US-12623584-B2 - Deployable panel having rigidizing elements with inflatable supports

Abstract

A deployable structure includes a reconfigurable member formed from a plurality of elements defining a first end, a second end that is opposite the first end, a first side extending between the first end and the second end, and a second side, opposite the first side, extending between the first end and the second end. A first inflatable rigidizing member extends along the first side across each of the plurality of elements and a second inflatable rigidizing member extends along the second side across each of the plurality of elements.

Inventors

• Patrick Minjeur
• Paul W. Alexander
• Lisa M. Simms

Assignees

• GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20221021

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A deployable structure comprising: a reconfigurable member formed from a plurality of elements defining a first end, a second end that is opposite the first end, a first side extending between the first end and the second end, and a second side, opposite the first side, extending between the first end and the second end; a first inflatable rigidizing member extending along the first side across each of the plurality of elements; and a second inflatable rigidizing member extending along the second side across each of the plurality of elements, wherein the deployable structure is configured to form a transition from a surface into a vehicle passenger compartment or a vehicle cargo bed.
2. 2 . The deployable structure according to claim 1 , further comprising a third inflatable rigidizing member extending across each of the plurality of elements.
3. 3 . The deployable structure according to claim 2 , wherein the third inflatable rigidizing member is arranged between the first inflatable rigidizing member and the second inflatable rigidizing member.
4. 4 . The deployable structure according to claim 2 , further comprising a flexible cover including a first surface, a second surface, and an interior zone arranged between the first surface and the second surface, each of the plurality of elements being disposed in the interior zone.
5. 5 . The deployable structure according to claim 4 , wherein each of the first inflatable rigidizing member, the second inflatable rigidizing member, and the third inflatable rigidizing member is arranged on the second surface.
6. 6 . The deployable structure according to claim 1 , wherein the reconfigurable member has a deployed configuration in which the first inflatable rigidizing member and the second inflatable rigidizing member are substantially parallel to one another, and a stowed configuration in which the reconfigurable member is rolled about a rotation axis parallel to the first end.
7. 7 . The deployable structure according to claim 1 , wherein the first end of the reconfigurable member includes a fluid inlet connected to each of the first inflatable rigidizing member and the second inflatable rigidizing member.
8. 8 . The deployable structure according to claim 1 , wherein each of the first inflatable rigidizing member and the second inflatable rigidizing member includes a protective cover.
9. 9 . The deployable structure according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of elements comprises a slat, and the slat of each of the plurality of elements has a substantially identical length, a substantially identical width, and a substantially identical thickness.
10. 10 . The deployable structure according to claim 9 , wherein the slat is formed from a resin composite.
11. 11 . A vehicle comprising: a body including at least one of a passenger compartment and a cargo bed; and a deployable structure forming a transition from a surface into one of the passenger compartment and the cargo bed, the deployable structure comprising: a reconfigurable member formed from a plurality of elements defining a first end, a second end that is opposite the first end, a first side extending between the first end and the second end, and a second side, opposite the first side, extending between the first end and the second end; a first inflatable rigidizing member extending along the first side across each of the plurality of elements; and a second inflatable rigidizing member extending along the second side across each of the plurality of elements.
12. 12 . The vehicle according to claim 11 , further comprising a third inflatable rigidizing member extending across each of the plurality of elements.
13. 13 . The vehicle according to claim 12 , wherein the third inflatable rigidizing member is arranged between the first inflatable rigidizing member and the second inflatable rigidizing member.
14. 14 . The vehicle according to claim 12 , further comprising a flexible cover including a first surface, a second surface, and an interior zone arranged between the first surface and the second surface, each of the plurality of elements being disposed in the interior zone.
15. 15 . The vehicle according to claim 14 , wherein each of the first inflatable rigidizing member, the second inflatable rigidizing member, and the third inflatable rigidizing member is arranged on the second surface.
16. 16 . The vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the reconfigurable member has a deployed configuration in which the first inflatable rigidizing member and the second inflatable rigidizing member are substantially parallel to one another, and a stowed configuration in which the reconfigurable member is rolled about a rotation axis parallel to the first end.
17. 17 . The vehicle according to claim 11 , further comprising: a source of fluid, wherein the first end of the reconfigurable member includes a fluid inlet connected to each of the first inflatable rigidizing member and the second inflatable rigidizing member and the source of fluid.
18. 18 . The vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the vehicle defines a pickup truck having a tail gate, the deployable structure being integrated into the tail gate.
19. 19 . The vehicle according to claim 18 , wherein the deployable structure defines a ramp that connects with the cargo bed.
20. 20 . The vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the deployable structure defines a ramp leading into the passenger compartment.

