Driving apparatus
AssigneeMinolta Co., Ltd.
InventorsYoshihiro Hara, Junichi Tanii
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Two shape memory alloy members d7 and d8 are connected to a movable member. Continuously, one and then the other of the shape memory alloy members d7 is heated alternately by application of a voltage or current thereto so that, by the generated force exerted by one shape memory alloy member d7 deformed by being heated, the other shape memory alloy member d8 is deformed and the movable member is moved. The shape memory alloy members d7 and d8 are made of a Ti—Ni—Cu alloy subjected to heat treatment at 300° C. or higher, and has an operating temperature of 70° C. or higher.
Claims15
A driving apparatus, comprising:
- a shape memory alloy member connected to a movable member;
- and
- an electric supplier for heating the shape memory alloy member by applying a voltage or current thereto, the supplier making the shape memory alloy member expand and contract, through generation of heat based on the application by the supplier and through dissipation of heat therefrom resulting from suspension of the application by the supplier, so as to drive the movable member to move,
- wherein the shape memory alloy member is operated at a temperature of 70° C. or higher.
A driving apparatus comprising:
- a shape memory alloy member connected to a movable member;
- an electric supplier for heating the shape memory alloy member by applying a voltage or current thereto;
- and
- a cooler for cooling the shape memory alloy member,
- wherein the movable member is driven to move by making the shape memory alloy member expand and contract through generation of heat based on the application by the supplier and through dissipation of heat therefrom by suspension of the application by the supplier and by cooling by the cooler.
A driving apparatus comprising:
- a shape memory alloy member connected to a movable member;
- a driving controller for heating the shape memory alloy member by applying a voltage or current thereto so that the movable member is driven to move by a generated force exerted by the shape memory alloy member deformed by being heated;
- and
- an overheating preventer for preventing overheating of the shape memory alloy member.
A driving apparatus comprising:
- a shape memory alloy member connected to a movable member;
- a driving controller for heating the shape memory alloy member by applying a voltage or current thereto so that the movable member is driven to move by a generated force exerted by the shape memory alloy member deformed by being heated;
- and
- an overheating predictor for detecting a sign of upcoming overheating of the shape memory alloy member,
- wherein the driving controller restrains or suspends energization of the shape memory alloy member according to a result of detection by the overheating predictor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.