Patent ID: 8621959
Filing Date: 2014-01-07
Classification: B60N,B60Y,F16D,H02N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. Method for selective power transfer from a primary actuator to at least one of a plurality of output shafts, the method comprising: monitoring a desired output configuration; providing an active material actuator including an engagement mechanism and a mechanical coupling device to achieve the desired output configuration, the mechanical coupling device slidingly engaged upon one of the plurality of output shafts and configured to slide upon the output shaft in a first direction when the active material actuator is unactuated and in an opposite second direction when the active material actuator is actuated; and selectively actuating the active material actuator including the engagement mechanism and the mechanical coupling device to achieve the desired output configuration by mechanically coupling one of the plurality of output shafts to a respective output gear member through the mechanical coupling device to provide engagement with the primary actuator, the output shaft mechanically coupled to the respective output gear member when the mechanical coupling device sliding upon the output shaft in the second direction is received by a slot in the respective output gear member, wherein the engagement mechanism comprises wherein when said active material actuator is unactuated, said active material member is de-energized and said biasing member exerts a bias force against said end bar of said plunger arm, thereby biasing said plunger arm in the first direction toward said active material member such that the mechanical coupling device is not received by the slot and said active material member is deformed, and wherein when said active material actuator is actuated, said active material member is energized to recover said deformation on said active material member, thereby overcoming said bias force to linearly translate said second end of said plunger arm in the second direction towards the one of said output members such that the mechanical coupling device is received by the slot in the output member.