Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Matthew Simonin

Robert N Saje

John David Taylor

Kevin Stang

Anil Kumar Sachdev

David R Sigler

Blair E Carlson

Jon T Carter

Tyson W Brown

Bhavesh Shah

Charles E Jensen

Raja K Mishra

Jonathan E Rich

Xiaosong Huang

David R Petrucci

Ryan Gergely

Michael T Chaney

William A Schumacher

Michael E Quigley

James G Nicholas

Hans P Lawall

Kurt Baldauf

Alexander Gardner

Sean S Lincoln

An attachment mechanism including a first clamp member having a V-shaped first clamping end and a second clamp member having a V-shaped second clamping end and an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a relative position of the first clamp member and the second clamp member. The first and second clamp members are configured to translate toward and away from each other via force exerted by the adjustment mechanism such that the first and second clamping ends translate between an engaged and a disengaged position.

Accessory attachment mechanism

A partition separates a cabin space from a bed space on a vehicle having a first side body and a second side body. The partition includes a forward-opening receptacle fixable to the first side body and to the second side body to span between the first side body and the second side body and includes a rear panel. The partition includes a modular assembly securable as a unit to a forward side of the receptacle. The modular assembly includes a front panel and a window glass configured to be translatably supported by the modular assembly between the front panel and the rear panel.

Vehicle partition and method of manufacturing a vehicle

A method of assembling an automotive vehicle includes providing a panel having an upper surface and a lower surface. The method also includes providing a hole extending from the upper surface through the lower surface. The method additionally includes providing a patch at the upper surface, with the patch extending about a periphery of the hole at the upper surface and having a different material composition from the panel. The method also includes adhering a liner material to the upper surface, with the liner material being superposed over and adhered to the patch.

Attachment method for an automotive vehicle panel

A panel assembly is formed by a plurality of bonds between two sheet materials in a face to face relationship to form a preform. The plurality of bonds define a closed perimeter region between the two sheet materials and an open perimeter region between the two sheet materials. The preform may be formed into a predefined shape. Pressurized fluid is applied through an inlet into the open perimeter region to expand the preform. The pressurized fluid expands the open perimeter region such that the two sheet materials expand in an opposing direction, thereby defining an expanded open perimeter region. The closed perimeter region between the two sheet materials remains vacant of the pressurized fluid such that the closed perimeter region is not expanded. The expanded open perimeter region is filled with a filler material for improving a performance characteristic of the panel assembly, e.g., strength, sound absorption, or stiffness.

Tailored panel assembly and method of manufacturing the same

A method or apparatus for joining a first component to a second component with an amalgamation plate includes heating the first component, the second component, the amalgamation plate, or combinations thereof, with either a joining tool or a heating element. The components are attached to the amalgamation plate with the joining tool, such that the first component, amalgamation plate, and the second component are fixedly attached to one another, and the amalgamation plate may be substantially surrounded by the first component and the second component, such that it is hidden from exposure. Portions of the amalgamation plate may be embedded into the components via rotation and/or linear force. A portion of the amalgamation plate may be recessed within the joining tool or an anvil before attaching the amalgamation plate to the either component.

Amalgamation joining methods and apparatuses

Disclosed herein is an article comprising a first metal layer; a second metal layer that is chemically different from the first metal layer; and a third metal layer disposed between the first metal layer and the second metal layer and contacting both the first metal layer and the second metal layer; where the third metal layer is chemically similar to either the first metal layer or the second metal layer; where at least two metal layers that are chemically similar are welded together through a clearance opening located in a metal layer that is not chemically similar to the at least two metal layers.

Method for joining dissimilar metals and articles comprising the same

A method of injecting a liquid between a first panel and a second panel positioned flat against each other includes providing a tool defining an internal passageway having an inlet and an outlet. The first panel and the second panel are separated with the tool, to form a pocket between the first panel and the second panel, such that the outlet of the passageway is positioned in fluid communication with the pocket. A liquid source is connected to the inlet of the passageway to supply a liquid to the passageway. The liquid is injected into the pocket formed between the first panel and the second panel through the outlet of the passageway of the tool. The pocket is compressed or flattened to wet-out the liquid. The pocket may be compressed with the separating and injecting tool, or with a different device, such as a compressor or clamp.

Method of injecting a liquid between two panels, and a tool therefore

The indexing self-aligning hardware tool can join components and includes a first tool section including a die carrier, one or more dies coupled to the die carrier, and a first locator coupled to the die carrier. The indexing self-aligning hardware tool also includes a second tool section having a support body, one or more blankholders coupled to the support body, one or more punches movably disposed inside the blankholders, and a second locator coupled to the support body. The first locator and the second locator are configured to mate with a product feature locator of a component to align the first tool section relative to the second tool section.

Indexing self-aligning hardware tool

An integrated amalgamation carrier can join parts. The integrated amalgamation carrier includes an amalgamation carrier body elongated along a longitudinal axis. In addition, the integrated amalgamation carrier includes a plurality of fasteners protruding from the amalgamation carrier body. The fasteners are integrated with the amalgamation body to form a one-piece structure.

Integrated amalgamation carrier

A fastenerless anti-peel adhesive joint includes a first part having a first surface and forming a first anti-peel feature including a first anti-peel surface, a second part having a second surface and forming a second anti-peel feature including a second anti-peel surface, and an adhesive disposed between the first and second surfaces and within the first and second anti-peel features. The adhesive connects the parts via adhesive bonds at the first and second surfaces and at the first and second anti-peel surfaces. The first and second anti-peel features are configured to load the adhesive bonds at the first and second anti-peel surfaces in shear stress when the fastenerless anti-peel adhesive joint is subjected to a peel force that is normal to the first and second surfaces such that the shear strength of the adhesive bonds at the first and second anti-peel surfaces prevents the parts from being peeled apart.

Fastenerless anti-peel adhesive joint

A tether hook bracket for a vehicle subjectable to an external force event, followed by a rebound event, and having a body structure and a child seat connectable to the body structure via a tether having a tether hook includes a body structure attachment portion, a tether hook connection portion, and a tether hook rebound blocker portion. The body structure attachment portion is configured to be attachable to the body structure. The tether hook connection portion is configured to receive the tether hook, such that the tether hook is connected to the tether hook bracket. The tether hook rebound blocker portion is disposed between the body structure attachment portion and the tether hook connection portion and is configured to maintain the connection of the tether hook to the tether hook bracket when the vehicle is subjected to the rebound event.

Tether hook bracket with rebound blocker

An energy management system for a vehicle includes a load-bearing component operatively positioned in a wheel cavity rearward of a tire and wheel assembly in the wheel cavity. The load-bearing component is configured to limit movement of the tire and wheel assembly in the wheel cavity under a load applied to the vehicle forward of the tire and wheel assembly and offset from a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.

Growing community of inventors

Ortonville, MI, United States of America

Matthew Simonin