Structure and Operation Mechanism of a Friction-Type Piezoelectric Motor Utilizing the Principle of Strain Wave Gearing

Abstract

A new type of motor which utilizes multi-layer piezoelectric devices for electromechanical power conversion and mechanism of the strain wave gearing for generation of traveling waves and motive force is proposed in this paper. Construction and basic operation of the motor are described. The motor can be operated in variable frequency, because piezo-devices are operated in non-resonant mode. Approximate analysis is performed to clarify the operation mechanism of the motor and obtain characteristics on the rotational speed in the case of no load. Experimental results on rotational speed of the prototype motor made of metals except for the piezoelectric devices are also presented, which verifies the feasibility of the proposed motor.