Patents by Inventor Yohei Makuta

Yohei Makuta 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: 9068579
    Abstract: A rear brake system has a rod extending from a master cylinder that inputs the operational force of a brake pedal to the master cylinder, a coil spring coaxially arranged with the rod and providing reaction force to return the brake pedal to the state before operating the brake pedal, a reaction adjustment mechanism provided on the rod and configured so as to be movable in the axial direction of the rod. According to the position of the reaction adjustment mechanism in the axial direction of the rod, shrinkage of the coil spring in the axial direction of the rod can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoya Yoshizawa, Yohei Makuta
  • Patent number: 8844475
    Abstract: A water-cooled V-type engine includes a first coolant passage for supplying a liquid coolant discharged from a water pump disposed proximate a first cylinder, to a water jacket of the first cylinder. The engine also includes a second coolant passage which is branched off from the first coolant passage, and which is provided for supplying coolant to a water jacket of a second cylinder. The engine design allows for a shortened coolant hose. The water pump may include an integral fluid conduit including a branching portion where said second coolant supply passage is branched from said first coolant supply passage, and a restricted portion proximate the branching portion. A motorcycle including a vehicle body frame is also described, where the water-cooled V-type engine is operatively attached to the vehicle body frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hodaka Mukouhara, Hiroyuki Sugiura, Yohei Makuta
  • Publication number: 20120247410
    Abstract: A water-cooled V-type engine includes a first coolant passage for supplying a liquid coolant discharged from a water pump disposed proximate a first cylinder, to a water jacket of the first cylinder. The engine also includes a second coolant passage which is branched off from the first coolant passage, and which is provided for supplying coolant to a water jacket of a second cylinder. The engine design allows for a shortened coolant hose. The water pump may include an integral fluid conduit including a branching portion where said second coolant supply passage is branched from said first coolant supply passage, and a restricted portion proximate the branching portion. A motorcycle including a vehicle body frame is also described, where the water-cooled V-type engine is operatively attached to the vehicle body frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hodaka MUKOUHARA, Hiroyuki SUGIURA, Yohei MAKUTA
  • Patent number: 8029287
    Abstract: A riding simulation system includes a steering handle mechanism capable of being gripped by an operator for steering a front wheel of a motorcycle displayed on a display of a personal computer or the like. The system also includes a frame body for rotatably holding the steering handle mechanism, and a control unit mounted to the frame body for performing control based on the operation amounts of the steering handle mechanism, a clutch lever and a brake lever, with a circuit substrate being incorporated in the control unit and being connected to the detection units through connection cables. The riding simulation system provides a relatively small system with a control unit that is easily mounted to enhance maintenance and installation of system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yohei Makuta
  • Patent number: 7913784
    Abstract: A saddle ride vehicle includes a fuel cell formed in a rectangular, parallelepiped shape disposed below a vehicle seat. The fuel cell is inclined toward a vehicle rear. A pivot shaft is disposed in a range X defined forwardly of a vertex P of a side-view rectangle of the fuel cell, and defined rearwardly of a vertex Q of the side-view rectangle, and is disposed in a range Y defined below the vertex P and defined above the vertex Q. Foot rest parts are disposed between a steering handle and the seat. The fuel cell is disposed on the side of the foot rest parts, so that the center of gravity G1 of the fuel cell is located on the vehicle body front side relative to the seating part center G2 in the front-rear direction of the center of gravity of the driver at the time of riding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Horii, Yohei Makuta, Keisuke Koitabashi, Masamoto Ito
  • Patent number: 7798814
    Abstract: A riding simulation system for providing an operator with a pseudo-experience of a running motorcycle. A steering handle mechanism of the system which enables the operator to perform steering operations is turnably held on a frame body and a connection shaft is supported to be inclinable relative to the frame body through an inclination lock mechanism. The connection shaft is provided to be extendable and contractable along the axial direction thereof through an extension/contraction lock mechanism, so that the position of a pedal mechanism mounted on the lower side of the connection shaft can be displaced to a desired position relative to the position of the steering handle mechanism. The system also includes a vibrator and a click generator to simulate the vibration of a motor and the sound of gear shifting, as well as a mechanism to simulate a reaction force to a steering handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohei Makuta, Kyohei Ueda, Yukio Miyamaru
  • Patent number: 7798269
