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US 6,516,146 B1Granted
Actuator using shape memory alloy and method for controlling the same
AssigneeMinolta Co., Ltd.
InventorAkira Kosaka
Life of this patent
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AssigneeMinolta Co., Ltd.
InventorAkira Kosaka
Estimating the term…
An actuator using a novel shape memory alloy which, even when there is a large difference between a transformation start temperature of the shape memory alloy and a heating start temperature, can diminish a time lag based on the temperature difference from the time when an operation start command signal is outputted until the start of movement of an actuating member, thereby causing, the actuating member to start deformation quickly and permitting a driven member to be actuated quickly. When the driven member is moved from an initial position to a reference position in operation, if the amount of movement of the driven member is larger than a normal amount of movement, an electric current larger than an electric current value calculated from the amount of movement is fed to the actuating member which is constructed of the shape memory,alloy, thereby causing the actuating member to be displaced quickly to actuate the driven member quickly.
The actuator using a shape memory alloy, comprising:
An actuator using a shape memory alloy, comprising:
A method for controlling an actuator using a shape memory alloy adapted to be displaced by heating, wherein an electric current is fed to an actuating member formed of the shape memory alloy, thereby causing a driven member to move to a predetermined position, the method including the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.