Actuator
AssigneeMurata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
InventorsShozo Ohtera, Yoshiaki Kohono
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
When an actuator is driven, a stationary element continuously generates a pressing force for spreading in a radial direction such that the stationary element is relatively retracted into movable elements positioned at both ends of the stationary element. As a result, a distance between the movable elements adjacent to each other is reduced, and a contracting operation is performed. When the actuator is not driven, only a relatively low frictional force is generated between the moving elements and the stationary element. Hence, the movable elements and the stationary element can change relative position by small external force.
Claims17
An actuator comprising:
- a stationary element and a movable element, the stationary element and the movable element being relatively movable along a predetermined axis of movement when the actuator is not driven, wherein
- the stationary element includes a displaceable portion that causes a displacement at least in a radial direction when the actuator is driven,
- the movable element includes a pressure bearing portion that imposes an acting force in one direction along the axis of movement in response to the displacement caused by the displaceable portion of the stationary element, and
- the acting force generated by the pressure bearing portion when the actuator is driven is larger than a force required to move the stationary element and the movable element relative to each other when the actuator is not driven.
An actuator comprising:
- a stationary element and a movable element, the stationary element and the movable element being relatively movable along a predetermined axis of movement when the actuator is not driven, wherein
- the movable element includes a displaceable portion that causes a displacement at least in a radial direction when the actuator is driven,
- the stationary element includes a pressure bearing portion that imposes an acting force in one direction along the axis of movement in response to the displacement caused by the displaceable portion of the movable element, and
- the acting force generated by the pressure bearing portion when the actuator is driven is larger than a force required to move the stationary element and the movable element relative to each other when the actuator is not driven.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.