# US 10,871,009 B2 · Shape memory alloy latching and locking closure system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,871,009 B2 - Document ID: US10871009B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/055,503 - Filed: 2018-08-06 - Published: 2020-02-06 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2018-08-06 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Paul W. Alexander; Dayananda Narasimhaiah; Matthew M. Stack; Wonhee M. Kim; Alejandro Garcia; James H. Brown; Yonghoon Shim; Jaehun Kim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10871009B2 ## CPC - E05B 51/005: {by a bimetallic or memory-shape element (heated by electricity E05B47/0009; for panic door actuation E05B65/104)} - E05B 47/0009: {with thermo-electric actuators, e.g. heated bimetals} - E05B 81/04: Electrical (electrical circuits E05B81/54) - E05C 19/022: {Released by pushing in the closing direction} - E05B 83/30: for glove compartments - E05B 83/32: for console boxes, e.g. between passenger seats - E05B 83/34: for fuel inlet covers essentially flush with the vehicle surface - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS - E05C: BOLTS OR FASTENING DEVICES FOR WINGS, SPECIALLY FOR DOORS OR WINDOWS (latching means for sideboard or tailgate structures for vehicles B62D, {B62D33/02}; fastening devices for constructional or engineering elements E04, F16B; locks, fastening devices structurally or operatively combined or having significant cooperation with locks E05B; means for operating or controlling wing fasteners in conjunction with mechanisms for moving the wing E05F) ## Abstract A lockable latching device includes a body defining a cavity and a plunger disposed within a cavity defined in the body. The plunger is translatable with respect to the body between an open position and a closed position. The lockable latching device also includes an annular rotator configured for rotating the plunger about a central longitudinal axis, and an annular latch transitionable between an unlocked state and a locked state. The lockable latching device further includes first and second elements. The lockable latching device also includes a force transmission mechanism operably connected to the first element, the second element, and the annular latch, with the force transmission mechanism configured to transition the annular latch from the unlocked state to the locked state in response to a first activation signal, and to transition the annular latch from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to a second activation signal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A lockable latching device comprising: a body defining a cavity therein and having a central longitudinal axis; a plunger disposed within the cavity and having a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end, wherein the plunger is translatable with respect to the body along the central longitudinal axis between: an open position in which the second end is disposed within the cavity; and a closed position in which the second end protrudes from the cavity; an annular rotator disposed along the central longitudinal axis and configured for rotating the plunger about the central longitudinal axis; an annular latch abutting the annular rotator and transitionable between: an unlocked state in which the annular latch is positioned about the central longitudinal axis such that the plunger is transitionable between the open position and the closed position; and a locked state in which the annular latch is positioned about the central longitudinal axis such that the plunger is not transitionable between the open position and the closed position; a first element formed from a first shape memory alloy that is transitionable between a first austenite crystallographic phase and a first martensite crystallographic phase in response to a first activation signal, the first element having a first end affixed relative to the body and a second end affixed relative to the body such that the first end of the first element is at a fixed location relative to the second end of the first element; a second element operably connected to the annular latch and formed from a second shape memory alloy that is transitionable between a second austenite crystallographic phase and a second martensite crystallographic phase in response to a second activation signal, the second element having a first end affixed relative to the body and a second end affixed relative to the body such that the first end of the second element is at a fixed location relative to the second end of the second element; and a force transmission mechanism operably connected to the first element, the second element, and the annular latch, the force transmission mechanism configured to transition the annular latch from the unlocked state to the locked state in response to the first activation signal, the force transmission mechanism further configured to transition the annular latch from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to the second activation signal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The lockable latching device of claim 1, wherein the force transmission mechanism comprises a slider configured to move relative to the body, wherein the slider is urged by the first element to move in a first linear direction in response to the first activation signal and wherein the slider is urged by the second element to move in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction in response to the second activation signal. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The lockable latching device of claim 2, wherein the force transmission mechanism further comprises a lever rotatable about a pivot axis that is fixed relative to the body, wherein the lever is urged by the slider to rotate in a first rotational direction in response to the first activation signal and wherein the lever is urged by the slider to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction in response to the second activation signal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The lockable latching device of claim 3, wherein the lever is operably coupled to the annular latch. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The lockable latching device of claim 4, wherein the lever is operably coupled to the annular latch by a compliant coupling configured to elastically deform if the annular latch is prevented from moving. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The lockable latching device of claim 5, wherein the compliant coupling comprises a strain relief ring coupled to the annular latch. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The lockable latching device of claim 5, wherein the compliant coupling comprises a spring member extending from the lever to the annular latch. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The lockable latching device of claim 3, wherein the lever rotates within a plane that is parallel with the central longitudinal axis. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The lockable latching device of claim 2, wherein an electrical terminal affixed to and moveable with the slider is configured to cooperate with an electrical circuit to remove the first activation signal or the second activation signal when the slider moves past a predetermined position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The lockable latching device of claim 1, further comprising a detent spring configured to maintain the annular latch in its most recently commanded locked state or unlocked state in the absence of both the first activation signal and the second activation signal. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The lockable latching device of claim 1, further comprising an electrical circuit configured to receive a DC voltage and to provide the first activation signal if the DC voltage has a first polarity and to provide the second activation signal if the DC voltage has a second polarity that is opposite the first polarity. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The lockable latching device of claim 1, wherein the plunger is configured to engage a door, wherein the lockable latching device further comprises a sensor configured to indicate the position of the door. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The lockable latching device of claim 12, wherein the sensor comprises a reed switch. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The lockable latching device of claim 12, wherein the sensor comprises a Hall effect device. ### Claim 15 An actuator comprising: a body; a first element formed from a first shape memory alloy that is transitionable between a first austenite crystallographic phase and a first martensite crystallographic phase in response to a first activation signal, the first element having a first end affixed relative to the body and a second end affixed relative to the body such that the first end of the first element is at a fixed location relative to the second end of the first element; a second element formed from a second shape memory alloy that is transitionable between a second austenite crystallographic phase and a second martensite crystallographic phase in response to a second activation signal, the second element having a first end affixed relative to the body and a second end affixed relative to the body such that the first end of the second element is at a fixed location relative to the second end of the second element; and a force transmission mechanism operably connected to the first element and the second element. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The actuator of claim 15, wherein the force transmission mechanism comprises a slider configured to move relative to the body, wherein the slider is urged by the first element to move in a first linear direction in response to the first activation signal and wherein the slider is urged to move by the second element in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction in response to the second activation signal. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The actuator of claim 16, wherein the force transmission mechanism further comprises a lever rotatable about a pivot axis that is fixed relative to the body, wherein the lever is urged by the slider to rotate in a first rotational direction in response to the first activation signal and wherein the lever is urged by the slider to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction in response to the second activation signal. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The actuator of claim 16, wherein an electrical terminal affixed to and moveable with the slider is configured to cooperate with an electrical circuit to remove the first activation signal or the second activation signal when the slider moves past a predetermined position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The actuator of claim 15, further comprising a detent spring configured to maintain the force transmission mechanism in its most recently commanded position in the absence of both the first activation signal and the second activation signal. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The actuator of claim 15, further comprising an electrical circuit configured to receive a DC voltage and to provide the first activation signal if the DC voltage has a first polarity and to provide the second activation signal if the DC voltage has a second polarity that is opposite the first polarity.