Patents by Inventor Kosaku Tomozawa

Kosaku Tomozawa 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).

  • Publication number: 20240131929
    Abstract: For a vehicle interior compartment defined by a vehicle floor, opposing sidewalls, a forward end and a rearward end, and a vehicle ceiling covering at least part of the compartment, an end zone overhead display structure includes bulkhead forming attachment elements coupled to a roof strut spanning from sidewall to sidewall of the vehicle roof. The display structure includes an open box-like upper bracket and an open box-like lower bracket coupled together with the roof strut interposed to provide an assembly that reduces unwanted motion, rotation or vibration of the display assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Kohei INOUE, Patrick J. ELLISON, Taiga MARUKAWA, Kosaku TOMOZAWA, Akira FUTATSUHASHI, Takashi NAKANO, Jagpaul S. PANDHER, Tsuyoshi HIGUCHI
  • Patent number: 11888217
    Abstract: An arrangement of antennas on a roof of a vehicle is described to minimize radio wave interference. The roof includes an outer panel, a first structural component extending in a lateral direction across the roof, and a second structural component extending in the lateral direction across the roof. The first structural component is closer to a rear edge of the roof than the second structural component. The roof also includes an antenna configuration attached to the roof. The antenna configuration includes a first set of antennas mounted to the first structural component and a second set of antennas mounted to the second structural component. The first set of antennas are spaced apart from the rear edge of the roof by a first distance. The second set of antennas are spaced apart from the edge of the roof by a second distance. The second distance is greater than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Inoue, Patrick J. Ellison, Taiga Marukawa, Kosaku Tomozawa, Takashi Nakano, Akira Futatsuhashi, Jagpaul S. Pandher, Tsuyoshi Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20230415833
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle and related method include, at each corner of the vehicle, a module including a cast frame configured to mount on a corner component of the autonomous vehicle, and an applique connected directly to the cast frame, wherein the applique covers at least part of the cast frame and defines a portion of an outside surface of the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Taiga MARUKAWA, Gilberto LARRACHE-IRIZARRY, Douglas M. DAFLER, Patrick J. ELLISON, Kosaku TOMOZAWA, Keiichiro TSUJI, Takashi NAKANO, Anthony John LEANZA
  • Publication number: 20230415667
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle and related method include, at each corner of the vehicle, a sensor module including a cast frame configured to mount on a corner component of the vehicle, and a plurality of sensors mounted on the cast frame. The plurality of sensors are configured to sense an environment around the autonomous vehicle and to communicate data about the environment to a navigation system of the autonomous vehicle for navigating the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Taiga MARUKAWA, Gilberto LARRACHE-IRIZARRY, Douglas M. DAFLER, Patrick J. ELLISON, Kosaku TOMOZAWA, Keiichiro TSUJI, Takashi NAKANO, Anthony John LEANZA
  • Publication number: 20230406225
    Abstract: An overhead display system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a central strut channel extending across the vehicle ceiling, and front and rear arches also extending across the vehicle ceiling in spaced relation to the central strut channel and in generally parallel relationship thereto. A central bracket has an upward channel attached to the central strut channel and angled surfaces and horizontal surfaces emanating forward and rearward from the central channel. The horizontal surfaces attach to the front strut or the rear strut respectively to provide anchoring stability to the central bracket. Matingly received in the central upward channel is a central fixture which is attached to a display housing at both the front and rear sections. The resulting upside down T-shaped structure provides stability and vibration management to the overhead display mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Kohei INOUE, Patrick J. ELLISON, Taiga MARUKAWA, Kosaku TOMOZAWA, Takashi NAKANO, Akira FUTATSUHASHI, Jagpaul S. PANDHER, Tsuyoshi HIGUCHI
  • Patent number: 11807193
    Abstract: A module support system for a vehicle including exterior paneling defining an interior and exterior of the vehicle, and a frame disposed in the interior of the vehicle, the module support system including a first casting mounted on the frame, where the first casting extends outward from the frame, through the exterior paneling, to the exterior of the vehicle such that the first casting includes an interior portion disposed within the interior of the vehicle and mounted on the frame, and an exterior portion extending outward from the exterior of the vehicle. The module support system includes a first electronic device supported on the exterior portion of the first casting, and a cover fixed with the exterior portion of the first casting such that the cover is disposed over the first electronic device and the exterior portion of the first casting with respect to an external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taiga Marukawa, Gilberto Larrache-Irizarry, Douglas M. Dafler, Patrick J. Ellison, Kosaku Tomozawa, Keiichiro Tsuji, Anthony John Leanza, Takashi Nakano
  • Publication number: 20230313579
    Abstract: A hood for a vehicle is movable between an open position and a closed position for covering a vehicle compartment. The hood includes a hood body having an exterior facing surface and an interior facing surface. A first bracket attached to the interior facing surface of the hood body includes a bottom end having a downward opening slot a rotatable hinge attached to the vehicle in the vehicle compartment for moving the hood body between the open position and the closed position. A second bracket is attached to the vehicle in the vehicle compartment. The second bracket is attached to a distal end of the rotatable hinge and includes a weld stud extending laterally from a side of the second bracket. The first bracket is seated on the weld stud during installation of the hood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Steven C. HEINRICHS, Patrick J. ELLISON, Taiga MARUKAWA, Kosaku TOMOZAWA, Akira FUTATSUHASHI, Gilberto LARRACHE-IRIZARRY, Stephen D ROSENKRANTZ, Keiichiro TSUJI, Takashi NAKANO
