Electrically-controlled actuator device, and washing agents dispensing device comprising such an actuator device

An actuator device, comprising

• a support structure which is stationary in the operation,
• an actuation member, displaceable relative to said structure,
• biasing means tending to maintain the actuation member in a rest position,
• a wire made of a shape-memory material, having a first end connected to said structure, and the other end connected to the actuation member, and
• an electric circuit for supplying in a controlled manner an electric current to said shape-memory wire, said circuit comprising a pair of terminals carried by said structure, for connection to an external control circuit, one end of the shape-memory wire being connected with a first terminal of said pair;
• wherein said electric circuit comprises an electric switch including a first conducting member electrically connected to the second terminal of said pair, and a second conducting member carried by the actuation member and electrically connected to the other end of the shape-memory wire;
• the arrangement being such that said switch is closed when the actuation member is in the rest position, and remains closed until when the actuation member reaches a working position, said switch opening when the actuation member passes beyond the working position.