SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ACTUATION APPARATUS

摘要

An SMA actuation apparatus (1) comprises a support structure (4) on which a movable element (2) is supported. Four SMA actuator wires (11-14) are connected at their ends to one of the support structure (4) and the movable element (2) and being hooked over a respective connector (7) connected to the other. Pairs of the SMA actuator wires (11-14), on contraction, to drive movement of the movable element (2) relative to the support structure (4), through the respective connectors (7), in opposite directions in said plane (XY), that are orthogonal as between the pairs. Each connector (7) is compliant laterally to the direction in which the respective SMA actuator wire (11-14) drives movement of the movable element (2) relative to support structure (4).

主权项

1. An SMA actuation apparatus for moving a movable element relative to a support structure, the SMA actuation apparatus comprising:
a support structure; a movable element supported on the support structure in a manner allowing movement of the movable element relative to the support structure in any direction in a plane; and four SMA actuator wires, each SMA actuator wire being connected at its ends to one of the support structure and the movable element and being hooked over a respective connector connected to the other of the of the support structure and the movable element, a first pair of the SMA actuator wires being arranged, on contraction, to drive movement of the movable element relative to the support structure, through the respective connectors, in opposite directions along a first axis in said plane, a second pair of the SMA actuator wires being arranged, on contraction, to drive movement of the movable element relative to the support structure, through the respective connectors, in opposite direction along a second axis in said plane transverse to said first axis, wherein each connector is compliant laterally to the direction in which the respective SMA actuator wire drives movement of the movable element relative to support structure.