# US 8,540,297 B2 · Manipulating center console components utilizing active material actuation

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- Number: US 8,540,297 B2
- Document ID: US8540297B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/558,515
- Filed: 2009-09-12
- Published: 2010-03-18
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2008-09-15
- Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Applicants: Alan L. Browne; Matthew Edward Gedris; Nancy L. Johnson; Paul W. Alexander; John Thomas Goscicki; James Holbrook Brown
- Inventors: Alan L. Browne; Matthew Edward Gedris; Nancy L. Johnson; Paul W. Alexander; John Thomas Goscicki; James Holbrook Brown
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540297B2

## CPC

- B60N 3/102: {storable or foldable in a non-use position}
- B60N 2/773: {Longitudinal adjustment}
- B60N 2/793: {for use as storage compartments}
- B60R 7/04: in driver or passenger space {, e.g. using racks (B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence)}
- B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A center console comprising a manipulable structural component, such as a pivotal lid, sliding armrest, tambour door, or pivotal cup holder, and at least one active material actuator including an active material element operable to undergo a reversible change, drivenly coupled to the component, and configured to autonomously cause and/or enable the component to be manipulated as a result of the change.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A manipulable center console adapted for use in a vehicle, said console comprising:
a manipulable structural center console component;
a one-way shape memory alloy (SMA) wire actuator 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, and operatively coupled to the component;
a spring-biased pawl intermediately coupled to the component and the one-way SMA wire actuator; and
a catch defined in a compartment coupled to the component, the catch to lockingly engage the spring-biased pawl when the component is in a closed condition;
wherein when the one-way SMA wire actuator is activated, the one-way SMA wire actuator disengages the spring-biased pawl from the catch to manipulate the component into an open condition.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The console as claimed in claim 1, wherein the manipulable component is selected from the group consisting of a translatable top cover, a rollable top cover, a sliding armrest, a pivotal cup holder, a translatable cupholder, a sliding tambour door, a pivotal console lid, a reconfigurable interior compartment panel, and a translatable center console in the entirety.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The console as claimed in claim 1, wherein the component is drivenly coupled to a stored energy element, the stored energy element is retained in a stored state when the spring-biased pawl is lockingly engaged, and the stored energy element is enabled to manipulate the component as a result of disengaging the spring-biased pawl.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The console as claimed in claim 3, wherein the stored energy element is a spring drivenly coupled to the component.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The console as claimed in claim 4, wherein the component is a pivotal lid, the lid defines a pivot axis, and the stored energy element is a torsion spring coaxially aligned with the axis and is in the stored state when the lid is closed.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The console as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
an input device communicatively coupled to the one-way SMA wire actuator, and operable to receive an input, wherein the input device and the one-way SMA wire actuator are cooperatively configured to manipulate the component only when the input is received.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The console as claimed as claim 6, wherein the input device is selected from the group consisting of a push button, sliding gauge, wheel, touch screen, and microphone.