Energy absorbing assembly and methods for operating the same
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorsAlan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An energy absorbing assembly includes a covering; and a shape memory material in operative communication with the covering, wherein the shape memory material has a first shape attached to an underside of the covering and is operative to change to a second shape in response to an activation signal. The second shape of the shape memory material can cause the covering to expand or expand and detach from a surrounding surface medium. The energy absorbing assembly is used to absorb kinetic energy of an object impacting the assembly. Methods of operating the assembly are also disclosed.
Claims27
An energy absorbing assembly, comprising:
- a covering;
- and
- a shape memory material in operative communication with the covering, wherein the shape memory material has a first shape attached to an underside of the covering and is operative to change to a second shape in response to an activation signal, wherein the shape memory material is adapted to revert back to the first shape upon discontinuation of the activation signal.
An interior vehicle surface comprising:
- an energy absorbing assembly comprising a covering and a shape memory material in operative communication with the covering, wherein the shape memory material has a first shape attached to an underside of the covering and is adapted to expand to a second shape in response to an activation signal, wherein the second shape has a greater length dimension than the first shape and causes the covering to expand, wherein the shape memory material is adapted to revert back to the first shape upon discontinuation of the activation signal.
A vehicle component, comprising:
- a support structure;
- and an energy absorbing assembly attached to the support structure, wherein the energy absorbing assembly comprises a shape memory material in operative communication with a covering, wherein the shape memory material has a first shape attached to an underside of the covering and is operative to change to a second shape in response to an activation signal and revert back to the first shape upon discontinuation of the activation signal.
A method of operating an energy absorbing assembly, comprising attaching the energy absorbing assembly to a support structure, wherein the energy absorbing assembly comprises a cover and a shape memory material disposed between the support structure and the cover;
- sensing an impact of an object;
- providing an activation signal to the shape memory material to cause the cover to expand or expand and detach from a surrounding surface medium, wherein the covering and the expanded shape memory material are adapted to absorb a kinetic energy of the object;
- and discontinuing the activation signal to revert the shape memory material and cover back to an original position.
A method of operating an energy absorbing assembly, comprising:
- attaching the energy absorbing assembly to a support structure, wherein the energy absorbing assembly comprises a cover, a shape memory material disposed between the support structure and the cover, and an actuator;
- sensing an impact of an object;
- providing a first activation signal to the actuator and causing the shape memory material and cover to expand or expand and detach from the support structure, wherein the cover and the shape memory material are adapted to absorb a kinetic energy of the object;
- and providing a second activation signal to the shape memory material to cause the shape memory material and cover to return to its original position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.