EP3947967A1

EP3947967A1 - Actuator element and method for operating an actuator element

Info

Publication number: EP3947967A1
Application number: EP20712215.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sebastian Müller; Alexander Schneider
Original assignee: Rapitag GmbH
Current assignee: Rapitag GmbH
Priority date: 2019-04-03
Filing date: 2020-03-04
Publication date: 2022-02-09
Also published as: WO2020200617A1; US11905935B2; DE102019204782A1; US20220252056A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator element (10), comprising an actuator (12), which comprises a shape memory alloy and is designed to shorten or extend itself in the longitudinal extension direction thereof when in an excited state; an electronic control unit, which has a carrier element (18) and a plurality of electronic components (26) for exciting the actuator (12) on the basis of a control signal; and a movable component (20), which is coupled to the actuator and is movable by means of the actuator (12) relative to the carrier element (18); wherein the carrier element (18) defines a guide portion (16), in particular a dimensionally stable guide portion, by means of which the actuator (12) is guided along the longitudinal extension direction thereof.

Description

Actuator element and method for operating an actuator element

description

The invention relates to an actuator element comprising an actuator which comprises a shape memory alloy and is designed to be shortened or lengthened in its longitudinal direction in an excited state, an electronic control unit which has a carrier element and a plurality of electronic components for exciting the actuator Has the basis of a control signal, and a movable component which is fixedly arranged on a longitudinal end of the actuator and is movable relative to the carrier element by means of the actuator. The invention also relates to a method for operating such an actuator element.

Actuators are drive components that execute a mechanical movement in response to a control signal. Actuators are, for example, electric motors, consisting of several components, such as a conductor coil, a bearing and a shaft, which, however, require a large installation space and a comparatively high amount of energy is required for their operation. In addition, the conductor coil, which usually consists of several windings of copper wire, and low-wear materials for the other components are quite heavy. Electric motors are therefore not suitable for use in applications in which a light, compact and energy-saving design of the actuator is important.

Piezo actuators, on the other hand, are relatively light and require one

comparatively less installation space. In addition, hardly any are moved

Components required, which means that they have a long service life.

However, it is disadvantageous that the travel ranges that can be achieved with piezo actuators also 0.1% of the length of the actuator is very short, making their

Applicability is severely limited. Piezo actuators are coming

for example in acceleration sensors or pressure and force sensors as well as microbalances.

An actuator can also be formed using a shape memory alloy (SMA). Shape memory alloys are special metals that can exist in two different crystal structures. This is due to the phenomenon that they seem to be able to remember an earlier shape despite the subsequent strong deformation. Materials that show such an effect are also called cryogenic materials, which include, for example, nickel-titanium, nitrol and nickel-titanium-copper. The acquisition costs for an actuator with a shape memory alloy are therefore comparatively low. Shape memory alloys are characterized by the fact that they can transmit very large forces in relation to their material volume and have a travel of approx. 5% of the length of the actuator, for example 5% of the length of a wire with a shape memory alloy. In addition, shape memory alloys can go through several 100,000 movement cycles without showing signs of fatigue, so they have a long service life. Furthermore, materials with shape memory alloys only take up a small amount of space and are comparatively light. The stimulation for the change in shape can be via an increase in temperature or via an electrical one

Suggestion. The energy supply required for this is therefore relatively low.

However, it is disadvantageous that when an actuator is designed with a shape memory alloy, by means of which a mechanical

Applications usable travel, e.g. in the millimeter range, is to be achieved, the actuator must have a relatively great length, so that devices that use such actuators require a correspondingly large installation space. When using a wire from a

Shape memory alloy is an example of such an application requires a wire that is about 10 cm long. Alternatively, it is known to shape a shape memory wire into a spring. However, this is many times more expensive in comparison to a wire manufactured in a straight line and further restricts the area of application due to the shape.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an actuator element which requires little installation space and enables a variable travel range depending on the wire length used.

The object is achieved according to the invention in that the

Carrier element has a guide section, in particular dimensionally stable

Guide section, defined, by means of which the actuator is guided along its longitudinal extension direction, such that the actuator runs on a winding path.

The mode of operation of the actuator element according to the invention can be described as follows: the actuator can be excited on the basis of the control signal, whereby the shape memory alloy and thus the actuator go into the excited state and the actuator can shorten or lengthen in its longitudinal extension. The movable component is mechanically coupled or connected to the actuator, so that the change in length of the actuator moves the movable component along an adjustment path. During the movement of the actuator, that is to say when it is shortened or lengthened, the actuator is guided along its longitudinal extension by means of the guide section. That is, the actuator can slide along the guide section while it is simultaneously guided by the latter. Preferably the

Guide section the actuator essentially no movement

Direction orthogonal to its length. In other words, the guide section keeps the actuator on its path. The configuration according to the invention of the path of the actuator makes it possible to considerably reduce the overall space of the actuator element. Thus, measured along the path, the actuator can have a relatively large longitudinal extension in order to achieve the desired travel of the

To achieve movable component, while the actuator element itself can have a size in all spatial directions which is smaller than the longitudinal extension of the actuator. This is achieved in that the actuator runs according to the invention, that is to say has at least one turn, and reliable guidance of the actuator is provided by means of the guide section in accordance with the path provided for the actuator.

