PURPOSE: To make light usable as a driving source and the main means for transmission of a signal, by providing a displacement converting means which converts the optical distortion generated on a piezoelectric element into a set displacement quantity in the specified direction, and an action means performing the specified motion by this displacement converting means.
CONSTITUTION: A piezoelectric element 1 having an optical distortion effect which causes distortion by the radiation of light is used as the actuator which is a driving means. This piezoelectric element 1 is deformed with distortion being caused, by radiating the light including a ultraviolet ray by a radiation device 4. Thus an optical energy is converted into a mechanical energy as light itself, without using the optical energy in the form converted into heat, etc. The action means 3 of a valve, manipulator, gripper, etc., is motioned, by the displacement converting means 2 which converts this deformation into a displacement quantity.
HATTORI SHINOBU
NAGAMORI SHIGENOBU
MIYAKE NOBUTADA
FUKUDA TOSHIO