Patents by Inventor Daniel Meckenstock

Daniel Meckenstock 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: 11919482
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a battery housing, a plurality of batteries, and a door step. The battery housing is disposed in a floor area of the vehicle. The batteries are within the battery housing. The door step is located proximate a side of the battery housing. The door step includes an upper running board with a stepping surface and a lower bottom part that is spaced apart from the upper running board and extends parallel to the upper running board to define at least one chamber therebetween. The lower bottom part includes a central weakened area which extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is configured to permit a center region of the door step to buckle upwards in response to a lateral force greater than a predetermined threshold amount of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock, Stefan Schneider, Dominik Mueller
  • Patent number: 11731498
    Abstract: An assembly provides impact protection for a vehicle battery of a hybrid motor vehicle, in particular a mild hybrid motor vehicle. The hybrid motor vehicle can have at least a first vehicle seat, a second vehicle seat arranged adjacent to the first vehicle seat, a center console arranged therebetween, and a center tunnel arranged below the center console and a vehicle battery. The assembly can include a battery tray having an upwardly directed opening for receiving the vehicle battery which is arranged, or can be arranged, in the region of the center console between the first vehicle seat and the second vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Meckenstock, Marius Sawatzki, Frank Michel, Tachafine Machaar
  • Publication number: 20230249755
    Abstract: A front-end structure for a motor vehicle with electric front-wheel drive. The front-end structure includes at least two longitudinal members, at least one support unit, and at least one electric traction motor. The longitudinal members extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction and arranged at a lateral distance from each other. The support unit is fastened to the longitudinal members. The electric traction motor is fastened to a front-side crossmember that extends in a vehicle transverse direction and is fastened to the longitudinal members. The electric traction motor has at least one rear-side fastening section, which the electric traction motor is fastened to the support unit at the rear. The support unit has at least one section arranged to be offset relative to the rear-side fastening section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Douglas Ross, Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock, Matt Dunker
  • Patent number: 11598293
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an air intake apparatus. In one example, a system comprises an air filter box rotatably mounted to an intake manifold. The air filter box rotates about an axis angled to a direction of forward vehicle travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock
  • Patent number: 11584213
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a powertrain mount assembly. The assembly comprises a tether configured to block movement of a powertrain component relative to a support frame in the event of a vehicle collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Matthew David George Shynn, Daniel Meckenstock, Marius Sawatzki
  • Patent number: 11458825
    Abstract: An assembly for a hybrid motor vehicle, in particular a partially electrified hybrid motor vehicle, having a vehicle battery and a vehicle seat comprising a seat surface. The vehicle seat is connected or connectable to a vehicle floor of the hybrid motor vehicle by means of a substructure having at least two seat rails. The vehicle battery is arranged or arrangeable beneath the vehicle seat and above the vehicle floor. The vehicle battery is held on the vehicle seat by means of a suspension means attached to the top side, or in an upper region, of the vehicle battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Marius Sawatzki, Joergen Hilmann, Daniel Meckenstock, Simon Jesse
  • Patent number: 11453285
    Abstract: A vehicle mount may comprise a member attach to a frame of a vehicle. Another mount member may comprise limbs. A space between limbs may receive an arm attachable to a component of the vehicle. The second member may attach to the first member such that the space between the first and second limbs forms an opening for receipt of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Joergen Hilmann, Dominik Mueller, Daniel Meckenstock, Marius Sawatzki
  • Patent number: 11447181
    Abstract: Systems are provided for a structural element. In one example, a system comprises a structural element arranged between a steering column and a front bumper, wherein the structural element at least partially surrounds the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marius Sawatzki, Stefan Schneider, Michael Spurling, Joergen Hilmann, Dominik Mueller, Daniel Meckenstock
  • Patent number: 11401853
    Abstract: Systems are provided for a coupling element. In one example, the coupling element comprises a rotating element configured to rotate an aftertreatment device relative to a section of an exhaust passage in response to a force greater than a threshold force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock
  • Publication number: 20220144175
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a battery housing, a plurality of batteries, and a door step. The battery housing is disposed in a floor area of the vehicle. The batteries are within the battery housing. The door step is located proximate a side of the battery housing. The door step includes an upper running board with a stepping surface and a lower bottom part that is spaced apart from the upper running board and extends parallel to the upper running board to define at least one chamber therebetween. The lower bottom part includes a central weakened area which extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is configured to permit a center region of the door step to buckle upwards in response to a lateral force greater than a predetermined threshold amount of force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock, Stefan Schneider, Dominik Mueller
  • Patent number: 11267512