In one embodiment of the invention, the actuator can run at least partially around an edge of the carrier element, so that the carrier element advantageously has a double function as

Guide section on the one hand and for supporting components or as a mechanical structural part on the other hand.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the actuator can run within the carrier element on a winding path, preferably a path with at least two turns. In this embodiment, a particularly secure and protected guidance of the actuator within a channel in the interior of the carrier element can be achieved.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the actuator on the carrier element, preferably above or below the carrier element, can be deflected by at least one deflection element, for example a deflection roller or a deflection pin. In this embodiment, on the one hand, the carrier element is used for guiding the actuator and, on the other hand, the at least one deflection element allows the path of the actuator to be adapted with simple means and largely independently of the design of the carrier element. The wire can be looped on the movable component or through the movable component, while the two

Longitudinal ends of the actuator are attached to the carrier element. This allows simple contacting of the actuator at its longitudinal ends on the carrier element.

In an alternative variant, it is proposed that a first longitudinal end of the actuator is attached to the movable component and a second longitudinal end of the actuator is attached to the carrier element. In this way, the change in length of the actuator is completely converted into a travel of the movable component and therefore the achievable travel is maximized. The attachment can be formed by a stop, so that only a pulling movement between the actuator and the movable component beyond the stop is blocked, but a pushing movement is possible, or, conversely, a pushing movement between the actuator and the moving component is blocked, while a pulling movement is possible. Corresponding variants come into consideration for the attachment between the actuator and the carrier element, so here too a stop can be provided between the actuator and the carrier element.

In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one longitudinal end of the actuator can be connected to the carrier element or to the movable component via an adjustable coupling, which is a

Setting a distance between the longitudinal end and the

Support element or between the longitudinal end and the movable component allowed. In this way, the length of the actuator and / or the

The voltage of the actuator can be adjusted. The actuator element is preferably constructed as a closed system, which can be used modularly in various applications as a universal lock, such as in a security element, for example that described in utility model 20 2019 101 192

Theft protection. The actuator element can also be used quite generally in a lock, which is released by pulling back a closure element, or a water valve, in which a water flow is released after a closure element is withdrawn. There are also fields of application in the automotive industry, for example when closing doors or windows.

According to a preferred embodiment, the carrier element can be a printed circuit board. In this way, the installation space of the actuator element can be further reduced, since the electrical control unit is anyway

preferably contains a circuit board which can also accommodate the plurality of electronic components. In addition, a circuit board usually consists of an insulating material, for example fiber-reinforced plastic or hard paper, which makes it insensitive to heat and only conducts electricity at desired, previously defined points. As a result, such a circuit board does not require any further material adjustments when the actuator is excited by means of heat or electricity. Furthermore, the

Printed circuit board materials have good sliding properties, whereby the actuator can slide very well along the guide section of the carrier element in the event of a change of state, for example during the transition to the excited state and an associated shortening or lengthening of the actuator. In particular, it is thought that the actuator is guided on an edge of the circuit board and around the circuit board. Furthermore, the mostly very flat shape of a printed circuit board is advantageous for achieving the desired small installation space. According to the invention, the movable component moves with respect to the carrier element when the actuator is brought into the excited state. For this purpose, one longitudinal end of the actuator is firmly connected to the movable component. This connection can be a soldered connection, but this has the disadvantage that the high temperatures during the soldering process reduce the material properties of the

Shape memory alloy can change. For this reason, it is preferred that the movable component consists of a part in which the actuator is clamped, screwed or plugged (for example by means of

Screw terminal). An improvement are two interconnected sub-components, between which the longitudinal end of the actuator can be held. For this purpose, the longitudinal end of the actuator can comprise a retaining element which is wedged between the sub-components. The retaining element can be a thickening of the actuator, a crimp or a hook. This also has the advantage that assembly is faster and therefore cheaper.

The same advantages result if the carrier element preferably comprises two plates which bear against one another, the other longitudinal end of the actuator not connected to the movable component being held between the plates. For this purpose, this longitudinal end of the actuator can comprise a retaining element, as described above.

The connection of the subcomponents of the movable component and / or the plates of the carrier element, whereby the subcomponents can also be plates, can take place by means of gluing, screwing or soldering.

The connection is preferably made in such a way that surfaces of the plates and / or subcomponents rest against one another.

A particularly energy-saving excitation of the actuator can

for example take place in that the actuator can be put into the excited state by means of a supply of current and one of the electronic Components provides a power supply for the actuator, in particular the movable component is connected to the carrier element in such a way that a closed circuit is present between the longitudinal ends of the actuator and the power supply both in the excited and in the non-excited state of the actuator. By supplying electricity, the actuator is heated and brought into the excited state. Alternatively or additionally, a heating coil can be used for heating, which is preferably from the electronic

Control unit is included.

The movable component is preferably in engagement with the carrier element. In this way, the movable component can be guided while it is being moved. One possible embodiment is a slide rail or a tongue and groove connection between the movable component and the carrier element. Alternatively, the movable component can be held rotatably relative to the carrier element, for example rotatably mounted on the carrier element.

In a preferred embodiment, an engagement region can be present between the movable component and the carrier element, in which the carrier element and the movable component are in engagement with one another. In this engagement area there can be a contact area which enables current to be transmitted between the power supply and the actuator independently of the positioning of the movable component relative to the carrier element. For example, a contact surface on the movable component can be connected in an electrically conductive manner to the longitudinal end of the actuator connected to the movable component and a contact surface of the carrier element can be electrically connected to the power supply, the contact surfaces resting against one another and being able to form the contact area. In this way, the electronic control unit can have a particularly compact design, since additional conductor cables for contacting the movable component can be saved. An even more compact design of the actuator element can be achieved in that the carrier element has a recess in which the movable component can be at least partially received.

In a preferred embodiment, the movable component is set up to execute a linear movement or a rotary movement. This embodiment makes it possible, for example, to design the movable component as a bolt, a latching hook, a rotary arm, a sheet metal or a slide. The movable component itself can also be a

Include circuit board. When the actuator element is used in a securing element, the movable component can be part of a

Be locking mechanism.

