Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

University of Michigan

John Redmond

Nancy L Johnson

Alan L Browne

Diann Brei

Nathan A Wilmot

Gary Lee Jones

Jonathan E Luntz

Kenneth A Strom

Brian M Barnes

A cam lift and reset assembly includes a cam mounted on a rotatable shaft having a cam profile effective to provide a lifting force to a contacted part thereon upon rotation of the shaft and movement of the cam profile of the cam relative to the contacted part from a rest position to a lift position. The assembly also includes an active material in operative communication with the shaft, the active material being operative to change at least one property of the active material in response to an activation signal so as to effect rotation of the shaft. The assembly further includes a reset device in operative communication with the shaft to provide a reset force to the contacted part and counter-rotation of the shaft and movement of the cam profile of the cam relative to the contacted part from the lift position to the rest position.

Hood lift mechanisms utilizing active materials and methods of use

A hood lift mechanism for reversibly increasing the energy absorption capability at appropriate force levels of a vehicle hood includes a vehicle hood; an active material in operative communication with the vehicle hood, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a magnetorheological fluid, an electroactive polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, an electrorheological fluid, a piezoelectric material, an ionic polymer metal composite, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials; and an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in a property of the active material, wherein the reversible change results in an increased clearance distance between the vehicle hood and an underlying component.

A latch for engaging and disengaging two opposing surfaces includes a pin disposed on one surface and a gate disposed on an opposite surface; an active material in operative communication with the pin or the gate; an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in a property of the active material, wherein the reversible change results in an engagement or a disengagement of the pin or the gate from the other of the pin or the gate; and a spring in operative communication with the pin or the gate, wherein the spring is configured to provide a force opposite to a force provided by the active material, wherein the activated active material is effective to overcome the force provided by the spring

Hood latch assemblies utilizing active materials and methods of use

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

John Redmond