The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 11, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 11, 2000
Applicant:
Inventors:
Shun Kayama, Saitama, JP;
Yasuhiro Kataoka, Kanagawa, JP;
Assignee:
Sony Corporation, , JP;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
E05B 6/300 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
E05B 6/300 ;
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a drive unit using a shape memory alloy including: a shape memory alloy member made from a shape memory alloy, the shape memory alloy member exhibiting superelasticity when being energized; a drive body connected to the shape memory alloy member, the drive body being moved from a stopping position to a specific operational position when the shape memory alloy member is energized; and a locking mechanism for retaining the drive body at the specific operational position. With this configuration, the drive unit using a shape memory alloy is capable of reducing the power consumption as well as miniaturizing the drive unit.