Ultrasonic motor

An ultrasonic motor comprising:

• a vibrating body comprising:
• a metal elastic element having an upper surface and a lower surface, with plural protrusions formed on the upper surface of the elastic element, and
• a piezoelectric element having an upper surface and a lower surface, with plural individual electrodes formed on the lower surface of the piezoelectric element and a common electrode on the upper surface of the piezoelectric element, the upper surface of the piezoelectric element being fixed to the lower surface of the elastic element so that the common electrode may be electrically coupled to the elastic element,
• wherein the vibrating body vibrates by inverse piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric element;
• a moving body,
• wherein the moving body is driven by vibrations of the vibrating body, and moves relative to the vibrating body;
• pressing means for pressing the moving body against the plural protrusions on the vibrating body;
• a supporting component having an upper end, a rounded lower end, and at least one flat portion formed between the upper end and the rounded lower end,
• wherein the upper end of the supporting component is fixed to the vibrating body, and the rounded lower end projects downward from the vibrating body;
• a supporting base having a tapered dent,
• wherein the supporting base supports the rounded lower end of the supporting component by the dent;
• a driving circuit for driving the ultrasonic motor;
• a first lead wire,
• wherein one end of the first lead wire is held between the lower surface of the elastic element and the flat portion of the supporting component and is pressed against the lower surface of the elastic element so as to be coupled electrically to the common electrode of the piezoelectric element through contact with the elastic element, and the other end of the first lead wire is coupled to the driving circuit;
• and
• plural second lead wires,
• wherein one end of each second lead wire is respectively coupled to one of the individual electrodes of the piezoelectric element, and the other end of each second lead wire is respectively coupled to the driving circuit.