JP5097879B2 - Piezoelectric actuator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a piezoelectric actuator, and more particularly to a piezoelectric actuator adapted to be attached to a lower end portion of a shutter or movable shoji that moves in a vertical direction, or an open / close end portion of a door that rotates in a horizontal direction.

  Patent Document 1 requires an exclusive right for an electrically controlled latch mechanism regardless of the technical field, and the latch mechanism is “a hollow plunger (hollow operating rod) provided in a box so as to be reciprocally movable”. A long piezoelectric element is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the hollow actuating rod, and the base end of the long piezoelectric element is sandwiched between two hollow actuating rods so that it is horizontal from the base end. The free end of the piezoelectric element extending in the direction of the piezoelectric element faces the receiving leg that extends inside the hollow working rod of the engagement piece (engagement piece referred to as a claw) that is pivotally supported by the box. When a voltage is applied through the wire (electrical signal is given), the free end of the piezoelectric element is displaced and presses the receiving leg of the engaging piece, whereby the engaging piece is supported at one end. Using the shaft as a fulcrum, the engagement tip is separated from the inclined notch groove formed on the outer surface of the hollow working rod. , Characterized by.

  In addition to Patent Document 1, Patent Document 1 describes that (a) a long piezoelectric element is housed in a state where one end portion is fixed in a hollow working rod, and (a) a lead wire that is not shown in the drawing is hollow. (C) A horizontal T-shaped engagement piece extends inside the hollow working rod so that its receiving leg faces the free end of the piezoelectric element. In addition, it can be recognized that there is a new matter in that the engaging tip that intersects the receiving leg engages and disengages from the outer surface-inclined cutout groove of the hollow actuating piece.

  Patent Document 2 applies a piezoelectric element in the technical field of a lock. In the embodiment described in Patent Document 2, a piezoelectric element is disposed inside a general disk tumbler type cylinder lock, and the control is performed when the tumbler as a movable obstruction comes into contact with the piezoelectric element provided in the groove. The unit acquires a contact time signal and outputs a warning signal to the outside by a comparison circuit.

Here, terms such as applying a voltage, giving an electrical signal, giving a drive signal, and the like are legally interpreted from the essential viewpoint of the invention. Terms such as voltage application, electric signal application, drive signal application, etc. have the same meaning.
Special table 2006-519465 gazette JP 2003-90154 A

  The intended object of the present invention is to reduce the number of components to be constructed. The second purpose is to simplify the shape and structure of the components. A third object is to easily assemble main members (piezoelectric elements, operating pieces, locking pieces) to the box. The fourth purpose is to effectively use the space in the box. In addition, it can be used at least for joinery.

According to the piezoelectric actuator of the present invention, a box body that is retractably mounted in a guide box attached to an opening / closing end of an opening / closing body moves backward through a locking piece and against the spring force of a box spring. to at the piezoelectric actuator, to the box body, the base end portion is fixed, and the elongated piezoelectric element which is curved in the conversion to one side the mechanical displacement voltage signals, the free end of the piezoelectric element An operating piece having an engaged part that is always engaged with the part and having a pivot end supported by a first support shaft located near the base end of the piezoelectric element, and locking of the operating piece inner end with disengaging the portion, the first is supported by a second support shaft spaced a predetermined distance from the support shaft, and always urged in a direction deviating from the locking portion of the operating piece by a spring member in state, that the outer end portion is respectively arranged the engaging piece projecting from the opening of the front wall of the box body And features.

(A) The number of constituent parts is small.
(B) The shape and structure of the component parts can be greatly simplified. In addition, since the elongated piezoelectric element is positioned outside the locking piece having a latching function via the operating piece, for example, the shape of the locking piece can be simply manufactured. Also, the piezoelectric element can be easily attached.
(C) In the invention according to claim 2, since the substrate having the driving portion is provided on the partition wall and the lead wire can be fixedly connected thereto, the space in the box can be effectively utilized and the lead Since the wire is not movable, it will not be damaged. Therefore, it is rich in durability.
(D) When attached to the end of the opening and closing body, it can be used for joinery

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 will be described.

(1) Environment for Implementation of the Invention FIGS. 1 and 2 are examples of a piezoelectric actuator Y for joinery. FIG. 1 is an example in which a piezoelectric actuator X is housed in a right corner portion of a lower end portion of a movable shoji Z as an example of a fitting so as to be horizontally movable. In FIG. 1, a part of the front wall (front wall) of the box body 10 is notched and the internal structure is seen from the front view. Figure) ”.

  Now, the piezoelectric actuator Y for joinery including the piezoelectric actuator X as it is, as will be described below, is a guide box (for example, a lock box) 1 fixed to the end of the opening / closing body Z, and a box body in the guide box 1 The piezoelectric actuator X is disposed so as to be able to retract against the spring force of the spring 13.

