Panels having active material based fold lines

• US 7,284,786 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2006
• Issued: 10/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Mankame, Nilesh D., Browne, Alan L., Johnson, Nancy L., Keefe, Andrew C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morrow; Jason S
• Application Number:
  US11/357,925
• Publication Number:
  US 20060186700A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 296/181.1, 296/191, 296/107.01, 296/97.22, 296/193.07, 296/97.8, 296/37.8
• US Class Current: 296/181.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/04 with rigid plate-like element or elements , e.g. open roofs with harmonica-type folding rigid panels B60J7/061 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 29/04 predominantly of synthetic material working of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 29/048 Connections therefor, e.g. joints B62D29/045 takes precedence

Abstract

A panel having active material based segments, wherein the segments define a hinge location that can be selectively stiffened or folded on demand. The active material based segments include an active material such that activation of the active material by an activation device can allow folding of the panel, can effect self-folding of the panel, or can serve to lock the panel into a fixed position when not activated. In this manner, the panel that can be variously stiffened or folded on demand. Other embodiments include forming the panel of the active material such that the panel can be compacted and stowed upon activation of the active material to change the modulus properties thereof.

Claims

1. A foldable panel, comprising:

alternating segments of a rigid non-active material and an active material, wherein the alternating segments define hinges at about a region of the active material, wherein the alternating segments of the rigid non-active material and the active material define at least one of a convertible roof, a floor or a cover of a luggage compartment, a fuel filler door, a sun visor, a glove box door, and a storage bin door;

an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is adapted to provide an activation signal, wherein the shape and/or modulus properties of the active material change in response to the activation signal; and

a controller in operative communication with the activation device.

2. The foldable panel of claim 1, wherein the active material segment comprises a shape memory polymer, a shape memory alloy, a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, an electroactive polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, a magnetorheological fluid, an electrorheological elastomer, an electrorheological fluid, and combinations thereof.

3. The foldable panel of claim 1, wherein the active material segment is selected to be self-actuatable upon actuation with the activation device.

4. The foldable panel of claim 1, wherein the active material segment is selected to provide no actuation force upon actuation.

5. The foldable panel of claim 1, wherein the active material segment is effective to lock or unlock a fold in the panel.

6. The foldable panel of claim 1, wherein the active material segment comprises a shape memory polymer body and at least one shape memory alloy element.

7. The foldable panel of claim 1, wherein the active material segment comprises a rotatable tube filled with a selected one of a magnetorheological fluid and an electrorheological fluid.

8. The foldable panel of claim 1, further comprising an energy storage element.

9. A panel, comprising:

a segment of shape memory polymer, wherein the segments of the shape memory polymer define at least one of a convertable roof, a floor or cover of a luggage compartment, a fuel filler door, a sun visor, a glove box door, and a storage bin door;

an activation device in operative communication with the shape memory polymer, wherein the activation device is adapted to provide an activation signal to the shape memory polymer and selectively change a modulus property of the shape memory polymer, wherein the change in the modulus property increases flexibility of the segment.

10. The panel of claim 9, further comprising an energy storage element.

11. The panel of claim 10, wherein the shape memory polymer forms at least a portion of a fabric, wherein the change in modulus property changes a modulus property of the panel.

12. The panel of claim 10, wherein the activation signal is a thermal activation signal.

13. A method for selectively folding or unfolding a panel, the method comprising:

activating an active material defining at least a portion of the panel, wherein the panel defines at least one of a convertable roof, a floor or cover of a luggage compartment, a fuel filler door, a sun visor, a glove box door, and a storage bin door;

wherein activating the active material changes a modulus property of the active material;

folding or unfolding the panel at hinge points defined by a location of the active material; and

deactivating the active material to restore the modulus property of the active material.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the panel comprises alternating segments of the active material and a rigid non-active material.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein folding or unfolding the panel at the hinge points is self-actuated by the active material.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory polymer, a shape memory alloy, a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, an electroactive polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, a magnetorheological fluid, an electrorheological elastomer, an electrorheological fluid, and combinations thereof.