GB2591648A - Improved crimping - Google Patents

Improved crimping Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2591648A
GB2591648A GB2103226.3A GB202103226A GB2591648A GB 2591648 A GB2591648 A GB 2591648A GB 202103226 A GB202103226 A GB 202103226A GB 2591648 A GB2591648 A GB 2591648A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
crimp
zone
actuation mechanism
electrical connection
electrical insulation
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB2103226.3A
Other versions
GB2591648B (en
GB202103226D0 (en
Inventor
Benjamin Simpson Brown Andrew
Howarth James
Bunting Stephen
Eddington Robin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cambridge Mechatronics Ltd
Original Assignee
Cambridge Mechatronics Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cambridge Mechatronics Ltd filed Critical Cambridge Mechatronics Ltd
Publication of GB202103226D0 publication Critical patent/GB202103226D0/en
Publication of GB2591648A publication Critical patent/GB2591648A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2591648B publication Critical patent/GB2591648B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G7/00—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for
    • F03G7/06—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for using expansion or contraction of bodies due to heating, cooling, moistening, drying or the like
    • F03G7/065—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for using expansion or contraction of bodies due to heating, cooling, moistening, drying or the like using a shape memory element
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/10—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation
    • H01R4/18—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation by crimping
    • H01R4/188—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation by crimping having an uneven wire-receiving surface to improve the contact
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/01—Connections using shape memory materials, e.g. shape memory metal

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Connections Effected By Soldering, Adhesion, Or Permanent Deformation (AREA)
  • Adjustment Of Camera Lenses (AREA)

Abstract

Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide improved techniques for crimping a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wire to ensure that electrical connections between a crimp and SMA actuator wire are made in a controlled manner.

Claims (25)

1. An actuation mechanism comprising: a static component; a moveable component that is moveable relative to the static component; at least one shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wire, each SMA actuator wire comprising a first portion coupled to the static component and a second portion coupled to the moveable component; at least one crimp connected to the static component and arranged to electrically and mechanically connect the first portion of one SMA actuator wire to the static component, the crimp comprising a zone of electrical connection and at least one zone of electrical insulation where the SMA wire emerges from the crimp; at least one crimp connected to the moveable component and arranged to electrically and mechanically connect the second portion of one SMA actuator wire to the moveable component, the crimp comprising a zone of electrical connection and at least one zone of electrical insulation where the SMA wire emerges from the crimp; and an electrical connection forming mechanism for forming an electrical connection between the SMA actuator wire and the crimps in the zone of electrical connection; wherein an electrically insulating layer is selectively provided in each zone of electrical insulation.
2. The actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein each crimp comprises two zones of electrical insulation, one at each edge of the crimp where the SMA actuator wire emerges from the respective edge of the crimp.
3. The actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein each crimp comprises a first portion and a second portion which are folded together, and the portion of the SMA actuator wire is held between the first and second portions.
4. The actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein each SMA actuator wire comprises an electrically insulating coating selectively provided along part of its length to form said electrically insulating layer, and wherein a portion of the SMA actuator wire that is not coated with the electrically insulating coating is provided in the zone of electrical connection in each crimp.
5. The actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 4 wherein the electrical connection forming mechanism comprises at least one feature on each crimp in the zone of electrical connection configured to contact with the portion of the SMA actuator wire that is not coated.
6. The actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 5, when dependent on claim 3, wherein the at least one feature on each crimp is on the first portion and/or the second portion of the crimp.
7. The actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 4 wherein the electrical connection forming mechanism comprises a dimple in the crimp in the zone of electrical connection.
8. The actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 7 wherein the dimple is formed by punching the crimp in the zone of electrical connection.
9. The actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein an internal surface of each crimp is conductive and the electrically insulating layer is selectively provided on the internal surface of each crimp in the at least one zone of electrical insulation.
10. The actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 9 wherein the electrically insulating layer is formed by patterning the internal surface of each crimp in the at least one zone of electrical insulation.
11. The actuation mechanism as claimed in 9 or 10, when dependent on claim 3, wherein the electrically insulating layer is provided on the first and second portion of each crimp.
12. The actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein the insulating layer is formed by patterning using any one or more of: wet etching, dry etching, electro plating, sputtering, photolithography and mechanical etching.
13. The actuation mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the electrical connection forming mechanism comprises a liquid disposed within each crimp, wherein the liquid transforms into a solid within each crimp.
14. The actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 13 wherein the liquid is non- conductive and is disposed in the at least one zone of electrical insulation of each crimp.
15. The actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 13 wherein the liquid is electrically conductive and is disposed in the zone of electrical connection of each crimp.
16. The actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 13 wherein the electrical forming mechanism comprises disposing a non-conductive liquid in the at least one zone of electrical insulation in each crimp, and disposing an electrically conductive liquid in the zone of electrical connection in each crimp, wherein each liquid transforms into a solid within each crimp.
17. The actuation mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16 wherein the liquid is an adhesive.
18. The actuation mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17 wherein the liquid is transformed into a solid by using any one of: an additive, drying, evaporation, pressure, heating, curing, light curing, moisture curing, chemical curing, and heat curing.
19. A crimp for forming an electrical and mechanical connection with a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wire, the crimp comprising a zone of electrical connection and at least one zone of electrical insulation where the SMA wire emerges from the crimp, wherein an electrically insulating layer is selectively provided in each zone of electrical insulation.
20. A strut element comprising: a sacrificial strut body; and at least two crimps, held apart by the sacrificial strut body, for holding at least one shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wire by being folded and pressed over the at least one SMA actuator wire, each crimp comprising a zone of electrical connection and at least one zone of electrical insulation where the SMA wire emerges from the crimp, wherein an electrically insulating layer is selectively provided in each zone of electrical insulation; wherein the sacrificial strut body is removable from the crimps.
21. A method of forming the actuation mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, the method comprising : selectively providing the electrically insulating layer in each zone of electrical insulation; and then forming the electrical connections between the SMA actuator wire and the crimps in the zone of electrical connection.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein said selectively providing comprises: selectively coating the crimp in each zone of electrical insulation.
23. The method of claim 21 or 22, wherein selectively providing the electrically insulating layer in each zone of electrical insulation comprises: selectively coating the SMA actuator wire in locations that, when the wire is connected to each crimp, correspond to the zones of electrical insulation.
24. The method of any one of claims 21 to 23, when dependent on any one of claims 13 to 18, comprising : disposing a non-conductive liquid in the at least one zone of electrical insulation in each crimp; disposing an electrically conductive liquid in the zone of electrical connection in each crimp; and transforming each liquid into a solid within each crimp.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein said transforming comprises using any one of: an additive, drying, evaporation, pressure, heating, curing, light curing, moisture curing, chemical curing, and heat curing.
GB2103226.3A 2018-08-16 2019-08-16 Improved crimping Active GB2591648B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1813407.2A GB2576362A (en) 2018-08-16 2018-08-16 Improved crimping
PCT/GB2019/052305 WO2020035697A1 (en) 2018-08-16 2019-08-16 Improved crimping

