JPH02308976A - Actuator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To drive a load with a low electric power and a large driving power by providing a hooked member, a driving spring means exciting it to the release position from the waiting position, a hooking member, and a shape memory alloy acting the hooking member toward the hook release position. CONSTITUTION:A load is connected to a hooked member 53. The member 53 is moved rightward to the waiting position against a driving spring 55, the hook section 59 of a hooking member 37 is coupled with the angle section of the member 53 at this position, the member 53 is hooked at the waiting position, then elastic energy is stored in the spring 55, and contacts 65 and 66 are brought into contact with each other. When a switch 67 is closed, a shape memory alloy 62 is excited, the alloy 62 is heated to the preset temperature segment by Joule's heat, and the alloy 62 is shrunk to return to the memory length by the shape memory effect, thus a member 57 is rotated clockwise against a hooking spring 60, the hooking of the member 53 by the member 57 is released, the elastic energy of the spring 55 is released, and a load is driven by a large driving force of the spring 55.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an actuator that drives a load by releasing elastic energy stored in a spring using the shape recovery force of a shape memory alloy as a trigger.

[Conventional technology]

Conventional actuators using shape memory alloys have a structure in which the load is driven by the shape recovery force of the shape memory alloy itself.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

The conventional actuator has a problem in that the shape memory alloy must be driven with a large amount of power in order to obtain a large driving force.

The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an actuator that can drive a shape memory alloy with low electric power and drive a load with a large driving force.

[Means to solve the problem]

The actuator according to the present invention includes a locked member movable between a predetermined standby position and a predetermined release position, and a drive spring means for biasing the locked member from the standby position toward the release position. , a locking member movable between a locking position in which the locked member is locked in the standby position and a locking release position in which the locking is released; and a shape restoring force is applied to the locking member. and a shape memory alloy that acts in a direction to move the locking member toward the unlocked position.

[Effect]

In the present invention, a load is linked to the locked member. When the locked member is moved to the standby position against the drive spring and the locking member is locked to the locking member at that position, elastic energy is stored in the drive spring. Next, in this state, electricity is applied to the shape memory alloy,
When the shape memory alloy is heated to a predetermined temperature range, the shape memory alloy generates a shape recovery force due to the shape memory effect, and this shape recovery force moves the locking member to the unlocked position, and the locking member is released. Release the locking member.

As a result, the elastic energy stored in the drive spring is released, and the large drive force of the drive spring drives the load via the locked member.

〔Example〕 Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

1 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention. A generally box-shaped case 51 is provided with a straight groove 52 in its longitudinal direction, and this groove 52 has an L-shaped locked portion 4, 1' 5.
3 is supported movably along the groove 52. A portion of this locked member 53 protrudes outside the case 51 and is connected to a desired load (not shown). A spring receiving hole 54 extending in the same direction as the groove 52 of the member 53 is provided in a portion of the locked member 53 inside the case 51 . A drive spring 55 made of a compression coil spring is interposed between the bottom of the spring housing hole 54 and the case 51, and this drive spring 55 moves the locked member 53 to the left in FIGS. 1 and 2. (Note that in the following description of this embodiment, when "left side" and "right side" are referred to, they are referred to in FIGS. 1 and 2). A spring support rod 56 whose one end is attached to the case 51 enters into the spring 55, and this spring support rod 56 supports the spring 5.
5 is rain-proofed from coming out of its designated position.

Inside the case 51, one end of the locking member 57 is connected to a support shaft 58.
This locking member 57 is provided with a hook portion 59 consisting of a recess, and this hook portion 59 is provided with a corner of the locked member 53. It seems that he will be removed from the department. One end portion of a plate spring-shaped locking spring 60 is attached inside the case 51. The other end of the locking spring 60 presses the locking member 57 by the elasticity of the locking spring 60. As a result, the locking spring 60 biases the locking member 57 in the counterclockwise direction.

