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US 12,710,132 B2Granted
SMA actuators for optical image stabilisation
AssigneeCambridge Mechatronics Limited
InventorsAndrew Benjamin Simpson Brown, Stephen Matthew Bunting, David Charles William Richards
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Abstract
Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide shape memory alloy (SMA) actuation apparatus for moving a moveable component relative to a static component or support structure and along a notional primary axis. The SMA actuation apparatus may comprise a biasing element to resist motion of the moveable component in particular directions relative to the primary axis, or may comprise an arrangement of SMA actuator wires that provides the biasing function.
Claims14
A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuation apparatus comprising:
- a support structure;
- a moveable component moveable relative to the support structure;
- at least four SMA actuator wires connected between the moveable component and the support structure and arranged to move the moveable component relative the support structure;
- and
- a biasing element to resist translation of the moveable component in a plane perpendicular to a notional primary axis, wherein:
- the SMA actuator wires are configured to only exert a force on the moveable component along an x axis and/or a y axis;
- the x and y axes are perpendicular to the primary axis;
- and
- the combination of the biasing element and the force exerted by the SMA actuator wires cause the moveable component to tilt about the x axis and/or the y axis.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.