Abstract
This paper presents the development of a new inchworm actuation system using the shearing deformation of the piezoelectric actuators. In this new actuation system, piezoelectric shearing/expanding actuators, an inertial mass and an advanced preload system are configured innovatively to generate the motion of an inertial mass. There are two modes in the new actuation system: (1) stick mode, and (2) clamp mode. In stick mode, the deformation of the piezoelectric shearing actuators drives an inertial mass by means of the friction force at their contact interface. On the other hand, in clamp mode, the piezoelectric expanding actuators provide the gripping force to an inertial mass and, as a result, eliminate its backward motion following the rapid backward deformation of the piezoelectric shearing actuators. To investigate the feasibility of the proposed new actuation system, the experimental system is built up, and the static performance evaluation and dynamic analysis are conducted. The open-loop performance of the linear motion of the proposed new actuation system is evaluated. In dynamic analysis, the mathematical model for the contact interface is established based on the LuGre friction model and the equivalent parameters are identified.
