Shape memory alloy locking mechanism

摘要

A hardware retention mechanism comprising a frame including a first guide shoulder and a pivot point; an actuator arm including a first guide post; and a first shape memory alloy wire strung between the first guide shoulder and the first guide post that rotates the actuator arm between a locked position and an unlocked position. The actuator arm is rotatable around the pivot point between a locked position and an unlocked position. In some embodiments, the frame may further comprise a second guide shoulder, the actuator arm may further comprise a second guide post, and a second shape memory alloy wire may be strung between the second guide shoulder and the second guide post that rotates the actuator arm between an unlocked position and a locked position.

主权项

1. A hardware retention mechanism, comprising:
a frame comprising a first guide shoulder, a second guide shoulder, and a pivot point; an actuator arm comprising a first guide post and a second guide post, the actuator arm rotatable around the pivot point between a locked position and an unlocked position; a first shape memory alloy wire strung between the first guide shoulder and the first guide post that rotates the actuator arm between a locked position and an unlocked position; a second shape memory alloy wire strung between the second guide shoulder and the second guide post that rotates the actuator arm between an unlocked position and a locked position; and an over-center feature that biases the actuator arm into one of the unlocked position or the unlocked position, wherein the over-center feature comprises: a detent attached to the frame; and a curved spring member integrated into the actuator arm that biases against the detent, whereby the actuator arm rotates away from a neutral position.