Actuator

• US 7,161,275 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2006
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Yoda, Mitsuhiro
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLINS, BURTON S
• Application Number:
  US11/449,792
• Publication Number:
  US 20060226734A1
• Time in Patent Office: 215 Days
• Field of Search: 310/308, 310/309, 359224-225
• US Class Current: 310/309
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 33/16 with polarised armatures moving in alternate directions by reversal or energisation of a single coil system
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 1/006 of the gap-closing type H02N1/004 takes precedence

Abstract

An actuator 100 of the type employing a two-degree-of-freedom vibration system includes: a pair of first mass portions 1, 11; a second mass portion 2 provided between the pair of first mass portions 1, 11; a pair of supporting portions 3, 3 for supporting the pair of first mass portions 1, 11 and the second mass portion 2; at least a pair of first elastic connecting portions 4, 4 which respectively connect the first mass portions 1, 11 to the supporting portions 3, 3 so that each of the first mass portions 1, 11 can rotate with respect to the supporting portions 3, 3; and at least a pair of second elastic connecting portions 5, 5 which respectively connect the second mass portion 2 to the first mass portions 1, 11 so that the second mass portion 2 can rotate with respect to the first mass portion 1, 11. Each of the first mass portions 1, 11 is driven by the application of an alternating voltage, causing the second mass portion 2 to rotate.

Claims

1. An actuator of the type employing a two-degree-of-freedom vibration system, the actuator comprising:

a pair of first mass portions;

a second mass portion provided between the pair of first mass portions;

a pair of supporting portions for supporting the pair of first mass portions and the second mass portion;

a pair of first elastic connecting portions which respectively connect the first mass portions to the supporting portions so that each of the first mass portions can rotate with respect to the supporting portions, wherein each of the first connecting portions comprises a pair of elastic connecting members which are arranged so as to have a substantially V-shape form; and

a pair of second elastic connecting portions which connect the second mass portion to the respective first mass portions so that the second mass portion can rotate with respect to the first mass portions, wherein each of the second elastic connecting portions comprises a pair of elastic connecting members which are arranged so as to have a substantially V-shape form;

wherein each of the first mass portions is driven by the application of an alternating voltage, causing the second mass portion to rotate.

2. The actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the pair of first elastic connecting portions and the pair of second elastic connecting portions each having the V-shape form has an apex and two base ends, in which a central axis for rotation of the first mass portions and the second mass portion extends through the apexes of the first and second elastic connecting portions.

3. The actuator as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the first connecting portions each having the V-shape form is connected to the corresponding supporting portion at its apex and connected to the corresponding first mass portion at its base ends.

4. The actuator as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the second connecting portions each having the V-shape form is connected to the corresponding first mass portion at its apex and connected to the second mass portion at its base ends.

5. The actuator as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the V-shape forms of the first elastic connecting portions and the second elastic connecting portions has a symmetrical shape with respect to the central axis for rotation of the first mass portions and the second mass portion.