1640 results about "Piezoelectric actuators" patented technology

Systems, methods, computer-readable media, and other means are described for utilizing touch-based input components that provide localized haptic feedback to a user. The touch-based input components can be used and/or integrated into any type of electronic device, including laptop computers, cellular telephones, and portable media devices. The touch-based input components can use, for example, a grid of piezoelectric actuators to provide vibrational feedback to a user, while the user scrolls around a click wheel, slides across a trackpad, or touches a multi-touch display screen.

A high-speed surgical handpiece (10) suitable for vitreoretinal surgery having a cutter (42) and actuators (36). The cutter (42) is a guillotine-type cutter activated by an array of leveraged piezoelectric actuators (30) that receive a driving signal from a driving controller. The controller can have control and display units with a plurality of input mechanisms receiving input from a user who selects a desired cutting rate and frequency for the cutter. The control unit produces a piezoelectric actuator output signal based on the inputs received. Fast cutting rates with reduced duty cycle as well as a proportional mode of operation are available, allowing slow controlled cutting action, for example proportional to depression of a foot-pedal (74). Low degrees of vibration and noise generation are produced.

A haptic feedback touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that provides position information to a computer based on a location of user contact. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position information, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user. The actuator can move the touchpad laterally, or a separate surface member can be actuated. A flat E-core actuator, piezoelectric actuator, or other types of actuators can be used to provide forces. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.

The present invention related to an input device including: an image display unit (30) that displays information; a touch panel (15) with which a user performs input operation of information by touching a portion corresponding to the position at which the information of the image display unit is displayed; a vibration generation device (71) disposed in the image display unit and feeds back, to the user, various kinds of sense of touch in accordance with the type of the information through the touch panel; and a vibration control circuit (73) for allowing the vibration generation device to generate various forms of vibrations in accordance with the type of the information. The vibration generation device is a bimorph piezoelectric actuator. Each of first and second actuator units has multi-layered piezoelectric elements (63). By this way, it is possible to provide an input/output device capable of surely realizing a feedback to user's input operation performed in accordance with the type of information through the sense of touch when the user performs an input operation of information to a touch panel using the sense of touch.

A hearing-aid device and a method for transmitting sound through bone conduction are disclosed. The hearing-aid device comprises a piezoelectric-type actuator, housing and connector. The piezoelectric actuator is preferably a circular flextensional-type actuator mounted along its peripheral edge in a specifically designed circular structure of the housing. During operation, the bone-conduction transducer is placed against the mastoid area behind the ear of the patient. When the device is energized with an alternating electrical voltage, it flexes back and forth like a circular membrane sustained along its periphery and thus, vibrates as a consequence of the inverse piezoelectric effect. Due to the specific and unique designs proposed, these vibrations are directly transferred trough the human skin to the bone structure (the skull) and provide a means for the sound to be transmitted for patients with hearing malfunctions. The housing acts as a holder for the actuators, as a pre-stress application platform, and as a mass which tailors the frequency spectrum of the device. The apparatus exhibits a performance with a very flat response in the frequency spectrum 200 Hz to 10 kHz, which is a greater spectrum range than any other prior art devices disclosed for bone-conduction transduction which are typically limited to less than 4 kHz.

A micro-gas pressure driving apparatus includes a miniature gas transportation module and a miniature valve module. The miniature gas transportation module includes a gas inlet plate, a fluid channel plate, a resonance membrane and a piezoelectric actuator. A first chamber is defined between the resonance membrane and the piezoelectric actuator. After the piezoelectric actuator is activated to feed a gas through the gas inlet plate, the gas is transferred to the first chamber through the fluid channel plate and the resonance membrane and then transferred downwardly. Consequently, a pressure gradient is generated to continuously push the gas. The miniature valve module includes a gas collecting plate, a valve membrane and a gas outlet plate. After the gas is transferred from the miniature gas transportation module to the gas-collecting chamber, the gas is transferred in one direction, so that a pressure-collecting operation or a pressure-releasing operation is selectively performed.

An actuator device (2) includes a piezoelectric or electro-strictive solid state actuator element (6) that is elongated upon application of an electric voltage thereto, and a transmission mechanism (8) that amplifies the stroke displacement of the actuator element. The transmission mechanism (8) includes a plurality of rigid frame members (12), including unitary frame members (12.1, 12.2) and divided frame members (12.3), and elastically flexible joints (10) that respectively interconnect the frame members. Each one of the divided frame members (12.3) is made up of a plurality of separate parallel link rods (16). Each flexible joint (10) is made up of a plurality of individual parallel hinge members (18) that respectively connect an end of each one of the link rods (16) to the adjacent unitary frame member (12.1, 12.2). By this division of the flexible joints and of the divided frame members into parallel sub-components, the cross-sectional thickness of each individual hinge member is reduced, and thereby the bending stiffness and the outer fiber strain of the material of the hinge members is significantly reduced while providing the same total tensile strength and tensile stiffness. The link rods of each divided frame member effectively form a parallelogram linkage for moving and guiding the output members (12.1) in a parallel manner.

