The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 27, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 30, 1999
Satoshi Shinke, Sakai, JP;
Yasuo Nishihara, Sakai, JP;
Minolta Co., Ltd., Osaka, JP;
Abstract
A drive apparatus having a drive pulse generation device that generates drive pulses. An electromechanical transducer has a first end and a second end. The electromechanical transducer expands and contracts in response to pulses supplied from the drive pulse generation device. A support member is secured to the first end of the electromechanical transducer in the expansion/contraction direction thereof. A first friction member secured to the second end of the electromechanical transducer in the extension/contraction direction thereof. A second friction member frictionally coupled to the first friction member. A load detection device detects the magnitude of a drive load. A drive control device carries out drive control on the basis of the detection results of the load detection device.