Patents by Inventor Hajime Soda

Hajime Soda 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: 9366407
    Abstract: In the present invention, an inner lens of a turn signal lamp is provided with: a lens cut part that inhibits the transmission of light travelling, when seen in a front view, linearly from a substrate toward an outer lens; a projection part that projects toward an LED; and an eave part that extends from the base end side of the projection part inwardly in the vehicle width direction. A harness that is electrically connected with the LED is connected to the substrate through a partial space that is surrounded by the substrate, the projection part, and the eave part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Takenaka, Daisuke Kuriki, Hajime Soda, Takashi Tetsuka
  • Patent number: 9216686
    Abstract: A lighting control system is provided with a blinker switch, a hazard switch, and a control circuit which controls the flashing of blinker lamps. The CPU of the control circuit, after detecting an input signal from one switch input port among a left side and a right side switch input port, determines that the hazard switch is switched on when an input signal from the other of the switch input ports is detected within a predetermined time, and determines that the blinker switch is switched on when no input signal from the other of the switch input ports is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Tetsuka, Hajime Soda, Nobuyuki Takenaka, Kenichi Shiratori
  • Patent number: 9080737
    Abstract: A lighting device for a vehicle has a base member and a lens. A light emitting diode and a reflector are housed in a space formed by the base member and the lens. The light emitting diode is disposed at a predetermined position on a support member extending into the space. The support member is provided with a wall which is located in front of and near the light emitting diode and which is higher than the light emitting diode. In a front view, the wall hides the light emitting diode and blocks light exiting directly from the light emitting diode without propagating through the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eikichi Monma, Tasuku Sekine, Shigeru Kodaira, Hajime Soda
  • Patent number: 8936123
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising a vehicle body frame (11), a front cowl (72) provided in front of the vehicle body frame, and a headlight unit (59) mounted within the width, in the vehicle's lateral direction, of the front cowl. The headlight unit has, on the opposite sides thereof, recesses (115L, 115R) recessed inward in the vehicle's lateral direction. Air intake openings (111L, 111R) for introducing air in front of the front cowl into the inner side of the front cowl are formed between the headlight unit and the front cowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kogo, Eiji Toriyama, Kenji Morita, Gen Tanabe, Toru Ukawa, Hajime Soda
  • Patent number: 8680768
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling lighting in a saddle-ride type vehicle includes a control unit configured to turn on a lamp comprising a light emitting diode. The apparatus also includes a manipulation switch which is turned on and off based upon manipulation by a rider. The control unit includes an input port receiving power from a power source based upon actuation of the manipulation switch, and an input circuit configured to determine a leak state of the manipulation switch based on an input voltage to the input port. A control part is configured to control lighting of the lamp based on a result of the determination. An erroneous lighting prevention resistance is connected between the manipulation switch and input circuit on one end, and ground on the other end. An intermittent power source switch is configured to be cyclically turned on or off by the control part, and is provided between the manipulation switch and the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Takeuchi, Nobuyuki Takenaka, Toru Hasegawa, Shigeru Kodaira, Hajime Soda
  • Patent number: 8640566
    Abstract: A reduction in the size of a housing for containing a magnetic sensor is provided for a throttle device for a vehicle in which the turning amount of a throttle grip is detected by use of the magnetic sensor. An extension part of the throttle grip is provided at its outer periphery with an enlarged diameter part for holding magnets of the magnetic sensor. A right switch box is provided with Hall sensors of the magnetic sensor, and the enlarged diameter part and each of the Hall sensors are opposed to each other in the axial direction of a right handle bar. The throttle grip is urged toward the throttle full-closing position by a grip urging mechanism. The throttle full-closing position is maintained by only an urging force exerted from the grip urging mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Soda, Hiroto Hibi, Tetsuya Kondo
  • Publication number: 20140015409
    Abstract: A lighting control system is provided with a blinker switch, a hazard switch, and a control circuit which controls the flashing of blinker lamps. The CPU of the control circuit, after detecting an input signal from one switch input port among a left side and a right side switch input port, determines that the hazard switch is switched on when an input signal from the other of the switch input ports is detected within a predetermined time, and determines that the blinker switch is switched on when no input signal from the other of the switch input ports is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Tetsuka, Hajime Soda, Nobuyuki Takenaka, Kenichi Shiratori
  • Publication number: 20140016336
    Abstract: In the present invention, an inner lens of a turn signal lamp is provided with: a lens cut part that inhibits the transmission of light travelling, when seen in a front view, linearly from a substrate toward an outer lens; a projection part that projects toward an LED; and an eave part that extends from the base end side of the projection part inwardly in the vehicle width direction. A harness that is electrically connected with the LED is connected to the substrate through a partial space that is surrounded by the substrate, the projection part, and the eave part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Takenaka, Daisuke Kuriki, Hajime Soda, Takashi Tetsuka