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB202103226D0 GB202103226D0 (en) 2021-04-21
GB2591648A true GB2591648A (en) 2021-08-04
GB2591648B GB2591648B (en) 2023-05-10

Family

ID=63668060

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1813407.2A Withdrawn GB2576362A (en) 2018-08-16 2018-08-16 Improved crimping
GB2103226.3A Active GB2591648B (en) 2018-08-16 2019-08-16 Improved crimping

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1813407.2A Withdrawn GB2576362A (en) 2018-08-16 2018-08-16 Improved crimping

Country Status (3)

Country Link
CN (1) CN112888854A (en)
GB (2) GB2576362A (en)
WO (1) WO2020035697A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2023179808A (en) * 2020-11-02 2023-12-20 アルプスアルパイン株式会社 Lens drive device, camera module and method for manufacturing leans drive device
GB202111134D0 (en) * 2021-08-02 2021-09-15 Cambridge Mechatronics Ltd Actuator assembly

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3897992A (en) * 1974-07-17 1975-08-05 Amp Inc Crimping connector means for fine wires
WO2008129291A2 (en) * 2007-04-23 2008-10-30 Cambridge Mechatronics Limited Shape memory alloy actuation apparatus
US20160227088A1 (en) * 2013-09-12 2016-08-04 Cambridge Mechatronics Limited Insulation of sma actuator wires in a miniature camera

Family Cites Families (17)

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US3852702A (en) * 1973-07-27 1974-12-03 Amp Inc Electrical terminal having pyramid teeth thereon
DE60325446D1 (en) * 2002-10-07 2009-02-05 Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh Crimp
US7491101B2 (en) * 2004-06-17 2009-02-17 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Self-locking wire terminal and shape memory wire termination system
US7650914B2 (en) * 2006-06-22 2010-01-26 Autosplice, Inc. Apparatus and methods for filament crimping and manufacturing
CN102150073A (en) 2008-09-12 2011-08-10 剑桥机电有限公司 Optical image stabilisation comprising shape memory alloy actuators
JP2010157396A (en) * 2008-12-26 2010-07-15 Autonetworks Technologies Ltd Connector and method of manufacturing the same
EP2394425B1 (en) 2009-02-09 2017-05-31 Cambridge Mechatronics Limited Optical image stabilisation
JP2011002811A (en) * 2009-05-19 2011-01-06 Mitsumi Electric Co Ltd Lens driving device, method for setting inside and sma assembly
US8830335B2 (en) 2010-02-26 2014-09-09 Cambridge Mechatronics Limited SMA actuation apparatus
CN103168264B (en) 2010-08-09 2015-10-14 剑桥机电有限公司 Camera head
JP5561540B2 (en) * 2010-09-08 2014-07-30 株式会社オートネットワーク技術研究所 Terminal fitting and method of manufacturing terminal fitting
US8866918B2 (en) 2010-09-22 2014-10-21 Cambridge Mechatronics Limited Optical image stabilisation
GB201019532D0 (en) 2010-11-18 2010-12-29 Cambridge Mechatronics Ltd Optical image stablisation drive
JP6289451B2 (en) 2012-05-25 2018-03-07 ケンブリッジ メカトロニクス リミテッド Shape memory alloy actuator
GB201220485D0 (en) 2012-11-14 2012-12-26 Cambridge Mechatronics Ltd Control of an SMA actuation apparatus
GB201508968D0 (en) * 2015-05-26 2015-07-01 Cambridge Mechatronics Ltd SMA wire assembly
KR20190015528A (en) * 2016-06-09 2019-02-13 허친슨 테크놀로지 인코포레이티드 Shape memory alloy wire attachment structure having an adhesive for a suspension assembly

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3897992A (en) * 1974-07-17 1975-08-05 Amp Inc Crimping connector means for fine wires
WO2008129291A2 (en) * 2007-04-23 2008-10-30 Cambridge Mechatronics Limited Shape memory alloy actuation apparatus
US20160227088A1 (en) * 2013-09-12 2016-08-04 Cambridge Mechatronics Limited Insulation of sma actuator wires in a miniature camera

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2591648B (en) 2023-05-10
GB201813407D0 (en) 2018-10-03
WO2020035697A1 (en) 2020-02-20
GB202103226D0 (en) 2021-04-21
GB2576362A (en) 2020-02-19
CN112888854A (en) 2021-06-01

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