A pulley-like hook 61 is provided at the other end of the locking member 57, and the hook 61 has a T i
The middle portion of a wire-like shape memory alloy 62 made of -Ni alloy is wound around. Both ends of the shape memory alloy 62 are connected to terminals 63.6 fixed to the case 51.
Each is fixed at 4. Here, the shape memory alloy 62 stores a predetermined length L that is shorter than the state shown in FIG.
2 or shrinks in an attempt to return to the memory length L, the second
As shown in the figure, the locking member 57 is designed to be rotated clockwise against the drive spring 55.

Inside the case 51, one end portion of each of leaf spring-like contacts 65 and 66 is provided.

When the locked member 53 moves to the rightmost position as shown in FIG.
), the other end of the contact 65 is in the standby position of the locked member 5
3 and is brought into contact with the contact 66, while the locked member 5
3 moves to the leftmost position as shown in FIG. 2 (this position is the release position of the locked member 53 in this embodiment),
Contact points 65° and 66 are spaced apart from each other.

The terminal 63 is electrically connected to one electrode of a power source 68 consisting of a battery via a switch 67.
The other electrode is electrically connected to contact 66. The contact 65 is electrically connected to the terminal 64. Fifth
The figure shows the electrical connection relationship in this embodiment.

Next, the usage and operation of this embodiment will be explained.

First, the locked member 53 is moved to the right against the drive spring 55 to the standby position shown in FIG.
By engaging the five hook portions, the locking member 57 locks the locked member 53 in the standby position. This results in
Elastic energy is stored in the drive spring 55 and the contacts 65, 66 are brought into contact with each other.

Next, when switch 67 is closed, power supply 68 - switch 6
7-Shape memory alloy 62-Contacts 65-Contacts 66-Power source 68
Current flows through the path, the shape memory alloy 62 is heated to a predetermined temperature range by Joule heat, and the shape memory alloy 62 contracts to return to the memorized length due to the shape memory effect, so the locking member 57 The locking member 57 is rotated clockwise against the locking spring 60, and the hooking portion 59 of the locking member 57 is disengaged from the corner portion of the locked member 53. Then, the elastic energy stored in the drive spring 55 is released, and the locked member 53 is moved leftward until it reaches the release position shown in FIG. 2, thereby driving the load. Also, since the contacts 65 and 66 are spaced apart from each other at this time, the shape memory alloy 62
The power supply to is stopped.

In this actuator, by selecting a spring with a sufficiently strong spring force as the drive spring 55, the locking member 57 is rotated with a single force that allows the drive spring 55 to drive the locked member 53 with a large driving force. Since only a relatively small force is required to move and release the locking of the engaged member 53 by the locking member 57, the shape memory alloy 62
can be driven with low current, low voltage, and low power. Therefore, in this actuator, the shape memory alloy 62 can be driven with low power, and the load can be driven with a large driving force.

Further, the locked member 53 is moved again against the drive spring 55 to the first position.
When the actuator moves to the standby position shown in the figure and locks the locked member 53 with the locking member 57, this actuator returns to its original state, and when the switch 67 is closed again, the above operation is performed again. be exposed.

In addition, this actuator uses the fact that the shape memory alloy 62 generates shape recovery force when the ambient temperature rises above a certain level even when no current is applied, so that when the temperature rises due to an abnormal situation, the actuator does not need to be energized. It can also be activated by an actuator.

Although the above-mentioned embodiment was an example in which the locked member made a linear movement, FIGS. 6 to 8 show another embodiment of the present invention in which the locked member made a rotational movement. A substantially disk-shaped locked member 72 is rotatably supported within the substantially box-shaped case 71 . An output shaft 73 fixed to the center of this locked member 72 protrudes outside the case 71 and is linked to a desired load. The locked member 72 is provided with a hook portion 74 consisting of a recess. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, a drive spring 75 made of a torsion spring is interposed between the locked member 72 and the case 71, and this drive spring 75 is connected to the locked part 4. 72 is biased counterclockwise in FIGS. 6 and 7 (in addition, in the following description of this embodiment,
When we say "clockwise" and "counterclockwise" we are referring to FIGS. 6 and 7).

