Drive device

A driving device comprising:

• a bendable shape memory alloy member;
• an urging member which applies a tension to said shape memory alloy member in a longitudinal direction thereof;
• and
• a plurality of pin-shaped members disposed along a closed path,
• wherein said pin-shaped members contact said shape memory alloy member so that a tension is applied to said shape memory alloy member in a longitudinal direction thereof.

A driving device comprising:

• a bendable shape memory alloy member;
• an urging member which applies a tension to said shape memory alloy member in a longitudinal direction thereof;
• and
• a bending member which bends said shape memory alloy member, said bending member having a structural body and a plurality of projections formed integrally with said structural body,
• wherein said projections contact said shape memory alloy member so that a tension is applied to said shape memory alloy member in a longitudinal direction thereof.

A driving device comprising:

• a bendable shape memory alloy member;
• an urging member which applies a tension to said shape memory alloy member in a longitudinal direction thereof;
• a bending member which bends said shape memory alloy member, said bending member having three or more contact portions contacting said shape memory alloy member;
• and
• an energizing circuit for causing a current to flow through said shape memory alloy member,
• wherein said contact portions contact said shape memory alloy member so that a tension is applied to said shape memory alloy member in the longitudinal direction thereof, and
• wherein said energizing circuit causes a current to flow through said shape memory alloy member via two contact portions, among said three or more contact portions, respectively closest to both ends of said shape memory alloy member.

A driving device comprising:

• a bendable shape memory alloy member;
• an urging member which applies a tension to said shape memory alloy member is a longitudinal direction thereof;
• a bending member which bends said shape memory alloy member, said bending member having three or more contact portions contacting said shape memory alloy member,
• wherein said contact portions contact said shape memory alloy member so that a tension is applied to said shape memory alloy member in the longitudinal direction thereof, and
• wherein said energizing circuit causes a current to flow through said shape memory alloy member via two contact portions adjacent to each other, among said three or more contact portions.

A driving device comprising:

• a bendable shape memory alloy member;
• an urging member which applies a tension to said shape memory alloy member in a longitudinal direction thereof;
• a bending member which bends said shape memory alloy member, said bending member having a plurality of contact portions contacting said shape memory alloy member;
• and
• an energizing circuit for causing a current to flow through said shape memory alloy member,
• wherein said contact portions contact said shape memory alloy member so that a tension is applied to said shape memory alloy member in the longitudinal direction thereof;
• and
• wherein said energizing circuit cause a current to flow through said shape memory alloy member via said contact portions so that the current flowing through said shape memory alloy member differs according to a position in a longitudinal direction of said shape memory alloy member.