Vibratory motors and methods of making and using same

US6870304B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Elliptec Resonant Actuator AG · DE

Inventors

• Bjoern Magnussen · Iserlohn, DE
• Peter Varadi · Corona, US
• Benjamin Hagemann · Gerlingen, DE
• Steven Schofield · Berkeley, US
• Erick Davidson · Richmond, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 8, 2001
• Grant date: Mar 22, 2005
• Expiry date: Jun 17, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H02N2/22
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A single piezoelectric is excited at a first frequency to cause two vibration modes in a resonator producing a first elliptical motion in a first direction at a selected contacting portion of the resonator that is placed in frictional engagement with a driven element to move the driven element in a first direction. A second frequency excites the same piezoelectric to cause two vibration modes of the resonator producing a second elliptical motion in a second direction at the selected contacting portion to move the driven element in a second direction. The piezoelectric is preloaded in compression by the resonator. Walls of the resonator are stressed past their yield point to maintain the preload. Specially shaped ends on the piezoelectric help preloading. The piezoelectric can send or receive vibratory signals through the driven element to or from sensors to determine the position of the driven element relative to the piezoelectric element or resonator. Conversely, the piezoelectric element can receive vibration or electrical signals passed through the driven element to determine the position of the driven element. The resonator is resiliently urged against the driven element, or vi…