Patents by Inventor Wonhee M. Kim
Wonhee M. Kim has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10871009Abstract: A lockable latching device includes a body defining a cavity and a plunger disposed within a cavity defined in the body. The plunger is translatable with respect to the body between an open position and a closed position. The lockable latching device also includes an annular rotator configured for rotating the plunger about a central longitudinal axis, and an annular latch transitionable between an unlocked state and a locked state. The lockable latching device further includes first and second elements. The lockable latching device also includes a force transmission mechanism operably connected to the first element, the second element, and the annular latch, with the force transmission mechanism configured to transition the annular latch from the unlocked state to the locked state in response to a first activation signal, and to transition the annular latch from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to a second activation signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2018Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLCInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Dayananda Narasimhaiah, Matthew M. Stack, Wonhee M. Kim, Alejandro Garcia, James H. Brown, Yonghoon Shim, Jaehun Kim
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Publication number: 20200391811Abstract: A deployable panel for a vehicle, the deployable panel including: a telescopically adjustable body, where, when in a retracted state, the body is configured to be enclosed within at least a portion of the vehicle, and where, when in an extended state, the body is configured to reduce aerodynamic drag generated during movement of the vehicle or increase aerodynamic stability against external forces impacting at least one side of the vehicle; and a linear actuator installed within the body, the linear actuator configured to telescopically adjust the body from the retracted state to the extended state or somewhere therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2019Publication date: December 17, 2020Inventors: Taeyoung Han, Wonhee M. Kim, Chih-hung Yen, Bahram Khalighi, Paul E. Krajewski
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Patent number: 10703330Abstract: A restraint harness for a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a seat having a structural support that is attached to a main support structure of the vehicle. The restraint harness includes a body constructed of a restraint material. The body is shaped to secure an occupant body. The restraint material is configured to withstand loads exerted upon the restraint harness by the occupant during operation of the vehicle. The restraint harness also includes an attachment portion that is configured to attach to the structural support of the seat.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Stephanie C. Radion, Sarah E. Smith, Samuel Derian, Wonhee M. Kim, Daniel W. Booth, Paul W. Alexander
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Patent number: 10687634Abstract: An inflatable system includes a bladder configured to contain fluid, a first plurality of tethers disposed within a first region of the bladder, and a second plurality of tethers disposed within a second region of the bladder. The first plurality of tethers has a first tether length, a first tether spacing, a first tether angle relative to one wall of the bladder, and a first tether stiffness. The second plurality of tethers has a second tether length, a second tether spacing, a second tether angle relative to the one wall, and a second tether stiffness. At least one of: the second tether length is different than the first tether length; the second tether spacing is different than the first tether spacing; the second tether angle is different than the first tether angle; and the second tether stiffness is different than the first tether stiffness.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2019Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Wonhee M. Kim, Paul W. Alexander, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, Daniel W. Booth, Paul E. Krajewski, Taeyoung Han
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Patent number: 10688899Abstract: An occupant support structure and a method of customizing an occupant support structure. The occupant support structure may comprise a base and a reconfigurable cushion carried by the base. The reconfigurable cushion may include an occupant support surface and a bladder. The bladder may include an outer wall that defines an inner cavity underlying the occupant support surface and two or more overlapping material layers disposed within the cavity. The overlapping material layers may be adapted to selectively transition from a compliant state to a rigid state and vice versa by selective control of a pressure condition across the outer wall of the bladder to reconfigure or conform the occupant support surface of the cushion to a contour of a portion of an occupant supported by the cushion.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Wonhee M. Kim, Amberlee S. Haselhuhn, Richard J. Skurkis, Michael J. Walker, Ian J. Sutherland, Paul W. Alexander, Nilesh D. Mankame
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Publication number: 20200139877Abstract: Cargo systems are provided for vehicles that include, in one embodiment: a variable cargo surface disposed within a body of the vehicle behind one or more occupant seats, the variable cargo surface including: a low friction surface that facilitates movement of cargo within the cargo system, the low friction surface having a first coefficient of friction; a high friction surface that inhibits movement of cargo within the cargo system, the high friction surface having a second coefficient of friction that is greater than the first coefficient of friction; and a control device that selectively activates the low friction surface and the high friction surface based on conditions for the vehicle; wherein the low friction surface contacts the cargo within the cargo system when the low friction surface is activated; and the high friction surface contacts the cargo within the cargo system when the high friction surface is activated.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2018Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGANInventors: PAUL W. ALEXANDER, WONHEE M. KIM, DIANN BREI, JONATHAN E. LUNTZ, KORAY BENLI, Laura Alejandra Giner Munoz
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Publication number: 20200114863Abstract: A restraint harness for a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a seat having a structural support that is attached to a main support structure of the vehicle. The restraint harness includes a body constructed of a restraint material. The body is shaped to secure an occupant body. The restraint material is configured to withstand loads exerted upon the restraint harness by the occupant during operation of the vehicle. The restraint harness also includes an attachment portion that is configured to attach to the structural support of the seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2018Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Stephanie C. Radion, Sarah E. Smith, Samuel Derian, Wonhee M. Kim, Daniel W. Booth, Paul W. Alexander
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Patent number: 10597917Abstract: A stretchable adjustable-stiffness assembly includes a casing and first and second friction layers. The casing can be fluidly sealed and includes an interior compartment containing a fluid. The fluid can shift between a first interior pressure and a second interior pressure less than the first interior pressure and an exterior pressure. The first and second friction layers are disposed within the interior compartment. The assembly can shift between relaxed and fixed configurations. In the relaxed configuration, the fluid has the first interior pressure, the casing is stretchable between a first dimension and a second dimension greater than the first dimension, and the assembly has a first stiffness. In the fixed configuration, the first fluid has the second interior pressure, the casing length is fixed, the first and second friction layers are engaged, and the assembly has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2017Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Ian J. Sutherland, Michael J. Walker, Wonhee M. Kim, Paul W. Alexander, Richard J. Skurkis, Amberlee S. Haselhuhn, Xiujie Gao