Description

INTRODUCTION The subject disclosure relates to the art of deployable structures and, more particularly, to a deployable panel having rigidizing elements with inflatable supports. Portable, deployable panels are convenient in a wide variety of fields. For example, portable, deployable panels may provide shade, may be used as tables, ramps, room dividers, or combined to provide shelter. Often times, the portable, deployable panels or structures will include rigidizing elements that provide structural support for the panel and/or structure formed from multiple panels. Rigidizing elements may take the form of aluminum tubes, carbon-fiber rods and the like. Typically, rigidizing elements provide support along a single axis. To provide support for multiple axes, rigidizing elements may be joined to form various nodes. Creating a structure of interconnected rigidizing elements can be difficult, and time consuming. Further, the multiple rigidizing elements and connectors are bulky and easily lost making construction difficult if not impossible. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a deployable panel with rigidizing elements that may provide structural support without the need for complicated connection schemes and multiple components. SUMMARY A deployable structure, in accordance with a non-limiting example, includes a reconfigurable member formed from a plurality of elements defining a first end, a second end that is opposite the first end, a first side extending between the first end and the second end, and a second side, opposite the first side, extending between the first end and the second end. A first inflatable rigidizing member extends along the first side across each of the plurality of elements and a second inflatable rigidizing member extends along the second side across each of the plurality of elements. In addition to one or more of the features described herein a third inflatable rigidizing member extends across each of the plurality of elements. In addition to one or more of the features described herein the third inflatable rigidizing member is arranged between the first inflatable rigidizing member and the second inflatable rigidizing member. In addition to one or more of the features described herein a flexible cover includes a first surface, a second surface, and an interior zone arranged between the first surface and the second surface, each of the plurality of elements being disposed in the interior zone. In addition to one or more of the features described herein each of the first inflatable rigidizing member, the second inflatable rigidizing member, and the third inflatable rigidizing member is arranged on the second surface. In addition to one or more of the features described herein the reconfigurable member is selectively arranged in a deployed configuration wherein the first inflatable rigidizing member and the second inflatable rigidizing member are substantially parallel to one another, and a stowed configuration, wherein the reconfigurable member is rolled along an axis defined by the first side and the second side. In addition to one or more of the features described herein the first end of the reconfigurable member includes a fluid inlet connected to each of the first inflatable rigidizing member and the second inflatable rigidizing member. In addition to one or more of the features described herein each of the first inflatable rigidizing member and the second inflatable rigidizing member includes a protective cover. In addition to one or more of the features described herein each of the plurality of elements comprises a slat having a length, a width, and a thickness that is substantially identical. In addition to one or more of the features described herein the slat is formed from a resin composite. A vehicle, in accordance with a non-limiting example, includes a body including at least one of a passenger compartment and a cargo bed, and a deployable structure forming a transition from a surface into one of the passenger compartment and the cargo bed. The deployable structure including a reconfigurable member formed from a plurality of elements defining a first end, a second end that is opposite the first end, a first side extending between the first end and the second end, and a second side, opposite the first side, extending between the first end and the second end. A first inflatable rigidizing member extends along the first side across each of the plurality of elements and a second inflatable rigidizing member extends along the second side across each of the plurality of elements. In addition to one or more of the features described herein a third inflatable rigidizing member extends across each of the plurality of elements. In addition to one or more of the features described herein the third inflatable rigidizing member is arranged between the first inflatable rigidizing member and the second inflatable rigidizing member. In addition to one or more of the features described