Variable stiffness actuator, endoscope, and power supply method
AssigneeOlympus Corporation
InventorTetsuya MORISHIMA
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A variable stiffness actuator includes a shape-memory member, and a heater configured to receive power to heat the shape-memory member so as to cause the shape-memory member to change from a first phase as a low stiffness state to a second phase as a high stiffness state showing a higher stiffness than the low stiffness state. The actuator also includes a first conductive wire having one end connected to the heater and constituting a part of a power supply line for the heater, and a second conductive wire having one end connected to the other end of the first conductive wire, thicker than the first conductive wire, and having an electrical resistance per unit length lower than that of the first conductive wire.
Claims12
A variable stiffness actuator comprising:
- a shape-memory member;
- a heater configured to receive power to heat the shape-memory member so as to cause the shape-memory member to change from a first phase as a low stiffness state to a second phase as a high stiffness state showing a higher stiffness than the low stiffness state;
- a first conductive wire having one end connected to the heater and constituting a part of a power supply line for the heater;
- and
- a second conductive wire having one end connected to the other end of the first conductive wire, thicker than the first conductive wire, and having an electrical resistance per unit length lower than that of the first conductive wire.
An endoscope comprising:
- an insertion section;
- a shape-memory member disposed along a longitudinal direction of the insertion section;
- a heater along disposed the shape-memory member and configured to receive power to heat the shape-memory member so as to cause the shape-memory member to change from a first phase as a low stiffness state to a second phase as a high stiffness state showing a higher stiffness than the low stiffness state;
- a first conductive wire disposed in the insertion section, having one end connected to the heater, and constituting a part of a power supply line for the heater;
- and
- a second conductive wire having one end connected to the other end of the first conductive wire, the second conductive wire being thicker than the first conductive wire and having an electrical resistance per unit length lower than that of the first conductive wire.
A power supply method to a variable stiffness actuator,
- the variable stiffness actuator comprising:
- a shape-memory member;
- and
- a heater configured to receive power to heat the shape-memory member so as to cause the shape-memory member to change from a first phase as a low stiffness state to a second phase as a high stiffness state showing a higher stiffness than the low stiffness state,
- the method comprising:
- supplying the power to the heater through a first conductive wire connected to the heater, and a second conductive wire connected to the first conductive wire, thicker than the first conductive wire, and having an electrical resistance per unit length lower than that of the first conductive wire;
- and
- stopping supply of the power to the heater.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.