Patent ID: 7455147
Filing Date: 2008-11-25
Classification: B60R,C08L,E05B,E05F,E05Y

Abstract:
1. a vehicle closure lift mechanism comprising: vehicle closure having one end pivotably attached to a stationary structure and a free end extensive from the pivotably attached end, wherein the vehicle closure comprises a predetermined buckling point; an active material having one end fixedly attached to the pivotably attached end and another end attached to the free end, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, or a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy; 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 at least one property of the active material, wherein the reversible change results in an increased clearance distance between the vehicle closure and an underlying component by buckling the vehicle closure at the buckling point.