Inside the case 71, there is an intermediate part of the member 76 or the support shaft 7.
The locking member 7 is rotatably supported via the locking member 7.
One end of the member 6 is adapted to be engaged with and released from a hook portion 74 of a member 72 to be engaged. One end (lower end in FIGS. 6 and 7) of a plate spring-like locking spring 78 is removed inside the case 71, and the middle part of the spring 78 is The spring 78 presses one end of the locking member 76 due to its elasticity, and as a result, the spring 78 forces the locking member 76 clockwise (=j).

A pulley-like hook portion 79 is provided at the other end of the locking member 76, and this wrap portion 79 has a Ti-
Wire-shaped shape memory alloy 80 made of Ni alloy
The middle part of is wrapped around. The shape memory alloy 80
Both ends of are fixed to terminals 81 and 82 fixed to case 7, respectively. Here, shape memory alloy 8
0 stores a predetermined length L that is shorter than the state shown in FIG. 6, and this memorized length has a shape memory, so that the alloy 80 will return to the memorized length as shown in FIG. When the locking member 76 contracts, the locking member 76 is rotated counterclockwise against the locking spring 78.

Inside the case 71, one end portions of leaf spring-shaped contacts 83 and 84 are respectively attached.

When the locked member 72 is in the position shown in FIG. 6 (this position is the standby position of the locked member 72 in this embodiment), a convex portion provided on the outer periphery of the locked member 72 85
presses the contact 83 against the contact 84, while the locked member 72
When is in the position shown in FIG. 7 (this position is the release position of the locked member 72 in this embodiment), the convex portion 85 is disengaged from the contact 83 and the contacts 83 and 84 are separated from each other. ing.

The terminal 82 is electrically connected to one electrode of a power source 87 consisting of a battery via a switch 86.
The other electrode is electrically connected to contact 83. The contact 84 is electrically connected to the terminal 81.

Next, the usage and operation of this embodiment will be explained.

First, the locked member 72 is moved clockwise against the drive spring 75 to the standby position shown in FIG. By engaging the ends of the member 76, the locking member 76 locks the locked member 72 in the standby position. As a result, elastic energy is stored in the drive spring 75 and the contact 8
3. 84 are brought into contact with each other.

Next, when switch 86 is closed, power supply 87 - switch 8
6-Shape memory alloy 80-Contacts 84-Contacts 83-Power source 87
A current flows through the path, the shape memory alloy 80 is heated by Joule heat, and the shape memory alloy 80 contracts to return to the memorized length due to the shape memory effect, so the locking member 76 is attached to the locking spring 78. The locking member 76 is rotated counterclockwise against the rotation, and the locking member 72 is disengaged from the portion 74 .

Then, the elastic energy stored in the drive spring 75 is released, and the engaged upper part 72 is rotated counterclockwise to the release position shown in FIG. 7, driving the load via the output shaft 73. . Further, at this time, since the convex portion 85 is removed from the contact 83, the contacts 83 and 84 are separated from each other, and the current supply to the shape memory alloy 80 is stopped.

In this embodiment as well, by selecting a spring having a sufficient spring force as the drive spring 75, the spring 75
The locked member 72 can be driven with a large driving force, while the locking member 76 can be rotated to
Only a relatively small force is required to release the locked member 72 from the locked member 72 . Therefore, in this embodiment as well, it is possible to drive the shape memory alloy 80 with low power and still drive the load with a large driving force.

Further, the locked member 72 is moved again against the drive spring 75 to the sixth position.
When the actuator is rotated to the standby position shown in the figure and the locked member 72 is locked by the locking member 76, the actuator returns to the original state shown in FIG. Then, if the switch 86 is closed again, the above-described operation is performed again.