An electronic cigarette vaporiser system includes a piezo-electric pump (6) with multiple piezo-actuators, in which a microcontroller independently adjusts the phase or timing or power of each voltage pulse that triggers a piezo-actuator. The microcontroller continuously or regularly monitors the efficiency or performance of the entire pump (6) and adjusts the phase, timing, or power delivered to each piezo-actuator relationship until or so that the optimum pumping performance is achieved.

A drive circuit (18) senses a parameter of a piezoelectric actuator (14) operating in a device (10) and adjusts a drive signal of the piezoelectric actuator in accordance with the parameter. The drive circuit comprises a controller (100) which controls a drive signal applied to the piezoelectric actuator (14); a feedback monitor (122) which obtains a feedback signal from the piezoelectric actuator while the piezoelectric actuator works; and, a processor (116) which uses the feedback signal to determine the parameter of the piezoelectric actuator. In one example mode, the parameter of the piezoelectric actuator which is determined by the piezoelectric actuator drive circuit is the capacitance or dielectric constant of the piezoelectric actuator. In other example modes, the parameter of the piezoelectric actuator which is determined by the piezoelectric actuator drive circuit is impedance or resonant frequency of the piezoelectric actuator.

A piezoelectric element 13 has a common electrode 19 that receives electricity from a terminal 57. The terminal 57 has a through hole 67 and an electric insulating layer 61. The piezoelectric element 13 is arranged so that the common electrode 19 faces the electric insulating layer 61 of the terminal 57. A liquid stopper 69 is formed around the through hole 67 so as to come between the common electrode 19 and the terminal 57 when the common electrode 19 and terminal 57 are set to face each other. A liquid conductive adhesive 71 is injected into the through hole 67 to fill a gap defined by the liquid stopper 69 between the terminal 57 and the common electrode 19 and secure electric connection between the terminal 57 and the common electrode 19.

This configuration improves the reliability of wiring to the piezoelectric element and prevents the piezoelectric element from being damaged.

A user input for an electronic device includes a haptic feedback layer (100) and a touch sensitive user interface (200). The haptic feedback layer (100) provides a tactile response to a user when the user actuates a user actuation target (301) on the touch sensitive user interface (200) to simulate a popple-style button. The haptic feedback layer (100) includes a chassis (101) and a plurality of oppositely facing, interlaced cantilever beams (105,106) emanating therefrom, further separated by a support beam (113), and spanning at least a portion of the haptic feedback layer (100). One or more piezoelectric actuators (119) are coupled to the cantilever beams and are responsive to a controller (201). When the controller detects user actuation of the touch sensitive user interface (200), the controller (201) causes at least one of the piezoelectric actuators to actuate in accordance with an actuation signal.

A helicopter rotor blade includes a main airfoil body (12) and a movable control flap (3) incorporated in the trailing edge profile of the airfoil body. The flap (3) is movably connected to the main airfoil body (12) by a flexibly bendable junction element (4), and is actuated by a piezoelectric actuator unit (5) via a push/pull rod (6) and a lever arm (7), whereby the control flap is deflected relative to the main airfoil body. The junction element (4) is preferably a continuous integral fiber-reinforced composite component having a flexible bending portion (42) with a reduced thickness in comparison to the adjoining portions, whereby the reinforcing fibers extend continuously through the joint in the direction of the connection between the main airfoil body and the flap.

A piezoelectric bending actuator that is insensitive to temperature changes. The actuator includes a pair of piezoelectric layers. One of the layers bends in response to an applied voltage and the other piezoelectric layer flattens in response to an applied voltage. The piezoelectric layers are mounted adjacent to each other. The piezoelectric layers move opposite to each other in response to a change in temperature such that the piezoelectric bending actuator is stable over a range of temperatures. The piezoelectric layers are held in compression between a ring and a retainer. Compressing the piezoelectric layers allows the bending actuator to have a high stroke with improved durability because the discs are kept in compression.

