Patents by Inventor Jun Ashihara

Jun Ashihara 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).

  • Publication number: 20210343028
    Abstract: Provided are an analysis device, an analysis method, a program, and a calibration method. The analysis device includes: an obtaining part obtaining an image captured by an image capturing part that captures an image of one or more first markers provided on an estimation target; and a calibration part calibrating a conversion rule from a sensor coordinate system to a segment coordinate system based on the image. A posture of the first marker relative to at least one inertial measurement sensor does not change, and the posture with respect to the image capturing part is recognizable by analyzing the captured image. The calibration part derives the posture of the first marker with respect to the image capturing part, derives a conversion matrix from the sensor coordinate system to a camera coordinate system based on the derived posture, and calibrates the conversion rule by using the derived conversion matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi IKEUCHI, Haruo AOKI, Jun ASHIHARA, Masayo ARAI, Takeshi OSATO, Kenichi TOYA, Yousuke NAGATA, Taizo YOSHIKAWA
  • Patent number: 9161880
    Abstract: In a walking assist device having leg links each connected to a support member through a first joint and having a first link and second link connected to the first link through a second joint, and actuators to be operated to displace the first and second links relative to each other to produce assist forces that assist part of user's body weight to assist the user to walk, it is configured such that a forward protruding amount of the second joint to be protruded with change of an angle between the first and second links about the second joint is changed. With this, it becomes possible to decrease the forward protruding amount to be protruded from the trunk of the user with change of the angle about the second joint, thereby decreasing the inertia force about the vertical axis, while mitigating the unnatural impression of the appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Ashihara, Yoshihisa Matsuoka, Hiroshi Matsuda, Yutaka Hiki, Makoto Shishido
  • Patent number: 8968223
    Abstract: Second joints are provided in positions where a seating unit is restrained from swinging relative to leg links due to a force acting on the seating unit from upper limb links through the intermediary of the second joints. A motion not intended by a user can be restrained from being generated due to a force acting from the upper limb links provided in the upper limbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ikeuchi, Jun Ashihara, Hiroshi Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8740822
    Abstract: An actuator is reduced in weight without impairing a walking assist function, and this reduces the inertial moment of a leg link. A drive crank arm on the output shaft of the actuator and a driven crank arm fixed to a second link portion so as to be concentric to the joint shaft of a third joint portion are connected to each other via a connection link. The connection link is placed so that a line connecting a pivot portion at which the drive crank arm is pivotally mounted and a pivot portion at which the driven crank arm is pivotally mounted obliquely crosses a line connecting the output shaft of the actuator and the joint shaft of the third joint portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Hiki, Zenta Sugawara, Jun Ashihara
  • Patent number: 8394038
    Abstract: A walking assistance device having an ankle joint limited in a swingable range in a rolling direction, enabling a user to open his/her legs apart more easily. The walking assistance device includes a seating member 1, a pair of leg links 2 and 2 which support the seating member 1 from below, and a ground contact member 8 connected to each leg link 2 through an ankle joint 7. The ankle joint 7 has a coupling mechanism 100 which includes a joint shaft member 106 and a retaining portion which swingably retains the joint shaft member 106 in the rolling direction in a predetermined range ?. The joint shaft member 106 is inclined to an abduction side in the rolling direction from the middle position of the predetermined range ? in which the joint shaft member is swingable in the rolling direction when the walking assistance device is in an upright state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Ashihara, Hiroshi Kudoh, Hiroshi Matsuda, Takeshi Koshiishi, Yutaka Hiki
  • Patent number: 8394044
    Abstract: The present invention provides a walking assist device including a seat member (1) where a user (P) sits astride; and a support member (2L, 2R) which is provided at a bottom side of the seat member (1); wherein the walking assist device includes a connection portion (106) which connects the seat member (1) to the support member (2L, 2R) in such a way that the seat member (1) is able to swing laterally around a spindle (106a) located at a middle portion of the anteroposterior width of the seat member (1) which the user (P) contacts. Therefore, the resistance force from the seat portion that the user (P) is subject to when the user (P) swings the hip to walk is reduced, thereby improving the usability of the walking assist device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Ashihara, Hiroshi Kudoh
  • Patent number: 8303525
    Abstract: Provided is a walking assist device including a seat member having a holding portion to be held by a user, a leg link connected to the seat member, and a driving source capable of driving the leg link in a direction of pushing up the seat member. At least a part of the body weight of a user is supported by the leg link through the seat member. The walking assist device can be self-mounted easily by the user. When a holding detection unit detects that the holding portion is held by the user, the walking assist device performs a mounting assist control by driving the leg link in the direction of pushing up the seat member until a seating detection unit detects the contact of the seat member with the crotch of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ikeuchi, Jun Ashihara
