Patents by Inventor Kenichi Nara

Kenichi Nara 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: 11097654
    Abstract: A door handle providing a superior visibility from both front and rear directions of a vehicle is provided. The door handle includes: an operating portion that bulges from a door outer surface, defining a space between the door outer surface and the operating portion, allowing a user to insert his or her hand into the space; a fixation portion arranged adjacent to the operating portion, including a lens as a translucent member; an outer surface provided in the lens, the outer surface having such a region that a vehicle rear side of the region is positioned outward as compared to a vehicle front side thereof; and a lighting body serving as a direction indicator allowing a transmissive illumination to be made from the inner surface side of the lens. Thus, the lens can be made visible not only from the vehicular lateral side but from the vehicular front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA ACCESS CORP.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Seki, Kenichi Nara
  • Patent number: 10494985
    Abstract: A warm-up device is provided in a cooling-water circuit, through which cooling water is circulated so as to pass through an engine. The warm-up device has a heat accumulating passage, in which a heat accumulating device is provided, and an accumulating-device bypassing passage bypassing the heat accumulating device. A waste-heat collecting device is provided in the cooling-water circuit so that heat is collected from exhaust gas from the engine and such collected heat is accumulated in the heat accumulating device. The cooling water is circulated through the heat accumulating device during a start-up operation of the engine in order to heat the cooling water flowing into the engine so as to quickly warm up the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru Okamura, Kenichi Nara, Kuniyoshi Tanioka
  • Patent number: 10378424
    Abstract: The exhaust gas recirculation system comprises an exhaust recirculation pipe configured to recirculate an exhaust gas from an engine into an intake pipe of the engine, an exhaust gas heat exchanger connected to the exhaust recirculation pipe and configured to perform an heat exchange between the exhaust gas and an engine cooling water used for cooling the engine, a cooling water pipe configured to circulate the engine cooling water to the exhaust gas heat exchanger, and a heat insulating member forming a heat insulating layer on a heat transfer path from the exhaust gas heat exchanger to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru Okamura, Kenichi Nara
  • Publication number: 20180252145
    Abstract: The exhaust gas recirculation system comprises an exhaust recirculation pipe configured to recirculate an exhaust gas from an engine into an intake pipe of the engine, an exhaust gas heat exchanger connected to the exhaust recirculation pipe and configured to perform an heat exchange between the exhaust gas and an engine cooling water used for cooling the engine, a cooling water pipe configured to circulate the engine cooling water to the exhaust gas heat exchanger, and a heat insulating member forming a heat insulating layer on a heat transfer path from the exhaust gas heat exchanger to the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Toru OKAMURA, Kenichi NARA
  • Publication number: 20180194273
    Abstract: A door handle providing a superior visibility from both front and rear directions of a vehicle is provided. The door handle includes: an operating portion that bulges from a door outer surface, defining a space between the door outer surface and the operating portion, allowing a user to insert his or her hand into the space; a fixation portion arranged adjacent to the operating portion, including a lens as a translucent member; an outer surface provided in the lens, the outer surface having such a region that a vehicle rear side of the region is positioned outward as compared to a vehicle front side thereof; and a lighting body serving as a direction indicator allowing a transmissive illumination to be made from the inner surface side of the lens. Thus, the lens can be made visible not only from the vehicular lateral side but from the vehicular front side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: Honda Access Corp.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Seki, Kenichi Nara
  • Publication number: 20180120036
    Abstract: A latent heat storage material includes a latent heat storage member formed of an organic compound, and a metallic seamless capsule encapsulating the latent heat storage member. A method for manufacturing the latent heat storage material includes preparing a grain of the latent heat storage member, supporting a powder on the latent heat storage member, conducting an electroless plating to form a first plating layer of the metallic seamless capsule on a surface of the latent heat storage member, and conducting an electrolytic plating to form a second plating layer of the metallic seamless capsule on a surface of the first plating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Toru OKAMURA, Kenichi NARA, Hirokazu SHIKATA, Hiroshi IHARA, Satoshi OYA, Yukari FUCHIGAMI, Toshiyuki YOSHIKATA
  • Publication number: 20180023453
