Abstract: An actuator assembly (10) comprises: a first part (1), wherein a first (z) axis is defined with reference to the first part (1) and the extent of the actuator assembly (10) along the first (z) axis is less than the extent of the actuator assembly (10) along any axis perpendicular to the first (z) axis; a second part (2) which is movable relative to the first part (1); a drive arrangement (3) configured to rotate the second part (2) about the first (z) axis and to rotate the second part (2) about a second (x) axis perpendicular to the first (z) axis; and a bearing arrangement (4) configured to allow rotation of the second part (2) about the first (z) and second (x) axes, to constrain rotation of the second part (2) about a third (y) axis, and to constrain movement of the second part (2) along the third (y) axis, wherein the third (y) axis is perpendicular to the first (z) and second (x) axes.

Abstract: A camera assembly comprises a lens assembly supported on a support structure, wherein the lens assembly includes an autofocus actuator arrangement and the camera assembly includes an optical image stabilization assembly arranged to move the lens assembly in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. A flexible printed circuit tape connected between the support structure and the lens assembly and providing an electrical connection to the auto-focus actuator arrangement is bent around a corner, thereby allowing the flexible printed circuit tape to accommodate the motion of the lens assembly perpendicular to the optical axis. A crimp plate connected to the lens assembly which crimps shape memory alloy wires has features extending out of the plane of the crimp plate for reducing flexibility. At least part of the optical image stabilization assembly overlaps the lens assembly in the direction along the optical axis, thereby reducing the height of the camera assembly.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator comprising: a support structure (10); a moveable part (20) movable relative to the support structure; plural SMA components (30) connecting the support structure and the movable part, the SMA components are operable to controllably change the position and/or orientation of the moveable part in two or more degrees of freedom; a controller (12) for controlling the operation of the SMA components in a first operating mode during normal operation and a second operating mode in response to an event; and means configured to, during the second operating mode, maintain at least partial control of the moveable part with a subset of the plural SMA components.

Abstract: An actuator arrangement for use in a camera is disclosed. The camera comprises two or more camera elements including an image sensor and one or more optical elements for forming, or aiding forming of, an image of an object on the image sensor. The actuator arrangement comprises: a first part defining a first axis; a first actuator for providing a first type of movement of one or more of the camera elements relative to the first part; a second actuator for providing a second, different type of movement of one or more of the camera elements relative to the first part; a controller configured to (a) cause the first actuator to move one or more of the camera elements so as to provide a first optical image stabilisation (OIS) effect, and (b) cause the second actuator to move one or more of the camera elements so as to provide a second OIS effect. The first and second OIS effects combine to provide an overall OIS effect that is greater than either of the first and second OIS effects.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuation apparatus comprises a support structure (2) and a movable element (10). A helical bearing arrangement (20) supporting the movable element on the support structure guides helical movement of the movable element with respect to the support structure around a helical axis (H). At least one shape memory alloy actuator wire (60) is connected between the support structure and the movable element in, or at an acute angle to, a plane normal to the helical axis, so as to drive rotation of the movable element around the helical axis which the helical bearing arrangement converts into said helical movement.

Abstract: An actuator assembly comprising: a support structure comprising a first friction surface; a movable part comprising a second friction surface engaging the first friction surface; one or more SMA wires arranged. on contraction. to move the movable part relative to the support structure to any position within a range of movement; a biasing arrangement arranged to bias the first and second friction surfaces against each other with a normal force, thereby generating a static frictional force that constrains the movement of the movable part relative to the support structure at any position within the range of movement when the one or more SMA wires are not contracted; wherein the one or more SMA wires are arranged, on contraction, to reduce the normal force between first and second friction surfaces.

Abstract: An actuator assembly (100) comprises: a support structure (51); a movable part (10) that is movable relative to the support structure; and a set of one or more actuating units (80). Each actuating unit (80) is configured, on actuation, to apply a force on the movable part (10) that is substantially directed along a line in a plane perpendicular to a primary axis (z). Each actuating unit (10) comprises: a force-modifying mechanism (84) connected to one of the support structure (51) and the movable part (10); a coupling link (83) connected between the force-modifying mechanism (84) and the other of the support structure (51) and the movable part (10); and an SMA element (70a) connected between the force-modifying mechanism (84) and the one of the support structure (51) and the movable part (10).

Abstract: An actuator assembly comprises a static part and a movable part. A helical bearing arrangement supporting the movable part on the static part guides helical movement of the movable part with respect to the static part around a helical axis. One or more actuators, that are not shape memory alloy actuators, are arranged to drive movement of the movable part around the helical axis, which thereby includes a component of translational movement along the helical axis. The helical movement increases the force within the actuator assembly allowing actuation of heavier movable parts, and may improve posture.

