Patents by Inventor Yasuhiro Kuji

Yasuhiro Kuji 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: 11872888
    Abstract: A drive system of a hybrid utility vehicle includes: an internal combustion engine including a crank shaft; a continuously variable transmission connected to the internal combustion engine; a drive train that connects an output shaft of the continuously variable transmission to a driving wheel; an electric motor; a branch train that connects the electric motor to the drive train such that power can be transmitted from the electric motor to the drive train; and an engine clutch that can cut transmission of rotational driving power, which has been input from the electric motor through the branch train to the drive train, to the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kuji
  • Publication number: 20230391180
    Abstract: A drive system of a hybrid utility vehicle includes: an internal combustion engine including a crank shaft; a continuously variable transmission connected to the internal combustion engine; a drive train that connects an output shaft of the continuously variable transmission to a driving wheel; an electric motor; a branch train that connects the electric motor to the drive train such that power can be transmitted from the electric motor to the drive train; and an engine clutch that can cut transmission of rotational driving power, which has been input from the electric motor through the branch train to the drive train, to the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventor: Yasuhiro KUJI
  • Patent number: 11624427
    Abstract: A spider is screwed to a drive shaft, includes a first screw that advances in one direction of an axial direction of the drive shaft when the spider rotates relative to the drive shaft in one direction of a circumferential direction, and is fastened to the drive shaft by the first screw. A nut is screwed to the drive shaft, includes a second screw that advances in the other direction of the axial direction of the drive shaft when the nut rotates relative to the drive shaft in one direction of the circumferential direction, and is fastened to the drive shaft by the second screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Itoo, Yasuhiro Kuji, Shouji Ozawa, Kaoru Oda, Ryosuke Fujino, Hisashi Takeuchi, Manabu Hidaka
  • Publication number: 20210190182
    Abstract: A spider is screwed to a drive shaft, includes a first screw that advances in one direction of an axial direction of the drive shaft when the spider rotates relative to the drive shaft in one direction of a circumferential direction, and is fastened to the drive shaft by the first screw. A nut is screwed to the drive shaft, includes a second screw that advances in the other direction of the axial direction of the drive shaft when the nut rotates relative to the drive shaft in one direction of the circumferential direction, and is fastened to the drive shaft by the second screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Seiji Itoo, Yasuhiro Kuji, Shouji Ozawa, Kaoru Oda, Ryosuke Fujino, Hisashi Takeuchi, Manabu Hidaka
  • Patent number: 10197149
    Abstract: A V-belt type continuously variable transmission of an air-cooled type mounted on a vehicle. The V-belt type continuously variable transmission includes an intake port for taking air into the V-belt type continuously variable transmission, and an exhaust port for exhausting air from the V-belt type continuously variable transmission. The V-belt type continuously variable transmission further includes at least one of an electric intake fan connected to the intake port directly or via an intake duct, and an electric exhaust fan connected to the exhaust port directly or via an exhaust duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kuji, Seiji Itoo, Ayumi Hamada
  • Publication number: 20170276234
    Abstract: There is provided a V-belt type continuously variable transmission of an air-cooled type mounted on a vehicle. The V-belt type continuously variable transmission includes an intake port for taking air into the V-belt type continuously variable transmission, and an exhaust port for exhausting the taken air from the V-belt type continuously variable transmission. The V-belt type continuously variable transmission further includes at least one of an electric intake fan connected to the intake port directly or via an intake duct, and an electric exhaust fan connected to the exhaust port directly or via an exhaust duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Yasuhiro KUJI, Seiji ITOO, Ayumi HAMADA
  • Patent number: 7900442
    Abstract: The present invention provides an engine including a secondary air supply apparatus for supplying a secondary air to an exhaust gas passage in a cylinder head. The engine comprises a secondary air passage of the secondary air supply apparatus which extends from an outer peripheral surface of the cylinder head through an under-portion of the exhaust gas passage into the exhaust gas passage. The secondary air passage has a groove geometry of passage portion on a matching surface between the cylinder head and a cylinder body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kuji, Yuichi Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 7690360
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel feed system for a vehicle in which, even if a small fuel quantity remains in a fuel pump, an air inhaling phenomenon is not generated when a vehicle jumps or runs on an upward slope. In the fuel feed system, a fuel pump unit is accommodated in a fuel tank, and the fuel pump unit includes a fuel pump and a fuel filter connected to a lower-end fuel suction portion of the fuel pump. The fuel filter is shaped so as to extend outward from a region of the fuel pump as seen from the above, and a filter housing for covering at least one of an upper portion and a lower portion of the fuel filter, front and rear portions of the fuel filter, and right and left portions of the fuel filter is provided with the fuel pump unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kuji
