Patent ID: 6194811
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: H02N

Abstract:
A drive apparatus, comprising:a drive pulse generation device for generating drive pulses;an electromechanical transducer having a first end and a second end, the electromechanical transducer expanding and contracting in response to pulses supplied from the drive pulse generation device;a support member secured to the first end of the electromechanical transducer in the expansion/contraction direction thereof;a first friction member secured to the second end of the electromechanical transducer in the extension/contraction direction thereof;a second friction member frictionally coupled to the first friction member;a load detection device for detecting a magnitude of a load on the second friction member; anda drive control device for carrying out drive control of the electromechanical transducer on the basis of the detection results of the load detection device.