DE102015108752A1 - Drive device and a method for operating a drive device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a drive device (1) with a plurality of variable in length and / or shape drive elements (3, 4), wherein the drive elements (3, 4) are at least partially formed of a shape memory material. According to the invention, a variable-length telescopic arrangement (2) is provided with a plurality of telescopically interlocking and relatively movable telescopic members (2.1 to 2.3), wherein the telescopic members (2.1 to 2.3) are each mechanically coupled to at least one drive element (3, 4), wherein the drive elements ( 3, 4) are independent of each other for generating the relative movement of the telescopic members (2.1 to 2.3) are mutually controllable, wherein the change in length of the telescopic assembly (2) from a sum of the relative movements of the telescopic members (2.1 to 2.3) results to each other. The invention further relates to a method for operating a drive device (1).

Description

The invention relates to a drive device according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention further relates to a method for operating a drive device according to the preamble of claim 16.

From the DE 600 31 687 T2 For example, a drive device having a shape memory alloy stroke multiplying actuator is known which comprises a plurality of parallel rigid elements disposed in a housing. The rigid members are slidable relative to each other and each interconnected by one or more shape memory alloy wires such that a stroke of the shape memory alloy actuator is equal to a sum of strokes of the individual shape memory alloy wires.

Furthermore, from the DE 198 02 639 A1 a drive device with a shape memory drive known, wherein the shape memory drive consists of a housing, of which a actuating movement exporting actuator is held, which is biased against the contractile action of a shape memory element by a spring element. In the housing a flexible, buckling and longitudinally pressure-resistant shell is embedded, wherein the shape memory element is guided from one end at the attachment point on the actuating element through the shell and the other end of the shape memory element is attached to the free end of the shell. In a contraction or elongation of the shape memory element by temperature change an actuating movement of the actuating element is triggered, for which purpose a length of the shape memory element from the attachment point on the actuating element to the attachment point at the end of the shell is fully or partially utilized.

The invention is based on the object to provide a comparison with the prior art improved drive device and an improved method for operating a drive device.

With regard to the drive device, the object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1 and the method by the features specified in claim 16.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The drive device comprises a plurality of variable in length and / or shape drive elements, wherein the drive elements are at least partially formed of a shape memory material, such as a shape memory alloy or a shape memory polymer.

According to the invention, the drive device comprises a variable-length telescope arrangement with a plurality of telescopically interlocking and relatively movable telescopic members, wherein the telescopic members are each mechanically coupled to at least one drive element. The drive elements are independently controllable relative to each other for generating the relative movement of the telescopic members, wherein the change in length of the telescopic arrangement results from a sum of the relative movements of the telescopic members to each other.

In the present case, a telescoping arrangement is understood as meaning a coaxial, nested arrangement of the telescopic members, it being possible for the telescopic members to have any cross-sectional shape.

The drive device, which is provided, for example, for generating positioning movements, is distinguished from conventional motor drives, in particular electromotive drives, by a significantly reduced weight while at the same time requiring very little installation space. At the same time it is possible by means of the drive device according to the invention to perform the drive at least almost noiseless. Compared with conventional drive devices with drive elements formed from shape memory materials, particularly small dimensions of the drive device are possible, in particular due to the use of the telescopic arrangement. In particular, a size of the movement, in particular a travel of the drive device without an increase of their space is significantly increased by the Teleskopanaordnung and the claimed coupling of the telescopic members with the drive elements. Alternatively, while maintaining the size of the movement to be generated, a construction space of the drive device can be significantly reduced. Also, in particular due to the independently feasible control of the drive elements in a simple manner a stepped movement of the drive device can be realized.

A development of the drive device provides that the telescopic members are constructed such that they are supported by stops against each other. This ensures that when an activation of a respective telescopic member and, consequently, a drive element coupled to the telescopic member, unactivated drive elements are not exposed to the workload but the workload is conducted via a housing or other structural components of the drive device.

