Patents by Inventor Mitsuo Nakagawa

Mitsuo Nakagawa 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: 9027992
    Abstract: A seat structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle, the seat structure including an outer frame portion in which a through-hole is formed at least at a seating position for the occupant to sit on; a seat skin that has elasticity is fixed to the outer frame portion while predetermined tensile force is applied thereto, and is disposed to cover a portion facing the through-hole; and a cushion member that is disposed between an upper surface of the outer frame portion and the seat skin, and bulges above an outer edge of the outer frame portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Kawatani, Mitsuo Nakagawa, Yukinori Kurakawa
  • Patent number: 8857285
    Abstract: A saddle type vehicle having mounted thereon a power unit is provided with a twin clutch type transmission including a pair of main shafts and a pair of clutches along different axes, to enable a compact layout of axes and a reduction in size of the unit and its surroundings. The axis center (first main axis) of a first main shaft is disposed rearwardly of the axis center (crank axis) of a crankshaft and forwardly of the axis center (counter axis) of a counter shaft, whereas the axis center (second main axis) of a second main shaft is disposed rearwardly of the axis center (counter axis) of the counter shaft and forwardly of the axis center (pivot axis) of a pivot shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Fujimoto, Kinya Mizuno, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Takashi Ozeki, Kazuhiko Nakamura, Mitsuo Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8850915
    Abstract: To achieve downsizing of a power unit and the vicinity thereof by permitting compact axial arrangement in a straddle-ride type vehicle on which the power unit having a twin-clutch type transmission is mounted. The transmission has a pair of main shafts with respective different axes and corresponding clutches. One of respective axial centers of the main shafts is disposed on one (above) of the sides with respect to a line and the other is disposed on the other side (below), the line connecting an axial center of the counter shaft with an axial center of a pivot shaft, as viewed in side elevation from the axial direction of the main shafts and counter shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Fujimoto, Kinya Mizuno, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Takashi Ozeki, Kazuhiko Nakamura, Mitsuo Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8794090
    Abstract: In a vehicle power unit including a twin clutch type transmission that includes a pair of main shafts and clutches mounted on mutually different shafts, to enable compact shaft arrangements and to achieve a reduction in the size of the unit and the surrounding areas. Axial centers of a shift drum and a countershaft are disposed across a line that connects axial centers of main shafts in a side view as viewed from a direction of an axis of each of the main shafts and the countershaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kinya Mizuno, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Takashi Ozeki, Kazuhiko Nakamura, Mitsuo Nakagawa, Yasushi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8499881
    Abstract: An upper pipe 55 includes a single front pipe portion 68, a branch portion 69 bifurcated from the rear end of the front pipe portion 68, and two left and right rear pipe portions 71L, 71R extending vehicle-rearward from the branch portion 69. A cylinder head cover 58 is located between the two left and right rear pipe portions 71L, 71R as viewed from above. Therefore, the cylinder head cover 58 can be accessed from above and removed from a cylinder head, whereby a valve train chamber can be inspected and maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Muto, Mitsuo Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20120247238
    Abstract: In a vehicle power unit including a twin clutch type transmission that includes a pair of main shafts and clutches mounted on mutually different shafts, to enable compact shaft arrangements and to achieve a reduction in the size of the unit and the surrounding areas. Axial centers of a shift drum and a countershaft are disposed across a line that connects axial centers of main shafts in a side view as viewed from a direction of an axis of each of the main shafts and the countershaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kinya MIZUNO, Yoshiaki TSUKADA, Takashi OZEKI, Kazuhiko NAKAMURA, Mitsuo NAKAGAWA, Yasushi FUJIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20120247243
    Abstract: To achieve downsizing of a power unit and the vicinity thereof by permitting compact axial arrangement in a straddle-ride type vehicle on which the power unit having a twin-clutch type transmission is mounted. The transmission has a pair of main shafts with respective different axes and corresponding clutches. One of respective axial centers of the main shafts is disposed on one (above) of the sides with respect to a line and the other is disposed on the other side (below), the line connecting an axial center of the counter shaft with an axial center of a pivot shaft, as viewed in side elevation from the axial direction of the main shafts and counter shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Yasushi FUJIMOTO, Kinya Mizuno, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Takashi Ozeki, Kazuhiko Nakamura, Mitsuo Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20120247242
