Patents by Inventor Brian E. Dressel

Brian E. Dressel 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: 11571963
    Abstract: An air guide assembly for a vehicle includes a first duct, a second duct, a rigid first housing, and a vehicle component. The first duct includes a flexible body, an inlet for receiving airflow from an exterior of a vehicle body, and an outlet, where the body of the first duct is compressible from an installed length to a length that is shorter than the installed length, and is expandable from the installed length to a length that is longer than the installed length. The second duct includes a flexible body, a first inlet for receiving airflow from the first duct, and an outlet, where the body of the second duct is compressible from an installed length to a length that is shorter than the installed length, and is expandable from the installed length to a length that is longer than the installed length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Pirooz Moradnia, Brian E. Dressel, Derik Thomas Voigt
  • Publication number: 20220396138
    Abstract: A battery pack assembly for a vehicle includes a tray assembly fixed under a floor panel in a vehicle height direction and on which a battery pack-associated component is placed. The tray assembly has a base with a first edge portion and a second edge portion opposite the first edge portion. Each of the first and second edge portions is extended upward relative to the height direction from the base and secured to a frame assembly. A deformation feature is provided at a transition area between the base and the second edge portion. During a crash event the second edge portion is adapted to bend toward the base via the deformation feature allowing a displacement of the base in one of a vehicle front-back direction and a vehicle width direction and also downward in the height direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher E. LANG, Ryan A. ARENS, Brian E. DRESSEL, Carolyn A. LEBLANC, Christopher J. MAMPE
  • Patent number: 11358644
    Abstract: A hollow interconnecting member for connecting vehicular frame members is provided. The hollow interconnecting member is formed of a metal material and defines a centerline. The hollow interconnecting member comprises a first end and a second end. The centerline extends through the first end and the second end. A plurality of walls cooperate to define a continuous passageway that extends between the first end and the second end and defines a first opening and a second opening at the first end and the second end, respectively. The hollow interconnecting member is formed as an as-cast one-piece construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Brian E. Dressel, Rajendra L. Kakarla, Jason T. Hardesty, Andrew George Bakun, Kevin A. Hothem, Brian C. Bray, Hirotomo Yamada
  • Publication number: 20220176806
    Abstract: An air guide assembly for a vehicle includes a first duct, a second duct, a rigid first housing, and a vehicle component. The first duct includes a flexible body, an inlet for receiving airflow from an exterior of a vehicle body, and an outlet, where the body of the first duct is compressible from an installed length to a length that is shorter than the installed length, and is expandable from the installed length to a length that is longer than the installed length. The second duct includes a flexible body, a first inlet for receiving airflow from the first duct, and an outlet, where the body of the second duct is compressible from an installed length to a length that is shorter than the installed length, and is expandable from the installed length to a length that is longer than the installed length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Pirooz Moradnia, Brian E. Dressel, Derik Thomas Voigt
  • Publication number: 20200239079
    Abstract: A hollow interconnecting member for connecting vehicular frame members is provided. The hollow interconnecting member is formed of a metal material and defines a centerline. The hollow interconnecting member comprises a first end and a second end. The centerline extends through the first end and the second end. A plurality of walls cooperate to define a continuous passageway that extends between the first end and the second end and defines a first opening and a second opening at the first end and the second end, respectively. The hollow interconnecting member is formed as an as-cast one-piece construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Brian E. DRESSEL, Rajendra L. KAKARLA, Jason T. HARDESTY, Andrew George BAKUN, Kevin A. HOTHEM, Brian C. BRAY, Hirotomo YAMADA
  • Patent number: 10647358
    Abstract: A hollow interconnecting member for connecting vehicular frame members is provided. The hollow interconnecting member is formed of a metal material and defines a centerline. The hollow interconnecting member comprises a first end and a second end. The centerline extends through the first end and the second end. A plurality of walls cooperate to define a continuous passageway that extends between the first end and the second end and defines a first opening and a second opening at the first end and the second end, respectively. The hollow interconnecting member is formed as an as-cast one-piece construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Brian E. Dressel, Rajendra L. Kakarla, Jason T. Hardesty, Andrew George Bakun, Kevin A. Hothem, Brian C. Bray, Hirotomo Yamada
