Driving apparatus

Abstract

A driving apparatus comprises: an electro-mechanical conversion element; a driving member that reciprocates in response to an extension and contraction of the electro-mechanical conversion element; and a driven member, frictionally engaged with the driving member, that moves by reciprocating the driving member, wherein the driving member comprises a shaft portion which extends in a direction of extension and contraction of the electro-mechanical conversion element in a position which lies on a side of the electro-mechanical conversion element, and the driven member is frictionally engaged with the shaft portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a driving apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a driven member which is taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a driving circuit of the driving apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing waveforms of input signals which are inputted into the driving circuit shown in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing waveforms of output signals which are outputted from the driving circuit shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram which compares in size the driving apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with the related-art driving apparatus;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a modified example made to the driving apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of another modified example made to the driving apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

Claims

1. A driving apparatus comprising: an electro-mechanical conversion element;a driving member that reciprocates in response to an extension and contraction of the electro-mechanical conversion element; anda driven member, frictionally engaged with the driving member, that moves by reciprocating the driving member,wherein the driving member comprises a shaft portion which extends in a direction of extension and contraction of the electro-mechanical conversion element in a position which lies on a side of the electro-mechanical conversion element, andthe driven member is frictionally engaged with the shaft portion.

2. A driving apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the shaft portion is disposed in such a manner as to cover the periphery of the electro-mechanical conversion element.

3. A driving apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the shaft portion has a circular pillar-like shape or a circular cylindrical shape.

4. A driving apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the driving member comprises a composite resin material.