EFFECT OF LUBRICATION ON IMPACT DRIVE MECHANISM

The impact drive mechanism (IDM) device moves utilizing impulsive forc e caused by rapid deformations of piezoelectric elements and friction, Most of the devices utilizing impulsive force and frictional force ar e used on only a dry base. In this paper, the movement performance of the IDM on fluid lubricated surfaces is investigated. The movement on fluid lubricated surfaces and that in oil are.as minute as that on a d ry base. In experiments, the movement of the device of the IDM on a fl uid lubricated surface is the same as the calculated movement by assum ing a dry surface. The standard deviation of movement on a fluid lubri cated surface is smaller than that on a dry surface. Considering the s mall distribution of the movement and the anti-rust of the devices, th e devices utilizing impulsive force should be driven under the boundar y lubrication. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.