Segmented stiffness adjustable shape memory alloy driven actuator and control method thereof

By dividing the cavity structure in the shape memory alloy actuator and filling it with phase change materials with different phase change temperatures, multi-segment equivalent stiffness regulation is achieved by utilizing temperature gradient control. This solves the problems of complex structure, high energy consumption, and insufficient compliant support coordination in the existing technology, and realizes precise equivalent stiffness regulation and drive control.

CN122008171BActive Publication Date: 2026-06-19DONGHUA UNIV +1
View PDF 3 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
DONGHUA UNIV
Filing Date
2026-04-10
Publication Date
2026-06-19

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing shape memory alloy actuators suffer from problems in equivalent stiffness control, such as complex structure, high energy consumption, difficulty in coordinating control of multiple driving components, limited range of equivalent stiffness variation, and inability to achieve coordinated work capability of local compliance and overall support, making them difficult to adapt to the needs of soft robots and wearable rehabilitation devices.

Method used

A segmented shape memory alloy driven actuator with adjustable stiffness is adopted. By dividing the cavity structure in the flexible shell and filling it with phase change stiffness control materials with different phase change temperatures, and using a single shape memory alloy drive element in conjunction with temperature gradient control, multi-segment equivalent stiffness control is achieved, ensuring the coordinated work of local deformation and overall support.

Benefits of technology

It simplifies the control system structure, reduces energy consumption and equipment failure rate, realizes the coexistence of step change in equivalent stiffness and local compliance and overall support, and has precise equivalent stiffness control capability.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN122008171B_ABST
    Figure CN122008171B_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of intelligent actuators and flexible actuators, and relates to a segmented shape memory alloy driven actuator with adjustable stiffness and its control method. The actuator includes a flexible shell, an isolation element, a shape memory alloy driving element, and a phase change stiffness control material. The isolation element divides the flexible shell into multiple axially arranged cavity structures. The phase change stiffness control material fills each cavity, and the phase change temperatures are not completely identical. Each temperature parameter and driving force satisfies a preset matching relationship. The control method involves controlling the heating temperature of the shape memory alloy driving element to sequentially unlock the equivalent stiffness of the cavities through phase changes of the phase change stiffness control material. This allows for multi-segment controllable equivalent stiffness adjustment under a single driving source. The actuator of this invention has a simple structure and programmable response, making it suitable for soft robots, deformable support structures, and intelligent execution systems.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art