PURPOSE: To obtain a mechanism with a high stiffness against outer force by arranging two actuators so that forces in opposite directions can operate.
CONSTITUTION: Piezoelectric actuators 71 and 72 are provided at both sides of a central protrusion 51 of a fixed rigid body part 1. The other edges of piezoelectric elements 71 and 72 are connected to protrusions 61 and 62 of each rigid body part 2. The rigid body parts 1 and 2 are connected by elastic flat plates 3 and 4. When voltages V1 and V2 with mutually opposite polarities are applied to the piezoelectric elements 71 and 72, one of the piezoelectric elements 71 and 72 is extended and the other shrinks, thus slightly moving the rigid body part 2 in reference to the rigid body part 1. When either outer force f1 or f2 is applied to the rigid body part 2, it is applied to either the piezoelectric element 71 or 72 as a compression force. The piezoelectric element has a large stiffness against the compression force, thus achieving a mechanism with a large stiffness against both outer forces f1 and f2.
NAGASAWA KIYOSHI
HOSHINO YOSHIHIRO
OGATA KOJIRO
ONO KOZO
