Patent Publication Number: US-10309378-B2

Title: Smart opening and closing apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0115816, filed on Sep. 8, 2016 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Field of the Disclosure 
     The present invention relates to a smart opening and closing apparatus, more particularly to a smart opening and closing apparatus operable with low power using a two-way shape memory alloy. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Recently, multifunctional clothes using shape memory alloys have been developed and popularized. As examples of garments to which such shape memory alloys are applied, there are a shirt, the lengths of sleeves of which are adjusted depending upon temperature; a jacket, a hem line of which is lifted by high-temperature stimulus; a dress, a part of which is opened and closed by electric stimulus; a fire fighting suit, the volume of an inner air layer of which is changed, and the like. Such garments using shape memory alloys generally use electrical stimulation for ease of operation. 
     Meanwhile, in the case of unidirectional shape memory alloys, a manual operation is required to return to original shapes thereof after the original shapes are changed by an electric stimulus. In the case of bidirectional shape memory alloys providing a bidirectional shape memory effect, continuous energy supply is required to maintain the shapes thereof after the shapes are changed by stimulation. 
     Accordingly, a variety of research has been continuously carried out to improve operational convenience for shape deformation and restoration of shape memory alloys and to realize low power consumption by reducing energy consumption. 
     RELATED DOCUMENTS 
     Patent Documents 
     Korean Patent No. 10-0834554 
     Korean Patent No. 10-0936183 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is one object of the present invention to provide a smart opening and closing apparatus operable with low power using a two-way shape memory alloy. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a smart opening and closing apparatus including an opening/closing means configured to be opened or closed depending upon application of a stimulus; a fixation means configured to maintain an open state of the opening/closing means by selectively interfering with the opening/closing means depending upon application of a stimulus; and a controller configured to control opening/closing of the opening/closing means by applying a stimulus to the opening/closing means and the fixation means and, in a state in which the stimulus is released, to control the fixation means to interfere with the opening/closing means so as to maintain a shape of the opening/closing means. 
     In accordance with an aspect, the opening/closing means may include an opening/closing body; and an opening/closing member that is provided in the opening/closing body and configured to open/close a partial region of the opening/closing body depending upon application of a stimulus, wherein the opening/closing member includes a shape memory alloy memorizing an open or closed shape. 
     In accordance with an aspect, the fixation means may include at least a pair of fixation bodies arranged in a direction crossing the opening/closing member; and fixation members provided at ends of the fixation bodies to be transformed depending upon application of a stimulus, wherein the fixation members include a shape memory alloy memorizing a shape interfering with the opening/closing means or not interfering with the opening/closing means. 
     In accordance with an aspect, the opening/closing member may be provided inside and protected by a first protective member formed of a heat insulating and insulating material. 
     In accordance with an aspect, the fixation members may be provided inside and protected by a second protective member formed of a heat insulating and insulating material. 
     In accordance with an aspect, the controller may control such that an electric stimulus is applied to the opening/closing means and the fixation means with a time difference. 
     In accordance with an aspect, the controller may include a first controller controlling such that an electric stimulus is applied to the opening/closing means; and a second controller controlling such that an electric stimulus is applied to the fixation means, wherein the second controller applies an electric stimulus with a time difference from the first controller. 
     In accordance with an aspect, the first controller may transform a shape of the opening/closing member into a first shape, which closes at least portion of the opening/closing body when an electric stimulus to the opening/closing member is released, or a second shape, which at least portion of the opening/closing body is opened when an electric stimulus is applied to the opening/closing member, and the second controller may transform a shape of the opening/closing member into a first shape wherein the fixation members extending from the fixation bodies are bent into a hook shape so as to interfere with the opening/closing body when an electric stimulus to the fixation members is released, or a second shape wherein the bent fixation members rectilinearly extend from the fixation bodies not so as to interfere with the opening/closing body when an electric stimulus is applied to the fixation members. 
