PURPOSE: To make a linear vibration actuator to move strongly only in one direction of a linear reciprocating motion and to return lightly in the reverse direction by so controlling an exciting current as to become large in the half cycle of AC and small in the half cycle of the reverse direction.

CONSTITUTION: Adjacent magnets 1, 2 or 3, 4 have opposite polarities, and counter magnets 1, 3 or 2, 4 have attracting polarities. When an exciting coil 6 is wound on a core 5, and so excited that the upper part becomes an S-pole, a movable element receives a force for moving to the right side by the attractive forces from the magnet pair 2, 4 of the right side and repelling forces from the magnet pair 1, 3 of the left side, and the upper N-pole of the reverse polarity receives the force of the opposite direction. At this time, when the waveform of the exciting voltage is the upper side waveform, it is energized, while when it is the lower side waveform, it is deenergized to operate the actuator. The operating shaft 16 for transmitting the operation is mounted at the movable element. As a result, it is applied to an apparatus which may obtain the motion or force only in one direction on the straight line, and efficient output is obtained as compared with dissipation power.