The invention relates to an actuating method for an electromechanical element for positioning an element that is to be driven and that is at least temporarily in contact with the electromechanical element, wherein, in a step mode, electrical voltage pulses are applied to the electromechanical element and each voltage pulse has at least two temporal sections, wherein, in one of the temporal sections, a temporal change of the electrical voltage occurs that is slower on average and, in the other temporal section, a temporal change of the electrical voltage occurs that is faster on average, and, at least in one part of the temporal section of the temporal change of the electrical voltage that is slower on average, which part defines a drive time section, by means of static friction between the electromechanical element, expanding or contracting in the drive direction, and the element to be driven, the latter is moved along by the electromechanical element, and at least in one part of the time section of the temporal change of the electrical voltage that is faster on average, which part defines a relative motion time section, a relative movement occurs between the electromechanical element and the element to be driven by sliding friction between the electromechanical element contracting or expanding opposite the drive direction, such that the element to be driven carries out a discrete step in the drive direction with each voltage pulse, and the method furthermore comprises the providing of a controller and of a driver electrically connected thereto. According to the invention, the controller transmits a temporally continuous current to the driver, and the driver outputs a corresponding charge current to the electromechanical element that is electrically connected thereto, wherein the controller continually adapts the temporally continuous current in dependence on the difference between the actual position and the target position of the element to be driven and the driver carries out an electrical separation of the driver from the controller, independently of the controller and in dependence on the voltage applied to the electromechanical element. The invention furthermore relates to a corresponding device for carrying out the method according to the invention.

A stick-slip stage device includes a carriage assembly configured to support a payload, the carriage assembly comprising at least three piezoelectric stick-slip actuators each having one or more contact points. At least two rails are positioned on opposing sides of the carriage assembly and configured to interact with one or more of the contact points to form a guideway for movement of the carriage assembly. A fixed structure connects the at least two rails and is configured to generate a friction force between the at least two rails and one or more of the contact points of the at least three piezoelectric stick-slip actuators. A method of making a stick-slip stage device is also disclosed.

A piezoelectric motor according to one embodiment may include: a vibrating body including an elastic body and a piezoelectric element attached to the elastic body; and a rod coupled to the vibrating body and configured to move on the basis of vibration of the vibrating body. The piezoelectric element may include a first surface and a second surface facing opposite to the first surface of the piezoelectric element and attached to the elastic body. The rod can extend perpendicular to the piezoelectric element. The vibrating body can be configured to generate a bending vibration in the longitudinal direction of the rod on the basis of a voltage applied to the piezoelectric element, and can be configured to define a nodal position during the bending vibration. The elastic body may include a base portion attached to the second surface of the piezoelectric element and a protruding portion protruding from the base portion and formed at a position corresponding to the nodal position of the vibrating body.

An electromechanical drive is provided comprising two units which can be moved relative to each other. By specifying the positioning movement of a unit and eliminating or at least mitigating the influence of a parasitic movement component on the function of the drive, the functionality of the drive can be ensured. This is achieved in that the electromechanical drive comprises a coupling element which has a flat reinforcement body and at least two connection sections which are attached to the reinforcement body in an articulated manner, wherein at least one of the connection sections is coupled to one of the units.

An optical driving mechanism is provided, configured to force an optical element, including a base, a movable portion, and a driving portion. The movable portion is disposed and connected to the base. The movable portion includes a holder configured to sustain the optical element, a magnetic element, and a fixing member. The magnetic element and the fixing member are affixed to the holder, wherein the fixing member has a permeable material. The driving portion is configured to force the movable portion to move relative to the base, wherein the driving portion includes a piezoelectric element and a support member connecting thereto. The piezoelectric element and the support member are disposed on the base and connected to the movable portion. The fixing member makes contact with the support member via a magnetic attraction force between the magnetic element and the fixing member.

A semi-resonant actuator assembly includes a resonating body comprising a piezoelectric plate having a first length, a first width, and a first thickness, and an inactive plate having a second length substantially equal the first length, a second width substantially equal to the first width, and second thickness. A thickness of the resonating body is provided by a sum of the first thickness of the active piezoelectric plate and the second thickness of the inactive plate.

An actuator device comprises an EAP structure which deforms in response to a drive signal applied to the device, a device output being derived from movement of the EAP structure. A delay arrangement is used such that the mechanical output from the device is not generated for a first range or type of applied drive signals, and said device output is generated for a second range or type of applied drive signals. This device is for example particularly suitable for use in a passive matrix system.

A piezoelectric unit includes a piezoelectric element that expands and contracts in a first direction, a drive shaft connected with a first end surface of the piezoelectric element, a weight connected with a second end surface of the piezoelectric element, a protection member covering at least a part of the piezoelectric element, the drive shaft, and the weight, and a movable member engaged with the drive shaft. An inner wall surface of the protection member includes a weight position regulating portion that regulates a position of the weight, an element position regulating portion that regulates a position of the piezoelectric element, and a shaft position regulating portion that regulates a position of the drive shaft. An outer wall surface of the protection member has a movable member regulating portion that prevents the movable member from approaching the piezoelectric element.

A piezoelectric inertia actuator is disclosed herein, which includes an actuator body, a coupling body defining a receiver, a lock body positioned within the receiver, and a piezo body attached to the coupling body. At least one flexible frame configured to support an engaging body may extend from the piezo body. A spring blade configured to apply a preload force to the engaging body via a decoupling preload body may extend from the coupling body. A tension member may be positioned within the lock body and apply a preload force to the piezo body, thereby creating a net compressive stress therein. The piezoelectric inertia actuator may further include a piezo preload body configured to apply a reaction force to the piezo body in order to maintain the compressive stress therein. The preload applied to the piezo body may be substantially decoupled from the preload applied to the engaging body.

A one-dimensional large-stroke precise positioning platform includes a housing, a cross ball guiding rail, piezoelectric ceramic and an elastic member. The cross ball guiding rail includes a mover guiding rail and stator guiding rails. A first and second fixing member is movable in a containing chamber provided in the housing. In the longitudinal direction of the mover guiding rail, one end of the piezoelectric ceramic is abutted against the first fixing member, and the other end against the second fixing member. The mover guiding rail is fixed on the second fixing member, and the elastic member is fixed on the first fixing member. In the width direction of the mover guiding rail, the two sides of the elastic member are abutted against the inner side surfaces of the containing chamber, and the first fixing member is connected with the second fixing member by a flexible member.