Patents by Inventor Nobukatsu Hara
Nobukatsu Hara 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).
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Patent number: 11912363Abstract: A control device is configured to control a telescopic apparatus that is provided on a human-powered vehicle. The control device includes at least one sensor and an electronic controller. The at least one sensor is configured to detect an operating condition of the human-powered vehicle. The operating condition includes at least two of a sitting condition of a rider, a power input to the human-powered vehicle, and a forward speed of the human-powered vehicle. The electronic controller is configured to selectively control the telescopic apparatus of the human-powered vehicle in accordance to the operating condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2019Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Nobukatsu Hara
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Patent number: 11840311Abstract: A control system for a human-powered vehicle includes a suspension device, at least one detector, an electronic controller. The suspension device includes a first suspension and a second suspension. The at least one detector is configured to detect information related to at least two conditions of the human-powered vehicle. The conditions include an operating state of the suspension device, a power input to the human-powered vehicle, a torque of a power transmission component, and a rotating state of the power transmission component. The electronic controller is configured to selectively control the suspension device between a first operating state and a second operating state in accordance with a detection result obtained by the at least one detector.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2022Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa, Nobukatsu Hara
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Publication number: 20230382482Abstract: A control device for a human-powered vehicle comprises an electronic controller configured to obtain driving-environment information relating to driving environment of the human-powered vehicle. The driving-environment information includes at least one of traffic information relating to traffic and road object information relating to road objects. The electronic controller is configured to control an electric component based on the driving-environment information.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2022Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Toyoto SHIRAI, Nobukatsu HARA, Yuki SAKAGAWA, Satoshi SHAHANA, Noor Ashyikkin BINTI MOHD NOOR
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Publication number: 20230249776Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device controls the transmission that changes the transmission ratio of a human-powered vehicle. The control device includes an electronic controller that switches between a first control state for controlling the transmission to change the transmission ratio in accordance with a first prescribed set of conditions, and a second control state for controlling the transmission to suppress the change of the transmission ratio as compared with if the electronic controller is in the first control state, in accordance with at least one of a steering state of the human-powered vehicle, a surface condition of a travel path on which the human-powered vehicle travels, and a pedaling preparation state related to the pedals of the human-powered vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: Satoshi SHAHANA, Nobukatsu HARA, Hitoshi TAKAYAMA
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Patent number: 11702167Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device controls the transmission to initiate a shifting operation based on a set of prescribed conditions that changes the transmission ratio of a human-powered vehicle. The control device includes an electronic controller that switches between a first control state for controlling the transmission to change the transmission ratio in accordance with a first prescribed set of conditions, and a second control state for controlling the transmission to prevent the change of the transmission ratio as compared with if the electronic controller is in the first control state. The electronic controller switches between the first control state and the second control state in accordance with a detection of at least one of a steering state of the human-powered vehicle, a surface condition of a travel path on which the human-powered vehicle travels, and a pedaling preparation state related to the pedals of the human-powered vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Nobukatsu Hara, Hitoshi Takayama
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Patent number: 11697473Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur comprises a base member, a linkage structure, a movable member, a first pulley assembly, and a second pulley assembly. The first pulley assembly includes a first pulley support and a first toothed pulley. The first pulley support is pivotally coupled to the movable member about a first pivot axis. The first toothed pulley is rotatably coupled to the first pulley support about a first pulley axis spaced apart from the first pivot axis. The second pulley assembly includes a second pulley support, a second toothed pulley, and a third toothed pulley. The second pulley support is pivotally coupled to the movable member about a second pivot axis. The second toothed pulley is rotatably coupled to the second pulley support about a second pulley axis. The third toothed pulley is rotatably coupled to the second pulley support about a third pulley axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Nobukatsu Hara
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Publication number: 20230202594Abstract: A saddle sensor assembly is provided to a saddle or seatpost. The saddle sensor assembly includes a first part, a second part, a third part and a sensor. The first part is configured to receive a load from a rider, and moves due to the load applied by the rider. The second part is provided closer to a seatpost than the first part. The first part is movable relative to the second part between a first position and a second position. The third part supports the first part and the second part. The third part is attached to at least one of the saddle and the seatpost. The sensor is provided to one of the first part and the second part. The sensor is configured to detect relative movement of at least one of the first part and the second part between the first position and the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2021Publication date: June 29, 2023Inventor: Nobukatsu HARA
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Patent number: 11649003Abstract: A control device including an electronic controller for controlling a human-powered vehicle. The electronic controller is configured to control an adjusting device that is configured to adjust a seat height of the human-powered vehicle upon determining the human-powered vehicle is being stopped while traveling uphill.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2020Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Nobukatsu Hara, Satoshi Shahana, Yuta Mizutani
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Publication number: 20230034689Abstract: A control system for a human-powered vehicle includes a suspension device, at least one detector, an electronic controller. The suspension device includes a first suspension and a second suspension. The at least one detector is configured to detect information related to at least two conditions of the human-powered vehicle. The conditions include an operating state of the suspension device, a power input to the human-powered vehicle, a torque of a power transmission component, and a rotating state of the power transmission component. The electronic controller is configured to selectively control the suspension device between a first operating state and a second operating state in accordance with a detection result obtained by the at least one detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Yasuhiro TSUCHIZAWA, Nobukatsu HARA
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Patent number: 11541962Abstract: A bicycle seatpost system comprises an electric actuator, a remote controller, and a seatpost controller. The seatpost controller is configured to control the electric actuator to change a state of the bicycle seatpost assembly to an adjustable state based on one of a first control signal and a second control signal. The remote controller includes a first operating part configured to receive a first user input and a second operating part configured to receive a second user input. The remote controller is configured to generate the first control signal having a constant signal length regardless of an operation period of the first user input. The remote controller is configured to generate the second control signal having a signal length corresponding to the operation period of the second user input.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Nobukatsu Hara, Hiroshi Matsuda
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Patent number: 11498641Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device is provided for suitably controlling a rotation state of a wheel of a human-powered vehicle. The human-powered vehicle control device includes a first detector and an electronic controller. The first detector is configured to detect information related to a driving force of the wheel of the human-powered vehicle on a road surface. The electronic controller is configured to change an operation state of a suspension device of the human-powered vehicle in response to a detection result of the first detector.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa, Nobukatsu Hara
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Publication number: 20220289337Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur comprises a base member, a linkage structure, a movable member, a first pulley assembly, and a second pulley assembly. The first pulley assembly includes a first pulley support and a first toothed pulley. The first pulley support is pivotally coupled to the movable member about a first pivot axis. The first toothed pulley is rotatably coupled to the first pulley support about a first pulley axis spaced apart from the first pivot axis. The second pulley assembly includes a second pulley support, a second toothed pulley, and a third toothed pulley. The second pulley support is pivotally coupled to the movable member about a second pivot axis. The second toothed pulley is rotatably coupled to the second pulley support about a second pulley axis. The third toothed pulley is rotatably coupled to the second pulley support about a third pulley axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: September 15, 2022Applicant: SHIMANO INC.Inventor: Nobukatsu HARA
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Publication number: 20220204127Abstract: A control device is provided for a human-powered vehicle. The control device includes an electronic controller that is configured to control a motor that assists in propulsion of the human-powered vehicle. The electronic controller is configured to control the motor in accordance with a pitch angle of the human-powered vehicle and information related to a user load applied by a user to the human-powered vehicle in a negative direction with respect to a propulsion direction of the human-powered vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2021Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Satoshi SHAHANA, Akira INOUE, Akinobu SUGIMOTO, Atsuhiro EMURA, Nobukatsu HARA, Hitoshi TAKAYAMA, Shingo SAKURAI
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Patent number: 11319022Abstract: A transmission control system is configured to be used with a human-powered vehicle that includes a crank, a first rotation body rotated independently from the crank, a drive wheel, a second rotation body rotated independently from the drive wheel, a transfer body that transfers rotation force between the first and second rotation bodies, and a transmission that controls the transfer body and shifts a transmission ratio. The transmission control system includes a motor that drives the transfer body, a first detector that detects at least one of acceleration and vibration of the human-powered vehicle, and an electronic controller configured to control the motor in accordance with a detection result of the first detector upon generation of a shift request for the transmission in a state in which the drive wheel is rotated and a rotational angle of the crank is maintained in a predetermined range.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Nobukatsu Hara, Hitoshi Takayama
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Patent number: 11180211Abstract: A bicycle telescopic apparatus includes a first tube, a second tube, a positioning structure, a memory, and a controller. The second tube is telescopically received in the first tube and configured to be adjustably movable with respect to the first tube in a longitudinal direction of the bicycle telescopic apparatus. The positioning structure includes an electrical actuator to adjustably position the second tube relative to the first tube in the longitudinal direction. The memory is configured to store setting information for a predetermined relative position of the first tube and the second tube, and the setting information is changed via an electrical setting operation. The controller is configured to control the electrical actuator to position the second tube relative to the first tube at the predetermined relative position.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2017Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Nobukatsu Hara, Satoshi Shahana, Toyoto Shirai, Yuki Sakagawa, Yuta Kurokawa
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Publication number: 20210221469Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device controls the transmission to initiate a shifting operation based on a set of prescribed conditions that changes the transmission ratio of a human-powered vehicle. The control device includes an electronic controller that switches between a first control state for controlling the transmission to change the transmission ratio in accordance with a first prescribed set of conditions, and a second control state for controlling the transmission to prevent the change of the transmission ratio as compared with if the electronic controller is in the first control state. The electronic controller switches between the first control state and the second control state in accordance with a detection of at least one of a steering state of the human-powered vehicle, a surface condition of a travel path on which the human-powered vehicle travels, and a pedaling preparation state related to the pedals of the human-powered vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Satoshi SHAHANA, Nobukatsu HARA, Hitoshi TAKAYAMA
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Patent number: 11034407Abstract: A variable stem for a human-powered vehicle basically includes a head tube mount, a handlebar mount, a stem body, a positioning structure and a controller. The stem body couples the handlebar mount to the head tube mount. The stem body is configured to be moved between a first position and a second position. The handlebar mount is disposed at a different location with respect to the head tube mount with the stem body in the first position as compared to the stem body being in the second position. The positioning structure is configured to selectively position the stem body between a first position and a second position. The controller is configured to control the positioning structure while the human-powered vehicle is in a driving state.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2018Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Nobukatsu Hara
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Patent number: 11014630Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device controls the transmission that changes the transmission ratio of a human-powered vehicle. The control device includes an electronic controller that switches between a first control state for controlling the transmission to change the transmission ratio in accordance with a first prescribed set of conditions, and a second control state for controlling the transmission to suppress the change of the transmission ratio as compared with if the electronic controller is in the first control state, in accordance with at least one of the motion state of the body of the human-powered vehicle, the steering state of the human-powered vehicle, the surface conditions of a travel path on which the human-powered vehicle travels, and a pedaling preparation state related to the pedals of the human-powered vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Nobukatsu Hara, Hitoshi Takayama
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Publication number: 20210107581Abstract: A control device including an electronic controller for controlling a human-powered vehicle. The electronic controller is configured to control an adjusting device that is configured to adjust a seat height of the human-powered vehicle upon determining the human-powered vehicle is being stopped while traveling uphill.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: Nobukatsu HARA, Satoshi SHAHANA, Yuta MIZUTANI
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Publication number: 20210107589Abstract: A control device is provided for controlling an adjusting device of a human-powered vehicle. The adjusting device adjusts a front initial sag amount of a front suspension of the human-powered vehicle in a state in where a rider is riding the human-powered vehicle and a rear initial sag amount of a rear suspension of the human-powered vehicle in a state where the rider is riding the human-powered vehicle. The control device comprises an electronic controller configured to output a front control signal that adjusts the front initial sag amount of the front suspension of the human-powered vehicle, and output a rear control signal that adjusts the rear initial sag amount of the rear suspension of the human-powered vehicle to the adjusting device based on traveling information related to traveling of the human-powered vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: Nobukatsu HARA, Toyoto SHIRAI, Yuta MIZUTANI