In one possible embodiment of the drive device, at least one of the drive elements has a plurality of sections formed from the shape memory material, wherein the sections are independently activatable and variable in their length and / or shape. Such a design of the shape memory material allows in a particularly advantageous manner that only one drive element for moving at least two of the telescopic members instead of a plurality of serially connected drive elements are required. As a result, a cost and space requirements of the drive device can be significantly reduced.

In a further possible embodiment of the drive device, at least one of the drive elements is designed as a helical spring. By means of the coil spring produced from the shape memory material is due to a simple change of a spring characteristic by appropriate control of the shape memory material as required a defined force for generating the change in length of the telescopic assembly generated.

According to a further development of the drive device, the telescopic arrangement comprises at least one variable in length and / or shape counter-drive element, wherein the counter-drive element is arranged and designed such that by means of the counter-drive element opposite to the change in length and / or shape change at least one of Drive elements acting force can be generated. It is possible by means of the counter-drive element to realize a so-called agonist-antagonist principle and, for example, to generate a corresponding movement of the telescopic elements opposite to the direction of movement of the drive elements at a required rapid shortening of the length of the telescope arrangement. Furthermore, a targeted activation of the at least one counter-drive element during activation or in the activated state of the drive element to increase a mechanical bias of at least one of the drive elements and thus to control conversion temperatures and / or dynamics of the shape memory material of the corresponding drive element is possible.

A possible development of the drive device provides that the at least one counter drive element is at least partially formed from a shape memory material. In this case, the realization of the counter-drive element is carried out with a particularly small space requirement, wherein carried out by means of the counter-drive element movements can also be performed at least almost noiseless.

In one embodiment of the drive device, the shape memory material of the at least one counter drive element has a smaller cross sectional area than the shape memory material of the drive elements. This design makes it possible, due to a low force potential of the counter-drive element in a simple manner to avoid damage to the drive element.

In a further embodiment of the drive device, the at least one counter-drive element is designed as a passive return element, in particular in the form of a helical spring, by means of which in a simple manner, a counterforce to the movement of at least one of the drive elements can be generated. If the coil spring is formed according to a possible development of a pseudoelastic shape memory material, a defined generation of the force is easily possible due to a simple change of a spring characteristic in the form of a displacement of the so-called austenitic voltage plateau by appropriate control of the shape memory material as required. Thus, a resistance which opposes the at least one drive element is particularly easy to adjust for the purpose of improving dynamics or increasing transformation temperatures. In other possible embodiments, the return element is alternatively designed as a pull wire, push rod or bending element.

In a further possible embodiment, the at least one pseudoelastic restoring element formed from a shape memory material is used as a sensor for detecting travel ranges or loads by reading out a change in an electrical resistance during the deformation of the restoring element and thus a voltage-induced phase transformation.

Another possible embodiment provides that an inertia of the shape memory material is used during its cooling, to turn off the first again for energetic reasons in an activation of the second telescopic member, the first. Due to the slow cooling and a conversion hysteresis, the first telescopic link remains activated. In addition, improved dynamics can be achieved with this strategy since, at the end of the adjusting movement, the at least one first telescopic link is already in cooling.

A possible development of the drive device provides that the telescopic arrangement is coupled to a transmission which converts a substantially linear movement of the telescopic arrangement into a rotation. Due to the use of the gearbox to convert the linear motion into the rotation can already out a change in length of the shape memory material resulting small movements of the drive elements and thus the telescopic assembly for generating a rotational movement or pivoting of a coupled to the transmission element, such as a hinged flap, are used.

In order to realize a holding of at least two telescopic members in a predetermined position without the need for a permanent excitation of the drive element, according to a development of the drive device for holding at least two telescopic members in a predetermined relative position to each other formed detent mechanism is provided.

