Abstract: A vehicle seat can be configured to provide support to a vehicle occupant in conditions when lateral acceleration is experienced. Shape memory material members can be operatively positioned with respect to a seat portion of the vehicle seat. The shape memory material members can be selectively activated by an activation input. When activated, the shape memory material members can engage a seat pan so as to cause the seat pan to tilt in a respective lateral direction. As a result, a seat cushion supported by the seat pan can also tilt in the respective lateral direction. The seat cushion can be tilted in a lateral direction that is opposite to the direction of the lateral acceleration. Thus, the effects of lateral acceleration felt by a seat occupant can be reduced. The shape memory material members can be selectively activated based on vehicle speed, steering angle, and/or lateral acceleration.

Abstract: An actuator includes a first hinge assembly and a second hinge assembly. The actuator has a first dimension and a second dimension, the first dimension extending through the hinge assemblies. An outer skin is connected to the hinge assemblies. The outer skin defines a first actuator side, a second actuator side residing opposite the first actuator side, and a cavity. Shape-memory material (SMM) members are connected to the opposed hinge assemblies. At least one spring member is positioned within the cavity and structured to exert forces on the opposed first and second actuator sides tending to urge the sides away from each other along the second dimension. When an input is provided to the SMM members, the SMM members change their configurations and cause the actuator to morph into an activated configuration in which the first dimension decreases and the second dimension changes inversely to the first dimension.

Abstract: A multi-stable actuator includes a first superelastic-shape memory alloy (SE-SMA) wire extending between a first fixed support and a movable element and a second SE-SMA wire extending between a second fixed support and the movable element. The first SE-SMA wire is in tension against the second SE-SMA wire and the second SE-SMA wire is in tension against the first SE-SMA wire. The multi-stable actuator also includes at least one heating device configured to heat the first SE-SMA wire independent of the second SE-SMA wire and to heat the second SE-SMA wire independent of the first SE-SMA wire such that the movable element moves between and to at least three fixed positions without use of a brake or clutch.

Abstract: Vibration isolation for vehicle seat components can be provided and/or can be adjustable. A vehicle seat can include a seat portion. The seat portion can include a seat cushion and/or a seat pan. In some arrangements, one or more shape memory material members can be provided. The seat cushion can be supported by the one or more shape memory material members. The one or more shape memory material members can be configured to have selectively variable stiffness. In some arrangements, one or more super elastic wires can be provided. The one or more super elastic wires can be operatively connected to one or more structures such that the seat pan is suspended on the one or more super elastic wires.

Abstract: A multi-stable actuator includes a first superelastic-shape memory alloy (SE-SMA) wire extending between a first fixed support and a movable element and a second SE-SMA wire extending between a second fixed support and the movable element. The first SE-SMA wire is in tension against the second SE-SMA wire and the second SE-SMA wire is in tension against the first SE-SMA wire. The multi-stable actuator also includes at least one heating device configured to heat the first SE-SMA wire independent of the second SE-SMA wire and to heat the second SE-SMA wire independent of the first SE-SMA wire such that the movable element moves between and to at least three fixed positions without use of a brake or clutch.

Abstract: An actuator for a vehicle seat can be configured to prevent overstress of a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire. The actuator can include a first body member and a second body member pivotably connected to each other. The actuator can include an overstress post and an overstress contact plate operatively connected to the overstress post. Thus, movement of the overstress post causes movement of the overstress contact plate. The actuator can include an overstress contact pin. The actuator can include an SMA wire operatively connected to one of the body members and to the overstress post. When activated, the SMA wire can shrink, causing one of the body members to pivot relative to the other body member and causing the overstress contact plate to move toward the overstress contact pin. If the overstress contact plate contacts the overstress contact pin, the SMA wire can be deactivated.

Abstract: A vehicle seat can be configured to selectively provide support to a vehicle occupant in conditions when lateral acceleration is experienced. An actuator can be located within the vehicle seat. When activated, the actuator cause a portion of the seat to morph into an activated configuration. The actuator can be activated based on vehicle speed, steering angle, and/or lateral acceleration. The actuator can include end members connected by a shape memory material connecting member. Actuator blocks with sliding surfaces can be located between the end members. The actuator can be configured such that, in response to an activation input, the shape memory material connecting member contracts, which draws the end members toward each other and causes corresponding sliding surfaces of the plurality of actuator blocks to engage and slide relative to each other. In this way, the actuator morphs into an activated configuration in which its overall height increases.

Abstract: A vehicle seat can be configured to selectively provide support to a vehicle occupant in conditions when lateral acceleration is experienced. An actuator can be located within the vehicle seat. When activated, the actuator cause a portion of the seat to morph into an activated configuration. The actuator can be activated based on vehicle speed, steering angle, and/or lateral acceleration. The actuator can include a main body member, a first end member pivotably connected to a first end region of the main body member, and a second end member pivotably connected to a second end region of the main body member. The actuator can include shape memory material connecting members. The actuator can be configured such that, in response to an activation input, the shape memory material connecting members contract, causing the first and second end members pivot, which causes the actuator to morph into an activated configuration.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) controlled hinge assembly is provided, including assemblies and combinations for adjusting a shape or position of an occupant support component, such as a vehicle seat support component or other seating component. The assembly includes an occupant support component and a hinge assembly configured to adjust a shape or position of at least a portion of the occupant support component. The hinge assembly includes a stationary plate and a movable plate rotatable relative to the base plate about a fixed axis of rotation. The hinge assembly includes a shape memory alloy wire coupling the stationary plate with the movable plate. An actuator is provided and configured to transform the phase of the shape memory alloy wire. In various aspects, the occupant support component is selected from one of a seat bottom; a seatback; a seat bolster; a seat head rest, and the like.

Abstract: Actuators can be used in controlling a seat surface of a vehicle seat. The actuators can have an outer skin in connection with a hinge assemblies. The actuators can include a shape-memory material (SMM) member operatively connected to the hinge assemblies. The SMM member can be a shape-memory alloy (SMA) wire. The SMM member can change from a first configuration to the second configuration in response to an activation input, such as heat. The input can be delivered to the SMM member upon detecting an activation condition, such as detection of lateral acceleration. The actuators are operatively positioned relative to a seat surface such that, when the SMM member changes configuration, actuator causes the seat surface to morph.