公开(公告)号：US20210030904A1

公开(公告)日：2021-02-04

申请号：US16528038

申请日：2019-07-31

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Janet C. Robincheck ,  Adam F. Gross ,  Nancy L. Johnson

IPC: A61L2/08

Abstract: A system for bacteria irradiation from an occupant zone of a vehicle is provided. The system comprises an interior portion disposed in the occupant zone. The interior portion has one of a predetermined surface porosity and a predetermined surface roughness. The interior portion has phosphorescent paint for visual indication. The system further comprises a high energy visible (HEV) light source integrated within the interior portion. The HEV light source has an emission wavelength of between about 375 nm and about 425 nm. The HEV light source further provides a cumulative energy of between about 1 J/cm2 and about 50 J/cm2. The system further comprises a vehicle processor in communication with the HEV light source. The vehicle processor is configured to enable the HEV light source. The system further comprises a sensor in communication with the vehicle processor and configured to provide input on when to enable light source.

公开(公告)号：US10883205B2

公开(公告)日：2021-01-05

申请号：US15854190

申请日：2017-12-26

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Wonhee M. Kim ,  Nancy L. Johnson

IPC: D04B1/22 ,  B32B5/02 ,  A47C31/00 ,  B60N2/70

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a first knitted fabric layer defining an outer surface and a second knitted fabric layer defining an inner surface. The inner surface is opposite the outer surface. The vehicle seat further includes a knitted spacer fabric interconnecting the first knitted fabric layer and the second knitted fabric layer. The knitted spacer fabric resiliently biases the first knitted fabric layer and the second knitted fabric layer away from one another. The knitted spacer fabric is configured to buckle when a seated occupant exerts an occupant load on the vehicle seat. The first knitted fabric layer is more elastic than the second knitted fabric layer to conform to the seated occupant when the seated occupant exerts the occupant load on the vehicle seat.

公开(公告)号：US10808336B2

公开(公告)日：2020-10-20

申请号：US15994345

申请日：2018-05-31

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Daniel W. Booth ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Heidi H. McAdoo-Wilson ,  Janet C. Robincheck ,  Dorel M. Sala

IPC: B60N2/58 ,  D02G3/40

Abstract: A knitted seat trim cover for attachment to a vehicle seat includes a knitted trim panel configured to be installed over at least one foam support member of the vehicle seat and a fastener member integrally knitted in the knitted trim panel. The fastener member is configured to connect the knitted trim panel to the vehicle seat and at least a portion of the fastener member is made of a heat-activated yarn.

公开(公告)号：US20190299909A1

公开(公告)日：2019-10-03

申请号：US16114423

申请日：2018-08-28

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

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Scott D. Thomas ,  Diann Brei ,  Jonathan E. Luntz ,  Wonhee M. Kim ,  Zhaoxin Hu ,  Laura Alejandra Giner Munoz

IPC: B60R21/233 ,  B60R21/2334 ,  B60R21/015

Abstract: An inflatable control apparatus and deployment method thereof are provided. The apparatus includes an inflatable unit configured to receive and hold air pressure, a first rigid planar cap disposed at a first end of the inflatable unit, and a second rigid planar cap disposed at a second end of the inflatable unit.

公开(公告)号：US20190203392A1

公开(公告)日：2019-07-04

申请号：US15862130

申请日：2018-01-04

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson

IPC: D04B21/04

CPC classification number: D04B21/04 ,  A44B18/0034 ,  A44B18/0038 ,  D10B2401/16 ,  D10B2501/0632

Abstract: A fabric assembly includes a knitted fabric and a filament. The knitted fabric is adapted to move between a stretched state extended along a direction of an applied force, and a relaxed state. The filament is disposed in the knitted fabric, and includes a plurality of loops longitudinally spaced apart from one-another. Each loop of the plurality of loops are adapted to project outward from the knitted fabric when in the stretched state, and substantially retract into the knitted fabric when in the relaxed state.