A possible embodiment of the drive device provides that the latching mechanism comprises a drive element for actuating the latching mechanism, wherein the drive element is at least partially formed from a shape memory material. Here, only a momentarily generated excitation of the drive element is required to actuate the latching mechanism. Due to the at least partially formed from a shape memory material drive element, this is characterized by particularly small dimensions and a particularly low weight, the operation of the locking mechanism for the user is almost noiseless executable.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the latching mechanism is part of the transmission. By this combination, a very space-saving design of transmission and locking mechanism is possible.

A further development of the drive device provides that the transmission is a step transmission. Such stepping gear are characterized on the one hand by a particularly small space and on the other hand allow a very accurate and feasible in small steps positioning the flap in different positions. At the same time holding the flap in predetermined positions can be realized by means of the step gear, so that a use of an additional locking mechanism is not mandatory.

In one embodiment of the drive device, a brake designed to hold at least two telescopic members in a predetermined relative position to one another is provided. The brake also makes it possible to hold the flap in a predetermined position without the need for a permanent excitation of the drive element. When releasing the brake, however, the movement of the telescopic members is released in a simple manner.

A possible development of the drive device provides that the brake can be actuated by means of a further drive element formed at least in sections from a shape memory material. Here, only a momentarily generated excitation of the further drive element is required to release the brake. Due to the at least partially formed from a shape memory material further drive element, this is characterized by particularly small dimensions and a particularly low weight, the operation of the brake for the user is almost noiseless executable.

According to a possible embodiment of the drive device, at least one position determination unit is provided for determining a predetermined relative position of at least two telescope members to each other, wherein the position determination unit comprises at least one resistance measuring device for measuring an electrical resistance of at least one of the drive elements and is designed such that from the measured resistance relative position can be determined. This determination of the pivot position is particularly simple and thus efficient and at the same time very accurately feasible, the resistance meter is very easy to integrate into the drive device due to its small dimensions.

In a further possible embodiment of the drive device, at least one protective device is provided for protection against mechanical and / or thermal overloading of the drive elements, wherein the protective device comprises at least one resistance measuring device for measuring an electrical resistance of the drive elements and is designed such that from the measured resistance mechanical and / or thermal stress of the respective drive element can be determined. This determination of the load is particularly simple and thus efficient and at the same time very accurately feasible, the resistance meter is very easy to integrate into the drive device due to its small dimensions. Thus, with little effort, a reliable overload protection of the drive elements can be realized.

In a further possible embodiment of the drive device, at least one protective device is provided for protection against mechanical overloading of the drive elements, wherein the protective device comprises at least one spring element on the fixed bearing of the shape memory drive and is designed such that a spring force is above the workload and a distance between Spring force and workload satisfies a corresponding safety factor.

To generate the movement of the shape memory material, a possible development of the drive device provides that the drive elements are coupled to a device for heating the shape memory material, wherein the device comprises at least one resistance heating element or an inductive heating element. The resistance heating element can be formed by the shape memory drive element itself.

To generate the movement of the shape memory material, a possible development of the drive device provides that the drive elements are coupled to a control unit, wherein the control unit is designed to control the drive elements, for example by means of the device for heating the shape memory material such that by means of this a magnetic, electrical and / or thermal excitation of the respective shape memory material can be generated.

In the method for operating a drive device having a plurality of variable in length and / or shape drive elements, the drive elements are at least partially formed of a shape memory material, according to the invention a plurality of telescopically interlocking, relatively movable and independently controllable drive elements mechanically coupled telescopic members of variable length Telescope arrangement moves relative to each other, wherein the change in length of the telescopic assembly is generated from a sum of the relative movements of the telescopic members to each other.

The method allows in connection with the drive device, which is provided for example for generating positioning movements, compared to conventional motor drives, in particular electric motor drives, in a particularly simple, efficient and precise manner an at least almost noiseless implementation of a drive. Also, in particular due to the independently feasible control of the drive elements in a simple manner a stepped movement of the drive device can be realized.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

Show:

1 FIG. 2 schematically a longitudinal side view of a first embodiment of a drive device according to the invention, FIG.

2 schematically a longitudinal section of the drive device according to 1 .

