Volume-filling mechanical assemblies and methods of operating the same
First Claim
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1. A volume filling mechanical assembly for a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
- an open celled material expandable from a non-expanded state to an expanded state, wherein the open celled material further comprises a first rigid end cap connected to one end of the open celled material and a second rigid end cap connected to an other end of the open celled material; and
an activation mechanism regulating expansion of said open celled material from said non-expanded state to said expanded state in response to an activation signal, wherein the activation mechanism comprises an expansion agency interfaced with the first and second end caps.
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Abstract
A volume-filling mechanical structure for modifying a crash or impact comprising a honeycomb celled material expandable from a compact state to a expanded state and methods for operating the same.
47 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A volume filling mechanical assembly for a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
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an open celled material expandable from a non-expanded state to an expanded state, wherein the open celled material further comprises a first rigid end cap connected to one end of the open celled material and a second rigid end cap connected to an other end of the open celled material; and
an activation mechanism regulating expansion of said open celled material from said non-expanded state to said expanded state in response to an activation signal, wherein the activation mechanism comprises an expansion agency interfaced with the first and second end caps. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a volume filling structure, comprising:
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sensing an impact event; and
expanding the volume filling structure from a non-expanded state to an expanded state upon the sensed impact event, wherein the volume filling structure comprises an open celled material, a first end cap connected to one end of the open celled material and a second end cap connected to an other end of the open celled material, and an activation mechanism regulating expansion of said open celled material from said non-expanded state to said expanded state in response to an activation signal, wherein the activation mechanism comprises an expansion agency interfaced with the first and second end caps. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of stiffening and/or reinforcing a vehicle member, comprising
disposing a volume filling structure within a vehicle member, wherein the volume filling structure is in the unexpanded state; - and
expanding the volume filling structure within the vehicle member, wherein expanding the volume filling structure stiffens and/or reinforces the vehicle member. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification