JPS61218040A - Latch type piezo-electric actuator - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a square-shaped actuator using a piezoelectric element, and can be widely used in relays, optical path switches, pen lifting mechanisms of pen recorders, and the like.

(Prior art and its problems) Conventionally, electromagnetic actuators using coils have been used as latch-type actuators.

However, electromagnetic actuators generate a magnetic field by energizing a coil and use the magnetic force to move a movable member, so they require a large amount of input energy and have problems such as heat generation and magnetic interference.

Also, because it uses a coil, it was difficult to miniaturize it.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention eliminates these conventional drawbacks and provides a compact, low-power, low-heat, and magnetic interference-free device.

An object of the present invention is to provide a square-type piezoelectric actuator.

(Structure of the Invention) According to the present invention, an inversion leaf spring having a flight member, a both-end support spring that elastically supports the inversion leaf spring in a curved manner, and a A chi-shaped piezoelectric actuator is obtained, characterized in that it is composed of a piezoelectric element that applies force to a flying member.

(Detailed Description of Configuration) The present invention solves the problems of the prior art by adopting the above-described configuration.

First, by using a piezoelectric element, which is known for its high electrical/mechanical energy conversion efficiency, as the driving source for the flight member, it has low power consumption, low heat generation, and eliminates magnetic interference.

In addition, by applying an axial force to a leaf spring and bending it, the leaf spring becomes an inverted leaf spring, and when the flight member provided on the inverted leaf spring passes through a straight line connecting both ends of the inverted leaf spring, the inverted leaf spring is reversed. It works, it gets cracked. Furthermore, since the reversing leaf spring branch is elastically supported by both end support springs that are supported at both ends, the strain in the axial direction of the reversing leaf spring is absorbed by the both end support springs, resulting in a structure that facilitates reversal operation. As a result, the reversing leaf spring can be reversed with less energy, and the volume of the piezoelectric element can therefore be reduced, resulting in a small square-shaped piezoelectric actuator. Alternatively, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element can be lowered.

In such a structure, when a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element causes a small but very fast displacement movement, so that the flying member receives a force from the piezoelectric element and is accelerated, leaves the piezoelectric element, and flies. When the flying member passes through a straight line connecting both ends of the reversing leaf spring, the reversing leaf spring is reversed and latched, making it possible to obtain a stroke of the flying member that is much longer than the amount of displacement generated by the piezoelectric element.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a relay. In Figure 1 (ml), the V-shaped first and second both-end support springs 2.3 are fixed at both ends to the support spring mounting portions 1as lb and lcs ld of the mounting member 1, and the center portions are bent into a V-shape. In its shape, the reversing leaf spring 5 with the flying member 4 is shaped so that the reversing leaf spring 5 is curved. One piezoelectric element 6:S is connected to the piezoelectric element mounting portion 1e of the mounting member 1.A first force transmission member 7-S is connected to the tip of the first piezoelectric element 6, and the first force transmission member 7 is in contact with the flight member 4. Also, the second piezoelectric element 8 is connected to the reversing leaf spring 5, as shown in FIG. 1(b).
The second force transmitting member 9 connected to the second piezoelectric element 8 is connected to the piezoelectric element attachment portion 1f of the attachment member 1 so as to come into contact with the flight member 4 when the second piezoelectric element 8 is inverted. Furthermore, an arm 10 is connected near the center of the reversing leaf spring 5, and a movable contact 11 is provided at the tip of the arm 10.

The first fixed contact 12 is attached to the mounting member 1 so as to be in contact with the movable contact 11 when the flight member 4 is in contact with the first force transmission member 7 as shown in FIG. The second fixed contact 13 is attached to the mounting member 1 so as to be in contact with the movable contact 11 when the flying member 4I8 is in contact with the second force transmitting member 9 as shown in FIG. 1(b).

In an embodiment with such a configuration, as shown in FIG. When a voltage is applied to the first piezoelectric element 6, the first piezoelectric element 6 causes a high-speed displacement operation in the direction of arrow A. Then, the flying member 4 receives a force from the first piezoelectric element 6 through the first force transmitting member 7, is accelerated, leaves the first force transmitting member 7, flies, and passes through a straight line connecting both ends of the reversing leaf spring 5. The reversing leaf spring 5 performs a reversing operation so that the flight member 4 comes into contact with the second force transmitting member 9 as shown in FIG. 1(b), and the movable contact 11 comes into contact with the second fixed contact 13. Furthermore, when a voltage is applied to the second piezoelectric element 8 from the state where the flight member 4 is in contact with the second force transmission member 9 as shown in Fig. 1, the second piezoelectric element 8 moves in the direction of arrow B. Causes high-speed displacement movement. Then flight member 4
receives a force from the second piezoelectric element 8 through the second force transmitting member 9, is accelerated, leaves the second force transmitting member 9, flies, passes through a straight line connecting both ends of the reversing leaf spring 5, and becomes a reversing leaf spring. 5 performs a reversal operation, and as shown in FIG. 1(a), the flying member 4 comes into contact with the first force transmitting member 7, and the movable contact 11 contacts the first fixed contact 12. In this way, the movable contact 1
1 from the first defining contact 12 to the second fixed contact 13,
A is from the second fixed contact 13 to the first fixed contact 12
You can switch to .