3 schematically a perspective view of a half section of the drive device according to 1 , and

4 schematically a longitudinal section of a second embodiment of a drive device according to the invention.

Corresponding parts are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals.

In the 1 to 3 is in various views, a first possible embodiment of a drive device according to the invention 1 shown, wherein the drive device 1 in particular for the generation of actuating movements, ie as a servomotor, is provided.

The drive device 1 comprises a variable-length telescope arrangement 2 with three telescopically interlocking and relatively movable telescopic members 2.1 to 2.3 , In non-illustrated embodiments of the drive device 1 can the telescope arrangement 2 in particular as a function of a travel to be generated from any number of telescopic members 2.1 to 2.3 be formed.

A first telescopic link 2.1 is sleeve-shaped with a round cross-section. A second telescopic link 2.2 is coaxial within the first telescoping member 2.1 slidably disposed, wherein an outer diameter of the second telescopic member 2.2 only slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the first telescopic member 2.1 is. A third telescopic link 2.3 is rod-shaped with a cross-shaped cross-section and is within the second telescopic member 2.2 slidably arranged. At an open end of the first telescopic member 2.1 is an annular protective element 2.4 arranged, which is an intrusion of foreign substances into an interior of the telescope assembly 2 at least reduced.

For fastening the telescopic arrangement 2 on a component to be moved and a stationary structure are on the first telescopic member 2.1 and the second telescopic member 2.2 arranged in a manner not shown fastening elements or formed.

For the relative movement of the telescopic links 2.1 to 2.3 to each other includes the drive device 1 two drive elements 3 . 4 and a counter drive element 5 ,

The drive elements 3 . 4 are each formed from a shape memory material wire, which extends with its longitudinal extent substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the telescope assembly 2 extends. In which Shape memory material is a shape memory alloy or a shape memory polymer, wherein a change in length of the shape memory material is generated by means of a control unit, not shown, based on a magnetic, electrical and / or thermal excitation.

The drive element 3 is in the form of a loop starting from a warehouse 2.1.1 from a closed end facing away from the open end of the first telescopic member 2.1 to an open end of the second telescoping member 2.2 guided and mechanically coupled with this. To carry out the drive element 3 between the first and second telescopic members 2.1 . 2.2 has the second telescopic link 2.2 in its lateral surface corresponding channel-shaped indentations.

The drive element 4 is also in the form of a loop from a warehouse 2.2.1 from a closed end facing away from the open end of the second telescopic member 2.2 to a lower end 2.3.1 of the third telescopic member 2.2 guided and mechanically coupled with this. A passage of the drive element 4 between the second and third telescopic members 2.2 . 2.3 takes place in due to the cross-shaped cross section of the third telescopic member 2.3 between this and the second telescopic member 2.2 generated channels.

The counter drive element 5 is designed as a helical spring whose spring force between the lower end 2.3.1 of the third telescopic member 2.3 and the protective element 2.4 and thus between the third telescopic member 2.3 and the first telescopic member 2.1 acts.

In a state in which the telescope arrangement 2 their largest linear expansion, are the driving elements 3 . 4 not controlled and the telescopic links 2.1 to 2.3 be by means of the counter-drive element 5 spring force moved apart in the longitudinal direction.

To produce a shortening of the telescope arrangement 2 becomes the driving element 3 controlled by the control unit, for example, acted upon by an electric current, that is a length of the drive element 3 shortened and the second telescopic link 2.2 together with the coupled with this third telescopic member 2.3 against the spring force of the counter drive element 5 in the direction of the camp 2.1.1 is moved.

Here is the drive element 3 be controlled by the control unit such that the second telescopic member 2.2 also intermediate positions between one of the first telescopic member 2.1 extended state and one in the first telescopic member 2.1 retracted state can take.

