Skin for a motor vehicle

• US 6,938,945 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2001
• Issued: 09/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Wald, Erich, Waldhoer, Ralf, Telgenbrok, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Coletta, Lori L.
• Application Number:
  US10/296,494
• Publication Number:
  US 20040046420A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,571 Days
• Field of Search: 296/187.01, 296/180.1, 296/193.11, 296/187
• US Class Current: 296/187.01
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/00 Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining

Abstract

A motor vehicle shell is at least partially movable. For movement of the sheel, at least one actuator is provided. The actuator contains a material that is polymeric and/or ion-exchanging and/or exhibits varying confirmations, and is movable by of way physical or chemical effects.

Claims

1. An at least partially deformable motor vehicle shell comprising at least one actuator arranged to provide active, controlled shell deformation, wherein said actuator includes a material that can be moved by physical or chemical effects, and wherein said actuator is at least one of a polymeric actuator, an actuator which functions as an ion exchanger, or an actuator which exhibits varying confirmations.

2. The motor vehicle shell according to claim 1, wherein the shell is equipped with a rigid or elastic area which is coupled with the actuator.

3. The motor vehicle shell according to claim 1, wherein the actuator itself constitutes part of the shell.

4. The motor vehicle shell according to claim 1, wherein the shell is deformable in an area of an outside mirror.

5. The motor vehicle shell according to claim 4, wherein at least one of a mirror housing shape and dimensions of a mirror surface can be altered by the actuator.

6. The motor vehicle shell according to claim 1, wherein the shell is deformable in an area of a hood.

7. The motor vehicle shell according to claim 6, wherein the actuator is arranged in a front area of the hood in the direction of travel.

8. The motor vehicle shell according to claim 6, wherein the actuator is arranged in the center of the hood, axially to the direction of travel.

9. The motor vehicle shell according to claim 1, wherein the shell is deformable in the area of a spoiler.

11. The motor vehicle shell according to claim 6, wherein the actuator is movable in a direction that is perpendicular to a roadbed.

12. The motor vehicle shell according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is located in an area of an opening in the shell.

13. The motor vehicle shell according to claim 12, wherein the actuator forms a channel adjacent to the opening.

14. The motor vehicle shell according to claim 12, wherein the actuator is shaped so as to at least one of close, cover, reduce and enlarge the opening.

15. The motor vehicle shell according to claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator is one of a plurality of actuators arranged close to one another in an area of the shell, and wherein the actuators are movable perpendicular to the shell so as to create a knobby structure.

16. The motor vehicle shell according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is coupled with a sensor.

17. The motor vehicle shell according to claim 1, wherein the actuator includes several layers of polymeric material, ion-exchanging material, or polymeric and ion-exchanging material.

18. The motor vehicle shell according to claim 1, wherein the actuator includes an envelope that encloses polymeric material, ion-exchanging material, or polymeric and ion-exchanging material.

19. The motor vehicle shell according to claim 1, wherein the actuator includes at least one of a polymeric material and an ion-exchanging material which takes the shape of a strip, a hollow cylinder, or part of an ellipsoidal surface.

20. The motor vehicle shell according to claim 1, wherein the actuator includes at least one of a polymeric material and an ion-exchanging material which can be moved by electrical processes or by changing any of a pH value, humidity, or a temperature of the material.

21. The motor vehicle shell according to claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a liquid crystal elastomer material that exhibits varying confirmations and which is movable by means of electrical processes.

10. An at least partially movable motor vehicle shell comprising at least one actuator provided for movement of the shell, wherein said actuator includes a material that can be moved by physical or chemical effects, wherein said actuator is at least one of a polymeric actuator, an actuator which functions as an ion exchanger, and an actuator which exhibits varying confirmations, wherein the shell is movable in the area of a spoiler, and wherein the spoiler is arranged on the underside of a vehicle.