METHODS FOR PULSE-DRIVEN ENHANCED VIBRATION MODES IN SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY MASSAGER

摘要

Pulse schemes employ voltage pulses to drive SMA wires to heat and contract and also cause the SMA wires to emit a percussive response and vibrate vigorously as they are heated from a cool state through the transition temperature range. Multiple pulses are delivered to each SMA wire, the first one or few pulses heating the SMA material into the transformation temperature range. Each subsequent pulse delivered to the transitioning SMA material causes a throbbing percussive vibrational report. The spacing of the pulses by intervening cooling pauses extends the time that the material remains in the transformation temperature range and prolongs the time in which the audible and percussive outputs are generated. These vibration effects are useful for any number of applications such as massage, haptic feedback or other 'warning' systems employing SMA wires built into a seat or chair. Pulses to plural SMA wires may be alternated rapidly to enable a small power supply to operate multiple wires virtually simultaneously.