The present invention relates to a twisted coiled actuator kinematic system for automotive aero devices.
There are multiple patents for the invention of twisted coiled polymers (TCP) however nothing was found regarding specific active aero application use as outlined below. As examples twisted coiled polymer, polymer actuator, twisted coiled polymer actuator are found in WO2019106944A1, US2022026006A1 and other like patents.
Current automotive-grade actuator units for active aero modules are high-cost DC electric motor units focused on rotary drive function. These units are robust and very useful. However, the actuator motors used are heavy require control units and are expensive to integrate into an active grill system (AGS) or other active aero components. Therefore, it is a goal to provide a lightweight functional substitute for rotary drive active grill systems or other active aero devices used on vehicles.
In the present invention there is provided a soft actuator such as twisted coiled polymer” as part of a low-cost actuator system to power the movement of an active aero module (linear, rotation, or combination) in place of an DC electric actuator. An active air module for a vehicle is provided. The active air module includes an active air feature having at least an open and closed position wherein air is allowed to enter when in the open position and airflow is at least partially blocked in the closed position. A TCP actuator apparatus for actuation of the active air feature from the closed position to the open position.
Our patent concept includes twisted coiled polymer (TCP) units which are arranged in a kinematic mechanism system that allows the TCP to act as a load generation unit for pre-loading a spring to engage in a trigger-latch mechanism also utilizing a TCP to release the trigger-latch element for each cycle of the overall system. Each cycle of our concept TCA (twisted coil actuator) kinematic mechanism outputs a linear force-load or torque capable of being used to actuate an active aero module with moving parts, such as AGS vanes. Additional patent concepts include twisted coiled polymer (TCP) units which are arranged in a pully system with a spring pre-loading the TCP in which the TCP pulls in a linear motion to actuate an active aero module vanes. Lastly a patent concept of a TCP pulling a simple lever in a linear motion to where the TCP is the driver of the motion to actuate an active aero module vanes.
Therefore, the present invention provides for use of a “twisted coiled polymer” (TCP) as part of a kinematic mechanism to actuate active aero systems.
The present invention advantageously provides a low-cost actuator utilizing TCP enabled elements and also a trigger system which is designed to be suitable for use with the with a TCP actuators.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
The present invention includes using a soft actuator preferably twisted coiled polymer (TCP) units which are arranged in a kinematic mechanism system that allows the TCP to act as a load generation unit for pre-loading a spring to engage in a trigger-latch mechanism also utilizing a TCP to release the trigger-latch element for each cycle of the overall system. Each cycle of our concept TCP actuator kinematic mechanism outputs a linear force-load or torque capable of being used to actuate an active aero module with moving parts, such as AGS louvers or vanes. Additional patent concepts include twisted coiled polymer (TCP) units which are arranged in a pully system with a spring pre-loading the TCP in which the TCP pulls in a linear motion to actuate an active aero module vanes. Lastly a patent concept of a TCP pulling a simple lever in a linear motion to where the TCP is the driver of the motion to actuate an active aero module vanes.
Soft actuators useful in a preferred embodiment include TCP actuators. However other actuators which may be utilized as a linear type of actuator may be utilized. Typically, soft actuators useful in the present invention exhibit shape changes when exposed to heat, light and/or electromagnetics. Examples of such actuators include shape changing actuators such as those selected from the group consisting of electro-active polymers, di-electric elastomers, shape memory allows, liquid crystal elastomer, twisted coil polymers and mixtures thereof.
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A TCP actuator apparatus generally shown at 218 is provided for actuation of the active air feature 210 from the closed position 214 to the open position 212.
The TCP actuator apparatus 218 includes a tensioning spring 220 for biasing the active air feature towards a closed or open position and a TCP A is used to overcome the tensioning spring 220. Spring 222 is provided at the anchor point of the TCP A to provide tensioning such that the TCP A is tensioned but buffered from forces which might harm the TCP A strand. The TCP A is used to overcome the biasing in the opposite direction as the spring bias provided by spring 220. As shown in this embodiment a pulley wheel 224 is used for directing the TCP A and allowing a compact package which provides a long enough length of TCP to actuate the TCP apparatus. A pivotal actuator arm 226 including a lever end 228 and a cam end 230, the cam end 230 includes a catch 232 for holding the lever end 228 in an open or closed position. The lever end 228 is attached to a movable air closure device 234 by way of a pin 236 which rides in an elongated slot 238 and biased in a first open or closed direction. The closure device can be a direct sliding door, or a load transfer link attached to another opening and closing structure such as a louver assembly in an AGS (active grill) system. The pivotal actuator arm 226 is pivoted at the pivot point 238 which moves the lever arm 228 up and down for opening or closing of the device.
A trigger set assembly 242 is provided which includes a second TCP B member which engages a sear pawl 244 for holding of the active air feature in a set position (which is closed in
In another embodiment shown in
Twisted and coiled polymer actuators are a form of soft actuator that are composed of nylon sewing thread or fishing line and use joule heating to contract or expand in length. The strands of polymer are twisted under load to produce a spring-like structure. Joule heating is the process of converting electrical energy to thermal energy through power dissipation by a resistor. For TCP actuators, voltage is applied (approximately 10V) to the coils and the current drawn heats the structure. Nylon thread has a negative thermal expansion in the axial direction, which provides a way to have reversible contractions by heating. Thus, a suitable electronic controller which can be an engine or vehicle control system can send the appropriate currents to the TCP Actuators for for contracting and expanding the TCP actuators and thereby controlling opening or closing of the active grill system or other active aero system.
Therefore, the present invention provides for use of a “twisted coiled polymer” (TCP) as part of a kinematic mechanism to actuate active aero systems.
The present invention advantageously provides a low-cost actuator utilizing TCP enabled elements and also a trigger system which is designed to be suitable for use with the with a TCP actuators.
The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the essence of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application is a Non-Provisional Patent Application and claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/494,833, filed Apr. 7, 2023. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63494833 | Apr 2023 | US |