Patents Assigned to Actuator Solutions GmbH
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Patent number: 12085064Abstract: The present invention is inherent to an actuator subassembly (100) controlled by shape memory alloy wires (130, 130?), to a system comprising a plurality of such subassemblies and to a control method for such system, wherein the shape memory alloy wires (130, 130?) are in the so-called antagonistic configuration.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2022Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBHInventor: Markus Köpfer
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Publication number: 20240263622Abstract: The present invention is inherent to an actuator subassembly (100) controlled by shape memory alloy wires (130, 130?), to a system comprising a plurality of such subassemblies and to a control method for such system, wherein the shape memory alloy wires (130, 130?) are in the so-called antagonistic configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2022Publication date: August 8, 2024Applicant: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBHInventor: Markus KÖPFER
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Patent number: 11927180Abstract: Multi-stable SMA actuator comprising two shape memory alloy wires (1, 2) in antagonistic configuration that allow to define multiple stable positions of a movable element (12), said positions being maintained by movable stoppers to lock the movable element, that do not require power and are disengaged by the shape memory alloy wires (1, 2) upon actuation thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBHInventors: Arif Kazi, Markus Köpfer, Markus Bäuml, Neven Bobic, Michael Honold
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Patent number: 11746761Abstract: The present invention is inherent to a shape memory alloy actuated fluidic subassembly (10) and to an equipment incorporating it as dispensing device, wherein actuation of the shape memory alloy wires (16, 16?) causes a fluid-tight reservoir (17?) to e compressed by a lid (18) so as to reduce its volume from a maximum volume Vo to a minimum volume V1, this reduction resulting in a pressure increase that causes the opening of an outlet flap (13?) and the dispensing of a fluid through an outlet channel (13).Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBHInventor: Markus Köpfer
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Publication number: 20230193882Abstract: The present invention is inherent to a shape memory alloy actuated fluidic subassembly (10) and to an equipment incorporating it as dispensing device, wherein actuation of the shape memory alloy wires (16, 16?) causes a fluid-tight reservoir (17?) to be compressed by a lid (18) so as to reduce its volume from a maximum volume Vo to a minimum volume V1, this reduction resulting in a pressure increase that causes the opening of an outlet flap (13?) and the dispensing of a fluid through an outlet channel (13).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2022Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicant: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBHInventor: Markus KÖPFER
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Patent number: 11578709Abstract: The present application relates to a stepwise discrete actuator (10) with two shape memory alloy wires (15, 15?) used in an antagonistic configuration to drive a slider (13) that moves a toothed element (12) through tooth-engaging fingers (131, 132) that are spaced at rest by a distance F that is shorter than the distance T between adjacent teeth by an amount sufficient for a stationary finger lifter (14) to lift that of the slider fingers (131, 132) that does not engage the movable toothed element (12) such that it clears the teeth of the latter.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBHInventors: Markus Köpfer, Matthias Peterreins, Markus Kagerer
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Patent number: 11555485Abstract: The present invention is inherent to an actuator subassembly comprising at least one bendable slender structure (12) mounted on a stationary body base (11) and carrying on a first surface an installation feature (17) and a plug (16) in its distal portion, the bending of the slender structure (12) being controlled by a shape memory alloy wire (13) through coupling means (15) located in its distal portion on a second surface opposite to the first surface. The invention also concerns a fluidic valve incorporating such an actuator subassembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignees: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBH, ALFMEIER PRÄZISION SEInventors: Markus Koepfer, Erich Doerfler
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Publication number: 20220412325Abstract: The present application relates to a stepwise discrete actuator (10) with two shape memory alloy wires (15, 15?) used in an antagonistic configuration to drive a slider (13) that moves a toothed element (12) through tooth-engaging fingers (131, 132) that are spaced at rest by a distance F that is shorter than the distance T between adjacent teeth by an amount sufficient for a stationary finger lifter (14) to lift that of the slider fingers (131, 132) that does not engage the movable toothed element (12) such that it clears the teeth of the latter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2020Publication date: December 29, 2022Applicant: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBHInventors: Markus KÖPFER, Matthias PETERREINS, Markus KAGERER
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Patent number: 11513310Abstract: A cylindrical actuator sub-assembly (100, 200, 300) comprising: an element (14, 24, 34) movable along a longitudinal axis (A), at least one actuating member and a guidance mechanism suitable for guiding the element, wherein aid guidance mechanism includes a first ring-shaped lever (11, 21, 31) and a second ring-shaped lever (11?, 21?, 31?) that are parallel to each other, at least two straight axial flexures (12, 12?; 22, 22?; 32, 32?), at least two flexures (16, 16?; 27, 27?; 36, 36?) and at least two bases (13, 13?; 23, 23?; 33, 33?), a first base carrying the movable element.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBHInventors: Neven Bobic, Tobias Schumm
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Publication number: 20220342277Abstract: A cylindrical actuator sub-assembly (100, 200, 300) comprising: an element (14, 24, 34) movable along a longitudinal axis (A), at least one actuating member and a guidance mechanism suitable for guiding the element, wherein aid guidance mechanism includes a first ring-shaped lever (11, 21, 31) and a second ring-shaped lever (11?, 21?, 31?) that are parallel to each other, at least two straight axial flexures (12, 12?; 22, 22?; 32, 32?), at least two flexures (16, 16?; 27, 27?; 36, 36?) and at least two bases (13, 13?; 23, 23?; 33, 33?), a first base carrying the movable element.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2020Publication date: October 27, 2022Applicant: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBHInventors: Neven BOBIC, Tobias SCHUMM
