US 12,391,378 B2
Morphing origami structures with light-responsive polymers
Yuyang Song, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Shailesh N. Joshi, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Danil V. Prokhorov, Canton, MI (US); and Umesh N. Gandhi, Farmington Hills, MI (US)
Assigned to Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Plano, TX (US); and Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota (JP)
Filed by Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Plano, TX (US)
Filed on Feb. 16, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/110,695.
Prior Publication US 2024/0278911 A1, Aug. 22, 2024
Int. Cl. B64C 31/06 (2020.01); F03D 5/00 (2006.01)
CPC B64C 31/06 (2013.01) [F03D 5/00 (2013.01); F05B 2280/4003 (2013.01); F05B 2280/5006 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A morphing structure comprising:
a deployable origami structure comprising an outer covering, the outer covering comprising a plurality of panels with a plurality of creases between adjacent panels such that the deployable origami structure is configured to fold and change from a first shape to a second shape different than the first shape during flight of the deployable origami structure; and
a light-responsive polymer disposed on the outer covering, the light-responsive polymer configured to change shape when activated by a light such that the deployable origami structure folds and changes from the first shape to the second shape during flight when the light-responsive polymer is activated.