembly and configured to interact with one or more of the contact points to form a guideway for movement of the carriage assembly. A fixed structure connects the at least two rails and is configured to generate a friction force between the at least two rails and one or more of the contact points of the at least three piezoelectric stick-slip actuators. A method of making a stick-slip stage device is also disclosed.

A linear actuator assembly has a linear actuator including a motor shaft extending from a base with a piezoelectric component oscillate the shaft. The shaft has a faceted surface. A movable carriage has a notch with at least one flat surface that receives the shaft of the linear actuator. The carriage is in direct and continuous contact with the motor shaft at the notch such that the motor shaft's facet is in contact with the flat surface of the notch, when the carriage moves linearly along a travel axis. A spring is coupled to the carriage to urge the motor shaft into contact with the notch of the carriage so as to maintain contact between the motor shaft facet and the flat surface of the notch to inhibit rotation of the motor shaft.

The present invention relates to a piezoelectric motor that can be moved with very fine resolution at the nanometer level by means of a piezoelectric element (piezo actuator) that increases in length when a voltage is applied. The piezoelectric motor according to the invention is characterized by comprising a body having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a side connecting the upper surface and the lower surface, a piezoelectric material disposed on the upper surface of the body and extending longitudinally therefrom, and a rod having an upper surface and a lower surface, and extending longitudinally, and having one end connected to one end of the piezoelectric material and disposed on the upper surface of the body, and a support member disposed to span the rod and providing a predetermined frictional force on the rod, wherein the support member is driven by the rod to interlock with a contraction or an expansion of the piezoelectric material, wherein a lower surface of the support member and the upper surface of the body are at least partially in butted, and wherein the support member is driven by sliding on the upper surface of the body.

An optical element driving mechanism is provided. The optical element driving mechanism includes a movable part, a fixed part, and a driving assembly. The movable part is connected to an optical element. The movable part is movable relative to the fixed part. The driving assembly drives the movable part to move along a first direction.

A driving mechanism is provided. The driving mechanism includes a fixed portion, a movable portion, and a driving portion. The movable portion is movable relative to the fixed portion. The driving portion is configured to drive the movable portion to move relative to the fixed portion. The movable portion and the driving portion are arranged along a first axis.

A driving mechanism is provided. The driving mechanism includes a fixed assembly, a movable member, and a driving assembly. The movable member is movable relative to the fixed assembly. The driving assembly is configured to drive the movable member to move relative to the fixed assembly. The driving assembly includes a driving body and a driving portion. The driving portion receives external control signals and then deforms to push the driving body to deform, thereby driving a contact member located on the movable portion to move in a first dimension or a second dimension.