To a length extension of the telescope arrangement 2 to further reduce or the length shortening by retraction of the third telescopic member 2.3 in the second telescopic link 2.2 to realize, becomes the driving element 4 controlled by the control unit, for example, acted upon by an electric current, that is a length of the drive element 4 shortened and the third telescopic link 2.3 against the spring force of the counter drive element 5 in the direction of the camp 2.2.1 is moved.

Also the drive element 4 is controlled by the control unit such that the third telescopic member 2.2 Intermediate positions between one of the second telescopic member 2.2 extended state and one in the second telescopic member 2.2 retracted state can take.

Here are the drive elements 3 . 4 independently controllable, with the change in length of the telescopic arrangement 2 from a sum of the relative movements of the telescopic links 2.1 to 2.3 gives each other.

In a possible embodiment of the drive device 1 has at least one of the drive elements 3 . 4 a plurality of sections formed from the shape memory material, wherein the sections are independently variable in their length and / or shape.

To that of the counter drive element 5 set spring force variable, especially at an extension of the telescope assembly 2 to increase and shorten the telescope arrangement 2 reduce, is in a possible embodiment, the counter-drive element 5 at least partially formed from a shape memory material.

In not shown embodiments of the drive device 1 is also the counter-drive element 5 formed as a formed from a shape memory material wire, whose the drive elements 3 . 4 counteracting force by appropriate control, in particular electrical control, is variably adjustable. In particular, in this embodiment, the shape memory material of the counter-drive element 5 a smaller cross-sectional area than the shape-memory material of the drive elements 3 . 4 in particular to undesirable deformations of non-activated portions of the drive elements 3 . 4 to avoid low electric power and small space requirements.

In other embodiments, not shown, of the drive device 1 is at least one of the drive elements 3 . 4 designed as a helical spring.

• – Zumindest ein mit der Teleskopanordnung 2 gekoppeltes Getriebe, welches eine im Wesentlichen lineare Bewegung der Teleskopanordnung 2 in eine Rotation umwandelt;
• – zumindest einen mit zumindest einem Antriebselement 3, 4 und/oder dem Gegen-Antriebselement 5 gekoppelten Umformer, welcher eine erzeugte Kraft in eine Bewegung und/oder eine Rotation und/oder eine Translation umwandelt;
• – zumindest einen Rastmechanismus, ausgebildet zum Halten von zumindest zwei Teleskopgliedern 2.1 bis 2.3 in einer vorgegebenen relativen Position zueinander ohne Ansteuerung der Antriebselemente 3, 4 und/oder des Gegen-Antriebselements 5, wobei der Rastmechanismus in einer möglichen Ausgestaltung ein Antriebselement zur Betätigung des Rastmechanismus umfasst, wobei das Antriebselement zumindest abschnittsweise aus einem Formgedächtnismaterial gebildet ist, wobei der Rastmechanismus in einer möglichen Ausgestaltung Bestandteil des beispielsweise als Schrittgetriebe ausgebildeten Getriebes ist;
• – zumindest eine Bremse, ausgebildet zum Halten von zumindest zwei Teleskopgliedern 2.1 bis 1.3 in einer vorgegebenen relativen Position zueinander ohne Ansteuerung der Antriebselemente 3, 4 und/oder des Gegen-Antriebselements 5, wobei die Bremse ein Antriebselement zur Betätigung der Bremse umfasst, wobei das Antriebselement zumindest abschnittsweise aus einem Formgedächtnismaterial gebildet ist;
• – zumindest eine Positionsbestimmungseinheit zur Bestimmung einer vorgegebenen relativen Position von zumindest zwei Teleskopgliedern 2.1 bis 2.3 zueinander, wobei die Positionsbestimmungseinheit zumindest ein Widerstandsmessgerät zur Messung eines elektrischen Widerstands zumindest eines der Antriebselemente 3, 4 und/oder des Gegen-Antriebselements 5 umfasst und derart ausgebildet ist, dass aus dem gemessenen Widerstand die relative Position ermittelbar ist;
• – zumindest eine Schutzvorrichtung zum Schutz vor einer mechanischen und/oder elektrischen Überlastung der Antriebselemente 3, 4 vorgesehen ist, wobei die Schutzvorrichtung zumindest ein Widerstandsmessgerät zur Messung eines elektrischen Widerstands der Antriebselemente 3, 4 umfasst und derart ausgebildet ist, dass aus dem gemessenen Widerstand eine mechanische und/oder elektrische Belastung des jeweiligen Antriebselements 3, 4 ermittelbar ist.

