Actuator with parallelogram spring guiding structure
AssigneeHutchinson Technology Incorporated
InventorMark A. Miller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present embodiments relate to an actuator that includes a parallelogram spring guiding structure. The actuator can include a base and a moving carriage configured to move in a direction (e.g., Z direction). The parallelogram spring guiding structure can be fixed to the moving carriage and the base. Further, the parallelogram spring guiding structure can include side lengths and flexible hinge areas configured to flex as the moving carriage is actuated, preventing or mitigating unwanted motion of the moving carriage during actuation.
Claims26
A system comprising:
- an actuator;
- a moving carriage configured to move in response to actuation by the actuator;
- a base configured to remain static;
- and
- a first parallelogram guiding structure comprising:
- a first end connected to the moving carriage;
- a second end connected to the static base;
- and
- a set of side lengths connecting the first end to the second end, wherein the first parallelogram guiding structure is configured to flex with the moving carriage such that an orientation of the first end remains substantially in parallel with an orientation of the second end.
A parallelogram guiding structure for an actuator, the parallelogram guiding structure comprising:
- a first end configured to connect to a moving carriage;
- a second end configured to connect to a static base;
- a set of side lengths including first side length and a second side length that each extend between the first end to the second end;
- and
- a set of flex hinge areas formed between each of the set of side lengths and the first end and the second end, wherein the set of flex hinge areas are configured to flex as the first end moves with the moving carriage such that an orientation of the first end remains substantially in parallel with an orientation of the second end.
A device comprising:
- a moving carriage configured to move in response to actuation by an actuator;
- a base configured to remain static;
- an outer parallelogram guiding structure comprising:
- a first end connected to the moving carriage;
- a second end connected to the static base;
- and
- a set of side lengths connecting the first end to the second end;
- and
- an inner parallelogram guiding structure comprising:
- a first end connected to the outer parallelogram guiding structure at the second end of the outer parallelogram guiding structure;
- a second end connected to a static endpoint;
- and
- a set of side lengths disposed between the first end and the second end.
A system comprising:
- a bimorph actuator;
- a moving carriage configured to move in response to actuation by the bimorph actuator;
- a base configured to remain static;
- and
- a first parallelogram guiding structure comprising:
- a first end connected to the moving carriage;
- a second end connected to the static base;
- a set of side lengths connecting the first end to the second end;
- and
- a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire with a first end of the SMA wire disposed at the first end of the first parallelogram guiding structure and a second end of the SMA wire disposed at the second end of the first parallelogram guiding structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.