Closure lockdown assemblies and methods utilizing active materials

• Main Authors: JOHNSON NANCY L, BROWNE ALAN L
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 15.12.2005
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; HANDCUFFS; KEYS; LOCKS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FORVEHICLES; SAFES; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ARTCOLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILARDEVICES FOR VEHICLES

In combination with a vehicle and a closure, one or more lockdown regions disposed between the closure and the vehicle body, the one or more lockdown regions comprising a device comprising an active material disposed in operative communication with the closure and the vehicle body, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, a magnetic shape memory material, a shape memory polymer, a magnetorheological fluid, an electroactive polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, an electrorheological fluid, a piezoelectric material, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials; and an activation device coupled to the active material, the activation device being operable to selectively provide an activation signal to the active material and effectuate a change in a dimension, a shape, and/or a flexural modulus property of the active material, wherein the change in the dimension, a shape, and/or flexural modulus of the active material locks down or releases the closure from the vehicle. Such active materials include shape memory alloys, magnetic shape memory alloys, electroactive polymers, shape memory polymers, magnetorheological fluids, magnetorheological elastomers, electrorheological fluids, and piezoelectric materials. Also disclosed herein are methods for selectively stiffening a closure hingeably attached to a vehicle body.