Vibration-type driving apparatus

Abstract

A vibration-type driving apparatus includes a vibrator holder, wherein a plurality of vibrators each having at least an electro-mechanical energy conversion element and an elastic member having a contact portion formed therein are connected to a vibrator holding member, for generating an ellipsoidal movement of the contact portion, to move, relative to the vibrator, a driving member contacting the contact portion. The plurality of vibrators are connected to a surface of the holding member at a side at which the contact portion contacts the driving member, and on a surface of the vibrator holding member opposite to the side at which the contact portion contacts the driving member, a pressing member is placed to set the contact portion to be pressed and contacted to the driving member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vibration-type actuator comprising:
 a vibrator holding member; and   a vibrator comprising:
 an electro-mechanical energy conversion element; 
 a plurality of contact portions; and 
 first and second supporting portions arranged in a direction of arranging two contact portions of the plurality of contact portions, to sandwich the plurality of contact portions therebetween, 
   wherein the plurality of contact portions are connected to the vibrator holding member through the first and second supporting portions.   
     
     
         2 . The vibration-type actuator according to  claim 1 , further comprising a vibrating portion, in which the plurality of contact portions are arranged, arranged in contact with the electro-mechanical energy conversion element. 
     
     
         3 . The vibration-type actuator according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the first and second supporting portions have a bending rigidity less than that of the vibrating portion.   
     
     
         4 . The vibration-type actuator according to  claim 1 , wherein
 each of the first and second supporting portions has a portion extended toward the direction of arranging the two contact portions.   
     
     
         5 . The vibration-type actuator according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pressing member placed to set the plurality of contact portions to be pressed to and contacted to a driving member, on an opposite surface of the vibrator holding member opposite to a side at which the plurality of contact portions contact the driving member. 
     
     
         6 . The vibration-type actuator according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the two contact portions are arranged in the same plane.   
     
     
         7 . A vibration-type actuator comprising:
 a vibrator holding member; and   a vibrator comprising:
 an electro-mechanical energy conversion element; 
 a contact portion; and 
 first and second supporting portions arranged in a direction of relative movement of a driving member relative to the vibrator, to sandwich the contact portion therebetween, 
   wherein the contact portion is connected to the vibrator holding member through the first and second supporting portions.   
     
     
         8 . The vibration-type actuator according to  claim 7 , further comprising
 a vibrating portion, in which the contact portion is arranged, arranged in contact with the electro-mechanical energy conversion element.   
     
     
         9 . The vibration-type actuator according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the first and second supporting portions have a bending rigidity less than that of the vibrating portion.   
     
     
         10 . The vibration-type actuator according to  claim 9 , wherein
 each of the first and second supporting portions has a portion extended toward the direction of the relative movement.   
     
     
         11 . The vibration-type actuator according to  claim 7 , further comprising a pressing member placed to set the contact portion to be pressed to and contacted to a driving member, on an opposite surface of the vibrator holding member opposite to a side at which the contact portion contacts the driving member. 
     
     
         12 . The vibration-type actuator according to  claim 7 , wherein
 the contact portion is arranged in the same plane as another contact portion.   
     
     
         13 . A vibrator of a vibration-type actuator comprising:
 an electro-mechanical energy conversion element;   a plurality of contact portions; and   first and second supporting portions arranged in a direction of arranging two contact portions of the plurality of contact portions, to sandwich the plurality of contact portions therebetween.   
     
     
         14 . A vibrator of a vibration-type actuator comprising:
 an electro-mechanical energy conversion element;   a contact portion; and   first and second supporting portions arranged in a direction of relative movement of a driving member relative to the vibrator, to sandwich the contact portion therebetween,   wherein the contact portion contacts a vibrator holding member through the first and second supporting portions.