JPS61185082A - Electric signal/mechanical amount converter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable to set mechanical amount operating point over many stages by locally and complementarily heating or cooling two shape memory alloys by a plurality of Peltier elements. CONSTITUTION:A plurality of Peltier elements 12a-12n are disposed along shape memory alloys 11a, 11b between the always 11a and 11b for storing different shapes. Two shape memory alloys 11a, 11b are bonded integrally through the elements 12a-12n to form a converter 13. The prescribed DC current is individually applied from a power source 8 through switches 14a-14n capable of switching in polarity to the elements 12a-12n of the converter 13 to control the shape displacement amount of the converter 13. Thus, the telescoping distance of an operation rod 4 can be controlled in multiple stages.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an electrical signal/mechanical quantity conversion device using a shape memory alloy.

[Conventional technology]

An electric signal/mechanical quantity conversion device is used as a device for driving actuators incorporated in loggets, X-Y tables, electromagnetic pulps, and even flixifon motors. Among them, electrical signal/mechanical quantity conversion devices using unidirectional shape memory alloys are attracting attention.
As shown in Figures (a) and (b), one end of the plate-shaped shape memory alloy 1 is attached to the holding frame 2 using a metal fitting 3, and the other end (free end) of the shape memory alloy 1 is rotated to the operating frame 4. It is configured so that it can be mounted freely. In the figure, reference numeral 5 denotes a holding base that supports the operating frame 4 so that it can move forward and backward in the swinging direction of the free end of the shape memory alloy 1. Further, the spring 6 stretched between the free end of the shape memory alloy 1 and the rising piece of the holding frame 2 exhibits a biasing action that draws the free end to one side of the rising piece.

The shape memory alloy 1 is easily deformed by external force below its transformation temperature, and when heated above the transformation temperature, the operating frame 4 is pushed in, for example, as shown in FIG. 5(b). Shape memory processing is performed so that it has a predetermined shape (the shape of the left curve in the figure). When the switch 7 is turned on, electricity is supplied to control heating to a temperature higher than the transformation temperature.

According to the electrical signal/mechanical quantity converter constructed using such a shape memory alloy 1, the switch 7 can be turned "OFF".
When the temperature of the shape memory alloy 1 is kept below its transformation temperature, the operating frame 4 is pulled toward the right side in the figure by the elastic action of the spring 6, as shown in FIG. In this state, when the switch 7 is turned on and the shape memory alloy 1 is heated to a temperature above its transformation temperature, the alloy 1
exhibits a shape memory effect and returns to its memorized shape in a deformed manner as shown in FIG.

After that, when the switch 7 is turned "OFF" again,
The current heating of the shape memory alloy 1 is stopped, and the temperature of the shape memory alloy 1 becomes equal to or lower than the transformation temperature due to cooling. As a result, the shape memory alloy 1 bends to the right under the force of the spring 6, and the operating frame 4 moves as shown in FIG. 5(a).

In this manner, the operating frame 4 is driven forward and backward in response to the opening and closing of the switch 7, and an electric signal and mechanical quantity regulating action is exerted here.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, conventionally, the shape memory alloy 1 has been heated by utilizing resistance heat generation due to energization, and natural cooling or air cooling has been used for cooling. For this reason, the shape memory alloy 1 cannot be locally heated or cooled, and the entire shape memory alloy 1 is controlled to be above the transformation temperature or below the transformation temperature.

Therefore, it was possible to set only two operating points for the actuator, as shown in FIG. 5(,)(b).

In other words, it is difficult to quantitatively control the intermediate stage between the two operating points, and the device is extremely incomplete as an electrical signal/mechanical quantity converter.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a shape memory stand.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electric signal/mechanical quantity converting device that enables local heating of gold and sets mechanical quantity operating points over multiple stages.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention involves bonding two shape memory alloys that memorize mutually different shapes, sandwiching a plurality of Vertier elements arranged along the shape memory alloy between them, and driving each of the Vertier elements individually. This is what I did.

[Function of the invention and its effects]

Thus, according to the present invention, the two shape memory alloys can be heated and cooled locally and complementarily by the plurality of Vertier elements sandwiched between the two shape memory alloys. .

As a result, by individually driving and controlling the plurality of Vertier elements arranged between the shape memory alloys, the joined body of the shape memory alloys can be deformed into an arbitrary shape. Therefore, it is possible to quantitatively control the operating points over multiple stages and convert electrical signals to mechanical quantities.

In addition, it has a simple structure, has a wide range of applications, and has great practical effects.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 3 are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment device and its mode of operation. Note that the same parts as in the conventional device are designated by the same reference numerals.

The feature of this device is that instead of the conventional shape memory alloy 1 consisting of a single plate-shaped element, between two plate-shaped shape memory alloys 11h and llb that memorize mutually different shapes, A plurality of Peltier elements 12a, 12b to 12n were arranged along the shape memory alloys 11g and llb, and the two shape memory alloys 11a and llb were joined and integrated by sandwiching these Peltier elements 12m and 12b to 12n. A conversion element 13 made of a plate-like structure is used.

Each of the Bertier elements 12m of this conversion element 13
, 12b to 12nVC can be individually applied with a predetermined DC current from the power source 8 via switches 14&, 14b to 14n whose polarity can be changed.

The two shape memory alloys 11m and llb are made of unidirectional shape memory alloys whose memory shapes are set in opposite directions, and are joined with their shape memory directions facing outward.

