Patents by Inventor Shigeru Kodaira

Shigeru Kodaira 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: 9441804
    Abstract: In a headlight of a motorcycle, a holder, first light sources and second light sources are arranged inside a lamp unit. The lamp unit is formed with a housing and an outer lens. The first light sources are main low beam light sources supported by the holder. The second light sources are subordinate low beam light sources that are supported independently by a housing other than the holder, the housing not permitting adjustment of the optical axis, and produce a smaller amount of light than the first light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Oguchi, Shigeru Kodaira, Nobuyuki Takenaka, Hidemasa Aoki
  • Publication number: 20150276157
    Abstract: In a headlight of a motorcycle, a holder, first light sources and second light sources are arranged inside a lamp unit. The lamp unit is formed with a housing and an outer lens. The first light sources are main low beam light sources supported by the holder. The second light sources are subordinate low beam light sources that are supported independently by a housing other than the holder, the housing not permitting adjustment of the optical axis, and produce a smaller amount of light than the first light sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Oguchi, Shigeru Kodaira, Nobuyuki Takenaka, Hidemasa Aoki
  • 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: 8686305
    Abstract: This invention is directed to providing a handle switch which is easy in operating a horn switch and also can be easily distinguished from other switches. In a handle switch 30 of a vehicle, a horn switch 32 is disposed at a position which is overlaid on an axis line (D) of a handle grip 10 when a housing 60 is projected from a driver's front view direction and also on the vehicle body rear side further than other switches. Other switches including an optical-axis changing switch 31 and a turn signal switch 33 are disposed so as to deviate vertically with respect to the horn switch 32. The horn switch 32 is formed so as to be longer in the axis line direction of the handle grip 10, swinging about a swing shaft 36 installed at the end closer to the handle grip 10 by being pressed toward the vehicle body front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Kodaira, Koichi Shimamura, Kota Nakahira, Akira Takahashi
  • 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
  • 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: 8343265
    Abstract: An air cleaner apparatus includes a lid that covers an opening formed in an air cleaner box is provided with an intake port communicating with the opening. In addition, a regulator is attached to an upper wall portion of the air cleaner box, the intake port is extended to the upper wall portion of the air cleaner box so as to cover the regulator, and the regulator is placed facing inside an intake passage connecting between the intake port and the opening. The air cleaner apparatus so configured provides a sufficient cooling effect, and is excellent in ease of maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sho Yamamoto, Shigeru Kodaira, Tatsuya Shiokawa, Masaki Yamazaki, Hiromitsu Shiina, Shun Fujitsu, Yukinori Kurakawa
  • 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: 20110108397
    Abstract: This invention is directed to providing a handle switch which is easy in operating a horn switch and also can be easily distinguished from other switches. In a handle switch 30 of a vehicle, a horn switch 32 is disposed at a position which is overlaid on an axis line (D) of a handle grip 10 when a housing 60 is projected from a driver's front view direction and also on the vehicle body rear side further than other switches. Other switches including an optical-axis changing switch 31 and a turn signal switch 33 are disposed so as to deviate vertically with respect to the horn switch 32. The horn switch 32 is formed so as to be longer in the axis line direction of the handle grip 10, swinging about a swing shaft 36 installed at the end closer to the handle grip 10 by being pressed toward the vehicle body front side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeru Kodaira, Koichi Shimamura, Kota Nakahira, Akira Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20110067367
    Abstract: An air cleaner apparatus includes a lid that covers an opening formed in an air cleaner box is provided with an intake port communicating with the opening. In addition, a regulator is attached to an upper wall portion of the air cleaner box, the intake port is extended to the upper wall portion of the air cleaner box so as to cover the regulator, and the regulator is placed facing inside an intake passage connecting between the intake port and the opening. The air cleaner apparatus so configured provides a sufficient cooling effect, and is excellent in ease of maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sho YAMAMOTO, Shigeru Kodaira, Tatsuya Shiokawa, Masaki Yamazaki, Hiromitsu Shiina, Shun Fujitsu, Yukinori Kurakawa