At least one of the components mentioned below can in non-illustrated embodiments of the drive device 1 Be part of this, wherein the components are provided in the form of a modular system:

• - At least one with the telescope arrangement 2 coupled gear, which is a substantially linear movement of the telescope assembly 2 converted into a rotation;
• - At least one with at least one drive element 3 . 4 and / or the counter drive element 5 coupled transducer, which converts a generated force into a movement and / or a rotation and / or a translation;
• - At least one locking mechanism, adapted for holding at least two telescopic members 2.1 to 2.3 in a predetermined relative position to each other without driving the drive elements 3 . 4 and / or the counter drive element 5 wherein the latching mechanism in one possible embodiment comprises a drive element for actuating the latching mechanism, wherein the drive element is at least partially formed of a shape memory material, wherein the latching mechanism in one possible embodiment is part of the example formed as a step transmission gear;
• - At least one brake, adapted to hold at least two telescopic members 2.1 to 1.3 in a predetermined relative position to each other without driving the drive elements 3 . 4 and / or the counter drive element 5 wherein the brake comprises a drive element for actuating the brake, wherein the drive element is at least partially formed from a shape memory material;
• - At least one position determining unit for determining a predetermined relative position of at least two telescopic members 2.1 to 2.3 to each other, wherein the position determination unit at least one resistance measuring device for measuring an electrical resistance of at least one of the drive elements 3 . 4 and / or the counter drive element 5 and is designed such that from the measured resistance, the relative position can be determined;
• - At least one protection device to protect against mechanical and / or electrical overload of the drive elements 3 . 4 is provided, wherein the protective device at least one resistance measuring device for measuring an electrical resistance of the drive elements 3 . 4 comprises and is designed such that from the measured resistance, a mechanical and / or electrical load of the respective drive element 3 . 4 can be determined.

4 shows a longitudinal section of a second embodiment of the drive device according to the invention 1 , unlike that in the 1 to 3 illustrated first embodiment, the third telescopic member 2.3 a parallel to the rod-shaped portion extending tubular portion 2.3.2 having. The tubular section 2.3.2 is formed so that this in any possible relative position of the telescopic members 2.1 to 2.3 to each other, the first telescopic member 2.1 overlapped at least in sections. As a result, a guide of the telescopic members 2.1 to 2.3 improved during their movement to each other. In particular, there is a risk of tilting of the telescopic members 2.1 to 2.3 reduced in one another and a risk of penetration of foreign substances in the interior of the telescope assembly 2 reduced.

At the tubular portion 2.3.2 is a fastener 6 for fastening the telescopic arrangement 2 arranged on a component to be moved or a stationary structure.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

driving device

2

telescopic arrangement

2.1

telescoping member

2.1.1

camp

2.2

telescoping member

2.2.1

camp

2.3

telescoping member

2.3.1

lower end

2.3.2

tubular section

2.4

protection element

3

driving element

4

driving element

5

Against drive member

6

fastener

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 60031687 T2 [0003]
• DE 19802639 A1 [0004]

Claims (16)

