AB5 Description
2
1.3 Operating
Principles
Overview
All piezo-ceramic motors operation principles are based on the inherent friction
generated between the motor and the slide.
The AB5 driver eliminates this inherent friction between motor and slide, by using a
“brake off” principle of operation.
In order to better understand the “brake off” let us imagine that we stop an
automobile at a traffic light while on an incline. We have two options while waiting
for the light to change.
Option 1 (other drivers operation principles): Engage gear in neutral and use the
break to remain in place. This results in a “dead zone” where no movement occurs
until a minimum of pressure on the gas pedal is reached.
Option 2 (AB5 operation principle): Remain in gear with an equilibrium of the clutch
and gas holding us in place. Even the slightest increase in pressure on the gas
pedal combined with a decrease in pressure on the clutch causes the automobile to
move. The amount of pressure applied to the clutch and the amount of pressure
applied to the gas pedal are the factors that cause the vehicle to move.
By letting the motor vibrate in a certain, unique way, the “dead zone” phenomena,
associated with the friction of the piezo-ceramic motor is bypassed. It is hence clear
that even when zero command voltage is applied, and no motion is generated, the
motor is still excited and thus consumes energy and is heated up.
The driver’s output at zero command is system dependant and is affected by
various factors, including the gravitational pull of an incline or decline, slide friction,
vacuum/ non vacuum etc. This output level can be user defined according to the
specific system requirements, see section
3.1.
