Patents by Inventor Shinji Kawatani
Shinji Kawatani 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: 9455428Abstract: A vehicle can have a battery unit which includes paired supporting shafts protruding in opposite directions. A battery side connector can be supported coaxially with the supporting shafts in a turnable manner. The direction in which the battery side connector is fitted and connected is the direction orthogonal to the supporting shafts. A battery holding block includes paired engaging recessed portions and a vehicle body side connector. The supporting shafts of the battery unit are inserted into the engaging recessed portions from a direction approximately orthogonal to the shaft. The battery side connector is fitted and connected to the vehicle body side connector. The battery unit is operated to turn around the supporting shaft to a position where the battery unit is fixed with the battery holding block.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2013Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Shinji Kawatani
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Patent number: 9373828Abstract: A power supply device structure wherein connection terminals of a battery case are held in a floating state inside the battery case, without using screws or soldering. A battery pack for mounted to and detached from a vehicle includes the battery case for accommodating battery cells for supplying electric power to an electric motor. Battery case side terminals are accommodated in an insulator block. A plurality of ribs, project from a wall part of the battery case and are disposed along an outer surface of the insulator block. The insulator block is provided at its outer circumference with two flanges and an intermediate part located therebetween. The outer circumferential surface of the intermediate part is loosely fitted in an opening of the battery case, with a gap therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2013Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Shinji Kawatani, Masaru Nakayama, Isao Shokaku
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Patent number: 9334004Abstract: A vehicle seat structure allowing a reduction in the weight of a seat while ensuring cushioning performance. The seat includes a base plate member with an outer frame forming an outer periphery of the seat, and concave portions with seating positions and a seat back position on an inner peripheral side of the outer frame made concave in a direction of a seating load. In addition, the seat includes a fabric member that is provided in a tensioned state in such a manner so as to close open sides of the concave portions for supporting an occupant's weight. A first cushion member is provided in positions on the fabric member, at least corresponding to the outer frame.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2011Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Shinji Kawatani, Tsutomu Takeuchi, Yukinori Kurakawa
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Patent number: 9302727Abstract: An inverted pendulum control type moving body is provided with: a first driving portion that moves a host moving body at least in a forward/backward direction; a supporting portion that supports the inverted pendulum control type moving body so that it stands independently in a state of being in contact with the ground; an operation portion that switches between the ground contact state and a ground separation state of the supporting portion; and a control portion that, when the operation portion switches the state of the supporting portion from the ground contact state to the ground separation state, controls operation of the first driving portion so that a forward/backward direction tilt angle of the inverted pendulum control type moving body approximates a target tilt angle in the ground contact state.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2014Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazumasa Ozaki, Hiroshi Iwakami, Shinji Kawatani, Hideo Murakami, Shinya Shirokura, Atsushi Matsunaga, Tomokazu Sakamoto, Makoto Hasegawa, Shinichiro Kobashi
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Patent number: 9248792Abstract: A battery pack locked to a vehicle body for mounting to and detaching from the vehicle body. A battery case is provided with an extension part extending to above a battery cell accommodating part. The extension part includes a handle including a grip part having an orientation set so as to extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction when the battery case is mounted on the vehicle. The handle is provided on the battery case in the state of being deviated toward either of vehicle-width-directionally left and right sides. A lock device attached to a main frame of the electric vehicle is provided with a lock pin that is advanced and retracted. The extension part on the battery case side is provided with an engagement hole for accepting the lock pin, the engagement hole being formed in either of side surface portions in the longitudinal direction of the electric vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Shinji Kawatani, Masaru Nakayama, Isao Shokaku
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Patent number: 9136514Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery case for accommodating battery cells for mounting to and detaching from an electric vehicle. Male-side terminals are accommodated in a terminal base provided on the vehicle body side with battery side terminals being provided that are connected to the male-side terminals from above. An upper surface of the terminal base is formed with vehicle body side engagement parts with battery case side engagement parts being provided that are engaged with the vehicle body side engagement parts from above. The vehicle body side engagement parts are disposed at positions deviated to one side from the vehicle-width-directional center. The battery case side engagement parts are disposed at positions deviated to vehicle-width-directionally one side of the battery case, and are formed at vehicle-longitudinal-directionally both end portions of the battery case, in order that the battery case side engagement parts can fit the vehicle body side engagement parts.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Kawatani, Masaru Nakayama, Isao Shokaku