    Abstract: The motorcycle is provided with a pipeline 84 for supplying at least hydrogen and oxygen. A fuel cell 12 is disposed below a seat 22 on which a driver sits. A connection port 80 between the fuel cell 12 and the pipe line 84 is disposed rearward of a foot step 82 on which the driver can set his foot. Accordingly, a space A necessary and sufficient for the foot step 82 is guaranteed, thereby improving a foot setting property at the time of traveling and a foot setting property at the time of stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohei Makuta, Yoshiyuki Horii, Kuniaki Ikui
  • Patent number: 7735590
    Abstract: A fuel cell powered vehicle includes radiators disposed on left and right sides on the skew rear side of a front wheel in relation to the vehicle body front-rear direction. A secondary battery is disposed between the left and right radiators. A thin plate-shaped inner cowl is disposed between the secondary battery and the front wheel. Duct mechanisms surrounding the radiators are provided on the left and right sides of the inner cowl and inside a cowling. Each duct mechanism includes introduction ports for a running airflow, and a discharge port that is fitted with variable-type louvers. A voltage converter unit is accommodated in a straddled part of the vehicle. Radiating fins of the voltage converter include plate-like members erected in the vehicle body front-rear direction that are directed toward the upper side of the vehicle body and are exposed to the exterior of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Horii, Masamoto Ito, Yohei Makuta, Jun Morimoto
  • Patent number: 7673592
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a radiator for radiating heat of a coolant heated by a fuel cell, and a first main pipe line and a second main pipe line which allow coolant to circulate between the fuel cell and the radiator. A thermostat is located midway through the second main pipe line and adapted to switch the circulation path for the coolant, and a bypass pipe line. The radiator includes a first tank connected to the first main pipe line, a second tank connected to the second main pipe line, and a cooling portion provided between the first tank and the second tank and adapted to perform heat exchange with the outside air. The thermostat is connected to the first tank by the bypass pipe line. The resulting configuration facilitates pipe line routing and increases the freedom of the layout of components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yohei Makuta
  • Patent number: 7481288
    Abstract: To inhibit an electric pump from generating heat with a simple structure when the electric pump is used in a cooling system. A two-wheeled fuel-cell vehicle is provided with a cooling system to cool a fuel cell. A first radiator and a second radiator are provided to cool the cooling water warmed by the fuel cell with a flow of air. A cooling fan functions so as to ventilate the cooling fins of the first radiator and the cooling fans function so as to ventilate the cooling fins of the second radiator. An electric pump is disposed in the middle of a pipe line for the circulation of the cooling water. The electric pump is disposed at a position where the electric pump can catch the flow of air created by the cooling fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohei Makuta, Yoshiyuki Horii
  • Publication number: 20080236914
    Abstract: A saddle ride vehicle includes a fuel cell formed in a rectangular, parallelepiped shape disposed below a vehicle seat. The fuel cell is inclined toward a vehicle rear. A pivot shaft is disposed in a range X defined forwardly of a vertex P of a side-view rectangle of the fuel cell, and defined rearwardly of a vertex Q of the side-view rectangle, and is disposed in a range Y defined below the vertex P and defined above the vertex Q. Foot rest parts are disposed between a steering handle and the seat. The fuel cell is disposed on the side of the foot rest parts, so that the center of gravity G1 of the fuel cell is located on the vehicle body front side relative to the seating part center G2 in the front-rear direction of the center of gravity of the driver at the time of riding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Horii, Yohei Makuta, Keisuke Koitabashi, Masamoto Ito
  • Publication number: 20080236924
    Abstract: A fuel cell powered vehicle includes radiators disposed on left and right sides on the skew rear side of a front wheel in relation to the vehicle body front-rear direction. A secondary battery is disposed between the left and right radiators. A thin plate-shaped inner cowl is disposed between the secondary battery and the front wheel. Duct mechanisms surrounding the radiators are provided on the left and right sides of the inner cowl and inside a cowling. Each duct mechanism includes introduction ports for a running airflow, and a discharge port that is fitted with variable-type louvers. A voltage converter unit is accommodated in a straddled part of the vehicle. Radiating fins of the voltage converter include plate-like members erected in the vehicle body front-rear direction that are directed toward the upper side of the vehicle body and are exposed to the exterior of the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki HORII, Masamoto ITO, Yohei MAKUTA, Jun MORIMOTO
  • Patent number: 7389840
    Abstract: In a fuel-cell two-wheeled vehicle, a cooling liquid pouring pipe extending from a pipe line of a cooling system to a cooling liquid supply port member is provided in a winding path so as to pass both side portions, a front portion, and a left rear portion of an axis of a head pipe. The cooling liquid supply port member is located on a central axis of width of the vehicle in the vicinity behind the head pipe. A hydrogen sensor for sensing hydrogen gas in the cooling liquid pouring pipe is mounted on an inside surface of a cap for closing an opening. The cap is removably provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohei Makuta, Yoshiyuki Horii
