Patent ID: 6246151
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: B82Y,H02N

Abstract:
An apparatus comprising:an electromechanical transducer for extending or contracting based on drive signals inputted thereto;a drive pulse generator for supplying the drive signals to said electromechanical transducer;a first member which is fixed to a first end of said electromechanical transducer;a driving friction member which is fixed to a second end of said electromechanical transducer in opposition to said first member;a second member which frictionally engages with said driving friction member;a characteristic signal generator for generating standard characteristic signals indicative of a characteristic of one or more factors of the drive signals in a normal state, and for outputting the standard characteristic signals;a detector for detecting an actual characteristic of the one or more factors of the drive signals, and for outputting actual characteristic signals indicative of the detected actual characteristic; anda comparator for comparing the thus generated standard characteristic signals and the thus outputted actual characteristic signals, and for outputting a control signal which indicates a malfunction of the apparatus if a difference in the standard characteristic signals and the actual characteristic signals exceeds a prescribed range.