公开(公告)号：US20230382697A1

公开(公告)日：2023-11-30

申请号：US17825213

申请日：2022-05-26

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC ,  Regents of the University of Michigan

Inventor： Wonhee Michael Kim ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Yun Ju Kim ,  Diann Brei ,  Koray Benli ,  Jonathan E. Luntz ,  Laura Alejandra Giner Munoz

IPC: B66F3/36 ,  B66F3/35

CPC classification number: B66F3/36 ,  B66F3/35

Abstract: An inflatable structure includes a top end cap, a bottom end cap, a bladder attached to the top and bottom end caps and configured to hold pressurized air, a plurality of tethers disposed within the bladder, the inflatable structure moveable between a stowed profile and a final support profile, wherein the bladder is pressurized and expanded axially and the plurality of tethers are fully extended and restrict further movement of the top end cap and the bottom end cap away from one another and limit axial expansion of the bladder, a pulley assembly mounted within the bottom end cap, wherein in the stowed support profile, the plurality of tethers are wound onto the pulley assembly, the pulley assembly adapted to allow selective extension of the tethers allowing axial expansion of the bladder, wherein, the inflatable structure is adapted to provide multiple intermediary support profiles capable of supporting compressive loading.

公开(公告)号：US11698683B1

公开(公告)日：2023-07-11

申请号：US17742795

申请日：2022-05-12

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC ,  Regents of the University of Michigan

Inventor： Wonhee Michael Kim ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Diann Brei ,  Jonathan E. Luntz ,  Koray Benli ,  Laura Alejandra Giner Munoz ,  James Menno Nykamp

IPC: G06F3/01 ,  G06F3/041

CPC classification number: G06F3/016 ,  G06F3/0414 ,  G06F3/0416 ,  G06F2203/04103

Abstract: A distributed inflatable touch sensing system is provided. The distributed inflatable touch sensing system includes a sensing bladder array, the sensing bladder array having a plurality of bladders, passageways, and ports in fluid communication. The system further includes a pressure regulator in fluid communication with one of the plurality of ports for regulating a pressure in the sensing bladder array. The system further includes a plurality of sensors, each in fluid communication with one of the plurality of ports, for measuring the pressure in the sensing bladder array. The system further includes a processor in communication with the plurality of sensors. The processor is configured to determine which of the plurality of bladders has been depressed by a user.

公开(公告)号：US11648827B2

公开(公告)日：2023-05-16

申请号：US16709880

申请日：2019-12-10

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Jeff E. Nasca ,  Adam R. Ballard ,  Koray Benli ,  Jonathan E. Luntz ,  Laura Alejandra Giner Munoz ,  Diann Brei

IPC: B60J3/00 ,  B60J1/20

CPC classification number: B60J1/2019 ,  B60J1/2075 ,  B60J3/005

Abstract: A pneumatic shade includes a plurality of slats, a plurality of first fold members, and a plurality of second fold members. Each slat is elongated and includes and spans laterally between opposite longitudinal edges. Each of the first- and second-fold members are elongated and co-extend longitudinally with the slats. Each first fold member is attached to longitudinal edges of the respective adjacent slats. Each second fold member is attached to longitudinal edges of respective adjacent slats and are alternatingly orientated with respect to the first fold members such that each slat spans laterally between a respective first fold member and second fold member. Each of the first fold members and the second fold members are adapted to move between a folded state and an unfolded state upon application of pressurized air.

公开(公告)号：US20210071690A1

公开(公告)日：2021-03-11

申请号：US16564777

申请日：2019-09-09

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Paul W Alexander ,  Wonhee M Kim ,  Jonathan E. Luntz ,  Diann Brei ,  Koray Benli ,  Tiantian Li ,  Laura Alejandra Giner Munoz ,  Jeff E Nasca ,  Nancy L Johnson ,  Paul E Krajewski

IPC: F15B15/10 ,  B62D35/00

Abstract: A pneumatic articulating structure includes a plurality of tiles, a flexible cover, and a plurality of resiliently flexible hinges. Each tile has a first surface and a second surface facing in opposite outward directions. An area of at least one respective first surface is greater than an area of at least one respective second surface. The cover is constructed to cover the tiles. The second surface of each one of the tiles is attached to the cover. Each tile is engaged to an adjacent tile by a respective hinge, and are proximate to the first surface. A vacuum chamber is define by at least the plurality of tiles and the flexible cover.