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 shape memory alloy apparatus (1) comprising: a member (3) comprising a first end portion (5) and a second end portion (7); and a shape memory alloy component (9) connected to the member (3). The shape memory alloy component (9) being configured to, on contraction, change the separation between the first end portion (5) and the second end portion (7) of the member (3), the member (3) being configured to be in tension during contraction of the shape memory alloy component (9), wherein the said separation changes in a direction that is angled to the direction of contraction.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator (100) for a camera assembly, comprising:—a support structure supporting an electronic component, wherein the electronic component is susceptible to interference caused by magnetic flux; —a moveable part moveable relative to the support structure; one or more SMA components (12) connected between the moveable part and the support structure, wherein the one or more SMA components are configured to, on contraction, drive movement of the movable part; —a first electrical path and a second electrical path defined between, and/or including, each of the one or more SMA components (12) and respective electrical terminals (3a); and wherein the first and second electrical paths of each of the one or more SMA components are configured to, at least in part, extend adjacently to and in parallel with each other, and enabling the electrical current in the respective paths to flow in opposite directions, so as to minimise combined magnetic flux from the first and second electrical paths in

Abstract: Aspects of this technical solution can identify a request to transmit a data structure to an electronic address, where the request includes a first unique key for a first account that generates the data structure, and a second unique key for a second account for the electronic address, determine, from the second unique key, that the electronic address is authorized to receive the data structure, provide, responsive to the electronic address being authorized to receive the data structure, the data structure for storage on the data repository, identify a location of the data structure stored on the data repository, generate, from the location, a uniform resource link configured for access via the second account, and transmit the uniform resource link to a device for the second account to cause, responsive to an interaction with the uniform resource link, the device to access the data structure located on the data repository.

Abstract: An actuator assembly (1) comprising: a support structure (10) comprising a first friction surface (10f); a movable part (20) comprising a second friction surface (20f) engaging the first friction surface; one or more SMA wires (40) arranged, on contraction, to move the movable part relative to the support structure to any position within a range of movement; a biasing arrangement (30) arranged to bias the first and second friction surfaces against each other with a normal force, thereby generating a static frictional force that constrains the movement of the movable part relative to the support structure at any position within the range of movement when the one or more SMA wires are not contracted, wherein the one or more SMA wires are arranged such that the normal force between the first and second friction surfaces remains substantially constant on contraction of the one or more SMA wires.

Abstract: An actuator assembly comprising: a support structure comprising a first friction surface; a movable part comprising a second friction surface engaging the first friction surface; one or more SMA wires arranged, on contraction, to move the movable part relative to the support structure to any position within a range of movement; a biasing arrangement arranged to bias the first and second friction surfaces against each other with a normal force, thereby generating a static frictional force that constrains the movement of the movable part relative to the support structure at any position within the range of movement when the one or more SMA wires are not contracted; wherein the one or more SMA wires are arranged, on contraction, to reduce the normal force between first and second friction surfaces.

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.

Abstract: An actuator assembly (10) comprises: a first part (1), wherein a first (z) axis is defined with reference to the first part (1) and the extent of the actuator assembly (10) along the first (z) axis is less than the extent of the actuator assembly (10) along any axis perpendicular to the first (z) axis; a second part (2) which is movable relative to the first part (1); a drive arrangement (3) configured to rotate the second part (2) about the first (z) axis and to rotate the second part (2) about a second (x) axis perpendicular to the first (z) axis; and a bearing arrangement (4) configured to allow rotation of the second part (2) about the first (z) and second (x) axes, to constrain rotation of the second part (2) about a third (y) axis, and to constrain movement of the second part (2) along the third (y) axis, wherein the third (y) axis is perpendicular to the first (z) and second (x) axes.

Abstract: An actuator assembly comprising: a support structure; an image sensor assembly comprising an image sensor having a light-sensitive region, the image sensor assembly being suspended on the support structure in a manner allowing movement of the image sensor assembly relative to the support structure; and at least two flexible printed circuits, each electrically connected at one end to the image sensor assembly, wherein the flexible printed circuits fold around the image sensor assembly such that their other ends are at the same side of the image sensor assembly.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide haptic button assemblies in which the haptic button has a low profile while still providing a satisfying tactile response or sensation to a user. Advantageously, the haptic button assemblies may have a profile that, for example, enables the assembly to be incorporated into the free space along an edge of a portable computing device. The haptic assemblies may, for example, be arranged to move the button perpendicularly with respect to the edge of the device.

Abstract: An actuator assembly (100) comprises: a support structure (51); a movable part (10) that is movable relative to the support structure; and a set of one or more actuating units (80). Each actuating unit (80) is configured, on actuation, to apply a force on the movable part (10) that is substantially directed along a line in a plane perpendicular to a primary axis (z). Each actuating unit (10) comprises: a force-modifying mechanism (84) connected to one of the support structure (51) and the movable part (10); a coupling link (83) connected between the force-modifying mechanism (84) and the other of the support structure (51) and the movable part (10); and an SMA element (70a) connected between the force-modifying mechanism (84) and the one of the support structure (51) and the movable part (10).

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.