System and method for adapting a vehicle component using an active material

• US 10,173,615 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2016
• Issued: 01/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Steinam, Claudia
• Primary Examiner(s): Melton, Todd M
• Application Number:
  US15/378,693
• Publication Number:
  US 20170174159A1
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6893 Cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00657 Remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00742 by detection of the vehicle occupants' presence; by detection of conditions relating to the body of occupants, e.g. using radiant heat detectors
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00821 the components being ventilating, air admitting or air distributing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00871 Air directing means, e.g. blades in an air outlet construction of nozzles or air diffusers B60H1/34
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/34 Nozzles; Air-diffusersdispositions of air diffusers in a vehicle B60H1/247
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 3/0007 Adding substances other than water to the air, e.g. perfume, oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 3/0014 characterised by the location of the substance adding device
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 3/06 Filtering B60H3/0078 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 3/0658 Filter elements specially adapted for their arrangement in vehicles B60H3/0608 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/188 Displaying information using colour changes
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/339 Translucent dashboard skins
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/55 Remote control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/589 : Wireless data transfers
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 : Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 : Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/29 : Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/50 : Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle B60K35/231 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/80 : Arrangements for controlling instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/85 : Arrangements for transferring vehicle- or driver-related data
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/00 : Dashboards as road-vehicle superstructure sub-units B62D25/14
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/20 : Dashboard panels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 : for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a system for adapting at least one component of a vehicle. The vehicle component is operatively connected to an active material or formed from the active material. The active material is capable of changing at least one property in response to an activation signal. The activation signal is determined by at least one biometric variable of a vehicle occupant. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to a method for adapting a component of a vehicle.

Claims

1. An adaptation system of a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle component operatively connected to, and formed from an active material, wherein the active material is configured to change, in at least one property including changing illumination integrated in the active material, in response to an activation signal; and

at least one electronic sensor configured to generate the activation signal according to at least one biometric variable of a vehicle occupant.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the least one electronic sensor is configured to be worn by the vehicle occupant such that contact between the at least one electronic sensor and the occupant detects the biometric variable to generate the activation signal.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

an electronic device configured to control the active material and communicate, via near field communication, with the at least one electronic sensor.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the active material is an element produced by a 4D print.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the change in the property of the active material comprises liberation of a fragrance integrated in the active material.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the change in the property of the active material comprises activation of an air cleaning filter integrated in the active material.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the change in the property of the active material comprises opening or closing of a plurality of ventilation openings in the active material.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle component comprises a dashboard, an inner door lining, a roof lining, a central console, or a floor.

9. A method for adapting at least one component of a vehicle, comprising:

forming the component from an active material, the active material changing in at least one property including liberating a fragrance integrated in the active material in response to an activation signal; and

triggering the activation signal using at least one biometric variable, via an electronic sensor in near field communication with the active material.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein changing at least one property includes changing illumination integrated in the active material.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein changing at least one property includes activating an air cleaning filter integrated in the active material.

12. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein changing at least one property includes opening or closing of a plurality of ventilation openings in the active material.

13. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the component is a center console of the vehicle.

14. A vehicle comprising:

a dashboard formed from an active material configured to change a property responsive to an activation signal, and produced by a 4D print;

a wearable electronic sensor configured to measure biometric variables and produce the activation signal based on the biometric variables indicative of exhaustion; and

an electronic device configured to, in response to the biometric variables and receiving the activation signal from the electronic sensor, change the property of the dashboard.

15. The vehicle as claimed in claim 14, wherein the property is a plurality of ventilation openings in the dashboard.

16. The vehicle as claimed in claim 15, wherein the dashboard is further defined by first and second sections.

17. The vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first section of the dashboard is formed from the active material such that the electronic device is configured to, in response to the biometric variables and receiving the activation signal from the electronic sensor, change the property of the first section.

18. The vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second section of the dashboard is formed from the active material such that the electronic device is configured to, in response to the biometric variables and receiving the activation signal from the electronic sensor, change the property of the second section.