Patents by Inventor Marco Nickel
Marco Nickel 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: 10150259Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a bumper structure. A blank made out of fiber-reinforced composite material is deep drawn in a molding tool to form a bumper cross member having a first groove. A first rib structure is molded in the first groove onto the bumper cross member in the molding tool.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2017Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Marco Nickel, Theobald Hock
-
Patent number: 9919669Abstract: A front section of a motor vehicle includes a bumper shell, a bumper cross member and a shock sensor arranged at various locations inside a central intermediate space between the bumper shell and the bumper cross member. The bumper shell extends beyond the ends of the bumper cross member in the direction transverse to the vehicle. Extensions are attached to the ends of the bumper cross member, and the shock sensor is also distributed in various locations in peripheral intermediate spaces between the extensions and the bumper shell.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Marco Nickel, Martin Likar
-
Patent number: 9873404Abstract: A support structure for supporting panel components of a vehicle includes a deformable member with fastening points for connecting the support structure to the panel components, and one or more support members that are connected to the deformable member each with a free end. The support members can be fastened to one or more cross members of a body of the vehicle. The support structure can be used with a panel arrangement including one or more panel components for covering a portion of the vehicle. An intermediate member may be arranged between the panel components and the support structure, which during the shifting of the panel components in the direction of the support structure, interacts with the panel components and the support structure and thereby deforms the support structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2016Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Marco Nickel, Martin Likar
-
Patent number: 9849851Abstract: A front section for a motor vehicle includes a bumper cladding and a bumper stiffening which extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the bumper cladding and a supporting body part. A connecting unit including a blind nut and a threaded fastener is inserted from below into an opening of the body part to fix a rear edge region of the bumper stiffening on an underside of the body part. The blind nut has flexible legs which are reversibly splayed apart above the opening.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Marco Nickel, Martin Likar
-
Publication number: 20170157863Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a bumper structure. A blank made out of fiber-reinforced composite material is deep drawn in a molding tool to form a bumper cross member having a first groove. A first rib structure is molded in the first groove onto the bumper cross member in the molding tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2017Publication date: June 8, 2017Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Marco NICKEL, Theobald HOCK
-
Patent number: 9610911Abstract: A bumper stiffener includes at least one rib projecting from a first major face of the plate and extending in the direction of an impact to be absorbed by the shock absorber stiffener. The compressive strength in longitudinal direction of the rib is higher at its ends than in its middle.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Marco Nickel, Theobald Hock
-
Patent number: 9604586Abstract: A bumper cross member for a motor vehicle includes an insert of fiber-reinforced composite material and reinforcing structures molded onto the insert. A first groove is formed onto the insert, and the reinforcing structures include ribs formed in the first groove. The ribs extend inclined in relation to a longitudinal direction of the groove from one lateral wall of the groove to the other. The insert is further formed into a second groove, which are open toward opposing sides of the insert. The first and second grooves share a lateral wall. An outer bumper skin is supported by the bumper cross member.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Marco Nickel, Theobald Hock
-
Publication number: 20160325709Abstract: A support structure for supporting panel components of a vehicle includes a deformable member with fastening points for connecting the support structure to the panel components, and one or more support members that are connected to the deformable member each with a free end, The support members can be fastened to one or more cross members of a body of the vehicle. The support structure can be used with a panel arrangement including one or more panel components for covering a portion of the vehicle. An intermediate member may he arranged between the panel components and the support structure, which during the shifting of the panel components in the direction of the support structure, interacts with the panel components and the support structure and thereby deforms the support structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2016Publication date: November 10, 2016Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Marco NICKEL, Martin LIKAR
-
