Work

A Self-Propelled Linear Piezoelectric Micro-Actuator Inspired by the Movement Patterns of Aquatic Beetles

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The locomotion mechanisms and structural characteristics of insects in nature offer new perspectives and solutions for designing miniature actuators. Inspired by the underwater movement of aquatic beetles, this paper presents a bidirectional self-propelled linear piezoelectric micro-actuator (SLPMA), whose maximum size in three dimensions is currently recognized as the smallest known of the self-propelled piezoelectric linear micro-actuators. Through the superposition of two bending vibration modes, the proposed actuator generates an elliptical motion trajectory at its driving feet. The size was determined as 15 mm × 12.8 mm × 5 mm after finite element analysis (FEA) through modal and transient simulations. A mathematical model was established to analyze and validate the feasibility of the proposed design. Finally, a prototype was fabricated, and an experimental platform was constructed to test the driving characteristics of the SLPMA. The experimental results showed that the maximum no-load velocity and maximum carrying load of the prototype in the forward motion were 17.3 mm/s and 14.8 mN, respectively, while those in the backward motion were 20.5 mm/s and 15.9 mN, respectively.

Source: Micromachines

DOI: 10.3390/mi15101197

Authors: Xinjie Wang, Gen Wang

Institution: Nanjing University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Piezoelectric Actuators and Control

Subfield: Control and Systems Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,955

Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China