Patents by Inventor Yi-Pen Cheng

Yi-Pen Cheng 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).

  • Patent number: 11760292
    Abstract: A sleeping occupant crash protection system includes an occupant sleeping compartment positioned within an autonomous vehicle. A substantially flat platform of the occupant sleeping compartment supports an occupant reclining in a horizontal sleep position. An elastic bedsheet is positioned in direct contact with an upper surface of the platform positioned between the occupant and the platform. A sensing system is in communication with the occupant sleeping compartment and triggers deployment of a bedsheet displacement system during a vehicle rapid deceleration event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Yi-Pen Cheng, Chin-hsu Lin, Louis D. Thole, Wonhee Michael Kim
  • Patent number: 11752970
    Abstract: A one-way multiple cushions and chambers vehicle airbag assembly includes an airbag body having a primary airbag chamber and a secondary airbag chamber. At least one one-way vent valve provides a gas interconnection passage between the primary airbag chamber and the secondary airbag chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Chin-Hsu Lin, Yi-pen Cheng
  • Patent number: 11731578
    Abstract: An automobile vehicle deployable cocoon airbag system includes an airbag cushion having a first side oriented in a vertical configuration in a non-deployed condition and a second side oriented substantially ninety degrees from the first side in the non-deployed condition and adapted to receive an occupant on the second side providing an occupant sleeping position. At least one retracting tether is connected to the first side and the second side and is retracted using a retraction mechanism. The retraction mechanism acts upon receipt of a signal to retract the at least one retracting tether and pull the second side toward the first side thereby enclosing the occupant between the first side and the second side in a deployed condition of the airbag cushion. At least one energy absorbing (EA) element is connected to the airbag cushion acting to restrict a fore-aft motion of the airbag cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Yi-pen Cheng, Chin-hsu Lin
  • Publication number: 20230125990
    Abstract: An automobile vehicle deployable cocoon airbag system includes an airbag cushion having a first side oriented in a vertical configuration in a non-deployed condition and a second side oriented substantially ninety degrees from the first side in the non-deployed condition and adapted to receive an occupant on the second side providing an occupant sleeping position. At least one retracting tether is connected to the first side and the second side and is retracted using a retraction mechanism. The retraction mechanism acts upon receipt of a signal to retract the at least one retracting tether and pull the second side toward the first side thereby enclosing the occupant between the first side and the second side in a deployed condition of the airbag cushion. At least one energy absorbing (EA) element is connected to the airbag cushion acting to restrict a fore-aft motion of the airbag cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Yi-pen Cheng, Chin-hsu Lin
  • Publication number: 20230126971
    Abstract: A sleeping occupant crash protection system includes an occupant sleeping compartment positioned within an autonomous vehicle. A substantially flat platform of the occupant sleeping compartment supports an occupant reclining in a horizontal sleep position. An elastic bedsheet is positioned in direct contact with an upper surface of the platform positioned between the occupant and the platform. A sensing system is in communication with the occupant sleeping compartment and triggers deployment of a bedsheet displacement system during a vehicle rapid deceleration event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Yi-Pen Cheng, Chin-hsu Lin, Louis D. Thole, Wonhee Michael Kim
  • Patent number: 11529893
    Abstract: An adjustable seat for a vehicle including a first seat section configured to support a lower leg portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the first direction and a second seat section configured to support an upper leg portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the first direction and a torso and head portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the second direction. The adjustable seat also comprising a third seat section configured to support the torso and head portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the first direction and the upper leg portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the second direction. The adjustable seat also comprising a fourth seat section configured to support the lower leg portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mark O. Neal, Louis D. Thole, David Acosta, Chin-Hsu Lin, Yi-Pen Cheng, Scott D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 11364869
    Abstract: A vehicle safety seat system comprises: i) a vehicle seat configured to move to a substantially reclining position, the vehicle seat comprising a seat back and a seat bottom; and ii) a first support arm associated with the seat back, the first support arm including a first airbag on a lower surface of the first support arm, the first support arm holding the first airbag in a position above the thorax of a passenger reclining in the vehicle seat. The first airbag inflates in the event of a collision and provides protection between the first support arm and the thorax of the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Chin-Hsu Lin, Louis D. Thole, David Acosta, Yi-pen Cheng, Paul E. Krajewski, Gary L. Jones
  • Patent number: 11225216