Patent number: 9487173Abstract: A hood sensor assembly of a motor vehicle includes a molding for transmitting an impact force to a hood sensor. The molding includes an absorption area for absorbing an impact force and a transmission section for transmitting at least a portion of the impact force to a hood sensor. An elastically movable material section provides a restoring force against which the molding can be arranged in its installation position (E). The hood sensor is supported within the molding.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Marco Nickel, Eduard Goebel
-
Publication number: 20160288750Abstract: A front section of a motor vehicle includes a bumper shell, a bumper cross member and a shock sensor arranged at various locations inside a central intermediate space between the bumper shell and the bumper cross member. The bumper shell extends beyond the ends of the bumper cross member in the direction transverse to the vehicle. Extensions are attached to the ends of the bumper cross member, and the shock sensor is also distributed in various locations in peripheral intermediate spaces between the extensions and the bumper shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Marco NICKEL, Martin LIKAR
-
Publication number: 20160288749Abstract: A front section for a motor vehicle includes a bumper cladding and a bumper stiffening which extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the bumper cladding and a supporting body part. A connecting unit including a blind nut and a threaded fastener is inserted from below into an opening of the body part to fix a rear edge region of the bumper stiffening on an underside of the body part. The blind nut has flexible legs which are reversibly splayed apart above the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Marco NICKEL, Martin LIKAR
-
Publication number: 20160121828Abstract: A bumper stiffener includes at least one rib projecting from a first major face of the plate and extending in the direction of an impact to be absorbed by the shock absorber stiffener. The compressive strength in longitudinal direction of the rib is higher at its ends than in its middle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2015Publication date: May 5, 2016Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Marco NICKEL, Theobald HOCK
-
Patent number: 9290141Abstract: A bumper support for a motor vehicle with a stiffening structure and at least two connections for connecting the bumper support on the one hand to a bumper and on the other hand to a vehicle body is provided. The bumper support comprises at least one extension structure arranged in the region of at least one of the connections and serving as energy absorber, which is connected to the stiffening structure in a materially joined manner.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Marco Nickel, Theobald Hock
-
Publication number: 20160001722Abstract: A bumper cross member for a motor vehicle includes an insert of fiber-reinforced composite material and reinforcing structures molded onto the insert. A first groove is formed onto the insert, and the reinforcing structures include ribs formed in the first groove. The ribs extend inclined in relation to a longitudinal direction of the groove from one lateral wall of the groove to the other. The insert is further formed into a second groove, which are open toward opposing sides of the insert. The first and second grooves share a lateral wall. An outer bumper skin is supported by the bumper cross member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2015Publication date: January 7, 2016Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Marco NICKEL, Theobald HOCK
-
Patent number: 9132793Abstract: A front end for a motor vehicle is disclosed which includes a bumper covering and a support extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between the bumper covering and a supporting body component. The support has a buckling load which is less than the loading capacity of a connection of the support with the supporting body component and is able to elastically buckle in a collision.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Marco Nickel, Matthias Erzgraeber, Theobald Hock
-
Publication number: 20150137540Abstract: A bumper support for a motor vehicle with a stiffening structure and at least two connections for connecting the bumper support on the one hand to a bumper and on the other hand to a vehicle body is provided. The bumper support comprises at least one expansion structure arranged in the region of at least one of the connections and serving as energy absorber, which is connected to the stiffening structure in a materially joined manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Marco Nickel, Theobald Hock
-
Publication number: 20150114746Abstract: A hood sensor assembly of a motor vehicle includes a molding for transmitting an impact force to a hood sensor. The molding includes an absorption area for absorbing an impact force and a transmission section for transmitting at least a portion of the impact force to a hood sensor. An elastically movable material section provides a restoring force against which the molding can be arranged in its installation position (E). The hood sensor is supported within the molding.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Marco Nickel, Eduard Goebel
-
Publication number: 20140217758Abstract: A front end for a motor vehicle is disclosed which includes a bumper covering and a support extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between the bumper covering and a supporting body component. The support has a buckling load which is less than the loading capacity of a connection of the support with the supporting body component and is able to elastically buckle in a collision.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Marco Nickel, Matthias Erzgraeber, Theobald Hock