Volume-filling mechanical assemblies and methods of operating the same

A method of operating a volume-filling structure, comprising:

• sensing an impact event;
• and
• expanding the volume-filling structure from a non-expanded state to an expanded state upon the sensed impact event, wherein the volume-filling structure comprises an open celled material, a first end cap connected to one end of the open celled material and a second end cap connected to a second end of the open celled material, and an activation mechanism regulating expansion of said open celled material from said non-expanded state to said expanded state in response to an activation signal, wherein the activation mechanism comprises an actuator interfaced with the first and second end caps,
• wherein expanding the volume-filling structure comprises triggering a mechanical event to force the second end cap from the first end cap, and
• wherein triggering the mechanical event comprises activating an active material based actuator.

A method of operating a volume-filling structure, comprising:

• sensing an impact event;
• and
• expanding the volume-filling structure from a non-expanded state to an expanded state upon the sensed impact event, wherein the volume-filling structure comprises an open celled material, a first end cap connected to one end of the open celled material and a second end cap connected to a second end of the open celled material, and an activation mechanism regulating expansion of said open celled material from said non-expanded state to said expanded state in response to an activation signal, wherein the activation mechanism comprises an actuator interfaced with the first and second end caps,
• wherein expanding the volume-filling structure comprises triggering a mechanical event to force the second end cap from the first end cap, and
• wherein triggering the mechanical event comprises activating an active material based actuator in operative communication with a spring in biased communication with the first and second end caps, wherein activating the active material based actuator releases the biased communication to force the second end cap away from the first end cap and expand the open celled material.