Abstract: An actuator assembly comprising: a static part; a moving part; an intermediate part; a first bearing arrangement which guides movement of the intermediate part relative to the static part; a second bearing arrangement which guides movement of the moving part relative to the intermediate part; and an actuator arrangement arranged to drive movement of the moving part relative to the static part; and at least one overall endstop between the static part and the moving part and arranged such that the moving part contacts the static part at a limit of movement of the moving part relative to the static part.

Abstract: An SMA actuator assembly (2) comprising: first and second parts (4,6) that are movable relative to each other; and an SMA wire (10) arranged, on contraction, to drive relative movement of the first and second parts; and a heat transfer material (30) arranged between the first and second parts and around at least a portion of the SMA wire so as to transfer heat between the SMA wire and first and/or second parts, wherein the heat transfer material is configured to deform so as to allow relative movement of the first and second parts.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator (1) includes a first part (2), a second part (3), one or more heat sinks (2, 3, 35, 52), and one or more shape memory alloy wires (4, 5). The one or more shape memory alloy wires (4, 5) include a first segment of shape memory alloy wire (4). The one or more shape memory alloy wires (4, 5) are configured to move the second part (3) relative to the first part (2) over a range of movement. The first segment (4) of shape memory alloy wire is connected to the first part (2) by a first resilient element (7) at a first end (6), and a second end (8) of the first segment of shape memory alloy wire (4) is connected to the second part (3).

Abstract: An actuator assembly (4001) includes a first part (4002), a second part (4004), a bearing arrangement (4003) and a drive arrangement (4005). The bearing arrangement (4003) includes first to fourth flexures (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) arranged about a primary axis (4009) passing through the actuator assembly (4001). The bearing arrangement (4003) supports the second part (4004) on the first part (4002). The second part (4004) is tiltable about first and/or second axes (4011, 4012) which are not parallel and which are perpendicular to the primary axis (4009). The drive arrangement (4005) includes four lengths of shape memory alloy wire (40101, 40102, 40103, 40104). The four lengths of shape memory alloy wire (40101, 40102, 40103, 40104) are coupled to the second part (4004) and to the first part (4002).

Abstract: An SMA haptic assembly comprising: a length of SMA wire; and first and second parts that are movable relative to each other along a movement axis, the length of SMA wire being connected at each end to a respective support portion which is a portion of the first or second part; wherein each of the first and second parts comprises at least one contact portion and a connection portion which connects the at least one contact portion and any support portion of the respective one of the first and second parts; wherein the at least one contact portion of the first part and the at least one contact portion of the second part are relatively positioned so as to make contact with the length of SMA wire on opposite sides of the length of SMA wire along the movement axis and to guide the length of SMA wire along a tortuous path such that the first and second parts are driven apart along the movement axis on contraction of the length of SMA wire; and wherein the connection portion of the first body is a beam disposed on a

Abstract: An SMA actuator assembly (1a) for driving or rotating a movable part (20) in a predetermined direction or sense by a plurality of repeated incremental steps is provided. The SMA actuator assembly comprises the movable part; a first engagement portion (31) for engaging the movable part; two SMA wires (41, 42) arranged to move the first engagement portion such that the first engagement portion repeatedly, for each of said incremental steps, is configured to do the following: engage with the movable part from a starting position, exert a force or torque on the movable part in the predetermined direction and disengage from the movable part and return to the starting position. The exertion of the force or torque on the movable part and the engaging or disengaging with the movable part are caused by contraction or relaxation of the two SMA wires.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator assembly (1) comprising: a movable part (100); a support structure (3); one or more SMA wires arranged, on contraction, to tilt the movable part relative to the support structure about two orthogonal axes that are perpendicular to a primary axis (O) of the support structure; and axial translation constrainers (16) configured to limit axial translation of the movable part relative to the support structure along the primary axis of the support structure, wherein the axial translation constrainers are arranged to prevent all points of the movable part from simultaneously reaching their most extreme position along the primary axis of the support structure allowed by the range of possible tilt of the movable part relative to the support structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of synchronising an image sensor with a PWM driver operable to drive an arrangement associated with the image sensor, wherein at least one synchronisation signal produced by the image sensor is used to reset the PWM driver and the at least one synchronisation signal is delayed before being used to reset the PWM driver such that the switching on or off of the at least one synchronisation signal occurs at a defined time in relation to a sensitive period of the image sensor's operation.

Abstract: An SMA actuator (10) comprising SMA wires (31, 32) in which the wire arrangement is asymmetrical, allowing a greater range of motion from a rest position in a first direction than in a second direction, which may be opposite or orthogonal to the first direction. Where the directions are opposite, the angle between a principal axis and the wires providing motion in the first direction may be different from the angle between the principal axis and the wires providing motion in the second direction.

Abstract: Haptic glove for providing haptic feedback to a user's hand, the haptic glove comprising: a base portion and one or more finger portions extending from the base portion, wherein each finger portion is pivotally movable relative to the base portion, and one or more cables, each comprising a distal end connected to a respective finger portion and a proximal end extending towards the base portion; and one or more cable control assemblies, at least one cable control assembly comprising: a constrain mechanism configured, when engaged, to constrain movement of the proximal end of a respective cable relative to the base portion, thereby constraining movement of a respective finger portion relative to the base portion, and an SMA wire arranged, on contraction, to engage or disengage the constrain mechanism.

