| 主权项 |
1. A method of adaptively assembling first and second workpieces utilizing shape memory polymer activation to facilitate alignment, wherein the first workpiece presents at least one nub and the second workpiece defines at least one receptacle configured to receive the nub during assembly, and the nub, the receptacle, or both the nub and receptacle include a shape memory polymer, said method comprising the steps of:
a. applying a normal load to the workpieces, so as to cause a portion of the nub of the first workpiece to sit upon an exterior surface of the second workpiece and adjacent to a vertical boundary of its respective receptacle, whereby the nub and the receptacle are misaligned; b. activating the shape memory polymer by exposing the nub, the receptacle, or both the nub and the receptacle to an activation signal, thereby causing the nub, the receptacle, or both the nub and the receptacle to achieve a lower modulus state; c. continuing to apply the normal load while the nub, the receptacle, or both the nub and the receptacle is/are in the lower modulus state, thereby i) causing the nub, the receptacle or both the nub and the receptacle to deform from an original shape and ii) creating a reaction force non-parallel to a force of the normal load, the reaction force causing the nub to fully enter and align with the respective receptacle, wherein the nub, the receptacle, or both the nub and the receptacle elastically recover the original shape once the nub fully enters the respective receptacle; d. aligning the first and second workpieces as a result of performing steps a) through c); and e. deactivating the shape memory polymer by occluding the shape memory polymer from the activation signal, thereby causing the nub, the receptacle, or both the nub and the receptacle to achieve a higher modulus state and to serve as a lateral hold that locks the first and second workpieces together. |
