Patent ID: 8237331

Claim:
A vibratory actuator, comprising: an actuator body, formed of a piezoelectric element or formed to include a piezoelectric element, for generating a plurality of vibrations having different vibration directions, the plurality of vibrations including at least a longitudinal vibration; and a driver element, provided on a mounting surface which is one of side surfaces of the actuator body, for making an orbit motion according to the vibrations of the actuator body to output driving force, wherein a reduced-material portion is provided in the driver element, and a phase of leaning vibration of the driver element is substantially the same as a phase of vibration of the actuator body in a driving direction of the actuator body, the leaning vibration being vibration of the driver element along a direction in which the driving force is output, relative to a part of the actuator body to which the driver element is attached.