Patents by Inventor Tsutomu Wakitani

Tsutomu Wakitani 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: 7305778
    Abstract: A self-propelled working machine has a pair of transporting parts, a working part, an engine for driving at least the working part, and a main switch for turning the engine on and off. A locomotion preparation switch produces a command for moving the transporting parts when turned on and produces a stop command for stopping movement of the transporting parts when turned off. A locomotion speed setting member orders a target locomotion speed of the transporting parts. A work switch switches the working part on and off. A control part stops the engine when a first condition that the main switch is on, a second condition that the locomotion preparation switch is off, a third condition that the transporting parts have stopped moving and the target locomotion speed ordered by the locomotion speed setting member is zero, and a fourth condition that the work switch is off, are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Norikazu Shimizu, Toshiaki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7292009
    Abstract: Simplifying the controller of hybrid type drive unit. The output of a generator driven by engine is connected directly to a motor 7 through a converter or switching circuit 10 without being charged on any battery. The output of each phase of the generator is inputted to the converter 10. A timing controller 126 controls the conduction phase of a thyristor bridge 101 in the converter 10 so as to adjust the quantity of output power. A synchronous standard for phase control is formed based on output wave of an auxiliary winding 26 of the generator. A voltage detector 124 detects an applied voltage on the motor 7 as a motor rotation speed and the conduction angle is increased or decreased so as to maintain a detected voltage at a target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Kawakami, Tsutomu Inui, Tsutomu Wakitani
  • Patent number: 7267188
    Abstract: An electric vehicle has a control unit having a decelerating control function of decelerating an electric motor disposed on a side of a vehicle body corresponding to a turning direction of the electric vehicle, and an accelerating control function of outputting an accelerating control signal for performing acceleration control to accelerate the electric motor when operation of the electric vehicle is switched from a first traveling mode to a second traveling mode. When the electric motor has a speed not exceeding a predetermined reference speed, the accelerating control function performs the acceleration control such that a level of the accelerating control signal is increased abruptly for a temporary time from the switching of the operation of the electric vehicle from the first traveling mode to the second traveling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Norikazu Shimizu, Toshiaki Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20070022634
    Abstract: A walk-behind self-propelled snow-removing machine includes a snow-removing-unit posture control member disposed on an operating section at one side thereof, a travel ready lever comprised of a deadman's lever mounted on one operation handlebar at the other side of the operating section, and a mode selector switch disposed on the operating section and located forwardly of the travel ready lever for selecting one of plural alternative snow removing operation modes that are set in advance in a control unit on the basis of a travel speed of a machine body, a revolving speed of an engine, and an opening of a throttle valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: Nobuo Yamazaki, Kiyomi Yanai, Toshiaki Kawakami, Norikazu Shimizu, Tsutomu Wakitani
  • Publication number: 20070022635
    Abstract: A self-propelled snow remover having a snow-removing implement mounted to the front of a machine body so as to be capable of lifting, lowering, and rolling. The self-propelled snow remover includes an alignment operating member and a return operating member mounted to an operating unit. The alignment operating member is provided for both rolling and vertically moving the snow-removing implement and is disposed towards a left or right side with respect to a widthwise center of the machine body. The return operating member is operated as the snow-removing implement is returned automatically to a predetermined reference position and is disposed in the vicinity of the alignment operating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: Nobuo Yamazaki, Kenji Kuroiwa, Kiyomi Yanai, Yoshitaka Ohta, Toshiaki Kawakami, Seishu Sakai, Norikazu Shimizu, Masaki Takahashi, Nobuyuki Hirose, Tsutomu Wakitani
  • Publication number: 20070022636
    Abstract: A self-propelled work machine, in which the load of the work unit increases according to an increase in the travel speed. The self-propelled work machine includes electric motors for driving the travel units, an engine for driving the work unit, a work drive instruction unit for instructing the work unit to turn on, and a control unit for controlling the electric motors. The control unit reduces the actual speed of the electric motors by using PID control so that the actual rotational speed of the engine returns to a reference rotational speed when the actual rotational speed of the engine falls below the reference rotational speed in the state in which the work unit is turned on by the work drive instruction unit. The reference rotational speed is a reference value used when the work unit is driven by the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Norikazu Shimizu, Toshiaki Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20070022637
