Patents by Inventor Hiroshi Inaoka

Hiroshi Inaoka 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: 11511622
    Abstract: A mounting structure for a fuel shutoff valve unit (U) includes a valve device (50) which is provided in a fuel tank (31) of a saddle type vehicle (1) and in which a breather passage (Y) which discharges volatile fuel to the outside is formed and a valve (51) which prevents leakage of liquid fuel is provided, wherein, in the saddle type vehicle including a filler tube (F) which is provided inside the fuel tank (31) and supplies fuel supplied from the outside to the inside of the fuel tank (31), a support member (B) which is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the filler tube (F) and supports the fuel shutoff valve unit (U) inside the fuel tank (31) is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ko Kurata, Hiroshi Inaoka, Ikuo Hara
  • Patent number: 11413958
    Abstract: The present invention provides an attachment structure of a fuel cut-off unit (U) that is provided in a fuel tank (31) of a saddle-type vehicle (1), includes a breather passage (114) for discharging volatile fuel to the outside, and includes a valve device (50) for cutting off outflow of liquid fuel. The fuel cut-off unit (U) includes an accommodation container (100) constituted of a fitting portion (U2) which is inserted into the fuel tank (31) at the time of attachment to the fuel tank (31) and a unit exterior portion (U1) which is positioned outside the fuel tank (31). A first locking portion (105) for performing positioning at the time of attachment to the fuel tank (31) is formed in the fitting portion (U2). A penetration hole (C) penetrating from the inside to the outside such that the fitting portion (U2) is inserted therethrough is formed in the fuel tank (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ko Kurata, Hiroshi Inaoka, Ikuo Hara
  • Publication number: 20220024297
    Abstract: A mounting structure for a fuel shutoff valve unit (U) includes a valve device (50) which is provided in a fuel tank (31) of a saddle type vehicle (1) and in which a breather passage (Y) which discharges volatile fuel to the outside is formed and a valve (51) which prevents leakage of liquid fuel is provided, wherein, in the saddle type vehicle including a filler tube (F) which is provided inside the fuel tank (31) and supplies fuel supplied from the outside to the inside of the fuel tank (31), a support member (B) which is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the filler tube (F) and supports the fuel shutoff valve unit (U) inside the fuel tank (31) is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Ko Kurata, Hiroshi Inaoka, Ikuo Hara
  • Publication number: 20220009344
    Abstract: The present invention provides an attachment structure of a fuel cut-off unit (U) that is provided in a fuel tank (31) of a saddle-type vehicle (1), includes a breather passage (114) for discharging volatile fuel to the outside, and includes a valve device (50) for cutting off outflow of liquid fuel. The fuel cut-off unit (U) includes an accommodation container (100) constituted of a fitting portion (U2) which is inserted into the fuel tank (31) at the time of attachment to the fuel tank (31) and a unit exterior portion (U1) which is positioned outside the fuel tank (31). A first locking portion (105) for performing positioning at the time of attachment to the fuel tank (31) is formed in the fitting portion (U2). A penetration hole (C) penetrating from the inside to the outside such that the fitting portion (U2) is inserted therethrough is formed in the fuel tank (31).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Ko Kurata, Hiroshi Inaoka, Ikuo Hara
  • Patent number: 10539097
    Abstract: A saddle-ride type vehicle for enabling the placement of canisters with a required absorption-chamber capacity in a compact manner. The saddle-ride type vehicle includes a head pipe supporting a steering shaft connecting with a handlebar; a vehicle-body frame connecting with the head pipe; a fuel tank placed to the rear of the head pipe and supported on an upper portion of the vehicle-body frame; and a pair of canisters for absorbing evaporated fuel introduced from the fuel tank. The canisters are vertically placed under one side portion of the fuel tank in a position along the vehicle-longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ko Kurata, Takeshi Shimura, Teppei Maeda, Hiroshi Inaoka
  • Publication number: 20170089303
    Abstract: A saddle-ride type vehicle for enabling the placement of canisters with a required absorption-chamber capacity in a compact manner. The saddle-ride type vehicle includes a head pipe supporting a steering shaft connecting with a handlebar; a vehicle-body frame connecting with the head pipe; a fuel tank placed to the rear of the head pipe and supported on an upper portion of the vehicle-body frame; and a pair of canisters for absorbing evaporated fuel introduced from the fuel tank. The canisters are vertically placed under one side portion of the fuel tank in a position along the vehicle-longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ko KURATA, Takeshi SHIMURA, Teppei MAEDA, Hiroshi INAOKA
  • Patent number: 9200601