  • Patent number: 7387513
    Abstract: A riding simulation device allowing a rider to pseudoexperience the running state of a motorcycle, more specifically, to pseudoexperience an operating feeling similar to an actual braking, to be able to switch the operating feeling of an operating lever according to the types of transmissions, and to pseudoexperience roll feeling when the motorcycle is turned by tilting a motorcycle body in running when the device is installed on a pedestal member, comprising an elastic member pressingly deformed by the contact part of a stopper mechanism brought into contact with a rotating member rotated by the operation of a brake lever and a switching mechanism switching between the second stopper member of the stopper mechanism brought into contact with a rotating member rotated by the operation of the operating lever and the first stopper member thereof brought into contact with the rotating member through the elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohei Makuta, Yukio Miyamaru, Futoshi Miyakawa, Sadanao Ichimi, Kyohei Ueda
  • Patent number: 7368197
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel cell vehicle capable of efficiently cooling a fuel stack and supplying sufficient reactant gas to the fuel stack with only a single air supply means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Horii, Yohei Makuta, Atsushi Otsu
  • Publication number: 20070074682
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a radiator for radiating heat of a coolant heated by a fuel cell, and a first main pipe line and a second main pipe line which allow coolant to circulate between the fuel cell and the radiator. A thermostat is located midway through the second main pipe line and adapted to switch the circulation path for the coolant, and a bypass pipe line. The radiator includes a first tank connected to the first main pipe line, a second tank connected to the second main pipe line, and a cooling portion provided between the first tank and the second tank and adapted to perform heat exchange with the outside air. The thermostat is connected to the first tank by the bypass pipe line. The resulting configuration facilitates pipe line routing and increases the freedom of the layout of components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventor: Yohei Makuta
  • Patent number: 7172045
    Abstract: A motortricycle with oscillation mechanism including left and right suspension arms respectively swingably mounted onto a vehicle body frame, rear wheels mounted respectively onto the outer portions of the left and right suspension arms. An oscillation mechanism permitting leftward and rightward oscillation of the vehicle body frame relative to the side of the suspension arms is provided between the suspension arms and the vehicle body frame, and an engine for driving the left and right rear wheels is mounted onto the vehicle body frame. Since the engine of the motortricycle is mounted on the vehicle body frame rather than on the suspension arms, weight on the suspension arms can be largely reduced, and the riding comfort can be further enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Takayanagi, Yohei Makuta, Hiroyoshi Kobayashi, Masahiro Kuroki, Haruomi Sugita
  • Publication number: 20060251946
    Abstract: The motorcycle is provided with a pipeline 84 for supplying at least hydrogen and oxygen. A fuel cell 12 is disposed below a seat 22 on which a driver sits. A connection port 80 between the fuel cell 12 and the pipe line 84 is disposed rearward of a foot step 82 on which the driver can set his foot. Accordingly, a space A necessary and sufficient for the foot step 82 is guaranteed, thereby improving a foot setting property at the time of traveling and a foot setting property at the time of stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yohei Makuta, Yoshiyuki Horii, Kuniaki Ikui
  • Patent number: 7090234
    Abstract: In a three-wheel vehicle, right and left suspension arms are independently attached to a front swinging shaft and a rear swinging shaft so that the suspension arms can swing vertically, and the front swinging shaft and the rear swinging shaft function as a swinging shaft for swinging the body frame. A swinging mechanism is provided to restrict lateral rotation of the body frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Takayanagi, Yohei Makuta, Hiroyoshi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20060136826
    Abstract: A riding simulation device allowing a rider to pseudoexperience the running state of a motorcycle, more specifically, to pseudoexperience an operating feeling similar to an actual braking, to be able to switch the operating feeling of an operating lever according to the types of transmissions, and to pseudoexperience roll feeling when the motorcycle is turned by tilting a motorcycle body in running when the device is installed on a pedestal member, comprising an elastic member pressingly deformed by the contact part of a stopper mechanism brought into contact with a rotating member rotated by the operation of a brake lever and a switching mechanism switching between the second stopper member of the stopper mechanism brought into contact with a rotating member rotated by the operation of the operating lever and the first stopper member thereof brought into contact with the rotating member through the elastic member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Yohei Makuta, Yukio Miyamaru, Futoshi Miyakawa, Sadanao Ichimi, Kyokei Ueda