Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Shozo Ohtera

Yoshiaki Kohno

Koichi Nitta

Satoru Hachinohe

Hidetoshi Iwatani

Yoshiaki Kohono

A command signal generated by a command generation part is commonly used among a plurality of comparator circuits. On the other hand, a threshold at each comparator circuit is configured to be able to be set individually in accordance with external setting, and thus a drive start timing of each element constituting an actuator array can be set flexibly.

Plural actuator system and control method thereof

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.

Actuator

A package module includes a module case and an adapter case attached to the module case. The module case accommodates a circuit board, and the adapter is used for connecting an external connector. An opening at an end of the adapter case functions as an entry to receive the external connector. Another opening at the other end functions as a connection hole to be attached to the module case. A fit-receiving portion is mounted on the upper wall adjacent to the connection hole of the adapter case in such a way that a fit-receiving opening faces down. When the module case is moved upward relative to the adapter case, a fit projection is fit into a fit-receiving portion to connect the module case and the adapter case.

Package module

An ultrasonic sensor includes: a floored cylindrical case, a piezoelectric vibration element and input-output terminals. The floored cylindrical case has a separately prepared cylinder part and a separately prepared vibration part, and the cylinder part and the vibration part are adhered together with an adhesive material having an elastic modulus in the range from 100 through 20,000 kgf/mm.sup.2 at a temperature range from 25 through 125.degree. C. The piezoelectric vibration element is disposed on the inner bottom floor of the floored cylindrical case. The input-output terminals are electrically connected to the piezoelectric vibration element and are adapted for electrical connection to outside of the floored cylindrical case.

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Otsu, Japan

Shozo Ohtera