公开(公告)号：US20160260888A1

公开(公告)日：2016-09-08

申请号：US15061575

申请日：2016-03-04

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC ,  The Regents of the University of Michigan

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Tizoc Cruz Gonzalez ,  Jonathan E. Luntz ,  Diann Brei

IPC: H01L41/08 ,  H01L41/33 ,  H01L41/09 ,  H01L41/083

CPC classification number: H01L41/0475 ,  H01L41/0478 ,  H01L41/0536 ,  H01L41/0986 ,  H01L41/25

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer actuator includes an elastomeric film and an electrode material layer on opposing sides of the film. The elastomeric film includes a first section, a second section, and a transition section disposed between the first section and the second section. The electrode material layers are disposed on the transition section and the first and second sections. The first and second sections are restrained in a pre-stretched configuration in an axial and a lateral direction, while the transition section is not restrained in the axial direction. The transition section elongates in response to the application of a voltage to the electrode material layers, such that the first and second sections move apart, in the axial direction. Likewise, the transition section is configured to contract in an absence of a voltage applied to the electrode material layers, such that the first and second sections move apart, in the axial direction.

Abstract translation: 电介质弹性体致动器包括在膜的相对侧上的弹性膜和电极材料层。 弹性体膜包括第一部分，第二部分和设置在第一部分和第二部分之间的过渡部分。 电极材料层设置在过渡部分和第一和第二部分上。 第一部分和第二部分在轴向和横向方向被约束在预拉伸构造中，而过渡部分不受轴向限制。 过渡部分响应于向电极材料层施加电压而伸长，使得第一和第二部分沿轴向移动。 类似地，过渡部分被配置为在没有施加到电极材料层的电压的情况下收缩，使得第一部分和第二部分沿轴向移动。

公开(公告)号：US11912546B2

公开(公告)日：2024-02-27

申请号：US17825213

申请日：2022-05-26

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC ,  Regents of the University of Michigan

Inventor： Wonhee Michael Kim ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Yun Ju Kim ,  Diann Brei ,  Koray Benli ,  Jonathan E. Luntz ,  Laura Alejandra Giner Munoz

IPC: B66F3/35 ,  B66F3/36

CPC classification number: B66F3/36 ,  B66F3/35

Abstract: An inflatable structure includes a top end cap, a bottom end cap, a bladder attached to the top and bottom end caps and configured to hold pressurized air, a plurality of tethers disposed within the bladder, the inflatable structure moveable between a stowed profile and a final support profile, wherein the bladder is pressurized and expanded axially and the plurality of tethers are fully extended and restrict further movement of the top end cap and the bottom end cap away from one another and limit axial expansion of the bladder, a pulley assembly mounted within the bottom end cap, wherein in the stowed support profile, the plurality of tethers are wound onto the pulley assembly, the pulley assembly adapted to allow selective extension of the tethers allowing axial expansion of the bladder, wherein, the inflatable structure is adapted to provide multiple intermediary support profiles capable of supporting compressive loading.

