Active material based lockout mechanisms
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsAlan Browne, Nancy Johnson, Michael Leslie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Control mechanisms and methods of use include the use of active materials as a blocking element. The control mechanisms generally include a tactile control in operative communication with an electrical circuit, wherein actuation of the tactile control closes the electrical circuit to activate a function. The blocking element includes an active material that is intermediate to the electrical circuit and the tactile control. The active material is adapted to change at least one attribute such as a modulus property in response to an activation signal. The change in the at least one attribute selectively changes a force level for actuating the tactile control.
Claims21
A control mechanism, comprising:
- a tactile control in operative communication with an electrical circuit, wherein actuation of the tactile control closes the electrical circuit to activate a function;
- a blocking element comprising an active material intermediate the electrical circuit and the tactile control, wherein the active material is adapted to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal;
- an activation device in operative communication with the active material adapted to provide the activation signal, wherein the change in the at least one attribute changes a modulus property of the blocking element and changes a force level for actuating the tactile control;
- and
- a controller in operative communication with the activation device.
A process for selectively adjusting a force level for a tactile control in operative communication with an electrical circuit, wherein actuation of the tactile control closes the electrical circuit to activate a function, the process comprising:
- selectively changing a modulus property of a blocking element by applying an activation signal, wherein the blocking element comprises an active material intermediate the electrical circuit and the tactile control, wherein the active material is adapted to change the modulus property in response to the activation signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.