Patent ID: 6072266
Filing Date: 2000-06-06
Classification: H02N

Abstract:
A vibration actuator comprising:an elastic member formed into a ring shape;a driving circuit which generates two driving signals whose phases differ from one another, anda relative moving member which is in press contact with said elastic member; andmeans, including an electro-mechanical converting element joined to said elastic member in a reference plane where the ring shape is formed, and to which said two driving signals are applied, which generates in said elastic member a first standing-wave that vibrates in a first direction parallel to the reference plane, and a second standing-wave that vibrates in a second direction which is skewed relative to said first direction, and which generates a third standing-wave by combining the first and second standing-waves to move said relative moving member relative to said elastic member in one axial direction or two axial directions which differ from each other in the reference plane.