Abstract
In this paper, a new type of pi+ezoelectric stepping motor is designed, manufactured and tested. This motor is composed of piezoelectric torsional actuator and a pair of one-way clutch bearings. The torsional actuator consists of 16-polygonal tube of piezoceramic that can produce an angular displacement associated with shear mode. One-way clutch bearing converts oscillation of torsional actuator into a continuous stepping rotation. The proposed stepping motor does not require any conversion mechanism for stepping motion like any other motors. In the design process, the shear resonance mode of piezoelectric actuator is analyzed by using a commercial finite element analysis program, and the performance of the fabricated torsional actuator is measured. $0.124^{\circ}$ of maximum angular displacement is measured in square wave excitation on the actuator only. The stepping motor is manufactured by assembling a pair of one-way clutch bearings and the torsional actuator. The maximum rotation speed of 72rpm and the blocking torque of 3.136 mNm are measured at 3540 Hz and 100V/mm. Once the proposed piezoelectric stepping motor is miniaturized, it can be used for many compact and precise moving applications.
