Driving mechanism
US6114799A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 9, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 5, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 9, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB82Y15/00
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A driving device with a long stroke and high speed driving ability. The device includes a base with a pair of parallel guides which are elastically installed thereon, and includes a drive unit in which there are arranged in series a driving member frictionally engaging the guides, a piezoelectric element for actuating the driving member in a direction in which the piezoelectric element expands and contracts, and a movable member, with a mass larger than the driving member, on which the driving member and the piezoelectric element are installed movably in the direction. When the piezoelectric element expands slowly with a pulse voltage applied thereto, the movable member moves with the driving member remaining stationary, relative to the guide. When the piezoelectric element contracts rapidly, the driving member slides relative to the guide with the movable member remaining stationary relative thereto. Thus, the drive unit is driven and moved along the guide.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.