The Bertier elements 12h, 12b to 12n interposed between the two shape memory alloys 111L and 1 lb are made of, for example, a bismuth tellurium compound as a main component, as shown in FIG. 4(IL) (b). It has a structure in which an N-type semiconductor 21 and a P-type semiconductor 22 made of semiconductors are provided between electrodes 23, 24, and 25.

When electricity is applied from the power supply 26 to the electrode 24, the N-type semiconductor 21, the electrode 23, the P-type semiconductor 22, and the electrode 25, an endothermic effect occurs on the electrode 23 side where the current flows from the N-type semiconductor 2 to the P-type semiconductor 22. occurs, and conversely, N from the P-type semiconductor 22
The electrode 24C25) side through which current flows to the type semiconductor 21 exhibits a heat-generating effect.

Therefore, when the direction of the applied current is reversed as shown in FIG. 4(b), heat generation occurs on the electrode 23 side, and the electrode 24
An endothermic effect is exhibited on the C25) side.

In this way, the Bertier element 12& exhibits complementary heat-generating and heat-absorbing effects between the two electrodes.

12b to 12n are the two shape memory alloys 11a.

11b as a heating/cooling element.

Thus, in this apparatus configured as described above, two
A current of the same polarity is passed through all of the ilche elements 12*, 12b to 12n disposed between the two shape memory alloys 11* and Ilb, for example, the shape memory alloy 11a is cooled over its entirety, and at the same time the other If the shape memory alloy 11b is heated over its entirety, the shape memory alloy 11hh becomes freely deformable by external force, and the shape memory alloy 11b
is heated above its transformation temperature and deforms into its memorized shape.

As a result, the conversion element 13 assumes a shape with its free end displaced to the right as shown in FIG.

Therefore, a plurality of Bertier elements 12*, 12b to 12n
For example, if you reverse the polarity of the current flowing in the upper half,
In the upper half region of the conversion element 13, the heating and cooling actions of the two shape memory alloys 11m and Ilb are reversed. As a result, the shape memory alloy 11& is in a state where it can be freely deformed in the lower half region, and deforms into a memorized shape in the upper half region. In addition, the other shape memory alloy 11b has 1
It exhibits shape memory effect. As a result, the conversion element 13 is deformed into a shape in which the direction of the curve is reversed between the lower half and the upper half, as shown in FIG.

Further, the ilche elements 12*, 12b-1
When the polarity of the current applied to the lower half of the 2n is reversed, when the polarity of the current applied to all the Veltier elements 128° 12b to 12n is reversed, the shape memory alloy 11h has a shape memory effect throughout. The other shape memory alloy 11b becomes freely deformable. As a result, the conversion element 13 is deformed by bending its free end to the left as shown in FIG.

Even if the direction of the polarity of the current flowing through each of the Vertier elements 12*, 12b to 12n is switched half by half, the position of the free end of the conversion element 13 will be controlled to three operating points. If the polarity is controlled more precisely, shape memory alloy 111. The heating and cooling of Ilb can be locally and finely controlled, and the shape of the conversion element 13 can be changed in multiple stages to set even more operating points in stages.

Therefore, according to this device, it is possible to control the amount of movement of the operating frame 4 in multiple stages. Moreover, Ilche element 1
Shape memory alloys 11a, l by 2g, 12b to 12n
It is possible to locally and complementarily control heating and cooling of lb.

Therefore, each Bertier element 12a, I2b~12
It is possible to accurately control the amount of shape deformation of the conversion element 13 simply by controlling the conductivity with respect to n, and to make this act as the amount of mechanical movement of the operating frame 4. In addition, since this method differs from conventional methods in which shape memory alloys are naturally cooled or air cooled, effects such as improved conversion response can be achieved, and the practical advantages thereof are great.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, here the switch 14a.

Lutier element 12a using 1'4b to 14n.

Although an example has been given of a device for manually switching the conductivity of the terminals 12b to 12n, the switching of the conductivity may be performed using a relay and a sequencer, or by computer control. Furthermore, here, although the case where the direction of bending deformation of the shape memory alloy is set to the outside has been described, the same effect can be obtained even if the direction of the bending deformation is set to the inside. However, the relationship between the direction of bending and the polarity of the current is opposite to that of the embodiment. It goes without saying that the present invention is also applicable to not only bending deformation of shape memory alloys but also elongation deformation, screw deformation, or composite deformation thereof. As for the 4-Lutier elements, it is sufficient to use the necessary number of 4-Lutier elements with characteristics according to the device specifications. The pond water invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the gist thereof.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 to 3 are diagrams showing the schematic structure and mode of operation of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4 (&) (b) is for explaining the basic structure of a Peltier element and its operation. Figure 5
Figures (a) and (b) are schematic configuration diagrams showing an example of a conventional device. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Shape memory alloy, 2... Holding frame, 3... Metal fitting, 4... Operating frame, 5... Holding stand, 6... Spring, 7
...Switch, 8...Power supply, 11*, Ilb...
Shape memory alloy% 12h, 12b~12n・=<Lucier element, 13... Conversion element, 14*, 14b~14n・
...Switch applicant sub-agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 4 Figure 6

Claims (1)

[Claims] An electrical signal/mechanical quantity converting device comprising a converting element formed by joining two unidirectional shape memory alloys that memorize mutually different shapes with a plurality of Peltier elements arranged between them.