     In accordance with an aspect, after the second controller releases the electric stimulus earlier than the first controller in a state in which an electric stimulus is applied by the first and second controllers and thus the opening/closing member and fixation members are respectively transformed into the second shapes, thereby transforming the fixation members into the first shape to interfere with the second shape of the opening/closing member, the electric stimulus to the first controller may be released. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a smart opening and closing apparatus including an opening/closing means configured to open/close a slit depending upon application of a stimulus; a fixation means configured to maintain an open state of the slit opened by the opening/closing means by selectively interfering with the opening/closing means depending upon application of a stimulus; and a controller configured to control an open/closed state of the opening/closing means by selectively applying a stimulus to the opening/closing means and the fixation means, wherein the controller controls such that an open state of the slit is maintained, by applying a stimulus to the opening/closing means and the fixation means to open the slit and then more rapidly releasing the stimulus applied to the fixation means such that the fixation means physically interferes with the opening/closing means, followed by releasing the stimulus applied to the opening/closing means. 
     In accordance with an aspect, the opening/closing means may include an opening/closing body including the slit in at least a portion thereof; and an opening/closing member provided in the opening/closing body so as to open/close the slit depending upon application of a stimulus, wherein the opening/closing member includes a shape memory alloy memorizing a first shape closing the slit when a stimulus is released and a second shape opening the slit when a stimulus is applied. 
     In accordance with an aspect, the fixation means may include at least a pair of fixation bodies arranged in a direction crossing the opening/closing member; and fixation members provided at ends of the fixation bodies to be transformed depending upon application of a stimulus; wherein the fixation members include a shape memory alloy memorizing a first shape interfering with the opening/closing member when a stimulus is released and a second shape not interfering with the opening/closing member when a stimulus is applied. 
     In accordance with an aspect, the controller may include a first controller controlling such that an electric stimulus is applied to the opening/closing member; and a second controller controlling such that an electric stimulus is applied to the fixation members, wherein the second controller applies an electric stimulus with a time difference from the first controller, wherein, after the second controller releases the electric stimulus earlier than the first controller in a state in which an electric stimulus is applied by the first and second controllers and thus the opening/closing member and fixation members are respectively transformed into the second shapes, thereby interfering with the second shape of the opening/closing member, the electric stimulus to the first controller is released. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view schematically illustrating a smart opening and closing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic sectional view taken along line II-II of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic sectional view taken along line III-III of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view schematically illustrating opening operation of the smart opening and closing apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view schematically illustrating maintenance of the open state of the smart opening and closing apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view schematically illustrating a closing operation of the smart opening and closing apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by explaining particular embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached drawings. However, it should be understood that the spirit and scope of the present disclosure are not limited to the embodiments and can be modified by addition, modification, or deletion of elements constituting the embodiments and such additions, modifications, and deletions are also within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring  FIG. 1 , a smart opening and closing apparatus  1  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an opening/closing means  10 , a fixation means  20 , and a controller  30 . 
     For reference, the smart opening and closing apparatus  1  described in the present invention is applied to a garment, and is exemplified as selectively opening and closing a part of the garment upon application of a stimulus according to environmental change such as temperature. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the smart opening and closing apparatus  1  described in this embodiment is applicable as various temperature-sensitive opening and closing means. 
     The opening/closing means  10  may be opened or closed depending upon application of a stimulus. Such an opening/closing means  10  includes an opening/closing body  11  and an opening/closing member  12 . The opening/closing member  12  is provided in the opening/closing body  11  and opens or closes a partial region of the opening/closing body  11  depending upon application of a stimulus. Here, the opening/closing body  11  is a garment and the opening/closing member  12  is exemplified by opening or closing a slit S provided in the opening/closing body  11  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     The opening/closing member  12  is made of a two-way shape memory alloy memorizing open and closed states. More particularly, the opening/closing member  12  includes a shape memory alloy that memorizes a first shape closing the slit S of the opening/closing body  11  and a second shape opening the slit S of the opening/closing body  11 . 
     For reference, in this embodiment, the opening/closing member  12  is exemplified as being formed of a nickel-, copper-, or iron-based shape-memory material. More particularly, the opening/closing member  12  may be made of a nitinol material or Ni—Ti material as an alloy of nickel (Ni) and titanium. Meanwhile, the shape memory alloy has a shape recovery temperature for returning to the original shape. When the temperature is higher than the shape recovery temperature, the shape memory alloy is in an “austenite” state. When the shape memory alloy in an austenite state is cooled, the state is changed to “martensite.” In other words, when a stimulus is applied to a soft alloy in a martensite state to which a stimulus has not been applied, the soft alloy may be transformed into a stiff alloy in an austenite state. 