    Abstract: A self-propelled snow remover is disclosed which includes travel units capable of turning and moving straight forward, at least one steering member operable to turn the travel units, a snow-removing implement, a lift drive mechanism and a control unit. The control unit controls the lift drive mechanism such that it lifts the snow-removing implement when the steering member is turned and lowers the snow-removing implement when turning of the steering member is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Toshiaki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7134261
    Abstract: In the working machine wherein the output of an engine generator is directly supplied to a motor for travel without using the intermediary of a battery, preventing the engine from slowing down. The generator G is directly connected to the motor 7 and there is no battery that stores the output of the generator G. CPU 102 decreases the power supply for the motor 7 when it has been anticipated that the engine revolutions will be decreased. The number of the engine revolutions is detected according to the period of the waveform of an output of the generator G. The alternating current waveform that has been drawn out from one phase of the winding of the generator G is shaped into a rectangular waveform. CPU 102 detects the period of the shaped waveform. When the detected period has become larger, the CPU 102 determines that the engine revolutions is about to decrease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Inui, Hiroo Kanke, Tsutomu Wakitani, Toshiaki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7116065
    Abstract: An electric vehicle in which left and right electric motors respectively driving left and right transporting parts are controlled by a control part and particular turning control of the electric motors is carried out when the electric vehicle turns. The electric vehicle has a left and right pair of push-button turn switches. When one of the turn switches is operated, the control part selects a pattern from multiple preset deceleration patterns and decelerates the motor on the inside of the turn, which corresponds to the turn switch being operated, on the basis of this deceleration pattern. The electric vehicle makes turns and returns to straight-line travel optimally and smoothly and can be operated easily by an operator with no skill or experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Yoshihiko Yamagishi, Norikazu Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7105944
    Abstract: A starter motor is prevented from being rotated together with an engine after the start of a engine. When motor speed exceeds the cranking speed after the start of the engine, a speed judging section 36 judges that the starter motor is rotated together with the engine. A current-supply stopping section 38 commands to stop energizing a motor 3a in response to the judge. After the electricity supply is stopped, if the rotation speed is reduced to a value close to the cranking speed, judging section 36 outputs a signal to cancel the current-supply stopping commands from the current-supply stopping section 38. The detection of the motor speed is also continued even after the ignition, and if the speed is further increased, the speed detection is stopped. If the speed is increased to a value showing complete explosion, the speed judging section 36 switches the relays to a generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Toshinori Inagawa
  • Patent number: 7100312
    Abstract: A working machine has a machine body, an engine mounted on the machine body, an electric motor mounted on the machine body, a working part driven by the engine during a working state of the working part for performing a working operation, and a transporting part driven by the electric motor for transporting the working machine during the working operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Norikazu Shimizu, Toshiaki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7073613
    Abstract: A motorized vehicle has a vehicle body, at least a pair of wheels mounted on the vehicle body for undergoing rotation to cause the motorized vehicle to undergo travelling, and a pair of electric motors each mounted on the vehicle body to selectively undergo forward and reverse rotation to rotationally drive a respective one of the wheels. A first switch is connected to the electric motors so that operation of the first switch causes the electric motors to undergo rotation simultaneously in opposite directions to turn the motorized vehicle in a first direction while the motorized vehicle does not undergo travelling. A second switch is connected to the electric motors so that operation of the second switch causes the electric motors to undergo rotation simultaneously in opposite directions to turn the motorized vehicle in a second direction opposite to the first direction while the motorized vehicle does not undergo travelling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Tsutomu Inui, Kenji Kuroiwa, Jitsumi Hanafusa
  • Patent number: 7015662
    Abstract: The invention makes an output sharing of an engine and an electric motor proper so as to suitably drive a load. When a throttle opening degree variation amount ?V is within a ?V1, an engine E can drive a power generator G at a rated revolution speed. A switching circuit 28 is switched in such a manner as to charge a battery 27 by a generated power. When the opening degree variation amount ?V becomes larger than the ?V1, a power assist of operating the power generator G as the electric motor is set to be standby. When the opening degree variation amount ?V is more than ?V2 (>?V1), the power assist is started. In the power assist, an angle advance amount is increased. When acceleration is insufficient, it is possible to further increase a conduction angle in stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Toshiaki Kawakami, Toshinori Inagawa, Yoshihisa Shinogi
  • Patent number: 6977473
