Patents by Inventor Kenichi Munenaga

Kenichi Munenaga 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: 8226151
    Abstract: A rear door structure in which a rear door is openably and closably provided on a rear portion of a vehicle body, including a door panel, wherein: the door panel includes an upper door panel and a lower door panel provided on the lower portion of the upper door panel; and a lower edge portion of the upper door panel and an upper edge portion of the lower door panel mutually overlap so as to form a lateral beam having a closed cross section and extending in a vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Miyake, Kenichi Munenaga
  • Patent number: 7914066
    Abstract: A rear door structure including: a frame portion which supports an upper edge and both lateral edges of a rear glass; a lateral beam which extends in a vehicle width direction and connects both lateral side portions of the frame portion to each other; a reinforcing member which straddles the lateral side portion of the frame portion and the lateral beam; and a driving unit for a wiper device disposed in a space between the lateral side portion of the frame portion and the lateral beam, wherein: a first end side of the driving unit is fixed to a connection portion between the frame portion and the reinforcing member; and a second end side of the driving unit is fixed to a connection portion of between the reinforcing member and the lateral beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Miyake, Kenichi Munenaga
  • Publication number: 20100102589
    Abstract: A rear door structure including: a frame portion which supports an upper edge and both lateral edges of a rear glass; a lateral beam which extends in a vehicle width direction and connects both lateral side portions of the frame portion to each other; a reinforcing member which straddles the lateral side portion of the frame portion and the lateral beam; and a driving unit for a wiper device disposed in a space between the lateral side portion of the frame portion and the lateral beam, wherein: a first end side of the driving unit is fixed to a connection portion between the frame portion and the reinforcing member; and a second end side of the driving unit is fixed to a connection portion of between the reinforcing member and the lateral beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Miyake, Kenichi Munenaga
  • Publication number: 20100102590
    Abstract: A rear door structure in which a rear door is openably and closably provided on a rear portion of a vehicle body, including a door panel, wherein: the door panel includes an upper door panel and a lower door panel provided on the lower portion of the upper door panel; and a lower edge portion of the upper door panel and an upper edge portion of the lower door panel mutually overlap so as to form a lateral beam having a closed cross section and extending in a vehicle width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Miyake, Kenichi Munenaga
  • Patent number: 7669916
    Abstract: A rear door is supported at a rear end of a vehicle by a hinge assembly, which includes a hinge base part and a door hinge part. The hinge base part is provided in a groove formed at a joint between a roof panel and a side panel of a vehicle body, and the door hinge part is attached to the rear door and swingably supported by the hinge base part. The hinge base part includes an anchor portion fixed to a bottom of the groove, a swing motion support portion disposed in a position aligned in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle with the anchor portion and separate from the anchor portion to support the door hinge part, and a connecting portion extending between the anchor portion and the swing motion support portion to fix the swing motion support portion relative to the anchor portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Munenaga, Fumiyoshi Mizutani
  • Patent number: 7618083
    Abstract: A rear door structure for a vehicle includes an inner panel disposed on an inner side of the vehicle and an outer panel disposed on an outer side of the vehicle, the inner panel including: a frame part corresponding to a contour of the rear door, and a pair of reinforcement parts that are integrally formed with the frame part, extend from a lower portion to both side portions of the frame part and are arranged in an approximate V-shape. The inner panel has a face portion smoothly and contiguously formed along an inner rim of the frame part from the side portion to the reinforcement part. The face portion has a step portion contiguously formed in an extending direction of the face portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Munenaga, Fumiyoshi Mizutani
  • Patent number: 7537267
    Abstract: A hatchback door structure for vehicles which includes an inner panel arranged on an inner side of a vehicle; and an outer panel arranged on an outer side of the vehicle, wherein the inner panel includes a frame which has a shape outlining an outer shape of the hatchback door, and a pair of stiffening ribs which is integrally formed with the frame and extends approximately in a V-shape to both side portions of the frame from a bottom side of the frame. Further, the inner panel is integrally formed by press-forming and includes a discrete lateral beam which is fixed and extends between jointing portions of the side portions of the frame and stiffening ribs, wherein, the discrete lateral beam is formed by press-forming, and a window frame on which a window glass is fixed is formed in an upper portion of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeki Tanaka, Tomofumi Ichinose, Kenichi Munenaga, Kazuhiko Yamada, Yoshitomo Ihashi
  • Publication number: 20080148518
    Abstract: A rear door is supported at a rear end of a vehicle by a hinge assembly, which includes a hinge base part and a door hinge part. The hinge base part is provided in a groove formed at a joint between a roof panel and a side panel of a vehicle body, and the door hinge part is attached to the rear door and swingably supported by the hinge base part. The hinge base part includes an anchor portion fixed to a bottom of the groove, a swing motion support portion disposed in a position aligned in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle with the anchor portion and separate from the anchor portion to support the door hinge part, and a connecting portion extending between the anchor portion and the swing motion support portion to fix the swing motion support portion relative to the anchor portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Munenaga, Fumiyoshi Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20080030047
    Abstract: A rear door structure for a vehicle includes an inner panel disposed on an inner side of the vehicle and an outer panel disposed on an outer side of the vehicle, the inner panel including: a frame part corresponding to a contour of the rear door, and a pair of reinforcement parts that are integrally formed with the frame part, extend from a lower portion to both side portions of the frame part and are arranged in an approximate V-shape. The inner panel has a face portion smoothly and contiguously formed along an inner rim of the frame part from the side portion to the reinforcement part. The face portion has a step portion contiguously formed in an extending direction of the face portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Munenaga, Fumiyoshi Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20070170751
    Abstract: A hatchback door structure for vehicles which includes an inner panel arranged on an inner side of a vehicle; and an outer panel arranged on an outer side of the vehicle, wherein the inner panel includes a frame which has a shape outlining an outer shape of the hatchback door, and a pair of stiffening ribs which is integrally formed with the frame and extends approximately in a V-shape to both side portions of the frame from a bottom side of the frame. Further, the inner panel is integrally formed by press-forming and includes a discrete lateral beam which is fixed and extends between jointing portions of the side portions of the frame and stiffening ribs, wherein, the discrete lateral beam is formed by press-forming, and a window frame on which a window glass is fixed is formed in an upper portion of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeki Tanaka, Tomofumi Ichinose, Kenichi Munenaga, Kazuhiko Yamada, Yoshitomo Ihashi
  • Patent number: 7222893
    Abstract: A structure for attaching a striker, having an attachment bracket including a base fastened to a panel, and a protruding portion joined to the base. The protruding portion extends in a direction different from a direction in which the base is arranged. The striker may have a swelling portion which swells in a direction going away from the base, and is attached to the protruding portion. The structure may include a cover member for covering an outside of the attachment bracket, and a work hole for adjusting the position of the striker is formed in the cover member. Typically, the striker has a base plate and a striker main portion. The base plate is selectively approachable to and retreatable from the attachment bracket via screw members which are inserted through a through hole provided in the protruding portion of the attachment bracket and are adjustably screwed into the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Miyake, Kazuhiko Yamada, Kenichi Munenaga
  • Patent number: 7118155
    Abstract: An automatic opening and closing device including: a trunk lid; a drive unit which generates drive force for operating the opening and closing member; a hinge arm which is mounted between a rear fender and wheel house inner panel and the trunk lid; and a first link and a second link which transmit the drive force of the drive unit to the trunk lid. The drive unit is fitted to an edge portion of a trunk room aperture portion, and the first and second link are provided so as to straddle the hinge arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Miyake, Tomofumi Ichinose, Kenichi Munenaga, Junichi Busujima, Takao Ochiai, Tatsuya Kaneko, Kazunori Ishihara
  • Patent number: 7097230
    Abstract: Provided is a power actuator system for actuating a closure member (1) such as a trunk lid which is compact in size and has a minimized protrusion. A first link (8) is connected to an output shaft of a powered actuator (7), and a free end of the first link is connected to an end of a second link (9). The other end of the second link is pivotally connected to a hinge arm (4) which is fixedly attached to a closure member and pivotally supports the closure member to a fixed part such as a vehicle body. The first link is adapted to extend substantially from the output shaft towards the closure member as the first link swing around the output shaft, and the second link extends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignees: Mitsuba Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Ishihara, Takao Ochiai, Junichi Busujima, Tatsuya Kaneko, Yoshinori Miyake, Tomofumi Ichinose, Kenichi Munenaga
  • Patent number: 7078640
    Abstract: An opening switch for an opening and closing body includes a switch base having a first substrate and a second substrate which are put together in a manner such that inner faces of the substrates face each other and outer faces of the substrates are outer faces of the switch base; a main switch body provided on the outer face of the first substrate; a lever portion which is provided on the inner face of the first substrate and passes the second substrate through a through hole; and a flange portion for preventing an over stroke of the lever portion. The flange portion protrudes from the outer face of the second substrate and is positioned away from the lever portion and on a side toward which the lever portion is inclined. A flexible cover member for covering a combined body of the lever portion and the flange portion is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Miyake, Tomofumi Ichinose, Kenichi Munenaga, Kazuhiko Yamada, Katsuyuki Ishiguro
  • Publication number: 20060071504
    Abstract: Provided is a power actuator system for actuating a closure member (1) such as a trunk lid which is compact in size and has a minimized protrusion. A first link (8) is connected to an output shaft of a powered actuator (7), and a free end of the first link is connected to an end of a second link (9). The other end of the second link is pivotally connected to a hinge arm (4) which is fixedly attached to a closure member and pivotally supports the closure member to a fixed part such as a vehicle body. The first link is adapted to extend substantially from the output shaft towards the closure member as the first link swing around the output shaft, and the second link extends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the center line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Applicants: MITSUBA Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Ishihara, Takao Ochiai, Junichi Busujima, Tatsuya Kaneko, Yoshinori Miyake, Tomofumi Ichinose, Kenichi Munenaga
  • Publication number: 20060071503
    Abstract: An automatic opening and closing device including: a trunk lid; a drive unit which generates drive force for operating the opening and closing member; a hinge arm which is mounted between a rear fender and wheel house inner panel and the trunk lid; and a first link and a second link which transmit the drive force of the drive unit to the trunk lid. The drive unit is fitted to an edge portion of a trunk room aperture portion, and the first and second link are provided so as to straddle the hinge arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Applicants: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., MITSUBA Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Miyake, Tomofumi Ichinose, Kenichi Munenaga, Junichi Busujima, Takao Ochiai, Tatsuya Kaneko, Kazunori Ishihara
  • Patent number: 7014248
    Abstract: A rear gate is constructed to be opened and closed by a driving unit installed on a vehicle body side, and the driving unit is constructed to have a motor which can rotate both in normal and reverse directions, a gearbox to which a pinion is pivotally attached for reducing the rotating speed of the motor for output, and a rack adapted to reciprocate in directions normal to an axial direction of a hinge shaft by virtue of the rotation of the pinion and connected to the rear gate at one end thereof. An electromagnetic clutch for connecting and disconnecting a power transmission path between an output shaft of the motor and the pinion is provided in the interior of the gearbox, so that the rack is disposed above or below the gearbox at a position directly above or below the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignees: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Yokota, Masahiro Tanigawa, Kenichi Munenaga
  • Publication number: 20060037850
    Abstract: An opening switch for an opening and closing body includes a switch base having a first substrate and a second substrate which are put together in a manner such that inner faces of the substrates face each other and outer faces of the substrates are outer faces of the switch base; a main switch body provided on the outer face of the first substrate; a lever portion which is provided on the inner face of the first substrate and passes the second substrate through a through hole; and a flange portion for preventing an over stroke of the lever portion. The flange portion protrudes from the outer face of the second substrate and is positioned away from the lever portion and on a side toward which the lever portion is inclined. A flexible cover member for covering a combined body of the lever portion and the flange portion is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Applicants: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Miyake, Tomofumi Ichinose, Kenichi Munenaga, Kazuhiko Yamada, Katsuyuki Ishiguro
  • Publication number: 20050218671
    Abstract: A structure for attaching a striker, having an attachment bracket including a base fastened to a panel, and a protruding portion joined to the base. The protruding portion extends in a direction different from a direction in which the base is arranged. The striker may have a swelling portion which swells in a direction going away from the base, and is attached to the protruding portion. The structure may include a cover member for covering an outside of the attachment bracket, and a work hole for adjusting the position of the striker is formed in the cover member. Typically, the striker has a base plate and a striker main portion. The base plate is selectively approachable to and retreatable from the attachment bracket via screw members which are inserted through a through hole provided in the protruding portion of the attachment bracket and are adjustably screwed into the base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Miyake, Kazuhiko Yamada, Kenichi Munenaga
  • Patent number: 6861589
    Abstract: An elongated member is formed with a groove extending in a longitudinal direction thereof. A protector body has a harness chamber which accommodates a wire harness therein, and is integrally formed with a retainer which holds a wire-like member. The protector body is detachably attached to the elongated member such that the retainer is accommodated in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignees: Yazaki Corporation, Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiro Katsumata, Takeshi Miyata, Yuuji Kage, Kenichi Munenaga