  • Patent number: 10093359
    Abstract: A frame assembly of a vehicle front portion includes a windshield lower beam. A damper mount is disposed on the front portion and deforms when subjected to an impact energy. An A-pillar includes upper and lower pillar portions, the upper pillar portion having a lower end disposed adjacent the windshield lower beam, and the lower pillar portion having an upper end disposed adjacent to the windshield lower beam. A joint includes first and second joint members, the first joint member connecting the windshield lower beam to the lower and upper pillar portions and being connected to the damper mount, the second joint member contained within the first joint member and connected to the windshield lower beam, and upper and lower pillar portions. The joint is configured to resist deformation due to the impact energy such that the damper mount deforms and dissipates the impact energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fabian J. Vigil, Hirotomo Yamada, Hirokazu Matsuura, Brian E. Dressel, Jason T. Hardesty, Kurtis R. Horner
  • Publication number: 20180001934
    Abstract: A frame assembly of a vehicle front portion includes a windshield lower beam. A damper mount is disposed on the front portion and deforms when subjected to an impact energy. An A-pillar includes upper and lower pillar portions, the upper pillar portion having a lower end disposed adjacent the windshield lower beam, and the lower pillar portion having an upper end disposed adjacent to the windshield lower beam. A joint includes first and second joint members, the first joint member connecting the windshield lower beam to the lower and upper pillar portions and being connected to the damper mount, the second joint member contained within the first joint member and connected to the windshield lower beam, and upper and lower pillar portions. The joint is configured to resist deformation due to the impact energy such that the damper mount deforms and dissipates the impact energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Fabian J. VIGIL, Hirotomo YAMADA, Hirokazu MATSUURA, Brian E. DRESSEL, Jason T. HARDESTY
  • Publication number: 20170183038
    Abstract: A hollow interconnecting member for connecting vehicular frame members is provided. The hollow interconnecting member is formed of a metal material and defines a centerline. The hollow interconnecting member comprises a first end and a second end. The centerline extends through the first end and the second end. A plurality of walls cooperate to define a continuous passageway that extends between the first end and the second end and defines a first opening and a second opening at the first end and the second end, respectively. The hollow interconnecting member is formed as an as-cast one-piece construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Brian E. DRESSEL, Rajendra L. KAKARLA, Jason T. HARDESTY, Andrew George BAKUN, Kevin A. HOTHEM, Brian C. BRAY, Hirotomo YAMADA
  • Patent number: 9643651
    Abstract: A hollow interconnecting member for connecting vehicular frame members is provided. The hollow interconnecting member is formed of a metal material and defines a centerline. The hollow interconnecting member comprises a first end and a second end. The centerline extends through the first end and the second end. A plurality of walls cooperate to define a continuous passageway that extends between the first end and the second end and defines a first opening and a second opening at the first end and the second end, respectively. The hollow interconnecting member is formed as an as-cast one-piece construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Brian E. Dressel, Rajendra L. Kakarla, Jason T. Hardesty, Andrew George Bakun, Kevin A. Hothem, Brian C. Bray, Hirotomo Yamada
  • Publication number: 20170057546
    Abstract: A hollow interconnecting member for connecting vehicular frame members is provided. The hollow interconnecting member is formed of a metal material and defines a centerline. The hollow interconnecting member comprises a first end and a second end. The centerline extends through the first end and the second end. A plurality of walls cooperate to define a continuous passageway that extends between the first end and the second end and defines a first opening and a second opening at the first end and the second end, respectively. The hollow interconnecting member is formed as an as-cast one-piece construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Brian E. Dressel, Rajendra L. Kakarla, Jason T. Hardesty, Andrew George Bakun, Kevin A. Hothem, Brian C. Bray, Hirotomo Yamada
  • Publication number: 20140265450