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Publication number: 20220136488Abstract: Multi-stable SMA actuator comprising two shape memory alloy wires (1, 2) in antagonistic configuration that allow to define multiple stable positions of a movable element (12), said positions being maintained by movable stoppers to lock the movable element, that do not require power and are disengaged by the shape memory alloy wires (1, 2) upon actuation thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2020Publication date: May 5, 2022Applicant: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBHInventors: Arif KAZI, Markus KÖPFER, Markus BÄUML, Neven BOBIC, Michael HONOLD
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Publication number: 20220074394Abstract: The present invention is inherent to an actuator subassembly comprising at least one bendable slender structure (12) mounted on a stationary body base (11) and carrying on a first surface an installation feature (17) and a plug (16) in its distal portion, the bending of the slender structure (12) being controlled by a shape memory alloy wire (13) through coupling means (15) located in its distal portion on a second surface opposite to the first surface. The invention also concerns a fluidic valve incorporating such an actuator subassembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2019Publication date: March 10, 2022Applicants: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBH, ALFMEIER PRÄZISION SEInventors: Markus KOEPFER, Erich DOERFLER
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Patent number: 11073675Abstract: Camera module autofocus actuator comprising a movable lens carrier, one or more shape memory alloy wires, a first return elastic element, a second return elastic element substantially identical to the and symmetric to the first return elastic element, wherein one end of the one or more shape memory alloy is mounted to the first return elastic element and the other end to another return elastic element.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2018Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBHInventor: Markus Köpfer
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Patent number: 10908479Abstract: An aperture device actuated by a shape memory alloy wire controls two overlapping shuttering surfaces. The two shuttering surfaces control the amount of light transmitted through a lens assembly. The shape memory alloy wire is actuated by a flexible printed circuit which controls a lever slotted to both shuttering surfaces. By Joule heating, the electric current controls the shape of the wire, actuating the aperture device.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBHInventor: Yusuke Suzuki
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Patent number: 10900471Abstract: A SMA-driven rotary actuator comprises as actuating elements two U-shaped SMA wires (3) connected in an antagonistic configuration to a rotating input member (1) coupled to an oppositely rotating output member (2), preferably through a geared coupling, which is connected to a shaft (4) of a user device.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBHInventors: Markus Köpfer, Markus Bäuml
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Patent number: 10901173Abstract: Autofocus actuator for camera modules comprising a SMA wire (17) as actuating element and at least six spheres (27) as sliding aids contained in at least three slots (26) formed in a lens carrier (12) and symmetrically arranged around a guide pin (15) mounted on a bottom plate (13), whereby the guide pin (15), slots (26) and spheres (27) form a linear bearing for the sliding axial movement of the lens carrier (12) on the bottom plate (13), whereby two sets of additional spheres, each set comprising at least two spheres, are kept in position by a sphere stopping structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBHInventors: Chi-Wei Chiu, Hung-Chia Lu, Huang-Wei Hsu
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Patent number: 10871010Abstract: The present invention is inherent to a swing-type Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuator (10) comprising a stationary frame (11) and a swingable part (12) that are coupled by means of a pivot (13) allowing the swing of the swingable part (12), two SMA wires (14, 14?) being engaged to two connecting elements (15, 15?) present respectively on a left and right portion of the swingable part (12) and vertically separated from the pivot (13), such that the activation of one of the SMA wires (14, 14?) causes the swing of the swingable part (12) in either the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2019Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBHInventor: Matthias Peterreins
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Publication number: 20200393638Abstract: Autofocus actuator for camera modules comprising a SMA wire (17) as actuating element and at least six spheres (27) as sliding aids contained in at least three slots (26) formed in a lens carrier (12) and symmetrically arranged around a guide pin (15) mounted on a bottom plate (13), whereby the guide pin (15), slots (26) and spheres (27) form a linear bearing for the sliding axial movement of the lens carrier (12) on the bottom plate (13), whereby two sets of additional spheres, each set comprising at least two spheres, are kept in position by a sphere stopping structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 4, 2018Publication date: December 17, 2020Applicant: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBHInventors: Chi-Wei CHIU, Hung-Chia LU, Huang-Wei HSU
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Publication number: 20200378370Abstract: A SMA-driven rotary actuator comprises as actuating elements two U-shaped SMA wires (3) connected in an antagonistic configuration to a rotating input member (1) coupled to an oppositely rotating output member (2), preferably through a geared coupling, which is connected to a shaft (4) of a user device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2018Publication date: December 3, 2020Applicant: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBHInventors: Markus KÖPFER, Markus BÄUML
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Publication number: 20200319528Abstract: An aperture device actuated by a shape memory alloy wire controls two overlapping shuttering surfaces. The two shuttering surfaces control the amount of light transmitted through a lens assembly. The shape memory alloy wire is actuated by a flexible printed circuit which controls a lever slotted to both shuttering surfaces. By Joule heating, the electric current controls the shape of the wire, actuating the aperture device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2018Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBHInventor: Yusuke SUZUKI