73 results about "Sma actuator" patented technology

The high-airtightness modular vent valve comprises a power supply end, an SMA actuator module and an air channel, the SMA actuator module comprises an SMA actuator cavity and an SMA conductive part, and a plunger, a spring and a valve deck are sequentially arranged in the SMA actuator cavity in the direction away from the power supply end; the spring is connected with the plunger and the valve cover, the valve cover is provided with a first channel for the SMA conductive part to penetrate through, one end of the SMA conductive part is embedded in the plunger, the other end of the SMA conductive part is arranged in the first channel and extends to a power supply end, and the power supply end is used for electrifying the SMA conductive part; the plunger plugs the air inlet channel when the SMA conductive part is in a non-power-on state, and the plunger is stressed to move in the direction away from the air inlet channel when the SMA conductive part is in a power-on state, so that the air inlet channel communicates with the SMA actuator cavity and further communicates with the air outlet channel; the air inlet channel and the air outlet channel are connected with an external air channel. The vent valve can be modularly mounted on different air paths, and is wide in application range and high in air tightness.

An SMA actuator assembly includes two parts movable relative to each other along a motion axis and a length of SMA wire, with each end of the SMA wire connected to one of the parts. One part includes a contact portion, while the other part includes more than one contact portion, the contact portions contacting the SMA wire on opposite sides along the motion axis. The contact portions alternate in a direction normal to the motion axis and are positioned to guide the SMA wire along a zigzag path, such that the parts are driven in opposite directions when the SMA wire contracts. Considering intermediate sections of the SMA wire between contact with adjacent contact portions, the rate of change of the wire length of each intermediate section during contraction of the SMA wire is equal to the total strain of the SMA wire, and there is no slippage of the SMA wire.

A pneumatic valve features a fluid supply port, a fluid outlet port, and a fluid drainage opening. The valve includes a valve chamber with fluid supply, outlet, and trigger openings, and an actuator chamber connected to the trigger opening. An actuator with an SMA wire, actuating and resetting elements, and a printed circuit board is housed within the valve. A sealing element on the actuating element controls the trigger opening, while a membrane divides the valve chamber into two regions and facilitates plunger movement. The plunger connected to the membrane closes the fluid outlet opening in the unactuated state and opens it in the actuated state. The membrane includes a passage opening for fluid flow between the regions, with a smaller cross-section than the trigger opening, facilitating controlled fluid flow within the valve.

Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present technology provide a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuation device for moving a movable component relative to a static component or support structure and along an imaginary primary axis. The SMA actuation device may include a biasing element for resisting movement of the movable component in a particular direction relative to the primary axis, or may include an arrangement of SMA actuator wires that provide a biasing function.

An SMA actuator assembly (figure 1) comprises first and second relatively moveable parts, and an SMA element arranged to drive the relative movement. The SMA actuator assembly is configured such that

An SMA actuator assembly (1) comprising a first part (10); a second part (20); an SMA element (30) arranged, on actuation, to move the second part relative to the first part; wherein the SMA actuator assembly is configured such that the second part is retained in position relative to the first part when the SMA element is not actuated; and a control circuit (100) configured to: obtain a target position of the second part relative to the first part, and in response to receiving the target position, apply a drive pulse to the SMA element capable of actuating the SMA element so as to move the second part from an initial position to the target position relative to the first part.

The present invention discloses a focusing mechanism, a photographing module and an electronic device for a liquid lens. The focusing and anti-shake mechanism of the liquid lens includes: a liquid lens; an SMA actuator, the SMA actuator includes two first contact plates, an SMA wire and a driven member, the first contact plate is a conductor, both ends of the SMA wire are electrically connected to the two first contact plates respectively, the driven member contacts one side of the SMA wire and bends the SMA wire into a V shape, the SMA wire can slide on the surface of the driven member while maintaining contact with the driven member, when the SMA wire contracts, the included angle of the bent SMA wire increases and drives the driven member to move; a focusing ring, connecting the driven member, the SMA wire can drive the driven member and the focusing ring to move through contraction, and the movement of the focusing ring can contact and squeeze the liquid lens. The present invention can make the structure of the focusing and anti-shake mechanism of the liquid lens simple, compact and easy to manufacture, and is beneficial to reducing the risk of abnormal deflection of the driven member and the focusing ring, and is beneficial to improving the imaging quality.

First and second closure members are moveable between an extended position and a contracted position. A first actuator assembly is supported by a first end of a circuit board and comprises a first actuator body coupled to the first closure member. A second actuator assembly is supported by a second end of the circuit board and comprises a second actuator coupled to the second closure member. Each actuator body is in electrical contact with an electrical contact surface on a first side of the circuit board and with an electrical contact surface on a second side of the circuit board. First and second SMA actuators extend between the first actuator body and the second actuator body. Each actuator moves a respective one of the first and second closure member to the contracted position in response to an electrical input.

