Actuator apparatus
US5490015A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 19, 1994 |
| Grant date | Feb 6, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 19, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B23/2476
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An actuator apparatus for driving a focus adjusting lens of a focus adjusting mechanism of an endoscope comprises a moving member put in slidable frictional engagement with a base of the endoscope, the moving member having coupling means for coupling with the movable portion within the endoscope, a piezoelectric element coupled to the moving member, the piezoelectric element and the moving member alone constituting a body of the actuator apparatus, and actuator control circuit for causing quick deformation in the piezoelectric element, enabling the piezoelectric element to apply an impulse force to the moving member, thereby moving the moving member against a frictional engagement force acting between the base and the moving member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.