摘要:
Disclosed herein is a strut assembly 10 comprising a housing 2; a piston 3 in slideable communication with the housing 2; an actuator 16 in operative communication with the piston 3 and/or the housing 2; wherein the actuator 16 is adapted to change the location of the housing 2 from a first position to a second position and/or change in a stroke length of the piston 3. Disclosed herein too is a method for changing the strut length of a strut assembly 10 comprising activating an actuator 16 that is in operative communication with a housing 2 or a piston of the strut assembly 10; and changing in the location of the housing 2 from a first position to a second position and/or changing a stroke length of the piston 3.
摘要:
A step apparatus for a vehicle having a door and a rocker panel includes a step disposed at and in operable communication with the door, wherein the step has a retracted position in response to the door being closed and a deployed position in response to the door being at least partially open. The vehicle has a first ground clearance in response to the door being closed and the step retracted and a second ground clearance in response to the door being open and the step deployed. The first ground clearance, which is defined by the vehicle and is independent of the step apparatus, is equal to or greater than the second ground clearance.
摘要:
A cover and extender unit for the bed of a truck bounded by a forward wall, opposing side walls and a rear tailgate mounted for movement between fixed upright and horizontal positions comprising a pivoting frame stowed in the bed having laterally spaced sides, a transversely extending gating panel, and a rigid top cover roofing the bed; the top cover is hinged at forward points to the sides so it can be turned upwardly from the aft end of the bed for bed access, side pivot construction connects the frame to the side walls of the bed near the aft end thereof allowing the unit to be turned 180 degrees rearward from the stowed and bed cover position to a horizontal position thereby to extend the bed beyond the extremity of the lowered tailgate with the cover now serving as the bed extension and the forward gating panel as a rear tailgate.
摘要:
An assembly for and method of reinforcing interconnection between an active material wire actuator, such as a shape memory alloy wire, and structure, includes the generation and engagement of an enlarged formation affixed to or integrally formed with the actuator.
摘要:
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving device and another object, using a parallel mechanism and torque limiters where the threshold force to activate the force limiting mechanism is not related to the configuration of the moving device or the location of the contact force relative to the activation point of the force limiting mechanism, and where the mechanism may be configured for one, two or three degrees of freedom. A counterbalance mechanism is also provided to counteract gravity load when the force limiting mechanism is configured for three degrees of freedom and responsive to contact forces including a vertical element. In particular, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving robotic device and a contactable object.
摘要:
An electrical connection system includes a first electrical connector having a first plurality of electrically conductive elements. A second electrical connector has a second plurality of electrically conductive elements and is matable with the first electrical connector such that the first plurality of electrically conductive elements are in contact with the second plurality of electrically conductive elements. A probe is mounted with respect to the first electrical connector, and a receptacle is mounted with respect to the second electrical connector. The probe has a tip, an untapered section, a tapered section between the tip and the untapered section, and a cross-sectional shape that has no more than one plane of mirror symmetry. The receptacle defines a cavity having substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the probe.
摘要:
A pallet includes a platform and a plurality of support assemblies located at multiple positions on the platform. One support assembly is associated with each location of the component to be supported. Each support assembly has a linkage assembly to support and enable movement of a support element. The support assemblies also each include multiple bases secured to the platform, to position the support element in a desired location for each version of a component. An alignment mechanism on each base allows for rotational alignment of the support element relative to the pallet. An error proofing mechanism compares the selected location of the support element for each of the plurality of support assemblies and provides confirmation and correction information as required.
摘要:
A vent includes a vane configured for spatial movement, and at least one actuator in operative communication with the vane configured to spatially move the vane in at least one direction, wherein the actuator comprises an active material configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to selectively change an orientation of the vane.
摘要:
A self-presenting device includes, a member in physical communication with a vehicle surface, wherein the member is configured to have a first form and a second form, wherein the first form is configured to store the member and the second form is configured to present the member, and an active material in operable communication with the member, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to transition the member from the first form to the second form.
摘要:
A latch assembly includes a plunger having a ramp and a lip, with a support member defining an opening through which the plunger extends. A support surface partially defines the opening and supports the plunger. The plunger is selectively movable between an extended position, in which the plunger protrudes a first distance from the opening, and a retracted position, in which the plunger protrudes a second distance from the opening, with the second distance being less than the first distance. In the extended position, the ramp and the lip are on a first side of the opening. In contrast, in the retracted position, the ramp and the lip are on a second side of the opening, with the lip engaging the support member to maintain the retracted position.