(2) Guide box 1, piezoelectric actuator X and door frame 7
1 is a guide box. The guide box 1 is fixed to a free end or a side end of an opening / closing body such as a movable shoji of a joinery. Although details of the guide box 1 are omitted, the guide box 1 includes a case body 1a and a case lid 1b. Reference numeral 2 denotes a front (front wall) of the guide box 1, while 3 denotes a rear wall (including an internal support plate). Reference numeral 4 denotes an internal space of the guide box 1. Reference numeral 5 denotes a horizontal guide (for example, a horizontal guide long hole) provided at a predetermined interval between the case body 1a and the case lid 1b. Reference numeral 6 denotes a spring end support portion protruding from the inner wall surface of the rear wall 3.

  X is a piezoelectric actuator of the present invention, and this piezoelectric actuator X is guided through a plurality of guides (engagement protrusions) 11 respectively protruding from the case body 10a of the box 10 and the outer wall surface of the case lid 10b. It is provided in the box 1 so as to be able to reciprocate (FIG. 2).

  In other words, a total of four protruding guides 11 are formed at the front end portion and the rear end portion of the box body 10 and engaged with the horizontal guide 5 of the guide box 1 so as to be slidable. In the present embodiment, a protruding spring end support 12 is provided at the center of the rear wall of the box 10, and the spring end support 12 on the box 10 side and the spring end on the guide box 1 described above. A box spring 13 is interposed between the support 6 and the support 6 (FIG. 1).

  Therefore, the box 10 of the piezoelectric actuator X has the second support shaft that is pressed by the receiving piece 8 provided on the door frame 7 when the opening / closing body is opened upward as will be described later. Can be moved back against the spring force of the box spring 13 (FIG. 11). Next, the basic configuration of the piezoelectric actuator X will be described while enumerating.

(3) Basic configuration-box 10
FIG. 4 includes lines 5-5, 6-6, 7-7, and 8-8 in the drawing for convenience of explanation. For example, line 5-5 indicates that the explanatory diagram based on the horizontal section is “FIG. 5”. The same applies hereinafter.

  Here, the structure of the box 10 is demonstrated on the basis of FIG. 5 based on the 5-5 horizontal cross section of FIG. As described above, 11 is a plurality of guides (engagement protrusions) provided on the outer wall surface of the case body 10a and the case lid 10b, 12 is a spring end support portion provided on the rear wall of the box 10, and 15 Is a partition wall located near the rear wall. The lower end of the partition wall 15 extends to the vicinity of the bottom wall 14 of the box 10. The internal space between the vertical partition wall 15 and the unnumbered rear wall is used for disposing a substrate, lead wires and the like.

  On the other hand, the internal space between the partition wall 15 and the unnumbered front wall is used for incorporating a long piezoelectric element, an operating piece, a locking piece, and the like. In addition, description of detailed matters, such as a bearing formed in the front wall side of the box 10, is omitted.

(4) Piezoelectric element 21
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the long piezoelectric element 21 is fixed to a support member 17 whose base end 21 a is fixed near the lower end of the vertical partition wall 15, and a voltage signal is mechanically transmitted. Convert to a large displacement. In this embodiment, the support member 17 is a short column that is fixed to the bottom wall 14 and has an insertion groove in the vertical direction.

  The piezoelectric element 21 extends to the vicinity of the upper wall 18 of the box 10 along the vertical partition 15. The free end 21b of the piezoelectric element 21 is always engaged with an engaged portion (engagement groove, notch, recess, hole, etc.) 33 of the operating piece.

  Here, the configuration and function of the piezoelectric element 21 will be described with reference to FIG. The piezoelectric element 21 is a rectangular plate having a multilayer structure including a piezoelectric body. For example, a central plate 22 and a pair of rectangular plates laminated on both surfaces of the central plate 22 with a conductive adhesive layer 23 interposed therebetween. And a piezoelectric plate 24.

  Thus, the central plate 22 is a reinforcing material having conductivity on the surface, and a material obtained by quenching SK steel is used.

  The piezoelectric plate 24 includes an unnumbered piezoelectric body and a pair of electrodes 25 stacked on both surfaces of the piezoelectric body. The piezoelectric body of the piezoelectric plate 24 is not particularly limited as long as it is a material having a piezo effect that causes distortion when voltage is applied. For example, piezoelectric ceramics, polymer piezoelectric bodies, single crystal piezoelectric bodies, and the like are used. Among these, piezoelectric titanate / zirconate-based piezoelectric ceramics (PZT) having a large piezoelectric effect and good durability are used. Moreover, the electrode 25 is laminated | stacked on the substantially whole surface except the outer edge part of a piezoelectric material, for example, is formed by printing and baking of a silver paste.