  • Patent number: 7402767
    Abstract: In a handle switch device of a vehicle, a switch casing which surrounds a bar handle and accommodates a switch in the inside thereof is mounted on the bar handle, and a manipulation knob which manipulate the switch is mounted on a rear wall of the switch casing. The manipulation knob is arranged substantially at the same height as the bar handle and is tiltably supported on the switch casing by way of a pivot shaft, the switch is formed of a slide-type switch in which a movable contact holder slides, the switch is arranged in the inside of the switch casing above or below the bar handle, and the manipulation knob and the movable contact holder are connected with each other by way of moving direction conversion means which converts a tilting of the manipulation knob to a linear movement and transmits the linear movement to the movable contact holder. Thus, it is possible to provide a handle switch device of a vehicle which exhibits favorable manipulability of a manipulation knob and has a compact shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignees: Toyo Denso Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Tozuka, Takashi Nakamura, Hirokazu Nakata, Koichi Hikichi, Shigeru Kodaira, Masaru Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7314297
    Abstract: A headlamp unit is provided to emphasize a shape of an individual lamp while suppressing an increase in the number of parts used, while improving ventilation and preventing fogging in areas near an inner surface of a lens, while maintaining a simple housing structure. The headlamp unit including a high beam lamp and a low beam lamp arranged vertically. The high beam lamp and the low beam lamp are disposed on upper and lower portions, respectively. The headlamp unit including an area between the high beam lamp and the low beam lamp covered with a lamp to lamp transverse portion of a front cowl, and an area near each of lenses including an air vent hole disposed so as to face a space between the two lenses. The headlamp unit may further include a moisture conditioning member disposed on an inside of the lamp housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryohei Kitamura, Hiroyasu Ota, Shigeru Kodaira, Hirotoshi Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20070235315
    Abstract: In a handle switch device of a vehicle, a switch casing which surrounds a bar handle and accommodates a switch in the inside thereof is mounted on the bar handle, and a manipulation knob which manipulate the switch is mounted on a rear wall of the switch casing. The manipulation knob is arranged substantially at the same height as the bar handle and is tiltably supported on the switch casing by way of a pivot shaft, the switch is formed of a slide-type switch in which a movable contact holder slides, the switch is arranged in the inside of the switch casing above or below the bar handle, and the manipulation knob and the movable contact holder are connected with each other by way of moving direction conversion means which converts a tilting of the manipulation knob to a linear movement and transmits the linear movement to the movable contact holder. Thus, it is possible to provide a handle switch device of a vehicle which exhibits favorable manipulability of a manipulation knob and has a compact shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Tsutomu Tozuka, Takashi Nakamura, Hirokazu Nakata, Koichi Hikichi, Shigeru Kodaira, Masaru Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7212107
    Abstract: A mileage display system includes a control unit operatively connected to an ignition switch of a motorcycle that obtains the accumulated mileage by accumulating a pulse signal produced according to running of the motorcycle. The control unit records odometer data in an EEPROM. The control unit also reads the odometer data recorded in the EEPROM when the ignition switch is operated. If the odometer data exceeds the maximum value to be displayed on an odometer (for example, 99999), the control unit displays on the odometer for a predetermined period of time a numeric value of digits of higher order than the predetermined number of display digits of the odometer data. The mileage display system displays an accurate, accumulated distance traveled or accumulated mileage, after the mileage overflows by exceeding a maximum display value as established by a predetermined number of display digits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nakazawa, Ryota Umetani, Tetsuya Kondo, Koji Kano, Shigeru Kodaira
  • Patent number: 7188980
