Actuator assembly
AssigneeCambridge Mechatronics Limited
InventorsAndrew Benjamin Simpson Brown, Stephen Bunting, James Howarth, Daniel Burbridge
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Abstract
An actuator assembly comprises a static part and a movable part. A helical bearing arrangement supporting the movable part on the static part guides helical movement of the movable part with respect to the static part around a helical axis. One or more actuators, that are not shape memory alloy actuators, are arranged to drive movement of the movable part around the helical axis, which thereby includes a component of translational movement along the helical axis. The helical movement increases the force within the actuator assembly allowing actuation of heavier movable parts, and may improve posture.
Claims19
An actuator assembly comprising:
- a static part;
- a movable part;
- a helical bearing arrangement supporting the movable part on the static part and arranged to guide movement of the movable part, with respect to the static part, to both rotate around, and translate along, a helical axis;
- and
- one or more actuators arranged to drive movement of the movable part with respect to the static part around the helical axis, wherein the one or more actuators comprise at least one of a voice coil motor comprising a magnetic element mounted on the moveable part or the static part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.