Industrial Technology Research Institute

Horng-Ru Wang

Jia-Tian Pan

Tung-Chuan Wu

Shao-Yu Hsu

Neng-Hsin Chiu

Shih-Tong Cheng

Neng-Shin Chiu

A linear actuator includes two spaced seats connecting by a center piezoelectric member. The seats are mounted in a rail frame. Each seat has a piezoelectric member and an elastic zone for engaging or disengaging with the rail frame. Through energizing and disenergizing the center piezoelectric member alternately, the center piezoelectric member may be extended or contracted alternately, and thus moves the seats, consequently the actuator, longitudinally along the rail frame. A linear and accurate movement of the actuator thus may be achieved at micro meter level.

Linear actuator

Disclosed is a micro-positioning flatbed comprising a bed; a first driving unit and a second driving unit of resilient construction; a piezo-electric element firmly coupling the first and the second driving units; and piezo-electric elements firmly received within the first and the second driving units, wherein the bed is formed with corresponding, extending guides, the first and the second driving units include opposing sides having configurations corresponding to configurations of the guides, and the first and the second driving units are aligned within the guides of the bed, whereby the piezo-electric elements expand or contract while being subjected to voltages to cause lateral expansion or contraction of the first and the second driving units in response to expansion or construction of the piezo-electric elements firmly received within the first and the second driving units, such that the piezo-electric elements firmly coupled to the first and the second driving units activate the first and the second driving units urge against or release from the guides, so as to produce movement of a minute distance forward or rearward due to expansion or contraction of the piezo-electric elements while being subjected to voltages. This invention may be provided with guides along different axial directions in the bed for receiving multiple sets of the first and second driving units thereby attaining an positioning flatbed of multiple axes for retaining a workpiece positioning flatbed and a tool positioning flatbed so as to conduct machining operations that require micro-positioning. In addition, this invention discloses a driving unit having a special resilient construction that enhances expansion of the driving unit in response of expansion of the piezo-electric element so as to attain precise positioning and movement.

Micro-positioned flatbed

Growing community of inventors

Taipei, Taiwan

Horng-Ru Wang