Cambridge Mechatronics Limited

Jason Tun

Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown

Stephen Matthew Bunting

Joshua Carr

Daniel John Burbridge

Robert Langhorne

An actuator assembly () comprises: a support structure (); a movable part () that is movable relative to the support structure; and a set of one or more actuating units (). Each actuating unit () is configured, on actuation, to apply a force on the movable part () that is substantially directed along a line in a plane perpendicular to a primary axis (z). Each actuating unit () comprises: a force-modifying mechanism () connected to one of the support structure () and the movable part (); a coupling link () connected between the force-modifying mechanism () and the other of the support structure () and the movable part (); and an SMA element () connected between the force-modifying mechanism () and the one of the support structure () and the movable part (). The SMA element () is configured to exert an input force on the force-modifying mechanism (), thereby causing the force-modifying mechanism () to apply an output force on the coupling link () and causing the coupling link () to apply an actuating force on the other of the support structure () and the movable part (). The component of the input force along the primary axis (z) has a greater magnitude than the component of the input force in any direction perpendicular to the primary axis (z).

Actuator assembly

Actuator assemblies and methods of operating actuator assemblies are provided, in particular with the aim of reducing bearing jitter. In one approach an actuator assembly () is provided which has: a support element (); a movable element () movable relative to the support element; an SMA component () connected between the movable element and the support element and arranged to cause movement of the movable element relative to the support element; a bearing () arranged to guide the movement of the movable element; and a controller () arranged to control energy supplied to the SMA component to thereby cause contraction and/or relaxation of the SMA component and to control movement of the movable element relative to the support element in a first direction so as to provide an actuation function, wherein the controller is arranged to, at least whilst the movable element starts to move in the first direction, control the movable element to cause it to be moving in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

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Cambridge, United Kingdom

Jason Tun