U.S. patent application number 10/896769 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-21 for actuator device.
This patent application is currently assigned to NGK Insulators, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Akao, Takayoshi, Kimura, Koji, Nanataki, Tsutomu, Shimogawa, Natsumi, Takeuchi, Yukihisa.
Application Number | 20050082946 10/896769 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34525357 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050082946 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takeuchi, Yukihisa ; et
al. |
April 21, 2005 |
Actuator Device
Abstract
An actuator element has a plate member, a
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body disposed in facing, relation to
the plate member, and a beam disposed between the plate member and
the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body and fixing the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body to the plate member. The
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body has a
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer, an upper electrode formed on
a surface of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer which faces
the plate member, and a lower electrode formed on a surface of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer which is opposite to the
surface thereof facing the plate member. When an electric field is
applied to the upper electrode and the lower electrode, a portion
of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body is displaced toward or
away from the plate member.
Inventors: |
Takeuchi, Yukihisa;
(Nishikamo-gun, JP) ; Nanataki, Tsutomu;
(Toyoake-city, JP) ; Kimura, Koji; (Nagoya-city,
JP) ; Shimogawa, Natsumi; (Nagoya-city, JP) ;
Akao, Takayoshi; (Kasugai-city, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BURR & BROWN
PO BOX 7068
SYRACUSE
NY
13261-7068
US
|
Assignee: |
NGK Insulators, Ltd.
Nagoya-City
JP
|
Family ID: |
34525357 |
Appl. No.: |
10/896769 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
310/328 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04R 17/005 20130101;
G02B 26/0858 20130101; H01L 41/0973 20130101; B81B 2201/032
20130101; H04R 2201/003 20130101; H01L 41/0474 20130101; B81B
3/0018 20130101; G02B 26/0841 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
310/328 |
International
Class: |
H01L 041/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 22, 2003 |
JP |
2003-277887 |
Jun 30, 2004 |
JP |
2004-195070 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An actuator element comprising: a plate member; a
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body disposed in facing relation to
said plate member; and a beam disposed between said plate member
and said piezoelectric/electrostrictive body and fixing said
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body to said plate member; said
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body having a
piezoelectric/electrostricti- ve layer, an upper electrode formed
on a surface of said piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer which
faces said plate member, and a lower electrode formed on a surface
of said piezoelectric/electrostrictiv- e layer which is opposite to
the surface thereof facing said plate member; whereby when an
electric field is applied to said upper electrode and said lower
electrode, a portion of said piezoelectric/electrostrictive body is
displaced toward or away from said plate member.
2. An actuator element according to claim 1, wherein said upper
electrode and said lower electrode are formed on a portion of said
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body which corresponds to said
beam.
3. An actuator element according to claim 1, wherein a region
disposed between said plate member and said
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body and divided by said beam serves
as a drive region, and said upper electrode and said lower
electrode are formed on a portion of said
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body which corresponds to said drive
region.
4. An actuator element according to claim 1,.wherein a region
disposed between said plate member and said
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body and divided by said beam serves
as a drive region, and said upper electrode and said lower
electrode are formed on a portion of said
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body which corresponds to said beam
and a portion of said piezoelectric/electrostrictive body which
corresponds to said drive region.
5. An actuator element according to claim 1, wherein said upper
electrode is connected to the surface of said
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer on which said lower electrode
is formed, through a through hole formed in said
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer.
6. An actuator element according to claim 1, wherein said
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body comprises a laminated assembly
of piezoelectric/electrostrictive layers, an upper electrode formed
on a surface of said laminated assembly which faces said plate
member, a lower electrode formed on a surface of said laminated
assembly which is opposite to the surface thereof facing said plate
member, and an intermediate electrode formed in said laminated
assembly between said piezoelectric/electrostrictive layers.
7. An actuator element according to claim 6, wherein said upper
electrode, said intermediate electrode, and said lower electrode
are formed on a portion of said piezoelectric/electrostrictive body
which corresponds to said beam.
8. An actuator element according to claim 6, wherein a region
disposed between said plate member and said
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body and divided by said beam serves
as a drive region, and said upper electrode, said intermediate
electrode, and said lower electrode are formed on a portion of said
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body which corresponds to said drive
region.
9. An actuator element according to claim 6, wherein a region
disposed between said plate member and said
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body and divided by said beam serves
as a drive region, and said upper electrode, said intermediate
region, and said lower electrode are formed on a portion of said
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body which corresponds to said beam
and a portion of said piezoelectric/electrostric- tive body which
corresponds to said drive region.
10. An actuator element according to claim 6, wherein said upper
electrode and said intermediate electrode are connected to the
surface of said laminated assembly on which said lower electrode is
formed, via through holes formed in said laminated assembly.
11. An actuator element according to claim 1, further comprising: a
displacement transmitter for transmitting displacement of said
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body to said plate member in a
region disposed between said plate member and said
piezoelectric/electrostrictiv- e body and divided by said beam.
12. An actuator element according to claim 11, wherein said plate
member comprises a transparent plate into which light is
introduced, further comprising at least a light scattering layer
disposed on said displacement transmitter.
13. An actuator element according to claim 1, further comprising: a
spacer disposed between said plate member and said
piezoelectric/electrostrictiv- e body; wherein said plate member is
held in contact with an upper surface of said spacer and said
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body is held in contact with a lower
surface of said spacer, said beam including said spacer.
14. An actuator element according to claim 1, further comprising: a
spacer disposed between said plate member and said
piezoelectric/electrostrictiv- e body; wherein at least one-layer
film is formed between a lower surface of said spacer and said
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body, said beam including said
spacer and a portion of said film directly beneath said spacer.
15. An actuator element according to claim 1, wherein said beam
includes a buffer layer.
16. A device having an actuator element according to claim 1.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an actuator element for
converting electric energy into mechanical energy (mechanical
displacement, stress, vibration, or the like), such as a display, a
relay, an actuator (an actuator of the type for generating flexural
displacement, for use in a servo displacement device or the like),
or the like, and for converting mechanical energy into electric
energy, such as a sensor (a filter, an acceleration sensor, a shock
sensor, or the like), a transformer, a microphone, a sound
producing member (a speaker or the like), a vibrator, or an
oscillator (for power or communication use), and a device
incorporating such an actuator element.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In recent years, there has been a demand in the optical and
precision machining fields for displacement elements for adjusting
optical path lengths and positions in the order of submicrons and
detection elements for detecting a minute displacement as a change
in an electric signal.
[0005] To meet such a demand, efforts are being made to develop
actuators and sensors (hereinafter referred to as actuator
elements) which utilize a displacement based on an inverse
piezoelectric effect or an electrostrictive effect that occurs when
an electric field is applied to a piezoelectric/electrostrictive
material such as a ferroelectric material or the like, or a reverse
phenomenon.