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Patent number: 9093701Abstract: A terminal base of a power supply device for electric vehicle wherein electrical connection terminals on the vehicle body side can be easily connected to electrical connection terminals on the battery pack side. A base is provided with an opening for accepting an insulator board on which male-side terminals are held. The opening is provided with first lower and upper guides and with second lower and upper guides. A first edge of the insulator board is clamped by the first lower and upper guides from the lower and upper sides. A second edge opposed to the first edge of the insulator board is clamped by the second lower and upper guides from the lower and upper sides. In this manner, the insulator board is supported in a floating state. The tip of each of the male-side terminals is beveled for mating with the female-side terminals during connection.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2013Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Shinji Kawatani, Masaru Nakayama, Isao Shokaku
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Patent number: 9067615Abstract: In an electric saddle-ridden vehicle including a swing arm, a power unit supported on an arm portion of the swing arm while having an electric motor and a reduction gear reducing in speed an output of the electric motor and transmitting it to a wheel side of the rear wheel, and a wheel brake provided on the wheel, the power unit is arranged so that the reduction gear is disposed to one side in the vehicle width direction with the rear wheel on the opposite side with respect to the electric motor and the electric motor is disposed closer to a vehicle body center line than the reduction gear in the vehicle width direction, and the wheel brake is provided on the wheel so as to be capable of being accessed from the other side in the vehicle width direction, which is the side opposite to the power unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2012Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mikio Kashiwai, Yoshitaka Kobayashi, Hiroyuki Kikuchi, Shinji Kawatani
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Publication number: 20150129326Abstract: An inverted pendulum control type moving body is provided with: a first driving portion that moves a host moving body at least in a forward/backward direction; a supporting portion that supports the inverted pendulum control type moving body so that it stands independently in a state of being in contact with the ground; an operation portion that switches between the ground contact state and a ground separation state of the supporting portion; and a control portion that, when the operation portion switches the state of the supporting portion from the ground contact state to the ground separation state, controls operation of the first driving portion so that a forward/backward direction tilt angle of the inverted pendulum control type moving body approximates a target tilt angle in the ground contact state.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2014Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: Kazumasa OZAKI, Hiroshi IWAKAMI, Shinji KAWATANI, Hideo MURAKAMI, Shinya SHIROKURA, Atsushi MATSUNAGA, Tomokazu SAKAMOTO, Makoto HASEGAWA, Shinichiro KOBASHI
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Patent number: 9027992Abstract: A seat structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle, the seat structure including an outer frame portion in which a through-hole is formed at least at a seating position for the occupant to sit on; a seat skin that has elasticity is fixed to the outer frame portion while predetermined tensile force is applied thereto, and is disposed to cover a portion facing the through-hole; and a cushion member that is disposed between an upper surface of the outer frame portion and the seat skin, and bulges above an outer edge of the outer frame portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2012Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Kawatani, Mitsuo Nakagawa, Yukinori Kurakawa
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Patent number: 9022425Abstract: An inverted pendulum control type moving body includes: a first driving portion capable of driving in all directions on a movement plane; a frame portion rotatably supporting the first driving portion; a second driving portion rotatable about the rotation center of the first driving portion via a link portion; a first restriction portion restricting rotation of the link portion in a first direction about the rotation center; a second restriction portion restricting rotation of the link portion in a second direction about the rotation center; and a supporting portion supporting the frame portion in an uncontrolled state. An operation portion operates: a first operation which separates the supporting portion from the movement plane and increases a distance between the first and second restriction portions; and a second operation which brings the supporting portion into contact with the movement plane and reduces the distance between the first and second restriction portions.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2014Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Kawatani, Hiroshi Iwakami, Makoto Hasegawa
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Publication number: 20150114741Abstract: An inverted pendulum control type moving body includes: a first driving portion capable of driving in all directions on a movement plane; a frame portion rotatably supporting the first driving portion; a second driving portion rotatable about the rotation center of the first driving portion via a link portion; a first restriction portion restricting rotation of the link portion in a first direction about the rotation center; a second restriction portion restricting rotation of the link portion in a second direction about the rotation center; and a supporting portion supporting the frame portion in an uncontrolled state. An operation portion operates: a first operation which separates the supporting portion from the movement plane and increases a distance between the first and second restriction portions; and a second operation which brings the supporting portion into contact with the movement plane and reduces the distance between the first and second restriction portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Shinji KAWATANI, Hiroshi IWAKAMI, Makoto HASEGAWA
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Patent number: 9016780Abstract: A seat structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle for an occupant to sit on. The seat structure includes an outer frame portion, left and right frame portions, a seat skin, recessed portions, and a cushion member. The frame portion includes a through-hole formed at least at a seating position for the occupant to sit on. The left and right frame portions are disposed along left and right side surfaces of the vehicle. The seat skin has elasticity and is fixed to the outer frame portion while predetermined tensile force is applied thereto. The seat skin is disposed to cover a portion facing the through-hole. The recessed portions are formed on the left and right frame portions and are recessed toward an inner side in a vehicle width direction. A cushion member is disposed between the left and right frame portions and the seat skin.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Kawatani, Yukinori Kurakawa
