Inertial Drive Actuator Friction Control via Electrostatic and Magnetic Adsorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inertial drive actuators face inefficiencies in moving mobile objects due to frictional coupling forces, which can lead to instability and reduced drive efficiency, especially when trying to maintain position without continuous contact and potential for abrasion.
Innovation Solution
The inertial drive actuator incorporates a vibrating substrate with electrodes and an insulating layer, along with a frictional force control unit using electrostatic and magnetic adsorptive forces to manage frictional coupling between the substrate and mobile object, allowing for precise control of movement and stable positioning without continuous contact, utilizing a piezoelectric element and permanent magnets for displacement and friction generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the leaf spring always brings the vibrating member into press contact with the mobile object to frictionally support the mobile object, then the mobile object can be kept at position without moving, but continuous contact causes component wear and reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using a leaf spring that intermittently brings the vibrating member into press contact with the mobile object, rather than maintaining continuous contact. The leaf spring periodically applies frictional force during vibration cycles to maintain position while allowing separation during other phases, thereby reducing continuous wear on components while preserving position stability.
2Productivity
If frictional coupling force is used to move the mobile object, then the mobile object can be driven by the vibrating member, but frictional force causes energy loss and reduces drive efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes periodic action where the leaf spring periodically applies frictional coupling force during specific phases of the vibration cycle. By timing the frictional force application to coincide with the vibration phases that produce useful motion, the system maximizes drive efficiency while minimizing energy loss during non-productive phases when the components are separated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs mechanical vibration of the vibrating member to generate the frictional coupling force needed for driving the mobile object. The vibration creates dynamic frictional contact that is more efficient than static friction, enabling the mobile object to be driven effectively while reducing overall energy loss through the oscillatory nature of the interaction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances drive efficiency by ensuring frictional force is synchronized with piezoelectric vibration, allowing the mobile object to move only when friction increases, and maintains stable positioning through magnetic adsorptive force, simplifying driving waveforms and reducing component wear.
Implementation Method 1
a displacement generating unit arranged on the fixing member and configured to generate small displacements in a first direction and a second direction opposing the first direction
Implementation Method 2
a potential difference is applied across the first electrode and the second electrode to cause electrostatic adsorptive force to act
Implementation Method 3
a frictional force applying unit configured to frictionally couple the mobile object and the vibrating substrate to each other by magnetic adsorptive force
Implementation Method 4
a vibrating substrate configured to be reciprocally moved by the small displacements of the displacement generating unit
Data Source
AI summary
An inertial drive actuator includes a vibrating substrate configured to be reciprocally moved by small reciprocally displacements generated by a displacement generating unit arranged on a fixing member. The vibrating substrate has a first electrode on a plane of the vibrating substrate and an insulating layer on the first electrode. The inertial drive actuator further includes a mobile object arranged on the plane of the vibrating substrate and having a second electrode on a plane facing the first electrode through the insulating layer, a frictional force control unit configured to control frictional force between the vibrating substrate and the mobile object such that a potential difference is applied across the first electrode and the second electrode to cause electrostatic adsorptive force to act, and a frictional force applying unit configured to frictionally couple the mobile object and the vibrating substrate to each other by magnetic adsorptive force.