摘要:
An active material hood impact mitigation mechanism is activated in response to a signal generated from an impact sensor or pre-impact sensor or manually. The mitigation mechanism is capable of changing either reversibly or irreversibly the stiffness, shape, location, orientation, or displacement force of the hood either globally or locally, before an impact against the hood. The active material mitigation mechanism is held in a device designed to be installed in operative communication with the hood surface. The active material is characterized by a first shape or stiffness and is operative to change to a second shape or stiffness in response to the activation signal. Such active materials include shape memory alloys, electroactive polymers, shape memory polymers, magnetic shape memory alloys, magnetorheological fluids, magnetorheological elastomers, electrorheological fluids, and piezoelectric materials.
摘要:
Force and deceleration delimiting devices and methods for operating the same in a vehicle. The devices generally include an open celled material expandable from a non-expanded state to an expanded state, wherein the open celled material is sandwiched between a first end cap member and a second end cap member; an optional support surface cooperatively positioned with the open celled material to cover a surface of the open celled material in the expanded and the non-expanded states; and an optional shield cooperatively positioned with the open celled material to cover a surface of the open celled material in the expanded and the non-expanded states; and an activation mechanism adapted to regulate selective expansion of the open celled material from the non-expanded state to the expanded state in response to a triggering event, wherein the support surface and/or shield have a compact shape when the open celled material is in the non-expanded state and an expanded state when the open celled material is in the expanded state.
摘要:
A releasable seal assembly for selectively removing a component from an other component, wherein the component and the other component are in sealing engagement with the releasable seal assembly. The releasable seal assembly includes a seal structure comprising an active material, wherein the active material is effective to undergo a change in at least one attribute in response to an activation signal, wherein the change in the at least one attribute changes a shape and/or modulus property of the seal structure; an activation device adapted to provide the activation signal in operative communication with the active material; and a controller in operative communication with the activation device. Also disclosed herein are methods for the releasable seal assembly.
摘要:
A reversible energy absorbing assembly including a shape memory foam disposed within an interior region, wherein the shape memory foam is adapted to expand to an expanded configuration in response to fluid communication with a fluid source. The shape memory foam is a material selected from the group consisting of shape memory alloys and shape memory polymers. Once expanded, the assembly effectively absorbs kinetic energy of an object upon impact with the assembly. The shape memory foam can be thermally activated to restore the original configuration of the energy absorbing assembly. Methods of operating the energy absorbing assembly are also disclosed.
摘要:
Disclosed herein is a locking device comprising a striker; and a latch in operative communication with an actuator that comprises an active material; wherein the latch is adapted to engage the striker in direct proportion to an applied activation signal. Disclosed herein too is a method for assisting a final closing motion of a suspended body with respect to a supporting body comprising moving the suspended body to within a defined distance from the supporting body; and activating a locking device, wherein the locking device comprises a striker; a latch in operative communication with an actuator that comprises an active material; wherein the latch is adapted to engage the striker in direct proportion to an applied activation signal.
摘要:
Active seal assemblies employing active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active seal assemblies actively change modulus properties such as stiffness, shape orientation, and the like. In this manner, in seal applications tailored for vehicles such as in a vehicle door application, door opening and closing efforts can be minimized yet seal effectiveness can be maximized.
摘要:
Disclosed herein is an adaptive head light assembly, comprising a parabolic reflector for housing a filament assembly; a lever arm having one end pivotably affixed to a bearing point of the parabolic reflector; an actuator in operative communication with the other end of the lever arm to actuate motion of the lever arm, wherein the actuator comprises a shape memory material adapted to change a shape orientation or modulus property upon receipt of an activation signal; and a spring in operative communication with the other end of the lever arm and adapted to provide a restoring force.
摘要:
Active seal assemblies employing active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active seal assemblies actively change modulus properties such as stiffness, shape orientation, and the like. In this manner, in seal applications such as a vehicle door application, door opening and closing efforts can be minimized yet seal effectiveness can be maximized.
摘要:
Door closure assist assemblies that assist in providing a final closing motion generally includes an extender portion comprised of an active material adapted to linearly expand in response to an activation signal and a releasable fastener having one component in movable communication with the extender portion and a second component attached to the other selected one of the door and doorframe. During operation, the door closure assist assembly provides the final closing action.
摘要:
A magnetorheological damper device is provided having an increased shear interface area per unit volume of the device, which enhances the stroking force of the damper. The damper generally includes a cylindrically shaped housing; a magnetorheological fluid disposed in the cylindrically shaped housing; a piston assembly disposed within the cylindrically shaped housing in sliding engagement with the cylindrically shaped housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the piston assembly comprises a plurality of cylindrically shaped fluid passageways extending from the first chamber to the second chamber, and an electromagnet; and a power supply in electrical communication with the electromagnet.