Considerations on Improvement of Moving Properties of Cable-less Magnetic Micro-actuator

Abstract

This paper proposes a new cable-less magnetic micro-actuator that operates on the inertia force of a one-degree-of-freedom model by using electromagnetic force. It has optimal design for the inclination angle of the one-degree-of-freedom model and an appropriate selection of suction force at the actuator support. The mechanical dc-ac inverter incorporates a cantilever beam and the one-degree-of-freedom model that switches under electromagnetic force. The volume of the prototype cable-less micro-actuator with three dry cells was about 1.5 cm . Our experimental results revealed that the actuator could move vertically at 18.8 mm/s when the duty ratio of the produced voltage was 46.2%. The operating time for a duty ratio of 26.5% was 36 min, providing a total operating range of 26 m for horizontal travel or 15.5 m for vertical travel. The actuator has many possible applications in small pipe inspections, repairs, and machining because it can move on magnetic substances.Key words: magnetic micro actuator, cable-less, long-distance movement, optimal design, mechanical dc-ac inverter

Vibration actuator capable of movement on magnetic substance based on new motion principle

“…A lightweight actuator with superior operability is expected in the inspection field. In previous studies, the authors proposed a novel vibration actuator capable of movement on a magnetic substance by coupling an electromagnetic force and mechanical vibration [23][24][25][26] and carried out theoretical analysis on this actuator [23,24]. This vibration actuator has a very simple structure.…”

“…However, the theoretical analysis was limited to the movement of the actuator in the horizontal plane because the influence of the tilt angle of the magnetic substance had not been established. Therefore, a new motion principle was not completely established in these previous studies [23][24][25][26]. Moreover, to inspect large steel bridges, it is important to reduce the input power of the actuator and increase the propulsion force because the movement efficiency of this actuator is not very high.…”

A New Type of Magnetic Actuator Capable of Wall-Climbing Movement Using Inertia Force

“…The development of a superior actuator of lightweight and operability is very important. We demonstrated a cablefree microactuator [8,9] of vibration type by using an inertia force. In this previous paper, examination of cable-free and downsizing of the actuator were mainly considered.…”