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) includes an inverter control system connected to a transmission such that the connection secures the inverter control system to the transmission during operation while allowing limited pivoting or rotating of the inverter control system relative to the transmission during a frontal collision to modify the translational motion and reduce or avoid loading of rigid objects or components between the inverter control system and the vehicle cabin or occupant compartment. Positioning of an electric cable conduit or connector near or adjacent to the pivot or rotational axis reduces translational force on the conductors to reduce or avoid damage during a frontal collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock, Michael Spurling
  • Patent number: 11235669
    Abstract: A high voltage battery has at least two battery modules that each have a module housing and an electrical connection element to electrically connect the battery modules. A battery module has a prestressing element which is arranged within the respective module housing and is connected to the respective electrical connection element. The electrical connection element connected to the prestressing element is arranged on the battery module such that it is movable between a connection position, in which the electrical connection element is guided through a through-hole in the module housing, and a protective position, in which the electrical connection element is arranged completely within the module housing. The prestressing element prestresses the electrical connection element in a direction of the protective position. The connection element in the connection position is connected to another battery module via at least one connecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Meckenstock, Joergen Hilmann, Marius Sawatzki
  • Patent number: 11235655
    Abstract: An assembly for a hybrid motor vehicle, in particular a partially electrified hybrid motor vehicle, includes a vehicle battery and a vehicle seat having a seat surface. The vehicle seat is connected or capable of connection to a vehicle floor of the hybrid motor vehicle by means of a seat bottom construction of the seat surface. In addition, the vehicle battery is furthermore arranged or capable of arrangement underneath the vehicle seat and above the vehicle floor and a first stiffened cross member, arranged in front of the vehicle battery in the direction of travel, and a second stiffened cross member, arranged behind the vehicle battery in the direction of travel, are provided. The vehicle battery is moreover connected to the first cross member by means of a first fixing arrangement and/or to the second cross member by means of a second fixing arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventors: Joergen Hilmann, Marius Sawatzki, Simon Jesse, Daniel Meckenstock
  • Patent number: 11207957
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a crash structure for a motor vehicle, the crash structure being, in a starting state, at a minimum spacing of greater than zero from a door hinge of a vehicle door of the motor vehicle, and the crash structure being in contact with at least one contact region which is assigned to the door hinge in a crash state after a partial overlap crash by way of passing into an operative connection with a wheel of the motor vehicle, and forming a deflector surface for the deflection of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock, Stefan Schneider, Dominik Mueller, Joergen Hilmann
  • Patent number: 11128007
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a battery arrangement for an electrified vehicle. In particular, the battery arrangement includes modules which are configured to move relative to one another in a transverse direction. For instance, an example battery arrangement includes a guide, and first and second battery modules. The guide is arranged at least partially between adjacent surfaces of the battery module housings and is configured to permit the first and second battery modules to slide relative to one another in a transverse direction of the electrified vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joergen Hilmann, Marius Sawatzki, Dominik Mueller, Daniel Meckenstock
  • Publication number: 20210171105
    Abstract: Systems are provided for a fastening system. In one example, the fastening system comprises a fastening element coupled to each of a subframe and an aftertreatment device. The fastening element is configured to alter a path of travel of the aftertreatment device in response to a deformation of the subframe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock
  • Publication number: 20210172364
    Abstract: Systems are provided for a coupling element. In one example, the coupling element comprises a rotating element configured to rotate an aftertreatment device relative to a section of an exhaust passage in response to a force greater than a threshold force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock
  • Publication number: 20210172408
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an air intake apparatus. In one example, a system comprises an air filter box rotatably mounted to an intake manifold. The air filter box rotates about an axis angled to a direction of forward vehicle travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock
  • Publication number: 20210163071
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a crash structure for a motor vehicle, the crash structure being, in a starting state, at a minimum spacing of greater than zero from a door hinge of a vehicle door of the motor vehicle, and the crash structure being in contact with at least one contact region which is assigned to the door hinge in a crash state after a partial overlap crash by way of passing into an operative connection with a wheel of the motor vehicle, and forming a deflector surface for the deflection of the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock, Stefan Schneider, Dominik Mueller, Joergen Hilmann
  • Patent number: 11005135
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a battery arrangement for an electrified vehicle. Among other things, the battery arrangement includes first and second battery modules, each of which includes a battery module housing. Adjacent surfaces of these battery module housings are interlocked such that the first and second battery modules are configured to slide relative to one another in a transverse direction of the electrified vehicle. Accordingly, this disclosure increases safety while saving space and without requiring undue reinforcements of the chassis structure, which would increase the weight of the vehicle and reduce the energy efficiency the vehicle. These and other benefits will be appreciated from the following description.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marius Sawatzki, Dominik Mueller, Daniel Meckenstock, Joergen Hilmann