Patents by Inventor Yoshinori Iino

Yoshinori Iino 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: 11433970
    Abstract: A bicycle drive unit includes a housing, a crankshaft and a propulsion assist motor. The housing is configured to be mounted on a frame of a bicycle. The crankshaft is provided to the housing. The assist propulsion motor is provided to the housing to assist propulsion of a bicycle. The propulsion assist motor includes a rotational axis extending in a direction intersecting a direction in which crankshaft extends. The bicycle drive unit is configured such that a distance from a rotational axis of the crankshaft to a part of the bicycle drive unit that is the farthest from the rotational axis of the crankshaft in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the propulsion assist motor is smaller than or equal to 210 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Noda, Yoshinori Iino, Takuya Edamura, Kento Mitsuyasu, Takaaki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 11358677
    Abstract: A bicycle component includes a drive unit and a battery. The drive unit includes a housing mounted on a bicycle frame, a crankshaft provided to a first portion of the housing, and a propulsion assist motor provided to a second portion of the housing. The battery is electrical connected to the propulsion assist motor to supply electrical power to the propulsion assist motor. The propulsion assist motor includes a rotational axis extending in a direction intersecting a direction in which the crankshaft extends. At least part of the second portion and at least part of the battery are accommodated in the frame in a state in which the second portion and the battery are arranged next to each other in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the propulsion assist motor and the battery is coupled to the second portion in an attachable and detachable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Noda, Yoshinori Iino, Takuya Edamura, Kento Mitsuyasu, Takaaki Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20220153384
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device includes an electronic controller that changes a control state of an assist motor in accordance with an operation of an operating device. The control state includes a first control state, a second control state where the motor is driven in correspondence with a human driving force input, and a third control state where the motor is driven in correspondence with the human driving force input. In a case where the operating device is operated in accordance with a first operation procedure in the first control state, the electronic controller changes from the first control state to the second control state. In a case where the operating device is operated in accordance with a second operation procedure in the first control state, the electronic controller changes from the first control state to the third control state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Keiji TERASHIMA, Shinichiro NODA, Taihei NISHIHARA, Yoshinori IINO
  • Patent number: 11167817
    Abstract: A bicycle drive unit includes a housing, a crankshaft and a propulsion assist motor. The housing is configured to be coupled to a frame of a bicycle. The housing includes first and second portions. The crankshaft is provided to the first portion of the housing. The propulsion assist motor is provided to the second portion of the housing. The propulsion assist has a rotational axis extending in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the crankshaft extends. A maximum dimension of the first portion in the direction in which the crankshaft extends is less than or equal to 100 mm. A maximum output torque of the propulsion assist motor is greater than or equal to 10 Nm and less than or equal to 80 Nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Noda, Yoshinori Iino, Takuya Edamura, Kento Mitsuyasu, Takaaki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 11142283
    Abstract: A method for mounting a bicycle drive unit to a frame of a bicycle, in which the bicycle drive unit includes a housing, a crankshaft and a propulsion assist motor. The housing has a first portion and a second portion. The crankshaft is provided to the first portion. The propulsion assist motor is provided to the second portion and includes a rotational axis extending in a direction intersecting a direction in which the crankshaft extends. The method includes a first step of arranging the first portion at a position for mounting the first portion on the frame, and a second step of rotating the housing about an axis parallel to a rotational axis of the crankshaft and inserting the second portion into an opening of the frame after the first step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Noda, Yoshinori Iino, Takuya Edamura, Kento Mitsuyasu, Takaaki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 11117473
    Abstract: A bicycle power supplying device is configured to easily obtain the power needed to drive a subject electric component and a bicycle electric device that includes the bicycle power supplying device. The bicycle power supplying device includes a holder and a power storage unit. The holder holds a dry cell so that the dry cell is attachable to and removable from the holder. The dry cell includes a body, a first electrode arranged on the body, and a second electrode arranged on the body. The power storage unit is configured to store power of the dry cell and supply the stored power to a subject electric component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takafumi Suzuki, Yoshinori Iino
  • Patent number: 11077914
    Abstract: A bicycle drive unit includes a housing, crankshaft and a propulsion assist motor. The housing is configured to be mounted on a frame of a bicycle. The housing includes a first portion and a second portion. The crankshaft is provided to the first portion of the housing. The propulsion assist motor is provided to the second portion of the housing and configured to assist propulsion of the bicycle. The propulsion assist motor includes a rotational axis extending in a direction intersecting a direction in which the crankshaft extends. The second portion has a maximum dimension of smaller than or equal to 75 mm in a direction orthogonal to the rotational axis of the propulsion assist motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Noda, Yoshinori Iino, Takuya Edamura, Kento Mitsuyasu, Takaaki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 10913511
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device includes an electronic controller configured to control a motor that assists in propulsion of a human-powered vehicle in accordance with a human driving force input to the human-powered vehicle. The electronic controller is configured to switch at least five control states imparting different output characteristics to the motor with respect to the human driving force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Iino, Keiji Terashima, Takaaki Fujiwara, Tetsuya Kitani
  • Publication number: 20190152560
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device includes an electronic controller configured to control a motor that assists in propulsion of a human-powered vehicle in accordance with a human driving force input to the human-powered vehicle. The electronic controller is configured to switch at least five control states imparting different output characteristics to the motor with respect to the human driving force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Yoshinori IINO, Keiji TERASHIMA, Takaaki FUJIWARA, Tetsuya KITANI
  • Publication number: 20190112003
    Abstract: A bicycle component includes a drive unit and a battery. The drive unit includes a housing mounted on a bicycle frame, a crankshaft provided to a first portion of the housing, and a propulsion assist motor provided to a second portion of the housing. The battery is electrical connected to the propulsion assist motor to supply electrical power to the propulsion assist motor. The propulsion assist motor includes a rotational axis extending in a direction intersecting a direction in which the crankshaft extends. At least part of the second portion and at least part of the battery are accommodated in the frame in a state in which the second portion and the battery are arranged next to each other in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the propulsion assist motor and the battery is coupled to the second portion in an attachable and detachable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Shinichiro NODA, Yoshinori IINO, Takuya EDAMURA, Kento MITSUYASU, Takaaki FUJIWARA
  • Publication number: 20190112000
    Abstract: A method for mounting a bicycle drive unit to a frame of a bicycle, in which the bicycle drive unit includes a housing, a crankshaft and a propulsion assist motor. The housing has a first portion and a second portion. The crankshaft is provided to the first portion. The propulsion assist motor is provided to the second portion and includes a rotational axis extending in a direction intersecting a direction in which the crankshaft extends. The method includes a first step of arranging the first portion at a position for mounting the first portion on the frame, and a second step of rotating the housing about an axis parallel to a rotational axis of the crankshaft and inserting the second portion into an opening of the frame after the first step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Shinichiro NODA, Yoshinori IINO, Takuya EDAMURA, Kento MITSUYASU, Takaaki FUJIWARA
  • Publication number: 20190111998
    Abstract: A bicycle drive unit includes a housing, crankshaft and a propulsion assist motor. The housing is configured to be mounted on a frame of a bicycle. The housing includes a first portion and a second portion. The crankshaft is provided to the first portion of the housing. The propulsion assist motor is provided to the second portion of the housing and configured to assist propulsion of the bicycle. The propulsion assist motor includes a rotational axis extending in a direction intersecting a direction in which the crankshaft extends. The second portion has a maximum dimension of smaller than or equal to 75 mm in a direction orthogonal to the rotational axis of the propulsion assist motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Shinichiro NODA, Yoshinori IINO, Takuya EDAMURA, Kento MITSUYASU, Takaaki FUJIWARA
  • Publication number: 20190112001
    Abstract: A bicycle drive unit includes a housing, a crankshaft and a propulsion assist motor. The housing is configured to be coupled to a frame of a bicycle. The housing includes first and second portions. The crankshaft is provided to the first portion of the housing. The propulsion assist motor is provided to the second portion of the housing. The propulsion assist has a rotational axis extending in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the crankshaft extends. A maximum dimension of the first portion in the direction in which the crankshaft extends is less than or equal to 100 mm. A maximum output torque of the propulsion assist motor is greater than or equal to 10 Nm and less than or equal to 80 Nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Shinichiro NODA, Yoshinori IINO, Takuya EDAMURA, Kento MITSUYASU, Takaaki FUJIWARA
