DRIVING DEVICE
First Claim
1. A driving device comprising:
- a revolving member supported by a housing and configured to rotate in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction about an axis;
at least one shape memory alloy having a wire-like shape that is coupled to the revolving member and that shrinks when power is supplied thereto, such that an external force is applied to the revolving member acting in the first rotational direction;
an elastic body coupled to the revolving member and configured to apply an external force to the revolving member acting in the second rotational direction;
a target member coupled to the revolving member that is displaced when the revolving member rotates in the first and second rotational directions; and
a power supply system including at least three power supply terminals disposed in the housing and electrically coupled to three separate positions of the at least one shape memory alloy, such that a potential difference between the power supply terminals adjacent to each other is applied to the at least one shape memory alloy.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A driving device is provided that can suppress power consumption, and is excellent in response characteristics, and also capable of appropriately adjusting a revolving angle of a target member. According to an exemplary design, the device includes a rotational shaft supported by a housing and is capable of revolving in each of a positive and counter rotation direction about a Z-axis. Shape memory alloys formed in a wire-like shape apply an external force acting in the positive rotation direction to the rotational shaft by heat shrinkage. A bias spring applies an external force acting in the counter rotation direction to the rotational shaft. Moreover, a wiper is displaced following the rotation of the rotational shaft. A power supply system including power supply terminals, a relay member, relay terminals, and lead wires separately supplies power to three or more mutually different positions of the shape memory alloys.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A driving device comprising:
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a revolving member supported by a housing and configured to rotate in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction about an axis; at least one shape memory alloy having a wire-like shape that is coupled to the revolving member and that shrinks when power is supplied thereto, such that an external force is applied to the revolving member acting in the first rotational direction; an elastic body coupled to the revolving member and configured to apply an external force to the revolving member acting in the second rotational direction; a target member coupled to the revolving member that is displaced when the revolving member rotates in the first and second rotational directions; and a power supply system including at least three power supply terminals disposed in the housing and electrically coupled to three separate positions of the at least one shape memory alloy, such that a potential difference between the power supply terminals adjacent to each other is applied to the at least one shape memory alloy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification