US 11,725,635 B1
Fabric-based inflatable structures with textured pattern designs and variable stiffness
Yuyang Song, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Masato Tanaka, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Tsuyoshi Nomura, Nagoya (JP); and Danil V. Prokhorov, Canton, MI (US)
Assigned to Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Plano, TX (US)
Filed by Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Plano, TX (US)
Filed on Mar. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/704,588.
Int. Cl. F03G 7/06 (2006.01); H02N 13/00 (2006.01); H05B 3/00 (2006.01); B25J 9/10 (2006.01)
CPC F03G 7/06114 (2021.08) [H02N 13/00 (2013.01); H05B 3/0004 (2013.01); B25J 9/1075 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An inflatable structure comprising:
an inflatable membrane with a surface and a textured space-filling Turing pattern disposed on the surface; and
a variable stiffness device coupled to and configured to actively control a stiffness of the inflatable membrane.