Active materials-based compliant mechanisms
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsNilesh D. Mankame, Alan L. Browne
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A compliant mechanism includes a body that is configured to generate a mechanical output in response to a mechanical input. The body has at least one region formed by an active material. The compliant mechanism also includes at least one activation device configured to selectively apply an activation signal to the at least one region. The active material is configured to undergo a change in modulus in response to the activation signal such that the output is characterized by a first magnitude or direction when the activation device applies the activation signal and a second magnitude or direction when the activation device does not apply the activation signal.
Claims20
A compliant mechanism comprising:
- a compliant mechanism body being configured to generate an output in response to an input;
- said compliant mechanism body having at least one region formed by an active material;
- wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in at least one material property in response to an activation signal.
A method comprising:
- providing a compliant mechanism body having a first configuration and having at least one region formed by an active material that is configured to undergo a change in at least one material property in response to an activation signal;
- and
- applying the activation signal to said at least one region.
A method comprising:
- providing a compliant mechanism body having a first configuration and having a plurality of regions formed by an active material that is configured to undergo a change in at least one material property in response to an activation signal;
- said compliant mechanism body being configured to generate a first performance in response to an input in the first configuration and in the absence of the activation signal;
- determining a desired second performance different from the first performance;
- applying the input to the compliant mechanism body;
- concurrently with said applying the input, applying the activation signal to at least one of said regions such that the compliant mechanism generates the second performance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.