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Publication number: 20200040609Abstract: A lockable latching device includes a body defining a cavity and a plunger disposed within a cavity defined in the body. The plunger is translatable with respect to the body between an open position and a closed position. The lockable latching device also includes an annular rotator configured for rotating the plunger about a central longitudinal axis, and an annular latch transitionable between an unlocked state and a locked state. The lockable latching device further includes first and second elements. The lockable latching device also includes a force transmission mechanism operably connected to the first element, the second element, and the annular latch, with the force transmission mechanism configured to transition the annular latch from the unlocked state to the locked state in response to a first activation signal, and to transition the annular latch from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to a second activation signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2018Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Dayananda Narasimhaiah, Matthew M. Stack, Wonhee M. Kim, Alejandro Garcia, James H. Brown, Yonghoon Shim, Jaehun Kim
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Publication number: 20190299909Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2018Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Nancy L. Johnson, Scott D. Thomas, Diann Brei, Jonathan E. Luntz, Wonhee M. Kim, Zhaoxin Hu, Laura Alejandra Giner Munoz
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Publication number: 20190193373Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2017Publication date: June 27, 2019Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Nilesh D. Mankame, Wonhee M. Kim, Nancy L. Johnson
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Patent number: 10308101Abstract: A tonneau cover for a cargo bed of a truck includes a rail system, and a panel secured to the rail system. At least a portion of the rail system or the panel is a layer jamming member having a layer jamming material operable to exhibit a first stiffness in response to a first confining pressure and a second stiffness in response to a second confining pressure. The layer jamming member may include all or a portion of the panel to provide specific regions of the cover, and/or may include portions of the rail system.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC.Inventors: Wonhee M. Kim, Paul W. Alexander, Julien P. Mourou
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Patent number: 10286764Abstract: A roof panel includes a first member and a second member. A panel is attached to and interconnects the first member and the second member. The panel is configurable between a deployed configuration for attachment to a vehicle, and a stowed configuration for storage. The panel has a planar form when in the deployed configuration, and a rolled up form when in the stowed configuration. The panel may include an adjustable stiffness panel, such as a layer jamming panel, controllable in response to a control signal to exhibit a first stiffness when in the deployed configuration or the stowed configuration, or a second stiffness for reforming the panel between the deployed configuration and the stowed configuration.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Wonhee M. Kim, Paul W. Alexander, Julien P. Mourou, James H. Shoemaker, Besy J. Philip
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Publication number: 20190106916Abstract: A stretchable adjustable-stiffness assembly includes a casing and first and second friction layers. The casing can be fluidly sealed and includes an interior compartment containing a fluid. The fluid can shift between a first interior pressure and a second interior pressure less than the first interior pressure and an exterior pressure. The first and second friction layers are disposed within the interior compartment. The assembly can shift between relaxed and fixed configurations. In the relaxed configuration, the fluid has the first interior pressure, the casing is stretchable between a first dimension and a second dimension greater than the first dimension, and the assembly has a first stiffness. In the fixed configuration, the first fluid has the second interior pressure, the casing length is fixed, the first and second friction layers are engaged, and the assembly has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2017Publication date: April 11, 2019Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Ian J. Sutherland, Michael J. Walker, Wonhee M. Kim, Paul W. Alexander, Richard J. Skurkis, Amberlee S. Haselhuhn, Xiujie Gao
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Publication number: 20190106030Abstract: An occupant support structure and a method of customizing an occupant support structure. The occupant support structure may comprise a base and a reconfigurable cushion carried by the base. The reconfigurable cushion may include an occupant support surface and a bladder. The bladder may include an outer wall that defines an inner cavity underlying the occupant support surface and two or more overlapping material layers disposed within the cavity. The overlapping material layers may be adapted to selectively transition from a compliant state to a rigid state and vice versa by selective control of a pressure condition across the outer wall of the bladder to reconfigure or conform the occupant support surface of the cushion to a contour of a portion of an occupant supported by the cushion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2017Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Wonhee M. Kim, Amberlee S. Haselhuhn, Richard J. Skurkis, Michael J . Walker, Ian J. Sutherland, Paul W. Alexander, Nilesh D. Mankame
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Publication number: 20190105972Abstract: A roof panel includes a first member and a second member. A panel is attached to and interconnects the first member and the second member. The panel is configurable between a deployed configuration for attachment to a vehicle, and a stowed configuration for storage. The panel has a planar form when in the deployed configuration, and a rolled up form when in the stowed configuration. The panel may include an adjustable stiffness panel, such as a layer jamming panel, controllable in response to a control signal to exhibit a first stiffness when in the deployed configuration or the stowed configuration, or a second stiffness for reforming the panel between the deployed configuration and the stowed configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2017Publication date: April 11, 2019Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Wonhee M. Kim, Paul W. Alexander, Julien P. Mourou, James H. Shoemaker, Besy J. Philip
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Publication number: 20190105973Abstract: A tonneau cover for a cargo bed of a truck includes a rail system, and a panel secured to the rail system. At least a portion of the rail system or the panel is a layer jamming member having a layer jamming material operable to exhibit a first stiffness in response to a first confining pressure and a second stiffness in response to a second confining pressure. The layer jamming member may include all or a portion of the panel to provide specific regions of the cover, and/or may include portions of the rail system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2017Publication date: April 11, 2019Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Wonhee M. Kim, Paul W. Alexander, Julien P. Mourou