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In automotive a lot of electromagnetically, pyrotechnically or mechanically driven actuators are integrated to run comfort systems and to control safety systems in modern passenger cars. Using shape memory alloys (SMA) the existing systems could be simplified, performing the same function through new mechanisms with reduced size, weight, and costs. A drawback for the use of SMA in safety systems is the lack of materials knowledge concerning the durability of the switching function (long-time stability of the shape memory effect). Pedestrian safety systems play a significant role to reduce injuries and fatal casualties caused by accidents. One automotive safety system for pedestrian protection is the bonnet lifting system. Based on such an application, this article gives an introduction to existing bonnet lifting systems for pedestrian protection, describes the use of quick changing shape memory actuators and the results of the study concerning the long-time stability of the tested NiTi-wires. These wires were trained, exposed up to 4years at elevated temperatures (up to 140°C) and tested regarding their phase change temperatures, times, and strokes. For example, it was found that A P-temperature is shifted toward higher temperatures with longer exposing periods and higher temperatures. However, in the functional testing plant a delay in the switching time could not be detected. This article gives some answers concerning the long-time stability of NiTi-wires that were missing till now. With this knowledge, the number of future automotive applications using SMA can be increased. It can be concluded, that the use of quick changing shape memory actuators in safety systems could simplify the mechanism, reduce maintenance and manufacturing costs and should be insertable also for other automotive applications.
In the automotive industry a strong effort has been undertaken to reduce the weight of modern vehicles. In order to reduce the energy consumption and to improve the environmental sustainability, the importance of weight reduction activities is even growing faster. As lightweight designing is becoming more and more expensive and show less potential savings, new approaches are needed. One promising technology could be the use of shape memory elements. In the last years a lot of potential application possibilities were presented, demonstrating the benefit of these functional elements in automotive design solutions: they often reduce complexity, weight and design space of an actuation device and enable new functions. In addition they work silently and are therefore ideally suitable for comfort applications in the passenger cabin. Because of the current trend to electric vehicle the hitherto existing drawback of a high electrical energy consumption of shape memory actuators in some design proposals is not given any more.