    Abstract: A vehicle seat safety system. The vehicle safety seat system comprises a vehicle seat configured to move between a substantially reclining position and a substantially sitting position. The vehicle seat comprises at least a seat back and a seat bottom. The system also includes an enclosure configured to store a blanket airbag in an undeployed position prior to a collision, wherein the enclosure is disposed near the head of a passenger in the vehicle seat, and wherein the blanket airbag is ejected from the enclosure to an intermediate position in the event of a collision. The system further comprises a first electromechanical restraint system associated with the seat back and coupled to the blanket airbag by a first physical coupling and a second electromechanical restraint system associated with the seat bottom and coupled to the blanket airbag by a second physical coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Chin-Hsu Lin, Yi-pen Cheng, Scott D. Thomas, Gary L. Jones, Paul E. Krajewski
  • Patent number: 10899307
    Abstract: A deployable headrest airbag includes an airbag chamber configured to be coupled to a headrest of a vehicle seat. The airbag chamber has a stowed position and a deployed position. In stowed position, the airbag chamber is disposed inside the headrest. In the deployed position, the deployable headrest airbag is disposed outside of the headrest to protect a head and a neck of a vehicle occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chin-Hsu Lin, Yi-Pen Cheng
  • Publication number: 20210016688
    Abstract: An adjustable seat for a vehicle including a first seat section configured to support a lower leg portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the first direction and a second seat section configured to support an upper leg portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the first direction and a torso and head portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the second direction. The adjustable seat also comprising a third seat section configured to support the torso and head portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the first direction and the upper leg portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the second direction. The adjustable seat also comprising a fourth seat section configured to support the lower leg portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Mark O. Neal, Louis D. Thole, David Acosta, Chin-Hsu Lin, Yi-Pen Cheng, Scott D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10696261
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat frame and a seat cushion coupled to the seat frame. The seat frame includes a seatback frame, a base frame coupled to the seatback frame, a first armrest frame coupled to the seatback frame, and a second armrest frame coupled to the seatback frame. The seat cushion covers the seat frame and is spaced apart from the seat frame to define a cavity therebetween. The seat assembly further includes an airbag coupled between the seat frame and the seat cushion. The airbag has a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position, the airbag is disposed in the cavity between the seat frame and the seat cushion. In the deployed position, the airbag is partly disposed outside the cavity between the seat frame and the seat cushion to absorb energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yi-Pen Cheng, Chin-Hsu Lin, Paul E. Krajewski
  • Publication number: 20200172040
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat frame and a seat cushion coupled to the seat frame. The seat frame includes a seatback frame, a base frame coupled to the seatback frame, a first armrest frame coupled to the seatback frame, and a second armrest frame coupled to the seatback frame. The seat cushion covers the seat frame and is spaced apart from the seat frame to define a cavity therebetween. The seat assembly further includes an airbag coupled between the seat frame and the seat cushion. The airbag has a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position, the airbag is disposed in the cavity between the seat frame and the seat cushion. In the deployed position, the airbag is partly disposed outside the cavity between the seat frame and the seat cushion to absorb energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yi-Pen Cheng, Chin-Hsu Lin, Paul E. Krajewski
  • Publication number: 20200156586
    Abstract: A deployable headrest airbag includes an airbag chamber configured to be coupled to a headrest of a vehicle seat. The airbag chamber has a stowed position and a deployed position. In stowed position, the airbag chamber is disposed inside the headrest. In the deployed position, the deployable headrest airbag is disposed outside of the headrest to protect a head and a neck of a vehicle occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chin-Hsu Lin, Yi-Pen Cheng
  • Patent number: 10525922
    Abstract: An airbag assembly including an airbag configured to be coupled to a vehicle floor of a vehicle. The airbag is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position, the airbag is deflated. In the deployed position, the airbag is inflated and spaced apart from the vehicle floor to define an aperture between the airbag and the vehicle floor. The aperture is sized to receive feet or lower leg of a vehicle occupant, thereby limiting movement of the legs of the vehicle occupant when an external force is exerted on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chin-Hsu Lin, Yi-Pen Cheng, Paul E. Krajewski
  • Patent number: 8967665
    Abstract: An inflatable cushion for a side-impact airbag includes first and second fabric panels forming an expandable chamber. The first fabric panel forms a tubular shape upon inflation and includes a top end and a bottom end having continuous outer perimeters and an inflator aperture. The second fabric panel joined to the top end of the first fabric panel and having a circumference equal to a circumference of the continuous outer perimeter of the top end of the first fabric panel and including a vent aperture. The second fabric panel is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the first fabric panel when the inflatable cushion is inflated. The bottom end of the first fabric panel is closed. The longitudinal axis of the tubular-shaped first fabric panel is parallel to a longitudinal axis of a vehicle seat back when the inflatable cushion is deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chin-Hsu Lin, Yi-Pen Cheng