It is desirable for the movable component to be in a defined position, for example a rest position, in a state in which the actuator is not excited. This can preferably be achieved in that the movable component by means of a

Biasing element is biased in a rest position and the actuator is set up to move the movable component against the biasing force of the biasing element. This means that if the actuator is not shortened / required, i.e. is not in an excited state, the movable component is moved into the rest position. The pretensioning element can be a spring or a magnet arrangement which exerts a force on the movable component which can be opposite to the force which the actuator exerts on the movable component in the excited state. Depending on the design, the movable component can be pushed or pulled into the rest position.

It goes without saying that the actuator can have different shapes as long as it has the longitudinal extension provided according to the invention. A preferred embodiment of the actuator is a wire from a Shape memory alloy. The carrier element can be square, round or oval. The shape can be based on the intended application of the actuator element. Furthermore, a round or oval shape can be advantageous if the actuator runs around the carrier element, since friction at corner areas can thus be avoided.

In the following, the embodiment of the actuator element will be discussed in which the actuator runs around the edge of the carrier element, preferably directly at this edge. A reduction in the installation space of the actuator element can already result if the actuator runs around the carrier element at least once. It goes without saying that the reduction in installation space can be further improved if the actuator runs around the carrier element twice, better still three times. The guide section can define the path along which the actuator runs.

If the actuator is wrapped around the carrier element several times, the windings can also run unevenly and leave out an area in which the movable component can move.

It is particularly preferred that, when the actuator runs around the carrier element, the guide section for the actuator defined by the carrier element is formed on an edge surface of the carrier element. In this way, the carrier element can have a very flat shape, which reduces the overall height of the actuator element. The guide section itself can be a depression, for example a channel, which can be milled into the carrier element, for example. The execution of the

Guide section as a channel can be advantageous, since the actuator can thus be guided along the longitudinal extension of the actuator. A simpler design of the guide element can take place by means of a guide through guide pins or pulleys, which can define the path of the actuator. In order to improve the sliding properties of the guide section, the guide section can have a surface structure with depressions and

Have elevations. For example, a corrugated or dimpled structure can be used, such as the structure of a golf ball. In this way, the contact area between the guide section and the actuator can be reduced.

It goes without saying that a reduction in the contact area between the actuator and the carrier element will reduce the intervening

Frictional forces reduced. A preferred embodiment therefore consists in that the actuator only rests against the corners of the carrier element, these corners preferably being rounded.

In the following, the alternative embodiment of the actuator element is discussed, in which the actuator runs within the carrier element on a winding path with at least one turn, preferably with several turns. In this case, the path preferably has the shape of a spiral or a meander or some other shape which has at least one, better several turns.

The turns of the actuator make it possible for it to be accommodated compactly in the actuator element. The turns can have any shape or angle, but a uniform shape, for example the shape of the spiral or the meander, is required

prefer to avoid unnecessary stresses in the actuator.

In the event that the carrier element consists of two mutually adjacent plates, the guide section can be designed in such a way that it extends at least partially, preferably in a predominant part, between the mutually adjacent plates. The

Guide section can be present in a plate or both plates can be designed to be complementary and the guide section together form. The advantage of the design as a printed circuit board is the insulating effect against electricity and heat during the guide and at the same time

Contacting possibility at the longitudinal end of the actuator to close it

activate. As already explained above with regard to the guide section, its surface structure can be designed with elevations and depressions, for example a corrugated or knobbed structure, for example the structure of a golf ball. The guide section, for example in the form of a channel, can also be inserted into the

Be milled support element. The guide section can define the path along which the actuator runs.

For good utilization of the entire change in length of the actuator, it is desirable that the actuator is freely along the

Guide section can move. That is, the actuator can

preferably slide along the guide section with as little friction as possible and / or there is preferably no fixed connection between the actuator and the guide section, preferably the guide section designed as a channel.

The electronic control unit is described in more detail below, the following statements referring to both alternatives of the course of the actuator.

It is preferable that the plurality of electronic components are one

Comprises a signal receiving unit which is configured to cause the actuator to be excited upon receipt of an excitation signal, the signal receiving unit preferably being configured to receive a wireless signal. The signal receiving unit can therefore receive a signal, preferably a wireless signal, and process it in such a way that the actuator changes to the excited state on the basis of the control signal. If the excitation takes place via the supply of electricity, is preferred activates the power supply in response to the receipt of the excitation signal by the signal receiving unit.

Wireless signals, which can be received by the signal receiving unit, for example, can be generated using digital technologies such as digital radio signals, Bluetooth ^® , RFID,

Near field communication (NFC), LoRaWAN, NB-loT or via analog

Data transmission, such as analog radio signals, light pulses, data transmission via tones or movement pulses, can be transmitted. For example, the

Transmission technology "Bluetooth Low Energy" (BLE). Each module preferably has a unique identification number that enables a clear assignment. In this way, it can be prevented, for example, that several actuators of different actuator elements, which are located in the reception range of the excitation signal, are unintentionally excited at the same time. It can therefore target a

Actuator element directed excitation take place.

A signal received by the signal receiving unit, for example an excitation signal to excite the actuator, can be an encrypted signal.

The control can take place, for example, by means of a mobile terminal, e.g. by means of a smartphone, a smartwatch, a tablet or other device that has a corresponding

Signal transmission unit has.

Furthermore, it is possible that the actuator element, for example the electronic control unit thereof, comprises a display unit, for example a display or LEDs. This can be beneficial if the

It is controlled via a mobile device that does not have an integrated display unit. Additionally or alternatively, the actuator element an energy storage unit, for example a rechargeable battery, an energy harvesting unit or a connection to the power grid, which is set up to supply the electronic control unit with energy.