[0006] In the above fields, the development of actuator elements
which are inexpensive, small in size, operate under low voltages,
and have high-speed response is under way.
[0007] As shown in FIG. 17, a conventional actuator element 200 has
a ceramic substrate 202 and piezoelectric/electrostrictive
operation units 204 formed on the ceramic substrate 202.
[0008] The ceramic substrate 202 has cavities 206 providing
thin-plate portions functioning as vibration plates 208. The
piezoelectric/electrost- rictive operation units 204 are formed on
the vibration plates 208. Each of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive operation units 204 has a lower
electrode 210 directly formed on the vibration plate 208, a
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 212 formed on the lower
electrode 210, and an upper electrode 214 formed on the
piezoelectric/electrostrict- ive layer 212.
[0009] If the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 212 is made of a
piezoelectric material, then when a voltage is applied between the
upper electrode 214 and the lower electrode 210 such that the
voltage has the same positive and negative values as a voltage
applied to polarize the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 212,
the piezoelectric/electrostrict- ive layer 212 is flexurally
displaced toward the cavity 206 due to the lateral effect of an
electric field induced strain (see, for example, Japanese laid-open
patent publication No. 7-202284).
[0010] The above actuator element 200 employs the vibration plates
208. Though the vibration plates 208 are advantageous in that they
can amplify the displacement of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive
layer 212, since the cavities 206 need to be formed in the ceramic
substrate 202, there are limitations on efforts to make the
actuator element 200 lower in profile, lighter in weight, and lower
in cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention has been made in view of the above
problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide an
actuator element which is capable of producing a desired
displacement without the need for a vibration plate, or increasing
the dynamic range of a displacement that can be converted into an
electric signal without the need for a vibration plate, and which
can be lower in profile, lighter in weight, and lower in cost, and
a device incorporating such an actuator element.
[0012] An actuator element according to the present invention has a
plate member, a piezoelectric/electrostrictive body disposed in
facing relation to the plate member, and a beam disposed between
the plate member and the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body and
fixing the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body to the plate member,
the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body having a
piezoelectric/electrostricti- ve layer, an upper electrode formed
on a surface of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer which
faces the plate member, and a lower electrode formed on a surface
of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer which is opposite to
the surface thereof facing the plate member, whereby when an
electric field is applied to the upper electrode and the lower
electrode, a portion of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body is
displaced toward or away from the plate member.
[0013] Since the actuator element does not use vibration plates, it
does not need to have a ceramic substrate or the like, making
itself lower in profile, lighter in weight, and lower in cost.
[0014] Though an electric field is applied to the upper electrode
and the lower electrode to displace a portion of the
piezoelectric/electrostricti- ve body toward and away from the
plate member as described above, the actuator element may
alternatively be used as a sensor for producing an electric signal
from the upper electrode and the lower electrode by displacing a
portion of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body toward and away
from the plate member.
[0015] If a region disposed between the plate member and the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body and divided by the beam serves
as a drive region, then the upper electrode and the lower electrode
may be formed on a portion of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive
body which corresponds to the beam. When an electric field is
applied to the upper electrode and the lower electrode, a portion
of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body which corresponds to the
drive region is displaced away from the plate member, for
example.
[0016] The upper electrode and the lower electrode may be formed on
a portion of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body which
corresponds to the drive region. When an electric field is applied
to the upper electrode and the lower electrode, the portion of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body which corresponds to the drive
region is displaced toward the plate member, for example.
[0017] The upper electrode and the lower electrode may be formed on
a portion of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body which
corresponds to the beam and a portion of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body which corresponds to the drive
region. When an electric field is applied to the upper electrode
and the lower electrode which are formed on the portion
corresponding to the beam, the portion of the
piezoelectric/electrostrict- ive body which corresponds to the
drive region is displaced away from the plate member, for example.
When an electric field is applied to the upper electrode and the
lower electrode which are formed on the portion corresponding to
the drive region, the portion of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive
body which corresponds to the drive region is displaced toward the
plate member, for example.
[0018] The upper electrode may be connected to the surface of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer on which the lower electrode
is formed, through a through hole formed in the
piezoelectric/electrostricti- ve layer. In this case, the actuator
element can easily be wired to a drive circuit.
[0019] According to the present invention, the
piezoelectric/electrostrict- ive body may comprise a laminated
assembly of piezoelectric/electrostricti- ve layers, an upper
electrode formed on a surface of the laminated assembly which faces
the plate member, a lower electrode formed on a surface of the
laminated assembly which is opposite to the surface thereof facing
the plate member, and an intermediate electrode formed in the
laminated assembly between the piezoelectric/electrostrictive
layers.
[0020] In this case, the actuator element is capable of achieving a
parallel-type drive mode to obtain a desired displacement without
using vibration plates, or of increasing the dynamic range of a
displacement that can be converted into an electric signal without
the need for a vibration plate. The actuator element can be lower
in profile, lighter in weight, and lower in cost.
[0021] The upper electrode, the intermediate electrode, and the
lower electrode may be formed on a portion of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictiv- e body which corresponds to the beam
or a portion of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body which
corresponds to the drive region. Alternatively, the upper
electrode, the intermediate electrode, and the lower electrode may
be formed on a portion of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body
which corresponds to the beam and a portion of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body which corresponds to the drive
region.
[0022] The upper electrode and the intermediate electrode may be
connected to the surface of the laminated assembly on which the
lower electrode is formed, via through holes formed in the
laminated assembly. In this case, the upper electrode and the
intermediate electrode formed on the laminated assembly can easily
be connected (signals can easily be supplied), and can easily be
wired to a drive circuit.
[0023] According to the present invention, the actuator element may
further include a displacement transmitter for transmitting
displacement of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body to the
plate member in a drive region disposed between the plate member
and the piezoelectric/electrostr- ictive body and divided by the
beam. Inasmuch as the displacement transmitter is disposed in the
region surrounded by the beam, the thickness of the actuator
element itself is not increased by the displacement transmitter.
Therefore, the thickness of the actuator element solely depends on
the thickness of the beam. This makes the actuator element lower in
profile.
[0024] With the above arrangement, if the plate member comprises a
transparent plate into which light is introduced, then at least a
light scattering layer may be disposed on the displacement
transmitter. In a certain drive region, displacement of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body is transmitted to the
transparent plate by the displacement transmitter. When the light
scattering layer is brought into contact with the transparent
plate, for example, light is emitted from the drive region. If one
drive region is constructed as one pixel or a plurality of drive
regions are constructed as one pixel, then the actuator element can
easily be applied to a display device.
