Ultrasonic Motors Structural Design and Tribological Performance -A Review

The advent of smart materials and modern control theory has seen the rapid development of ultrasonic motors over the last decades. They have become promising precision driving components due to their unique piezoelectric transduction and friction drive mechanisms. This review summarizes the synthesis of the key technical aspects, research efforts, conclusions, and challenges that need to be highlighted concerning ultrasonic motor structural design and tribological performance. The analysis shows that the development of ultrasonic motor with new principles is in the ascendant. Simplifying the body structure, developing advanced friction contact models and life prediction models, developing new and environmentally friendly friction materials, and developing customized tribological testing devices are goals and tasks that should be considered in the future design of efficient ultrasonic motors.