Abstract: A self-actuating device includes a member in physical communication with a vehicle surface and an actuator. The member is configured to have at least a first form and a second form, wherein one of the first form and the second form is configured to stow the member and the other of the first form and the second form is configured to present the member. The actuator is in operable communication with the member. The actuator is actuated upon receipt of an activation signal and is effective to transition the member from one of the forms to another of the forms.

Abstract: Door closure assist assemblies that assist in providing a final closing motion generally includes an extender portion comprised of an active material adapted to linearly expand in response to an activation signal and a releasable fastener having one component in movable communication with the extender portion and a second component attached to the other selected one of the door and doorframe. During operation, the door closure assist assembly provides the final closing action.

Abstract: A door system includes a structural member and a door that is movably mounted with respect to the structural member for movement between an open position and a closed position. A spring is mounted with respect to the structural member or the door and being sufficiently positioned to bias the door toward its open position when the door is in its closed position. Active material based actuators may selectively compress the spring prior to door closure to minimize door closing effort.

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.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes an active material in operative communication with a seat surface configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to change at least one feature of the seat surface.

Abstract: Active seal assemblies employing active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active seal assemblies actively change modulus properties such as stiffness, shape orientation, and the like. In this manner, in seal applications such as a vehicle door application, door opening and closing efforts can be minimized yet seal effectiveness can be maximized.

Abstract: Active material actuated headrest assemblies and their methods of operation are described herein. The headrests include an active material incorporated in a frame member, a bag, gear device, or the like, wherein the active material actuates upon receipt of an activation signal.

Abstract: Vehicle air dams that include an airflow control member and an active material based actuator for deploying the airflow control member so as to change airflow about the vehicle.

Abstract: A headrest assembly for a seat includes a body portion having at least one padded surface positioned in substantial alignment with a seated occupant's head; and an active material in operative communication with the at least one padded surface of the body portion, the active material being operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal, wherein a space between the occupant's head and the at least one padded surface decreases with the change in the at least one attribute of the active material.

Abstract: A haptic alert system generally includes an active material based actuator for providing the haptic alert. The active material based actuators refer to the use of several different classes of active materials all of which exhibit a change in at least one attribute such as dimension, shape, and/or flexural modulus when subjected to at least one of many different types of applied activation signals, examples of such signals being thermal, electrical, magnetic, stress, and the like.

Abstract: A tunable property bracket for a vehicle body, includes a support member comprising a first active material configured to provide support for static and dynamic loads during normal operation of the vehicle body, wherein the first active material undergoes a change in a property upon exposure to an activating condition during a loading event or a sensed loading event, wherein the change in the property is effective to provide a load bearing capacity change to the support member.

Abstract: Hood lift mechanisms for reversibly increasing the energy absorption capability at appropriate force levels of a vehicle closure includes a vehicle closure; an active material in operative communication with the vehicle closure, 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 closure and an underlying component.

Abstract: A seat assembly including a seat stroking device for a vehicle and methods of use include a seat adjustment mechanism comprising a stationary rail fixedly attached to a vehicle floor and a movable rail slidably engaged with the stationary rail, wherein the seat adjustment mechanism is adapted to position a seat; an active material based stroking device having one end fixedly attached to a non-movable portion and an other end in operative communication with the movable rail; and a controller in operative communication with the active material, wherein the controller is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a change in an attribute of the active material, wherein the change in the attribute results in force and acceleration adjusting energy absorption.

Abstract: A reversibly deployable spoiler for a vehicle comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the active spoiler airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow and downforce to better suit changes in driving conditions such as speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the active spoiler airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device.

Abstract: An active material based releasable fastener system for a vehicle carrier generally comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. A selected one of the hook portion or the loop portion is disposed on a surface of the carrier whereas an other selected one of the hook portion and the loop portion is disposed on a contact surface on which the carrier is disposed. When the loop portion and the hook portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement being relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook portion comprises a plurality of hook elements comprised of an active material. An activation signal applied to the active material causes a change in shape orientation, flexural modulus property, or a combination thereof to the hook elements that effectively reduces the shear and/or pull off forces in the releasable engagement.

Abstract: An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as a shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as the need for increased airflow through the radiator due to increases in engine coolant temperature. As such, the device improves vehicle fuel economy while maintaining proper engine cooling. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device.

Abstract: A reversible energy absorbing assembly including a cellular lattice comprising a shape memory material disposed within an expandable interior region of the assembly, wherein the shape memory material is adapted to expand from a first configuration to an expanded configuration in response to fluid communication with a fluid source. Once expanded, the assembly effectively absorbs kinetic energy of an object upon impact with the assembly. The shape memory material can be thermally activated to restore the first configuration of the energy absorbing assembly. Methods of operating the energy absorbing assembly are also disclosed.