Honda Patents
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. develops, produces and manufactures motor products, including engines, scooters, motorcycles, passenger cars, light trucks, and power tools and products. It markets its automobile products under the Honda and Acura brands. The company also provides financing to support the sale of its products.
Honda Patents by Type- Honda Patents Granted: Honda patents that have been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
- Honda Patent Applications: Honda patent applications that are pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7461011Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an order placement and acceptance management system and an order placement and acceptance management method, which is flexible and user-friendly for an order acceptant's side. The present invention comprises an order database for entirely storing the order data of an orderer in increments of order, demand processing means for receiving the attribution of the order data that is designated by the orderer via a network, retrieving means for receiving the foregoing attribution from the foregoing demand processing means and retrieving a subset of the order data having the foregoing attribution from the foregoing order database, transmission means for transmitting the subset of the foregoing retrieved order data to an order acceptant system via the network and progress managing means for managing the progress of the order in increments of order.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2002Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yasushi Oyaizu
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Patent number: 7458343Abstract: To allow pollutants contained in atmospheric air to be treated effectively at all times during operation of a vehicle. A catalyst layer for treating atmospheric pollutants is formed on at least a surface of cooling fins provided on a cylinder portion of an engine mounted on a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2003Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuya Tanabe, Takashi Tsutsumizaki, Masaharu Nakamori
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Patent number: 7457424Abstract: An electronic volume device of an invention includes a common volume I/O 371 for receiving an i-th common volume level Dcom[i] (i=1 to N) on a common scale of N steps, a volume converter 373 for converting the Dcom[i] into a j-th unique volume level Dvol[j] on a unique scale of n steps; and a volume controller 372 for controlling an electronic volume based on the unique volume. The volume converter 373 includes a volume memory for storing an offset between the Dcom[i] and the Dvol [j] and a volume controller that controls at least one of the Dvol[j] and the offset such that the received Dcom agrees with the sum of the Dvol[j] and the offset and controls the Dvol[j] on a higher priority than the offset.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2003Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaishi, Honda Access Corp.Inventors: Mutsumi Katayama, Masashi Hino
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Patent number: 7449234Abstract: A sliding material consisting of a carbon-fiber reinforced carbon composite material containing fine particles of a simple substance of any of Group IV to Group VI elements or a carbide, a nitride or an oxide thereof.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2003Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignees: Mitsubishi Chemical Functional Products, inc., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshihiro Fukagawa, Akira Obara, Tetsuya Ogawa, Satoshi Yoshida, Yu Murai, Satoshi Takesako
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Patent number: 7448427Abstract: A fine metal particle producing mechanism has a metal holder for housing a body of magnesium, a tube for supplying an argon gas to the body of magnesium, an argon gas flow rate controller for controlling a rate at which the argon gas is supplied to the tube, and an argon gas heating controller for heating the argon gas supplied to the tube to a predetermined temperature.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2006Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Ishii, Toshihide Sunada, Yukihiro Mukaida, Tomonori Sakai, Yasushi Iseda
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Patent number: 7448459Abstract: A method for detecting an abnormality in a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle includes an engine that can run in a cylinder cut-off state where intake and exhaust valve lifts are made zero, and a motor/generator that functions as both a motor and a generator. The vehicle travels by means of the power of at least one of the engine and the motor/generator and carries out regenerative braking by the motor/generator while running the engine in a cylinder cut-off state during deceleration. When detecting an abnormality in a negative intake pressure sensor or an EGR control valve based on the negative intake pressure of the engine, the engine is prohibited from running in a cylinder cut-off state even during deceleration, thus generating a negative intake pressure and thereby enabling the abnormality detection to be carried out without any problems.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinichi Kitajima, Katsuhiro Kumagai, Futoshi Nishioka, Atsushi Izumiura
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Patent number: 7445861Abstract: The invention detects quickly and with high precision abnormalities in fuel cells. In a method of detecting abnormalities in a fuel cell 1 comprising a plurality of unit cells that generate power by supplying hydrogen gas to an anode and supplying air to a cathode of each unit cell, the abnormality in the fuel cell 1 is detected based on the speed of the decrease in the cell voltages after stopping the fuel cell, i.e., after stopping the supply of the reacting gases to the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2002Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshikazu Murakami, Junji Uehara, Masanori Hayashi, Hiromichi Yoshida
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Patent number: 7445075Abstract: A four-wheeled vehicle includes a steering mechanism having a bar handle, right and left front wheels, and right and left rear wheels. The vehicle includes a front cover and a windshield disposed in front of the bar handle. The vehicle includes a driver's seat, and a rear passenger seat disposed behind the driver's seat and between the rear wheels. The rear passenger seat is directed forwardly. The vehicle includes a power unit part disposed below the rear passenger seat, and a body cover disposed rearwardly of the driver's seat.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2003Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Eiji Ozawa, Oumi Iida, Seiji Higashihara, Yumio Shibata, Koichi Sugioka, Kiyotaka Fujiwara, Paolo Allasia, Marco Ferrario, Raffaele Vergano, Andreas Wachtler
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Patent number: 7445867Abstract: An electrode structure for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprises a pair of electrode catalyst layers and a polymer electrolyte membrane held between the electrode catalyst layers. The polymer electrolyte membrane is a sulfonation product of a polymer which comprises a main chain wherein two or more divalent aromatic residues are bound to one another directly or through oxy groups or divalent groups other than aromatic residues and side chains comprising aromatic groups to be sulfonated. The number of divalent aromatic residues comprised in the main chain of the above polymer is denoted by X, and the number of oxy groups comprised in the main chain of the above polymer is denoted by Y, and the value X/Y is within the range of from 2.0 to 9.0.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2002Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naoki Mitsuta, Nagayuki Kanaoka, Yoichi Asano, Hiroshi Sohma
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Patent number: 7445270Abstract: A mounting structure of an impact absorbing pad mounted to a back surface of an interior lining, which makes it possible to facilitate positioning and mounting of the impact absorbing pad, and which enhances durability of the impact absorbing pad by preventing breakage of the impact absorbing pad when an impact load is applied from a lateral direction of an indoor side of a vehicle. A box-shaped holder is vertically provided at a mounting reference position of a back surface of a door lining body in a door lining (interior lining), an insertion piece in an impact absorbing pad is fitted in the above described box-shaped holder, and positioning and fixing at a reference fixing point of the impact absorbing pad performed.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2005Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignees: Kasai Kogyo Co., Ltd., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Taku Wakou, Satoru Nagamoto
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Patent number: 7445400Abstract: A structure of joining in a T shape two frame members of U-shaped cross sections having openings is provided. At a joint of the first frame member and the second frame member, a reinforcing member mounted with unfoamed resin is set within the first and second frame members. A foamed resin fills the spaces between the first and second frame members and the reinforcing member. The first and second frame members, foamed resin and reinforcing member are integrally united, having a high strength at the joint of the two frame members.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2003Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshihiro Takeuchi
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Patent number: 7446496Abstract: In an abnormality detection system of a mobile robot, it is configured such that it is self-diagnosed whether the quantity of state is an abnormal value, or whether at least one of the internal sensor, etc., is abnormal and when an abnormality is self-diagnosed, abnormality information is outputted, then the degree of abnormality is discriminated based on the outputted abnormality information and the robot is driven into a stable state in response to the discriminated degree of abnormality. With this, it becomes possible to effectively utilize the abnormality detection result. In addition, since the robot is driven into a stable state in response to the discriminated degree of abnormality, it becomes possible to render the driving appropriate.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2003Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naohide Ogawa, Yuichiro Kawaguchi, Masaki Aihara, Takashi Matsumoto
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Patent number: 7441690Abstract: A joined structure of different metals is usable even in a severely corrosive environments such locations susceptible to salt damage. In a joined structure of different metals, members of different metals are joined to each other in such a manner that a flange is allowed to extend in a direction from the circumferential side of one of the members along the circumference of the other member.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Katsuhiko Shiotsuki, Masashi Fujita
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Patent number: 7444117Abstract: A wireless network system for enabling good communications, while minimizing the electricity consumption of a portable terminal, is described. Included are: a first relay device 4a including first and second Bluetooth® (BT) modules {circle around (1)} and {circle around (2)}. Each of the BT modules performs a cable communication irrespective of which is a master/slave. The system also includes a second relay device 4b including a fourth BT module {circle around (4)}; a wireless terminal 3 including a third BT module {circle around (3)}; and a wireless terminal 3 including a fifth BT module. The first and third BT modules structure a first piconet in which the first BT model {circle around (1)} is a master and the third BT module {circle around (3)} is a slave, and the second, fourth, and fifth BT modules structure a second Piconet in which the fourth BT module {circle around (4)} is a master, and the second and fifth BT modules {circle around (2)} and {circle around (5)} are slaves.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2003Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mutsumi Katayama, Kazumitsu Kushida
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Patent number: 7442455Abstract: A memory unit stores maps of predetermined determination threshold values for detection values detected by a hydrogen sensor according to an operating state of a fuel cell such as a difference in pressure between reaction gases at an anode and a cathode, supply pressure of the reaction gases, supply flow rate of the reaction gases and generated current of the fuel cell. A control unit obtains a predetermined determination threshold value from the memory unit based on the operating state of the fuel cell. Then, the detection value outputted from the hydrogen sensor and the determination threshold value obtained from the memory unit are compared, and in the event that the detection value is determined to exceed the determination threshold value, a predetermined protecting process is implemented for the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2003Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasushi Kojima, Takashi Sasaki, Hiroshi Machida
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Patent number: 7442023Abstract: A die comprises metal-rich sections which form an inner wall and an outer wall of the die, respectively. Gradient sections are disposed adjacent to the metal-rich sections, respectively. Further, a ceramics-rich section is disposed between the gradient sections. A punch comprises an inner ceramics-rich section, a gradient section, and an outer metal-rich section. In the die, the composition ratio of metal gradually decreases from the metal-rich sections to the ceramics-rich section. Similarly, in the punch, the composition ratio of the metal gradually decreases from the metal-rich section to the ceramics-rich section.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mitsuo Kuwabara, Masanori Ohtsuka
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Publication number: 20080255969Abstract: A method of preparing parts list system used for part numbers management, composed of a parts table database and a parts list controller. The parts table database includes a parts list which stores a state data and a part number data. The state data indicates a progress state of a part. The part number data includes a number of the part as an identifier. The method comprises preparing a part list storing the state data and part number data, setting the state data to indicate permission to change a part number, assigning a tentative part number, setting the state data after changing design of the part, defining the tentative part number as a normal part number, and checking validation of the tentative part number versus used part numbers and whether the tentative part number complies with predetermined rules for each part number data.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2008Publication date: October 16, 2008Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mamoru Nakajima, Masataka Yamamoto, Naoki Saitou, Katsunori Taguchi
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Publication number: 20080246247Abstract: An electrical device mounting structure on a motorcycle which includes a resilient support member having a spring-flexural resilience and supporting an electrical device unit. The resilient support member has a first portion secured to a vehicle body or a member connected to the vehicle body. The resilient support member also has a second portion provided separate from the first portion and closer to the electrical device. The second portion is supported on the vehicle body or the member connected to the vehicle body via an elastic member having an attenuating property.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2008Publication date: October 9, 2008Applicant: HONDA ACCESS CORP.Inventor: Tomohiro HOSHI
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Patent number: 7430854Abstract: An air fuel ratio controller for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas sensor, an identifier and a control unit. The exhaust gas sensor detects oxygen concentration of exhaust gas. The identifier calculates model parameters for a model of a controlled object based on the output of the exhaust gas sensor. The controlled object includes an exhaust system of the engine. The control unit is configured to use the model parameters to control the air-fuel ratio so that the output of the exhaust gas sensor converges to a desired value, and to stop the identifier from calculating the model parameters during and immediately after the engine operation with a lean air-fuel ratio. The calculation of the model parameters may be also stopped during and immediately after fuel-cut operation that stops fuel supply to the engine.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2003Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuji Yasui, Akihiro Shinjo, Tatsuhito Esaki, Naoto Fujimura
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Patent number: 7431000Abstract: A pair of link arms each supported at one end thereof on an engine body for swinging movement about an axis parallel to a rotational axis for a valve-operating cam are connected at the other ends, for relative turning movement about an axis parallel to the rotational axis, directly to a rocker arm having a valve abutment abutting against an engine valve and a cam abutment contacting with the valve-operating cam. At least any one of the link arms is swingably supported at one end thereof on the engine body for continuous movement within a plane perpendicular to a rotational axis for the valve-operating cam. Such an arrangement ensures that a valve-operating system can be constructed compactly, and the opening lift amount of the engine valve can be changed continuously, while ensuring an excellent followability to the valve-operating cam.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2003Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Noriaki Fujii, Hiromu Nakamura, Junichi Iwamoto
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Publication number: 20080239671Abstract: A semiconductor element mounting substrate excellent in cooling performance and simple in structure is provided. The semiconductor element mounting substrate is a substrate 1B for mounting a semiconductor element 2, and has an insulating layer 3 and a conducting layer 4 for attaching a semiconductor element 2 on one surface of the insulating layer 3. To the other surface of the insulating layer 3, a heat releasing device 5 is directly attached. The heat releasing device 5 is preferably a liquid-cooling type cooling plate 7 having a plurality of fine passage 7a for cooling fluid. The insulating layer is preferably a composite member that an insulating cloth is impregnated with insulating resin or insulating resin composite in which thermally conductive filler is added to insulating resin.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2005Publication date: October 2, 2008Applicants: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SHOWA DENKO K.K.Inventors: Atsushi Amano, Keisuke Urushihara, Kazuo Kimura
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Publication number: 20080229879Abstract: A starter that includes a motor portion that includes a motor shaft; a deceleration mechanism portion that is integrated with the motor portion, the deceleration mechanism portion includes a planetary gear that revolves around the motor shaft; and an output shaft that rotates integrally with a revolution of the planetary gear, wherein a bracket of the deceleration mechanism portion, in which a ring-shaped gear is formed at an inner circumferential surface so as to mesh with the planetary gear, is integrated with a casing of the motor portion by an intermediate bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2008Publication date: September 25, 2008Applicants: MITSUBA CORPORATION, HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Ken Nagahara, Shuji Uehara, Kazuo Iwashita, Kazuhiko Ono, Koji Suzuki
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Publication number: 20080216789Abstract: An engine balancer system is provided in which a balancer housing (17) disposed so as to face an oil pan beneath a crankshaft is formed by joining an upper housing (29) and a lower housing (30) via mating faces (P), and the height of the mating faces (P) is lower on a vehicle front side than on a vehicle rear side. Oil discharge holes (45a, 46) for discharging oil that is within the balancer housing (17) are formed in the mating faces (P) on the higher side of the balancer housing (17) and in the upper housing (29) above the mating faces (P) on the lower side of the balancer housing (17). This enables the position of the oil discharge hole (45a) on the lower side to be as high as possible, thereby suppressing penetration of oil into the interior of the balancer housing (17) through the oil discharge hole (45a).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: September 11, 2008Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hisayuki Hashimoto, Tomoji Suganami, Haruo Watanabe, Kazuhito Okazaki
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Patent number: 7422994Abstract: A composition for use as a catalyst in, for example, a fuel cell, the composition comprising platinum, copper and tungsten, or an oxide, carbide and/or salt of one or more of platinum, copper and tungsten, wherein the sum of the concentrations of platinum, copper and tungsten, or an oxide, carbide and/or salt thereof, is greater than 90 atomic percent.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2005Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignees: Symyx Technologies, Inc., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Konstantinos Chondroudis, Alexander Gorer, Peter Strasser, Martin Devenney, Qun Fan, Daniel M. Giaquinta, Keith James Cendak, Hiroyuki Oyanagi, Kenta Urata
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Patent number: 7423505Abstract: An actuator has a resilient shape memory member 1 with superelasticity, a magnetic body 2, and a magnetic field generator 3. At least one of the magnetic body 2 and the magnetic field generator 3 is fixed to the resilient shape memory member 1 such that one of the magnetic body 2 and the magnetic field generator 3 is stationary while the other is movable, whereby the movable member is moved by a magnetic field provided from the magnetic field generator 3.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2003Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogya Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahiro Ohta, Toru Sukigara
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Publication number: 20080211153Abstract: A system for controlling an electric device comprises: a power supply for supplying electric power to an electric device; switch portion connected between the power supply and the electric device for controlling the electric power supplied to the electric device; an LC filter disposed between the switch portion and the electric device; and current detection portion for detecting an electric current supplied to the electric device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2007Publication date: September 4, 2008Applicants: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., HONDA ELESYS CO., LTD.Inventors: Shigenobu Sekiya, Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Naoki Iwagami
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Publication number: 20080212076Abstract: An apparatus for testing infrared cameras includes: a cover plate which has a plurality of holes formed therethrough and arranged in line in a horizontal direction at a regular interval, the cover plate being adapted to emit an amount of infrared light; and an emission source which is disposed in parallel to and behind the cover plate as viewed from infrared cameras to be tested, the emission source being adapted to emit a different amount of infrared light when compared with the cover plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2008Publication date: September 4, 2008Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahito Watanabe, Takayuki Tsuji, Hiroshi Hattori, Nobuharu Nagaoka, Izumi Takatsudo, Masakazu Saka
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Publication number: 20080202647Abstract: An Al—Mg-based aluminum alloy pipe for hot working, having an alloy composition having from 2.5% by mass to 2.8% by mass of Mg, 0.25% by mass or less of Si, 0.35% by mass or less of Fe, and from 0.25% by mass to 0.35% by mass of Cr, with the balance being inevitable impurities and Al, wherein an area ratio of cavities after hot working is 2.3% or less; and an aluminum alloy structural member for automobile using the same.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2008Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicants: Furukawa-Sky Aluminum Corp., HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuhisa Kashiwazaki, Ryo Shoji, Seizo Ueno, Hiroshi Akiyama, Katsuhiro Shiotsuki, Izuru Hori, Toshiyasu Ukena
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Publication number: 20080203955Abstract: In a legged mobile robot (1), each leg (2) has at least a first joint (16) and a second joint (18, 20) located below the first joint in the gravitational direction, and the actuator that drives the second joint (54, 56) is located at least one of a position same as that of the first joint and a position (28) above the first joint in the gravitational direction. With this, it becomes possible to lighten the weight of the ground-contacting ends of the legs and thereby provide a legged mobile robot enabling reduction of the inertial forces occurring in the legs during moving, particularly during high-speed moving.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2003Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Gomi, Kazushi Hamaya, Hitoshi Toyoda, Yoshinari Takemura
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Patent number: 7418127Abstract: An apparatus for testing infrared cameras includes: a front plate which has holes arranged in line, and which is adapted to emit an amount of infrared light; and a back plate which is disposed in parallel to and behind the front plate as viewed from infrared cameras to be tested, and which is adapted to emit a different amount of infrared light when compared with the front plate. The back plate is disposed at lower portions of pillars. On the other hand, the front plate is made vertically movable in front of the back plate and along the pillars. By being controlled by a controller, the front plate is movable from the ground height to a level corresponding to approximately two times the height of the back plate.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2003Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahito Watanabe, Takayuki Tsuji, Hiroshi Hattori, Nobuharu Nagaoka, Izumi Takatsudo, Masakazu Saka
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Patent number: 7413821Abstract: A cell assembly includes a first unit cell and a second unit cell which are stacked to each other. The first unit cell has a first unified body, and the second unit cell has a second unified body. A plurality of oxidizing gas passages and a plurality of fuel gas passages are provided in the cell assembly. The oxidizing gas passages in the first unit cell and the oxidizing gas passages in the second unit cell are communicated in series to each other. The fuel gas passages in the first unit cell and the fuel gas passages in the second unit cell are communicated in series to each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2002Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Seiji Sugiura, Yoshinori Wariishi, Narutoshi Sugita, Naoyuki Enjoji
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Patent number: 7415243Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for receiving data from a satellite radio network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a datagram broadcast via a satellite radio network is received utilizing a receiver. The datagram includes broadcast identifier information that identifies a segment of receivers in the satellite radio network to which the datagram is directed. Utilizing the broadcast identifier information, a determination is made as to whether the recipient receiver is a member of the identified segment of receivers to which the datagram is directed. If the recipient receiver is determined to be a member of the identified segment of receivers to which the datagram is directed, then the datagram is processed.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2003Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiromitsu Yuhara, Masayuki Habaguchi
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Patent number: 7414652Abstract: An image sensor comprising a matrix of solid-state light sensor elements each representing a unit pixel, which is capable of reading out sensor signals from respective pixels in a time series by sequentially selecting pixels on a line-by-line basis and sequentially selecting pixels in a selected line, wherein each pixel line is divided into a plurality of blocks with each block composed of the same specified number of pixels and a first scanning means sequentially reads pixel sensor signals on the block-by-block basis starting from the first block and a second scanning means reads pixel sensor signals of the readout block. The image sensor thus constructed can achieve high speed scanning of respective pixels with a minimal increase in power consumption.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2003Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Sukeyuki Shinotsuka
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Patent number: 7413825Abstract: A fuel cell (10) is formed by sandwiching a membrane electrode assembly (14) between first and second separators (16, 18). An oxygen-containing gas supply passage (20) extends through the fuel cell (10) in a stacking direction. The oxygen-containing gas passage (20) includes first and second straight sections (20a, 20b) to form a single opening. The first and second straight sections are elongated in directions indicated by arrows B and C around a corner at an upper portion of one end of the first separator (16).Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2003Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaharu Suzuki, Naoyuki Enjoji
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Publication number: 20080192948Abstract: An active noise control system cancels vibration and noise based on an output from an adaptive notch filter. When the difference between a current engine pulse value input to the adaptive notch filter and a past engine pulse value within a predetermined time period exceeds a predetermined level, an engine pulse monitor turns off a switch to stop the output from the adaptive notch filter. As a result, when there is a sudden change in the engine rpm, the output from the adaptive notch filter is stopped before the renewal speed of the adaptive notch filter coefficient becomes too fast to follow and the coefficient diverges, to prevent generation of abnormal sound. With this active noise control system, the user will not hear any abnormal sound from the adaptive notch filter even when there is a sudden change in the engine pulse.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2005Publication date: August 14, 2008Applicants: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoichi Kan, Yoshio Nakamura, Masahide Onishi, Toshio Inoue, Akira Takahashi, Yasunori Kobayashi
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Patent number: 7409265Abstract: It is arranged such that displacement sensors (70) are installed at a position in or vicinity of elastic members (382), to generate outputs indicating a displacement of the floor contact end of a foot (22) relative to a second joint (18, 20), and a floor reaction force acting on the foot is calculated based on the outputs of the displacement sensors by using a model describing a relationship between the displacement and stress generated in the elastic members in response to the displacement, thereby enabling to achieve accurate calculation of the floor reaction force and more stable walking of a legged mobile robot (1). Further, a dual sensory system is constituted by combining different types of detectors, thereby enabling to enhance the detection accuracy. Furthermore, since it self-diagnoses whether abnormality or degradation occurs in the displacement sensors etc. and performs temperature compensation without using a temperature sensor, the detection accuracy can be further enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2002Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toru Takenaka, Hiroshi Gomi, Satoshi Shigemi, Takashi Matsumoto
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Patent number: 7406911Abstract: An expander (M) employing steam as a working medium is formed from a first radially inner group of axial piston cylinders (49) arranged annularly on a rotor (27) so as to surround the axis (L) of an output shaft (28), and a second radially outer group of axial piston cylinders (57) arranged annularly so as to surround the first group of axial piston cylinders (49). The first and second groups of axial piston cylinders (49, 57) are driven by a common swash plate (39), and the first and second groups of axial piston cylinders (49, 57) are arranged with circumferentially displaced pitches. High-temperature, high-pressure steam firstly operates the first group of axial piston cylinders (49), then operates the second group of axial piston cylinders (57), and the outputs from the two are combined to drive the output shaft (28). This achieves a further reduction in the size and a further increase in the output of the axial type expander (M).Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2002Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Makoto Uda, Hiroyuki Makino, Kouhei Ohsono
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Patent number: 7408130Abstract: A combined welding method with a filler wire using both a YAG laser and an electric arc, and a combined welding device with a filler wire using both a YAG laser and an electric arc. The welding is performed by directing a laser focus of a YAG laser on base materials and for welding in the vicinity of the focus by a filler wire, connecting a power source for applying a voltage to the filler wire between the filler wire and the base materials for welding, irradiating a YAG laser on the base materials for welding in the connecting condition, whereby an arc is induced to the filler wire by a plume (plasma-activated gas and the metal vapor), and holding the plume generated by YAG laser inside and outside of a keyhole.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2003Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirobumi Sonoda, Kenji Okuyama, Junichi Ibukuro, Takanori Yahaba, Masato Takikawa, Yasutomo Ichiyama, Toshiyasu Ukena
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Patent number: 7404782Abstract: A reduction gear (49) for a walking assistance system is provided that includes first to third planetary gear mechanisms (P1 to P3) between an input shaft (Si) connected to a motor (48) and an output shaft (So), the second planetary gear mechanism (P2) being disposed radially outside the first planetary gear mechanism (P1) connected to the input shaft (Si), and the third planetary gear mechanism (P3) being disposed outside, in the direction of an axis L, the first planetary gear mechanism (P1). It is therefore possible, while reducing the speed of rotation of the input shaft (Si) in three stages by the first to the third planetary gear mechanisms (P1 to P3) and transmitting the rotation to the output shaft (So), to reduce the thickness of the reduction gear (49) compared with a case in which the first to the third planetary gear mechanisms (P1 to P3) are disposed so as to be stacked in the direction of the axis (L), thereby improving the appearance when a user is fitted with the walking assistance system.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2003Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Kudoh, Hisashi Katoh
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Patent number: 7403102Abstract: An obstacle detection apparatus detects an obstacle to a vehicle by a sensor section including a transmitter which transmits a wave to a predetermined detection area, and a receiver which receives an echo of the wave reflected by the obstacle. The obstacle detection apparatus measures a distance to the obstacle from the output of the sensor section. A detection-distance change circuit changes predetermined detection distances in the maximum detection distance. Alarm means gives an alarm step by step in accordance with the detection distances.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Honda Access CorporationInventors: Mitsuhiro Fukuda, Katsutoshi Yamashita, Hisanobu Horimoto
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Patent number: 7401463Abstract: A heat shield for an internal combustion engine exhaust system for supporting a first heat shield plate and a second heat shield plate on a U-shaped exhaust pipe extending from an exhaust port of an engine, via a support member such as band members, and heat shield plate attachment fixtures. The first heat shield plate covers all around a curved section of the U-shaped exhaust pipe in the vicinity of the exhaust port. The second heat shield plate covers an upper part of a straight section of the U-shaped exhaust pipe and extends rearwardly from the curved section. Further, since the exhaust pipe is formed as one piece, the first heat shield plate may be formed as a simple two-part structure using the band members. With this configuration, an effective heat shielding effect can be exhibited, and cost can be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2003Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yuuichirou Tsuruta
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Patent number: 7402355Abstract: A cooling method for a fuel cell using a heat exchanger is provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing an ion exchanger in a circulation system for the cooling fluid; decreasing ion concentration in the cooling fluid by circulating the cooling fluid through the fuel cell and the ion exchanger when the temperature of the cooling fluid is below a thermostat operating temperature; distributing a portion of the cooling fluid discharged from the fuel cell, mixing the portion of the cooling fluid returning from the heat exchanger with another portion of the cooling fluid whose ion concentration has been decreased in the previous step, and returning the cooling fluid mixture to the fuel cell, when the temperature of the cooling fluid is approaching the thermostat operating temperature; and cooling the fuel cell by circulating the cooling fluid through the fuel cell and the heat exchanger after the temperature of the cooling fluid reaches the thermostat operating temperature.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2006Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mitsuharu Imaseki, Takeshi Ushio, Yoshirou Shimoyama
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Patent number: 7402142Abstract: A method and processor for obtaining torques to be applied to joints of a leg of a biped walking system include obtaining moments acting around the joints of the leg, using the vertical component of the ground reaction force acting on the leg at the point of application of the ground reaction force and incorporating the attitude of the leg and the vertical component of acceleration of the center of gravity of the whole body including the leg.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2003Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masakazu Kawai, Yasushi Ikeuchi, Behzad Dariush
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Publication number: 20080168639Abstract: It is an object to provide a machining and conveying apparatus in which a moving range of a movable arm is widened and a degree of operational freedom of the movable arm is heightened so that constraint of a work machining condition can be eased. A machining and conveying apparatus 1 has a first rotational moving unit 15 that is provided between a base end of a movable arm 2 and a base plate 16 so as to rotationally move the movable arm 2 about a rotation shaft 14 vertical to rotation shafts 5, 6 and 7 of joints of the movable arm 2, and a second rotational moving unit 20 that is provided to an arm piece 11 at the base end of the movable arm 2 so as to rotationally move the movable arm 2 about a rotation shaft 19 vertical to both the rotation shaft 14 of the first rotational moving unit and the rotation shafts 5, 6 and 7 of the joints.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2005Publication date: July 17, 2008Applicant: HONDA ENGINEERING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshito Otake, Hiroshi Miwa, Nagahisa Kitamura
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Patent number: 7399733Abstract: A metallic sliding member which is improved in initial compatibility and significantly reduced in frictional resistance: and a process for producing the member. The process comprises causing fine particles of molybdenum disulfide to collide against the surface of a base to form a layer containing molybdenum disulfide, serving as a solid lubricant, as a surface layer having a depth not larger than 20 ?m from the surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hidemi Ogihara, Masato Ishiwata
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Patent number: 7400953Abstract: A vehicle meter unit has a control unit and a controller area network (CAN) constituting a communications network. On-vehicle systems such as an engine control system, anti-lock braking system and electric power steering system are also provided with CANs and fault diagnostic functions for decentralized control. Faults in the systems are displayed in fault codes through the control unit on a liquid crystal display on which the indications of an odometer and trip recorder are displayed.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2003Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naoki Fukui, Tamon Kimura, Izumi Takatsudo, Masaki Sato
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Publication number: 20080166623Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition for use as a catalyst in, for example, a fuel cell, the composition comprising platinum, nickel, and iron, wherein (i) the concentration of platinum is greater than 50 atomic percent, the concentration of nickel is less than 15 atomic percent and/or the concentration of iron is greater than 30 atomic percent, or (ii) the concentration of platinum is greater than 70 atomic percent and less than about 90 atomic percent. The present invention is further directed to a process for preparing such a catalyst composition from a catalyst precursor composition comprising platinum, nickel, and iron, wherein the concentration of platinum therein is less than 50 atomic percent.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2004Publication date: July 10, 2008Applicants: Symyx Technologies, Inc., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Keith James Cendak, Jennifer N. Cendak, Peter Strasser, Alexander Gorer, Martin Devenney, Ting He, Hiroyuki Oyanagi, Qun Fan, Konstantinos Chondroudis, Daniel M. Giaquinta, Kenta Urata, Kazuhiko Iwasaki, Hiroichi Fukuda
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Patent number: 7393607Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, and a first and second separators for sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. The first separator has an oxygen-containing gas flow passage for allowing an oxygen-containing gas in a serpentine pattern to flow horizontally back and forth, and flow downwardly. Partition areas are provided along the oxygen-containing gas flow passage in the serpentine pattern. The partition areas are formed by partially cutting out a gas diffusion layer. Insulating seals for preventing leakage of the oxygen-containing gas are provided in the partition areas.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2003Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahiro Mohri, Yosuke Fujii, Hiromichi Yoshida, Daisuke Wachi, Shuhei Goto
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Patent number: 7391183Abstract: To provide a system for controlling the charging of a secondary battery (battery), which is capable of keeping an initial charging/discharging characteristic of the battery in consideration of a change in environmental temperature and deterioration of the battery with elapsed time. An ordinary charging portion for performing a first charging control specified to stop the charging at a charge level less than a full-charge level is used in combination with a refresh charging portion for performing a second charging control specified to stop the charging at a charge level more than the full charge level. After the charging by the ordinary charging portion is continuously repeated by a specific number of times, for example, ten times, the next charging is performed by the refresh charging portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2003Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kyoichi Ariga, Takashi Sone
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Patent number: RE40446Abstract: Disclosed is a strength-enhancing apparatus for a metal part comprising a recovery mechanism for sucking powder flow dust generated from glass beads crushed on a surface of a gear in a chamber to recover it together with drainage, wherein the recovery mechanism includes a liquid-spouting means arranged on a ceiling in the chamber, for effecting showering for the whole interior of the chamber. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably recover the mist containing the powder flow dust floating in the chamber, and it is possible to reliably avoid adhesion and accumulation of the powder flow dust.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2003Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Satoru Ichihashi, Yutaka Ito, Masaichi Ohno, Shigeru Watanabe