Patents Assigned to Honda Motors Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8700268
    Abstract: In an inverted pendulum type vehicle having a traveling motion unit, when a component about an axis in a second direction and a component about an axis in a first direction from within a tilt error between an actual tilt angle and a desired tilt angle of the payload supporting part are defined as ?be_x_s and ?be_y_s, respectively, and when a component in the first direction and a component in the second direction from within a traveling velocity of a representative point of the vehicle in a stationary state in which ?be_x_s and ?be_y_s are retained constant are defined as Vb_x_stb and Vb_y_stb, respectively, a traveling motion of the traveling motion unit is controlled so that a ratio of a magnitude of Vb_x_stb with respect to a magnitude of ?be_x_s and a ratio of a magnitude of Vb_y_stb with respect to ?be_y_s becomes a ratio different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Takenaka, Kazushi Akimoto, Shinichiro Kobashi, Hideo Murakami
  • Patent number: 8698523
    Abstract: A turn-off feedback unit (23OFF) of a semiconductor device driving unit generates a feedback voltage as part of a voltage of a drive signal for establishing electrical continuity or disconnection in a bus according to a temporal variation of a collector current of a first semiconductor device (11U) when the first semiconductor device (11U) is turned off from on. A turn-on feedback unit (23ON) generates the feedback voltage according to a commutation current flowing through a free wheeling diode (12D) connected to a second semiconductor device (11D) when the first semiconductor device (11U) is turned on from off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Saotome, Yoshinari Tsukada, Masatoshi Goto, Yusuke Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8697224
    Abstract: An ornamental structure for a vehicle upholstery member provides a plurality of surface patterns by using a single vehicle upholstery member. On the surface of an embossed vehicle upholstery member are arranged a first region formed with a first emboss pattern, a second region spaced from the first region and formed with a second emboss pattern different from the first emboss pattern, and a third region located between the first and second regions and formed with a third emboss pattern which changes progressively from the first emboss pattern to the second emboss pattern as one moves from the first region to the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Kato, Mie Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8698639
    Abstract: Methods of assessing driver behavior include monitoring vehicle systems and driver monitoring systems to accommodate for a driver's slow reaction time, attention lapse and/or alertness. When it is determined that a driver is drowsy, for example, the response system may modify the operation of one or more vehicle systems. The systems that may be modified include: visual devices, audio devices, tactile devices, antilock brake systems, automatic brake prefill systems, brake assist systems, auto cruise control systems, electronic stability control systems, collision warning systems, lane keep assist systems, blind spot indicator systems, electronic pretensioning systems and climate control systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kin Fung, Timothy J. Dick
  • Patent number: 8695314
    Abstract: Two-way action cable control assemblies, systems, and methods are provided. A two-step cable control assembly for a power machine can include a base member pivotably attached to a handle of a power machine and being movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position to actuate a machine component, a hand lever pivotably attached to the handle of the power machine, and a latch pivotably attached to the hand lever and movable into interlocking engagement with a portion of the base member. In this arrangement, the base member can be moved by the hand lever when the latch is interlocked with the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Christopher Todd Walker
  • Patent number: 8698017
    Abstract: In the switch device including the case in which switches are accommodated, tube portions provided on an upper surface of the case, operation knobs swingably provided to the tube portions, operation rods for transmitting movement of the operation knobs to the switches, and the cover covering the upper surface of the case while exposing the operation knobs, projections protruding on the side of the cover are provided on the upper surface of the case, projections protruding on the side of the case are provided on a back surface of the cover, and the projections are arranged in a space between the cover and the case formed when the case is covered by the cover so as to be overlapped with each other when seen from the front and back direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Omron Automotive Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeo Mizukoshi, Yoshitaka Yamada, Koji Mori, Takuya Eguchi
  • Publication number: 20140097644
    Abstract: A vehicle body rear structure that is able to rotatably support a tailgate at a left hinge attachment section of a rear outer panel with a left hinge member therebetween. The left hinge member is provided with: a vehicle-body-side hinge section affixed to the left hinge attachment section; and a door-side hinge section connected rotatably to the vehicle-body-side hinge section. A left rear combination lamp is provided to the rear outer panel in a manner so as to cover the vehicle-body-side hinge section from the outside of the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Kurita, Yasuyuki Katou, Norihiro Obama, Yosuke Kimura, Makoto Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20140097060
    Abstract: A first electric motor cooling flow passage (120A) and a first electric motor lubrication flow passage (121A) supply oil from an electric oil pump (70) through the outer side of one end (E1) of the first electric motor (2A) to the portions (A1, A2) of the first electric motor (2A) which are to be cooled/lubricated. A second electric motor cooling flow passage (120B) and a second electric motor lubrication flow passage (121B) supply oil from the electric oil pump (70) through the outer side of the other end (E2) of the second electric motor (2B) to the portions (B1, B2) of the second electric motor (2B) which are to be cooled/lubricated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Hoshinoya, Keiichi Ooiso
  • Publication number: 20140099016
    Abstract: An automated vision inspection system detects whether a cushion of a side curtain airbag assembly system is twisted. The cushion is provided a plurality of markings arrayed along a longitudinal extent of the cushion. Each marking can be defined by a group of four distinct characters or indicia. Each indicium can be defined by polygonal shaped pixels which allow the inspection system to find clear edges of the marking and thereby determine marking orientation. By determining orientation, the inspection system can compare the inspected marking to a master image of the marking to determine if the cushion is in a twisted state or non-twisted state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James Wesley Adams, Alec Peter Bacon
  • Publication number: 20140096641
    Abstract: A drive device for a vehicle includes a first motor, a first case, a second motor, a second case, a right-and-left communication passage, and a sensor. The first case houses the first motor and has a left reservoir to store liquid fluid. The second case houses the second motor and has a right reservoir to store liquid fluid. The right-and-left communication passage communicates with the left reservoir and the right reservoir. The sensor is configured to detect a property of the liquid fluid and disposed in the right-and-left communication passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi HOSHINOYA, Keiichi OOISO
  • Publication number: 20140097043
    Abstract: A vehicle drive apparatus includes a motor, a case, a cover member, a sensor, and a separate member. The case includes a reservoir to store liquid fluid. The sensor is provided in a first communication hole of the cover member and is fixed to the cover member. A second communication hole constitutes a part of a fluid flow path extending from an inside of the case to an outside of the case. The fluid flow path has an intake port through which the liquid fluid is to be drawn. The fluid flow path includes an inside fluid flow path provided from the second communication hole to the intake port. The separate member is fixed to the cover member to define the inside fluid flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi HOSHINOYA, Keiichi OOISO, Yoshihito KURIZUKA
  • Publication number: 20140096418
    Abstract: Snowblower deflector control devices, systems, and methods are provided. In one aspect, a snowblower deflector control device can be externally disposed from a machine handle of the snowblower. The control device can include a control member and a guide plate. The control member can include a longitudinal shaft and a projection disposed along the shaft. The guide plate can be adapted to receive a portion of the control member. The guide plate can include a plurality of gates disposed at spaced intervals from a first end to a second end, and the projection of the control member can be lockable within at least one gate of the plurality of gates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Scott Kaskawitz, Jason Van Buren
  • Publication number: 20140098232
    Abstract: An occupant sensing device that accurately detects the state of an occupant regardless of the influence of extraneous noise and outside light and the influence of a defect in detected data when lighting of auxiliary light is delayed. When a specific part detection possibility/impossibility determination unit determines that the detection of the position of a specific part, such as a head, in the latest image is impossible, on the basis of past data stored as data corresponding to images outputted from a camera earlier than the latest image in a storage unit, the position of the head is predicted and detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toshihiro Koike
  • Publication number: 20140100828
    Abstract: Manipulability metrics are used to evaluate the feasibility of a vehicle occupant package design. A manipulability metric quantifies the ability of a virtual human subject to carry out an operational task in the design. Examples of specific manipulability metrics include a force metric quantifying the subject's ability apply a joint torque as a force to a component of the design, a velocity metric quantifying the subject's ability to cause the component to achieve velocity, and a dynamic metric quantifying the subject's ability to cause the component to achieve acceleration. Manipulability metrics are determined using a Jacobian determined as part of a determination of a posture of the subject carrying out the task. The manipulability metric is further determined using an endpoint direction of motion and a combination differential kinematics and static equilibrium considerations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Behzad Dariush
  • Patent number: 8690192
    Abstract: A saddle riding vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, an engine, a catalytic device, and a catalyst cover. The engine is disposed on the vehicle body frame and includes a cylinder block in a forwardly inclined position. The catalytic device is disposed at a front lower portion of the engine. The catalytic device includes an exhaust gas introducer oriented substantially at right angles, and a catalyst case disposed below the exhaust gas introducer. The catalyst cover is disposed on the vehicle body frame to cover a front portion of the catalytic device from a front downward direction. The catalyst cover is provided in a space between the catalytic device and a front wheel supported by a front fork provided at a front side of the vehicle body frame. The catalyst cover includes an opening portion at a forward portion of the exhaust gas introducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Yanagita
  • Patent number: 8689548
    Abstract: A power system for a vehicle includes a hydraulic pressure generating device, a first hydraulically operated device, a second hydraulically operated device, a common oil channel, a first bifurcated oil channel, a second bifurcated oil channel, and an oil state detector. The first hydraulically operated device is configured to be operated by liquid supplied from the hydraulic pressure generating device. The second hydraulically operated device is configured to be operated by liquid supplied from the hydraulic pressure generating device. The common oil channel is connected to the hydraulic pressure generating device. The first bifurcated oil channel connects the common oil channel and the first hydraulically operated device. The second bifurcated oil channel connects the common oil channel and the second hydraulically operated device. The oil state detector is provided in the common oil channel and configured to detect the state of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayato Maehara, Yasushi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8689923
    Abstract: A saddle riding vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, a front wheel, a rear wheel, a power unit, a shift actuator, and an actuator guard. The power unit has a transmission and a shift mechanism for the transmission. The shift actuator is to actuate the shift mechanism and is attached to a lower portion of a side face of the power unit. The actuator guard is to protect the shift actuator from an obstacle and includes a guard frame and a guard member. The guard frame extends in a forward and backward direction of the saddle riding vehicle below the shift actuator. The guard frame is connected to the vehicle body frame. The guard member is connected to the guard frame and covers a lower face and an outer side face of the shift actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keisuke Kishikawa
  • Patent number: 8689658
    Abstract: A shift drum drive system for a transmission includes a drive member and a power transmission device configured to transmit the rotational power of the drive member to a shift drum. The drive member and at least a part of the power transmission device being disposed on a lateral side of a crankcase on the side of one end in the axial direction of the shift drum, to reduce the area occupied by the shift drum drive system inclusive of the drive member on a lateral side of the crankcase on the side of one end in the axial direction of the shift drum, and thereby to contrive a reduction in engine size. The drive member and the shift drum are disposed so as to at least partly overlap with each other when viewed along the axial direction of the shift drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Ogasawara, Yasushi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: D702155
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisakazu Hanaoka
  • Patent number: D702600
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daisuke Akojima