Drive device ( 1 ) - with several variable in length and / or shape drive elements ( 3 . 4 ), - whereby the drive elements ( 3 . 4 ) are at least partially formed from a shape memory material, characterized by - a variable-length telescope assembly ( 2 ) with a plurality of telescopically interlocking and relatively movable telescopic members ( 2.1 to 2.3 ), - whereby the telescopic members ( 2.1 to 2.3 ) each with at least one drive element ( 3 . 4 ) are mechanically coupled, - wherein the drive elements ( 3 . 4 ) independently of each other for generating the relative movement of the telescopic members ( 2.1 to 2.3 ) are mutually controllable, - wherein the change in length of the telescopic arrangement ( 2 ) from a sum of the relative movements of the telescopic members ( 2.1 to 2.3 ) gives each other. Drive device ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the drive elements ( 3 . 4 ) has a plurality of sections formed from the shape memory material, wherein the sections are independently variable in their length and / or shape. Drive device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the drive elements ( 3 . 4 ) is designed as a helical spring. Drive device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the telescope arrangement ( 2 ) at least one in its length and / or shape variable counter-drive element ( 5 ), wherein the counter drive element ( 5 ) is arranged and configured such that by means of the counter-drive element ( 5 ) an opposite to the change in length and / or shape change of at least one of the drive elements ( 3 . 4 ) acting force is generated. Drive device ( 1 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one counter-drive element ( 5 ) is at least partially formed from a shape memory material. Drive device ( 1 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the shape memory material of the at least one counter-drive element ( 5 ) has a smaller cross-sectional area than the shape-memory material of the drive elements ( 3 . 4 ) having. Drive device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the at least one counter-drive element ( 5 ) is designed as a helical spring. Drive device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the telescope arrangement ( 2 ) is coupled to a gear, which is a substantially linear movement of the telescope assembly ( 2 ) turns into a rotation. Drive device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a latching mechanism, designed for holding at least two telescopic members ( 2.1 to 2.3 ) is provided in a predetermined relative position to each other. Drive device ( 1 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that the latching mechanism comprises a drive element for actuating the latching mechanism, wherein the drive element is at least partially formed from a shape memory material. Drive device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a brake, designed to hold at least two telescopic members ( 2.1 to 2.3 ) is provided in a predetermined relative position to each other Drive device ( 1 ) according to claim 11, characterized in that the brake comprises a drive element for actuating the brake, wherein the drive element is at least partially formed of a shape memory material Drive device ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one position determining unit for determining a predetermined relative position of at least two telescopic members ( 2.1 to 2.3 is provided to each other, wherein the position determination unit is at least one resistance measuring device for measuring an electrical resistance of at least one of Drive elements ( 3 . 4 ) and is designed such that from the measured resistance, the relative position can be determined. Drive device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one protective device for protection against mechanical and / or electrical overloading of at least one of the drive elements ( 3 . 4 ), wherein the protective device at least one resistance measuring device for measuring an electrical resistance of at least one of the drive elements ( 3 . 4 ) and is designed such that from the measured resistance, a mechanical and / or electrical load of the respective drive element ( 3 . 4 ) can be determined. Drive device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive elements ( 3 . 4 ) are coupled to a control unit, wherein the control unit is designed, the drive elements ( 3 . 4 ) Such that a magnetic, electrical and / or thermal excitation of the respective shape memory material can be generated by means of this. Method for operating a drive device ( 1 ) - with several variable in length and / or shape drive elements ( 3 . 4 ), - whereby the drive elements ( 3 . 4 ) are at least partially formed of a shape memory material, characterized in that - a plurality of telescopically interlocking, relatively movable and with independently controllable drive elements ( 3 . 4 ) mechanically coupled telescopic members ( 2.1 to 2.3 ) of a variable-length telescope arrangement ( 2 ) are moved relative to each other, - wherein the change in length of the telescopic arrangement ( 2 ) from a sum of the relative movements of the telescopic members ( 2.1 to 2.3 ) is generated to each other.

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