SMA actuation apparatus
AssigneeCambridge Mechatronics Limited
InventorJames Howarth
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Abstract
An SMA actuation apparatus moves a movable element, such as a camera lens element, relative to a support structure in any direction perpendicular to a notional primary axis using N pairs of SMA actuator wires extending perpendicular to said primary axis, where N is three or more. The SMA actuator wires of each pair extend parallel to each other and being connected at their ends in tension to the movable element and the support structure in opposition to apply a force to the movable element in opposite directions. The SMA actuator wires are arranged around the movable element such that they are capable of being selectively driven to move the movable element in any direction perpendicular to said primary axis. Accordingly, it is possible to drive movement with an apparatus that is compact along the primary axis.
Claims15
An SMA actuation apparatus for moving a movable element relative to a support structure in any direction perpendicular to a notional primary axis, the SMA actuation apparatus comprising:
- a support structure;
- a movable element supported on the support structure in a manner allowing movement of the movable element relative to the support structure in any direction perpendicular to said primary axis;
- and
- N pairs of SMA actuator wires extending perpendicular to said primary axis, and extending transverse to respective notional radii extending from the primary axis, as viewed along the primary axis where N is three or more, the SMA actuator wires of each pair extending parallel to each other and being connected at their ends in tension to the movable element and the support structure in opposition so that they apply a force to the movable element in opposite directions, the pairs of SMA actuator wires being arranged around the movable element such that they are capable of being selectively driven to move the movable element in any direction perpendicular to said primary axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.