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:
Sep. 09, 2008
Filed:
Apr. 19, 2006
Hitoshi Fujii, Osaka, JP;
Susumu Sugiyama, Shiga, JP;
Akira Ishii, Shiga, JP;
Katsuhiko Tanaka, Shiga, JP;
Wataru Kuze, Osaka, JP;
Hitoshi Fujii, Osaka, JP;
Susumu Sugiyama, Shiga, JP;
Akira Ishii, Shiga, JP;
Katsuhiko Tanaka, Shiga, JP;
Wataru Kuze, Osaka, JP;
Funai Electric Co., Ltd., Osaka, JP;
Abstract
In a variable-shape mirror of which the shape of the mirror surface can be varied, a mirror portion is bonded only to a fixed portion and not to a piezoelectric element. When the piezoelectric element is not operating, the mirror portion, receiving a predetermined force from the piezoelectric element, makes contact with the piezoelectric element. When the piezoelectric element contracts, the mirror portion tends to restore its original shape by its counterforce. Thus, even when the piezoelectric element contracts, the contact between the mirror portion and the piezoelectric element is held, and hence the electric conduction to the piezoelectric element is maintained.