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a floor connected to a main frame assembly. The main frame assembly includes first and second side rails and interconnecting cross-members. A front frame structure located near a forward part of the vehicle body structure is connected to the main frame assembly. The front frame structure includes first and second diagonal members and a laterally extending member. Each of the first and second diagonal members includes a forward end portion connected to the main frame assembly and a rearward end portion connected to the lateral member. The rearward end portions converge toward one another and the lateral member is connected to the first and second side rails. The front frame structure transfers an impact load caused by a narrow offset frontal collision from the first side rail to the second side rail by transferring the load through the front frame structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Shafer, Brian E. Dressel, Takashi Nakano, Kishore K. Pydimarry, Brandon D. Koester, Patrick J. Ellison
  • Patent number: 8820823
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a floor connected to a main frame assembly. The main frame assembly includes first and second side rails and interconnecting cross-members. A front frame structure located near a forward part of the vehicle body structure is connected to the main frame assembly. The front frame structure includes first and second diagonal members and a laterally extending member. Each of the first and second diagonal members includes a forward end portion connected to the main frame assembly and a rearward end portion connected to the lateral member. The rearward end portions converge toward one another and the lateral member is connected to the first and second side rails. The front frame structure transfers an impact load caused by a narrow offset frontal collision from the first side rail to the second side rail by transferring the load through the front frame structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Shafer, Brian E. Dressel, Takashi Nakano, Kishore K. Pydimarry, Brandon D. Koester, Patrick J. Ellison
  • Patent number: 8474870
    Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a first frame member and a separate second frame member having an end portion connected to an end portion of the first frame member. A frame patch is interposed between and connected to the respective end portions of the first and second frame members. The frame patch together with the respective end portions of the first and second frame members defines a tri-layer patch configured to divide an input load applied longitudinally to the vehicle frame assembly into multiple force vectors which distribute the input load across a wide area of the vehicle frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert A. Ng, Brian E. Dressel, Kishore K. Pydimarry, David M. Edwards, Shawn T. Crichley, Takashi Nakano
  • Patent number: 8042855
    Abstract: An adjustable vehicle seat arrangement includes a plurality of strikers connected with a vehicle frame, an inboard vehicle seat, and an outboard vehicle seat. At least one outboard seat rear striker includes a latching section divider dividing the outboard seat rear striker into at least two laterally spaced apart latching sections. The outboard vehicle seat includes an outboard seat rear latch that cooperates with the outboard seat rear striker and an outboard seat front latch that cooperates with an outboard seat front striker. The outboard seat is generally laterally aligned with and laterally offset from the inboard seat. The outboard seat is laterally adjustable and the outboard seat rear latch is configured to engage the outboard seat rear striker at each of the at least two laterally spaced apart latching sections. A method for laterally adjusting a vehicle seat and a vehicle seat assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Spyridon G. Blatseas, Ross L. Burghardt, Ronald C. Cozzo, Brian E. Dressel, Rudy M. Mayne, Jr., Osamu Kyogoku, Yasuhiro Iwaki, William C. Lanz
  • Publication number: 20110121603
    Abstract: An adjustable vehicle seat arrangement includes a plurality of strikers connected with a vehicle frame, an inboard vehicle seat, and an outboard vehicle seat. At least one outboard seat rear striker includes a latching section divider dividing the outboard seat rear striker into at least two laterally spaced apart latching sections. The outboard vehicle seat includes an outboard seat rear latch that cooperates with the outboard seat rear striker and an outboard seat front latch that cooperates with an outboard seat front striker. The outboard seat is generally laterally aligned with and laterally offset from the inboard seat. The outboard seat is laterally adjustable and the outboard seat rear latch is configured to engage the outboard seat rear striker at each of the at least two laterally spaced apart latching sections. A method for laterally adjusting a vehicle seat and a vehicle seat assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Spyridon G. Blatseas, Ross L. Burghardt, Ronald C. Cozzo, Brian E. Dressel, Rudy M. Mayne, JR., Osamu Kyogoku, Yasuhiro Iwaki, William C. Lanz