  The piezoelectric element 21 includes a pair of electrodes 25 and a central plate 22 arranged on the outer surface side, and a driving signal (voltage) from a driving unit (driver) of the substrate 26 via, for example, a control unit 27 arranged outside. ) Is applied. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a fixed lead wire 28 inserted from the outside of the box 1 is electrically connected to the substrate 26, and a locking piece 41 via an operating piece 31 described later. The fixed lead 28 itself does not move at all.

  The substrate 26 alternately applies a positive voltage and a negative voltage to the outer electrodes 25 via the fixed lead wires 28. When a positive voltage is applied in this way, one piezoelectric body expands, while the other piezoelectric body contracts, and as a result, the piezoelectric element 21 curves to the left or right side. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. Here, the function of the piezoelectric element 21 is expressed as “converting a voltage signal into a mechanical displacement”.

  As for the voltage effect, as described above, in addition to the bimorph structure having the voltage plate 24 on both sides, a unimorph structure having the voltage plate 24 only on one side is known as a known matter.

(5) Working piece 31
As shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 9, etc., the operating piece 31 has an engaged portion 33 that engages with the free end portion 21 b of the piezoelectric element 21, and the vicinity of the base end portion 21 a of the piezoelectric element 21. The pivot end portion is pivotally supported by the first pivot shaft 32 located at the center.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the first support shaft 32 is a fixed shaft that is horizontally mounted on the lower end portion of the box body 10. A lower end portion (pivot end portion) 31a of the operating piece 31 having a longitudinal gate shape is pivotally supported on the first support shaft 32, and the engaged portion provided on the free end portion (engagement end portion) 31b. A free end portion 21b of the piezoelectric element is inserted into and engaged with a joint portion (for example, a notch-like engagement groove) 33.

  Therefore, since the free end portion 21b of the piezoelectric element is always engaged with the engaged portion 33 of the operating piece 31, it does not come off even when displaced.

  FIG. 9 is an example showing the form (configuration) of the operating piece 31. For convenience of explanation, reference numeral 35 is given to each part. Reference numeral 35 denotes a pair of left and right arms having shaft holes for the first support shaft 32, and 36 denotes a front end face of the left and right arms 35, and a locking portion for a locking piece (for example, engaging member) near the upper end. A restraint wall having a stop window, a lateral recess for locking, a locking hole, a notch, etc.) 37, and connecting upper end surfaces of the left and right arms 35 and bending a wrist inwardly (vertical partition wall side) It is an engagement wall extending as described above. In the present embodiment, a notch-like engagement groove 33 into which the free end 21b of the piezoelectric element is engaged in the penetrating state is formed in the engagement wall 38 in a horizontally long shape.

(6) Locking piece In this embodiment, the locking piece 41 employs a latch that engages and disengages with the receiving member 8 of the door frame 7. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the latch that is an example of the locking piece 41 is engaged with and disengaged from the engagement protrusion 42 that protrudes from the inner end portion with respect to the restraining wall 36 of the operating piece 31. The outer end portion of the outer end portion is supported by a second support shaft 43 that is spaced apart from the first support shaft 32 by a predetermined distance and is always urged by a spring member 44 in a direction away from the locking portion 37 of the operating piece 31. Protrudes from the opening 16 in the front wall of the box 10.

  Although the specific configuration of the locking piece 41 is omitted, the locking piece 41 is positioned in the inner space of the box body 10 and the first engaging portion protruding from the front wall opening 16 of the box body 10 and is operated. It can be divided into a second engaging portion that engages with the locking portion 37 of the restraining wall 36 of the piece 31. The first engaging portion has a vertical or horizontal plane that latches on the inner surface of the receiver 8 and an inclined surface that slides on the edge of the receiver 8.

(7) Main action FIG. 11 shows an example of the action. In FIG. 11, it is assumed that the piezoelectric actuator X (the joinery piezoelectric actuator Y) is attached to, for example, the right corner of the movable shoji Z that moves in the vertical direction. Further, it is assumed that the receiver 8 is fixed to the inner wall surface of the vertical frame of the door frame.

  11A to 11D show what happens to the rotation mode of the locking piece 41 that is latched to the support 8 when the movable obstacle Z is raised in the non-energized state, that is, in the unlocked state. In addition, what happens to the box 10 of the piezoelectric actuator X is shown. 11A to 11D, since the rotation mode of the locking piece 41 and the retraction mode of the box 10 are clear, detailed description is omitted.

  Here, the main operation of the present invention will be described by comparing FIG. 1 with FIG. In the non-energized state of FIG. 11A, if a voltage is applied from the substrate 26 to the piezoelectric element 21 (a drive signal is given), the piezoelectric element 21 converts the voltage signal into a mechanical displacement. Then, the free end portion (engagement end portion) 21b is displaced in a curved shape on the right side.