     Here, a curing degree of the shape memory alloy when transformed from the martensite state to the austenite state should be sufficient to transform the stiff austenite state, to which a stimulus has not been applied, into the soft martensite state. For reference, the opening/closing member  12  described in this embodiment includes a two-way shape memory alloy memorizing the austenite and martensite shapes. The properties of such a shape memory alloy may be understood through publicly known techniques, and thus, a detailed description thereof is omitted. 
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the opening/closing member  12  is protected by a first protective member  13 . The first protective member  13  is formed of a heat insulating and insulating material, thereby insulating heat generated from the opening/closing member  12  and insulting the opening/closing member  12 . In accordance with this embodiment, the first protective member  13  is exemplified as including a silicone tube, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     The fixation means  20  interferes with the opening/closing means  10  depending upon application of a stimulus, thereby maintaining an open state of the slit S. Such a fixation means  20  includes fixation bodies  21  and fixation members  22 . Here, each of the fixation members  22  is provided to be transformed according to a stimulus at each end of the fixation bodies  21 . 
     The fixation bodies  21  are provided as a pair so as to face each other, and the opening/closing member  12  is provided between the fixation bodies  21 . Such fixation bodies  21  are exemplified as having a parallel linear shape in a direction crossing the opening/closing member  12 , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In addition, the fixation bodies  21  are illustrated and exemplified as being provided in a pair in the opening/closing body  11  including a garment. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and may be provided in various modified arrangements such as a cross (+) arrangement so as to intersect each other with respect to the opening/closing member  12 , parallel rows or columns, and the like. 
     Each of the fixation members  22  integrally extends from each of the pair of fixation bodies  21  and is formed of a shape memory alloy that memorizes the first shape capable of interfering with the opening/closing means  10  (see  FIGS. 1 and 5 ) and the second shape not interfering with the opening/closing means  10  (see  FIG. 4 ). In addition, such fixation members  22  include a two-way shape memory alloy formed of a nickel-, copper-, or iron-based shape-memory material, like the opening/closing member  12 . A detailed description thereof is omitted. 
     The first shape of the fixation members  22  includes an integrally extending hook shape formed by bending ends of the fixation bodies  21  to be hooked onto and fixed to the opening/closing means  10 , and the second shape includes a shape rectilinearly extending from the fixation bodies  21 . However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the fixation members  22  may be formed in various modified shapes such as modification of ends of the fixation bodies  21  into a tong shape to interfere with the opening/closing means  10 . 
     In addition, the fixation bodies  21  and the fixation members  22 , which integrally extend from the fixation bodies  21 , are surrounded and protected by a second protective member  23  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Like the first protective member  13 , the second protective member  23  is also formed of a heat insulating and insulating material, thereby heat-insulating and insulating the fixation members  22 , and is exemplified as including a silicone tube. 
     The controller  30  controls opening/closing of the opening/closing means  10  by applying a stimulus to the opening/closing means  10  and the fixation means  20 . The controller  30  applies an electric stimulus to the opening/closing means  10  and the fixation means  20 . Such a controller  30  includes first and second controllers  31  and  32 , and applies a stimulus to the opening/closing means  10  and the fixation means  20  with a time difference. 
     The first controller  31  controls application of an electric stimulus to the opening/closing means  10 . The first controller  31  is connected to the opening/closing member  12  and thus controls an opening/closing operation of the opening/closing member  12 . More particularly, when the first controller  31  is turned on, an electric stimulus is applied to the connected opening/closing member  12 , and thus, the shape of the opening/closing member  12  is transformed such that the slit S is opened as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In addition, when the first controller  31  is turned off as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , an electric stimulus on the connected opening/closing member  12  is released and thus the opening/closing member  12  is transformed into a shape closing the slit S as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     That is, depending upon an electric stimulus by the first controller  31 , the opening/closing member  12  is transformed into a shape opening or closing the slit S provided in the opening/closing body  11 . 
     The second controller  32  controls application of an electric stimulus to the fixation means  20 . Here, the second controller  32  may control application of an electric stimulus to the fixation members  22  of the fixation means  20  with a time difference from the first controller  31 . Such a second controller  32  is connected to the fixation members  22 , and thus, transforms the fixation members  22  into the aforementioned first or second shape depending upon application of an electric stimulus. 
