Patents by Inventor Naoki Kuwabara

Naoki Kuwabara 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: 9663180
    Abstract: A steering structure for a saddle type vehicle includes a head pipe which forms a steering axial line offset to a front side with respect to a steering axial line of a handlebar, a steering member supported for pivotal motion on the head pipe and configured to pivot around the steering axial line integrally with a front wheel, and a link member connected at a first end portion thereof for pivotal motion on the steering member and connected at a second end portion thereof for pivotal motion to the handlebar. The steering structure also includes a pivotal member provided between the first end portion of the link member and the steering member and supported on the steering member for rotation around a pivotal axial line extending along a center axial line of an axle of the front wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Naoki Kuwabara
  • Publication number: 20170088230
    Abstract: To achieve steering angle adjustment on a steering part side and a front wheel side, a positioning structure includes: a first engagement part for engaging the steering part and a body frame with each other at a first steering angle that is an angle about a first steering axis at the time of assembling the vehicle; a second engagement part for engaging a fork and a fork holder at a second steering angle that is an angle about a second steering axis at the time of assembling the vehicle; and a linking mechanism for linking the first engagement part and the second engagement part to each other. The linking mechanism is provided with a steering adjusting mechanism for putting the first engagement part into engagement by adjusting the first steering angle and for putting the second engagement part into engagement by adjusting the second steering angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Naoki Kuwabara, Masayuki Fujita
  • Publication number: 20170088233
    Abstract: A structure promoting a reduction in size and weight of a swing arm structure. Pivot shafts that extend in a vehicle width direction are disposed in the vehicle body frame. A pair of wall portions is disposed in the vehicle width direction in the vehicle body frame. An interposed portion is disposed between the wall portions in the swing arm. The wall portions have wall portion-side pass-through portions, which receive the pivot shafts passed therethrough. The interposed portion has interposed portion-side pass-through portions formed therein at, out of both end portions in the vehicle width direction, portions facing the wall portion-side pass-through portions, respectively. The interposed portion-side pass-through portions receive the pivot shafts, respectively, passed therethrough. The interposed portion has a non-pass-through portion formed therein at least at a middle portion in the vehicle width direction of the interposed portion. The non-pass-through portion does not receive the pivot shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Naoki Kuwabara, Kenji Kofuji, Kazuho Nakai, Takafumi Irie, Katsumasa Mukai
  • Patent number: 9505283
    Abstract: A lower arm has a first arm main part having a U-shape and a first vehicle-body-side front joint and a first vehicle-body-side rear joint provided at the tip parts of the first arm main part. An upper arm has a second arm main part having a U-shape and a second vehicle-body-side front joint and a second vehicle-body-side rear joint provided at the tip parts of the second arm main part. At least part of the second vehicle-body-side rear joint is overlapped with the first vehicle-body-side rear joint in plan view. The second vehicle-body-side front joint is offset to the rear side relative to the first vehicle-body-side front joint. A cushion unit disposed on the front side of the second arm main part is provided between a vehicle body frame F and the lower arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Kuwabara, Koshi Hayakawa, Hajime Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 9428031
    Abstract: A vehicle-use pivotally-supporting portion structure includes a cylindrical upper pivotally-supporting portion; a tubular bushing mounted on a radially inner side of an end portion of the upper pivotally-supporting portion; and a sealing member mounted on a radially outer side of the end portion of the upper pivotally-supporting portion. A flange portion, which extends outward in a radial direction and is brought into contact with a distal end of the upper pivotally-supporting portion, is formed on an end portion of the tubular bushing, and an outer diameter of the flange portion is larger than an outer diameter of the end portion of the upper pivotally-supporting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Kuwabara, Hiroaki Tomita
  • Patent number: 9421955
    Abstract: A suspension structure for an irregular ground traveling vehicle includes an upper arm and a lower arm, a drive shaft, a boot, and an outer guard. The upper and lower arms each have one end portion supported on a vehicle body frame. The drive shaft is disposed between the upper arm and the lower arm and transmits a drive force to a wheel. The boot covers an end portion of the drive shaft on a wheel side. The outer guard member covers a front side of the boot. A brake line, which extends from a caliper, is arranged within a width of the wheel and below the upper arm, and the outer guard member extends to an area in the vicinity of the upper arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Kuwabara, Atsuko Yamaguchi, Akio Handa
  • Publication number: 20160236703
    Abstract: A tilt steering apparatus includes a steering column having a tube member housing a steering shaft and rotatably installed on a body frame for tilt about a steering column tilt axis. Between a steering gearbox and the steering shaft, the apparatus includes a first universal joint secured to the steering shaft, an intermediate shaft and a second universal joint. The first universal joint includes a swing center defining a steering shaft tilt axis. Bearings rotatably support the steering shaft within the steering column tube and elastic members engage with the bearings to flex for axial movement of the steering shaft in the steering column tube. This relative movement accommodates an offset between the steering shaft and steering column tilt axes, thereby avoiding an increase in thrust load between the shaft and column during tilt for improved steerability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventor: Naoki KUWABARA
  • Patent number: 9359037
    Abstract: A front suspension structure includes a head pipe; an upper arm portion having a front end portion connected to the head pipe rockably about a first coupling axis and a rear end portion connected to a vehicle body frame rockably about a second coupling axis; and a lower arm portion disposed below the upper arm portion, and having a front end portion connected to the head pipe rockably about a third coupling axis and a rear end portion connected to the vehicle body frame rockably about a fourth coupling axis. The structure includes a cushion unit making a lower end portion perform a stroke as the lower arm portion rocks; the lower end portion supported in front of a middle point of a segment connecting the third coupling axis to the fourth coupling axis, and an upper end portion supported in a rear of the second coupling axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Kuwabara, Jun Ishikawa, Munehiro Toda
  • Patent number: 9346492
    Abstract: An off-road vehicle is provided with a body frame that supports a final drive unit and a rear suspension, the rear suspension that supports rear wheels with an upper arm and an lower arm and absorbs shock with a rear cushion unit disposed between the rear wheels and the body frame, and a drive shaft that transmits a driving force from the final drive unit to the rear wheels. The body frame that configures generally rectangular parallelepiped sides enclosing the area around the final drive unit is provided with a front rear side frame. The front rear side frame vertically extends the left and right of one side of either the front side or the back side of the final drive unit and supports the upper arm, the lower arm, and the rear cushion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Oshima, Yasuo Hanafusa, Naoki Kuwabara
  • Publication number: 20160089944
    Abstract: A swing arm having a reduced number of parts in which manufacturing cost can be reduced. In a swing arm including: vehicle-body-side support portions that are supported on a vehicle body side by a first rotary shaft; wheel-side support portions that are supported on a wheel side by a second rotary shaft; and a pair of arm portions that connect the vehicle-body-side support portions and the wheel-side support portions to each other, cross members that extend in an axial direction of the first rotary shaft is arranged on the pair of arm portions so as to extend between the pair of arm portions, and the cross members have a U shape in cross section orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the cross members, thus forming opening portions that open so as to face a direction that the pair of arm portions extends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Naoki Kuwabara, Hiroaki Tomita, Hajime Uchiyama
  • Publication number: 20160089945
    Abstract: A lower arm has a first arm main part having a U-shape and a first vehicle-body-side front joint and a first vehicle-body-side rear joint provided at the tip parts of the first arm main part. An upper arm has a second arm main part having a U-shape and a second vehicle-body-side front joint and a second vehicle-body-side rear joint provided at the tip parts of the second arm main part. At least part of the second vehicle-body-side rear joint is overlapped with the first vehicle-body-side rear joint in plan view. The second vehicle-body-side front joint is offset to the rear side relative to the first vehicle-body-side front joint. A cushion unit disposed on the front side of the second arm main part is provided between a vehicle body frame F and the lower arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Naoki Kuwabara, Koshi Hayakawa, Hajime Uchiyama
  • Publication number: 20150274250
    Abstract: A front suspension structure includes a head pipe radially internally supporting a shaft portion forming a steering axis such that the shaft portion is rotatable about the steering axis; a front fork connected to a lower end portion of the shaft portion on a lower side of the head pipe, the front fork supporting an axle of a steering wheel; a link member having one end portion connected rotatably on an upper side of a turning member having the shaft portion, and having another end portion connected rotatably on a side of handlebars; the head pipe disposed so as to be separated frontward from a vehicle body frame; and a rocking arm having a front end portion rockably supported by the head pipe, and having a rear end portion rockably supported by the vehicle body frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Kuwabara, Jun Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20150274245
    Abstract: A steering structure for a saddle type vehicle includes a head pipe which forms a steering axial line offset to a front side with respect to a steering axial line of a handlebar, a steering member supported for pivotal motion on the head pipe and configured to pivot around the steering axial line integrally with a front wheel, and a link member connected at a first end portion thereof for pivotal motion on the steering member and connected at a second end portion thereof for pivotal motion to the handlebar. The steering structure also includes a pivotal member provided between the first end portion of the link member and the steering member and supported on the steering member for rotation around a pivotal axial line extending along a center axial line of an axle of the front wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Naoki Kuwabara