  • Publication number: 20230312022
    Abstract: A vehicle body upper structure includes: roof side rails provided at end portions in a vehicle width direction of a vehicle body upper portion; side outer panels covering vehicle outer side surfaces of the roof side rails; and a roof panel made of a material different from a martial of the roof side rails and provided at a center portion in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body upper portion, and the roof panel and the paired side outer panels are fixed to one another by braze joining. Outer end portions in the vehicle width direction of the side outer panels are joined to outer end portions in the vehicle width direction of the roof side rails. Inner end portions in the vehicle width direction of the side outer panels are not joined to inner end portions in the vehicle width direction of the roof side rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Kosaku TOMOZAWA, Yoshikatsu OTA, Masaaki FUJIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20230312001
    Abstract: A vehicle body upper structure includes: roof side rails; side outer panels; and a roof panel made of a material different from a martial of the roof side rails. The roof panel and the paired left and right side outer panels are fixed to one another by braze joining. An end portion of the roof panel in a vehicle front-rear direction includes a first coupling portion in which one of the roof side rails, the roof panel, and one of the side outer panels are coupled to one another, a notch portion that is provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the first coupling portion, and a fragile portion that extends from a tip end portion of the notch portion toward a braze joining portion of the side outer panel and the roof panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Kosaku TOMOZAWA, Yusuke TAKAYAMA, Masaaki FUJIMOTO, Yoshikatsu OTA, Hitomi YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20230307823
    Abstract: An arrangement of antennas on a roof of a vehicle is described to minimize radio wave interference. The roof includes an outer panel, a first structural component extending in a lateral direction across the roof, and a second structural component extending in the lateral direction across the roof. The first structural component is closer to a rear edge of the roof than the second structural component. The roof also includes an antenna configuration attached to the roof. The antenna configuration includes a first set of antennas mounted to the first structural component and a second set of antennas mounted to the second structural component. The first set of antennas are spaced apart from the rear edge of the roof by a first distance. The second set of antennas are spaced apart from the edge of the roof by a second distance. The second distance is greater than the first distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Kohei INOUE, Patrick J. ELLISON, Taiga MARUKAWA, Kosaku TOMOZAWA, Takashi NAKANO, Akira FUTATSUHASHI, Jagpaul S. PANDHER, Tsuyoshi HIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20230303185
    Abstract: A vehicle hood assembly can include a vehicle body structure and a hood moveable with respect to the vehicle body structure from a closed state to an opened state. A first linkage can connect the hood to the vehicle body structure and include a first linkage aperture extending therethrough. A second linkage can connect the hood to the vehicle body structure and include a second linkage aperture extending therethrough. A central axis of the first linkage aperture can be coaxial with a central axis of the second linkage aperture if the hood is in the opened state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Steven C. Heinrichs, Stephen D. Rosenkrantz, Patrick J. Ellison, Taiga Marukawa, Kosaku Tomozawa, Akira Futatsuhashi, Gilberto Larrache-Irizarry, Steve Faria, Keiichiro Tsuji, Takashi Nakano
  • Publication number: 20230294612
    Abstract: A module support system for a vehicle including exterior paneling defining an interior and exterior of the vehicle, and a frame disposed in the interior of the vehicle, the module support system including a first casting mounted on the frame, where the first casting extends outward from the frame, through the exterior paneling, to the exterior of the vehicle such that the first casting includes an interior portion disposed within the interior of the vehicle and mounted on the frame, and an exterior portion extending outward from the exterior of the vehicle. The module support system includes a first electronic device supported on the exterior portion of the first casting, and a cover fixed with the exterior portion of the first casting such that the cover is disposed over the first electronic device and the exterior portion of the first casting with respect to an external environment of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Taiga MARUKAWA, Gilberto LARRACHE-IRIZARRY, Douglas M. DAFLER, Patrick J. ELLISON, Kosaku TOMOZAWA, Keiichiro TSUJI, Anthony John LEANZA, Takashi NAKANO
  • Publication number: 20230108511
    Abstract: A vehicle body lateral section structure includes: a side panel outer (2) that is made of an aluminum alloy; a reinforcing member (4) that is made of steel and overlaps inside the side panel outer (2); an inner panel (3) that is made of steel and overlaps inside the reinforcing member (4); a plurality of mechanical coupling portions (5) that are provided at an interval (P1) of 40 mm or more and 80 mm or less in a longitudinal direction of the opening flange; and resistance welded portions (6) that are provided between the plurality of mechanical coupling portions (5) in the longitudinal direction to join the reinforcing member (4) and the inner panel (3) to each other in a state where the side panel outer (2), the reinforcing member (4), and the inner panel (3) overlap each other in three layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Higuchi, Kosaku Tomozawa
  • Patent number: 8905466