Figures 9 to 20 show still other embodiments of the present invention = 1
2-. This embodiment is an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a shutter remote device for remotely controlling the shutter of a camera such as a disposable camera. As clearly shown in FIG. 9, the shutter remote control device 1 has a main body 2 made of plastic, and this main body 2 includes a box-shaped part 2a and a box-shaped part 2a.
It has a plate-shaped ceiling part 2b extending forward from the upper end. Further, this shutter remote control device 1 has a bottom plate 3 made of plastic that is rotatably supported near the lower end (=1) of the box-shaped portion 2a of the main body 2. When the bottom plate 3 and the box-shaped part 2a are rotated until they are perpendicular to the ceiling part 2b and parallel to the ceiling part 2b, the bottom plate 3 and the box-shaped part 2a
The projections and recesses (not shown) provided on the sides fit into each other, so that they are semi-fixed in that position.

As clearly shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, the box-shaped part 2a is open at the rear, and the box-shaped part 2a has a shutter suppressing part A'5 in the vertical direction (perpendicular to the ceiling part 2b). direction). The upper end portion of the shutter suppressing member 5 projects outside the box-shaped portion 2a, and
A button suppressing portion 5a is provided near the tip of the button suppressing portion 5a, which extends from the rear toward the front and projects downward.

The lower end side of the shutter pressing member 5 is bent into an L-shape and is accommodated in the box-shaped portion 2a of the main body 2. A compression coil spring 6 is interposed between the lower end of the shutter suppressing portion 4; 45 and the spring receiver portion 2C provided integrally with the box-shaped portion 2a. It is biased upward.

A support shaft 7 is rotatably supported by the box-shaped portion 2a, and this support shaft 7 passes through the inside and outside of the box-shaped portion 2a. A locked member 8 is fixed to the end of the support shaft 7 inside the box-shaped portion 2a. A drive spring 9 (see FIGS. 14 and 19) made of a torsion spring is interposed between the locked member 8 and the main body 2. -17, the force is applied clockwise. do). The drive spring 9 is made stronger by the spring 6.

A locking member 10 is rotatably supported within the box-shaped portion 2a via a support shaft. This locking member 10 and the main body 2
A locking spring 12 (see FIG. 14) made of a torsion spring is interposed between the locking portion I.
; I' 10 is biased clockwise.

The locked member 8 is provided with a hook portion 8a,
A hook portion 10a provided at one end of the locking member 10 is connected to and released from the hook portion 8a. There is an uneven portion 8b (see FIGS. 18 and 19) on the back surface side of the engaged member 8 (bottom side of the box-shaped portion 2a), and on the surface side of the inner end of the box-shaped portion 2a of the shutter pressing member 5. Concave and convex portions 5b are provided on the opening side of the box-shaped portion 2a.

The outer edges of the engaged member 8 and the shutter suppressing member 5 and the uneven surfaces of the uneven portions 8b and 5b are shaped so that the following operation will be performed when the engaged member 8 is rotated. It is said that

When the locked member 8 is in the position shown in FIG. 14 (this position is the standby position of the locked member 8 in this embodiment), the outer edge of the locked member 8 is A portion having a short distance from the shaft 7 contacts the outer edge of the shutter suppressing member 5, and the shutter suppressing member 5 is biased to the upper limit position by the force of the spring 60.

Next, when the locked member 8 is rotated clockwise from the standby position shown in FIG. 5
The shutter suppressing member 5 is pushed down against the spring 6, and the locked member 8 comes into contact with the outer edge of the first
When the shutter suppressing member 5 reaches the position shown in FIG. 5, the shutter suppressing member 5 reaches the lower limit position. In this case, the uneven portions 8b and 5b are in contact with each other at the outer edges of their image portions, and their uneven surfaces are not in contact with each other.

When the locked member 8 is further rotated clockwise, the locked member 8 and the shutter suppressing member 5 do not have their outer edges touching each other as before, but the uneven surfaces of the uneven parts 8b and 5b touch each other. As a result, the distance between the shutter pressing member 5 and the support shaft 7 becomes shorter, and the shutter pressing member 5 is lifted by the force of the spring 6, and finally reaches the position shown in Fig. 16 (this position is ), which is the release position of the locked member 8 in this embodiment.

