Patents by Inventor Tomofumi Fukunaga
Tomofumi Fukunaga 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: 11904851Abstract: The present invention is provided to more reliably keep a work vehicle from coming into contact with an obstacle during automated driving. The work vehicle includes an electronic control system for automated driving that automatically drives the vehicle body. The electronic control system includes an obstacle detection module configured to detect presence or absence of an obstacle, and a contact avoidance control unit configured to perform, upon the obstacle detection module detecting an obstacle, contact avoidance control to keep the vehicle body from coming into contact with the obstacle. The obstacle detection module includes a plurality of obstacle searchers that are distributed on the front end portion and the right and left end portions of the vehicle body such that the front side and the right and left lateral sides of the vehicle body are search-target areas.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventors: Keishiro Nishi, Atsushi Shinkai, Tomofumi Fukunaga, Takahiro Nakatsuka, Atsushi Kobayashi
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Patent number: 11556132Abstract: A work vehicle includes: an electronic control system for automatic driving; and a cabin with which a boarding space is formed. The electronic control system includes an antenna unit for satellite navigation, and the antenna unit is attached to a central area of a roof of the cabin in a left-right direction. An upper surface of an area of the roof around the antenna unit is formed so as to be an inclined surface that is inclined in a front-rear direction. Left and right end portions of the roof are provided with left and right bulging edge portions that bulge upward from the left and right end portions and have a length that spans between front and rear ends of the roof, and water drain grooves that guide water on the roof toward the left and right bulging edge portions such that water detours the antenna unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventors: Keishiro Nishi, Atsushi Shinkai, Tomofumi Fukunaga, Takahiro Nakatsuka, Yushi Matsuzaki, Kazuo Sakaguchi, Takafumi Morishita
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Publication number: 20220297686Abstract: The present invention is provided to more reliably keep a work vehicle from coming into contact with an obstacle during automated driving. The work vehicle includes an electronic control system for automated driving that automatically drives the vehicle body. The electronic control system includes an obstacle detection module configured to detect presence or absence of an obstacle, and a contact avoidance control unit configured to perform, upon the obstacle detection module detecting an obstacle, contact avoidance control to keep the vehicle body from coming into contact with the obstacle. The obstacle detection module includes a plurality of obstacle searchers that are distributed on the front end portion and the right and left end portions of the vehicle body such that the front side and the right and left lateral sides of the vehicle body are search-target areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2022Publication date: September 22, 2022Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventors: Keishiro NISHI, Atsushi SHINKAI, Tomofumi FUKUNAGA, Takahiro NAKATSUKA, Atsushi KOBAYASHI
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Patent number: 11383703Abstract: The present invention is provided to more reliably keep a work vehicle from coming into contact with an obstacle during automated driving. The work vehicle includes an electronic control system for automated driving that automatically drives the vehicle body. The electronic control system includes an obstacle detection module configured to detect presence or absence of an obstacle, and a contact avoidance control unit configured to perform, upon the obstacle detection module detecting an obstacle, contact avoidance control to keep the vehicle body from coming into contact with the obstacle. The obstacle detection module includes a plurality of obstacle searchers that are distributed on the front end portion and the right and left end portions of the vehicle body such that the front side and the right and left lateral sides of the vehicle body are search-target areas.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2017Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventors: Keishiro Nishi, Atsushi Shinkai, Tomofumi Fukunaga, Takahiro Nakatsuka, Atsushi Kobayashi
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Patent number: 11221630Abstract: An objective is to appropriately position a communication module that carries out wireless communication to exchange information regarding cooperative travel with another vehicle, in order to simplify the measures that are to be taken to avoid thermal damage, and prevent antenna cables from being damaged, for example. A work vehicle includes: a cabin 4 in which a boarding space is formed; and an electronic control system for automatic driving through which a vehicle body is automatically driven. The electronic control system includes a positioning unit that measures the position and orientation of the vehicle body, and a cooperation control unit that causes the vehicle body to automatically travel in cooperation with another vehicle. The cabin 4 is provided with a roof 62 that provides a storage space 62A that is surrounded by an inner roof 101 and an outer roof 102.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2017Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventors: Keishiro Nishi, Atsushi Shinkai, Tomofumi Fukunaga, Takahiro Nakatsuka
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Patent number: 11186312Abstract: A work vehicle includes a wheel supporting member 11 that is supported by a vehicle body frame 1 that includes left and right side members 80; left and right steerable wheels that are supported by the wheel supporting member 11 so as to be steerable; and a steering mechanism 25 that includes a power steering unit 24 and steers the left and right steerable wheels. The power steering unit 24 is located near the wheel supporting member 11 such that at least a portion of the power steering unit 24 is located between the left and right side members 80.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2017Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventors: Keishiro Nishi, Atsushi Shinkai, Tomofumi Fukunaga, Takahiro Nakatsuka
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Patent number: 11037379Abstract: Resource consumption of a work vehicle in a specified work site is estimated more appropriately and a resource replenishment timing is calculated appropriately.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2016Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Kubota CorporationInventors: Tomofumi Fukunaga, Keishiro Nishi, Atsushi Shinkai, Yushi Matsuzaki
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Patent number: 10976436Abstract: An obstacle detection device includes an ultrasonic sensor, an obstacle detector to determine presence of an obstacle of interest if an intensity of a received ultrasonic wave exceeds a threshold value, and a threshold value setter to set a short-distance detection threshold value as the threshold value for the obstacle detection in a short-distance detection area in a vicinity of the ultrasonic sensor and to set a long-distance threshold value as the threshold value for the obstacle detection in a long-distance detection area located farther from the ultrasonic sensor than the short-distance detection area, the long-distance threshold value being less than the short-distance detection threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2020Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventors: Atsushi Shinkai, Yushi Matsuzaki, Tomoya Omura, Tomofumi Fukunaga
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Publication number: 20200225348Abstract: An obstacle detection device includes an ultrasonic sensor, an obstacle detector to determine presence of an obstacle of interest if an intensity of a received ultrasonic wave exceeds a threshold value, and a threshold value setter to set a short-distance detection threshold value as the threshold value for the obstacle detection in a short-distance detection area in a vicinity of the ultrasonic sensor and to set a long-distance threshold value as the threshold value for the obstacle detection in a long-distance detection area located farther from the ultrasonic sensor than the short-distance detection area, the long-distance threshold value being less than the short-distance detection threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventors: Atsushi Shinkai, Yushi Matsuzaki, Tomoya Omura, Tomofumi Fukunaga
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Publication number: 20190382005Abstract: The present invention is provided to more reliably keep a work vehicle from coming into contact with an obstacle during automated driving. The work vehicle includes an electronic control system for automated driving that automatically drives the vehicle body. The electronic control system includes an obstacle detection module configured to detect presence or absence of an obstacle, and a contact avoidance control unit configured to perform, upon the obstacle detection module detecting an obstacle, contact avoidance control to keep the vehicle body from coming into contact with the obstacle. The obstacle detection module includes a plurality of obstacle searchers that are distributed on the front end portion and the right and left end portions of the vehicle body such that the front side and the right and left lateral sides of the vehicle body are search-target areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2017Publication date: December 19, 2019Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventors: Keishiro NISHI, Atsushi SHINKAI, Tomofumi FUKUNAGA, Takahiro NAKATSUKA, Atsushi KOBAYASHI
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Publication number: 20190384321Abstract: A work vehicle includes: an electronic control system for automatic driving; and a cabin with which a boarding space is formed. The electronic control system includes an antenna unit for satellite navigation, and the antenna unit is attached to a central area of a roof of the cabin in a left-right direction. An upper surface of an area of the roof around the antenna unit is formed so as to be an inclined surface that is inclined in a front-rear direction. Left and right end portions of the roof are provided with left and right bulging edge portions that bulge upward from the left and right end portions and have a length that spans between front and rear ends of the roof, and water drain grooves that guide water on the roof toward the left and right bulging edge portions such that water detours the antenna unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2017Publication date: December 19, 2019Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventors: Keishiro NISHI, Atsushi SHINKAI, Tomofumi FUKUNAGA, Takahiro NAKATSUKA, Yushi MATSUZAKI, Kazuo SAKAGUCHI, Takafumi MORISHITA
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Publication number: 20190317521Abstract: An objective is to appropriately position a communication module that carries out wireless communication to exchange information regarding cooperative travel with another vehicle, in order to simplify the measures that are to be taken to avoid thermal damage, and prevent antenna cables from being damaged, for example. A work vehicle includes: a cabin 4 in which a boarding space is formed; and an electronic control system for automatic driving through which a vehicle body is automatically driven. The electronic control system includes a positioning unit that measures the position and orientation of the vehicle body, and a cooperation control unit that causes the vehicle body to automatically travel in cooperation with another vehicle. The cabin 4 is provided with a roof 62 that provides a storage space 62A that is surrounded by an inner roof 101 and an outer roof 102.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2017Publication date: October 17, 2019Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventors: Keishiro NISHI, Atsushi SHINKAI, Tomofumi FUKUNAGA, Takahiro NAKATSUKA
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Publication number: 20190315393Abstract: A work vehicle includes a wheel supporting member 11 that is supported by a vehicle body frame 1 that includes left and right side members 80; left and right steerable wheels that are supported by the wheel supporting member 11 so as to be steerable; and a steering mechanism 25 that includes a power steering unit 24 and steers the left and right steerable wheels. The power steering unit 24 is located near the wheel supporting member 11 such that at least a portion of the power steering unit 24 is located between the left and right side members 80.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2017Publication date: October 17, 2019Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventors: Keishiro NISHI, Atsushi SHINKAI, Tomofumi FUKUNAGA, Takahiro NAKATSUKA