    Abstract: A vehicle body includes left and right side front frames extending towards the back of the vehicle body while curving from the outside in the width direction of the vehicle to the inside in the width direction of the vehicle. The left and right front side frames branch off from the ends thereof into left and right side sill-side extensions extending to the back towards the outside in the width direction of the vehicle, and left and right tunnel-side extensions extending to the back towards the inside in the width direction of the vehicle. Left and right reinforcing members are provided to the inside of curved parts on the left and right side and extend in the front-to-back direction of the vehicle body in the left and right side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashige Iseki, Kosaku Tomozawa, Manabu Ishizono, Takeshi Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 8894134
    Abstract: A front body of a vehicle is formed by attaching a subframe to left and right front side frames. The subframe is disposed in front of a floor of a cabin and extends to the left and right. An engine contact part facing toward an engine inside the front body is disposed on an upper part the subframe. The subframe has rear fastening parts fastened to the respective front side frames, and rear arm connecting parts with which respective lower arms are engaged. A portion between each of the rear arm connecting parts and the corresponding rear fastening part is deformed to absorb shocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kosaku Tomozawa, Yushi Nakao, Takeshi Yoshimoto, Manabu Ishizono
  • Patent number: 8794696
    Abstract: A structure for the front of a vehicle body includes front side frames. The front side frames have bend portions in the rear portion thereof, the bend portions sloping downwards along a dashboard lower panel as the front side frames extend towards the back of the vehicle body. Side sill-side extensions curve to the side of side sills from the end parts of the bend portions. Curving tunnel-side extensions curve towards a tunnel portion. The side sill-side extensions and the tunnel-side extensions form branched portions branching at substantially the same angle. Triangular load support portions are formed at the back of the branched portions between the side sill-side extensions and the tunnel-side extensions. Rear end support portions for supporting the rear ends of sub frames are provided to the bend portions and the fronts of the load support portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashige Iseki, Kosaku Tomozawa, Manabu Ishizono, Takeshi Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 8714635
    Abstract: A front body of a vehicle includes left and right front side frames and a subframe attached to the front side frames. The subframe includes front arm connecting parts and rear arm connecting parts configured to support lower arms of respective suspensions at left and right ends of the subframe, an engine contact part disposed in an upper part of the subframe and facing toward an engine, and rear fastening parts each disposed in a continuous part between the engine contact part and the corresponding rear arm connecting part and fastened to the corresponding front side frame. The rear fastening parts each are formed in a branch part disposed between the corresponding rear arm connecting part and the engine contact part and protruding from a rear branch member toward the rear of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kosaku Tomozawa, Yushi Nakao
  • Patent number: 8672393
    Abstract: Side beam extends from a sub frame, mounted to front side frames, to a front frame section, and includes: a lower impact absorbing bar member having a horizontal intermediate portion joined to the sub frame, and a slanting portion extending upward from the intermediate portion; and a bent impact absorbing member joined to the slanting portion and front frame section and having a smaller strength against an impact than the bar member. Skid plate is mounted to a lower cross beam constituting a lower portion of the frame section and projects forward from the cross beam. Lower impact absorbing bar member is mounted to the cross beam and extends rearward, and an impact absorbing projecting member is provided in front of the bar member. The absorbing projecting member defines a closed sectional shape in conjunction with a rear portion of the skid plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kosaku Tomozawa, Yushi Nakao, Takeshi Yoshimoto, Manabu Ishizono
  • Patent number: 8668248
    Abstract: A vehicle body (11) including: a tunnel cross-member (28) extending in the vehicle's widthwise direction along the lower surface of a tunnel section (18) of the floor panel (19); left and right side-frame extensions (22, 22) extending rearward along the lower surfaces (31, 32) of the dashboard (15) from the rear ends of left and right front side-frames (16, 16). The left and right side-frame extensions each bifurcate into a side sill-side extension (43, 43) which, while tilting, extends rearward and outward in the vehicle's widthwise direction from the rear end of each of the left and right side-frame extensions to a side sill (17, 17), and into a tunnel-side extension (44, 44) which, while tilting, extends rearward and inward in the vehicle's widthwise direction from the rear end of each of the left and right side-frame extensions to the tunnel cross-member. The tilt of the side sill-side extensions and the tilt of the tunnel-side extensions are substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Ishizono, Takumi Tsuyuzaki, Kosaku Tomozawa
  • Publication number: 20130334842
    Abstract: A structure for the front of a vehicle body includes front side frames. The front side frames have bend portions in the rear portion thereof, the bend portions sloping downwards along a dashboard lower panel as the front side frames extend towards the back of the vehicle body. Side sill-side extensions curve to the side of side sills from the end parts of the bend portions. Curving tunnel-side extensions curve towards a tunnel portion. The side sill-side extensions and the tunnel-side extensions form branched portions branching at substantially the same angle. Triangular load support portions are formed at the back of the branched portions between the side sill-side extensions and the tunnel-side extensions. Rear end support portions for supporting the rear ends of sub frames are provided to the bend portions and the fronts of the load support portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashige Iseki, Kosaku Tomozawa, Manabu Ishizono, Takeshi Yoshimoto