    Abstract: A warm-up device is provided in a cooling-water circuit, through which cooling water is circulated so as to pass through an engine. The warm-up device has a heat accumulating passage, in which a heat accumulating device is provided, and an accumulating-device bypassing passage bypassing the heat accumulating device. A waste-heat collecting device is provided in the cooling-water circuit so that heat is collected from exhaust gas from the engine and such collected heat is accumulated in the heat accumulating device. The cooling water is circulated through the heat accumulating device during a start-up operation of the engine in order to heat the cooling water flowing into the engine so as to quickly warm up the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Toru OKAMURA, Kenichi NARA, Kuniyoshi TANIOKA
  • Patent number: 8627794
    Abstract: A fluid brake device has a case defining a fluid chamber. Magneto-rheological fluid is contained in the fluid chamber. A brake member is rotatably supported on the case and receives a braking torque according to the viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid. The device has a movable member driven by a thermo-sensitive wax so that a volume of the fluid chamber is increased as the temperature in the fluid chamber is increased. The movable member is driven to maintain a pressure in the fluid chamber within an allowable range when the temperature in the fluid chamber is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shuhei Oe, Kuniaki Oka, Makoto Otsubo, Jun Yamada, Kenichi Nara, Seiichiro Washino
  • Patent number: 8539919
    Abstract: A fluid brake device has a rotor having a brake shaft penetrating a case to come into contact with magnetic viscosity fluid. A sealing sleeve is arranged to surround the brake shaft, and a seal gap is defined between the sealing sleeve and the brake shaft and communicates with a fluid chamber. The sealing sleeve has a flux guide that guides magnetic flux to the brake shaft through the seal gap. The brake shaft has a magnetic shaft extending in an axis direction, and a regulation layer that regulates the magnetic flux from passing by covering an outer circumference surface of the magnetic shaft. The brake shaft has an exposing part opposing to the magnetic flux guide, and the exposing part of the brake shaft is exposed from the regulation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kuniaki Oka, Jun Yamada, Makoto Otsubo, Shuhei Oe, Taketsugu Sasaki, Kenichi Nara
  • Publication number: 20120312260
    Abstract: A fluid brake device has a rotor having a brake shaft penetrating a case to come into contact with magnetic viscosity fluid. A sealing sleeve is arranged to surround the brake shaft, and a seal gap is defined between the sealing sleeve and the brake shaft and communicates with a fluid chamber. The sealing sleeve has a flux guide that guides magnetic flux to the brake shaft through the seal gap. The brake shaft has a magnetic shaft extending in an axis direction, and a regulation layer that regulates the magnetic flux from passing by covering an outer circumference surface of the magnetic shaft. The brake shaft has an exposing part opposing to the magnetic flux guide, and the exposing part of the brake shaft is exposed from the regulation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuniaki Oka, Jun Yamada, Makoto Otsubo, Shuhei Oe, Taketsugu Sasaki, Kenichi Nara
  • Publication number: 20120312261
    Abstract: A phase adjusting mechanism is engaged with a brake shaft, and adjusts a rotation phase between a crankshaft and a camshaft according to a braking torque acting on a rotor. The rotation phase is adjusted in a predetermined direction when the braking torque is increased. A torque input mechanism inputs a return torque into the phase adjusting mechanism to return the rotation phase in an opposite direction opposite from the predetermined direction. The torque input mechanism increases the return torque corresponding to the rotation phase as an environmental temperature of the variable valve timing apparatus is lowered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, NIPPON SOKEN, INC.
    Inventors: Kuniaki OKA, Taketsugu Sasaki, Motomasa Iizuka, Junji Ute, Jun Yamada, Kenichi Nara
  • Publication number: 20120291732
    Abstract: A fluid brake device has a case defining a fluid chamber. Magneto-rheological fluid is contained in the fluid chamber. A brake member is rotatably supported on the case and receives a braking torque according to the viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid. The device has a movable member driven by a thermo-sensitive wax so that a volume of the fluid chamber is increased as the temperature in the fluid chamber is increased. The movable member is driven to maintain a pressure in the fluid chamber within an allowable range when the temperature in the fluid chamber is changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuhei OE, Kuniaki Oka, Makoto Otsubo, Jun Yamada, Kenichi Nara, Seiichiro Washino
  • Publication number: 20110303171
    Abstract: A valve timing controller has a case which defines a fluid chamber therein. A magnetic viscosity fluid is enclosed in the fluid chamber. The magnetic viscosity fluid including magnetic particles and its viscosity varies according to a magnetic field applied thereto. A coil and a control circuit applies magnetic field to the magnetic viscosity fluid to variably control a viscosity thereof. A brake rotor is rotatably accommodated in the fluid chamber and receives a brake torque from the magnetic viscosity fluid according to the viscosity thereof. A phase adjusting mechanism is connected to the brake rotor for adjusting a relative rotational phase between the crankshaft and the camshaft according to the brake torque. When it is estimated that the engine will be started, the coil is energized to generated heat in the magnetic viscosity fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, NIPPON SOKEN, INC.
