A shape memory alloy apparatus (1) comprising: a member (3) comprising a first end portion (5) and a second end portion (7); and a shape memory alloy component (9) connected to the member (3). The shape memory alloy component (9) being configured to, on contraction, change the separation between the first end portion (5) and the second end portion (7) of the member (3), the member (3) being configured to be in tension during contraction of the shape memory alloy component (9), wherein the said separation changes in a direction that is angled to the direction of contraction.

Methods, systems, and methods of manufacture for soft robotic actuators are described herein. In one aspect, a soft robotic actuator can include an elastomeric material defining a cavity; a volume of liquid metal (LM) positioned within the cavity; and an energy source coupled to the LM, where the energy source is adapted or configured to alter a temperature of the volume of LM, whereby altering the temperature of the volume of LM initiates an actuation of the elastomeric material.

An optical mechanism is provided. The optical mechanism includes an immovable part, a movable part, a drive assembly, and a guidance assembly. The movable part is connected to an optical element. The movable part is movable relative to the immovable part. The drive assembly drives the movable part to move relative to the immovable part. The guidance assembly guides the movable part to move along a first axis.

An actuator assembly (23) includes a first part (24), a second part (25), and a bearing arrangement (26) mechanically coupling the first part (24) to the second part (25). The actuator assembly (23) also includes a drive arrangement (11, 20) including a total of four lengths of shape memory alloy wire (141, 142, 143, 144). The drive arrangement (11, 20) and the bearing arrangement (26) are configured such that the second part (25) is movable towards or away from the first part (24) along a primary axis (z), and the second part (25) is movable relative to the first part (24) along a first axis (x) and/or a second axis (y). The first and second axes (x, y) are perpendicular to the primary axis (z) and the second axis (y) is different to the first axis (x).

A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator (100) for a camera assembly, comprising:—a support structure supporting an electronic component, wherein the electronic component is susceptible to interference caused by magnetic flux;—a moveable part moveable relative to the support structure; one or more SMA components (12) connected between the moveable part and the support structure, wherein the one or more SMA components are configured to, on contraction, drive movement of the movable part;—a first electrical path and a second electrical path defined between, and/or including, each of the one or more SMA components (12) and respective electrical terminals (3a); and wherein the first and second electrical paths of each of the one or more SMA components are configured to, at least in part, extend adjacently to and in parallel with each other, and enabling the electrical current in the respective paths to flow in opposite directions, so as to minimise combined magnetic flux from the first and second electrical paths into the electronic component.

An actuator assembly (4001) includes a first part (4002), a second part (4004), a bearing arrangement (4003) and a drive arrangement (4005). The bearing arrangement (4003) includes first to fourth flexures (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) arranged about a primary axis (4009) passing through the actuator assembly (4001). The bearing arrangement (4003) supports the second part (4004) on the first part (4002). The second part (4004) is tiltable about first and/or second axes (4011, 4012) which are not parallel and which are perpendicular to the primary axis (4009). The drive arrangement (4005) includes four lengths of shape memory alloy wire (40101, 40102, 40103, 40104). The four lengths of shape memory alloy wire (40101, 40102, 40103, 40104) are coupled to the second part (4004) and to the first part (4002). The bearing 15 arrangement (4003) is configured to convert lateral force(s) normal to the primary axis (4009) generated by the drive arrangement (4005) into tilting of the second part (4004) about the first and/or second axes (4011, 4012). Each of the first to fourth flexures (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) has a first end (4016) connected to the first part (4002) and a second end (4017) connected to the second part (4004). Each of the first to fourth flexures (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) includes a feature (1016) configured to increase a first compliance of that flexure (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) to displacement of the respective second end (4017) towards the respective first end (4016). The first compliance is less than a second compliance of that flexure (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) to 25 displacement of the respective second end (4017) parallel to the primary axis (4009).

SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.

An actuator assembly comprises: first (20) and second (10) parts, wherein a primary axis (P) is defined with reference to the second part; a plurality of lengths of shape-memory alloy wire (30) connected between the first and second parts, wherein the lengths of wire are configured, when selectively powered, to cause three-dimensional movement of the first part relative to the second part; and a mechanism configured, when the lengths of wire are unpowered, to hold the first part in at least one position and/or orientation relative to the second part against the force of gravity for any orientation of the second part.

Disclosed are a motor (20, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80), a camera module (100), and a mobile terminal (200). A motor (20, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80) includes a base (21, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81), a support base (23, 43, 53, 63, 73, 83), and a shape memory alloy actuator (25). The shape memory alloy actuator (25) is fixedly connected between the base (21, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) and the support base (23, 43, 53, 63, 73, 83), and the shape memory alloy actuator (25) is configured to drive the support base (23, 43, 53, 63, 73, 83) to move relative to the base (21, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81). The motor (20) further includes an eccentricity-prevention magnetic assembly (27, 47, 57), the eccentricity-prevention magnetic assembly (27, 47, 57) includes a first eccentricity-prevention member (271, 471, 571, 771, 871) and a second eccentricity-prevention member (273, 473, 573, 773, 873), the first eccentricity-prevention member (271, 471, 571, 771, 871) is disposed on the base (21, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81), the second eccentricity-prevention member (273, 473, 573, 773, 873) is disposed on the support base (23, 43, 53, 63, 73, 83), and when the motor is in a powered-off state, a first central axis of the base (21, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) coincides with a second central axis of the support base (23, 43, 53, 63, 73, 83) under the action of magnetostatic forces between the first eccentricity-prevention member (271, 471, 571, 771, 871) and the second eccentricity-prevention member (273, 473, 573, 773, 873), to resolve the problem of eccentricity of the motor (20, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80).

A driving device includes a first driving element and a first flexible structure. The first driving element includes a first wire extending in a first direction and includes a shape memory alloy. The first flexible structure has a certain width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and when the first wire contracts in the first direction, the first flexible structure has a height increasing in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction. The driving device further includes a second driving element including a second wire and a second flexible structure, the second wire extending in the first direction and including a shape memory alloy. The second flexible structure has a certain width in the second direction, and when the second wire contracts in the first direction, the second flexible structure has a height increasing in the third direction.