    Abstract: To provide a head light system comprising first and second bulbs, wherein a coupler can be attached and detached smoothly and the appearance can be made favorable. A first movable-side coupler and a second movable-side coupler are attached to and detached from a first fixed-side coupler for a first bulb and a second fixed-side coupler for a second bulb, respectively. The first fixed-side coupler and the second fixed-side coupler are disposed substantially in the same plane. The attaching and detaching directions of the first and second movable-side couplers are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal directions of the first bulb and the second bulb. The first fixed-side coupler is so disposed that the second fixed-side coupler is not located in the attaching and detaching direction of the first movable-side coupler attached to and detached from the first fixed-side coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukimi Ase, Shigeru Kodaira, Tetsuya Kondo
  • Patent number: 7090383
    Abstract: The shape of a reflector is to be made conspicuous to improve the appearance of a headlamp assembly. A headlamp assembly includes electric bulbs, a reflector, a lens and a case. Between the reflector and the case are formed gaps which result from a difference in shape between the reflector and the case. Blindfold portions are formed integrally with the reflector for filling the gaps. The blindfold members are provided with reflecting surfaces which project a black portion of the ground or of an inner surface of the case. With the reflecting surfaces of the blindfold members, a contrast is created between the blindfold member and reflecting surfaces of the reflector to make the reflecting surface shape of the reflector conspicuous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kondo, Shigeru Kodaira, Yukimi Ase, Kenichiro Kuboshima
  • Publication number: 20060109670
    Abstract: A headlamp unit is provided to emphasize a shape of an individual lamp while suppressing an increase in the number of parts used, while improving ventilation and preventing fogging in areas near an inner surface of a lens, while maintaining a simple housing structure. The headlamp unit including a high beam lamp and a low beam lamp arranged vertically. The high beam lamp and the low beam lamp are disposed on upper and lower portions, respectively. The headlamp unit including an area between the high beam lamp and the low beam lamp covered with a lamp to lamp transverse portion of a front cowl, and an area near each of lenses including an air vent hole disposed so as to face a space between the two lenses. The headlamp unit may further include a moisture conditioning member disposed on an inside of the lamp housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Publication date: May 25, 2006
    Inventors: Ryohei Kitamura, Hiroyasu Ota, Shigeru Kodaira, Hirotoshi Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20050165523
    Abstract: A mileage display system includes a control unit operatively connected to an ignition switch of a motorcycle that obtains the accumulated mileage by accumulating a pulse signal produced according to running of the motorcycle. The control unit records odometer data in an EEPROM. The control unit also reads the odometer data recorded in the EEPROM when the ignition switch is operated. If the odometer data exceeds the maximum value to be displayed on an odometer (for example, 99999), the control unit displays on the odometer for a predetermined period of time a numeric value of digits of higher order than the predetermined number of display digits of the odometer data. The mileage display system displays an accurate, accumulated distance traveled or accumulated mileage, after the mileage overflows by exceeding a maximum display value as established by a predetermined number of display digits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nakazawa, Ryota Umetani, Tetsuya Kondo, Koji Kano, Shigeru Kodaira
  • Publication number: 20050047165
    Abstract: The shape of a reflector is to be made conspicuous to improve the appearance of a headlamp assembly. A headlamp assembly includes electric bulbs, a reflector, a lens and a case. Between the reflector and the case are formed gaps which result from a difference in shape between the reflector and the case. Blindfold portions are formed integrally with the reflector for filling the gaps. The blindfold members are provided with reflecting surfaces which project a black portion of the ground or of an inner surface of the case. With the reflecting surfaces of the blindfold members, a contrast is created between the blindfold member and reflecting surfaces of the reflector to make the reflecting surface shape of the reflector conspicuous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kondo, Shigeru Kodaira, Yukimi Ase, Kenichiro Kuboshima
  • Patent number: 6772588
    Abstract: The intake and exhaust control systems are operable in varying modes, according to the engine speed, by a single actuator. The intake control system includes an intake valve that allows a variable amount of air into an air cleaner depending on vehicle speed. The exhaust control system includes an exhaust control valve, and a primary and a secondary exhaust purifying system located downstream of the exhaust control valve. The flow into the exhaust purifying systems may also be controlled according to engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hajime Yamada, Toshihiko Suda, Tetsuya Nakayasu, Noriyoshi Tsutsui, Shigeru Kodaira, Kenjiro Saito, Mitsuo Kusa