In the present invention, since a piezoelectric element known for its high electrical/mechanical energy conversion efficiency is used as the drive source for the reversing operation of the reversing leaf spring 5, it can generate magnetic energy with low power consumption and low heat generation. The dry # is gone.

In addition, the first or second piezoelectric element 6.8 when voltage is applied
The flight member 4 is accelerated and blown away by the generated force, and the leaf spring 5 is reversed.
In order to perform the reverse operation, it is possible to obtain a large stroke of the movable contact 110, which is several tens to hundreds of times larger than the amount of displacement generated by the first or second piezoelectric element 6.80.

Further, since the reversing leaf spring 5 is elastically supported by the first and second WI end support springs 2.3 whose both ends are fixed, the axial strain of the reversing leaf spring 5 is absorbed by the first and second WI end support springs 2.3. The structure is such that it can be easily reversed by attracting the support springs 2 and 3 at both ends.

As a result, the reversing leaf spring 5 can be reversed with less energy, and therefore the volume of the piezoelectric element can be reduced, resulting in a small latch monitoring piezoelectric actuator.

Alternatively, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element can be lowered.

In the above example, in order to switch the movable contact 11, voltage was applied alternately to the 10th year electric element 6 and the second piezoelectric element 8; The movable contact 11 can also be switched by simultaneously applying a voltage. In such a usage, it was not possible to connect the conventional cavity to an electromagnetic actuator.

Note that the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element needs to be raised quickly in the form of a pulse, but the pulse width may be short. For example, a pulse width of 0.1 ms is sufficient, and it does not matter if it is long. Since the piezoelectric element is the same as an electric kit capacitor, it does not consume power even if voltage is continuously applied for a long time, and therefore does not generate heat. FIG. In FIG. 2(a), support spring mounting portions 1aslb and 1c have mounting members l at both ends.

The reversing plate holder 5 having the flight member 4 is placed in the V-shaped portion of the first and second both-end support springs 2.3, which are fixed to the LD and bent into a V-shape near the center, and the reversing plate Spring 5 is curved. A first piezoelectric element 6 that applies a force to the flight member 4 in opposition to the convex surface of the curved reversing plate spring 5 is connected to the piezoelectric element mounting portion 1e of the mounting member 1.

A first force transmitting member 7 is connected to the tip of the first piezoelectric element 6, and the first force transmitting member 7 is in contact with the flight member 4.

Further, the second piezoelectric element 8, as shown in FIG.
When the reversing leaf spring 5 is reversed, it is connected to the piezoelectric element mounting portion 1f of the mounting member 1 such that it is connected to the second piezoelectric element 8 and the upper second force transmitting member 9 comes into contact with the flight member 4.

Furthermore, a mirror 14 is provided on the reversing leaf spring 5.

In an embodiment with such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 2 (!L), the flight member 4 is in contact with the first force transmitting member 7 and
In this case, the incident light from the arrow C is reflected by the mirror 14 and exits as reflected light in the direction of the arrow. When voltage is applied to the first piezoelectric element 6 in this state, the flight member 4 receives force from the first piezoelectric element 6 through the first force transmission member 7, is accelerated, and leaves the first force transmission member 7. Flying and reversing leaf spring 5
The reversing leaf spring 5 passes through the straight line connecting the two ends of the reversing leaf spring 5, and is brought into contact with the second force transmitting member 9 of the flying member 4-S, as shown in FIG. 2(b). Therefore, on the reversal board 5
The incident light 1 from the direction of arrow C curves toward the second piezoelectric element 8 and changes the angle of the mirror 14 with respect to the incident light.
d It is reflected by mirror 14 and goes out in the direction of arrow 1 as reflected light. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the flight member 4
When a voltage is applied to the second piezoelectric element 8 from a state in which the piezoelectric element 8 is in contact with the second force transmitting member 9, the reversing plate 5tj performs the reversing operation again, and the flight member 4 as shown in FIG. It returns to the state in which it is in contact with the first force transmitting member 7, and the incident light from the arrow C is reflected by the mirror 14 and exits as reflected light in the direction of the arrow. In this way, the optical path can be switched.