  • Patent number: 7665449
    Abstract: In a V-type engine, throttle devices are disposed between front and rear cylinders disposed in a V-shape, and an air cleaner is disposed above the throttle device. A secondary air pipe is connected to a secondary air entrance portion formed in an outer peripheral wall surface of each of the cylinders. A secondary air on-off valve is disposed below the throttle device, and the secondary air on-off valve is provided so as to be substantially accommodated in a V-bank space between the cylinders. A secondary air inlet of the secondary air on-off valve is connected to the air cleaner by the secondary air source pipe extended upward, a secondary air pipe for each cylinder is connected to the secondary air outlet for each cylinder, and the secondary air outlet for each cylinder is formed in the secondary air on-off valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kuji, Akinobu Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 7597086
    Abstract: A throttle assembly for intake air protects a link mechanism for interlocking throttles with each other from water and mud and maintains the throttle operability in a satisfactory state. The throttle assembly for intake air includes a plurality of throttle devices for injecting fuel into intake air to generate an air-fuel mixture; a link mechanism for connecting driving portions of the throttle devices with each other, a link mechanism housing chamber defined by an outer wall member for forming a link mechanism housing chamber and housing the link mechanism, and seal members provided at the connected or mated portions of the outer wall member and a different member or the connected or mated portions of a plurality of outer wall configuring members which configure the outer wall member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kuji, Akinobu Wakabayashi, Yoshiyuki Ayakoji, Jun Kiyono, Isamu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7475681
    Abstract: The present invention provides a breather apparatus in a combustion engine having a sufficient gas-liquid separation function without involving an additional parts such as a breather tank and an arrangement space thereof. A breather chamber is formed in an air cleaner case, and the breather chamber is communicated with a crank case through a breather pipe. Preferably another breather chamber is formed in the crank case in addition to the breather chamber in the air cleaner case, and the breather pipe is connected to a breather outlet of the breather chamber in the crank case. The breather chamber in the air cleaner case is provided in a clean side space on an intake-air downstream side of a filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kuji, Akinobu Wakabayashi
  • Publication number: 20080245344
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel feed system for a vehicle in which, even if a small fuel quantity remains in a fuel pump, an air inhaling phenomenon is not generated when a vehicle jumps or runs on an upward slope. In the fuel feed system, a fuel pump unit is accommodated in a fuel tank, and the fuel pump unit includes a fuel pump and a fuel filter connected to a lower-end fuel suction portion of the fuel pump. The fuel filter is shaped so as to extend outward from a region of the fuel pump as seen from the above, and a filter housing for covering at least one of an upper portion and a lower portion of the fuel filter, front and rear portions of the fuel filter, and right and left portions of the fuel filter is provided with the fuel pump unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kuji
  • Publication number: 20080216794
    Abstract: A throttle assembly for intake air protects a link mechanism for interlocking throttles with each other from water and mud and maintains the throttle operability in a satisfactory state. The throttle assembly for intake air includes a plurality of throttle devices for injecting fuel into intake air to generate an air-fuel mixture; a power transmission mechanism for interlocking the driving portions of the throttle devices with each other, a power transmission mechanism housing chamber defined by an outer wall member for forming a power transmission mechanism housing chamber and housing the power transmission mechanism, and seal means provided to the connected or mated portions of the outer wall member and a different member or the connected or mated portions of a plurality of outer wall configuring members which configure the outer wall member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kuji, Akinobu Wakabayashi, Yoshiyuki Ayakoji, Jun Kiyono, Isamu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20080210206
    Abstract: The present invention provides a breather apparatus in a combustion engine having a sufficient gas-liquid separation function without involving an additional parts such as a breather tank and an arrangement space thereof. A breather chamber is formed in an air cleaner case, and the breather chamber is communicated with a crank case through a breather pipe. Preferably another breather chamber is formed in the crank case in addition to the breather chamber in the air cleaner case, and the breather pipe is connected to a breather outlet of the breather chamber in the crank case. The breather chamber in the air cleaner case is provided in a clean side space on an intake-air downstream side of a filter element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kuji, Akinobu Wakabayashi
  • Publication number: 20080178584
