Patent ID: 6333681
Filing Date: 2001-12-25
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A piezoelectric/electrostrictive device comprising a driving portion to be driven by displacement of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element, a movable portion to be operated by driving said driving portion, a fixing portion for holding said driving portion and said movable portion, said movable portion being coupled with said fixing portion via said driving portion, and a hole formed by inner walls of said driving portion, an inner wall of said movable portion, and an inner wall of said fixing portion;the piezoelectric/electrostrictive device being characterized in that the driving portion comprises (i) a pair of mutually opposing thin plate portions, and (ii) a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element including a piezoelectric/electrostrictive operating portion comprising a pair or more of electrodes and a piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer formed on at least a part of the outer surface of at least one of said thin plate portions, wherein one end of said piezoelectric/electrostrictive operating portion, in a direction in which said fixing portion is connected with the movable portion, exists only on said fixing portion or said movable portion and the other end of said piezoelectric/electrostrictive operating portion is arranged on said one of said thin plate portions, and at least said piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer of said piezoelectric/electrostrictive element extends over said movable portion and said fixing portion.