PCT No. PCT/EP97/06344 Sec. 371 Date May 20, 1999 Sec. 102(e) Date May 20, 1999 PCT Filed Nov. 13, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO98/23868 PCT Pub. Date Jun. 4, 1998A microvalve has a base element provided with a passage opening, a tappet, a suspension device for guiding the tappet, and a piezoelectric actuator for actuating the tappet. The suspension device guides the tappet relative to the base element in such a way that the passage opening can be closed or opened by the tappet. The longitudinal dimensions of the piezoelectric actuator can be changed by the application of an electric voltage. Longitudinally spaced ends of the piezoelectric actuator are connected to longitudinally spaced ends of the suspension device in such a way that the suspension device provides a way for mechanical translation between the actuator and the tappet. A change in the longitudinal dimensions of the piezoelectric actuator caused by the application of an electric voltage to the piezoelectric actuator is mechanically translated by the suspension device into a movement of the tappet essentially at right angles to the longitudinal direction so that the passage opening will be opened or closed. In addition, the suspension device is secured to the base element with the aid of a hinge-like element. At least two spaced points are used to secure the suspension device to the base element.

An optical device with a deformable membrane including an anchoring area on a support helping to contain a constant volume of liquid in contact with one of its faces, a substantially central area, configured to be deformed reversibly from a rest position, and an actuation mechanism displacing the liquid in the central area, stressing the membrane in parts situated between the central area and the anchoring area. The actuation mechanism includes plural thermal or piezoelectric actuators of micro-beam type, distributed at the periphery of the membrane, the micro-beams including at least one fixed part joined to the support and at least one moving part coming into contact, on an actuation, with the membrane in an area situated between the central area and the anchoring area.

The invention discloses a miniature pneumatic power device which comprises a miniature air transmission unit. The miniature air transmission unit comprises an air intake plate, a runner plate, a resonance piece and a piezoelectric actuator which are arranged by stacking, a gap reserved between the resonance piece and the piezoelectric actor forms a first chamber, and when the piezoelectric actuator is driven, air is led into the first chamber from the air intake plate via the runner plate and the resonance piece and then transmitted downwards, and a pressure gradient runner is formed to have the air continuously pushed out; a miniature valve unit comprises an air collecting plate, a valve slice and an outlet plate which are arranged by stacking; when downwardly transmitted to an air collecting chamber from the miniature air transmission unit, the air is then transmitted to the interior of the miniature valve unit, so that a valve hole of the valve slice is enabled to be opened or closed due to one-way flow of the air to perform pressure collecting or pressure releasing.

Disclosed is a system including a tactile feedback device with which a user can sense the tactile force that is applied by the user on actuating a button or the like. The system includes a main body part (10), an operating unit (20) on which the user acts for inputting for interfacing with the main body part, and a display part (30) for demonstrating an image consistent with the current state of an interface program and an application program. The operating unit includes an interfacing element (22) for accepting an inputting operation from the user and a piezo actuator (21) for presenting a tactile feedback to the user performing the inputting operation on the operating unit. The piezo actuator is mounted on the interfacing element.

A thin film piezoelectric actuator comprises a driving part at least one end of which is supported by an anchor portion. The driving part includes: a piezoelectric film, a first lower electrode provided under a first region of the piezoelectric film, a second lower electrode provided under a second region different from the first region of the piezoelectric film, a first upper electrode provided opposite to the first lower electrode on the piezoelectric film, a second upper electrode provided opposite to the second lower electrode on the piezoelectric film, a first connection part that electrically connects the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode via a first via hole formed in the piezoelectric film, and a second connection part that electrically connects the second lower electrode and the first upper electrode via a second via hole formed in the piezoelectric film.

A pair of through-holes 41a and 41b having the same shape are formed and aligned in a flexible board 4 on which a wiring pattern 42 is formed. A piezoelectric actuator 3 made of a piezoelectric bi-morph device is inserted into the first through-hole 41a and then into the second through-hole 41b from the opposite surface side. As a result, both the ends in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric actuator 3 contact the same surface of the flexible board 4. The flexible board 4 is disposed so that it contacts a touch sensor portion except for a part of the flexible board 4. Thus, a high performance force sense feedback function caused by the panel that deforms corresponding to an input operation can be accomplished at low cost.

A plurality of movable lenses included in a zoom lens system are driven individually by piezoelectric actuators provided one for each lens. Two driving rods are arranged at different positions along the same line in such a way that neither of the driving rods reaches into the driving stroke of the lens driven by the other. Each driving rod has a piezoelectric actuator provided at its end farther from the other. Alternatively, a plurality of piezoelectric actuators are fixed to a single base block having a groove or a surface level difference to restrict propagation of vibration between the piezoelectric actuators. A graduated member having N-pole and S-pole regions formed alternatively thereon with a predetermined pitch is fixed, parallel to the driving rods, to the driving device itself. A magnetic resistance sensor is attached to each lens frame so as to face the graduated member. Based on the outputs of the sensors, the positions of the individual lenses are detected.

An piezoelectric actuated injector is provided which includes a nozzle valve element, a control volume, and an injection control valve including a control valve member for controlling fuel flow from the control volume so as to control nozzle valve movement. Importantly, the injector includes a preload chamber positioned along an injection control valve member for receiving high pressure fuel. The high pressure fuel acts on the injection control valve member to apply a preload force to supply a preload force to the stack of piezoelectric elements thereby ensuring more accurate control over fuel injection timing and metering.