    Abstract: The present invention provides an engine including a secondary air supply apparatus for supplying a secondary air to an exhaust gas passage in a cylinder head. the engine comprises a secondary air passage of the secondary air supply apparatus which is extending from an outer peripheral surface of the cylinder head through an under-portion of the exhaust gas passage into the exhaust gas passage. The secondary air passage has a groove geometry of passage portion on a matching surface between the cylinder head and a cylinder body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kuji, Yuichi Kawamoto
  • Publication number: 20080168765
    Abstract: In a V-type engine, throttle devices are disposed between front and rear cylinders disposed in a V-shape, and an air cleaner is disposed above the throttle device. A secondary air pipe is connected to a secondary air entrance portion formed in an outer peripheral wall surface of each of the cylinders. A secondary air on-off valve is disposed below the throttle device, and the secondary air on-off valve is provided so as to be substantially accommodated in a V-bank space between the cylinders. A secondary air inlet of the secondary air on-off valve is connected to the air cleaner by the secondary air source pipe extended upward, a secondary air pipe for each cylinder is connected to the secondary air outlet for each cylinder, and the secondary air outlet for each cylinder is formed in the secondary air on-off valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kuji, Akinobu Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 7140347
    Abstract: To provide an improved swirl forming device in a combustion engine, which is effective to promote a vigorous and massive swirling motion of the charge mixture within the combustion chamber, the swirl forming device includes an auxiliary passage (24) for introducing an auxiliary gas, which may be either air or a charge mixture, into the combustion chamber (9) from a location immediately upstream of the intake port (70) that is selectively opened and closed by the intake valve (10). This auxiliary passage (24) has an open end (25) positioned adjacent the exhaust port (80), such that when viewed from top in a direction conforming to the longitudinal axis (CC) of the cylinder bore (3), the auxiliary gas is introduced in a direction different from the direction (N) normal to the inner peripheral surface (3a) of the cylinder bore (3) to thereby form a swirl (S) along the inner peripheral surface (3a) of the cylinder bore (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kozo Suzuki, Yoji Fukami, Yasuhiro Kuji
  • Publication number: 20050193976
    Abstract: To provide an improved swirl forming device in a combustion engine, which is effective to promote a vigorous and massive swirling motion of the charge mixture within the combustion chamber, the swirl forming device includes an auxiliary passage (24) for introducing an auxiliary gas, which may be either air or a charge mixture, into the combustion chamber (9) from a location immediately upstream of the intake port (70) that is selectively opened and closed by the intake valve (10). This auxiliary passage (24) has an open end (25) positioned adjacent the exhaust port (80), such that when viewed from top in a direction conforming to the longitudinal axis (CC) of the cylinder bore (3), the auxiliary gas is introduced in a direction different from the direction (N) normal to the inner peripheral surface (3a) of the cylinder bore (3) to thereby form a swirl (S) along the inner peripheral surface (3a) of the cylinder bore (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Kozo Suzuki, Yoji Fukami, Yasuhiro Kuji
  • Patent number: 6840973
    Abstract: An air cleaner is provided which is effective to retain a cleaner element 3 in a heteromorphic shape and which has an increased cleaning capability and an assemblability. The air cleaner includes a cleaner element 3 made of a urethane foam and formed in a tubular form having an endless wall and operable to pass an air therethrough in a direction across the thickness of the cleaner element to purify the air. The cleaner element 3 when viewed from top represents a heteromorphic shape, and first and second retainer plates 7 and 8 made of an elastic material effective to retain the heteromorphic shape of the wall, which plates 7 and 8 are bonded to upper and lower end faces of the cleaner element 3. The cleaner element 3 together with the first and second retainer plates 7 and 8 is carried by a holder assembly 4 and is accommodated within a cleaner housing 1 together with the holder assembly 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kuji, Isamu Nishikawa, Yuichi Kawamoto, Kouji Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20040187453
    Abstract: An air cleaner is provided which is effective to retain a cleaner element 3 in a heteromorphic shape and which has an increased cleaning capability and an assemblability. The air cleaner includes a cleaner element 3 made of a urethane foam and formed in a tubular form having an endless wall and operable to pass an air therethrough in a direction across the thickness of the cleaner element to purify the air. The cleaner element 3 when viewed from top represents a heteromorphic shape, and first and second retainer plates 7 and 8 made of an elastic material effective to retain the heteromorphic shape of the wall, which plates 7 and 8 are bonded to upper and lower end faces of the cleaner element 3. The cleaner element 3 together with the first and second retainer plates 7 and 8 is carried by a holder assembly 4 and is accommodated within a cleaner housing 1 together with the holder assembly 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kuji, Isamu Nishikawa, Yuichi Kawamoto, Kouji Watanabe