A pneumatic valve having a fluid supply port (P), a fluid outlet port (A) and a fluid discharge opening (R) is proposed, having a valve chamber (14) having a fluid supply opening (FZ) connected to the fluid supply port (P), a fluid outlet opening (VH) connected to the fluid outlet port (A), and a trigger opening (VT) connected to an actuator chamber (15) of the valve, the actuator chamber has a fluid discharge opening (R); an actuator (16) which presses the sealing element (E) against the trigger opening (VT) in an unactuated state of the actuator (16) and opens the trigger opening (VT) in an actuated state of the actuator (16); a diaphragm (M) which divides the valve chamber (14) into two regions, the first region (1) being connected to the trigger opening (VT) and the second region (2) being connected to the fluid outlet opening (VH), in which the diaphragm (M) is connected to a plunger (S) which is pressed against the fluid outlet opening (VH) due to a spring force in an unactuated state of the actuator (16) and which opens the fluid outlet opening (VH) in an actuated state, in which the plunger (S) is pressed against the fluid outlet opening (VH) due to a spring force in a non-actuated state of the actuator (16). The diaphragm (M) has at least one passage opening (D) through which a fluid can flow from the first region (1) into the second region (2), the passage opening (D) having a smaller cross-section than the trigger opening (VT).

An actuator assembly 1 comprises a support structure 2, 4 and a movable part 8 with at least one SMA wire 10, 16, 17, 18 having first and second lengths 11, 12. The first and second lengths 11, 12 are arranged over or around an engagement member 19, so that they are able to apply a force, on contraction, in a force direction to rotate the movable part relative to the support structure. An angle between the force direction and at least a portion of the first length of SMA wire adjacent the engagement member is non-zero and acute. This arrangement provides an SMA actuator assembly for increasing wire stroke without unduly increasing the size of the assembly.

A shape memory alloy SMA actuator comprises a first part 4 with a first surface 4f, a second part 20 moveable relative to the first part 4 across the first surface 4f, and one or more SMA elements 80a

The present technology generally relates to shape memory alloy actuators, and to methods of making such SMA actuators. We describe a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator comprising: a static element (104); a movable element (106) movable relative to the static element; and a plurality of SMA wires (108) each connected to one or both of the static element and the movable element and causing movement of the movable element when contracted. At least one connector (110a, 110c), preferably a crimp connector, connects at least two of the plurality of SMA wires (108) to at least one of the static element and the movable element.

An SMA actuator assembly (1) comprises a support structure (2), a movable part (3)and at least one SMA actuator element (5) arranged, on contraction, to drive movement of the movable part with respect to the support structure. A resilient bias assembly (6) connected between the support structure and the movable part oppose a contraction of the SMA actuator element. The assembly also includes a stress-relief element (10) that is thermally activated by an increase in ambient temperature and is arranged, on thermal activation, to relieve stress on the at least one SMA actuator element. This protects the SMA actuator assembly against high temperatures.

The present embodiments relate to a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator with a joint between an SMA wire the SMA actuator being disposed at a bottom surface of the SMA actuator. The SMA actuator can include at least one fixed end configured to be fixed to a carriage, at least one free end, at least one beam connecting the fixed end and the free end, and at least one SMA wire. The at least one SMA wire can be electrically connected to the at least one fixed end and the at least one free end via electrical contact portions. The position of the at least one SMA wire being affixed to the bottom surface can allow for reduced stress and a wire exit angle at the weld joint between each SMA wire and the actuator, improving resiliency of the SMA actuator.

A pneumatic pressure control valve is described, comprising a housing (1) in which a valve chamber (2) is formed with a supply opening (3) for supplying compressed gas into the valve chamber (2), a connecting opening (4) for connection to a cushion to be filled with gas, and an actuator opening (5) for connecting the valve chamber (2) to an actuator chamber, wherein an actuator (20) with a movable adjusting element (7) is arranged in the housing (1), wherein the adjusting element (7) is formed with a plunger (11) projecting through the actuator opening (5), the end of which projecting into the valve chamber (2) is connected to a plate (6), wherein a membrane (8) is arranged in the valve chamber (2) and is connected airtight to the valve chamber wall and divides the valve chamber (2) into two regions,wherein the plate (6) of the tappet (11) is arranged in a first region (9) and is mechanically connected to the membrane (8) via a spring element (12), and wherein an actuating pin (13) of a valve plate (14) connected to the membrane (8) is arranged in a second region (10), wherein the valve plate (14) is arranged on the outside of the valve chamber (2) and, depending on the position of the membrane (8), opens or closes the supply opening (3) via the actuating pin (13), wherein the actuator (6) is an SMA actuator.