[0025] With the above arrangement, a spacer may be disposed between
the plate member and the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body, and
in the case where the plate member is held in contact with an upper
surface of the spacer and the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body
is held in contact with a lower surface of the spacer, the beam may
include the spacer. Thus, the spacer itself functions as the
beam.
[0026] With the above arrangement, a spacer may be disposed between
the plate member and the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body, and
in the case where at least one-layer film is formed between a lower
surface of the spacer and the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body,
the beam may include the spacer and a portion of the film directly
beneath the spacer.
[0027] If the displacement transmitter is formed on the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body with the upper electrode formed
thereon, at least one film (e.g., the light scattering layer) is
formed on the entire surface including the displacement
transmitter, the spacer is formed in a given location on the film,
and the plate member is disposed on the spacer, then the spacer and
a portion directly beneath the spacer often tend to be hard under
pressing forces. Therefore, the portion of the film directly
beneath the spacer functions as the beam in coaction with the
spacer.
[0028] With the above arrangement, the beam may include a buffer
layer. If the spacer is made of a hard material, and the above film
is formed on the lower surface of the spacer, stresses tend to
concentrate on a portion of the film (a boundary between itself and
the spacer), causing the film to be broken due to repeated
displacement of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body. This
drawback can be avoided by including a buffer layer in the
beam.
[0029] A device using the actuator element according to the present
invention as described above may be a device for converting
electric energy into mechanical energy (mechanical displacement,
stress, vibration, or the like), such as a display, a relay, an
actuator (an actuator of the type for generating flexural
displacement, for use in a servo displacement device or the like),
or the like, or a device for converting mechanical energy into
electric energy, such as a sensor (a filter, an acceleration
sensor, a shock sensor, or the like), a transformer, a microphone,
a sound producing member (a speaker or the like), a vibrator, or an
oscillator (for power or communication use).
[0030] As described above, the actuator element and the device
employing the actuator element according to the present invention
are capable of obtaining a desired displacement without using
vibration plates, or of increasing the dynamic range of a
displacement that can be converted into an electric signal without
the need-for a vibration plate. The actuator element and the device
employing the actuator element can be lower in profile, lighter in
weight, and lower in cost.
[0031] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent from the following
description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view, partly omitted from
illustration, of an actuator element according to a first
embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, partly omitted from
illustration, showing another example of displacement
transmitters;
[0034] FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of the layout of spacers
constituting beams, as viewed from the back of a plate member;
[0035] FIG. 4 is a view showing another example of the layout of
spacers constituting beams, as viewed from the back of a plate
member;
[0036] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an example of an
interconnected pattern of an upper electrode and a lower
electrode;
[0037] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, partly omitted from
illustration, showing an example in which a plurality of actuator
units are provided in association with one beam, according to the
first embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view, partly omitted from
illustration, showing a first modification of the actuator element
according to the first embodiment;
[0039] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view, partly omitted from
illustration, showing an example in which a plurality of actuator
units are provided in association with one drive region, in the
first modification according to the first embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view, partly omitted from
illustration, showing a second modification of the actuator element
according to the first embodiment;
[0041] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view, partly omitted from
illustration, of an actuator element according to a second
embodiment;
[0042] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an example of an
interconnected pattern of an upper electrode, an intermediate
electrode, and a lower electrode;
[0043] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view, partly omitted from
illustration, showing an example in which a plurality of actuator
units are provided in association with one beam, according to the
second embodiment;
[0044] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view, partly omitted from
illustration, showing a first modification of the actuator element
according to the second embodiment;
[0045] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view, partly omitted from
illustration, showing an example in which a plurality of actuator
units are provided in association with one drive region, in the
first modification according to the second embodiment;
[0046] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view, partly omitted from
illustration, showing a second modification of the actuator element
according to the second embodiment;
[0047] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view, partly omitted from
illustration, of a display apparatus according to an embodiment;
and
[0048] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view, partly omitted from
illustration, of a conventional actuator element.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0049] Embodiments of actuator elements and a device incorporating
an actuator element according to the present invention will be
described below with reference to FIGS. 1 through 16.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, an actuator element 10A according to a
first embodiment has a plate member 12, a
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 disposed in facing relation
to the plate member 12, and beams 16 disposed between the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 and the plate member 12 and
fixing the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 to the plate
member 12. Each beam 16 includes a spacer 18.
[0051] The spacers 18 may be a plurality of spacers 18a arranged in
a grid pattern, as shown in FIG. 3, or may be a unitary spacer 18b
shaped as a grid, as shown in FIG. 4.
[0052] If regions divided by the spacers 18a or the spacer 18b
between the plate member 12 and the piezoelectric/electrostrictive
body 14 serve as drive regions 20, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, then
the actuator element 10A according to the first embodiment has
displacement transmitters 24 formed on the upper surface of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 in association with the
respective drive regions 20, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0053] Each of the displacement transmitters 24 may have a
peripheral portion slanted gradually (the displacement transmitter
24 has a trapezoidal cross section), as shown in FIG. 1, or may
have a peripheral portion slanted sharply (the displacement
transmitter 24 has a rectangular cross section), as shown in FIG.
2.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 6, a joining layer 22 may be formed on the
entire upper surface of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14,
and the displacement transmitters 24 may be formed on the upper
surface of the joining layer 22 in association with the respective
drive regions 20. In this case, each spacer 18 has an upper surface
held in contact with the plate member 12 and a lower surface held
in contact with the joining layer 22. Therefore, each beam 16
includes the spacer 18 disposed between the plate member 12 and the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14, and a part of the joining
layer 22 that is present directly beneath the spacer 18. With the
joining layer 22 being formed, when the actuator element 10A is
fabricated, the spacers 18 and the displacement transmitters 24 can
simultaneously be bonded to the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body
14. Therefore, the process can be simplified.
[0055] The piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 has a single
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26, upper electrodes 28 formed
on the upper surface (the surface facing the plate member 12) of
the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26, and lower electrodes
30 formed on the lower surface (the surface opposite to the surface
facing the plate member 12) of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive
layer 26. The upper electrodes 28 are formed in positions on the
upper surface of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26 which
correspond to the beams 16, and the lower electrodes 30 are formed
in positions on the lower surface of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26 which correspond to the
beams 16. In the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 of this
embodiment, one upper electrode 28, one lower electrode 30, and a
portion of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26 that is
sandwiched between these upper and lower electrodes 28, 30 function
as one actuator unit 32.
[0056] According to an interconnected pattern of the upper
electrode 28 and the lower electrode 30, as shown in FIG. 5, for
example, a terminal 34 for the upper electrode 28 is formed on the
lower surface of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26
separately from the lower electrode 30, and the upper electrode 28
and the terminal 34 are electrically connected to each other
through a through hole 36 that is formed in the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26. In FIG. 5, the lower
electrode 30 doubles as a terminal. Alternatively, this terminal
(the terminal for the lower electrode 30) may be formed on the same
surface at a position separate from the lower electrode 30.