公开(公告)号：US20190194843A1

公开(公告)日：2019-06-27

申请号：US15854219

申请日：2017-12-26

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Anthony L. Smith ,  Christopher P. Henry

IPC: D04B1/16 ,  B32B5/02 ,  B32B5/26 ,  D02G3/44 ,  D02G3/34 ,  D04B1/18

CPC classification number: D04B1/16 ,  B32B5/026 ,  B32B5/26 ,  B32B2250/03 ,  B32B2250/20 ,  B32B2307/412 ,  B32B2307/414 ,  B32B2307/7145 ,  B32B2307/728 ,  B32B2605/003 ,  D02G3/34 ,  D02G3/446 ,  D04B1/18 ,  D10B2401/022 ,  D10B2401/20 ,  D10B2505/12

Abstract: The knitted textiles include a knitted structure including a plurality of hollow yarns. Each hollow yarn includes a yarn body and defines a yarn hole extending through the yarn body to allow expansion of the yarn body upon inflation of each hollow yarn through the yarn hole. The knitted structure is configured to transition from an unexpanded state to an expanded state in response to the inflation of the hollow yarns through the yarn hole. The knitted structure has a first porosity in the unexpanded state, and the knitted structure has a second porosity in the expanded state. The second porosity is less than the first porosity such that a visibility through the knitted structure is greater when the knitted structure is in the unexpanded state than when the knitted structure is in the expanded state.

公开(公告)号：US20190193650A1

公开(公告)日：2019-06-27

申请号：US15854237

申请日：2017-12-26

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson

IPC: B60R13/02 ,  B44C5/04

Abstract: Presented are deployable structures having multi-stable-state characteristics using skeletal architectures mounted onto textile backings, methods for making/using such structures, and vehicle components having bistable characteristics provided by polymeric exoskeletons printed onto textile substrates. A multi-stable-state deployable structure includes an elastic substrate fabricated from a (knitted) textile sheet, and an articulating (polymeric) framework mounted on the knitted textile sheet. The articulating framework and textile sheet structurally cooperate to transition from a first stable state, in which the deployable structure maintains a substantially planar shape, to a second stable state, in which the deployable structure maintains a first multidimensional topography, and from the second state to a third stable state, in which the deployable structure maintains a second multidimensional topography distinct from the first multidimensional topography. The articulating framework may include an elongated spine sandwiched between first and second sets of ribs, and a frame circumscribing the spine and ribs.

公开(公告)号：US20190040675A1

公开(公告)日：2019-02-07

申请号：US16027918

申请日：2018-07-05

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Mark O. Vann

IPC: E06B7/18 ,  F16J15/02

Abstract: A conditioned apparatus defines a chamber, and includes a frame defining a door opening providing access to the insulated chamber and a door movable relative to the frame. The door selectively blocks the door opening. A seal disposed between the frame and the door, and a shape memory alloy (SMA) element is associated with, and may be knitted directly into, the seal. A controller operatively connected to the SMA element. The controller selectively provides heat to the SMA element, such that the seal changes from spanning between the door and the frame, when the temperature of the SMA element is below a phase-change temperature, to contacting only one of the frame and the door, when the temperature of the SMA element is at least the phase-change temperature.

公开(公告)号：US10170682B2

公开(公告)日：2019-01-01

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: H01L41/047 ,  H01L41/053 ,  H01L41/09 ,  H01L41/25 ,  H01L41/04

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.

公开(公告)号：US10012012B2

公开(公告)日：2018-07-03

申请号：US14464043

申请日：2014-08-20

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Robert Dallos, Jr. ,  Roger Herbert Culver ,  Nancy L. Johnson

IPC: E05B47/00 ,  E05B83/34 ,  E05B85/24 ,  E05C3/12 ,  B60K15/05

CPC classification number: E05B83/34 ,  B60K2015/0576 ,  E05B47/0009 ,  E05C3/12 ,  Y10S292/04 ,  Y10T29/49826

Abstract: A method includes assembling a first latching device and a second latching device. The first latching device includes a first support housing and a first sliding assembly. The first sliding assembly is selectively movable, relative to the first support housing, between a latched position and an unlatched position. The second latching device includes a second support housing, a second sliding assembly, and an actuating mechanism. The second support housing is substantially identical to the first support housing. The second sliding assembly is selectively movable, relative to the second support housing, between a latched position and an unlatched position. The actuating mechanism is operatively disposed in the second support housing and is configured to selectively maintain the sliding assembly in the latched position until the actuating mechanism is selectively actuated. The first latching device does not include the actuating mechanism.