According to a preferred embodiment, the display unit and / or the energy storage unit can be part of the electronic control unit or be connected to it. An integration of the display unit and / or the energy storage unit in the actuator element can enable a compact structure and the use of the actuator element as a closed system, which can easily be used in different systems.

The rechargeable battery can be a commercially available battery, for example a button cell. It is also preferred that the battery

is rechargeable, for example inductively rechargeable. The energy harvesting unit can be a solar module or an induction antenna in order to extract and store the smallest amounts of freely available energy from the environment. Here is the

Trickle charging of a store, preferably a capacitor or

Super capacitor, necessary. The stored charge is used to support the

To provide shape memory alloy with energy.

In general, shape memory alloys are very energy efficient, so that the energy storage unit can be relatively small compared to the use of other actuators.

Further electronic components that can be included in the control unit are at least one LED and / or a loudspeaker and / or a sensor for measuring an active / passive electrical circuit and / or a light sensor and / or a motion sensor. According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for operating an actuator element according to the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising the following steps:

Receiving a signal, which preferably contains an encrypted token, preferably decryption of the token, and

Exciting the actuator element.

It should be mentioned at this point that in this description and in the claims, excitation of the actuator can in particular be understood to mean electrical excitation by applying a predetermined voltage to the actuator and / and by generating or inducing a predetermined current flow through the actuator , the electrical excitation in particular for a predetermined

Duration can take place. These parameters of the electrical excitation (voltage, current, excitation duration) can be defined according to the specific actuator used.

The actuator element of the second aspect of the invention can be used as a remotely controllable actuating module which is actuated in response to an electrical, in particular wirelessly transmitted, actuating signal and executes an actuating movement. A token enables integration into a system with several actuator elements and / or several transceiver devices. If an encrypted token is used, undesired or unauthorized activation of the

Actuator element can be prevented.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method of the second aspect further comprises the following steps:

Establishing a wireless connection between the actuator element and a remote transceiver,

Generation of a token, preferably an encrypted token and / or a token for one-time use, preferably sending a signal with an identification code that uniquely identifies the actuator element from the actuator element to the transceiver,

Sending the token from the transceiver to the

Actuator element,

preferably decryption of the token

Exciting the actuator element to move the movable component, and

preferably output of an optical and / and acoustic and / and haptic signal.

The use of a unique identifier for a

The actuator element allows, for example, the addressing of various actuator elements by one and the same transceiver.

Preferably, in a method of the second aspect of the invention, it is further provided that after the excitation process has been initiated, the electronics are activated to provide optical and / or acoustic and / and haptic feedback, with various optical and / or acoustic and / or and haptic signals are output, or / and that success or

Failure of the excitation of the actuator and / or the movement of the movable component is recognized, processed and reproduced optically and / or acoustically and / and haptically and / and a signal indicating the success or failure to the

Receiving device is transmitted, the electronic sensor system comprising a proximity sensor and / or a position indicator sensor, for example a Hall probe, which is suitable for determining the position of the movable component and thus providing information about the success or failure of the excitation of the actuator. With such

In refinements, the method can provide a user with feedback on the operation and function of the actuator element. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This shows: FIG. 1a an actuator element according to a first one

Embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 1b shows an actuator element according to a second

Embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 2a representations of configurations of a

Guide section in variants of the first

Embodiment, Figure 2b representations of configurations of a

Guide section of a variant of the second

Embodiment,

Figure 3a is a plan view of a carrier element of a

Actuator element according to a third embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 3b is a side view of the carrier element of the third

Embodiment,

FIG. 3c an enlarged detail from FIG. 3a,

FIG. 4a perspective views of a carrier element and a movable component of an actuator element according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of FIG

present invention, FIG. 4b perspective views of a carrier element and a movable component of an actuator element according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 4c is a cross-sectional view of an engaging portion

between the carrier element and the movable component of the fifth exemplary embodiment, FIG. 4d shows a perspective view of a movable component and an adjacent section of a

Carrier element for an actuator element according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention

Invention,

FIG. 5a shows a perspective view of an actuator element according to a seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5b shows a perspective view of a movable component of an actuator according to a variant of the seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an actuator element according to an eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 7 shows a flow chart for a method for operating an actuator element according to a

Embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1 a, an actuator element according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention is generally denoted by 10 and comprises an actuator 12 which is formed at least in sections from a shape memory alloy and is designed to be shortened when a

corresponding excitation of the actuator 12 takes place. A shape memory alloy known per se, also called Shape Memory Alloy (SMA), can be used, that is to say an alloy that is used in a

Has a martensite crystal structure at a temperature below a transition temperature and at a temperature above the

Transition temperature has an austenite crystal structure, the geometries of the crystal structures in the two phases differing significantly from one another, so that it is particularly in the case of elongated bodies such as

Wires that are formed from a shape memory alloy show noticeable changes in length above or below the transition temperature. Examples of shape memory alloys that can be used for the present invention are cryogenic materials, NiTi (nickel-titanium, nitinol), NiTiCu (nickel-titanium-copper), and further nickel-titanium

Alloys, e.g. with Co, Cr, Fe or Nb, CuZn (copper-zinc), CuZnAI (copper-zinc-aluminum) and CuAINi (copper-aluminum-nickel).

The actuator 12 can be excited by applying a voltage via a power supply 14, whereby a current flow is generated in the actuator 12 and, due to the ohmic resistance of the actuator 12, the actuator 12 is heated to a temperature above the transition temperature of the shape memory alloy. The actuator 12 is designed in particular as a wire.