[0057] A driving process for the actuator element 10A according to
the first embodiment will be described below.
[0058] When the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 is in a
natural state, the upper end faces of the displacement transmitters
24 are held in contact with the lower surface of the plate member
12.
[0059] When a drive voltage of positive polarity (e.g., a voltage
of +25 V, for example, with respect to the lower electrodes 30) is
applied between the upper electrodes 28 and the lower electrodes 30
of the actuator units 32 that are formed around a certain drive
region 20 (e.g., the right drive region 20 in FIG. 1), the
peripheral portion of the drive region 20 tends to be flexurally
displaced so as to be convex toward the plate member 12. However,
since the flexural displacement is suppressed by the spacers 18 and
the plate member 12, the energy produced at this time is
transmitted to the portion of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive
body 14 which corresponds to the drive region 20. Therefore, as
shown in FIG. 1, that portion of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive
body 14 is flexurally displaced so as to be convex downwardly,
causing the upper end face of the displacement transmitter 24 in
the drive region 20 to be spaced from the plate member 12.
[0060] When the application of the above drive voltage is stopped,
the portion of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 which
corresponds to the drive region 20 is displaced back to its
original state, allowing the upper end face of the displacement
transmitter 24 to contact the plate member 12 again.
[0061] According to the above driving process, a drive voltage of
positive polarity is applied between the upper electrodes 28 and
the lower electrodes 30 that sandwich the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26 to space the upper end face
of the displacement transmitter 24 from the plate member 12.
Alternatively, a drive voltage of opposite polarity (e.g., a
voltage of -25 V, for example, with respect to the lower electrodes
30) may be applied between the upper electrodes 28 and the lower
electrodes 30, or the direction of polarization of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26 or the voltage value may be
varied. In this case, the portion of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 which corresponds to the
drive region 20 is displaced so as to be convex toward the plate
member 12, causing the upper end face of the displacement
transmitter 24 to strongly press the lower surface of the plate
member 12. With a structure in which the plate member 12 and the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 are spaced from each other
by the spacer 18 in advance, the displacement transmitter 24 may be
driven into and out of contact with the plate member 12.
[0062] Preferred constituent materials of the various components
will be described below. The plate member 12 may be made of a
metal, ceramics, glass, or an organic resin, but is not limited to
any particular materials insofar as they are capable of the
functions thereof as described above. For example, SUS304 (Young's
modulus: 193 GPa, coefficient of linear expansion:
17.3.times.10.sup.-6/.degree. C.), SUS403 (Young's modulus: 200
GPa, coefficient of linear expansion: 10.4.times.10.sup.-6/.degree.
C.), zirconium oxide (Young's modulus: 245.2 GPa, coefficient of
linear expansion: 9.2.times.10.sup.-6/.degree. C.), glass (e.g.,
Corning 0211, Young's modulus: 74.4 GPa, coefficient of linear
expansion: 7.38.times.10.sup.-6/.degree. C.), and acrylic sheet are
preferably used.
[0063] The spacers 18 should preferably be made of a material which
is not deformable with heat and pressure, e.g., thermosetting rein
such as epoxy resin or the like, light curing resin, moisture
curing resin, cold-setting resin, or the like which is set. The
spacers 18 may be made of metal, glass, or ceramic.
[0064] A filler may be contained in the spacers 18. Each spacer 18
with a filler contained therein has higher hardness and greater
heat resistance, strength, and dimensional stability than a spacer
with no filler contained therein. Stated otherwise, the hardness,
heat resistance, and strength of the set resin can be increased and
the amount by which it thermally expands and shrinks can be greatly
reduced by including a filler in each spacer 18.
[0065] The upper electrodes 28, the lower electrodes 30, and the
terminals 34 are made of a metal such as aluminum, titanium,
chromium, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, niobium, molybdenum,
ruthenium, palladium, rhodium, silver, tin, tantalum, tungsten,
iridium, platinum, gold, lead, or the like, or an alloy of at least
two of these metals. Alternatively, the upper electrodes 28, the
lower electrodes 30, and the terminals 34 may be made of a
composite of the above metal or alloy and metal oxide such as
aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, cerium oxide,
copper oxide, or the like, or made of an electrically conductive
material such as a cermet containing the metal or alloy in which
the same material as the material of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26 to be described below is
dispersed.
[0066] The upper electrodes 28, the lower electrodes 30, and the
terminals 34 may be formed on the piezoelectric/electrostrictive
layer 26 by a film forming process such as photolithography, screen
printing, dipping, coating, electrophoresis, ion beam process,
sputtering, vacuum evaporation, ion plating, chemical vapor
deposition (CVD), plating, etc.
[0067] Preferred examples of constituent materials of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26 include lead zirconate,
lead manganese tungstate, bismuth sodium titanate, bismuth ferrate,
sodium potassium niobate, bismuth strontium tantalate, lead
magnesium niobate, lead nickel niobate, lead zinc niobate, lead
manganese niobate, lead magnesium tantalate, lead nickel tantalate,
lead antimony stannate, lead titanate, barium titanate, barium
copper tungstate, lead magnesium tungstate, lead cobalt niobate, or
a composite oxide comprising at least two of the above compounds.
These piezoelectric/electrostrictive materials may contain a solid
solution of an oxide of lanthanum, calcium, strontium, molybdenum,
tungsten, barium, niobium, zinc, nickel, manganese, cerium,
cadmium, chromium, cobalt, antimony, iron, yttrium, tantalum,
lithium, bismuth, tin, copper, etc.
[0068] The piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26 may be made of a
composite piezoelectric material/composite material comprising a
mixture of piezoelectric ceramic powder, piezoelectric ceramic
fiber, and an organic material. Alternatively, the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26 may be made of
piezoelectric high polymer film (polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) or
the like such as unoriented P (VDF-TrFE) copolymer film, uniaxially
oriented P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer film, or the like). Further
alternatively, the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26 may be
made of piezoelectric single crystal (e.g., quartz crystal,
LiNbO.sub.3, LiTaO.sub.3, KNbO.sub.3, or the like), or
piezoelectric thin film (e.g., ZnO, AlN, or the like).
[0069] An antiferroelectric layer may be used in place of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26. In this case, lead
zirconate, a composite oxide of lead zirconate and lead stannate,
or a composite oxide of lead zirconate, lead stannate, and lead
niobate may be used. These antiferroelectric materials may contain
a solid solution of the above elements.