The invention provides an engine oil-water separation fault-tolerant control method and system based on redundancy perception, and relates to the technical field of engine control, and the method comprises the steps: when an engine is started, starting a water separator in parallel to carry out oil-water separation with a preset fixed split ratio; synchronously electrifying the main sensor group and the backup sensor, and carrying out data consistency cross verification; if the verification is passed, sensing deviation analysis of the main sensor group is carried out; if the credibility is greater than a preset confidence threshold, performing shunting parameter adjustment prediction, and outputting a real-time shunting ratio; a PWM current instruction generated according to the real-time shunt ratio is sent to an SMA actuator, and stepless regulation of the shunt ratio is carried out; and split ratio adjustment iteration is carried out until a steady-state lubrication working condition is entered. The technical problems that in the prior art, a plurality of sensors and proportional control valves need to be installed in a lubricating system, so that the number of parts is increased, the structure is complicated, and the production cost and the system failure rate are increased are solved.

The present embodiments relate to a rotational actuator using a set of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators to cause rotational motion of an actuator body. The actuator body can include a fixed portion configured to remain static and a moving portion configured to rotate. A set of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators can be connected to the actuator body. Each SMA actuator can include a fixed end fixed to the fixed portion of the actuator body and a free end in contact to the moving portion. Each SMA actuator can include a SMA material disposed between the fixed end and the free end. Each SMA actuator can, in response to an electrical current, extend or retract to enable rotation of the moving portion in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction.

A material-actuated door includes a door housing including a flexible material; and one or more least one Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuators embedded in the door housing. Each SMA actuator is elastically biased in a first actuator physical state and is configured to transition into a second actuator physical state in response to receiving electrical current. The material-actuated door is transitioned into a first door position in response to disconnecting the electrical current to the at least one SMA actuator, and is transitioned into a second door position in response to delivering the electrical current to the at least one SMA actuator.

A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator includes a lever pivotable about a pivot axis between a first position and a second position, a mount coupled to the lever and radially offset from the pivot axis, and an actuator coupled to the lever and moveable between an extended position corresponding to the first position of the lever and a retracted position corresponding to the second position of the lever. The SMA actuator also includes a shape memory alloy (SMA) element connected to the mount. In response to heat being applied to the SMA element, the SMA element changes between an extended state and a contracted state. The lever is configured to pivot from the first position corresponding to the SMA element being in the contracted state to the second position corresponding to the SMA element being in the extended state.

The present invention discloses a cooling method and device for a shape memory alloy actuator. Liquid metal is placed directly below the heat dissipation part of the SMA actuator. An electric field force is applied to the liquid metal, causing the liquid metal to generate a surface tension gradient from bottom to top, thereby causing the surface of the liquid metal to overcome gravity and gather upward and contact the part of the SMA actuator to be dissipated. The electric field force in the liquid metal is eliminated, causing the surface of the liquid metal to return to its original state and separate from the part of the SMA actuator that completes heat dissipation. The liquid metal is used as a cooling medium to quickly absorb and conduct heat generated by the SMA actuator. A surface tension gradient is formed by applying an electric field force to the liquid metal, triggering an electric reduction effect, causing the liquid metal to become spherical under the action of the surface tension difference and contact the surface of the SMA actuator, thereby enhancing the heat transfer efficiency.

An SMA actuator assembly comprises a support structure 141, a movable part 130, and a bearing arrangement arranged to guide movement of the movable part relative to the support structure parallel to a

An SMA actuator assembly comprises an SMA actuator to drive movement of a movable part relative to a support structure. A thermally activated stress-relief arrangement is activated by an increase in a

An SMA actuator assembly comprising: a support structure; a camera module supported on the support structure in a manner that allows the camera module to tilt relative to the support structure about two orthogonal tilt axes, where the camera module comprises an image sensor and a lens assembly arranged to focus an image onto the image sensor; two or more SMA wires arranged to tilt the camera module relative to the support structure about two orthogonal tilt axes; and a control circuit configured to apply a driving signal to the two or more SMA lines so as to drive the camera module to tilt between a plurality of predetermined positions in a repeating pattern with respect to the support structure.