The actuator 12 is guided along its direction of longitudinal extent in a guide section 16 which, in the first exemplary embodiment, can be embodied in a carrier element 18. The guide section 16 can in particular be a channel which is designed as a recess or cavity in the carrier element 18 in a dimensionally stable manner. The actuator 12 can then slide along the guide section 16, the guide section 16 defining a path along which the actuator 12 runs.

The actuator 12 is fixed at its one longitudinal end 13 with a

movable component 20 connected. The movable member 20 is

preferably set up for one indicated by an arrow 22

Perform linear movement relative to the carrier element 18. Alternatively, the component 20 can execute a rotary movement or be guided on any other movement path suitable for the respective adjusting process.

The carrier element 18 is preferably part of an electronic one

Control unit and carries a plurality of electronic components 26, such as the power supply 14 for exciting the actuator 12 on the basis of a control signal. The electronic components 26 accordingly cause, on the basis of a control signal, a supply of current to the actuator 12, which then changes to its excited state and is shortened. The actuator 12 can slide along the guide section 16. While the longitudinal end 13 is fixedly connected to the movable component 20, the opposite longitudinal end 17 is fixed to the

Support element 18 connected. If the actuator 12 shortens due to an excitation, it can slide along the guide section 16 and thus move the movable component 20, in the exemplary embodiment for

Pull support element 18 towards. To guide the movement of the movable component 20, the carrier element has a recess 24 into which the movable component 20 can be drawn.

If the actuator 12 leaves its excited state, for example when the supply of current is ended, the actuator 12 changes to its non-excited state, in which it is in relation to the excited state

State is prolonged. As a result of this extension, the movable component 20 can again move in opposite directions relative to the carrier element 18 Move direction, ie away from the carrier element 18. The movement in this direction is supported by a biasing element 27, for example a spring or magnet arrangement. The pretensioning element 27 can in particular be a compression spring which is supported on the one hand on the carrier element 18 and on the other hand on the movable element 20, so that the spring force of the pretensioning element 27 has to be overcome when the actuator 12 is excited. The position in which the movable component 20 is when the actuator 12 is not excited is referred to below as the rest position.

The carrier element 18 is preferably designed as a plate or housing and, in addition to guiding the actuator 12, takes on another one

Function in the mechanical structure of the actuator element 10,

for example as a support surface for the electronic components 26.

The carrier element 18 is particularly preferably a printed circuit board, that is to say a circuit board on which a plurality of conductor tracks, e.g.

Conductor tracks made of etched copper, are arranged and on which the electronic components 26 are mechanically held and electrically contacted, in particular soldered to soldering surfaces or soldering eyes of the circuit board. The fiber-reinforced plastic customary for circuit boards is preferably used as the material for the circuit board.

FIGS. 2a show views which explain the structure of the guide section 16 of the first exemplary embodiment in variants. The guide section 16 is preferably formed in the interior of the carrier element 18. For this purpose, the carrier element 18 can be constructed from two flat plates 30, 32 joined together, in the surface of which a groove corresponding to the course of the guide section 16 is made, the plates 30, 32 being joined together in such a way that the grooves of the plates 30, 32 fit lie one above the other and thus form a closed channel between them as a guide section 16 in which the actuator 12 can be received. Alternatively, only one of the two plates 30, 32 could have a groove have along the guide section 16, while the other of the two plates 30, 32 covers the groove only flat. The plates can be glued, screwed or fastened to one another in some other way.

By appropriately designing the groove, the course of the

Guide portion 16 can be defined such that the actuator 12 extends therein along a winding path 28. In other words, the winding path 28 follows the course of the channel of the guide section 16. The perspective view in FIG. 2a illustrates a variant for a path, the course of which deviates from the course of the path 28 in FIG. 1a. In any case, however, the path defines at least one turn or

Change of direction, preferably a plurality of turns, for example in the form of a meander. Thus, a relatively large length of the actuator 12 can be accommodated on the carrier element 18 in a compact manner, so that a relatively large length is obtained in relation to the size of the carrier element 18

The difference in length of the actuator 12 between the excited state and the non-excited state and thus a relatively large travel range of the movable element 20 can be set.

Figure 1b shows an actuator element 10 according to a second

Embodiment of the present invention. In the following, only the differences from the first exemplary embodiment are discussed and reference is otherwise made to the description of the first exemplary embodiment. The same or corresponding features have the same reference symbols as in the first exemplary embodiment.

In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, an actuator 12 of the second exemplary embodiment is guided on a guide section 16 which is located on an edge 34, in particular a peripheral peripheral edge, of a carrier element 18. In other words, in the second exemplary embodiment, the actuator 12 is along the edge 34 of the carrier element 18 guided around at least part of the circumference of the carrier element 18.

For example, the carrier element 18 can have an approximately rectangular base area, so that the actuator 12 is guided around at least one corner of the rectangle, preferably wrapped around several corners and longitudinal sides of the carrier element 18. As can be seen in FIG. 2b, the actuator 12 is particularly preferably wound several times around the entire circumference of the carrier element 18, that is to say has a plurality of rectangular windings, comparable to

Coil windings on. Of course, the carrier element 18 can have a different base area, for example the shape of another polygon or a round shape, for example a circular shape. It is only essential for the effect of the invention that also in this

Embodiment of the course of the actuator 12 along its

The direction of longitudinal extent deviates at least in sections from a purely straight shape.

A guide section 16 is preferably provided on the edge 34 of the carrier element 18 in such a way that the actuator 12 is reliably guided in the guide section 16 along a defined path and in particular cannot slip transversely to the direction of longitudinal extent, i.e. transversely to the path. The guide section can have the shape of a channel-like recess or use other guide elements to guide the actuator.

