US 12,115,891 B2
Cushion member having variable stiffness
Nilesh D. Mankame, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Wonhee M. Kim, Royal Oak, MI (US); and Paul W. Alexander, Ypsilanti, MI (US)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Nov. 23, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/058,501.
Prior Publication US 2024/0166107 A1, May 23, 2024
Int. Cl. B60N 2/72 (2006.01)
CPC B60N 2/72 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A cushion member having variable stiffness for a target, the cushion member comprising:
a cushion housing having an interior with a variable internal pressure, the cushion housing having an exterior surface for receiving the target, the cushion housing arranged to be deformable and sealable, the cushion housing comprising:
hollow particles disposed in the interior of the cushion housing, each hollow particle being compressible and hollow to define a void therein, the hollow particles having a size, a wall thickness, a material, and an infill with specified mechanical properties, the hollow particles arranged to allow the cushion housing to be deformed upon contact with the target, the hollow particles defining a cushion infill having a variable stiffness based on the mechanical properties of the hollow particles, the mechanical properties of the cushion housing and the variable internal pressure of the interior of the cushion housing.