Active seal assisted latching assemblies

• US 20050212304A1
• Filed: 03/08/2005
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Henry, Christopher P., Browne, Alan L., Johnson, Nancy L., Keefe, Andrew C., Mc Knight, Geoffrey P., Herrera, Guillermo A.
• Application Number:
  US11/074,578
• Publication Number:
  US 20050212304A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 292/251.500
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/15 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/16 consisting of two or more plastic materials having different physical or chemical properties B60J10/17 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/244 inflatable or deflatable
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/40 characterised by contact between two or more cooperating sealing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/50 characterised by means for prevention or reduction of noise, e.g. of rattling or vibration of windows
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2201/12 Shape memory
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 15/16 Use of special materials for parts of locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 15/1607 Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0009 with thermo-electric actuators, e.g. heated bimetals
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0011 with piezoelectric actuators piezoelectric devices per se H10N30/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/00 Power-actuated vehicle locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/20 for assisting final closing or for initiating opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 19/001 with bolts extending over a considerable extent, e.g. nearly along the whole length of at least one side of the wing movable sealing strips E06B7/18
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 19/166 electromagnetic
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/00 Closers or openers for wings, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/43 Motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/614 charging thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/67 Materials; Strength alteration thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/2314 : characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/022 : characterised by structure or material
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/025 : and with at least one flexible lip
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/027 : and with a hollow profile
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/028 : the packing being mechanically expanded against the sealing surface
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/061 : with positioning means F16J15/0831 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/064 : the packing combining the sealing function with other functions
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/0806 : characterised by material or surface treatment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 277/921 : Closure or weather strip seal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/65 : Emergency or safety
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/11 : Magnetic

Abstract

Active seal assisted latching assemblies employing active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to effect the latching. 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.

Claims

1. A latch for latching two surfaces, comprising:

a latch comprising an engageable portion;

a seal structure comprising an active material, wherein the active material is effective to undergo a change in shape in response to an activation signal, wherein the change in shape causes the seal structure to sealingly and latchingly engage the engageable portion;

an activation device in operative communication with the active material adapted to provide the activation signal, and

a controller in operative communication with the activation device.

2. The latch according to claim 1, wherein the change in shape comprises increasing a diameter of the seal structure, wherein the increase in diameter engages the engageable portion.

3. The latch according to claim 1, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a piezoelectric material, an electroactive polymer, a magnetorheological fluid, a magnetorheological elastomer, an electrorheological fluid, a composites of one or more of the foregoing materials with non-active material, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing materials.

4. The latch according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor in operative communication with the controller.

5. The latch according to claim 1, wherein the activation signal comprises an electric current, a temperature change, a magnetic field, a mechanical loading or stressing and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing signals.

6. A latch for latching a first surface to a second surface, comprising:

a first surface comprising a first member extending from the first surface, wherein the first member comprises an active material, wherein the active material is effective to undergo a change in shape in response to an activation signal;

a second surface comprising a second member extending from the second surface, wherein the second member comprises the active material, and wherein the second surface and the second member are positionally disposed in an opposing relationship to the first surface and the first member;

an activation device in operative communication with the active material adapted to selectively provide an activation signal to the active material, wherein the activation signal effects a change in a shape of the active material and engages the first member with the second member; and

a controller in operative communication with the activation device.

7. The latch according to claim 6, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, a piezoelectric material, an ionic polymer metal composite, a magnetorheological elastomer, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing materials.

8. The latch according to claim 6, wherein the change in shape comprises a change of a curvilinear orientation to a substantially straight shape.

9. The latch according to claim 6, further comprising a sensor in operative communication with the controller.

10. The latch according to claim 6, wherein the activation signal comprises an electric current, a temperature change, a magnetic field, a mechanical loading or stressing and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing signals.

11. The latch according to claim 6, wherein the second member active material is the same as the first member active material.

12. The latch according to claim 6, wherein the second member active material is different from the first member active material.

13. A latch for latching two surfaces, comprising:

a first surface comprising a first member extending from the first surface, wherein the first member comprises an active material effective to undergo a change in shape in response to an activation signal;

a seal structure formed of an elastic material disposed on a second surface, wherein the seal structure and second surface are aligned with the first member and first member such that the first member is in operative communication with the seal structure;

an activation device adapted to selectively provide the activation signal to the active material, wherein the activation signal effects a change in a shape of the first member to sealingly latch the seal structure against the first member; and

a controller in operative communication with the activation device.

14. The latch according to claim 13, wherein the activation signal comprises an electric current, a temperature change, a magnetic field, a mechanical loading or stressing and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing signals.

15. The latch according to claim 13, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, a piezoelectric material, an ionic polymer metal composite, a magnetorheological elastomer, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing materials.

16. The latch according to claim 13, wherein the change in shape comprises a change of a curvilinear orientation to a substantially straight shape.

17. The latch according to claim 13, wherein the seal structure comprises the active material, wherein the change in shape of the seal structure active material volumetrically expands the seal structure.

18. A process for selectively latching two surfaces, comprising:

positioning a first member in a latching relationship to a second member, wherein the first member comprises an active material adapted to undergo a change in shape in response to an activation signal, wherein the change in shape of the active material latches the first member to the second member; and

activating the active material and latching the first member to the second member.

19. The process of claim 18, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, a magnetorheological fluid or elastomer, an electroactive polymer, piezoelectric material, an ionic polymer metal composite, a magnetorheological elastomer, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing materials.

20. The process of claim 18, wherein the activation signal comprises an electric current, a temperature change, a magnetic field, a mechanical loading or stressing and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing signals.