公开(公告)号：US11125253B2

公开(公告)日：2021-09-21

申请号：US16564777

申请日：2019-09-09

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Paul W Alexander ,  Wonhee M Kim ,  Jonathan E. Luntz ,  Diann Brei ,  Koray Benli ,  Tiantian Li ,  Laura Alejandra Giner Munoz ,  Jeff E Nasca ,  Nancy L Johnson ,  Paul E Krajewski

IPC: F15B15/10 ,  B62D35/00

Abstract: A pneumatic articulating structure includes a plurality of tiles, a flexible cover, and a plurality of resiliently flexible hinges. Each tile has a first surface and a second surface facing in opposite outward directions. An area of at least one respective first surface is greater than an area of at least one respective second surface. The cover is constructed to cover the tiles. The second surface of each one of the tiles is attached to the cover. Each tile is engaged to an adjacent tile by a respective hinge, and are proximate to the first surface. A vacuum chamber is define by at least the plurality of tiles and the flexible cover.

公开(公告)号：US20210170837A1

公开(公告)日：2021-06-10

申请号：US16709880

申请日：2019-12-10

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Jeff E. Nasca ,  Adam R. Ballard ,  Koray Benli ,  Jonathan E. Luntz ,  Laura Alejandra Giner Munoz ,  Diann Brei

IPC: B60J1/20 ,  B60J3/00

Abstract: A pneumatic shade includes a plurality of slats, a plurality of first fold members, and a plurality of second fold members. Each slat is elongated and includes and spans laterally between opposite longitudinal edges. Each of the first- and second-fold members are elongated and co-extend longitudinally with the slats. Each first fold member is attached to longitudinal edges of the respective adjacent slats. Each second fold member is attached to longitudinal edges of respective adjacent slats and are alternatingly orientated with respect to the first fold members such that each slat spans laterally between a respective first fold member and second fold member. Each of the first fold members and the second fold members are adapted to move between a folded state and an unfolded state upon application of pressurized air.

公开(公告)号：US10668850B1

公开(公告)日：2020-06-02

申请号：US16275377

申请日：2019-02-14

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC ,  THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Diann Brei ,  Jonathan E. Luntz ,  Jesse Velleu

IPC: F16M11/00 ,  B60P7/06 ,  F16M13/02 ,  B60R11/00 ,  B60R7/04

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods are provided for object restraint including a trench; a pneumatic bending actuator (PBA), the PBA and the trench configured on the surface for clamping of the object to the surface; a part of the PBA constrained in the trench and a part of the PBA left unconstrained by the trench; a primary actuation mechanism for constraining in the trench the constrained part of the PBA to remain flat at the surface for resting the object on the surface, and for leaving the unconstrained part of the PBA configured as the curved segment to exert a clamping force to the object on the surface; and a secondary constraint mechanism to retain the constrained part of the PBA in the trench to prevent a portion of the constrained part of the PBA from exerting an upward force counter to the clamping of the unconstrained part of the PBA.

公开(公告)号：US09290979B1

公开(公告)日：2016-03-22

申请号：US14487185

申请日：2014-09-16

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC ,  THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Jonathan E. Luntz ,  Alan W. Moyer ,  Diann Brei ,  Suhant Ranga ,  Nancy L. Johnson

IPC: E05F5/02

CPC classification number: E05F5/022 ,  E05Y2800/678 ,  E05Y2800/68

Abstract: An adjustable bumper, adapted for supporting closure panels on a vehicle, is described. The bumper incorporates a shape memory polymer portion, which may be readily permanently reshaped by the steps of: heating above its transition temperature, deforming by application of a load, and cooling, while still under load, below its transition temperature. This behavior is exploited to enable adjustment of the adjustable bumper so that it may provide the desired closure panel support while accommodating vehicle to vehicle variations in the fit of the closure panel and the vehicle body.

Abstract translation: 描述了一种可调节的保险杠，适用于支撑车辆上的关闭面板。 保险杠结合了形状记忆聚合物部分，其可以通过以下步骤容易地永久地重新形成：加热超过其转变温度，通过施加负载变形，并且在仍处于负载状态下的冷却低于其转变温度。 这种行为被利用来实现可调整的缓冲器的调整，使得它可以提供所需的闭合面板支撑件，同时容纳车辆对车辆在闭合面板和车体的配合中的变化。