Compact moving mechanism using ER fluid and piezoelectric element

This paper proposes a compact moving mechanism using a piezoelectric element and ER fluid. This mechanism consists of a piezoelectric element, electrodes and ER fluid. This mechanism realizes minute displacement by controlling the timing of extension and contraction of the piezoelectric element and the timing of position retention by the position retention mechanism using the ER fluid. Since both the piezoelectric element and the ER fluid are driven by voltage, low-power operation can be expected. Results of some preliminary experiments are presented.