Vibrational movement between the top of a lens and a main plate on which the lens is mounted is reduced by attaching between the lens and the main plate a lens support which detects relative movement between the lens and the main plates using piezoelectric sensors and compensates for that movement to reduce vibration using piezoelectric actuators which are in series with the piezoelectric sensors. The control signal which is generated to actuate the actuated piezoelectrics is generated by a controller.

The present invention is directed to a surgical cutting device having a body, a piezoelectric actuator received within and secured to the body and a blade associated with and in communication with the actuator. The actuator is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce an oscillating displacement of the blade. A method of operating the surgical cutting device is also provided wherein the cutting device includes an actuator which is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce a sinusoidal displacement of the blade in the range of 250-500 μm.

A piezoelectric actuated suspension with passive damping is disclosed for precision positioning of hard disk drive while reducing undesired shock vibrations. Along the longitudinal axis of an etched suspension, two piezoelectric actuators dispose near the base plate to provide a push-pull motion. The actuators have two main portions. The first portion is piezoelectric elements to provide active positioning. The second portion is viscoelastic damping layers underneath the piezoelectric elements for passive damping. The complementary parts such as stiff edge elements and optional soft boundary covers are used to enhance the actuating abilities of the actuators and prevent any contaminants of the viscoelastic layers from going into the clean sealed chamber of the hard disk drive, respectively. The present invention further relates to a dual-stage servo system in a hard disk drive for fine positioning of the read/write head and better shock resistance via the piezoelectric actuated suspension with passive damping.

The piezoactive actuator with amplified movement comprises a first sub-assembly formed by a mechanical movement amplifier and a second sub-assembly equipped with piezoactive elements. An interface with a load and an interface with a base, respectively placed at the peaks of a small axis of the shell and designed for actuating the load with respect to the base, define an actuating axis. A longitudinal deformation of the large axis enables a deformation of the small axis to be induced, designed to generate a movement at the interface with the load, the component of which movement along the small axis is amplified. At least one zone made of elastomer material is arranged at least substantially along the actuating axis to dampen deformations and increase the capacity of the actuator to resist external stresses. The actuator comprises at least one free space adjacent to the elastomer material zones in a direction orthogonal to the actuating axis.

A fuel injector injects high-pressure gaseous fuel directly into a cylinder of an engine. A small amount of liquid fuel is used in the injector to lubricate sliding portions of the fuel injector in addition to utilizing it as a medium for transmitting driving force. The fuel injector includes a nozzle member having injection holes at its elongated end and a needle slidably disposed in an elongated center hole of the nozzle member. The needle is driven by pressure of the liquid fuel introduced into a control chamber to open or close the injection holes. The pressure in the control chamber is controlled by a switching valve which is in turn driven by an actuator such as an electromagnetic or piezoelectric actuator. The liquid fuel is injected together with the high-pressure gaseous fuel after lubricating the sliding portions between the nozzle member and the needle.

A wiring connecting structure for a piezoelectric actuator includes a terminal 57-1, a through hole 67 formed through the terminal 57-1, a first liquid stopper 69-1 arranged around the through hole 67 in a gap between the terminal 57-1 and a common electrode 19 of a piezoelectric element 13 of the piezoelectric actuator, and a liquid trap 73 arranged adjacent to the first liquid stopper 69-1. The terminal 57-1 faces the common electrode 19 with an electric insulating layer 61 being on the piezoelectric element 13 side and the first liquid stopper 69-1 being in the gap between the common electrode 19 and the terminal 57-1. A liquid conductive adhesive 79 is filled in the through hole 67. If there is an excess of the liquid adhesive 79, the excess is guided into a trapping space 77 of the liquid trap 73, to prevent the excess from oozing out.

An ejector device and method of delivering safe, suitable, and repeatable dosages to a subject for topical, oral, nasal, or pulmonary use is disclosed. The ejector device includes a housing, a reservoir disposed within the housing for receiving a volume of fluid, and an ejector mechanism in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to eject a stream of droplets, the ejector mechanism comprising an ejector plate coupled to a generator plate and a piezoelectric actuator; the piezoelectric actuator being operable to oscillate the ejector plate, and thereby the generator plate, at a frequency and generate a directed stream of droplets.

A microfluidic system is disclosed. The microfluidic system comprises a microchannel having in fluid communication with a fluid inlet for receiving a first fluid. The microfluidic system can further comprise a piezoelectric actuator which controls the flow of the first fluid in the microchannel by selectively applying external pressure on the wall of the microchannel.

The present invention relates to dialysis devices comprising peristaltic pumps of linear build with piezoelectric actuators.