板状形状記憶合金素子の座屈特性を用いた応用機器の研究開発

抄録

An elongated Shape memory alloys (SMAs) elements which shows superelastic properties can exhibit the quasi-zero or negative stiffness during post-buckling deformation. Since the buckling deformation is recovered by the superelastic effect upon unloading, the quasi-zero or negative stiffness can be used continuously. Our research group has devised, studied and reported on passive vibration isolator devices that utilize this property, but this property can be applied not only to passive vibration isolator but also to various other possible applications. This paper reports on the characteristics of a force-limiting device using the buckling properties of shape memory alloy elements, which was devised and prototyped by our research group. We also report on the newly devised convex-tape shape memory alloy element and the movement characteristics of a rehabilitation mechanism using its buckling characteristics.