US 11,952,683 B2
Actuator device, actuator band, and method for manufacturing actuator band
Yuriko Kaneko, Nara (JP); and Maki Hiraoka, Ibaraki (JP)
Assigned to PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD., Osaka (JP)
Filed by Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd., Osaka (JP)
Filed on Jul. 21, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/935,180.
Application 16/935,180 is a continuation of application No. PCT/JP2019/008786, filed on Mar. 6, 2019.
Claims priority of application No. 2018-104383 (JP), filed on May 31, 2018; and application No. 2019-024082 (JP), filed on Feb. 14, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2020/0347525 A1, Nov. 5, 2020
Int. Cl. D02G 3/38 (2006.01); D04B 1/14 (2006.01); D04B 1/22 (2006.01); D04B 21/20 (2006.01); D04C 1/06 (2006.01); H05B 3/56 (2006.01)
CPC D02G 3/38 (2013.01) [D04B 1/14 (2013.01); D04B 1/22 (2013.01); D04B 21/20 (2013.01); D04C 1/06 (2013.01); H05B 3/56 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An actuator device, comprising:
an actuator band; and
a control device,
wherein
the actuator band comprises a plurality of actuator single wires;
the plurality of the actuator single wires are braided, knitted or woven;
first ends of the plurality of the actuator single wires are connected to each other;
second ends of the plurality of the actuator single wires are connected to each other;
each of the plurality of the actuator single wires comprises an actuator wire and a mesh-shaped heating element which covers a side surface of the actuator wire and comprises a plurality of heating wires;
the actuator wire is formed of a fiber consisting of a polymer;
the fiber is twisted around the long axis thereof;
the fiber is folded so as to have a shape of a cylindrical coil;
the actuator wire is contracted by heat and restored by release of the heat;
a first end of the mesh-shaped heating element is connected to a first end of the actuator wire;
a second end of the mesh-shaped heating element is connected to a second end of the actuator wire;
the control device is configured to supply, to the mesh-shaped heating element, electric power for heating the mesh-shaped heating element; and
the actuator band is configured to be contracted along the longitudinal direction thereof by the heat in a state where tension has been applied along the longitudinal direction thereof.