On demand morphable automotive body moldings and surfaces
US7997632B2 · kind B2 · utility
8Cited by
5References
4Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 2007 |
| Grant date | Aug 16, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/31507
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A morphable vehicle member utilizing at least one active material to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The change in at least one attribute is a change in a shape dimension, a shape orientation, an expansion, a contraction, a morphing, a yield strength property, a flexural modulus or a combination. Preferably, the change in at least one attribute in the morphable vehicle member is reversible. Also disclosed herein are methods for the morphable vehicle member utilizing at least one active material to change at least one attribute on demand in response to an activation signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.