Cambridge Mechatronics Limited

Emily Kwok

James Robert Howarth

Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown

Robert Langhorne

Adam South

An actuator assembly () includes a first part (), a second part (), a bearing arrangement () and a drive arrangement (). The bearing arrangement () includes first to fourth flexures () arranged about a primary axis () passing through the actuator assembly (). The bearing arrangement () supports the second part () on the first part (). The second part () is tiltable about first and/or second axes () which are not parallel and which are perpendicular to the primary axis (). The drive arrangement () includes four lengths of shape memory alloy wire (). The four lengths of shape memory alloy wire () are coupled to the second part () and to the first part (). The bearingarrangement () is configured to convert lateral force(s) normal to the primary axis () generated by the drive arrangement () into tilting of the second part () about the first and/or second axes (). Each of the first to fourth flexures () has a first end () connected to the first part () and a second end () connected to the second part (). Each of the first to fourth flexures () includes a feature () configured to increase a first compliance of that flexure () to displacement of the respective second end () towards the respective first end (). The first compliance is less than a second compliance of that flexure () to 25 displacement of the respective second end () parallel to the primary axis ().

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Cambridge, United Kingdom

Emily Kwok