GB2618293A - Shape memory alloy actuators and methods thereof - Google Patents

Shape memory alloy actuators and methods thereof Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2618293A
GB2618293A GB2312736.8A GB202312736A GB2618293A GB 2618293 A GB2618293 A GB 2618293A GB 202312736 A GB202312736 A GB 202312736A GB 2618293 A GB2618293 A GB 2618293A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
bimorph
actuator
arm
arms
bimorph arm
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
GB2312736.8A
Other versions
GB202312736D0 (en
Inventor
N Ruzicka Ryan
Sakamoto Yasushi
A Miller Mark
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hutchinson Technology Inc
Original Assignee
Hutchinson Technology Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US17/569,268 external-priority patent/US11815794B2/en
Application filed by Hutchinson Technology Inc filed Critical Hutchinson Technology Inc
Publication of GB202312736D0 publication Critical patent/GB202312736D0/en
Publication of GB2618293A publication Critical patent/GB2618293A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B3/00—Simple or compound lenses
    • G02B3/12—Fluid-filled or evacuated lenses
    • G02B3/14—Fluid-filled or evacuated lenses of variable focal length
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B3/00—Simple or compound lenses
    • G02B3/10—Bifocal lenses; Multifocal lenses
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G7/00—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for
    • F03G7/06—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for using expansion or contraction of bodies due to heating, cooling, moistening, drying or the like
    • F03G7/061—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for using expansion or contraction of bodies due to heating, cooling, moistening, drying or the like characterised by the actuating element
    • F03G7/0614—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for using expansion or contraction of bodies due to heating, cooling, moistening, drying or the like characterised by the actuating element using shape memory elements
    • F03G7/06143—Wires
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G7/00—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for
    • F03G7/06—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for using expansion or contraction of bodies due to heating, cooling, moistening, drying or the like
    • F03G7/064—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for using expansion or contraction of bodies due to heating, cooling, moistening, drying or the like characterised by its use
    • F03G7/0645—Clamping, fixing or crimping parts
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G7/00—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for
    • F03G7/06—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for using expansion or contraction of bodies due to heating, cooling, moistening, drying or the like
    • F03G7/066—Actuator control or monitoring
    • F03G7/0665—Actuator control or monitoring controlled displacement, e.g. by using a lens positioning actuator
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/64—Imaging systems using optical elements for stabilisation of the lateral and angular position of the image
    • G02B27/646—Imaging systems using optical elements for stabilisation of the lateral and angular position of the image compensating for small deviations, e.g. due to vibration or shake
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B7/00—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements
    • G02B7/02—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses
    • G02B7/04—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses with mechanism for focusing or varying magnification
    • G02B7/08—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses with mechanism for focusing or varying magnification adapted to co-operate with a remote control mechanism
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B7/00—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements
    • G02B7/02—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses
    • G02B7/04—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses with mechanism for focusing or varying magnification
    • G02B7/09—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses with mechanism for focusing or varying magnification adapted for automatic focusing or varying magnification
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B3/00—Focusing arrangements of general interest for cameras, projectors or printers
    • G03B3/10—Power-operated focusing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B30/00—Camera modules comprising integrated lens units and imaging units, specially adapted for being embedded in other devices, e.g. mobile phones or vehicles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B5/00—Adjustment of optical system relative to image or object surface other than for focusing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B2205/00—Adjustment of optical system relative to image or object surface other than for focusing
    • G03B2205/0007—Movement of one or more optical elements for control of motion blur
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B2205/00—Adjustment of optical system relative to image or object surface other than for focusing
    • G03B2205/0053—Driving means for the movement of one or more optical element
    • G03B2205/0076—Driving means for the movement of one or more optical element using shape memory alloys

Abstract

SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.

Claims (21)

