Patents by Inventor Katsumasa Sogame

Katsumasa Sogame 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: 11654762
    Abstract: A vehicle lower structure includes: first and second battery units that are arranged under a floor panel and on both sides in a vehicle width direction of a propeller shaft; right and left floor frames disposed on a lower surface side of the floor panel. The floor frame has a front inclined section and a width increased section. The first and second battery units are arranged between the width increased sections 52 of the right and left floor frames. A battery-related electrical component, a width of each of which in the vehicle width direction is less than a width of each of the first and second battery units, is arranged between the front inclined sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kohara, Katsumasa Sogame
  • Patent number: 11639198
    Abstract: A vehicle lower structure includes a battery pack arranged under a floor panel and having: first and second battery units that are separately arranged from each other on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the propeller shaft; and a battery cover. The battery cover has a first battery accommodation section, a second battery accommodation section, and a coupling section that couples the first and second battery accommodation section and extends in the vehicle width direction. The coupling section includes a fragile section between the first and second battery accommodation sections in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kohara, Katsumasa Sogame
  • Patent number: 11524725
    Abstract: A vehicle lower structure includes: a battery pack having first and second battery units and a battery cover; and a fuel tank that is arranged on a vehicle rear side to be higher than the first and second battery units. At positions under a floor panel, the first and second battery units are arranged on both sides in a vehicle width direction of a propeller shaft. The battery cover has a coupling section that couples first and second battery accommodation sections. The coupling section couples the first and second battery accommodation sections such that a vehicle rear side thereof is higher than the first and second battery accommodation sections, extends in the vehicle width direction at a position above the propeller shaft, and is arranged next to a vehicle front side of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kohara, Katsumasa Sogame
  • Publication number: 20210300168
    Abstract: A vehicle lower structure includes: first and second battery units that are arranged under a floor panel and on both sides in a vehicle width direction of a propeller shaft; right and left floor frames disposed on a lower surface side of the floor panel. The floor frame has a front inclined section and a width increased section. The first and second battery units are arranged between the width increased sections 52 of the right and left floor frames. A battery-related electrical component, a width of each of which in the vehicle width direction is less than a width of each of the first and second battery units, is arranged between the front inclined sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro KOHARA, Katsumasa SOGAME
  • Publication number: 20210300473
    Abstract: A vehicle lower structure includes a battery pack arranged under a floor panel and having: first and second battery units that are separately arranged from each other on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the propeller shaft; and a battery cover. The battery cover has a first battery accommodation section, a second battery accommodation section, and a coupling section that couples the first and second battery accommodation section and extends in the vehicle width direction. The coupling section includes a fragile section between the first and second battery accommodation sections in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro KOHARA, Katsumasa SOGAME
  • Publication number: 20210300480
    Abstract: A vehicle lower structure includes: a battery pack having first and second battery units and a battery cover; and a fuel tank that is arranged on a vehicle rear side to be higher than the first and second battery units. At positions under a floor panel, the first and second battery units are arranged on both sides in a vehicle width direction of a propeller shaft. The battery cover has a coupling section that couples first and second battery accommodation sections. The coupling section couples the first and second battery accommodation sections such that a vehicle rear side thereof is higher than the first and second battery accommodation sections, extends in the vehicle width direction at a position above the propeller shaft, and is arranged next to a vehicle front side of the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro KOHARA, Katsumasa SOGAME
  • Patent number: 10645489
    Abstract: A sound system for a vehicle including an engine and an audio device for an internal space of a cabin as sound sources disposed at given positions of the vehicle is provided which includes an engine sound localizer configured to localize a first sound generated by the engine to cause a vehicle driver inside the cabin to hear the first sound from a first position, and change the first position, and a traveling state detector configured to detect a traveling state of the vehicle. The engine sound localizer normally sets the first position at a default position and, when a given traveling state is detected by the traveling state detector, changes the first position to a specific position at which the vehicle driver is able to recognize the engine sound more clearly than at the default position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Toda, Kenji Asada, Katsumasa Sogame, Hironobu Hashiguchi
  • Patent number: 10425722
