# US 10,480,492 B2 · Actuator device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,480,492 B2 - Document ID: US10480492B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/696,239 - Filed: 2017-09-06 - Published: 2018-06-14 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2016-12-08 - Assignees: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Yuriko Kaneko; Maki Hiraoka; Hidekazu Arase - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480492B2 ## CPC - F03G 7/06143: {Wires} - F03G 7/0612: {using polymers} - F03G 7/062: {characterised by the activation arrangement} - F03G: SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (arrangements in connection with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60K16/00; electric propulsion with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60L8/00) ## Abstract The present invention provides an actuator device comprising an actuator wire; a net-shaped electric heating element which covers a side surface of the actuator wire and comprises heating wires; and a controller for supplying electric power to the net-shaped electric heating element to heat the net-shaped electric heating element. The actuator wire is capable of being contracted by application of heat and restored by release of heat. The side surface of the actuator wire is formed of polymer. One end and the other end of the net-shaped electric heating element is connected to one end and the other end of the actuator wire, respectively. The net-shaped electric heating element is in contact with the side surface of the actuator wire, when the net-shaped electric heating element is not heated. The net-shaped electric heating element is moved outward from the side surface of the actuator wire due to contraction of the actuator wire, when the net-shaped electric heating element is heated. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An actuator device, comprising: an actuator wire; a net-shaped electric heating element which covers a side surface of the actuator wire and comprises heating wires; and a controller for supplying electric power to the net-shaped electric heating element to heat the net-shaped electric heating element; wherein the actuator wire is capable of being contracted by application of heat and restored by release of heat; the side surface of the actuator wire is formed of polymer; one end of the net-shaped electric heating element is connected to one end of the actuator wire; another end of the net-shaped electric heating element is connected to another end of the actuator wire; the net-shaped electric heating element is in contact with the side surface of the actuator wire, when the net-shaped electric heating element is not heated; and the net-shaped electric heating element is moved outward from the side surface of the actuator wire due to contraction of the actuator wire, when the net-shaped electric heating element is heated. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The actuator device according to claim 1, wherein each of the electric heating wires winds helically around the side surface of the actuator wire; and the electric heating wires are braided so as to form the net-shaped electric heating element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The actuator device according to claim 2, wherein the electric heating wires are braided in a left-hand lay. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The actuator device according to claim 2, wherein the electric heating wires are braided in a right-hand lay. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The actuator device according to claim 1, wherein each of the electric heating wires has a shape of a rectangular wave; and the electric heating wires each having a shape of a rectangular wave are knitted so as to form the net-shaped electric heating element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The actuator device according to claim 1, wherein each of the electric heating wires winds helically around the side surface of the actuator wire; and the electric heating wires are weaved so as to form the net-shaped electric heating element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The actuator device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator wire is formed of a fiber; and the fiber is twisted around a longitudinal axis thereof; the fiber is folded so as to have a shape of a cylindrical coil; the fiber is formed of a linear low-density polyethylene; and the following mathematical formula (I) is satisfied: D/d<1 (I) where D represents a mean diameter of the cylindrical coil; d represents a diameter of the fiber; the linear low-density polyethylene has a density of not less than 0.915 g/cm3 and not more than 0.925 g/cm3; and the linear low-density polyethylene has a weight-average molecular weight of not less than 50 kg/mol and not more than 200 kg/mol. ### Claim 8 An actuator, comprising: an actuator wire; and a net-shaped electric heating element which covers a side surface of the actuator wire and comprises heating wires; wherein the actuator wire is capable of being contracted by application of heat and restored by release of heat; the side surface of the actuator wire is formed of polymer; and the net-shaped electric heating element is moved outward from the side surface of the actuator wire due to contraction of the actuator wire, when the net-shaped electric heating element is heated. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The actuator according to claim 8, wherein one end of the net-shaped electric heating element is connected to one end of the actuator wire; and another end of the net-shaped electric heating element is connected to another end of the actuator wire. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The actuator according to claim 8, further comprising: a first connector; and a second connector, wherein one end of the net-shaped electric heating element is connected to one end of the actuator wire with the first connector; and another end of the net-shaped electric heating element is connected to another end of the actuator wire with the second connector. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The actuator according to claim 8, wherein each of the electric heating wires winds helically around the side surface of the actuator wire; and the electric heating wires are braided so as to form the net-shaped electric heating element. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The actuator according to claim 11, wherein the electric heating wires are braided in a left-hand lay. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The actuator according to claim 11, wherein the electric heating wires are braided in a right-hand lay. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The actuator according to claim 8, wherein each of the electric heating wires has a shape of a rectangular wave; and the electric heating wires each having a shape of a rectangular wave are knitted so as to form the net-shaped electric heating element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The actuator according to claim 8, wherein each of the electric heating wires winds helically around the side surface of the actuator wire; and the electric heating wires are weaved so as to form the net-shaped electric heating element. ### Claim 16 (depends on 8) The actuator according to claim 8, wherein the actuator wire is formed of a fiber; and the fiber is twisted around a longitudinal axis thereof; the fiber is folded so as to have a shape of a cylindrical coil; the fiber is formed of a linear low-density polyethylene; and the following mathematical formula (I) is satisfied: D/d<1 (I) where D represents a mean diameter of the cylindrical coil; d represents a diameter of the fiber; the linear low-density polyethylene has a density of not less than 0.915 g/cm3 and not more than 0.925 g/cm3; and the linear low-density polyethylene has a weight-average molecular weight of not less than 50 kg/mol and not more than 200 kg/mol.