1A2-H2 Development of Medical Rehabilitation Equipment for Fingers Using SMA Actuator : First report: Trial Manufacture of The Mechanism of Equipment

Abstract

The Shape memory alloy actuator has large starting torque, so it does not need a reduction gears and cam mechanism etc. Moreover, it has greatly high power weight ratio compared with other actuators. Therefore, if the shape memory alloy is adopted for the actuator of rehabilitation equipment, the total system of this equipment is smaller and lighter than conventional system. However, the servo system of shape memory alloy needs a heat control with phase transformation, so the control of shape memory alloy is more complex than other actuator. In this research, we consider various problems of application of the shape memory alloy actuator for rehabilitation equipment of hands and fingers, and we actually examine it experimentally.