If the actuator 12 according to the second exemplary embodiment is wound around the outer edge 34 of the carrier element 18, the actuator 12 also crosses the area in which the movable component 20 is located. Here is the course of the actuator 12 by corresponding

Design of the guide section 16 selected so that it passes the movable component undisturbed. In Figure 1b, for example, the actuator 12 runs below the movable component 20. Alternatively, the Actuator pass through a passage opening of the movable component 20, for example indicated as a passage opening 19 in Figure 4a, provided that the passage opening is large enough in the direction of movement of the movable component 20 so that the movable component can move undisturbed.

If the actuator 12 is guided around corners 36 of the carrier element 18, increased friction can arise between the actuator 12 and the carrier element 18 at these parts of the guide section 16. In order to reduce this friction, the corners 36 can be rounded. A particularly low-friction variant is illustrated as a third exemplary embodiment of the invention in FIGS. 3a to 3c. Here, a carrier element 18 has strongly rounded deflecting sections 36 in its corner regions, around which an actuator 12 is deflected. Notches 37 are also provided between the deflection sections 36, so that the actuator 12 between the

Deflection sections 36 essentially without contact with the

Carrier element 18 is guided freely and therefore no friction at all occurs at these sections.

In addition, FIG. 3c illustrates in an enlarged representation a special surface of the deflection sections 36, by means of which the friction at the deflection sections 36 can be additionally reduced by the surface having a profiled structure of depressions and elevations, e.g. similar to the surface of a golf ball.

A variant for fastening a longitudinal end 17 of an actuator 12 to the carrier element 18 is also illustrated in FIGS. 2b and 3a.

In particular, the longitudinal end 17 of the actuator 12 can have an enlarged head, which can be produced, for example, by means of a brim. The enlarged head can then be inserted positively into a correspondingly enlarged recess of the carrier element 18 so that it cannot be drawn into a channel of the guide section 16 and thus tensile force of the actuator 12 is transmitted when it is excited can. A similar connection can be provided at the other longitudinal end 13 of the actuator 12 with the movable component 20.

Figure 4a shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, Figures 4b and 4c show a fifth embodiment of the present invention and Figure 4d shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the following, only the differences between these exemplary embodiments and the previous ones are presented

Embodiments described. Features and elements which are the same or correspond to the preceding exemplary embodiments are denoted by the same reference symbols and are not described again. For this purpose, express reference is made to the description of the first, second or third exemplary embodiment.

The fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments relate to, respectively

Configurations of a connection and electrical contact between a movable component 20 and a carrier element 18. In the fourth exemplary embodiment according to FIG it can move linearly in the region of the recess 24 along the directions indicated by an arrow 22. A longitudinal end (cf. longitudinal end 13 of the first exemplary embodiment) of the actuator 12 can be attached to the movable component 20, for example by

Including an enlarged head end in a corresponding one

Deepening. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the movable component 20 can be constructed from two components 40, 42 which bear against one another and enclose the longitudinal end of the actuator 12 between them.

In order to excite the actuator 12, this must be electrically contacted in such a way that a current flow through the actuator 12 is enabled. For this purpose, in a schematically illustrated in the first and second embodiment, In a simple variant, the longitudinal end 13 of the actuator 12 fastened to the movable component 20 (or a section of the movable component 20 electrically connected to it) can be connected to a corresponding contact on the carrier element 18 by means of a free conductor 15, for example a simple wire (in the first exemplary embodiment with the negative pole, in the second embodiment with the positive pole of the power supply 14). The length of the free conductor 15 is dimensioned so that this the

Adjusting movement of the movable component 20 can flexibly accommodate over the entire adjustment path.

In the fifth embodiment, however, the contact is not made via a free wire, but via a sliding contact 44 between

Carrier element 18 and movable component 20. In particular, the movable component 20 can be designed as a slide which has a

Contact rail 43 carries in the area of sliding contact 44, which is electrically connected to longitudinal end 13 of actuator 12. A corresponding slide rail 45 of the carrier element 18 is then slidable with the slide rail 43 of the movable component 20 over the entire travel of the

movable component 20 in contact. The contact bar 45 of the

The carrier element 18 is in turn connected to the electrical components 26 or the power supply 14 of the carrier plate 18. If the carrier element 18 is designed as a printed circuit board, the contact bar can be designed in a particularly simple manner as a conductor track on the printed circuit board.

The sliding contacts and contact rails described above not only ensure electrical contact, but also one

Linear guide of the movable component 20 can be defined. Such a linear guide is additionally improved in the sixth embodiment of the invention by a tongue and groove connection between the movable component and the carrier element 18, it being possible for the contact area (sliding contact) to be provided within the tongue and groove connection. In other words, a first contact rail can be provided on the groove and a second contact rail can be provided on the spring. In FIG. 4d, for example, the carrier element 18 has the tongue, while the groove is formed on the movable component 20. Of course, the groove can also be provided on the carrier element 18 and engage a tongue of the movable component.

Figure 5a shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

Only the differences to the previous exemplary embodiments are described in more detail below. Features and elements that have already been used in the same or equivalent manner for previous

Embodiments have been described are with the same

Reference numerals denote and will not be described again. Reference is expressly made to the description of the preceding

Embodiments referenced.

In an actuator element of the seventh embodiment, an actuator 12 is along a non-rectilinear path on an upper side of a

Support element 18 out. Deflection rollers 50 and / or deflection pins 52, which are attached to the upper side of the carrier element 18, so that they guide the actuator 12 at a distance parallel to the surface of the carrier element 18, serve as guide elements 16. Depending on the desired path, a plurality of guide rollers 50 and / or a plurality of guide pins 52 can be provided at suitable positions. The deflection rollers 50 and / or deflection pins 52 can be used as independent features for deflecting the actuator 12 in the previously described exemplary embodiments or in all others

Embodiments of the invention are used.