The invention relates to a pneumatic valve having a fluid supply port, a fluid outlet port and a fluid discharge opening, further having: a valve chamber having a fluid supply opening connected to the fluid supply port, a fluid outlet opening connected to the fluid outlet port, and a trigger opening connected to an actuator chamber of the valve, the actuator chamber having a fluid discharge opening; and an actuator formed with an SMA wire, an actuating element on which a sealing element is arranged, the sealing element being pressed against the trigger opening by the reset element in an unactuated state of the actuator and opening the trigger opening in an actuated state of the actuator, a reset element, and a printed circuit board. According to the invention, a diaphragm is provided which divides the valve chamber into two regions, the first region being connected to the trigger opening and the second region being connected to the fluid supply opening, the edge of the diaphragm being clamped between the cup-shaped element and the cover element inserted in the cup-shaped element, at least one passage opening being formed in the clamping region between the first region and the second region.

The present invention discloses a liquid lens focusing device, a camera module, and an electronic device. The liquid lens focusing and anti-shake device comprises: a liquid lens; an SMA actuator, wherein the SMA actuator comprises an SMA wire and two actuating bodies, wherein the SMA wire can be energized and contracted; each actuating body comprises a connecting rod, a support portion, and a first elastic arm, wherein one end of the connecting rod is connected to the SMA wire, and one end of the connecting rod is elastically connected to the support portion, and the first elastic arm is disposed between the connecting rod and the support portion, and the first elastic arm can be elastically bent; and a driven member, wherein one end of the connecting rod is hingedly connected to the driven member, and the driven member is provided with an adjustment ring, and the SMA wire can drive the adjustment ring to move by contraction to contact and squeeze the liquid lens. The present invention can make the displacement of the adjustment ring greater than the contraction of the SMA wire, thereby achieving a larger focusing stroke while maintaining a small actuator size, which is conducive to miniaturization. Furthermore, by coaxially hingedly connecting the two connecting rods in the SMA actuator, the tilt of the adjustment ring is improved, thereby improving imaging quality.

The present embodiment relates to a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator that requires a reduced number of materials for manufacturing the actuator. In some cases, the elements of the SMA actuator may include disposing a dielectric material on the actuator via an injection molding process. In other cases, the SMA actuator may position the SMA wire over a base of the SMA actuator without using any dielectric material. In a first example, an SMA actuator may include a bracket and a base. The base may include a fixed end secured to the bracket, a free end, a beam connecting the fixed end and the free end, and at least one SMA wire. The SMA actuator may further include an insulator including a dielectric material to electrically isolate the set of electrical contacts at the fixed end.

A peristaltic pump comprising a flexible conduit for containing a fluid; and an SMA actuator assembly comprising: a compressor part configured to compress the flexible conduit as the compressor part moves relative to the flexible conduit; and one or more SMA elements configured, on contraction, to cause the compressor part to be driven over a continuous range relative to the flexible conduit so as to compress the flexible conduit and displace fluid within the flexible conduit.

A shape memory alloy actuator assembly comprises a first part, including a surface, a second part which moves relative to the first part across the surface and a resilient biasing element that biases the second part into contact with the first part so as to generate frictional forces therebetween for retaining the second part on the surface. At least one shape memory alloy actuator wire is connected between the first part and the second part and arranged to, on contraction thereof, apply a force to the second part with a component parallel to the surface that drives movement of the second part relative to the first part across the surface. Thus, the second part is retained on the surface when no power is applied to the shape memory alloy wire, and movement is achieved when power is applied.

A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator assembly 1 comprises a second part 20 movable relative to a first part 4 across a first surface, and at least one SMA element 80 to drive movement of the second part. The SMA actuator assembly provides a bias between the second part and the first surface with a normal force to generate a static frictional force that constrains movement of the second part when the SMA element is not actuated. A controller controls actuation of the SMA element. The controller may, during a power-on sequence of the SMA element, increase power supplied to the SMA element gradually from zero to an operating power and / or, during a power-off sequence of the SMA element, decrease power supplied to the SMA element gradually from an operating power to zero. Alternatively, for at least one position of the second part, the actuator assembly may provide a residual net force along the movement direction when the SMA element is unpowered, and the controller obtains an indication of a target position of the second part, outputs one or more drive signals to the SMA element to move the second part to an intermediate position displaced from the target position along the movement direction, and power-off the SMA element such that second part moves towards the target position under the action of the residual net force.

The present embodiments relate to a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator with a reduced number of materials for manufacturing the actuator. In some instances, elements of the SMA actuator can comprise a dielectric material disposed on the actuator via an injection molding process. In other instances, the SMA actuator can dispose SMA wires above a base of the SMA actuator without the use of any dielectric material. In a first example, an SMA actuator can include a carriage and a base. The base can include a fixed end fixed to the carriage, a free end, a beam connecting the fixed end and the free end, and at least one SMA wire. The SMA actuator can also include an insulator comprising a dielectric material electrically isolating a set of electrical contacts at the fixed end.