Reconfigurable storage bins having a structural component formed of a shape memory material

• US 20080011753A1
• Filed: 07/14/2006
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Cafeo, John A., Aase, Jan H., Browne, Alan L., Johnson, Nancy L., Mayer, Robert R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,061,550 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/260
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/005 Nets or elastic pockets tensioned against walls or backrests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/043 mounted on or under a seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/046 mounted on door

Abstract

Reconfigurable bins include at least one structural component formed of shape memory materials such as a shape memory polymer, a shape memory alloy, or a combination thereof. The shape memory material is in operative communication with an activation device adapted to provide an activation signal effective to change at least one attribute of the shape memory material such that the bin can be reconfigured from a first shape to a second shape. The reconfigurable bin can include a mesh network or may be formed of panels or a combination panels and mesh.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable storage bin, comprising:

a structural component comprising a shape memory material configured to undergo a change in a modulus of elasticity and/or a shape orientation upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in the modulus of elasticity and/or shape orientation results in a change in a shape and/or size of the structural component.

2. The reconfigurable bin of claim 1, wherein the shape memory material is selected from a group consisting of a shape memory polymer, a shape memory alloy, electroactive polymer, and combinations thereof.

3. The reconfigurable bin of claim 1, wherein the structural component defines at least a portion of or a complete panel.

4. The reconfigurable bin of claim 1, wherein the structural component defines at least a portion of or a complete netting.

5. The reconfigurable bin of claim 2, wherein the shape memory polymer further comprises an electrically conductive wire embedded therein and in electrical communication with a power source.

6. The reconfigurable bin of claim 2, wherein the shape memory polymer is a thermoresponsive shape memory polymer, a photoresponsive shape memory polymer, a moisture-responsive shape memory polymer, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

7. The reconfigurable bin of claim 3, wherein the shape memory material defines a fold line of the panel.

8. The reconfigurable bin of claim 1, wherein the activation signal comprises a thermal activation signal, a magnetic activation signal, an electrical activation signal, chemical activation signal, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing signals.

9. The reconfigurable bin of claim 1, further comprising an activation device adapted to provide the activation signal to the shape memory material.

10. An automotive interior surface, comprising:

a stationary surface; and

a reconfigurable bin attached to the stationary surface, wherein the reconfigurable bin comprises a structural component comprising a shape memory material configured to undergo a change in a modulus of elasticity and/or a shape orientation upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in the modulus of elasticity and/or shape orientation results in a change in a shape and/or size of the structural component.

11. The reconfigurable bin of claim 10, wherein the shape memory material is selected from a group consisting of a shape memory polymer, a shape memory alloy, an electroactive polymer, and combinations thereof.

12. The reconfigurable bin of claim 10, wherein the structural component defines at least a portion of or a complete panel.

13. The reconfigurable bin of claim 10, wherein the structural component defines at least a portion of or a complete netting.

14. A process for reconfiguring a storage bin to accommodate an article, the process comprising:

inserting the article into an opening of the storage bin, wherein the storage bin comprises a structural component comprising a shape memory material configured to undergo a change in a modulus of elasticity and/or a shape orientation upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in the modulus of elasticity and/or shape orientation results in a change in a shape of the structural component;

activating the shape memory material, wherein the change in the modulus and/or the shape orientation selectively decreases a volume of the storage bin.

15. The process of claim 14, wherein the shape memory material is selected from a group consisting of a shape memory polymer, a shape memory alloy, electroactive polymer, and combinations thereof.

16. The process of claim 14, wherein the structural component defines at least a portion of or a complete panel.

17. The process of claim 14, wherein the structural component defines at least a portion of or a complete netting.

18. A process for reconfiguring a storage bin to accommodate an article larger than a first opening dimension provided by the reconfigurable bin, the process comprising:

activating a shape memory material that defines a structural component of the reconfigurable bin, wherein activating the structural component increases the first opening dimension to a second opening dimension, wherein the second opening dimension is effective to accommodate the article; and

inserting the article into the opening of the reconfigurable bin.

19. The process of claim 18, wherein the shape memory material is selected from a group consisting of a shape memory polymer, a shape memory alloy, an electroactive polymer, and combinations thereof.

20. The process of claim 18, wherein the structural component defines at least a portion of or a complete panel.

21. The process of claim 18, wherein the structural component defines at least a portion of or a complete netting.

22. The process of claim 18, wherein activating the shape memory material comprises applying heat, voltage, moisture, light, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing to the shape memory material, and wherein deactivating the shape memory material comprises discontinuing the heat, voltage, moisture, light, or the combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

23. The process of claim 22, wherein applying the heat comprises resistive heating, contacting a heated fluid, inductive heating, microwave heating, exposing to laser light, thermoelectric heating, microwave heating, infrared heating, exposing to a flash lamp, convective heating, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

24. The process of claim 19, wherein activating the shape memory alloy comprises stress inducing superelasticity and deactivating comprises releasing the stress.