Piezoelectric inertial rotary actuator operating in two-step motion mode for eliminating backward motion

Abstract

The backward motion phenomenon is widespread in inertial impact, stick-slip, and parasitic piezoelectric actuators, and seriously limits the development of these actuators for micro-manipulation applications. To solve this problem, a piezoelectric inertial rotary actuator based on a special wiring scheme is proposed. By changing the pair of piezoelectric vibrators in the traditional actuator to have opposite connection modes, the proposed actuator implements a two-step operating mode over one cycle and suffers no backward motion. Thus, the proposed actuator essentially eliminates the backward motion phenomenon under all conditions. Compared with other methods for controlling backward motion, which typically require additional friction-control or complex signal-control systems, the proposed wiring method has the advantages of simplicity of structure, ease of control, and high stability.