Patent ID: 8888136
Filing Date: 2014-11-18
Classification: B60N,B60R,C08L

Abstract:
1. A method adapted for use by a vehicle comprising a roof and a seat, and by a passenger disposed within the seat, and for autonomously preventing or reducing the effects of an impact between the passenger and the roof, said method comprising: a. determining a vehicle condition indicative of an imminent roof impact; b. in response to determining the condition, activating a shape memory active material actuator in a non-contracted condition that holds a bi-stable mount in an upright condition, thereby causing the shape memory active material actuator to contract and release the bi-stable mount so that the bi-stable mount swings past a neutral axis and achieves a collapsed condition, whereby the seat is autonomously modified to a lowered condition; and c. preventing or reducing the effects of the roof impact, as a result of autonomously modifying the seat.