Capsule Medical Robot Using Micro Piezoelectric Actuators

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25709017
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Intelligent mechanics/Mechanical systems
• Research Institution: Toyohashi University of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Mashimo Tomoaki 豊橋技術科学大学, エレクトロニクス先端融合研究所, 准教授 (20600654)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: マイクロモータ / 超音波モータ / 圧電アクチュエータ / マイクロロボット

Outline of Final Research Achievements

For the purpose of realizing a capsule medical robot, we build micro ultrasonic motors using new stators with an approximately one cubic millimeter. To evaluate its representative performance values, we built an experimental setup and operated the prototype motor by varying experimental conditions, such as the preload between the stator and rotor and the amplitude of voltages applied to motor. We designed a miniature preload mechanism using a micro coil spring to provide force between the stator and rotor along the radial direction of the rotor. Output torque obtained in experiments is much larger than comparable-sized ultrasonic motors. In addition, the prototype stator is miniaturized to the smallest size, a metallic cube with a side length of 0.5 mm. This proposed ultrasonic motor is the smallest and most powerful and suited for medical applications such as capsule robots.

Free Research Field

アクチュエータ