    Abstract: A saddle type vehicle having mounted thereon a power unit is provided with a twin clutch type transmission including a pair of main shafts and a pair of clutches along different axes, to enable a compact layout of axes and a reduction in size of the unit and its surroundings. The axis center (first main axis) of a first main shaft is disposed rearwardly of the axis center (crank axis) of a crankshaft and forwardly of the axis center (counter axis) of a counter shaft, whereas the axis center (second main axis) of a second main shaft is disposed rearwardly of the axis center (counter axis) of the counter shaft and forwardly of the axis center (pivot axis) of a pivot shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: YASUSHI FUJIMOTO, Kinya Mizuno, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Takashi Ozeki, Kazuhiko Nakamura, Mitsuo Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20120242118
    Abstract: A seat structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle, the seat structure including an outer frame portion in which a through-hole is formed at least at a seating position for the occupant to sit on; a seat skin that has elasticity is fixed to the outer frame portion while predetermined tensile force is applied thereto, and is disposed to cover a portion facing the through-hole; and a cushion member that is disposed between an upper surface of the outer frame portion and the seat skin, and bulges above an outer edge of the outer frame portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Kawatani, Mitsuo Nakagawa, Yukinori Kurakawa
  • Publication number: 20110290579
    Abstract: An upper pipe 55 includes a single front pipe portion 68, a branch portion 69 bifurcated from the rear end of the front pipe portion 68, and two left and right rear pipe portions 71L, 71R extending vehicle-rearward from the branch portion 69. A cylinder head cover 58 is located between the two left and right rear pipe portions 71L, 71R as viewed from above. Therefore, the cylinder head cover 58 can be accessed from above and removed from a cylinder head, whereby a valve train chamber can be inspected and maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Noriyuki MUTO, Mitsuo NAKAGAWA
  • Patent number: 7438040
    Abstract: A motorcycle with a low floor is configured such that secondary vibration of an engine can be largely reduced and an increase in engine width can be suppressed. The motorcycle with a low floor includes step floors on which to put a rider's feet on left and right sides of a vehicle body frame. An engine is provided between the step floors. A plurality of exhaust pipes extend respectively from cylinders of the engine, the exhaust pipes being gathered at a gathering portion. The engine is an in-line 3-cylinder engine having cylinder portions inclined forwardly. The exhaust pipes extend downwards from the cylinder portions on the basis of each cylinder. The exhaust pipes are bundled and extend on the right side of the engine, in a position on the lower side of one of the step floors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruomi Sugita, Heijiro Yoshimura, Osamu Suzuki, Atsushi Ogasawara, Yukinori Kurakawa, Yukiya Ueda, Toshio Yamamoto, Takayuki Konuma, Mitsuo Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 7264073
    Abstract: A battery mounting structure is provided for an electric vehicle which is operated using a motor as a driving source in which running wind is effectively utilized for cooling the batteries, and the cooling efficiency of a battery unit is enhanced. The electric vehicle is provided with a body frame where a front frame member extends from a head pipe diagonally downward toward the rear of the vehicle body. The battery mounting structure is attached to the front frame member of the body frame so that the cooling face of the battery unit is directly exposed to running wind. The battery mounting structure includes cooling fins which confront the running wind, and is covered by a body cover having louvered air intakes and air exhausts. The louvers direct the running wind smoothly to the cooling fins and protect the battery mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Nakagawa, Takashi Ozeki, Kyoichi Ariga, Kyosuke Kitayama
  • Patent number: 7261172
    Abstract: To efficiently cool accessory equipment used in controlling an electric motor of an electric vehicle. A storage box and a vehicle body cover are provided under a seat for a rider to sit thereon. The storage box and the vehicle body cover are formed in such a way as to surround the storage box. Driver units for controlling an electric motor as a power source are provided between the storage box and the vehicle body cover. The vehicle body cover is provided with intake ports for guiding headwind as cooling air for the driver units into the vehicle body cover and exhaust ports for discharging the headwind guided in through the intake ports to outside of the vehicle body cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Tsukada, Takashi Ozeki, Mitsuo Nakagawa, Kyosuke Kitayama
  • Publication number: 20070062752
    Abstract: A motorcycle with a low floor is configured such that secondary vibration of an engine can be largely reduced and an increase in engine width can be suppressed. The motorcycle with a low floor includes step floors on which to put a rider's feet on left and right sides of a vehicle body frame. An engine is provided between the step floors. A plurality of exhaust pipes extend respectively from cylinders of the engine, the exhaust pipes being gathered at a gathering portion. The engine is an in-line 3-cylinder engine having cylinder portions inclined forwardly. The exhaust pipes extend downwards from the cylinder portions on the basis of each cylinder. The exhaust pipes are bundled and extend on the right side of the engine, in a position on the lower side of one of the step floors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: Haruomi Sugita, Heijiro Yoshimura, Osamu Suzuki, Atsushi Ogasawara, Yukinori Kurakawa, Yukiya Ueda, Toshio Yamamoto, Takayuki Konuma, Mitsuo Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 7140458