The seventh exemplary embodiment also illustrates an alternative variant for fixing the longitudinal ends of the actuator 12. It can be seen that both longitudinal ends 54, 56 of the actuator 12 are each fixed on the carrier element 18, while a middle section of the actuator 12 is fixed on the movable one Component 20 is coupled. For example, the middle section can be passed through an opening 58 on the movable component 20. The actuator 12 can be freely displaceable within the opening 58. Such a variant has the advantage that a fastening of the longitudinal ends 54,

56 and contacting the longitudinal ends 54, 56 for producing the excitation circuit is easier. A disadvantage, however, is a maximum travel of the movable component 20 that is reduced by a factor of 2.

FIG. 5b shows a variant of the seventh exemplary embodiment, in particular a variant of a movable component 20 of the seventh

Embodiment in which the actuator 12 is not passed through an opening 58 through the movable component 20, but on one

Hook portion 60 is hooked.

In all illustrated embodiments, the electronic

Components 26 include switching devices for wireless activation of the actuator element. Thus, the electronic control unit can have a signal receiving unit which can receive signals via a radio standard known per se, for example a Bluetooth receiving unit. The electronic control unit can then do this

be set up to excite the actuator 12 in response to a control signal, that is to say, for example, to activate the power supply 14.

The electronic components can also include a memory device for storing data. In addition, the electronic control unit preferably has a signal transmission unit which

for example, signals about an operating state of the actuator element 10 can be transmitted wirelessly to a remote receiving device. The

The signal transmission unit can also be set up for a location function in order to locate the actuator element 10. Furthermore, the actuator element 10 can comprise an energy storage device, for example a rechargeable battery, or it can be configured to be connected to an energy storage device. The

The energy storage device can supply the electronic components 26 or the electronic control unit with energy. The

Energy storage device is preferably rechargeable.

An energy requirement of the actuator element 10 can be reduced if the electronic control unit further comprises a movement sensor as an electronic component 26, which the electronic

Components 26 can selectively place in an active or an inactive operating mode depending on the signals received from the acceleration sensor. A position indication sensor, preferably a Hall probe, can additionally detect the status of the excitation of the actuator via the position of the movable component. About the

Status indication device or display can be the electronic

Control unit transmit this status to the operator. Also one

Transmission to the operator's mobile receiving device is possible in order to indicate the success of the suggestion or potential errors.

Furthermore, the electronic control unit could be a

Status indication device, preferably an LED light source or an output for an acoustic signal, which can display the state of the actuator 12, for example. If the electronic

If the control unit comprises an energy storage device, for example a rechargeable battery, the status indicator device could also output an indication of the state of charge of the energy storage device.

The actuator element 10 can be used, for example, as an anti-theft device. A closure of the

Theft protection by means of the excitation of the actuator 12 and the associated movement of the movable element 20 are opened.

The actuator element 10 can furthermore comprise an alarm generating device, for example as an electrical component 26, which is set up to emit an acoustic and / or visual alarm signal in response to an attempt to move the movable component 20 by unauthorized persons. The alarm generating device can only be active when the movable component 20 is in its rest position. When the actuator element 10 is used as a anti-theft device, this can protect against unauthorized removal of the anti-theft device, for example from an item of clothing.

In an eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 6, an actuator element further comprises a housing 46 in which the most important components of the invention, in particular, for example, the components described above in connection with exemplary embodiments one to seven, i.e. an electronic control unit, a carrier element, an actuator and a movable component are accommodated. The housing 46 may have a recess (not shown) in order to transmit movement of the movable component 20 to an external element outside of the housing 46. For example, the movable component 20 can be guided at least partially out of the housing 46 through the recess. The housing 46 can have a connection for the power supply 14, for example for connecting an external power supply or a charger. A

Energy storage unit can be arranged in the housing 46 or outside of this.

The housing 46 may include a housing display unit 48 connected to at least one of the plurality of electronic components within the housing. The case display unit can like the aforementioned display unit can be implemented. Furthermore, the

Housing 46 be transparent or have a recess which enables the user to read the display unit as part of the electronic control unit.

Likewise, the electronic

Components (see, for example, FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, components 26), such as an LED and / or a loudspeaker and / or a

Cut-through sensor and / or a light sensor and / or a

Movement sensor and / or the status indication device and / or the output for an acoustic signal can be connected to operating elements 50 and / or display elements 48 on the housing 46.

FIG. 7 shows a method for operating an actuator element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. To use an actuator element according to the first to eighth exemplary embodiments, the method can run together with a mobile terminal device, for example a user's smartphone. Parts of the method, in particular for encrypting or decrypting, receiving or transmitting or stimulating the actuator, are advantageously stored directly in one of the electronic components in the electronic control unit of the actuator element, for example in the form of embedded software.

In a first step S1 of the method, a wireless connection is established between the actuator element and the mobile terminal, for example using the Bluetooth protocol. In a second step S2, a token or security code is generated which is intended to prevent unauthorized or accidental communication with the actuator element. The token can be encrypted with a security standard corresponding to the application. In a further step S3 of the method, the actuator element sends a signal with a signal that uniquely identifies the actuator element

Identification code on the actuator element. The

Identification code uniquely identifies a specific actuator element, so that it is ensured that among a large number of

Actuator elements only a specific actuator element is addressed. The mobile terminal can be assigned to an actuator element

Alternatively, the identification code can be obtained in any other suitable manner, for example by manually entering an for example am

Actuator element displayed identifier, by transmission from a server to the mobile terminal or the like.

