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 assembly comprising: a support structure (4) comprising a first printed circuit board, PCB (10); an image sensor assembly (12) comprising a second PCB (9) and an image sensor (6) having a light-sensitive region (7), wherein the image sensor assembly (12) is supported on the support structure (4) to allow movement of the image sensor assembly (12) relative to the support structure (4); and an electrical interconnector (51) configured to electrically connect the first PCB (10) to the second PCB (9); wherein the first PCB (10) and the second PCB overlap (9) when viewed along at least one direction in the plane in which the first PCB (10) extends.

Abstract: An actuator assembly comprising: a first part; a second part that is movable relative to the first part; and one or more actuating units each configured to apply an actuating force to the second part capable of moving the second part relative to the first part, wherein each actuating unit comprises: a body portion; a bearing arrangement between the body portion and the first or second part and arranged to guide movement of the body portion relative to the first or second part in an actuating plane; an SMA element connected between the body portion and the first part, and arranged, on actuation, to apply an input force to the body portion; and a force-modifying element connected between the body portion and the first part and configured to modify the input force so as to give rise to the actuating force.

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 comprising: a first part: a second part that is movable relative to the first part: and one or more actuating units each configured to apply an actuating force to the second part capable of moving the second part relative to the first part, wherein each actuating unit comprises: a body portion: a bearing arrangement between the body portion and the first or second part and arranged to guide movement of the body portion relative to the first or second part in an actuating plane: an SMA element connected between the body portion and the first part, and arranged. on actuation, to apply an input force to the body portion: and a force-modifying element connected between the body portion and the first part and configured to modify the input force so as to give rise to the actuating force.

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: An actuator assembly comprising: a support structure (4) comprising a first printed circuit board, PCB (10); an image sensor assembly (12) comprising a second PCB (9) and an image sensor (6) having a light-sensitive region (7), wherein the image sensor assembly (12) is supported on the support structure (4) to allow movement of the image sensor assembly (12) relative to the support structure (4); and an electrical interconnector (51) configured to electrically connect the first PCB (10) to the second PCB (9); wherein the first PCB (10) and the second PCB overlap (9) when viewed along at least one direction in the plane in which the first PCB (10) extends.

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: first (20) and second (10) parts, wherein a primary axis (P) is defined with reference to the second part; a plurality of lengths of shape-memory alloy wire (30) connected between the first and second parts, wherein the lengths of wire are configured, when selectively powered, to cause three-dimensional movement of the first part relative to the second part; and a mechanism configured, when the lengths of wire are unpowered, to hold the first part in at least one position and/or orientation relative to the second part against the force of gravity for any orientation of the second part.

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 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 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: 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: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide mechanisms for electrically connecting shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires of an actuation device to a power or current source via at least one connection element.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator comprising: a support structure (10); a moveable part (20) movable relative to In 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 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 actuator assembly comprises: first (20) and second (10) parts, wherein a primary axis (P) is defined with reference to the second part; a plurality of lengths of shape-memory alloy wire (30) connected between the first and second parts, wherein the lengths of wire are configured, when selectively powered, to cause three-dimensional movement of the first part relative to the second part; and a mechanism configured, when the lengths of wire are unpowered, to hold the first part in at least one position and/or orientation relative to the second part against the force of gravity for any orientation of the second part.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide mechanisms for electrically connecting shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires of an actuation device to a power or current source via at least one connection element.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide mechanisms for electrically connecting shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires of an actuation device to a power or current source via at least one connection element.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide mechanisms for electrically connecting shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires of an actuation device to a power or current source via at least one connection element.