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Patent number: 9017846Abstract: A cylindrical battery includes a pair of female terminals. One of the pair of female terminals is placed at the axial center of the battery, and provided to recede from one end surface of the battery. The other terminal is placed in a position away from the axial center, to recede from the one end surface of the battery. A male thread portion is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the battery. A handle portion is provided on another end surface of the battery. A female thread portion to be threadedly engaged with the male thread portion is provided in an inner peripheral surface of the battery box. A pair of male terminals are provided on a bottom surface of the battery box. The battery is designed to be detachably mounted inside the battery box by being rotated inside the battery box.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Kawatani, Yoshitaka Kobayashi
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Publication number: 20140339006Abstract: In an electric saddle-ridden vehicle including a swing arm, a power unit supported on an arm portion of the swing arm while having an electric motor and a reduction gear reducing in speed an output of the electric motor and transmitting it to a wheel side of the rear wheel, and a wheel brake provided on the wheel, the power unit is arranged so that the reduction gear is disposed to one side in the vehicle width direction with the rear wheel on the opposite side with respect to the electric motor and the electric motor is disposed closer to a vehicle body center line than the reduction gear in the vehicle width direction, and the wheel brake is provided on the wheel so as to be capable of being accessed from the other side in the vehicle width direction, which is the side opposite to the power unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2012Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: Mikio Kashiwai, Yoshitaka Kobayashi, Hiroyuki Kikuchi, Shinji Kawatani
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Patent number: 8636092Abstract: A battery is integrated with a down frame and a bottom frame. When fixation of the battery to a main frame is released upon release of locking means, the down frame, the bottom frame, and the battery are allowed to swing pivotally around an engagement position where the bottom frame is engaged with pivot frames. A front wheel is located on at least any one of swing loci of the down frame, the bottom frame, and the battery drawn when the down frame, the bottom frame, and the battery swing pivotally around the engagement position. The front wheel deviates from the swing locus in a state where the handlebar is turned.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2013Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shinji Kawatani
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Publication number: 20120242118Abstract: A seat structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle, the seat structure including an outer frame portion in which a through-hole is formed at least at a seating position for the occupant to sit on; a seat skin that has elasticity is fixed to the outer frame portion while predetermined tensile force is applied thereto, and is disposed to cover a portion facing the through-hole; and a cushion member that is disposed between an upper surface of the outer frame portion and the seat skin, and bulges above an outer edge of the outer frame portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Shinji Kawatani, Mitsuo Nakagawa, Yukinori Kurakawa
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Publication number: 20120242122Abstract: A seat structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle for an occupant to sit on. The seat structure includes an outer frame portion, left and right frame portions, a seat skin, recessed portions, and a cushion member. The frame portion includes a through-hole formed at least at a seating position for the occupant to sit on. The left and right frame portions are disposed along left and right side surfaces of the vehicle. The seat skin has elasticity and is fixed to the outer frame portion while predetermined tensile force is applied thereto. The seat skin is disposed to cover a portion facing the through-hole. The recessed portions are formed on the left and right frame portions and are recessed toward an inner side in a vehicle width direction. A cushion member is disposed between the left and right frame portions and the seat skin.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Shinji Kawatani, Yukinori Kurakawa
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Publication number: 20120126589Abstract: A vehicle seat structure allowing a reduction in the weight of a seat while ensuring cushioning performance. The seat includes a base plate member with an outer frame forming an outer periphery of the seat, and concave portions with seating positions and a seat back position on an inner peripheral side of the outer frame made concave in a direction of a seating load. In addition, the seat includes a fabric member that is provided in a tensioned state in such a manner so as to close open sides of the concave portions for supporting an occupant's weight. A first cushion member is provided in positions on the fabric member, at least corresponding to the outer frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2011Publication date: May 24, 2012Inventors: Shinji KAWATANI, Tsutomu Takeuchi, Yukinori Kurakawa
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Patent number: 7686873Abstract: An air cleaner is provided in an all terrain vehicle in order to improve the control performance for effecting optimal combustion in an engine by accurately measuring the temperature of air introduced into the engine. The air cleaner includes an air cleaner case disposed behind an engine, a throttle valve disposed between the engine and the air cleaner case, and connecting tube for connecting the air cleaner case and the throttle valve with each other. A temperature sensor is disposed in either a front or rear face of the air cleaner case. Optionally, the temperature sensor is disposed in the connecting tube.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2006Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shinji Kawatani