WAVE ACTUATOR

摘要

A two dimensional structure such as a disk or belt is shaped or distorted to form a buckling wave. At least one contact touches the wave, two contacts squeezing the wave between them providing a firmer connection. The wave is propagated along the structure by any of a variety of means including magnets or piezo actuators. This movement of the wave moves the contacts relative to the two dimensional structure, providing a high leverage ratio.

主权项

1. A wave actuator comprising:
a disk having at least an annular portion pre-stressed in circumferential compression to form a wave shape having waves along the circumferential direction of the annular portion; an output arranged in contact with the waves of the wave shape, the output and the disk rotatably arranged in relation to one another; and a wave propagator arranged to propagate the waves in the circumferential direction to rotate the output relative to the disk.