| 摘要 |
A linear motion actuator which has a body; a member which is movable in a linear direction with respect to the body; an extended member made of shape memory alloy material, extended in a direction transverse to that linear direction so as to intersect it, supported at its ends by the body, and substantially coupled at its intermediate portion to the movable member at least with regard to mutual movement therebetween in that linear direction; and an element for biasing the movable member and the intermediate portion of the extended shape memory alloy member in that linear direction, so as to apply an elongation deformation to the extended shape memory alloy member. This linear motion actuator is inexpensive, compact, and light, and can be operated with a low voltage electrical supply, without being made bulky. Also, this linear motion actuator has an appropriate stroke to force relationship, and can be arranged to have a considerably large stroke. This linear motion actuator is quiet in its operation, and has high power, and further develops this high power at the start of the motion of its actuated member. No substantial problems of uneven heating of the shape memory alloy member occur, because it is linearly extended, and thus it is entirely and definitely subjected to phase transformation, when appropriate. Therefore, in this linear motion actuator, the shape recovering property of the shape memory alloy member is efficiently, effectively, and wholly utilized.
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