  • Publication number: 20140003078
    Abstract: A lighting device for a vehicle has a base member and a lens. A light emitting diode and a reflector are housed in a space formed by the base member and the lens. The light emitting diode is disposed at a predetermined position on a support member extending into the space. The support member is provided with a wall which is located in front of and near the light emitting diode and which is higher than the light emitting diode. In a front view, the wall hides the light emitting diode and blocks light exiting directly from the light emitting diode without propagating through the reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eikichi Monma, Tasuku Sekine, Shigeru Kodaira, Hajime Soda
  • Patent number: 8226446
    Abstract: A terminal connector for a regulator and a method for connecting an external terminal to the terminal connector are provided, whereby the regulator is configured to control an output of a generator provided to a motorcycle. The terminal connector is configured to connect the regulator and external terminals using bolts and nuts, and includes a plurality of terminal units. Each terminal unit is individually connected to an external terminal, and is configured in a width direction of the terminal connector. Each terminal unit is configured as a support base for screw-tightening, to which one of the external terminals is connected by screwing, and includes an identification mark. At least two of the terminal units have different widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kondo, Kuniaki Arakawa, Hajime Soda
  • Publication number: 20120001546
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling lighting in a saddle-ride type vehicle includes a control unit configured to turn on a lamp comprising a light emitting diode. The apparatus also includes a manipulation switch which is turned on and off based upon manipulation by a rider. The control unit includes an input port receiving power from a power source based upon actuation of the manipulation switch, and an input circuit configured to determine a leak state of the manipulation switch based on an input voltage to the input port. A control part is configured to control lighting of the lamp based on a result of the determination. An erroneous lighting prevention resistance is connected between the manipulation switch and input circuit on one end, and ground on the other end. An intermittent power source switch is configured to be cyclically turned on or off by the control part, and is provided between the manipulation switch and the power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki TAKEUCHI, Nobuyuki TAKENAKA, Toru HASEGAWA, Shigeru KODAIRA, Hajime SODA
  • Publication number: 20110155493
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising a vehicle body frame (11), a front cowl (72) provided in front of the vehicle body frame, and a headlight unit (59) mounted within the width, in the vehicle's lateral direction, of the front cowl. The headlight unit has, on the opposite sides thereof, recesses (115L, 115R) recessed inward in the vehicle's lateral direction. Air intake openings (111L, 111R) for introducing air in front of the front cowl into the inner side of the front cowl are formed between the headlight unit and the front cowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kogo, Eiji Toriyama, Kenji Morita, Gen Tanabe, Toru Ukawa, Hajime Soda
  • Publication number: 20110065310
    Abstract: A terminal connector for a regulator and a method for connecting an external terminal to the terminal connector are provided, whereby the regulator is configured to control an output of a generator provided to a motorcycle. The terminal connector is configured to connect the regulator and external terminals using bolts and nuts, and includes a plurality of terminal units. Each terminal unit is individually connected to an external terminal, and is configured in a width direction of the terminal connector. Each terminal unit is configured as a support base for screw-tightening, to which one of the external terminals is connected by screwing, and includes an identification mark. At least two of the terminal units have different widths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya KONDO, Kuniaki ARAKAWA, Hajime SODA
  • Publication number: 20090007716
    Abstract: A reduction in the size of a housing for containing a magnetic sensor is provided for a throttle device for a vehicle in which the turning amount of a throttle grip is detected by use of the magnetic sensor. An extension part of the throttle grip is provided at its outer periphery with an enlarged diameter part for holding magnets of the magnetic sensor. A right switch box is provided with Hall sensors of the magnetic sensor, and the enlarged diameter part and each of the Hall sensors are opposed to each other in the axial direction of a right handle bar. The throttle grip is urged toward the throttle full-closing position by a grip urging mechanism. The throttle full-closing position is maintained by only an urging force exerted from the grip urging mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Hajime SODA, Hiroto Hibi, Tetsuya Kondo
  • Patent number: 5806621
    Abstract: A secondary battery generates an assisting force for a bicycle. When the voltage of the battery drops, a driver can physically feel a variation in driving feeling to indicate a reduction in battery capacity and to also indicate the amount of capacity remaining. The variation in driving feeling is an increase in force required to pedal the bicycle. In other words, when charging is required, the assisting force which assists pedaling by human power will be reduced. A voltage drop detector compares data obtained by A/D conversion of the voltage of a battery with certain reference voltages set in advance and outputs voltage drop detection signals. When the voltage drop detection signal is received by an assisting force variation control, a variation assisting force is output to warn the user that battery charge is low. The variation assisting force is obtained by reducing or varying almost to zero an assisting force calculated by an assisting force calculator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hajime Soda, Masahiro Kuroki