Next, when the locked member 8 is rotated counterclockwise from the released position shown in FIG. 16, FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 9, the locked member 8 has its uneven portion 8b.
It rotates while bringing its uneven surface into contact with the uneven surface of the uneven portion 5b of the shutter suppressing member 5, and returns to the standby position shown in FIG. 14. In this process, when the locked member 8 moves from the standby position shown in FIG. 14 to the position shown in FIG. Their outer edges never touch each other.

As described above, the engaged member 8 and the shutter suppressing member 5
The outer edge and the uneven surfaces of the uneven parts 8b and 5b are different from each other when the locked member 8 rotates clockwise and when the locked member 8 rotates counterclockwise. The shapes are such that the contact portions of the two are different.

A pulley-like winding part 13 is provided near the other end (1) of the locking member 10, and this winding part 13 has a wire-shaped shape-memory shape made of a Ti-Ni alloy. The middle part of the alloy 14 is wrapped around the alloy 14. Both ends of the alloy 14 are fixed to terminals 15 and 16 fixed to the box-shaped part 2a.Here, the shape memory alloy 14
stores a predetermined length shorter than the state shown in FIG. 14, and when the shape memory alloy 14 contracts in an attempt to return to the memorized length, the locking member
0 is determined to be rotated counterclockwise against the locking spring 12.

One end of a leaf spring-like contact 17 is attached to the end of the locking member 10 on the hooking portion 13 side. The other end of this contact 17 is a free end, and is adapted to be brought into contact with and separated from a leaf spring-like contact 18 which has one end attached to the box-shaped portion 2a. As shown in FIGS. 9, 12 and 13, the opening of the box-shaped portion 2a of the main body 2 has a lid 19.
covered by. The support shaft 7 also has a reset knob 20 (FIGS. 10, 12, and 1) on the outside of the lid 19.
(see Figure 3) is fixed.

The terminal 15 is electrically connected to one electrode of a power source 2 consisting of a battery, and the other electrode of the power source 21 is connected to the contact point 1 via a remote switch 22 consisting of a push button switch.
7. The contact 18 is the terminal 16
electrically connected to. FIG. 20 shows the electrical connections in such a device 1. Although not shown, mechanically the power source 21 is housed in the box-shaped portion 2a. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the remote switch 22 is exposed outside the box-shaped part 2a, and the power supply 22 inside the box-shaped part 2a is connected to a wire 40 of an appropriate length that can be extended from the box-shaped part 2a. and is connected to contact 17.

Next, the usage and operation of this embodiment will be explained.

First, with the bottom plate 3 open, insert the disposable camera 23 under the ceiling 2b of the shutter remote control device, and then rotate the bottom plate 3 to a position parallel to the ceiling 2b. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, the camera 23 is placed between the ceiling portion 2b and the bottom plate 3. Then, the ceiling part 2b and the bottom plate 3 become semi-fixed as described above, and the camera 23 is held between the ceiling part 2b and the bottom plate 3 by the elasticity of their materials, so that the shutter remote control device 1 can be attached to the camera 23. Fixed against. Note that at this time, the button pressing portion 5a of the shutter pressing member 5
The shutter button 24 of the camera 23 is positioned directly below. In Figures 10 to 13, 25 is the camera 2
3 is a lens 1. 26 is a viewfinder, 27 is a flash, and 28 is a flash button.

Now, when the locked member 8 is in the standby position shown in FIG. 14, the contact 17 is in contact with the contact 18. Therefore, when the remote switch 22 is closed, a current flows through the path of power supply 21 - remote switch 22 - contact 17 - contact 18 - terminal 16 - shape memory alloy 14 - terminal 15 - power supply 21, and shape memory alloy 14 is heated by Joule heat. When heated, the shape memory alloy 14 contracts to return to the memorized length due to the shape memory effect, so the locking member 10 is rotated counterclockwise against the locking spring 2, and the locking member 10 is rotated counterclockwise against the locking spring 2. ]0 hook part 1
The hook 0a of the member 8 to be locked is removed from the portion 8a.