Abstract: An actuator assembly comprises a support structure (6), a movable part (5) movable relative to the support structure, at least one shape memory alloy (SMA) wire (2) connected between the support structure and the movable part via wire attach components and arranged, on contraction, to drive movement of the movable part and a control circuit configured to apply drive signals to the at least one SMA wire so as to drive movement of the movable part relative to the support structure between predetermined positions in a repeated pattern; wherein the length of the at least one SMA wire extending between respective wire attach components is less than 5 mm.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator assembly (1) comprising: a movable part (100); a support structure (3); one or more SMA wires arranged, on contraction, to tilt the movable part relative to the support structure about two orthogonal axes that are perpendicular to a primary axis (O) of the support structure; and axial translation constrainers (16) configured to limit axial translation of the movable part relative to the support structure along the primary axis of the support structure, wherein the axial translation constrainers are arranged to prevent all points of the movable part from simultaneously reaching their most extreme position along the primary axis of the support structure allowed by the range of possible tilt of the movable part relative to the support structure.

Abstract: Actuator assemblies and methods of operating actuator assemblies are provided, in particular with the aim of reducing bearing jitter.

Abstract: There is provided a method of driving a shape memory alloy haptic assembly comprising an actuator comprising shape memory alloy that is arranged on actuation to provide a haptic effect, the method comprising supplying drive current to the actuator successively during a pre-heating period in which the temperature of the shape memory alloy is raised without causing the shape memory alloy to provide the haptic effect and during an actuation period in which the temperature of the shape memory alloy is raised so as to cause the shape memory alloy to provide the haptic effect. A shape memory alloy haptic assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An actuator (18) includes a first part (3), a second part (2) and eight shape memory alloy, SMA, wires (41, . . . , 48) connected between the first part (3) and the second part (2) so as to enable the second part (2) to be moved relative to the first part (3) with at least two degrees of freedom. Two of the SMA wires (41, . . . , 48) are located on each of four sides (s1, . . . , s4). The four sides (s1, . . . , s4) extend in a loop around a primary axis (z). On contraction, a first group (41, 43, 45, 47) of four of the SMA wires each provide a force on the second part (2) with a component in a first direction along the primary axis (z), and a second group (42, 44, 46, 48) of the other four of the SMA wires each provide a force on the second part (2) with a component in a second, opposite direction along the primary axis (z). Each of the eight SMA wires (41, . . . , 48) is configured such that a length perpendicular to the primary axis (z) is foreshortened relative to a length (l1, . . .

Abstract: Broadly speaking, the present techniques provide specific arrangements of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires in SMA actuation apparatuses. In one arrangement, a single straight shape memory alloy actuator wire may be used, which may be inclined at an acute angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to a plane normal to the movement direction. In another arrangement, two straight lengths of shape memory alloy actuator wire may be used, where the SMA wires may be inclined at an acute angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to a plane normal to the movement direction.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator assembly comprises a first part, including a surface, a second part which moves relative to the first part across the surface and a resilient biasing element that biases the second part into contact with the first part so as to generate frictional forces therebetween for retaining the second part on the surface. At least one shape memory alloy actuator wire is connected between the first part and the second part and arranged to, on contraction thereof, apply a force to the second part with a component parallel to the surface that drives movement of the second part relative to the first part across the surface. Thus, the second part is retained on the surface when no power is applied to the shape memory alloy wire, and movement is achieved when power is applied.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator assembly comprising: a support structure (211); a moveable part (213) moveable relative to the support structure; at least one SMA wire (202) having a first portion and a second portion respectively attached to the support structure and the moveable part, the said SMA wire is configured to, on contraction, drive movement in the moveable part at least in a primary axis along which the shortest side of the SMA actuator assembly extends; an intermediate component (220) engaging the SMA wire at a location between the first and second portions, the second portion of the SMA wire being arranged at an oblique angle to both the primary axis and the first portion of the SMA wire.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing optical image stabilisation, the computer-implemented method comprising: receiving data indicative of a change in tilt of an optical image stabilisation assembly that comprises an image sensor and a lens element arranged to focus an image on the image sensor; and generating data for moving, relative to the image sensor, the lens element by a distance at least partially dependent on the change in tilt in order to stabilise an image portion of the image to provide a stabilised image; and adjusting a scaling of the distance to the change in tilt.

Abstract: An actuator assembly (2) comprising: first (50) and second (60) parts that are movable relative to each other; and one or more actuating units, each actuating unit comprising: a force-modifying mechanism (72) connected to the first part (50); a coupling link (78) connected between the force-modifying mechanism (72) and the second part (60); and an SMA wire (80) connected between the first part (50) and the force-modifying mechanism (72) for applying an input force on the force-modifying mechanism (72) thereby causing the force-modifying mechanism (72) to apply an output force on the coupling link (78) and causing the coupling link (78) to apply an actuating force on the second part (60); wherein the coupling link (78) is compliant in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the actuating force.