Shape Memory Alloy Actuator for Lightweight Power Switches
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Summary
Problems
Existing power switch devices are heavy and costly due to the requirement of large copper coils and magnetic iron components, and face challenges in electrical isolation and power interruption.
Innovation solutions
A power switch device utilizing shape memory alloy actuators, with heat conducting fluid to facilitate momentary heating, eliminates the need for large copper coils and magnetic iron, enhancing electrical isolation and power interruption capabilities.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If electromechanical actuators (solenoids) with copper coils and magnetic iron are used, then reliable contact actuation is achieved, but device weight and manufacturing cost significantly increase
Why choose this principle:
The patent replaces the electromechanical actuator system (solenoid with copper coils and magnetic iron) with a shape memory alloy actuator that uses thermal-mechanical coupling. The shape memory alloy element directly converts thermal energy into mechanical displacement to actuate the contact, eliminating the need for electromagnetic components and significantly reducing device weight while maintaining actuation reliability
Principle concept:
If electromechanical actuators (solenoids) with copper coils and magnetic iron are used, then reliable contact actuation is achieved, but device weight and manufacturing cost significantly increase
Why choose this principle:
The patent changes the actuation mechanism from electromagnetic field-based to thermal-field-based. By applying thermal energy to the shape memory alloy, the material undergoes a phase transformation that generates mechanical force, fundamentally changing the energy conversion parameter from electrical-to-mechanical to thermal-to-mechanical, thereby eliminating heavy copper coils and magnetic iron
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
A power switch device utilizing shape memory alloy actuators, with heat conducting fluid to facilitate momentary heating, eliminates the need for large copper coils and magnetic iron, enhancing electrical isolation and power interruption capabilities.
Abstract
A power switch device has a housing, a movable shuttle and at least one shape memory alloy actuator. The housing has a cavity and stationary current carrying contacts which extend through the housing to the cavity. The movable shuttle with a bridge contact provided in the cavity. The at least one shape memory alloy actuator is attached to a first end of the shuttle and to a first end of the housing. The at least one shape memory alloy actuator is configured to respond to a first activation signal. The at least one shape memory alloy actuator contracts from an initial shape in response to the first actuation signal to move the shuttle and the bridge contact toward the stationary current carrying contacts to a closed position in which the bridge contact is positioned in electrical engagement with the stationary current carrying contacts.