  • Publication number: 20150274249
    Abstract: A front suspension structure includes a head pipe; an upper arm portion having a front end portion connected to the head pipe rockably about a first coupling axis and a rear end portion connected to a vehicle body frame rockably about a second coupling axis; and a lower arm portion disposed below the upper arm portion, and having a front end portion connected to the head pipe rockably about a third coupling axis and a rear end portion connected to the vehicle body frame rockably about a fourth coupling axis. The structure includes a cushion unit making a lower end portion perform a stroke as the lower arm portion rocks; the lower end portion supported in front of a middle point of a segment connecting the third coupling axis to the fourth coupling axis, and an upper end portion supported in a rear of the second coupling axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Kuwabara, Jun Ishikawa, Munehiro Toda
  • Publication number: 20150210234
    Abstract: A suspension structure for an irregular ground traveling vehicle includes an upper arm and a lower arm, a drive shaft, a boot, and an outer guard. The upper and lower arms each have one end portion supported on a vehicle body frame. The drive shaft is disposed between the upper arm and the lower arm and transmits a drive force to a wheel. The boot covers an end portion of the drive shaft on a wheel side. The outer guard member covers a front side of the boot. A brake line, which extends from a caliper, is arranged within a width of the wheel and below the upper arm, and the outer guard member extends to an area in the vicinity of the upper arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Naoki Kuwabara, Atsuko Yamaguchi, Akio Handa
  • Publication number: 20150210139
    Abstract: A vehicle-use pivotally-supporting portion structure includes a cylindrical upper pivotally-supporting portion; a tubular bushing mounted on a radially inner side of an end portion of the upper pivotally-supporting portion; and a sealing member mounted on a radially outer side of the end portion of the upper pivotally-supporting portion. A flange portion, which extends outward in a radial direction and is brought into contact with a distal end of the upper pivotally-supporting portion, is formed on an end portion of the tubular bushing, and an outer diameter of the flange portion is larger than an outer diameter of the end portion of the upper pivotally-supporting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Naoki Kuwabara, Hiroaki Tomita
  • Patent number: 9033090
    Abstract: A brake hose guide includes a guide portion constructed of a pair of vertical wall portions with a connecting portion for connecting the vertical wall portions to each other. The brake hose guide is fastened to a support body for allowing a brake hose to pass through the inside of the guide portion. A mounting portion is connected to a specified vertical wall portion that constitutes at least one of the pair of vertical wall portions and is formed such that a portion of the mounting portion projects more toward the inside of the guide portion than the specified vertical wall portion. At least a portion of a fastening hole, that is formed in the mounting portion so as to allow a fastening member to pass therethrough, is arranged inside an outer end portion of the specified vertical wall portion as viewed from the fastening direction toward the support body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Naoki Kuwabara
  • Publication number: 20150061274
    Abstract: An off-road vehicle is provided with a body frame that supports a final drive unit and a rear suspension, the rear suspension that supports rear wheels with an upper arm and an lower arm and absorbs shock with a rear cushion unit disposed between the rear wheels and the body frame, and a drive shaft that transmits a driving force from the final drive unit to the rear wheels. The body frame that configures generally rectangular parallelepiped sides enclosing the area around the final drive unit is provided with a front rear side frame. The front rear side frame vertically extends the left and right of one side of either the front side or the back side of the final drive unit and supports the upper arm, the lower arm, and the rear cushion unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Tadashi Oshima, Yasuo Hanafusa, Naoki Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 8967318
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle (10) includes a vehicle body frame (11), a drive shaft (23) in the form of a constant velocity ball joint, and a lower arm (33) extending laterally of the vehicle. The drive shaft extends substantially parallel with the lower arm and includes an intermediate shaft (101) and a bearing portion (102) mounted to a vehicle-body-side end of the intermediate shaft. The bearing portion (102) is disposed to be positioned substantially on a vertical line passing over a vehicle-body-side connection portion (33a) of the lower arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kuwabara, Bunzo Seki
  • Patent number: 8573615
    Abstract: A suspension system suitable for a small-sized vehicle such as an all terrain vehicle. A strut damper is arranged wherein a downwardly extending line of an axis of the strut damper is located in front of a drive shaft extending to the depth of a drawing from the rotational center of a front wheel. As interference between the strut damper and the drive shaft is not a concern, a mounting position of the strut damper can be fully lowered. In addition, the length of the axis of the strut damper can be fully secured. Therefore, the height of the vehicle can be lowered. In addition, the design of a vehicle body is facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kuwabara, Bunzo Seki