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US 10,920,755 B2Granted
Shape memory alloy actuators and methods thereof
AssigneeHutchinson Technology Incorporated
InventorsMark A. Miller, Nathaniel K. Behning, Dean E. Myers, Michael W. Davis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.
Claims20
An actuator including:
- a base;
- a plurality of buckle arms;
- and
- at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms at opposing ends of the pair of buckle arms, each of the opposing ends of the pair of buckle arms coupled with the base, ends opposite the opposing ends of each buckle arm of the pair of buckle arms configured to move, the pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms are coupled together with a center portion, the center portion is configured to receive a portion of a lens carriage.
1 more element
An actuator comprising:
- a first buckle actuator including a first SMA wire attached structure, the first buckle actuator includes a first base, the first buckle actuator includes a first pair of buckle arms and a second pair of buckle arms attached to the first base;
- a second buckle actuator including a second SMA wire attached structure, the second buckle actuator includes a second base, the second buckle actuator includes a third pair of buckle arms and a fourth pair of buckle arms;
- and
- a lens carriage.
1 more element
An actuator included in an autofocus system, the actuator including:
- a base;
- a plurality of buckle arms;
- and
- at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms at opposing ends of the pair of buckle arms, each of the opposing ends of the pair of buckle arms coupled with the base, ends opposite the opposing ends of each buckle arm of the pair of buckle arms configured to move.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.