    Abstract: A sound system for a vehicle is provided, which includes an engine and an audio device for an internal space of a cabin, as sound sources disposed at given positions of the vehicle. The system includes an engine sound localizer configured to localize a first sound generated by the engine to cause a vehicle driver inside the cabin to hear the first sound from a first position, an audio sound localizer configured to localize a second sound generated by the audio device to cause the driver to hear the second sound from a second position, a traveling state detector configured to detect a traveling state of the vehicle, and a controller configured to cause the audio sound localizer to change, when a given traveling state is detected by the traveling state detector, the second position in a direction away from the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Toda, Kenji Asada, Katsumasa Sogame, Hironobu Hashiguchi
  • Patent number: 10359014
    Abstract: A sound system for a vehicle is provided, which includes as sound sources disposed at given positions of the vehicle, an engine and an audio device for an internal space of a cabin. The system includes an engine sound localizer configured to localize a first sound generated by the engine to cause a vehicle driver inside the cabin to hear the first sound from a first position, and an audio sound localizer configured to localize a second sound generated by the audio device to cause the driver to hear the second sound from a second position. The first and second positions are located forward of the driver in front-and-rear directions of the vehicle and separated from each other by a given distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Toda, Kenji Asada, Katsumasa Sogame, Hironobu Hashiguchi
  • Publication number: 20180376244
    Abstract: A sound system for a vehicle including an engine and an audio device for an internal space of a cabin as sound sources disposed at given positions of the vehicle is provided. The audio device is switchable between a first mode in which an audio sound including both an audible sound and an inaudible sound for a human is reproduced in the cabin and a second mode in which an audio sound including the audible sound but not including the inaudible sound is reproduced in the cabin. The sound system includes a traveling state detector configured to detect a traveling state of the vehicle, and a switch controlling module executable by a processor configured to reproduce the audio sound in the first mode under a condition that a given traveling state is detected by the traveling state detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Isao Toda, Katsumasa Sogame, Koji Wakamatsu, Hironobu Hashiguchi
  • Patent number: 10165354
    Abstract: A sound system for a vehicle including an engine and an audio device for an internal space of a cabin as sound sources disposed at given positions of the vehicle is provided. The audio device is switchable between a first mode in which an audio sound including both an audible sound and an inaudible sound for a human is reproduced in the cabin and a second mode in which an audio sound including the audible sound but not including the inaudible sound is reproduced in the cabin. The sound system includes a traveling state detector configured to detect a traveling state of the vehicle, and a switch controlling module executable by a processor configured to reproduce the audio sound in the first mode under a condition that a given traveling state is detected by the traveling state detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Toda, Katsumasa Sogame, Koji Wakamatsu, Hironobu Hashiguchi
  • Publication number: 20180332386
    Abstract: A sound system for a vehicle is provided, which includes an engine and an audio device for an internal space of a cabin, as sound sources disposed at given positions of the vehicle. The system includes an engine sound localizer configured to localize a first sound generated by the engine to cause a vehicle driver inside the cabin to hear the first sound from a first position, an audio sound localizer configured to localize a second sound generated by the audio device to cause the driver to hear the second sound from a second position, a traveling state detector configured to detect a traveling state of the vehicle, and a controller configured to cause the audio sound localizer to change, when a given traveling state is detected by the traveling state detector, the second position in a direction away from the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Isao Toda, Kenji Asada, Katsumasa Sogame, Hironobu Hashiguchi
  • Publication number: 20180328321
    Abstract: A sound system for a vehicle is provided, which includes as sound sources disposed at given positions of the vehicle, an engine and an audio device for an internal space of a cabin. The system includes an engine sound localizer configured to localize a first sound generated by the engine to cause a vehicle driver inside the cabin to hear the first sound from a first position, and an audio sound localizer configured to localize a second sound generated by the audio device to cause the driver to hear the second sound from a second position. The first and second positions are located forward of the driver in front-and-rear directions of the vehicle and separated from each other by a given distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Isao Toda, Kenji Asada, Katsumasa Sogame, Hironobu Hashiguchi
  • Publication number: 20180332388
    Abstract: A sound system for a vehicle including an engine and an audio device for an internal space of a cabin as sound sources disposed at given positions of the vehicle is provided which includes an engine sound localizer configured to localize a first sound generated by the engine to cause a vehicle driver inside the cabin to hear the first sound from a first position, and change the first position, and a traveling state detector configured to detect a traveling state of the vehicle. The engine sound localizer normally sets the first position at a default position and, when a given traveling state is detected by the traveling state detector, changes the first position to a specific position at which the vehicle driver is able to recognize the engine sound more clearly than at the default position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Isao Toda, Kenji Asada, Katsumasa Sogame, Hironobu Hashiguchi