Then, the locked member 8 is rotated clockwise by the force of the drive spring 9, and first, the support shaft 7 of the outer edge of the locked member 8 is rotated clockwise.
Since the distance from the shutter press member 5 is long, the shutter press member 5 is pushed down against the spring 6, and the locked member 8 is in contact with the outer edge of the shutter press member 5.
At the stage when the position shown in FIG. 5 is reached, the shutter suppressor 135 reaches the lower limit position. During this process, the button pressing portion 5a of the shutter pressing member 5 presses down the shutter button 24.

The locked member 8 is further rotated in the direction, and the locked member 8 and the shutter suppressing member 5 come into contact with each other with the uneven surfaces of the uneven parts 8b and 5b, and the shutter suppressing member 5
The distance between
It will be in the state shown in the figure.

As described above, in this embodiment, by operating the remote switch 22, the shutter of the camera 23 can be remotely controlled. Therefore, for example, if the electric wire connected to the remote switch 22 is made sufficiently long, the photographer can remotely control the output of the camera 23 while serving as the subject.

Note that, as described above, when the engaging moon 10 is rotated counterclockwise, the contact 17 is separated from the contact 18, so that the current supply to the shape memory alloy 14 is stopped.

Next, when the photographer pinches and rotates the reset knob 20 with his or her hand to rotate the engaged member 8 counterclockwise from the release position shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 19, it rotates while bringing the uneven surface of the uneven portion 8b into contact with the uneven surface of the uneven portion 5b of the shutter suppressing member 5, and returns to the standby position shown in FIG. 14. Also,
At this time, the locking member 10 also returns to its original position by the force of the locking spring 12, and the hook portion 101 of the locking member 10 engages with the hook portion 8a of the locked member 8, and the shutter remote The operating device 1 returns to the initial state shown in FIG.

Therefore, if the remote switch 22 is closed again in this state, the shutter button 24 will be pressed again by the shutter suppressor 5.

In addition, in this embodiment, the locked member 8 and the shutter suppressing member 5 are separate bodies, and the shutter suppressing part)
, (5 is designed to be driven by a drive spring 9 via a member 8 to the corrugated body, and includes a locked member that is locked to the locking member and a shutter suppressing member that presses the shutter button of the camera. It is also possible to use a configuration in which they are made of the same member.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, the actuator according to the present invention has the excellent effect of being able to drive a shape memory alloy with low electric power and still obtain a large driving force.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 and 2 are front views showing each operating state of an embodiment of the actuator according to the present invention, and FIG.
4 is a rear view showing the embodiment, FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram showing the electrical connections of the embodiment, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams of the present invention. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line ■-■ in FIG. 7; FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the actuator according to the present invention; FIG. The figure is a front view showing the embodiment attached to a disposable camera, FIG. 11 is a rear view showing the embodiment attached to the camera, and FIG. 12 is the embodiment attached to the camera. Fig. 13 is a plan view showing the embodiment installed in the camera, and Figs. 14 to 17 show the main parts of the embodiment in each operation process, with the lid and reset knob removed. Figure 18 is a rear view shown in the state in which the
FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along the line XIX-X■ in FIG. 17, and FIG. 20 is a circuit configuration diagram showing the electrical connections in this embodiment. 8... Locked member, 9... Drive spring, 10... Locking member, 14... Shape memory alloy, 53... Locked member,
54... Drive spring, 57... Engagement member, 62...
Shape memory alloy, 72... Locked member, 75... Drive spring, 76... Locking member, 80... Shape memory alloy.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A locked member movable between a predetermined standby position and a predetermined release position, a drive spring means for urging the locked member from the standby position toward the release position, and the engaged member. a locking member movable between a locking position in which the locking member is locked in the standby position and a locking release position in which the locking is released; and a shape restoring force is applied to the locking member; and a shape memory alloy that acts in a direction toward the unlocked position.