초록 ▼

An actuator device comprises a flexible cable (2) and opposite ends (4, 5), one of which is connected to a control member and the other to a controlled member. At least one portion of the flexible cable (2) is made of a shape-memory material in such a way that the device can be used both as a mechan

An actuator device comprises a flexible cable (2) and opposite ends (4, 5), one of which is connected to a control member and the other to a controlled member. At least one portion of the flexible cable (2) is made of a shape-memory material in such a way that the device can be used both as a mechanical element of flexible transmission between the control member and the controlled member, and as a shape-memory actuator, designed to operate the controlled member following upon a variation in length of said shape-memory portion.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An actuator device comprising: a flexible cable ( 2), having one end (2b) connected to a controlled member; and a flexible sheath ( 3), within which the flexible cable (2) is mounted; in which at least one portion of the flexible cable ( 2) is made of a shape-memory material which is able

1. An actuator device comprising: a flexible cable ( 2), having one end (2b) connected to a controlled member; and a flexible sheath ( 3), within which the flexible cable (2) is mounted; in which at least one portion of the flexible cable ( 2) is made of a shape-memory material which is able to undergo a variation in shape following upon heating, so as to control the controlled member; characterized in that said sheath ( 3) is mounted with respect to a fixed supporting structure (103) so as to be free to displace longitudinally only in the direction of operation of the controlled member; and in that said sheath ( 3) is coupled to the controlled member so as to be able to transmit thereto a displacement in said direction of operation and to be, instead, decoupled from the controlled member with respect to a movement in the direction opposite to the direction of operation; in such a way that the said actuator can be used both by means of manual operation, using the sheath as a mechanical transmission element and exploiting the variation in shape of the shape-memory cable, which can be obtained by heating it. 2. The actuator device according to claim 1, characterized in that activation of the shape-memory cable is obtained by causing it to be heated by the Joule effect by means of supply of electric current.3. The actuator device according to claim 2, characterized in that: said electric power-supply means are controlled according to a closed-loop logic on the basis of a signal emitted by temperature-sensing, position-sensing, or current-sensing means, or according to the variation in resistance of the cable ( 2).4. The actuator device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises elastic means, which recall the shape-memory flexible cable (2) towards its resting condition.5. The actuator device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a fixed outer auxiliary sheath functioning as guide for movement of said sheath.