    Abstract: A battery arrangement structure for a vehicle including a motor for transmitting drive force to a drive wheel, a battery for supplying electrical power to the motor, and a storage box. The motor is arranged on one side of a vehicle center line oriented in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and the battery is arranged on an opposite side of the vehicle center line and around the storage box. A battery mounting structure for a vehicle having a composite battery that includes a plurality of electric cells stored in a battery case, and the battery case being covered from a side cover of an outer side part of a vehicle body cover. The composite battery is formed from a plurality of electrical cells arranged close together in a single row. The battery case includes an outer case half body with an outer shape that runs along an inner surface shape of the side cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Nakagawa, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Seiji Onozawa, Kyoichi Ariga, Yoshiyuki Horii
  • Publication number: 20060027407
    Abstract: To efficiently cool accessory equipment used in controlling an electric motor of an electric vehicle. A storage box and a vehicle body cover are provided under a seat for a rider to sit thereon. The storage box and the vehicle body cover are formed in such a way as to surround the storage box. Driver units for controlling an electric motor as a power source are provided between the storage box and the vehicle body cover. The vehicle body cover is provided with intake ports for guiding headwind as cooling air for the driver units into the vehicle body cover and exhaust ports for discharging the headwind guided in through the intake ports to outside of the vehicle body cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Tsukada, Takashi Ozeki, Mitsuo Nakagawa, Kyosuke Kitayama
  • Publication number: 20050257974
    Abstract: A battery mounting structure is provided for an electric vehicle which is operated using a motor as a driving source in which running wind is effectively utilized for cooling the batteries, and the cooling efficiency of a battery unit is enhanced. The electric vehicle is provided with a body frame where a front frame member extends from a head pipe diagonally downward toward the rear of the vehicle body. The battery mounting structure is attached to the front frame member of the body frame so that the cooling face of the battery unit is directly exposed to running wind. The battery mounting structure includes cooling fins which confront the running wind, and is covered by a body cover having louvered air intakes and air exhausts. The louvers direct the running wind smoothly to the cooling fins and protect the battery mounting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Nakagawa, Takashi Ozeki, Kyoichi Ariga, Kyosuke Kitayama
  • Publication number: 20050092535
    Abstract: A battery arrangement structure for a vehicle including a motor for transmitting drive force to a drive wheel, a battery for supplying electrical power to the motor, and a storage box. The motor is arranged on one side of a vehicle center line oriented in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and the battery is arranged on an opposite side of the vehicle center line and around the storage box. A battery mounting structure for a vehicle having a composite battery that includes a plurality of electric cells stored in a battery case, and the battery case being covered from a side cover of an outer side part of a vehicle body cover. The composite battery is formed from a plurality of electrical cells arranged close together in a single row. The battery case includes an outer case half body with an outer shape that runs along an inner surface shape of the side cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Nakagawa, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Seiji Onozawa, Kyoichi Ariga, Yoshiyuki Horii
  • Publication number: 20040207190
    Abstract: A body frame for an off-road vehicle includes two upper arm installation areas. An upper horizontal member extends between two upper arm installation areas. A second coupling member extends between the two upper arm installation areas above the upper horizontal member. A shock absorber supporting portion for supporting a shock absorber is provided at the apex portion of this second coupling member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Nakagawa, Yuji Maki
  • Patent number: 6783158
    Abstract: A vehicle including a body frame (20) commonly used on a two-wheeled automotive vehicle (10), a three-wheeled automotive vehicle (140), and a four-wheeled automotive vehicle (200). A head pipe (23) is formed on a front frame (22) of the body frame. The head pipe has an adjustment mechanism (60) for adjusting a position and an angle of a center line (A1) of a steering shaft (42) relative to a center line (C1) of the head pipe. A rear frame (24) of the body frame has rear walls formed with pluralities of rear mount portions (27) to allow rear units (91, 171, 265) of different kinds for the two-, three- and four-wheeled automotive vehicles to be selectively mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuo Nakagawa, Takashi Ozeki, Seiichi Kurohori, Shinji Takayanagi, Hiroyoshi Kobayashi, Yoshiyuki Horii, Takuya Tagami