  • Publication number: 20190111999
    Abstract: A bicycle drive unit includes a housing, a crankshaft and a propulsion assist motor. The housing is configured to be mounted on a frame of a bicycle. The crankshaft is provided to the housing. The assist propulsion motor is provided to the housing to assist propulsion of a bicycle. The propulsion assist motor includes a rotational axis extending in a direction intersecting a direction in which crankshaft extends. The bicycle drive unit is configured such that a distance from a rotational axis of the crankshaft to a part of the bicycle drive unit that is the farthest from the rotational axis of the crankshaft in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the propulsion assist motor is smaller than or equal to 210 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Shinichiro NODA, Yoshinori IINO, Takuya EDAMURA, Kento MITSUYASU, Takaaki FUJIWARA
  • Publication number: 20180284603
    Abstract: An outer mask used when manufacturing a photo mask by etching an object to be processed, the object having a surface on which a pattern portion is provided, the outer mask includes: a base portion exhibiting a plate shape and including an opening in a central region, and a frame portion exhibiting a frame shape and provided along a periphery of the base portion. The frame portion has a surface which contacts the surface of the object at four corners of the surface of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Yoshinori Iino, Takashi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 10065706
    Abstract: A bicycle component fixing structure includes at least one bracket including at least one connecting portion and at least one fixing portion. The connecting portion is connected to the bicycle component. The fixing portion extends from the connecting portion and is fixed with respect to an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical portion having an open end. The fixing portion includes at least one inner surface that opposes an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, and at least one outer surface that faces in the opposite direction from the inner surface. The fixing portion is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion by a pressing force that acts on the outer surface. The bracket fixes the bicycle component to the open end of the cylindrical portion, in a state in which the fixing portion is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Iino, Kazuhiro Fujii, Eiji Mishima
  • Publication number: 20180093585
    Abstract: A bicycle power supplying device is configured to easily obtain the power needed to drive a subject electric component and a bicycle electric device that includes the bicycle power supplying device. The bicycle power supplying device includes a holder and a power storage unit. The holder holds a dry cell so that the dry cell is attachable to and removable from the holder. The dry cell includes a body, a first electrode arranged on the body, and a second electrode arranged on the body. The power storage unit is configured to store power of the dry cell and supply the stored power to a subject electric component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Takafumi SUZUKI, Yoshinori IINO
  • Publication number: 20170151993
    Abstract: A bicycle component fixing structure includes at least one bracket including at least one connecting portion and at least one fixing portion. The connecting portion is connected to the bicycle component. The fixing portion extends from the connecting portion and is fixed with respect to an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical portion having an open end. The fixing portion includes at least one inner surface that opposes an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, and at least one outer surface that faces in the opposite direction from the inner surface. The fixing portion is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion by a pressing force that acts on the outer surface. The bracket fixes the bicycle component to the open end of the cylindrical portion, in a state in which the fixing portion is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Yoshinori IINO, Kazuhiro FUJII, Eiji MISHIMA
  • Patent number: 9573654
    Abstract: A bicycle motor control system is provided. The bicycle motor control system may be configured to control a drive motor that configured to output a driving force. The controller may be configured to receive a first user input and increase the driving force based on the first user input so as to set a boost ratio, and automatically reduce the driving force based on a factor other than the first user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Satoshi Shahana, Yoshinori Iino, Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa
  • Patent number: 9491788
    Abstract: A bicycle wireless system is basically provided with a first bicycle component, a second bicycle component and a terminal device. The first bicycle component includes a first wireless communication unit. The second bicycle component includes a second wireless communication unit. The terminal device includes an identification acquiring section and a pairing section. The identification acquiring section is configured to acquire identification information from one of the first and second bicycle components. The pairing section is configured to pair the first and second bicycle components for wireless communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kasai, Ayumi Kato, Yoshinori Iino, Takao Harada