| 摘要 |
A lock changes between locked and unlocked states in response to changing the temperature of a shape metal alloy element within the lock. In one embodiment, the alloy element is in the shape of a wire and is heated by passing an electrical current therethrough. In response, the wire contracts. This contractive movement is arranged to compress a spring, thereby intercoupling a normally free-spinning actuator knob with an internal unlocking element, permitting a user to then turn the knob to unlock the lock. The shape memory alloy enables electronic actuation of locks without reliance on solenoids or motors, permitting very small electronic locks (e.g., cylinder locks sized to fit within three-quarters inch holes). |