1. An actuator comprising: a plurality of bimorph arms configured to reduce a net friction force of the plurality of bimorph arms.
2. The actuator of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of bimorph arms includes a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire, and the SMA wires attached to the plurality of bimorph arms are connected in series and are configured to receive current to each SMA wire to control actuation of the actuator.
3. The actuator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bimorph arms are arranged in a inline, mirrored orientation.
4. The actuator of claim 3, wherein the inline, mirrored orientation includes a first bimorph arm of the plurality of bimorph arms and a second bimorph arm of the plurality of bimorph arms, the second bimorph arm arranged inline with the first bimorph arm such that a fixed end of the second bimorph arm is adjacent to a fixed end of the first bimorph arm.
5. The actuator of claim 4, wherein the first bimorph arm is configured to have a friction force component in a direction of a fixed end of the first bimorph arm parallel to a longitudinal axis of the actuator, and the second bimorph arm is configured to have a friction force component in a direction opposite to the first bimorph arm to reduce the net total friction to zero.
6. The actuator of claim 4, comprising a single shape memory alloy wire having a first end and a second end, the first end of the shape memory alloy coupled with the first bimorph arm of the plurality of bimorph arms and the second end of the shape memory alloy coupled with the second bimorph arm of the plurality of bimorph arms.
7. The actuator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bimorph arms are arranged in a reversed inline orientation.
8. The actuator of claim 7, wherein the reversed inline orientation includes a first bimorph arm of the plurality of bimorph arms and a second bimorph arm of the plurality of bimorph arms, wherein the second bimorph arm is arranged inline with the first bimorph arm such that a fixed end the first bimorph arm is positioned at an end of the actuator that is opposite from an end of the actuator that is adjacent to a fixed end of the second bimorph arm.
9. The actuator of claim 8, wherein the first bimorph arm is configured to have a friction force component in a direction of the fixed end of the first bimorph arm parallel to a longitudinal axis of the actuator, and the second bimorph arm is configured to have a friction force component in a direction opposite to the first bimorph arm to reduce the net total friction to zero.
10. The actuator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bimorph arms are arranged in a staggered orientation.
11. The actuator of claim 10, wherein the staggered orientation includes a first bimorph arm of the plurality of bimorph arms and a second bimorph arm of the plurality of bimorph arms, wherein the second bimorph arm is staggered with the first bimorph arm such that a longitudinal axis of the second bimorph arm is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first bimorph arm and a fixed end of the first bimorph arm is at an end of the actuator that is opposite from an end of the actuator adjacent to a fixed end of the second bimorph arm.
12. The actuator of claim 11, wherein the first bimorph arm is configured to have a friction force component in a direction of the fixed end of the first bimorph arm parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first bimorph arm, and the second bimorph arm is configured to have a friction force component in a direction opposite to the first bimorph arm to reduce the net total friction to zero.
13. An actuator module assembly comprising: an outer housing that is configured with pockets around a perimeter of the outer housing configured to receive one or more bimorph actuators from the outside.
14. The actuator module assembly of claim 13, wherein the outer housing is made of plastic.
15. The actuator module assembly of claim 13, wherein the outer housing is made of or metal.
16. The actuator module assembly of claim 13 including one or more bimorph actuators including two bimorph arms arranged in an inline, mirrored orientation.
17. The actuator module assembly of claim 13, wherein the one or more bimorph actuators including two bimorph arms arranged in a staggered orientation.
18. An actuator comprising: a plurality of flat spring circuits configured to create multiple isolated electrical paths, each of the plurality of flat spring circuits including a spring configured to have a stiffness that controls a movement of an object.
19. The actuator of claim 18, wherein each of the springs includes at least one flattened bend, the at least one flattened bend configured to reduce a clearance space of springs and to control a direction of movement of the spring.
20. The actuator of claim 18 comprising an outer housing that is configured with one or more pockets around a perimeter of the outer housing, each one or more pockets configured to receive one or more bimorph actuators from the outside of the outer housing, the plurality of flat spring circuits disposed within the outer housing.
21. The actuator module assembly of claim 20, wherein the one or more bimorph actuators including two bimorph arms arranged in an inline, mirrored orientation or in a staggered orientation.
GB2312736.8A 2021-02-22 2022-02-18 Shape memory alloy actuators and methods thereof Pending GB2618293A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202163152299P 2021-02-22 2021-02-22
US17/569,268 US11815794B2 (en) 2017-05-05 2022-01-05 Shape memory alloy actuators and methods thereof
PCT/US2022/017100 WO2022178326A1 (en) 2021-02-22 2022-02-18 Shape memory alloy actuators and methods thereof

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB202312736D0 GB202312736D0 (en) 2023-10-04
GB2618293A true GB2618293A (en) 2023-11-01

Family

ID=82931851

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB2312736.8A Pending GB2618293A (en) 2021-02-22 2022-02-18 Shape memory alloy actuators and methods thereof

Country Status (6)

Country Link
JP (1) JP2024507527A (en)
KR (1) KR20230147168A (en)
CN (3) CN217682119U (en)
GB (1) GB2618293A (en)
TW (1) TW202242528A (en)
WO (1) WO2022178326A1 (en)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6698201B1 (en) * 2001-08-16 2004-03-02 Zyvex Corporation Cascaded bimorph rotary actuator
US20070280668A1 (en) * 2006-05-30 2007-12-06 Konica Minolta Opto, Inc. Driving device, driving mechanism, and image sensing apparatus
US20080287167A1 (en) * 2007-04-04 2008-11-20 Motorola, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling a skin texture surface on a device
US20150346507A1 (en) * 2012-02-16 2015-12-03 Cambridge Mechatronics Limited Shape memory alloy actuation apparatus
US20180120583A1 (en) * 2015-05-28 2018-05-03 Corephotonics Ltd. Bi-directional stiffness for optical image stabilization in a dual-aperture digital camera
US10427934B1 (en) * 2017-03-23 2019-10-01 United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force Thermal management using microelectromechanical systems bimorph cantilever beams
US20200256322A1 (en) * 2017-05-05 2020-08-13 Hutchinson Technology Incorporated Shape memory alloy actuators and methods thereof

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6698201B1 (en) * 2001-08-16 2004-03-02 Zyvex Corporation Cascaded bimorph rotary actuator
US20070280668A1 (en) * 2006-05-30 2007-12-06 Konica Minolta Opto, Inc. Driving device, driving mechanism, and image sensing apparatus
US20080287167A1 (en) * 2007-04-04 2008-11-20 Motorola, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling a skin texture surface on a device
US20150346507A1 (en) * 2012-02-16 2015-12-03 Cambridge Mechatronics Limited Shape memory alloy actuation apparatus
US20180120583A1 (en) * 2015-05-28 2018-05-03 Corephotonics Ltd. Bi-directional stiffness for optical image stabilization in a dual-aperture digital camera
US10427934B1 (en) * 2017-03-23 2019-10-01 United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force Thermal management using microelectromechanical systems bimorph cantilever beams
US20200256322A1 (en) * 2017-05-05 2020-08-13 Hutchinson Technology Incorporated Shape memory alloy actuators and methods thereof

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB202312736D0 (en) 2023-10-04
KR20230147168A (en) 2023-10-20
CN115030876A (en) 2022-09-09
TW202242528A (en) 2022-11-01
WO2022178326A1 (en) 2022-08-25
CN218509651U (en) 2023-02-21
JP2024507527A (en) 2024-02-20
CN217682119U (en) 2022-10-28

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