     More particularly, when the second controller  32  is turned off and thus an electric stimulus is released, the fixation members  22  are transformed into the first shape wherein ends of the fixation bodies  21  are bent into a hook shape as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In addition, when the second controller  32  is turned on and an electric stimulus is applied to the fixation members  22 , the fixation members  22  are transformed into the second shape wherein the fixation members  22  rectilinearly extend from the fixation bodies  21  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Here, the second controller  32  is turned off faster than the first controller  31  and thus interferes with the opening/closing member  12  in an open state. 
     Meanwhile, although the controller  30  is exemplified as including the first and second controllers  31  and  32  and thus respectively applies an electric stimulus to transform the shapes of the opening/closing member  12  and the fixation members  22  in this embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the controller  30  may be provided with a timer (not shown), or various modified embodiments such as control of application of an electric stimulus to transform the opening/closing member  12  and the fixation members  22  with a time difference by controlling an on/off frequency are naturally possible. 
     Hereinafter, an opening/closing operation of the smart opening and closing apparatus  1  according to the present disclosure having the aforementioned configuration is described with reference to  FIGS. 4 to 6 . 
     First, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , when the first and second controllers  31  and  32  are turned on and an electric stimulus is applied, the first shape of each of the connected opening/closing member  12  and fixation members  22  is transformed into the second shape. That is, when an electric stimulus is applied by the first controller  31 , the first shape, wherein the slit S is closed, of the opening/closing member  12  is transformed into the second shape wherein the slit S is opened. In addition, due to an electric stimulus applied by the second controller  32 , the first shape, which interferes with the opening/closing member  12 , of the fixation members  22  is transformed into the second shape, which does not interfere with the opening/closing member  12 . 
     Subsequently, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the first and second controllers  31  and  32  are turned off, whereby an electric stimulus is released. Here, the first controller  31  is turned off earlier than the second controller  32  and thus an electric stimulus is released with a time difference, whereby the fixation members  22  connected to the second controller  32  are more rapidly transformed into the second shape wherein ends of the fixation bodies  21  are bent in a hook shape. 
     As such, the opening/closing member  12  having an open shape is hooked onto and fixed to the fixation members  22  and thus the first controller  31  is turned off later than the second controller  32  with a time difference, whereby the open second shape is maintained although an electric stimulus is released. That is, although an electric stimulus is released by the first controller  31 , the first shape of the fixation members  22  physically interferes with transforming force of transforming into the first shape, as a closed shape, of the opening/closing member  12 . Accordingly, the open state of the slit S may be maintained also in a non-electric power state in which an electric stimulus by the first and second controllers  31  and  32  is released. 
     Subsequently, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , when an electric stimulus is applied to the fixation members  22  again by the second controller  32 , the fixation members  22  are transformed into the second shape not interfering the opening/closing member  12 , thereby being released from the opening/closing member  12 . Accordingly, the opening/closing member  12  is transformed into the first shape wherein the slit S is closed. 
     In accordance with the present disclosure having the aforementioned configuration, first, the shape of the opening/closing means may be maintained due to interference of the fixation means although an electric stimulus is released, whereby continuous stimuli are not necessary and thus energy consumption may be reduced. 
     Second, economic efficiency increases due to energy consumption reduction, whereby there are advantage in securing diversity of a smart opening and closing apparatus. 
     Third, since opening/closing of a slit may be controlled and the shape thereof may be fixed using a two-way shape memory alloy, operational convenience is improved and thus efficiency increases. 
     While the present invention has been described referring to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the present invention. 
     DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 
     
         
         
           
               1 : SMART OPENING AND CLOSING APPARATUS 
               10 : OPENING/CLOSING MEANS 
               11 : OPENING/CLOSING BODY 
               12 : OPENING/CLOSING MEMBER 
               13 : FIRST PROTECTIVE MEMBER 
               20 : FIXATION MEANS 
               21 : FIXATION BODIES 
               22 : FIXATION MEMBERS 
               23 : SECOND PROTECTIVE MEMBER 
               30 : CONTROLLER 
               31 : FIRST CONTROLLER 
               32 : SECOND CONTROLLER 
             S: SLIT