    Abstract: In a travel control method for an electric vehicle, an accelerator angle is obtained from a position of an accelerator lever. An accelerator percentage is determined in accordance with the accelerator angle. The ON times of first and second brake buttons are read. Brake percentages of first and second brakes are determined in accordance with the ON times of the respective first and second brake buttons. A control value for a first electric motor is determined by correcting the accelerator percentage with a corrected brake percentage of the first brake obtained by applying an influence of the brake percentage of the second brake to the brake percentage of the first brake. A speed of the first electric motor is controlled using the control value of the first electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Norikazu Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6968265
    Abstract: In a travel control method for an electric vehicle having first and second electric motors for driving respective first and second driven wheels, a speed of each of the first and second electric motors is calculated. The speed of the first electric motor is reduced to equal the speed of the second electric motor when the speed of the first electric motor is higher than the speed of the second electric motor. Reduction of the speed of the first electric motor is not carried out when a first condition, in which a difference between the speeds of the first and second electric motors is below a first preselected threshold value, and a second condition, in which the speed of the first electric motor is below a second preselected threshold value identical or substantially equal to a low speed range of the electric vehicle, are met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Norikazu Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6958549
    Abstract: An engine-driven generator G is concurrently used as a starter motor for an engine E that drives a working machine. A motor 25 for motive-power use is a driving source for the working machine to travel. The driving circuit 10 is commonly used between the starter motor G and the motor 25 for travel use. In a starting mode, with switches 35 and 36, the driving circuit 10 is connected to the starter motor G side to start the engine. After complete explosion of the engine, with the switches 35 and 36, the generator G is connected to a regulator 31, while the driving circuit 10 is connected to the motor 25 for travel use. As a result of this, while a battery 14 is electrically charged, the motor 25 for travel use is driven with the battery 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Toshiaki Kawakami, Hiroshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6948577
    Abstract: An electric vehicle driven by at least one electric motor is provided. The vehicle includes a controller for controlling the electric motor and at least one braking device. The controller gradually reduces the rotational speed of the electric motor in accordance with a vehicle drive stop instruction, and operates the braking device when the rotational speed of the electric motor is equal to or lower than a predetermined rotational speed to stop the travel of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Tsutomu Inui, Hiroo Kanke
  • Patent number: 6949898
    Abstract: The output of an engine driven generator G is directly supplied to a motor 7 for travel without the intermediary of a battery. The output capacity of each of the generator G and motor 7 is determined so that the maximum output of the generator G may substantially coincide with the maximum control electric power that is supplied to the motor 7. The over-current with respect to the motor is suppressed by the output impedance of the generator G. A CPU 102 performs output control so as for the output to conform to the load according to the electric current with respect to the motor. If the electric current increases, the voltage is varied to a level thereof that conforms to that electric current for ensuring sufficient torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Tsutomu Inui, Tsutomu Wakitani
  • Publication number: 20050191183
    Abstract: In an engine drive washing machine, a discharge switch 10 is provided in a jet gun 5. When the switch 10 is turned off, an engine 1 is stopped. When the switch 10 is turned on, the engine 1 is started up to drive a pump 2. When an outlet pressure of the pump 2 is not lower than a predetermined value, a water-discharge valve in the gun 5 is opened to cause the water to be discharged. When the switch 10 is not turned off for a long time, the engine 1 is stopped. When an operator takes up the gun 5 to start the operation, the engine 1 is started up. The engine-drive type of washing machine is provided with a battery 13 for a starter motor, and the battery 13 is charged by a generator function of a starter-motor generator 3 during the operation of the engine 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Kawakami, Toshinori Inagawa, Tsutomu Wakitani
  • Publication number: 20050097785
    Abstract: A working machine having a working part driven by an engine and a transporting part driven by an electric motor. The rotation of the electric motor is controlled by a control part. The speed of the engine as of when the working part is brought to a working state by a work on/off switch being turned on is taken as a reference speed, and a correction coefficient corresponding to this reference speed is taken as an upper limit value. A correction coefficient corresponding to the present speed of the engine is determined. A required acceleration set in correspondence with the size of the actual travel speed of the transporting part is multiplied by the determined correction coefficient to correct this required acceleration. The control part acceleration controls the rotation of the electric motor in accordance with the corrected required acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Norikazu Shimizu, Toshiaki Kawakami