Shape-Memory Release Actuator Module With Nested Wire Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuator modules for releasing equipment components, such as satellite components, are bulky, heavy, and often designed for one-time use, lacking reliability and compactness.
Innovation Solution
The actuator module design features a blocking body movable relative to a guide sleeve, with an actuator wire guided axially and circumferentially around the sleeve, allowing for a large travel distance and actuating force while maintaining a compact size, and includes a locking mechanism for easy reset and testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional actuator modules are designed with sufficient travel distance and actuating force, then reliable release function is achieved, but the module occupies large volume and has high weight
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator wire is routed through the hollow interior of the blocking body, nesting the wire path within the blocking body's volume. This allows the wire to achieve sufficient length for adequate travel distance without increasing the external dimensions of the actuator module, effectively resolving the contradiction between reliable release function and compact volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator wire is guided to extend in an oblique direction relative to the blocking body's movement direction, utilizing three-dimensional spatial arrangement. This oblique routing increases the effective wire length and travel distance within the same volume, achieving reliable actuation without increasing module size.
2Reliability
If the actuator wire is made longer to increase travel distance, then actuation reliability is improved, but the module base occupies larger area
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator wire is routed through the hollow interior of the blocking body, nesting the wire path within the blocking body's volume rather than extending it externally. This allows the wire to achieve sufficient length for adequate travel distance without increasing the external dimensions of the actuator module, effectively resolving the contradiction between reliable release function and compact volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator wire is guided to extend in an oblique direction relative to the blocking body's movement direction, utilizing three-dimensional spatial arrangement. This oblique routing increases the effective wire length and travel distance within the same volume, achieving reliable actuation without increasing module size.
3Reliability
If the blocking body is made heavy with large second spring bias, then unintentional movement is prevented, but actuator unit requires larger actuating force
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking body is segmented into multiple identical blocking elements (first blocking element, second blocking element, etc.) distributed around the guide sleeve. Each element provides a portion of the total blocking force, allowing the system to achieve high blocking stability through distributed elements rather than a single heavy component, thereby reducing the actuating force required to move the blocking body as a whole.
Solution Approach 2:
Each blocking element is equipped with its own wire guide formation and localized wire support, creating uniform local qualities around the guide sleeve. This segmentation allows the blocking force to be distributed across multiple elements, achieving high blocking stability without requiring excessive force from the actuator unit.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design achieves a compact, reliable actuator module with multiple actuation capability, reducing unintentional movements and enabling easy testing, thus enhancing operational reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The shape memory material is configured to contract upon actuation. The shape memory material is preferably a shape memory alloy that contracts upon heating, at least in the longitudinal direction of the actuator wire.
Implementation Method 2
Heating may be achieved by ohmic heat by applying a certain amount of electrical power to the electrically conductive actuator wire.
Implementation Method 3
the release body in the standby position is under the action of a first spring bias urging the release body in a direction towards the working position
Implementation Method 4
the blocking body in its blocking position is under the action of a second spring bias urging the blocking body in a direction from the release position towards the blocking position
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator module for releasing an equipment component comprising a module base forming a guide sleeve, a release body for coupling to the equipment component and inserted into the guide sleeve, which release body is movable relative to the guide sleeve along a sleeve axis thereof from a standby position to a working position, a blocking body mounted on the guide sleeve, which, in its blocking position, blocks the release body against movement out of the standby position into the working position and, in its release position, allows movement of the release body from the standby position into the working position, and an actuator unit for moving the blocking body from the blocking position to the release position, the actuator unit comprising at least one actuator wire of shape memory material secured with wire ends to the module base and coupled to the blocking body for applying an activating force.