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Publication number: 20190122454Abstract: Resource consumption of a work vehicle in a specified work site is estimated more appropriately and a resource replenishment timing is calculated appropriately.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2016Publication date: April 25, 2019Applicant: Kubota CorporationInventors: Tomofumi FUKUNAGA, Keishiro NISHI, Atsushi SHINKAI, Yushi MATSUZAKI
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Patent number: 9506552Abstract: A work vehicle that includes: a transmission system decreasing or changing a speed of a driving force from an engine and outputting the driving force. A transmission case houses the transmission system. A hydraulic circuit supplies oil collected in the transmission case to hydraulic equipment. The transmission case is divided to form a storage space housing a minimum speed transmission portion of the transmission system. The hydraulic circuit connects a suction intake oil passage of the hydraulic circuit to a bottom portion of the storage space and supplies the oil collected in the storage space to the hydraulic equipment.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventors: Tomofumi Fukunaga, Keishiro Nishi, Akira Hiwatashi, Hisao Mukai, Koji Matsuda, Takuya Tanigawa, Takahiro Nakatsuka
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Publication number: 20160091078Abstract: A work vehicle that includes: a transmission system decreasing or changing a speed of a driving force from an engine and outputting the driving force. A transmission case houses the transmission system. A hydraulic circuit supplies oil collected in the transmission case to hydraulic equipment. The transmission case is divided to form a storage space housing a minimum speed transmission portion of the transmission system. The hydraulic circuit connects a suction intake oil passage of the hydraulic circuit to a bottom portion of the storage space and supplies the oil collected in the storage space to the hydraulic equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2015Publication date: March 31, 2016Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventors: Tomofumi FUKUNAGA, Keishiro NISHI, Akira HIWATASHI, Hisao MUKAI, Koji MATSUDA, Takuya TANIGAWA, Takahiro NAKATSUKA
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Patent number: 9079491Abstract: A power transmission apparatus for a work vehicle comprises a speed change device for shifting power from an engine and transmitting the power to a propelling line, a forward/reverse drive switching device for switching power from the engine between forward drive and reverse drive, a PTO shaft for taking off working power, a working transmission line for transmitting power from the engine to the PTO shaft, a clutch element for establishing and breaking power transmission from the engine to the PTO shaft, and a transmission case. The transmission case includes a first housing space for housing the speed change device, and a second housing space defined rearward of the first housing space for housing the forward/reverse drive switching device. The clutch element is housed in the first housing space.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2013Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Kubota CorporationInventors: Tomofumi Fukunaga, Kenichi Aoyama, Isao Shibahara, Shinji Yamamoto, Kazuya Tamaki
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Patent number: 8944199Abstract: The present invention provides a working vehicle, including a power source unit, an air intake passage, and an air exhaust passage all of which are arranged inside a roof portion, wherein the power source unit is disposed in a portion close to a center in a vehicle body width direction, the air intake passage guides air taken from an air intake port that is provided in a center portion in the vehicle body width direction, to the power source unit, and the air exhaust passage is bent in a planar view such that air supplied to the power source unit flows in a bent manner toward an air exhaust port that is provided in one end portion in the vehicle body width direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2013Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Kubota CorporationInventors: Tomofumi Fukunaga, Keishiro Nishi, Hiroo Fujimoto
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Publication number: 20140290399Abstract: A power transmission apparatus for a work vehicle comprises a speed change device for shifting power from an engine and transmitting the power to a propelling line, a forward/reverse drive switching device for switching power from the engine between forward drive and reverse drive, a PTO shaft for taking off working power, a working transmission line for transmitting power from the engine to the PTO shaft, a clutch element for establishing and breaking power transmission from the engine to the PTO shaft, and a transmission case. The transmission case includes a first housing space for housing the speed change device, and a second housing space defined rearward of the first housing space for housing the forward/reverse drive switching device. The clutch element is housed in the first housing space.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2013Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: Kubota CorporationInventors: Tomofumi Fukunaga, Kenichi Aoyama, Isao Shibahara, Shinji Yamamoto, Kazuya Tamaki
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Publication number: 20140083784Abstract: The present invention provides a working vehicle, including a power source unit, an air intake passage, and an air exhaust passage all of which are arranged inside a roof portion, wherein the power source unit is disposed in a portion close to a center in a vehicle body width direction, the air intake passage guides air taken from an air intake port that is provided in a center portion in the vehicle body width direction, to the power source unit, and the air exhaust passage is bent in a planar view such that air supplied to the power source unit flows in a bent manner toward an air exhaust port that is provided in one end portion in the vehicle body width direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventors: Tomofumi Fukunaga, Keishiro Nishi, Hiroo Fujimoto