MANUAL ACTUATING SYSTEM ASSISTED BY A SHAPE-MEMORY ACTUATOR

Abstract

An assisted manual actuating device includes a controlled member, which can be displaced from a first position into a second position, a control member, which is designed to actuate the controlled member, and a mechanical transmission, which connects the control member to the controlled member. The mechanical transmission includes a shape-memory element, which is supplied by electrical-supply means that can be activated when the control member reaches an actuation position. The assisted manual actuating device includes an activation device having anchoring means for constraining the mechanical transmission when the control member reaches the actuation position of the device in such a way as to enable the mechanical transmission to move only in the direction useful for bringing the controlled member into the second position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the ensuing description with reference to the annexed plate of drawings, which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assisted manual actuating device applied to a locking device for motor vehicles;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the detail D of FIG. 1, in which the actuating device is in the resting position;

FIG. 3 is a view of the same detail, in which the actuating device is in the actuation position;

FIG. 4 is a view of the same detail, in which the actuating device has exceeded the aforesaid actuation position; and

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 show the aforesaid three conditions in the case of a variant.

Claims

1. An assisted manual actuating device comprising: a controlled member, which can be displaced from a first position into a second position, said first position corresponding to a resting position of the device;a control member designed to actuate said controlled member, said control member being displaceable manually along a first actuation travel to reach an actuation position of the device;a mechanical transmission, which connects said control member to said controlled member, said mechanical transmission comprising a shape-memory element;electrical-supply means for supplying a current through said shape-memory element, said means being activated when said control member reaches said actuation position; andsaid assisted manual actuating device comprising an activation device having anchoring means for constraining said mechanical transmission when said control member reaches the actuation position of the device, in such a way as to enable said mechanical transmission to move only in the direction useful for bringing said controlled member into said second position.

2. The assisted manual actuating device according to claim 1, wherein said control member can be displaced along a second actuation travel, subsequent to the first actuation travel, said second actuation travel being designed to de-activate said electrical-supply means and to bring said controlled member into said second position.

3. The assisted manual actuating device according to claim 1, wherein it is an actuator for a locking device of a motor vehicle.

4. The assisted manual actuating device according to claim 3, wherein said control member is a handle.

5. The assisted manual actuating device according to claim 1, wherein said shape-memory element is a wire made of shape-memory material, said wire shortening in length when traversed by the current supplied by said electrical-supply means.

6. The assisted manual actuating device according to claim 1, wherein said activation device comprises a transmission element having at least one hole designed to receive a respective engagement element of said anchoring means.

7. The assisted manual actuating device according to claim 2, wherein said anchoring means is kept so that it bears upon a fixed structure by elastic means in such a way as to enable said anchoring means to move only in the direction of actuation of the actuating device.

8. The assisted manual actuating device according to claim 6, wherein the transmission element comprises two diametrally opposed flanges shaped like an L set upside down, each of which has, in the portion parallel to the main body of the transmission element, a hole with axis orthogonal to the direction of actuation of the actuating device.

9. The assisted manual actuating device according to claim 8, wherein said anchoring means comprises a plate, formed by a base and by two extensions orthogonal to said base, said extensions carrying, through two holes, respective detaining pins forming part of a detaining spring fastened to the base of said plate.

10. The assisted manual actuating device according to claim 9, wherein the main body of the transmission element has a conical part that narrows in the direction of the handle side, said conical part being designed to push said detaining pins of said engagement means within said holes of said flanges of the transmission element, when said transmission element is pulled by the control member.

11. The assisted manual actuating device according to claim 10, wherein said conical part has the wider section with a thickness greater than that of the section of the main body of the transmission element.

12. The assisted manual actuating device according to claim 6, wherein said control member comprises a projection in contact with a cam profile of said anchoring means, said cam profile being such that, when said control member is maneuvered, said projection is displaced with respect to said cam profile consequently causing said anchoring means to be displaced towards said transmission element, in this way causing insertion of said engagement element into said hole of said transmission element.