US 11,724,588 B2
Additive manufactured grille and method
Paul J. Wolcott, Macomb, MI (US); Andrew Thomas Cunningham, Royal Oak, MI (US); Zachary P. Steffes, West Bloomfield, MI (US); and Jeffrey B. Harris, Detroit, MI (US)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Sep. 22, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/27,844.
Prior Publication US 2022/0089015 A1, Mar. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. B60K 11/06 (2006.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 80/00 (2015.01); B29C 64/30 (2017.01); B33Y 40/00 (2020.01); B29C 64/153 (2017.01); B29L 31/30 (2006.01)
CPC B60K 11/06 (2013.01) [B29C 64/153 (2017.08); B29C 64/30 (2017.08); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 40/00 (2014.12); B33Y 80/00 (2014.12); B29L 2031/3005 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A product formed by printing in additive manufacturing, the product comprising:
a plurality of interconnecting members configured for forming by the printing in a collapsed state, the plurality of interconnecting members including a plurality of internal members and a plurality of perimeter segments; and
a plurality of joints between the plurality of internal members configured for a relative movement of the plurality of interconnecting members from the collapsed state to an expanded state,
wherein, at least some of the plurality of perimeter segments each form an integral part of a respective internal member of the plurality of internal members in a fixed orientation relative to the respective internal member and project from the respective internal member at an angle and not in line with the respective internal member,
wherein each perimeter segment of the plurality of perimeter segments forms a part of a perimeter of the product when in the expanded state, wherein the perimeter completely surrounds the plurality of internal members,
wherein the plurality of perimeter segments are configured to move to the perimeter during the relative movement from the collapsed state to the expanded state;
wherein the plurality of interconnecting members define a larger package size in the expanded state than in the collapsed state,
wherein the plurality of joints are freely moveable in the collapsed state and are locked in place in the expanded state,
wherein the product comprises a grille for a vehicle, and
wherein the plurality of interconnecting members include a number of backside supports coupled with a radiator frame of the vehicle.