Single input and multi-output drive system utilizing an active material actuated transmission
AssigneeDynalloy, Inc.@@GM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsAragorn Zolno, James Holbrook Brown, Nilesh D. Mankame
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A single input, multi-output drive system adapted for use, for example, with a power seat, includes an input power source, such as a PMDC motor, and at least one transmission further including a plurality of output elements shiftable between engaged and disengaged conditions relative to the source, so as to be selectively driven thereby, and drivenly coupled, for example, to various functions of the power seat, and a plurality of active material actuators drivenly and individually coupled to an associated one of the output elements, and configured to selectively engage the associated output element and input source.
Claims20
A single input, multi-output drive system, comprising:
- an input power source;
- and
- a transmission including
- a plurality of output elements shiftable between engaged and disengaged conditions relative to the source, so as to be selectively driven thereby;
- and
- a plurality of actuators, wherein each actuator is drivenly and individually coupled to an associated one of the elements, and employs an active material operable to undergo a reversible change in fundamental property when exposed to or occluded from an activation signal, so as to be activated and deactivated respectively,
- said source and transmission being cooperatively configured such that each change causes an associated one of the elements to shift between the conditions.
A power seat adapted for use by a user, comprising:
- a plurality of manipulable structural components;
- a single input, multi-output drive system, including
- an input power source;
- and
- at least one transmission including
- a plurality of output elements, each individually shiftable between engaged and disengaged conditions relative to the source, so as to be selectively driven thereby, and drivenly coupled to a structural component, so as to cause said component to manipulate when driven by the source;
- and
- a plurality of shape memory alloy actuators, wherein each actuator is drivenly and individually coupled to an associated one of the elements, and operable to undergo a reversible change in fundamental property when exposed to or occluded from an activation signal, so as to be activated and deactivated respectively,
- said source and transmission being cooperatively configured such that each change causes an associated one of the elements to shift between the conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.