  Then, since the operating piece 31 is controlled by the free end 21b of the piezoelectric element 21, it rotates a predetermined amount clockwise with the first support shaft 32 as a fulcrum. As a result, the engaging protrusion 42 at the inner end of the locking piece 41 is restrained by the locking portion 37. Therefore, it is locked when energized.

  On the other hand, when the substrate 26 gives a non-energized signal to the piezoelectric element 21 (de-energized state), in other words, when the energization is cut off, the piezoelectric element 21 returns to the initial state. It is pulled back by the free end 21b of the piezoelectric element 21 and rotates a predetermined amount counterclockwise with the first support shaft 32 as a fulcrum. As a result, the engaging protrusion 42 of the locking piece 41 is released from the locking portion 37 of the operating piece 31. Therefore, the unlocked state is established when power is not supplied.

  The application of the piezoelectric actuator X of the present invention is not limited to a latch mechanism or a lock mechanism for joinery, but can also be used for a clutch mechanism for electrical control. Further, the opening / closing body Z is not limited to a shutter or movable shoji that moves in the vertical direction, and may be a door that rotates in the horizontal direction. When the opening / closing body Z is a door, FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram (reference diagram) from a plan view. In this embodiment, at least the drive unit is provided on the substrate 26, but it is needless to say that a control unit may be provided together with the drive unit.

  The present invention is mainly used in the joinery and lock industry.

FIG. 1 to FIG. 11 are explanatory views showing the best embodiments of the present invention.
Schematic explanatory drawing which shows the piezoelectric actuator X and the piezoelectric actuator Y for joinery. The schematic explanatory drawing from the front view (partially notched) of the opening / closing body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Schematic explanatory drawing which shows that the piezoelectric actuator X of this invention is equipped with the opening / closing body. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram (reference diagram) from the front view showing the piezoelectric actuator X. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional explanatory view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4. 6-6 schematic sectional explanatory drawing of FIG. 7-7 schematic cross-sectional explanatory view of FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 4. The schematic perspective view of the principal part (the operation piece 31 and the 1st spindle 32). Schematic explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a piezoelectric element. Schematic explanatory drawing which shows an example of a use.

X ... Piezoelectric actuator, Y ... Piezoelectric actuator for joinery, Z ... Opening / closing body, 1 ... Guide box, 2 ... Front, 3 ... Rear wall, 4 ... Internal space, 5 ... Horizontal guide, 6 ... Spring end support, 7 ... Door frame, 8 ... receptacle, 10 ... box body, 10a ... case body, 10b ... case lid, 11 ... guide (engagement protrusion), 12 ... spring end support, 13 ... box spring, 14 ... bottom wall 15 ... partition wall, 16 ... opening, 17 ... support member, 18 ... upper wall, 21 ... piezoelectric element, 21a ... base end part, 21b ... free end part, 22 ... central plate, 23 ... conductive adhesive layer, 24 ... Piezoelectric plate, 25 ... electrode, 26 ... substrate (having a drive unit), 27 ... control unit, 28 ... fixed lead wire, 31 ... operating piece, 31a ... lower end (pivot end), 31b ... free end ( Engagement end portion), 32 ... first support shaft, 33 ... engaged portion, 35 ... pair of left and right arms, 36 ... restraining wall, 37: locking portion, 38: engagement wall, 41: locking piece, 42: engagement protrusion, 43: second support shaft, 44: spring member.

Claims (3)

In a piezoelectric actuator in which a box body that is retractably installed in a guide box attached to an opening / closing end of an opening / closing body moves backward through a locking piece and against the spring force of a box spring , Inside the box, a base end is fixed, and a long piezoelectric element that is bent to one side by converting a voltage signal into a mechanical displacement, and a cover that is always engaged with the free end of the piezoelectric element. An operating piece having an engaging portion and having a pivotally supported end portion pivotally supported by a first supporting shaft located in the vicinity of the base end portion of the piezoelectric element, and an inner end portion is engaged with a locking portion of the operating piece. with disengaging, is supported by a second support shaft spaced a predetermined distance with respect to the first support shaft, and in a state of being always biased in a direction out of the locking portion of the operating piece by the spring member, the outer piezoelectric actuator and an end portion is respectively arranged the engaging piece projecting from the opening of the front wall of the box body
2. The piezoelectric actuator according to claim 1, wherein a partition having a drive unit for applying a voltage signal to the piezoelectric element is provided in the box, and a lead wire is connected to the drive unit.
2. The piezoelectric actuator according to claim 1, wherein the elongated piezoelectric element is positioned outside a locking piece having a latching function via an operating piece.

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