    Abstract: A charge pipe passage includes: a first engine-side pipe passage part which extends vertically; a second engine-side pipe passage part which is connected to a lower end of the first engine-side pipe passage part on one side in the vehicle widthwise direction and extends from one side to the other side in the vehicle widthwise direction above the engine body; and a third engine-side pipe passage part which is communicably connected to the second engine-side pipe passage part on the other side in the vehicle widthwise direction and is connected to the engine body, and at least a part of the charge pipe passage between a frame-side support part and an engine-side support part is formed of an elastic tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kondo, Hiroshi Inaoka, Teruhide Yamanishi, Kazuo Fujihara, Toshinao Takigawa, Toshiyuki Hyodo, Masaaki Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9187143
    Abstract: There is provided a vaporized fuel control device for a straddle type vehicle that can prevent a situation that liquid fuel in a fuel tank flows into an engine and a situation that oil in the engine flows into the fuel tank while adapting the vaporized fuel control device to the layout of the straddle vehicle. A vaporized fuel passage 110 is disposed so as to have an uppermost portion X at some position thereof between the fuel tank 35 and the engine E, and the uppermost portion X is disposed at a higher position than the fuel upper limit level of the fuel tank 35, the oil upper limit level in the engine E and a footrest portion 44.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inaoka, Kazuo Fujihara, Shuji Hirayama, Takeo Igari, Toshinao Takigawa
  • Patent number: 8875684
    Abstract: A charge pipe passage includes a first tank-side pipe passage part which is connected to an upper surface of a fuel tank, and a second tank-side pipe passage part which is connected with the first tank-side pipe passage part and extends toward the other side of the fuel tank from one side of the fuel tank in the vehicle widthwise direction on an end portion thereof on a fuel tank side, and the first and second tank-side pipe passage parts, are fixed to the upper surface of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kondo, Hiroshi Inaoka, Teruhide Yamanishi, Kazuo Fujihara, Toshinao Takigawa, Toshiyuki Hyodo, Masaaki Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8870226
    Abstract: There is provided an evaporated fuel control device for a saddle-type vehicle in which an air supply passage is laid out without being disposed at a higher position than a fuel tank. The fuel tank 12 is disposed at a higher position than the engine 20, an evaporated fuel passage 110 is routed as a descending passage from the fuel tank 12 to the engine 20, and an air supply passage 120 is jointed to a halfway position of the evaporated fuel passage 110 which is located at a fuel tank 12 side with respect to a first check valve 117 and positionally lower than the uppermost portion of the fuel tank 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inaoka, Kazuo Fujihara, Toshinao Takigawa, Takeo Igari, Shuji Hirayama, Minehiro Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 8813724
    Abstract: A charge pipe passage includes a second pipe passage part which is connected to a fuel tank by way of a first pipe passage part and extends toward the other side from one side in the vehicle widthwise direction, and a third pipe passage part which is communicably connected with the second pipe passage part on the other side in the vehicle widthwise direction and has a highest part arranged at a highest position of the charge pipe passage at an intermediate position thereof. A first check valve is interposed on the third pipe passage part downstream of the highest part, an atmospheric air introducing pipe passage is connected to the third pipe passage part upstream of the first check valve, and a second check valve is interposed on the atmospheric air introducing pipe passage at a position higher than the highest part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kondo, Hiroshi Inaoka, Teruhide Yamanishi, Kazuo Fujihara, Toshinao Takigawa, Toshiyuki Hyodo, Masaaki Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8561745
    Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle is provided with: a seat on which a driver sits; a fuel tank positioned in front of the seat; an engine positioned below the fuel tank and having a crankcase and a cylinder projecting upward from a front of the crankcase; and a fuel vapor passage that is connected to the fuel tank and emits evaporated fuel in the fuel tank to an outside of the fuel tank. At least a part of the fuel vapor passage passes behind the cylinder. The fuel vapor passage is connected to the crankcase mat a portion in a rear side of the cylinder and opens toward oil in the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inaoka, Teruhide Yamanishi, Kazuo Fujihara, Toshinao Takigawa
  • Publication number: 20130240281
    Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle is provided with: a seat on which a driver sits; a fuel tank positioned in front of the seat; an engine positioned below the fuel tank and having a crankcase and a cylinder projecting upward from a front of the crankcase; and a fuel vapor passage that is connected to the fuel tank and emits evaporated fuel in the fuel tank to an outside of the fuel tank. At least a part of the fuel vapor passage passes behind the cylinder. The fuel vapor passage is connected to the crankcase at a portion in a rear side of the cylinder and opens toward oil in the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inaoka, Teruhide Yamanishi, Kazuo Fujihara, Toshinao Takigawa
  • Publication number: 20130061950
    Abstract: There is provided a vaporized fuel control device for a straddle type vehicle that can prevent a situation that liquid fuel in a fuel tank flows into an engine and a situation that oil in the engine flows into the fuel tank while adapting the vaporized fuel control device to the layout of the straddle vehicle. A vaporized fuel passage 110 is disposed so as to have an uppermost portion X at some position thereof between the fuel tank 35 and the engine E, and the uppermost portion X is disposed at a higher position than the fuel upper limit level of the fuel tank 35, the oil upper limit level in the engine E and a footrest portion 44.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inaoka, Kazuo Fujihara, Shuji Hirayama, Takeo Igari, Toshinao Takigawa
  • Publication number: 20120312619
    Abstract: There is provided an evaporated fuel control device for a saddle-type vehicle in which an air supply passage is laid out without being disposed at a higher position than a fuel tank. The fuel tank 12 is disposed at a higher position than the engine 20, an evaporated fuel passage 110 is routed as a descending passage from the fuel tank 12 to the engine 20, and an air supply passage 120 is jointed to a halfway position of the evaporated fuel passage 110 which is located at a fuel tank 12 side with respect to a first check valve 117 and positionally lower than the uppermost portion of the fuel tank 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inaoka, Kazuo Fujihara, Toshinao Takigawa, Takeo Igari, Shuji Hirayama, Minehiro Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 8327964
    Abstract: A canister is provided which efficiently purges in a saddle-riding type vehicle having an engine disposed downwardly of a rider seat so as to develop a drive power for driving a rear wheel, a fuel tank storing fuel to be supplied to the engine, and a canister adsorbing fuel vapors generated in the fuel tank. An air guide path that guides exhaust air discharged rearwardly from a radiator, which circulates coolant with an engine, is formed inside a vehicle body cover. The canister is disposed in the air guide path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inaoka, Takeshi Shimura
  • Patent number: 8276944
    Abstract: Shorter charge and purge lines are provided in a compactly built motorcycle having an engine disposed downwardly of a rider seat, a fuel tank disposed forwardly of the engine and storing fuel to be supplied to the engine, and a canister adsorbing fuel vapor evaporated in the fuel tank. A fuel tank integrates a tank main portion with a tube portion that joins to a front side upper portion of the tank main portion so as to protrude upwardly of an upper wall of the tank main portion and that has a fuel filler port disposed at an upper end portion thereof. Further, a canister is disposed at a position that is lower than an upper end of the tube portion, rearward of the tube portion, and upward of the tank main portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Inaoka
  • Patent number: 8276702
    Abstract: A motorcycle is provided having an engine disposed on a vehicle body frame, a storage box disposed downward of a rider seat, a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine, and a canister for adsorbing fuel vapors generated in the fuel tank. The canister does not restrict the shape of the fuel tank, and the storage box and the fuel tank are disposed longitudinally. A storage box and a fuel tank are disposed in a longitudinally parallel arrangement. A rear cross frame forming part of a vehicle body frame and disposed between the storage box and the fuel tank connects rear frames which form part of the vehicle body frame and are disposed on both lateral sides of the storage box and the fuel tank. Further, a canister is disposed downwardly of the rear cross frame between the storage box and the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Inaoka
  • Publication number: 20120240905
    Abstract: A charge pipe passage includes a first tank-side pipe passage part which is connected to an upper surface of a fuel tank, and a second tank-side pipe passage part which is connected with the first tank-side pipe passage part and extends toward the other side of the fuel tank from one side of the fuel tank in the vehicle widthwise direction on an end portion thereof on a fuel tank side, and the first and second tank-side pipe passage parts, are fixed to the upper surface of the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kondo, Hiroshi Inaoka, Teruhide Yamanishi, Kazuo Fujihara, Toshinao Takigawa, Toshiyuki Hyodo, Masaaki Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20120240903
    Abstract: A charge pipe passage includes: a first engine-side pipe passage part which extends vertically; a second engine-side pipe passage part which is connected to a lower end of the first engine-side pipe passage part on one side in the vehicle widthwise direction and extends from one side to the other side in the vehicle widthwise direction above the engine body; and a third engine-side pipe passage part which is communicably connected to the second engine-side pipe passage part on the other side in the vehicle widthwise direction and is connected to the engine body, and at least a part of the charge pipe passage between a frame-side support part and an engine-side support part is formed of an elastic tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kondo, Hiroshi Inaoka, Teruhide Yamanishi, Kazuo Fujihara, Toshinao Takigawa, Toshiyuki Hyodo, Masaaki Ogawa