  • Patent number: 8267876
    Abstract: A walking assist device having a load transmit portion, a leg link connected to the load transmit portion, and a driving source capable of driving the leg link in a direction to raise a seat member, so that at least a partial weight of a user may be supported by the leg link through the load transmit portion. An electric component to be used for controlling the driving source can be mounted on the walking assist device without degrading the compactness of the walking assist device. At least a part of the leg link is constituted of a cylindrical link member in which at least the electric component, such as a motor driver to be used for the control of the driving source, is partially housed. The walking assist device also includes a heat transfer member for absorbing the heat of the electric component by the cylindrical link member. The heat transfer member is thermally connected to a side plate of the cylindrical link member directed toward the side opposite to the leg of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Ashihara, Yasushi Ikeuchi, Hiroshi Kudoh, Yutaka Hiki, Tatsuya Noda, Takeshi Koshiishi
  • Patent number: 8177733
    Abstract: A body weight support device of the present invention is equipped with a body attachment part attached to a user's body, a floor contact part provided contactably on a floor, a leg link part for connecting the body attachment part to the floor contact part through a joint part, an actuator for driving the joint part, and a control unit for controlling a drive of the actuator, wherein the control unit drives the actuator so that the leg link part gives a body weight support force to the user through the body attachment part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Ashihara, Yosuke Endo, Yasushi Ikeuchi, Yutaka Hiki, Toru Takenaka
  • Patent number: 8118763
    Abstract: Provided is a walking assist device including a seat member, a leg link having a joint portion, and a driving source for the joint portion. The walking assist device allows a user to rest by sitting on the seat member. Accordingly, the walking assist device further includes a lock mechanism disposed in the joint portion and an operation unit for the lock mechanism. When the operation unit is switched on, the driving source is controlled to increase an up-pushing force on the seat member. A variation rate on the up-pushing force is increased with time to a given value where the lock mechanism is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Ashihara, Yasushi Ikeuchi, Toru Fujihira, Yoichi Nishimura, Hiroshi Kudoh, Yutaka Hiki, Makoto Shishido, Tatsuya Noda, Hiroshi Matsuda, Yoshihisa Matsuoka, Ryuzo Yokoyama, Eiji Ninomiya, Takeshi Koshiishi
  • Patent number: 8114034
    Abstract: A walking aid apparatus comprising a sitting member which a user sits astride and leg links each coupled to a connection provided on the undersurface of the sitting member in such a way as to be free to swing in the forward/backward direction, which improves the stability of the sitting member. The connection is adapted in such a way that a forward/backward swinging fulcrum of the leg links is located above the sitting member. More specifically, the connection is provided with an arc-shaped guide track longitudinal in the forward/backward direction and having the center of curvature above the sitting member, so that each of the leg links swings along the guide track in the forward/backward direction. If the leg links are allowed to swing freely also in the lateral direction, preferably the lateral swinging fulcrum of the leg links is also located above the sitting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ikeuchi, Tatsuya Noda, Jun Ashihara, Yutaka Hiki
  • Patent number: 8083695
    Abstract: A walk assistance device capable of transmitting a force generated by a leg link to a user's trunk via a load transmit portion, wherein the leg link includes an upper first link portion connected to the load transmit portion via a first joint portion, a lower second link portion connected to a foot attachment portion via a second joint portion, a middle third joint portion connecting the first link portion to the second link portion such that a distance between the first joint portion and the second joint portion is variable, and a driving source that drives the third joint portion. The moment of inertia around the first joint portion of the leg link is reduced to decrease a load on the user's leg in walking. The driving source is disposed above the third joint portion of the first link portion so that the center-of-gravity of the entire leg link is located above the third joint portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Ashihara, Yasushi Ikeuchi, Hiroshi Kudoh, Yutaka Hiki, Tatsuya Noda
  • Patent number: 8083702
    Abstract: A walking assistance device has a leg link formed by connecting a first link member and a second link member through a third joint assembly. A force generated at the leg link by driving the third joint assembly is transmitted to the body of a user. The walking assistance device enables the user to deeply squat by making the third joint assembly highly bendable. The third joint assembly has with a joint link member, a first joint which connects the joint link member and a first link member, and a second joint which connects the joint link member and the second link member. The walking assistance device is further equipped with a drive source which imparts a torque in a stretching direction to the first joint, and an elastic member which elastically holds the second joint in a predetermined stretched state until a predetermined value or more acts thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Ashihara
  • Publication number: 20110306907
    Abstract: In a walking assist device having leg links each connected to a support member through a first joint and having a first link and second link connected to the first link through a second joint, and actuators to be operated to displace the first and second links relative to each other to produce assist forces that assist part of user's body weight to assist the user to walk, it is configured such that a forward protruding amount of the second joint to be protruded with change of an angle between the first and second links about the second joint is changed. With this, it becomes possible to decrease the forward protruding amount to be protruded from the trunk of the user with change of the angle about the second joint, thereby decreasing the inertia force about the vertical axis, while mitigating the unnatural impression of the appearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Ashihara, Yoshihisa Matsuoka, Hiroshi Matsuda, Yutaka Hiki, Makoto Shishido
  • Publication number: 20110257567
    Abstract: Second joints (7, 7) are provided in positions where a seating unit (1) is restrained from swinging relative to leg links (3, 3) due to a force acting on the seating unit (1) from upper limb links (5, 5) through the intermediary of the second joints (7, 7). A motion not intended by a user can be restrained from being generated due to a force acting from the upper limb links (5, 5) provided in the upper limbs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ikeuchi, Jun Ashihara, Hiroshi Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8002719
    Abstract: A walking assisting device having leg links connected to a load transfer portion, wherein each leg link is free to bend and stretch at a joint in the middle of the leg link, the leg link being formed to a length such that the joint projects forward of a reference line when a user is standing upright. The reference line is a line connecting a swing fulcrum of the leg link to a joint at the lower end of the leg link. Stability is improved by diminishing a moment in a forward tilting direction when the user is standing upright. The leg links are provided with an overhanging portion and a driving source mounted on the overhanging portion, which helps maintain balance relative to the reference line. The driving force is transmitted to the joint in the middle of the leg link via driving force transmission means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Ashihara, Yutaka Hiki
  • Patent number: 7963932
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting limb includes a body attachment, a link for upper leg, and a knee joint unit, a link for lower leg, a lower limb attachment, a drive unit and a knee joint actuator. The body attachment is attached to a trunk of a user. The link for upper leg is placed alongside with an upper leg of the user and coupled with the body attachment. The link for lower leg is placed alongside with a lower leg of the user and coupled with the link for the upper leg via the knee joint unit. The lower limb attachment is attached to one of the lower leg and a foot of the user, and coupled with the link for lower leg. The knee joint actuator is placed in the body attachment so as to apply rotational torque to the knee joint unit via the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Ashihara, Yutaka Hiki
  • Publication number: 20110028874
    Abstract: An actuator (91) is reduced in weight without impairing a walking assist function, and this reduces the inertial moment of a leg link (3). A drive crank arm (92) on the output shaft of the actuator (91) and a driven crank arm (93) fixed to a second link portion (7) so as to be concentric to the joint shaft of a third joint portion (8) are connected to each other via a connection link (94). The connection link (94) is placed so that a line connecting a pivot portion (94a) at which the drive crank arm (92) is pivotally mounted and a pivot portion (94b) at which the driven crank arm (93) is pivotally mounted obliquely crosses a line connecting the output shaft of the actuator (91) and the joint shaft of the third joint portion (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Hiki, Zenta Sugawara, Jun Ashihara
  • Patent number: 7854715
    Abstract: A walk supporting device includes a seating member on which a user is seated in a straddling manner and a pair of left and right leg links that support the seating member from below. Each of the leg links is coupled to the seating member to freely swing in a horizontal direction. The seating member is prevented from rolling around a support shaft serving as a swing fulcrum in the horizontal direction of the leg link to improve stability in the horizontal direction of the seating member. A stopper member coupled to the seating member is inserted between joint sections at upper ends of left and right leg links supported by the support shaft. A regulating mechanism that regulates the seating member in a posture orthogonal to an equiangular bisector of an angle in the horizontal direction formed by the left and right leg links may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Ashihara
  • Publication number: 20100204621
    Abstract: A walking assist device having a load transmit portion, a leg link connected to the load transmit portion, and a driving source capable of driving the leg link in a direction to raise a seat member, so that at least a partial weight of a user may be supported by the leg link through the load transmit portion. An electric component to be used for controlling the driving source can be mounted on the walking assist device without degrading the compactness of the walking assist device. At least a part of the leg link is constituted of a cylindrical link member in which at least the electric component, such as a motor driver to be used for the control of the driving source, is partially housed. The walking assist device also includes a heat transfer member for absorbing the heat of the electric component by the cylindrical link member. The heat transfer member is thermally connected to a side plate of the cylindrical link member directed toward the side opposite to the leg of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jun Ashihara, Yasushi Ikeuchi, Hiroshi Kudoh, Yutaka Hiki, Tatsuya Noda, Takeshi Koshiishi