Stimulus for achieving high performance when switching SMA devices

摘要

An electromechanical switching system includes a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion. The first conductive portion includes a conductive stationary end and a conductive floating end, connected by a shape memory alloy (SMA). When an input stimulus current is applied to the SMA, changes in the SMA urge motion of the conductive floating end of the first conductive portion toward the second conductive portion, which in turn causes a change in the state of the electromechanical switching system. The input stimulus current may be calculated to satisfy a given response time requirement.

主权项

1. A switching system, comprising:
a first conductive portion having a first conductive stationary end, and a first conductive floating end; a second conductive portion; and a first shape memory alloy (SMA) for connecting the first conductive stationary end and the first conductive floating end of the first conductive portion, such that changes in the first SMA urge motion of the first conductive floating end of the first conductive portion toward the second conductive portion along a path, which in turn causes a change in the state of the switch, a control circuit providing an input stimulus current to the first SMA to produce a response in the first SMA, wherein the input stimulus current has a wave shape form having a known and controlled amount of energy over time based on a first given response time for the first SMA to change the state, wherein the second conductive portion has a second conductive stationary end and a second conductive floating end, connected by a second SMA, wherein a second input stimulus current to the second SMA produces a heating response in the second SMA, and the second input stimulus current is calculated based on a second given response time of the second SMA different from the first given response time.