In a further step S4, the encrypted token is sent from the mobile terminal to the actuator element, whereupon the token is decrypted in the actuator element in step S5. If the decryption was successful, the method proceeds to step S6, in which the actuator is excited, for example by switching on the power supply.

As a result, a movement of the movable component is finally carried out and a desired adjusting process is carried out.

Successful actuation of the

Actuator element are detected, for example a movement of the movable component. If successful, a

A confirmation message is output, for example by emitting an acoustic confirmation signal. In the event of an error, an error signal can alternatively be output, for example by a

corresponding acoustic warning tone.

Claims

Expectations

1. Actuator element (10) for moving a movable component on the basis of a control signal, comprising

an actuator (12) which comprises a shape memory alloy and is designed to shorten or lengthen in an excited state in its longitudinal extension direction; an electronic control unit which has a carrier element (18) and a plurality of electronic components (26) for exciting the Having an actuator (12) based on a control signal, and a movable component (20) which is coupled to the actuator (12) and can be moved relative to the carrier element (18) by means of the actuator (12),

characterized in that

the carrier element (18) defines a guide section (16), in particular a dimensionally stable guide section, by means of which the

The actuator (12) is guided along its direction of longitudinal extent, such that the actuator (12) runs on a winding path (28).

2. Actuator element (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator runs along an edge (34) of the carrier element (18) at least partially around this.

3. Actuator element (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the actuator runs within the carrier element (18) on a winding path (28), preferably a path with at least two turns.

4. actuator element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator on the carrier element, preferably above or below the carrier element (18), by at least one deflection element, for example a deflection roller or a deflection pin, is deflected.

5. actuator element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier element (18) a

PCB (18) is.

6. Actuator element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (12) can be switched into the excited state by means of a supply of current and one of the electronic components (26) has a power supply (14) for the actuator (12) ), wherein in particular the movable component (20) is connected to the carrier element (18) in such a way that a closed circuit can be established between the longitudinal ends (13, 38) of the actuator (12) and the power supply (14).

7. actuator element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that both longitudinal ends of the actuator (12) are fixedly arranged on the carrier element (18) and a central portion of the actuator (12) is coupled to the movable component.

8. Actuator element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first longitudinal end of the actuator is attached to the movable component and a second longitudinal end of the actuator is attached to the carrier element.

9. Actuator element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one longitudinal end of the actuator is connected to the carrier element or to the movable component via an adjustable coupling which allows for setting a distance between the longitudinal end and the carrier element or allowed between the longitudinal end and the movable component.

10. Actuator element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable component (20) is in engagement with the carrier element (18), preferably in engagement by means of a tongue and groove connection.

11.Aktuatorelement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable component (20) is set up to perform a linear movement or a rotary movement.

12. Actuator element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable component (20) is biased into a rest position by means of a biasing element (27) and the actuator (12) is set up to counter the biasing force of the movable component To move biasing element (27), preferably to pull.

13. actuator element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (12) around the

The carrier element (18) extends around and the guide section (16) for the actuator (12) defined by the carrier element (18) is formed on an outer edge surface of the carrier element (18).

14. actuator element (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that the actuator (12) only in corner regions (36) of the

Carrier element (18) rests, these corners preferably being rounded to form deflection sections.

15. actuator element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (12) within the The carrier element (18) runs on the winding path (28) and the path (28) has turns, in particular the path (28) is in the form of a spiral or a meander or another at least partially non-linear shape.

16. Actuator element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (12) can move freely along the guide section (16), but preferably through the guide section (16) at a movement transverse to

Direction of longitudinal extension of the actuator (12) is prevented.

17. actuator element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plurality of electronic

Components (26) comprises a signal receiving unit which is set up to cause the actuator (10) to be excited upon receipt of an excitation signal, preferably the

Signal receiving unit is set up to receive a wireless signal.

18. Actuator element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic control unit has at least one element from the following list:

- a display unit (26), for example a display and / or LED,

- an acoustic component, for example a loudspeaker (26),

- An electronic component for generating a haptic

Feedbacks, for example a vibration motor or a piezo element (26),

- a proximity sensor or a position indicator sensor,

for example a Hall probe (26) which is suitable for determining the position of the movable component (20) and so on to provide information on the success or failure of the activation of the actuator (12),

- An energy storage unit (26), for example one

Capacitor, a battery, an energy harvesting unit or a connection to the power grid, which is set up to supply the electronic control unit with energy.

19. The method for operating an actuator element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the steps:

- Receiving a signal, which is preferably a

contains encrypted token,

- preferably decryption of the token,

- Exciting the actuator element.

20. The method of claim 19, further characterized by

Steps:

- Establishing a wireless connection between the

Actuator element and a transceiver located remotely therefrom,

- Generation of a token, preferably an encrypted token and / or a token for one-time use,

- preferably sending a signal with one of the

Actuator element assigned, unique

Identification code from the actuator element to the transceiver,

- Sending the token from the transceiver to the actuator element,

- preferably decryption of the token

- Exciting the actuator element to move the movable component, and

- preferably output of an optical and / and acoustic and / or haptic signal.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that further

- After the initiation of the excitation process, the electronics are controlled for the delivery of an optical and / or acoustic and / and haptic feedback, depending on

Operating state of the actuator element, various optical and / and acoustic and / or haptic signals are output, and / or

- The success or failure of the excitation of the actuator and / or the movement of the movable component via an electronic

Sensor system recognized, processed and reproduced optically and / or acoustically and / and haptically and / or a signal indicating success or failure is transmitted to the receiving device, the electronic sensor system being one

Proximity sensor and / or a position indicator sensor includes, for example a Hall probe, which is suitable for determining the position of the movable component and thus providing information on the success or failure of the excitation of the actuator.