Methods for varying seal force in active seal assemblies for doors
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for decreasing a force vector necessary to close a vehicular door in a doorframe, wherein the door defines a surface, said method comprising the steps of:
- attaching an active material based seal assembly to a selected one of the door and doorframe, wherein the active material based seal assembly comprises an active material and an elastic body, the active material abuts an exterior surface of the elastic body and is drivenly coupled to the elastic body, the elastic body engages the non-selected one of the door and doorframe when the door is closed and comprises a barrier intermediate the door and doorframe;
closing and latching the door against the door frame, such that the door and doorframe engage the seal assembly and the seal assembly imparts a seal pressure against the surfaced; and
activating the active material to cause a change in a modulus and a shape of the active material in response to an activation signal, wherein the change urges the elastic body towards the surface, and thereby increases the seal pressure exerted by the seal assembly.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for varying seal force in active seal assemblies for doors employ active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active materials actively change modulus properties such as stiffness, or a combination of modulus and shape in response to an activation signal. 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.
-
Citations
7 Claims
-
1. A method for decreasing a force vector necessary to close a vehicular door in a doorframe, wherein the door defines a surface, said method comprising the steps of:
-
attaching an active material based seal assembly to a selected one of the door and doorframe, wherein the active material based seal assembly comprises an active material and an elastic body, the active material abuts an exterior surface of the elastic body and is drivenly coupled to the elastic body, the elastic body engages the non-selected one of the door and doorframe when the door is closed and comprises a barrier intermediate the door and doorframe; closing and latching the door against the door frame, such that the door and doorframe engage the seal assembly and the seal assembly imparts a seal pressure against the surfaced; and activating the active material to cause a change in a modulus and a shape of the active material in response to an activation signal, wherein the change urges the elastic body towards the surface, and thereby increases the seal pressure exerted by the seal assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A method for decreasing a force vector necessary to open a vehicular vehicle door in a doorframe, wherein the door defines a surface, said method comprising the steps of:
-
attaching an active material based seal assembly to a selected one of the door and doorframe, wherein the active material based seal assembly includes an active material and an elastic body, the active material abuts an exterior surface of the elastic body and is drivenly coupled to the elastic body, the elastic body engages the non-selected one of the door and doorframe when the door is closed and comprises a barrier intermediate the door and doorframe; activating the active material to cause a change in a modulus and a shape of the active material in response to an activation signal, wherein the change urges the elastic body towards the surface, and thereby increases a seal pressure exerted by the seal assembly against the surface;
is predominately in a direction opposite the force vector;unlatching and positioning the door away from the door frame; and deactivating the active material. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
-
Specification