Selectively accessible container apparatus, hinge assembly with a shape memory alloy filament, and methods

• US 10,112,745 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2016
• Issued: 10/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autosplice, Inc. (Autosplice Parent, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Autosplice, Inc. (Autosplice Parent, Inc.)
• Inventors: Foshansky, Leonid, Krone, Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): MILLER, BRIAN E
• Application Number:
  US15/331,486
• Publication Number:
  US 20170121068A1
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/163 the container and the lid being made separately B65D43/161 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/26 Mechanisms for opening or closing, e.g. pedal-operated for refuse receptacles B65F1/1623
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/14 Applications of locks, e.g. of permutation or key-controlled locks
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/145 of permutation locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/0054 Covers, e.g. for protection
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 2011/0072 for the gap between hinge parts
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/60 using electrical actuators
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/602 for containers

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for selectively providing or preventing access to areas, enclosed spaces or volumes, or for controlling the position of a pivot or hinge assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a selectively actuated or actuate-able hinge which is controlled at least in part by a shaped memory alloy (SMA) filament or filaments. Application of electrical current to the filament causes changes in the physical properties thereof, thereby allowing “ratcheted” rotation of a portion of the hinge relative to other portions. In one variant, the hinge can be remotely operated, such as via wireless or wireline communication with a remote entity such as a computer or smartphone.

Claims

1. A selectively accessible container apparatus, comprising:

a container comprising a container lid; and

a hinge assembly coupled to the container and the container lid, the hinge assembly comprising;

first and second outer housing elements configured to house a plurality of internal components therein, the plurality of internal components comprising;

a shape memory alloy (SMA) filament;

a pull rod, the pull rod configured to be communicatively coupled with the SMA filament;

an inner ratchet element and a complementary outer ratchet head, where upon activation of the SMA filament, the pull rod is configured to pull the inner ratchet element away from the complementary outer ratchet head, thereby enabling the container lid to be actuated with respect to the container; and

a return spring configured to return the inner ratchet element so as to communicatively engage the complementary outer ratchet head upon deactivation of the SMA filament.

2. The selectively accessible container apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of internal components further comprises:

an SMA anchor plate comprising a printed circuit board, the SMA filament configured to be coupled to the SMA anchor plate, the SMA anchor plate configured to remain in a substantially fixed position within the hinge assembly.

3. The selectively accessible container apparatus of claim 2, wherein the printed circuit board further comprises a logical component, the logical component configured to selectively enable activation of the SMA filament.

4. The selectively accessible container apparatus of claim 3, wherein the logical component is configured to receive a password or code, the password or code configured to enable the selective activation of the SMA filament.

5. The selectively accessible container apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of internal components further comprises:

a torsion spring, the torsion spring configured to provide a biasing force on the container lid thereby enabling automated opening of the container lid upon activation of the SMA filament.

6. The selectively accessible container apparatus of claim 5, wherein the inner ratchet element and the complementary outer ratchet head each comprise one or more teeth, the teeth when engaged frustrate the ability to rotate the container lid in a first direction while simultaneously permitting rotation of the container lid in a second direction.

7. The selectively accessible container apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first direction comprises an opening direction for the container lid and the second direction comprises a closing direction for the container lid.

8. The selectively accessible container apparatus of claim 7, wherein the plurality of internal components further comprises:

a cushion spring, the cushion spring configured to mitigate stresses on the SMA filament during engagement of the teeth of the inner ratchet element and the complementary outer ratchet head.

9. The selectively accessible container apparatus of claim 8, wherein the cushion spring is further configured to allow a defined motion for the inner ratchet element without the translation of motion to the pull rod and the SMA filament.

10. A hinge assembly, comprising:

an outer housing element, the outer housing element configured to house a plurality of internal components, the plurality of internal components comprising;

a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board configured to be communicatively coupled with the outer housing element;

a pivoting latch arm, the pivoting latch arm comprising a pivot point disposed between two opposing ends for the pivoting latch arm;

a traveling rod that is actuated via the use of a shape memory alloy (SMA) filament, the actuation of the traveling rod is configured to engage one of the two opposing ends of the pivoting latch arm;

wherein the other opposing end of the pivoting latch arm is configured to engage a respective feature located on a selectively accessible container.

11. The hinge assembly of claim 10, further comprising a return spring that is received concentrically around at least a portion of the traveling rod, the return spring configured to return the traveling rod to a non-actuated SMA filament position.

12. The hinge assembly of claim 11, wherein the traveling rod when in the non-actuated SMA filament position is configured to lock the selectively accessible container.

13. The hinge assembly of claim 12, wherein two ends of the SMA filament are configured to be held at an anchor point located within the outer housing element.

14. The hinge assembly of claim 13, wherein an outer end of the traveling rod is configured to have the SMA filament routed around the outer end.

15. The hinge assembly of claim 10, wherein the printed circuit board further comprises a logical component, the logical component configured to selectively enable activation of the SMA filament.

16. The hinge assembly of claim 15, wherein the logical component is configured to receive a password or code, the password or code configured to enable the selective activation of the SMA filament.

17. The hinge assembly of claim 15, wherein the logical component is configured to receive an activation signal, the activation signal being generated in response to receipt of a password or code.

18. A method of providing selectable access to a container located at a first location, the method comprising:

providing a hinge assembly, the provision of the hinge assembly comprising;

obtaining a plurality of components to form a hinge assembly for the container, the plurality of components comprising a circuit board having a logic component disposed thereon and a shape memory alloy (SMA) filament; and

inserting the circuit board having the logic component disposed thereon and the SMA filament into one or more housing portions for the hinge assembly;

causing the attachment of the hinge assembly to the container;

causing the receipt of an activation signal at the hinge assembly at the first location, the activation signal generated at a second location, the second location being remote from the first location; and

in response to receipt of the activation signal, causing the hinge assembly to open thereby providing access to contents located within the container.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing the container having the hinge assembly attached thereto.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a standardized specification for the container, the standardized specification configured to enable the attachment of the hinge assembly to the container.