  • Patent number: 8128146
    Abstract: A cargo compartment structure for an automobile is disclosed. In one example, the cargo compartment comprises a trunk box disposed in a cargo compartment in a rear part of the automobile, the trunk box having an opening on its upper side; a cargo board capable of changing its position between a closed position where the opening is closed by the cargo board, and an open position where the opening is opened, the open position of the cargo board being frontward of the closed position; and a board holder for holding the cargo board in a specific state so that a top surface of the cargo board is downwardly inclined toward a rear side of the automobile and so that while the cargo board is in the open position, a rear end of the cargo board is disposed rearward of a front end of the trunk box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Katsumasa Sogame, David Jason Coleman
  • Publication number: 20110101721
    Abstract: A cargo compartment structure for an automobile is disclosed. In one example, the cargo compartment comprises a trunk box disposed in a cargo compartment in a rear part of the automobile, the trunk box having an opening on its upper side; a cargo board capable of changing its position between a closed position where the opening is closed by the cargo board, and an open position where the opening is opened, the open position of the cargo board being frontward of the closed position; and a board holder for holding the cargo board in a specific state so that a top surface of the cargo board is downwardly inclined toward a rear side of the automobile and so that while the cargo board is in the open position, a rear end of the cargo board is disposed rearward of a front end of the trunk box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Katsumasa Sogame, David Jason Coleman
  • Publication number: 20110101736
    Abstract: A rear structure for an automobile is provided. One exemplary rear structure includes an interior pressure release vent disposed in a rear cargo compartment in a rear part of the automobile. The interior pressure release vent discharges air from a passenger compartment and the rear cargo compartment to an outside of the automobile. The rear structure may also include a cargo cover disposed above the rear cargo compartment to divide the rear cargo compartment from the passenger compartment. The cargo cover has a mesh portion with reticulated through-holes passing through the cargo cover in a vertical direction. Further, a water receptor is disposed below the mesh portion of the cargo cover and above a floor of the rear cargo compartment, such that the water receptor is positioned to receive water drops from the dripping-wet personal effect that is put on the mesh portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Katsumasa Sogame
  • Patent number: 7658440
    Abstract: An arrangement structure for an auxiliary component of a vehicle includes a floor panel defining the bottom surface of the passenger compartment. The floor panel includes a first kick-up portion and a second kick-up portion disposed in side-by-side relation to the first kick-up portion in a lateral direction of a vehicle body. The second kick-up portion is formed to have a height greater than that of the first kick-up portion. A first seat is disposed on the first kick-up portion, a second seat is formed to have a smaller size than that of the first seat and disposed on the second kick-up portion, and a cross member is joined along the second kick-up portion in the lateral direction to form a closed section therebetween. The arrangement structure of the present invention allows a vehicle to have a low overall-height compact body while achieving enhanced layout flexibility and assuring a passenger compartment space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Tohda, Kouji Iwasaka, Katsumasa Sogame, Shigeyuki Mori
  • Patent number: 7327241
    Abstract: Disclosed is an indicator device for a vehicle with an automatic transmission, which comprises a plurality of light-emitting elements 52a each adapted to be lighted up when one of P, R and N gear ranges corresponding thereto is selected, and a digital indicator 53 adapted to indicate an alphabet character ā€œDā€ when a D gear range is selected, and indicate a numeric character representing a gear position when a M gear range (manual shift mode) is selected. The indication device of the present invention makes it possible to utilize a space of an instrument panel with higher efficiency and offer enhanced visibility for a driver, while avoiding increase in production cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Toda, Katsumasa Sogame, Takeshi Matsukawa
  • Patent number: 7247088
    Abstract: In an air conditioner for a vehicle including a front pillar which is disposed diagonally in front of a passenger and extends slant in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, there are provided an air conditioning duct disposed along the front pillar, a front-pillar conditioned-air blowoff port which blows off conditioned air toward the passenger from the air conditioning duct, and a louver device to be disposed at the front pillar and deflect the conditioned air within an angle which is smaller than a slant angle of the front pillar, whereby the conditioned air from the louver device can be blown off toward a neck portion and a head portion of the passenger. Thus, efficient air conditioning to a neck portion and its surroundings, which are sensitive to the passenger's air conditioning feeling, can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Katsumasa Sogame