Piezoelectric motor based on synchronized switching control

• The mechanism that a DC motor can be controlled by a SCR using AC voltage efficiently is imitated to realize high efficient mechanical motion control.
• By minimizing the duration of transition state, a piezoelectric motor of high efficiency and low wear are proposed.
• A prototype motor proved the effectiveness of the working principle.

A novel working principle for piezoelectric motors aimed at high force, speed, and efficiency, as well as long service life is proposed in this paper. The principle is based on the synchronized switching control of harmonic vibration, which is derived from a classical electronic device called silicon controlled rectifier. Unlike the sliding friction coupling mechanism of ultrasonic motors and the quasi-static operation strategies of inchworm and impact motors, the new motor overcomes certain critical disadvantages of traditional piezoelectric motors. A linear piezoelectric motor was designed, fabricated and tested. The prototype reached a maximum speed of 8.2 mm/s with a load of 0.5 N, and its maximum load capacity reached up to 5 N. The motor achieved a net efficiency of 18.5% with a load of 2 N.