    Inventors: Kuniaki OKA, Shuhei Oe, Masayoshi Sugino, Kenichi Nara
  • Patent number: 7958934
    Abstract: A counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus improves heat transport capability by imparting oscillatory displacement to a fluid located near a heat-generating element such that the fluid is directed toward the heat-generating element. Turning portions of serpentine flow paths are disposed to face the heat-generating element. The flow paths are stacked in multiple layers in the direction from the heat-generating element to the flow paths, and a plurality of flow paths are disposed adjacent to the heat-generating element in the direction of fluid oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Nara, Yasumasa Hagiwara, Kimio Kohara, Shinichi Yatsuzuka, Seiji Inoue
  • Patent number: 7665510
    Abstract: The fluid drive unit includes a cylinder communicating with both end portions of a meandering passage formed in the heat transport device. In the cylinder, the piston is slidably arranged being capable of sliding in the axial direction. Fluid is charged in the spaces, which are provided on both sides of the piston, connected to the meandering passage. The solenoid coil, which is provided in the periphery of the side of the cylinder, periodically inverts the magnetic poles and reciprocates the piston in the cylinder. To drive the piston smoothly and reduce the amount of eccentricity, a pair of sliding members are provided at the end portions of the piston. When the fluid in the passage is vibrated by the movement of the piston, the apparent heat conductivity of the heat transport device is enhanced, and heat is quickly diffused from the heating body to the radiating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Nara, Seiji Inoue, Yasumasa Hagiwara, Kimio Kohara, Nobunao Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20090014162
    Abstract: A counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus improves heat transport capability by imparting oscillatory displacement to a fluid located near a heat-generating element such that the fluid is directed toward the heat-generating element. Turning portions of serpentine flow paths are disposed to face the heat-generating element. The flow paths are stacked in multiple layers in the direction from the heat-generating element to the flow paths, and a plurality of flow paths are disposed adjacent to the heat-generating element in the direction of fluid oscillation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Kenichi Nara, Yasumasa Hagiwara, Kimio Kohara, Shinichi Yatsuzuka, Seiji Inoue, Akito Akimoto, Makoto Sugiura, Kouji Kishita, Nobunao Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20060237177
    Abstract: A counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus improves heat transport capability by imparting oscillatory displacement to a fluid located near a heat-generating element such that the fluid is directed toward the heat-generating element. Turning portions of serpentine flow paths are disposed to face the heat-generating element. The flow paths are stacked in multiple layers in the direction from the heat-generating element to the flow paths, and a plurality of flow paths are disposed adjacent to the heat-generating element in the direction of fluid oscillation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Kenichi Nara, Yasumasa Hagiwara, Kimio Kohara, Shinichi Yatsuzuka, Seiji Inoue
  • Patent number: 7054548
    Abstract: The central position of each heating body 1 in the fluid flow direction is referred to as a heating body central position, the central position of a heat radiating section 33a located between the neighboring heating bodies 1 in the fluid flow direction is referred to as a heat radiating section central position, the end of a heat radiating section 33b connected to a pump 6 on the opposite side of a heat absorbing section is referred to as a heat radiating section front, the distances along the fluid flow from the heating body central position to the heat radiating section central position are referred to as heat transport distances and the distances from the heating body central position to the heat radiating section front are referred to as heat transport distances. S>=the maximum heat transport distance Lmax holds. Lmax is the longest of the heat transport distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Inoue, Kenichi Nara, Kimio Kohara, Shigeru Kadota, Nobunao Suzuki, Yukinori Hatano, Fumiaki Nakamura, Nobuyoshi Okada
  • Publication number: 20060011332
    Abstract: The central position of each heating body 1 in the fluid flow direction is referred to as a heating body central position, the central position of a heat radiating section 33a located between the neighboring heating bodies 1 in the fluid flow direction is referred to as a heat radiating section central position, the end of a heat radiating section 33b connected to a pump 6 on the opposite side of a heat absorbing section is referred to as a heat radiating section front, the distances along the fluid flow from the heating body central position to the heat radiating section central position are referred to as heat transport distances and the distances from the heating body central position to the heat radiating section front are referred to as heat transport distances. S>=the maximum heat transport distance Lmax holds. Lmax is the longest of the heat transport distances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Applicant: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Inoue, Kenichi Nara, Kimio Kohara, Shigeru Kadota, Nobunao Suzuki, Yukinori Hatano, Fumiaki Nakamura, Nobuyoshi Okada
  • Publication number: 20050022977
    Abstract: A counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus accommodates a change in volume of a liquid while preventing reduction in heat transport capability. A flow path and a buffer tank are placed in communication with each other via a throttle such as a capillary tube. This prevents a channel connecting the flow path and the buffer tank from having an excessively reduced channel resistance (flow path resistance). This prevents the fluid in a heat transport device assembly (the flow path) from only going back and forth between the heat transport device assembly and the buffer tank without experiencing liquid (pressure) oscillations in the heat transport device assembly. Accordingly, the liquid in the heat transport device assembly is prevented from being reduced in amplitude of oscillation, thereby preventing degradation in heat transport capability of the counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Kimio Kohara, Seiji Inoue, Kenichi Nara, Koji Fujiki, Katsuhiko Oka, Tomoki Naganawa