[0070] A material produced by adding lithium bismuthate, lead
germanate, or the like to the above material, e.g., a material
produced by adding lithium bismuthate or lead germanate to a
composite oxide of lead zirconate, lead titanate, and lead
magnesium niobate, is preferable because it allows the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26 to be fired at a low
temperature and achieve high material characteristics. The
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26 can also be fired at a low
temperature by adding glass (e.g., silicate glass, borate glass,
phosphate glass, germanate glass, or a mixture thereof). However,
since excessively adding the glass would invite deterioration of
material characteristics, it is desirable to determine an amount of
glass to be added depending on the required characteristics.
[0071] Each displacement transmitter 24 may comprise an adhesive
which may be a filler-containing adhesive. Each displacement
transmitter 24 is not limited to any material, but may preferably
be made of thermoplastic resin, thermosetting rein, light curing
resin, moisture curing resin, cold-setting resin, or the like.
[0072] Specifically, acrylic resin, modified acrylic resin, epoxy
resin, modified epoxy rein, silicone resin, modified silicone
resin, vinyl acetate resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin,
vinyl butyral resin, cyanoacrylate resin, urethane rein, polyimide
resin, methacrylic resin, modified methacrylic resin, polyolefin
resin, special silicone modified polymer, polycarbonate resin,
natural rubber, synthetic rubber, etc. are given by way of
example.
[0073] Particularly, vinyl butyral resin, acrylic resin, modified
acrylic resin, epoxy resin, modified epoxy resin, or a mixture of
two or more of these resins is preferable for their excellent
bonding strength. Among others, epoxy resin, modified epoxy resin,
or a mixture thereof is preferable.
[0074] Preferred materials and structures of the displacement
transmitters 24 and a light scattering layer 108 (see FIG. 16), to
be described later, are as follows: For keeping constant a natural
state (a position when not driven) of a portion of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 which corresponds to the
drive region 20 due to driving operation of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14, the displacement
transmitters 24 and the light scattering layer 108, to be described
later, should preferably be of a material of reduced plastic
deformation (should preferably be of a material having a high yield
point). The thicknesses of the displacement transmitters 24 and the
light scattering layer 108 should preferably be small.
Specifically, the thickness of each of the displacement
transmitters 24 and the light scattering layer 108 should
preferably be 300 .mu.m or less, or more preferably be 50 .mu.m or
less, or much more preferably be 10 .mu.m or less.
[0075] The reasons are as follows: Upon driving operation of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 to move a portion of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 which corresponds to the
drive region 20 toward and away from the plate member 12, forces
are applied to the displacement transmitter 24 and the light
scattering layer 108 (see FIG. 16) to cause them to extend and
shrink. If forces in excess of the yield point are applied to the
displacement transmitter 24 and the light scattering layer 108,
then they are subjected to plastic deformation, and remain in an
extended or shrunk shape. In this case, the portion of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 which corresponds to the
drive region 20 tends to be in different positions in the natural
state before and after the driving operation under the influence of
the displacement transmitter 14 and the light scattering layer 108
which are extended or shrunk.
[0076] Since the actuator element 10A according to the first
embodiment does not use vibration plates, it does not need to have
a ceramic substrate or the like, making itself lower in profile,
lighter in weight, and lower in cost. Particularly, because the
piezoelectric/electrostricti- ve layer 26 included in the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 is of a one-layer structure,
the fabrication process can be simplified, and the actuator element
can be lower in cost and profile.
[0077] In the above example, one actuator unit 32 is provided in
association with one beam 16. However, as shown in FIG. 6, a
plurality of actuator units 32 may be provided in association with
one beam 16. In this case, even if one or two actuator units 32 are
defective due to manufacturing variations, since the displacement
can be compensated for by the other actuator units 32, the yield of
the actuator element 10A can be increased.
[0078] As shown in FIG. 5, as each upper electrode 28 is connected
to the lower surface of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26
through the through hole 36 formed in the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26, the upper electrodes 28
can easily be wired to a drive circuit (not shown).
[0079] The upper electrodes 28 may be turned into a common
structure or the lower electrodes 30 may be turned into a common
structure. Turning the upper electrodes 28 into a common structure
includes electrically connecting upper electrodes 28 or forming one
upper electrode 28 on the entire upper surface of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26. Turning the lower
electrodes 30 into a common structure includes electrically
connecting lower electrodes 30 or forming one lower electrode 30 on
the entire lower surface of the piezoelectric/electrostri- ctive
layer 26.
[0080] By turning the upper electrodes 28 into a common structure
or turning the lower electrodes 30 into a common structure, the
fabrication process can be simplified, and the wiring can be
facilitated. The waveform of the drive voltage can also be
simplified, and the drive circuit system can be simplified. Turning
the upper electrodes 28 into a common structure is more preferable
than turning the lower electrodes 30 into a common structure.
[0081] It has been illustrated to apply an electric field to the
upper electrodes 28 and the lower electrodes 30 to displace the
displacement transmitter 24 toward and away from the plate member
12. The actuator element may alternatively be used as a sensor for
producing an electric signal from the upper electrodes 28 and the
lower electrodes 30 by displacing the displacement transmitter 24
toward and away from the plate member 12.
[0082] Some modifications of the actuator element 10A according to
the first embodiment will be described below with reference to
FIGS. 7 through 9. Those parts which correspond to those shown in
FIG. 1 are denoted by identical reference characters, and will not
be described overlappingly.
[0083] As shown in FIG. 7, an actuator element 10Aa according to a
first modification differs in that it has upper electrodes 28 and
lower electrodes 30 which are formed on portions of the
piezoelectric/electrost- rictive body 14 which correspond to the
drive regions 20.
[0084] An example of a driving process for the actuator element
will be described below. While the piezoelectric/electrostrictive
body 14 is in a natural state, each upper end face of the
displacement transmitters 24 is spaced from the lower surface of
the plate member 12.
[0085] When a drive voltage of positive polarity (e.g., a voltage
of +25 V, for example, with respect to the lower electrode 30) is
applied between the upper electrode 28 and the lower electrode 30
of the actuator unit 32 that corresponds to a certain drive region
20 (e.g., the right drive region 20 in FIG. 7), the actuator unit
32 that corresponds to the drive region 20 is flexurally displaced
so as to be convex upwardly, as shown in FIG. 7. The driving
displacement is transmitted to the displacement transmitter 24,
causing the upper end face of the displacement transmitter 24 to
contact the plate member 12.
[0086] When the application of the above drive voltage is stopped,
the actuator unit 32 of the drive region 20 is displaced back to
its original state, allowing the upper end face of the displacement
transmitter 24 to be spaced from the plate member 12 again.
