Active mirror assemblies
A mirror assembly includes a reflective surface disposed on a substrate; an actuator in operative communication with at least a portion of the substrate, wherein the actuator comprises an active material; and a controller in operative communication with the active material, wherein the controller is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a change in a property of the active material, wherein the change in the property results in movement of the at least the portion of the substrate from a first position to a second position.
1 . A mirror assembly, comprising:
a reflective surface disposed on a substrate;
an actuator in operative communication with at least a portion of the substrate, wherein the actuator comprises an active material; and
a controller in operative communication with the active material, wherein the controller is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a change in a property of the active material, wherein the change in the property results in movement of the at least the portion of the substrate from a first position to a second position.
2 . The mirror assembly of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a non-active, flexible material configured to undergo a shape change from a first shape to a second shape upon application of the activation signal to the active material.
3 . The mirror assembly of claim 1 , wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, magnetorheological fluid, magnetorheological elastomer, electrorheological fluid, electrorheological elastomer, electroactive polymer, a piezoelectric material, a composite comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials with a non-active material, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.
4 . The mirror assembly of claim 1 , wherein the activation signal comprises a thermal activation signal, a magnetic activation signal, an electrical activation signal, a mechanical activation signal, a pneumatic activation signal, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing activation signals.
5 . The mirror assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor in operative communication with the controller, wherein the sensor is configured to provide information to the controller for selectively applying the activation signal to the active material.
6 . The mirror assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mirror assembly is a motor vehicle rear view mirror assembly or side view mirror assembly.
7 . A mirror assembly, comprising:
a reflective surface disposed on a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises an active material; and
a controller in operative communication with the active material, wherein the controller is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a change in a property of the active material, wherein the change in the property results in a shape change of the substrate from a first shape to a second shape.
8 . The mirror assembly of claim 7 , wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, magnetorheological elastomer, electrorheological elastomer, electroactive polymer, a piezoelectric material, a composite comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials with a non-active material, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.
9 . The mirror assembly of claim 7 , wherein the activation signal comprises a thermal activation signal, a magnetic activation signal, an electrical activation signal, a mechanical activation signal, a pneumatic activation signal, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing activation signals.
10 . The mirror assembly of claim 7 , further comprising a sensor in operative communication with the controller, wherein the sensor is configured to provide information to the controller for selectively applying the activation signal to the active material.
11 . The mirror assembly of claim 7 , further comprising an actuator in operative communication with at least a portion of the substrate and the controller, wherein the actuator comprises an active material.
12 . The mirror assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mirror assembly is a motor vehicle rear view mirror assembly or side view mirror assembly.
13 . A method, comprising:
providing a reflective surface in a first position and/or a first shape;
applying an activation signal to an active material and causing a change in a property of the active material, wherein the active material is in operative communication with at least a portion of a substrate onto which the reflective surface is disposed; and
changing a position and/or shape of the reflective surface by the change in the property of the active material effective to move the reflective surface from the first position and/or first shape to a selected second position and/or second shape.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising returning the position and/or shape of the reflective surface to the first position and/or first shape by discontinuing the activation signal to the active material.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, magnetorheological fluid, magnetorheological elastomer, electrorheological fluid, electrorheological elastomer, electroactive polymer, a piezoelectric material, a composite comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials with a non-active material, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.
16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the activation signal comprises a thermal activation signal, a magnetic activation signal, an electrical activation signal, a mechanical activation signal, a pneumatic activation signal, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing activation signals.