Patents by Inventor Andre T. Matsumoto
Andre T. Matsumoto 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: 11299206Abstract: A load impact management system for an automotive vehicle includes a load member extending from a first vehicle frame rail to a second vehicle frame rail and perpendicular to each of the first and second vehicle frame rails and to a vehicle body axis. The load member is coupled to the first vehicle frame rail at two attachment points and coupled to the second vehicle frame rail at two attachment points. The load member defines a load path between a first side of the automotive vehicle to a second side of the automotive vehicle opposite the first side and the load member is forward of a passenger compartment of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Andre T. Matsumoto, Zohir Molhem, Terry A. Swartzell, Michael T. Quaggiotto, Mark. T. Dingman
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Patent number: 11110787Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a body structure, a forward sub-frame, and a battery pack. The body structure includes first and second side rails. The forward sub-frame includes first and second side supports each having and extending longitudinally between forward and rearward end portions. The first and second side supports are located forward of, and substantially parallel to, the first and second side rails. The battery pack includes a support structure disposed beneath, and engaged to, the body structure between the first and second side rails. The support structure has a plurality of longitudinal components spaced laterally apart from one-another, and disposed parallel to the opposite first and second side rails. The rearward end portions of the first and second side supports are proximate to respective first and second longitudinal components of the plurality of longitudinal components.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Terry A. Swartzell, Andre T. Matsumoto, Bradley Leier, Andrew W. White
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Publication number: 20210178879Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a body structure, a forward sub-frame, and a battery pack. The body structure includes first and second side rails. The forward sub-frame includes first and second side supports each having and extending longitudinally between forward and rearward end portions. The first and second side supports are located forward of, and substantially parallel to, the first and second side rails. The battery pack includes a support structure disposed beneath, and engaged to, the body structure between the first and second side rails. The support structure has a plurality of longitudinal components spaced laterally apart from one-another, and disposed parallel to the opposite first and second side rails. The rearward end portions of the first and second side supports are proximate to respective first and second longitudinal components of the plurality of longitudinal components.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2019Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Terry A. Swartzell, Andre T. Matsumoto, Bradley Leier, Andrew W. White
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Publication number: 20210078636Abstract: A load impact management system for an automotive vehicle includes a load member extending from a first vehicle frame rail to a second vehicle frame rail and perpendicular to each of the first and second vehicle frame rails and to a vehicle body axis. The load member is coupled to the first vehicle frame rail at two attachment points and coupled to the second vehicle frame rail at two attachment points.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2019Publication date: March 18, 2021Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Andre T. Matsumoto, Zohir Molhem, Terry A. Swartzell, Michael T. Quaggiotto, Mark. T. Dingman
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Publication number: 20200324720Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body, a bumper beam coupled to the vehicle body, and a fascia coupled to the vehicle body and extending about the bumper beam. The vehicle further includes an expansion member coupled to the bumper beam and disposed between the bumper beam and the fascia. The expansion member has an initial position with respect to the bumper beam and a deployed position with respect to the bumper beam. In the initial position the expansion member presents a first frontal height and in the deployed position the expansion member presents a second frontal height. The second frontal height exceeds the first frontal height and a bumper beam height. The expansion member is configured to deploy from the initial position to the deployed position in response to contact by the fascia.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2019Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Jacob Wright, Amlanjyoti Barman, Andre T. Matsumoto, Julie A. Bryce
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Publication number: 20200114849Abstract: A vehicle body structure deflector system for small overlap frontal impact includes a first shock tower and a second shock tower. A cross member is positioned between each of the first shock tower and the second shock tower. A first deflector is connected to the first shock tower and a second deflector is connected to the second shock tower. If one of the first deflector or the second deflector is contacted by a barrier during forward travel of the vehicle a portion of an energy of impact with the barrier is transferred through one of the first shock tower or the second shock tower, through the cross member and into the other shock tower. The portion of the energy of impact with the barrier generates a vehicle lateral displacement to dissipate the portion of the energy of impact.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2018Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Amlanjyoti Barman, Andre T. Matsumoto, Zohir Molhem, Andrew W. White
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Patent number: 10618484Abstract: A vehicle body structure deflector system for small overlap frontal impact includes a first shock tower and a second shock tower. A cross member is positioned between each of the first shock tower and the second shock tower. A first deflector is connected to the first shock tower and a second deflector is connected to the second shock tower. If one of the first deflector or the second deflector is contacted by a barrier during forward travel of the vehicle a portion of an energy of impact with the barrier is transferred through one of the first shock tower or the second shock tower, through the cross member and into the other shock tower. The portion of the energy of impact with the barrier generates a vehicle lateral displacement to dissipate the portion of the energy of impact.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Amlanjyoti Barman, Andre T. Matsumoto, Zohir Molhem, Andrew W. White
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Patent number: 10421494Abstract: A support structure for a vehicle includes a first longitudinal node and a second longitudinal node. The second longitudinal node is disposed rearward of the first longitudinal node along a central longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The first longitudinal node is disposed inboard of the second longitudinal node relative to the central longitudinal axis. A deflector rail is positioned adjacent to the support structure, between the first longitudinal node and the second longitudinal node. The deflector rail is operable to increase a stiffness of the support structure in response to a load applied to a front of the vehicle offset from the central longitudinal axis, and not increase the stiffness of the support structure in response to a load applied to the front of the vehicle that includes the central longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2017Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Scott D. Thomas, Andre T. Matsumoto
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Publication number: 20190061822Abstract: A support structure for a vehicle includes a first longitudinal node and a second longitudinal node. The second longitudinal node is disposed rearward of the first longitudinal node along a central longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The first longitudinal node is disposed inboard of the second longitudinal node relative to the central longitudinal axis. A deflector rail is positioned adjacent to the support structure, between the first longitudinal node and the second longitudinal node. The deflector rail is operable to increase a stiffness of the support structure in response to a load applied to a front of the vehicle offset from the central longitudinal axis, and not increase the stiffness of the support structure in response to a load applied to the front of the vehicle that includes the central longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Scott D. Thomas, Andre T. Matsumoto