[0087] According to the above driving process, a drive voltage of
positive polarity is applied between the upper electrode 28 and the
lower electrode 30 that sandwich the piezoelectric/electrostrictive
layer 26 to bring the upper end face of the displacement
transmitter 24 into contact with the lower surface of the plate
member 12. Alternatively, a drive voltage of opposite polarity
(e.g., a voltage of -25 V, for example, with respect to the lower
electrode 30) may be applied between the upper electrode 28 and the
lower electrode 30, or the direction of polarization of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26 or the voltage value may be
varied. In this case, the portion of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictiv- e body 14 which corresponds to the
drive region 20 is flexurally displaced so as to be convex
downwardly. With a structure in which the upper end face of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 is kept in contact with the
lower surface of the plate member 12 in advance, the displacement
transmitter 24 may be driven into and out of contact with the plate
member 12.
[0088] According to the first modification, as shown in FIG. 8, a
plurality of actuator units 32 may be provided in association with
one drive region 20. The upper electrodes 28 may be turned into a
common structure or the lower electrodes 30 may be turned into a
common structure.
[0089] As shown in FIG. 9, an actuator element 10Ab according to a
second modification differs in that it has upper electrodes 28 and
lower electrodes 30 which are formed on portions of the
piezoelectric/electrost- rictive body 14 which correspond to the
beams 16 and portions of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14
which correspond to the drive regions 20.
[0090] For bringing the upper end face of the displacement
transmitter 24 into contact with the lower surface of the plate
member 12, no drive voltage is applied between the upper electrodes
28 and lower electrodes 30 which are formed on each portion
corresponding to the beams 16, but a drive voltage of positive
polarity (e.g., a voltage of +25 V, for example, with respect to
the lower electrode 30) may be applied between the upper electrode
28 and the lower electrode 30 which are formed on a portion
corresponding to the drive region 20.
[0091] Conversely, for spacing the upper end face of the
displacement transmitter 24 from the lower surface of the plate
member 12, no drive voltage is applied between the upper electrode
28 and lower electrode 30 which are formed on the portion
corresponding to the drive region 20, but a drive voltage of
positive polarity may be applied between the upper electrodes 28
and the lower electrodes 30 which are formed on each portion
corresponding to the beams 16.
[0092] According to the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), when the
application of the drive voltage is stopped, the displacement
transmitter 24 is brought into contact with the plate member 12
only under repelling forces from the piezoelectric/electrostrictive
body 14, the displacement transmitter 24, etc. According to the
second modification, since the drive force of the actuator unit 32
on the portion corresponding to the drive region 20 can also be
used, the upper end face of the displacement transmitter 24 can
reliably be brought into contact with the lower surface of the
plate member 12.
[0093] In the second modification, the upper electrodes 28 may be
turned into a common structure or the lower electrodes 30 may be
turned into a common structure. Turning the upper electrodes 28
into a common structure includes electrically connecting upper
electrodes 28 formed on portions corresponding to the beams 16 or
electrically connecting upper electrodes 28 formed on portions
corresponding to the drive regions 20, or forming one upper
electrode 28 on the entire upper surface of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26. Turning the lower
electrodes 30 into a common structure includes electrically
connecting lower electrodes 30 formed on portions corresponding to
the beams 16, electrically connecting lower electrodes 30 formed on
portions corresponding to the drive regions 20, or forming one
lower electrode 30 on the entire upper surface of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26.
[0094] As with FIGS. 6 and 8, a plurality of actuator units 32 may
be provided in association with one beam 16, or a plurality of
actuator units 32 may be provided in association with one drive
region 20.
[0095] An actuator element 10B according to a second embodiment
will be described below with reference to FIG. 10.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 10, the actuator element 10B according to
the second embodiment is closely similar to the actuator element
10A according to the first embodiment, but differs therefrom in
that the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 has a laminated
assembly 40 of two piezoelectric/electrostrictive layers (first and
second piezoelectric/electrostrictive layers 26A, 26B), upper
electrodes 28 formed on the upper surface (the surface facing the
plate member 12) of the laminated assembly 40, lower electrodes 30
formed on the lower surface (the surface opposite to the surface
facing the plate member 12) of the laminated assembly 40, and
intermediate electrodes 42 formed between the first and second
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layers 26A, 26B.
[0097] In the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 of this
embodiment, one upper electrode 28, one intermediate electrode 42,
one lower electrode 30, and a portion of each of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layers 26A, 26B that is sandwiched
between these upper, intermediate, and lower electrodes 28, 42, 30
function as one actuator unit 32. The intermediate electrodes 42
may be made of the same material as the material of the upper
electrodes 28 and the lower electrodes 30 as described above.
[0098] According to an interconnected pattern of the upper
electrode 28, the intermediate electrode 42, and the lower
electrode 30, as shown in FIG. 11, for example, a terminal 44 for
the upper electrode 28 and a terminal 46 for the intermediate
electrode 42 are formed on the lower surface of the second
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26B separately from the lower
electrode 30, and a relay electrode 48 for the upper electrode 28
is formed between the first piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer
26A and the second piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26B. The
upper electrode 28 and the relay electrode 48 are electrically
connected to each other through a through hole 50 that is formed in
the first piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26A. The relay
electrode 48 and the terminal 44 are electrically connected to each
other through a through hole 52 that is formed in the second
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26B. The intermediate
electrode 42 and the terminal 46 are electrically connected to each
other through a through hole 54 that is formed in the second
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26B. In FIG. 11, the lower
electrode 30 doubles as a terminal. Alternatively, this terminal
(the terminal for the lower electrode 30) may be formed on the same
surface at a position separate from the lower electrode 30.
[0099] A driving process for the actuator element 10B according to
the second embodiment will be described below.
[0100] When the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 is in a
natural state, the upper end faces of the displacement transmitters
24 are held in contact with the lower surface of the plate member
12.
[0101] A drive voltage of positive polarity (e.g., a voltage of +25
V, for example, with respect to the intermediate electrodes 42) is
applied between the upper electrodes 28 and the intermediate
electrodes 42 of the actuator units 32 that are formed around a
certain drive region 20 (e.g., the right drive region 20 in FIG.
10), and a drive voltage of positive polarity (e.g., a voltage of
+25 V, for example, with respect to the intermediate electrodes 42)
is applied between the lower electrodes 30 and the intermediate
electrodes 42. The peripheral portion of the drive region 20 tends
to be flexurally displaced so as to be convex toward the plate
member 12. However, since the flexural displacement is suppressed
by the spacers 18 and the plate member 12, the energy produced at
this time is transmitted to the portion of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 which corresponds to the
drive region 20. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, that portion of
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 is flexurally displaced so
as to be convex downwardly, causing the upper end face of the
displacement transmitter 24 in the drive region 20 to be spaced
from the plate member 12.
[0102] When the application of the above drive voltage is stopped,
the portion of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 which
corresponds to the drive region 20 is displaced back to its
original state, allowing the upper end face of the displacement
transmitter 24 to contact the plate member 12 again.
[0103] According to the above driving process, a drive voltage of
positive polarity is applied between the upper electrodes 28 and
the intermediate electrodes 42 that sandwich the first
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26A and also between the lower
electrodes 30 and the intermediate electrodes 42 that sandwich the
second piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26B to space the upper
end face of the displacement transmitter 24 from the plate member
12 (first driving process). Alternatively, a drive voltage of
positive polarity may be applied only between the upper electrodes
28 and the intermediate electrodes 42 that sandwich the first
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26A (second driving process),
or a drive voltage of positive polarity may be applied only between
the lower electrodes 30 and the intermediate electrodes 42 that
sandwich the second piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26B (third
driving process). Though the first through third driving processes
perform similar operations, the displacement produced by the first
driving process is the greatest, the displacement produced by the
third driving process is the second greatest, and the displacement
produced by the second driving process is the smallest, if the
drive voltage is the same. Therefore, the actuator element can be
driven at a low voltage if the first driving process or the third
driving process is employed.
[0104] Alternatively, a drive voltage of opposite polarity (e.g., a
voltage of -25 V, for example, with respect to the intermediate
electrodes 42) may be applied between the upper electrodes 28 and
the intermediate electrodes 42 and/or between,the lower electrodes
30 and the intermediate electrodes 42, or the direction of
polarization of the first and second piezoelectric/electrostrictive
layers 26A, 26B or the voltage value may be varied. In this case,
the portion of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 which
corresponds to the drive region 20 is flexurally displaced so as to
be convex toward the plate member 12, causing the upper end face of
the displacement transmitter 24 to strongly press the lower surface
of the plate member 12.
[0105] The actuator element 10B according to the second embodiment
as described above is capable of achieving a parallel-type drive
mode to obtain a desired displacement without using vibration
plates, and can be made lower in profile, lighter in weight, and
lower in cost. Particularly, because the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layers included in the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 are of a dual-layer
structure (the first and second piezoelectric/electrostrictive
layers 26A, 26B), each of the first and second
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layers 26A, 26B can be thinned, with
the results that a high electric field can be applied under a low
voltage for producing a large driving force and displacement.
[0106] As shown in FIG. 11, as each upper electrode 28 and each
intermediate electrode 42 are connected to the lower surface of the
laminated assembly 40 through the through holes 50, 52, 54 formed
in the laminated assembly 40, the upper electrodes 28 and the
intermediate electrodes 42 formed on the laminated assembly 40 can
easily be connected (signals can easily be supplied), and can
easily be wired to a drive circuit (not shown).
[0107] The intermediate electrodes 42 may be turned into a common
structure. Turning the intermediate electrodes 42 into a common
structure includes electrically connecting intermediate electrodes
42 or forming one intermediate electrode 42 on the entire upper
surface of the second piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26B. By
turning the intermediate electrodes 42 into a common structure, the
fabrication process can be simplified, and the wiring can be
facilitated. The waveform of the drive voltage can also be
simplified, and the drive circuit system can be simplified.
[0108] The actuator element 10B according to the second embodiment
can employ a structure in which a plurality of actuator units 32
are provided in association with one beam 16, as shown in FIG.
12.
[0109] Some modifications of the actuator element 10B according to
the second embodiment will be described below with reference to
FIGS. 13 and 14. Those parts which correspond to those shown in
FIG. 10 are denoted by identical reference characters, and will not
be described overlappingly.
[0110] As shown in FIG. 13, an actuator element 10Ba according to a
first modification differs in that it has upper electrodes 28,
intermediate electrodes 42, and lower electrodes 30 which are
formed on portions of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14
which correspond to the drive regions 20.
[0111] An example of a driving process will be described below.
While the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body,14 is in a natural
state, each upper end face of the displacement transmitters 24 is
spaced from the lower surface of the plate member 12.
[0112] A drive voltage of positive polarity is applied between the
upper electrode 28 and the intermediate electrode 42 of the
actuator unit 32 that corresponds to a certain drive region 20
(e.g., the right drive region 20 in FIG. 13), and a drive voltage
of positive polarity is applied between the lower electrode 30 and
the intermediate electrode 42. The portion of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 which corresponds to the
drive region 20 is flexurally displaced so as to be convex toward
the plate member 12. The displacement is transmitted to the
displacement transmitter 24, and the upper end face of the
displacement transmitter 24 is brought into contact with the lower
surface of the plate member 12, as shown in FIG. 13.
[0113] When the application of the above drive voltage is stopped,
the actuator unit 32 of the drive region 20 is displaced back to
its original state, spacing the upper end face of the displacement
transmitter 24 from the plate member 12.
[0114] According to the above driving process, a drive voltage of
positive polarity is applied between the upper electrode 28 and the
intermediate electrode 42 that sandwich the first
piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26A and also between the lower
electrode 30 and the intermediate electrode 42 that sandwich the
second piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26B to bring the upper
end face of the displacement transmitter 24 into contact with the
plate member 12 (fourth driving process). Alternatively, a drive
voltage of positive polarity may be applied only between the upper
electrode 28 and the intermediate electrode 42 that sandwich the
first piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 26A (fifth driving
process), or a drive voltage of positive polarity may be applied
only between the lower electrode 30 and the intermediate electrode
42 that sandwich the second piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer
26B (sixth driving process). Though the fourth through sixth
driving processes perform similar displacing operations, the
displacement produced by the fourth driving process is the
greatest, the displacement produced by the sixth driving process is
the second greatest, and the displacement produced by the fifth
driving process is the smallest, if the drive voltage is the same.
Therefore, the actuator element can be driven at a low voltage if
the fourth driving process or the sixth driving process is
employed.
[0115] Alternatively, a drive voltage of opposite polarity (e.g., a
voltage of -25 V, for example, with respect to the intermediate
electrode 42) may be applied between the upper electrode 28 and the
intermediate electrode 42 and/or between the lower electrode 30 and
the intermediate electrode 42, or the direction of polarization of
the first and second piezoelectric/electrostrictive layers 26A, 26B
or the voltage value may be varied. In this case, the portion of
the piezoelectric/electrostrictiv- e body 14 which corresponds to
the drive region 20 is flexurally displaced so as to be concave
toward the plate member 12, causing the upper end face of the
displacement transmitter 24 to be spaced from the lower surface of
the plate member 12.
[0116] According to the first modification, as shown in FIG. 14, a
plurality of actuator units 32 may be provided in association with
one drive region 20. The intermediate electrodes 42 may be turned
into a common structure.
[0117] As shown in FIG. 15, an actuator element 10Bb according to a
second modification differs in that it has upper electrodes 28,
intermediate electrodes 42, and lower electrodes 30 which are
formed on portions of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14
which correspond to the beams 16 and portions of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 which correspond to the
drive regions 20.
[0118] For bringing the upper end face of the displacement
transmitter 24 into contact with the lower surface of the plate
member 12, no drive voltage is applied between the upper electrodes
28 and the intermediate electrodes 42 and between the lower
electrodes 30 and the intermediate electrodes 42 which are formed
on a portion corresponding to the beams 16, but a drive voltage of
positive polarity may be applied between the upper electrode 28 and
the intermediate electrode 42 and/or between the lower electrode 30
and the intermediate electrode 42 which are formed on a portion
corresponding to the drive region 20.
[0119] For spacing the upper end face of the displacement
transmitter 24 from the lower surface of the plate member 12, no
drive voltage is applied between the upper electrode 28 and the
intermediate electrode 42 and between the lower electrode 30 and
the intermediate electrode 42 which are formed on the portion
corresponding to the drive region 20, but a drive voltage of
positive polarity may be applied between the upper electrodes 28
and the intermediate electrodes 42 and/or between the lower
electrodes 30 and the intermediate electrodes 42 which are formed
on the portions corresponding to the beams 16.
[0120] In FIG. 10, when the application of the drive voltage is
stopped, the displacement transmitter 24 is brought into contact
with the plate member 12 only under repelling forces from the
piezoelectric/electrostric- tive body 14, the displacement
transmitter 24, etc. According to the second modification, since
the drive force of the actuator unit 32 on the portion
corresponding to the drive region 20 can also be used, the upper
end face of the displacement transmitter 24 can reliably be brought
into contact with the lower surface of the plate member 12.
[0121] In the second modification, the intermediate electrodes 42
may be turned into a common structure. Turning the intermediate
electrodes 42 into a common structure includes electrically
connecting intermediate electrodes 42 formed on portions
corresponding to the beams 16 or electrically connecting
intermediate electrodes 42 formed on portions corresponding to the
drive regions 20, or forming one intermediate electrode 42 on the
entire upper surface of the second piezoelectric/electrostrictive
layer 26B.
[0122] As with FIGS. 12 and 14, a plurality of actuator units 32
may be provided in association with one beam 16, or a plurality of
actuator units 32 may be provided in association with one drive
region 20.
[0123] An embodiment in which the actuator element 10B according to
the second embodiment is applied to a display device will be
described below with reference to FIG. 16.
[0124] As shown in FIG. 16, a display device 100 according to the
present embodiment employs an optical waveguide plate 104 as the
plate member 12 into which light (introduced light) 102 from a
light source (not shown) is introduced from an end face
thereof.
[0125] A joining layer 22 is formed on the entire upper surface of
the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14, and the displacement
transmitters 24 are formed on the upper surface of the joining
layer 22 in association with the respective drive regions 20. A
light scattering layer 108 is formed so as to wholly overlap the
displacement transmitters 24 and the joining layer 22 through a
joining layer 106. The spacers 18 are disposed in portions where
the beams 16 are to be disposed, in a region between the optical
waveguide plate 104 and the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14.
The spacers 18 have upper surfaces held in contact with the optical
waveguide plate 104 and lower surfaces held in contact with the
light scattering layer 108.
[0126] Each beam 16 includes one spacer 18 disposed between the
optical waveguide plate 104 and the piezoelectric/electrostrictive
body 14, a portion of the light scattering layer 108 and portions
of the joining layers 106, 22 which are present directly beneath
the spacer 18. The drive regions 20 divided by the beams 16 are
arranged in a matrix or staggered pattern, making a single pixel of
a single drive region 20 or making a single pixel of a plurality of
drive regions 20. Each spacer 18 may be constructed of a light
absorbing layer,. Each spacer 18 may be constructed of another
member, and a light absorbing layer may be interposed between the
spacers 18 and the optical waveguide plate 104.
[0127] Operation of the display device 100 according to the present
embodiment will be described below. While the
piezoelectric/electrostrict- ive body 14 is in a natural state, the
end face of the light scattering layer 108 contacts the back of the
optical waveguide plate 104 by a distance equal to or smaller than
the wavelength of the introduced light 100 (the light introduced
into the optical waveguide plate). Therefore, white light 110, for
example, is emitted from the principal surface of the optical
waveguide plate 104.
[0128] Then, a drive voltage of positive polarity is applied
between the upper electrodes 28 and the intermediate electrodes 42
that are formed around a certain drive region 20 (e.g., the right
drive region 20 in FIG. 16), and a drive voltage of positive
polarity is applied between the lower electrodes 30 and the
intermediate electrodes 42. The peripheral portion of the drive
region 20 tends to be flexurally displaced so as to be convex
toward the optical waveguide plate 104. However, since the flexural
displacement is suppressed by the spacers 18 and the optical
waveguide plate 104, the energy produced at this time is
transmitted to the portion of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive
body 14 which corresponds to the drive region 20. Therefore, as
shown in FIG. 16, that portion of the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14 is flexurally displaced so
as to be convex downwardly, extinguishing light from the drive
region 20.
[0129] Since the display device 100 according to the present
embodiment employs the actuator element 10B according to the second
embodiment, the display apparatus 100 can be made lower in profile,
lighter in weight, and lower in cost.
[0130] Each beam 16 includes buffer layers. Specifically, the
joining layers 106, 22 are interposed between the light scattering
layer 108 directly beneath the spacers 18 and the
piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14. If the spacers 18 are made
of a hard material, and a thin film such as the light scattering
layer 108 is formed on the lower surfaces of the spacers 18,
stresses tend to concentrate on portions of the light scattering
layer 108 (boundaries between itself and the spacers 18), causing
the light scattering layer 108 to be broken due to repeated
displacement of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body 14.
According to the present embodiment, the joining layers 106, 22
that are interposed function as buffer layers to avoid the above
drawback.
[0131] The actuator elements 10A, 10B according to the first and
second embodiments (including the various modifications) may be
used for a device for converting electric energy into mechanical
energy (mechanical displacement, stress, vibration, or the like),
such as a display, a relay, an actuator (an actuator of the type
for generating flexural displacement, for use in a servo
displacement device or the like), or the like, or a device for
converting mechanical energy into electric energy, such as a sensor
(a filter, an acceleration sensor, a shock sensor, or the like), a
transformer, a microphone, a sound producing member (a speaker or
the like), a vibrator, an oscillator (for power or communication
use), a micropump, or a highly sensitive electric transducer module
(electric generator).
[0132] The actuator element and the device employing the actuator
element according to the present invention are not limited to the
above embodiments, but may incorporate various structures without
departing from the essential features of the present invention.
* * * * *