A novel dual-inertia driven piezoelectric actuator for flexible mounting applications

Abstract Stepping piezoelectric actuators are widely recognized for their high power density, fine resolution, and extensive travel range. However, their dependence on rigid supports limits their applicability in flexible mounting scenarios, such as cable traction systems, where insufficient reaction forces can result in in-place oscillation and subsequent functional failure. To address this challenge, this study has proposed a novel dual-inertia driven piezoelectric actuator specifically designed for flexible mounting applications. The actuator comprises two primary components with large inertia, an innovative rhombus-shaped clamping mechanism enabling precise clamping force adjustment, and a compact Hall sensor for accurate displacement monitoring. A multi-body dynamic model has been developed to analyze the interaction between inertial forces and frictional transitions, which are critical for achieving precise stepwise elongation or contraction in flexible setups. Experimental evaluations have demonstrated the actuator’s superior performance, achieving a maximum load capacity of 5.57 N, a clamping friction of 11.2 N, a free-load speed of 10.53 mm s⁻¹, and a stepping resolution of 0.55 μm. These findings have established the proposed actuator as a significant advancement in piezoelectric technology, offering a robust and adaptable solution for high-precision actuation in flexible mounting applications.