ACTUATOR AND POSITIONING DEVICE USING THE SAME

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an actuator capable of converting the bending force of an electrostriction element to other directions efficiently and stably, and to provide a positioning device using the same.SOLUTION: Two electrodes 12a, 12c are arranged on the upper surface of a planar electrostriction element 11 while spaced apart from each other, and two electrodes 12b, 12d are arranged on the lower surface of the electrostriction element 11, while spaced apart from each other, so as to face them across the electrostriction element 11. Furthermore, a movable element 13 is placed between the electrodes 12a, 12c arranged on the upper surface of the electrostriction element 11. When a voltage is applied so that the electrodes 12a, 12d become positive electrodes (+) and the electrodes 12b, 12c become negative electrodes (-), the electrostriction element 11 deforms in wave-shape between the adjoining electrodes, and the movable element 13 on the electrostriction element 11 inclines in a specified direction.