It goes without saying that even in this embodiment of the present invention, the effects of the present invention, such as small size, low power consumption, low heat generation, and no magnetic interference, are similarly exhibited.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pen lifting mechanism of a pen recorder. In Figure 3(a),
The V-shaped part of the first and second support springs 2.3, whose both ends are supported by the support spring mounting u1 a % 1b, lc, and ld of the mounting member 1, and whose center area is bent into a figure 7 shape, The reversing leaf spring 5 with the member 4 is so shaped that the reversing leaf spring 5 is curved.

The flight member 4 faces the convex surface of the curved inverted leaf spring 5.
A first piezoelectric element 6 that applies force to the piezoelectric element 6 is connected to the piezoelectric element mounting portion 1e of the mounting member 1. A first force transmitting member 7 is connected to the tip of the first piezoelectric element 6, and the first force transmitting member 7 is in contact with the flight member 4. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3(b), when the reversing leaf spring 5 is reversed, the second force transmitting member 9 connected to the second piezoelectric element 8 is transferred to the flying member. 4 is connected to the piezoelectric element mounting portion 1f of the mounting member 1 so as to be in contact with the piezoelectric element mounting portion 1f. Furthermore, an arm 10:S is connected to the vicinity of the center of the reversing plate spring 5, and a pen 15 is connected to the tip of the arm 10.

In an embodiment of such a configuration, when the flying member 4 is in contact with the first force transmitting member 7 as shown in FIG. 3(a), the pen 15 is raised upward.

When a voltage is applied to the first piezoelectric element 6 in this state, the first piezoelectric element 6 causes a high-speed displacement operation in the direction of arrow A.

Then, the flying member 4 receives a force from the first piezoelectric element 6 through the first force transmitting member 7, is accelerated, leaves the first force transmitting member 7, flies, and passes through a straight line connecting both ends of the reversing leaf spring 5. The reversal leaf spring 5 performs a reversal operation, and the flight member 4 comes into contact with the second force transmission member 9 as shown in FIG. 3(b).
Pen 15 goes down. Further, when a voltage is applied to the second piezoelectric element 8 from a state where the flying member 4 is in contact with the second force transmitting member 9 as shown in FIG. The flying member 4 as shown in FIG. 3(a) returns to the state in contact with the first piezoelectric element 6 and rises above the pen 15 company. In this way, the pen 15 can be raised and lowered.

It goes without saying that even in this embodiment of the present invention, the effects of the present invention, such as being small, low power, low heat generation, and free from magnetic interference, are similarly exhibited.

It should be noted that the present invention can be applied not only to the above-mentioned embodiments but also to various latch type actuators and achieve similar effects.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first and second piezoelectric elements are arranged on both the curved convex side and the concave side of the reversing leaf spring, respectively, but if the reversing leaf spring returning means is used, Even if the piezoelectric element is disposed only on the convex side of the curved inversion leaf spring, the effects of the present invention can be similarly exhibited.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the inverted leaf spring was elastically supported by supporting both ends, but the effects of the present invention can be similarly exhibited even if either one is supported rotationally or fixedly. .

Furthermore, in the present invention, in addition to a single-plate piezoelectric element with vertical and horizontal effects, a laminated piezoelectric element can be used. A similar effect can be obtained by an element or even an electrostrictive element.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, a chi-shaped piezoelectric actuator with no wrinkles, low power consumption, low heat generation, and no magnetic interference can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a relay,
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an optical path switch, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pen lifting mechanism of a pen recorder. In the figure, 1... Mounting member, 2... First both ends supported, 3... Second both ends supported spring, 4... Flight member, 5... Reversing leaf spring, 6...first piezoelectric element, 7
...First force transmission member, 8...Second piezoelectric element, 9
...Second force transmission member, 10...Arm, 11...
- A movable contact, 12... a first fixed contact, 13... a second fixed contact, 14... a mirror, and 15... a pen are shown, respectively. 7--5・, ・・1 Agent fr-Susumu Futashihara ゛Hoki 1 Figure (a) Rod 2 Figure (a)

Claims (1)

[Claims] Consisting of an inversion leaf spring having a flight member, support springs at both ends that elastically support the inversion leaf spring in a curved manner, and a piezoelectric element that applies force to the flight member in opposition to a convex surface of the curved inversion leaf spring. A latch type piezoelectric actuator characterized by: