Patents by Inventor Ryousuke Asaoka

Ryousuke Asaoka 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: 8535186
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission configured to reduce response delay and hunting due to overshooting. The continuously variable transmission is electronically controlled by a control unit. The control unit is connected to an actuator for moving a moving flange of a primary sheave and controls the output of the actuator in such a manner as to vary between upshift and downshift of the continuously variable transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryousuke Asaoka
  • Patent number: 8439797
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle that prevents belt fluttering motion when the vehicle starts. A throttle opening degree sensor that detects an opening degree of a throttle is connected to and outputs to a controller a signal produced when the throttle opening degree switches from a closed state to an open state. When the vehicle starts from a standing state, the controller controls an actuator, according to the signal produced when the throttle opening degree switches from the closed state to the open state, to move a movable flange from a normal position in the standing state in a direction to narrow the groove width of a primary sheave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryousuke Asaoka
  • Patent number: 8177683
    Abstract: When performing kick down, during re-acceleration after decelerating, the engine sometimes races unnecessarily, and a smooth acceleration feeling is not obtained. During control by a kick down mode, when accelerating after a throttle has been fully closed, a control target value is set so as not to pass to a Low side of a limit value of the control target value used during re-acceleration. As a result, racing of the engine is inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryousuke Asaoka
  • Patent number: 8123658
    Abstract: Restriction of hunting in the gear ratio of an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT) for a vehicle. A gear ratio change mechanism has a crankshaft as an input shaft, an output shaft and a motor. The motor continuously varies the gear ratio between the crankshaft and the output shaft. An electronic control unit (ECU) performs feedback control of the gear ratio to achieve a target gear ratio. The ECU reduces an output of the motor when a hunting state of the gear ratio is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryousuke Asaoka
  • Patent number: 8088037
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle in which drivability is ensured when starting the vehicle. The vehicle includes a control device that controls a continuously variable transmission. A plurality of driving modes “A” and “B” are set in the control device. The control device performs a first control that switches the driving mode to driving mode “A” before start of the engine; a second control that switches between driving modes A” and “B” in response to operation of a mode switching operation member; and a third control that limits the second control and inhibits switching from the driving mode “A” to driving mode “B”, when the control device detects that the engine has not been started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryousuke Asaoka, Hiroyuki Aoki
  • Patent number: 8090509
    Abstract: A transmission includes a gear ratio change mechanism, a driving circuit and an electronic control unit (ECU). The gear ratio change mechanism has a motor for continuously varying the gear ratio. The driving circuit applies a pulse voltage to the motor. The ECU outputs a control signal to the driving circuit. The duty ratio and/or the pulse height of the pulse voltage is changed according to the control signal. The ECU performs a low-pass filtering process on the control signal to output the low-pass filtered control signal to the driving circuit. Gear ratio change shocks are thereby suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryousuke Asaoka
  • Patent number: 8047960
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission reduces slips between a primary sheave and a V-belt when decelerating. A target value setting section sets a control target value for control by a control device. In the target value setting section, a normal mode, a kick down mode set to be in a Low gear range lower than in the normal mode, and a restriction value given in a throttle fully closed state are provided. The control device controls the continuously variable transmission based upon the kick down mode provided in the target value setting section, in response to an operation of a kick down operator. The control device controls a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission not to vary to a Low gear range lower than the restriction value provided in the target value setting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryousuke Asaoka
  • Patent number: 7976429
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission for a motorcycle that provides appropriate engagement of a centrifugal clutch when a clutch shoe is worn. A control unit controls a change gear ratio to a TOP side to engage the centrifugal clutch when the centrifugal clutch is disengaged and an engine rotational speed is higher than a predetermined first rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryousuke Asaoka
  • Patent number: 7641016
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle that can be accelerated rapidly by a simple operation irrespective of a selected drive mode includes a control unit that executes first control of switching between a plurality of drive modes A and B, and in each of at least two of the drive modes A and B, and second control of shifting the change gear to a kick-down state A1 or B1 in which the speed change ratio is lower than that of the drive mode A or B, according to operation of a shift-down operation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Unno, Ryousuke Asaoka, Hiroyuki Aoki
  • Publication number: 20080305926
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission reduces slips between a primary sheave and a V-belt when decelerating. A target value setting section sets a control target value for control by a control device. In the target value setting section, a normal mode, a kick down mode set to be in a Low gear range lower than in the normal mode, and a restriction value given in a throttle fully closed state are provided. The control device controls the continuously variable transmission based upon the kick down mode provided in the target value setting section, in response to an operation of a kick down operator. The control device controls a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission not to vary to a Low gear range lower than the restriction value provided in the target value setting section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryousuke Asaoka
  • Publication number: 20080248919
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission for a motorcycle that provides appropriate engagement of a centrifugal clutch when a clutch shoe is worn. A control unit controls a change gear ratio to a TOP side to engage the centrifugal clutch when the centrifugal clutch is disengaged and an engine rotational speed is higher than a predetermined first rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryousuke ASAOKA
  • Publication number: 20080242500
    Abstract: When performing kick down, during re-acceleration after decelerating, the engine sometimes races unnecessarily, and a smooth acceleration feeling is not obtained. During control by a kick down mode, when accelerating after a throttle has been fully closed, a control target value is set so as not to pass to a Low side of a limit value of the control target value used during re-acceleration. As a result, racing of the engine is inhibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryousuke Asaoka
  • Publication number: 20080242499
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle in which drivability is ensured when starting the vehicle. The vehicle includes a control device that controls a continuously variable transmission. A plurality of driving modes “A” and “B” are set in the control device. The control device performs a first control that switches the driving mode to driving mode “A” before start of the engine; a second control that switches between driving 2modes A” and “B” in response to operation of a mode switching operation member; and a third control that limits the second control and inhibits switching from the driving mode “A” to driving mode “B”, when the control device detects that the engine has not been started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryousuke Asaoka, Hiroyuki Aoki
  • Publication number: 20080183357
    Abstract: A transmission includes a gear ratio change mechanism, a driving circuit and an electronic control unit (ECU). The gear ratio change mechanism has a motor for continuously varying the gear ratio. The driving circuit applies a pulse voltage to the motor. The ECU outputs a control signal to the driving circuit. The duty ratio and/or the pulse height of the pulse voltage is changed according to the control signal. The ECU performs a low-pass filtering process on the control signal to output the low-pass filtered control signal to the driving circuit. Gear ratio change shocks are thereby suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryousuke Asaoka
  • Publication number: 20080179126
    Abstract: A straddle -type vehicle that can be accelerated rapidly by a simple operation irrespective of a selected drive mode includes a control unit that executes first control of switching between a plurality of drive modes A and B, and in each of at least two of the drive modes A and B, and second control of shifting the change gear to a kick-down state A1 or B1 in which the speed change ratio is lower than that of the drive mode A or B, according to operation of a shift-down operation member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshio Unno, Ryousuke Asaoka, Hiroyuki Aoki
  • Publication number: 20080182713
    Abstract: Restriction of hunting in the gear ratio of an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT) for a vehicle. A gear ratio change mechanism has a crankshaft as an input shaft, an output shaft and a motor. The motor continuously varies the gear ratio between the crankshaft and the output shaft. An electronic control unit (ECU) performs feedback control of the gear ratio to achieve a target gear ratio. The ECU reduces an output of the motor when a hunting state of the gear ratio is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryousuke ASAOKA
  • Patent number: 7374510
    Abstract: A vehicle that effectively sets a gear ratio when a driver turns off a main switch during running of the vehicle includes an engine, a main switch arranged to control the engine and being operable by a driver, a continuously variable transmission arranged to transmit a drive force generated at the engine to a rear wheel, and a speed change control apparatus arranged to control a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission and continuously control the gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission after the engine is instructed to stop due to the driver turning off the main switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Unno, Masaya Sakaue, Ryousuke Asaoka
  • Publication number: 20080053731
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission configured to reduce response delay and hunting due to overshooting. The continuously variable transmission is electronically controlled by a control unit. The control unit is connected to an actuator for moving a moving flange of a primary sheave and controls the output of the actuator in such a manner as to vary between upshift and downshift of the continuously variable transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicants: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryousuke ASAOKA
  • Publication number: 20080039252
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle that prevents belt fluttering motion when the vehicle starts. A throttle opening degree sensor that detects an opening degree of a throttle is connected to and outputs to a controller a signal produced when the throttle opening degree switches from a closed state to an open state. When the vehicle starts from a standing state, the controller controls an actuator, according to the signal produced when the throttle opening degree switches from the closed state to the open state, to move a movable flange from a normal position in the standing state in a direction to narrow the groove width of a primary sheave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryousuke Asaoka
  • Publication number: 20060003866
    Abstract: A vehicle that effectively sets a gear ratio when a driver turns off a main switch during running of the vehicle includes an engine, a main switch arranged to control the engine and being operable by a driver, a continuously variable transmission arranged to transmit a drive force generated at the engine to a rear wheel, and a speed change control apparatus arranged to control a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission and continuously control the gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission after the engine is instructed to stop due to the driver turning off the main switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Toshio Unno, Masaya Sakaue, Ryousuke Asaoka