Patents by Inventor Masahiro Asai

Masahiro Asai 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: 8721855
    Abstract: A crimp contact, a gas sensor including the crimp contact for outputting a signal from a sensing portion of a sensor element to an external device, and a method for manufacturing the crimp contact. The crimp contact includes a barrel portion crimped so as to fix a plurality of lead core wires (16) of an electrical lead connected to the external device. A hold portion constituting the barrel portion is formed such that the lead core wires 16 of the electrical lead are disposed in an U-shaped hold portion 77 so as to be crimped between an anvil 120 and a crimper 121. An outer surface of the U-shaped hold portion 77 has a plating layer 85 thereon to thereby constantly secure slidability between a sliding face of the crimper 121 and the outer surface of the U-shaped hold portion 77.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisaharu Nishio, Masahiro Asai, Makoto Hishiki
  • Patent number: 8715135
    Abstract: A control device for a hybrid vehicle automatic transmission. A friction engagement element control unit includes a first play elimination control unit that sets a first pressure as the pressure for a first set time where the predetermined friction engagement element is engaged using a hydraulic pressure from the electric oil pump in a travel state in which only the rotary electric machine serves as a drive source. The first play elimination pressure is lower than a play elimination pressure for use in the case where the predetermined friction engagement element is engaged using a hydraulic pressure from the mechanical oil pump in a travel state in which the internal combustion engine serves as a drive source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Ueda, Masahiro Asai, Kazuhiko Motodohi, Yoichi Tajima
  • Publication number: 20130260957
    Abstract: A control device for a hybrid vehicle automatic transmission. A friction engagement element control unit includes a first play elimination control unit that sets a first pressure as the pressure for a first set time where the predetermined friction engagement element is engaged using a hydraulic pressure from the electric oil pump in a travel state in which only the rotary electric machine serves as a drive source. The first play elimination pressure is lower than a play elimination pressure for use in the case where the predetermined friction engagement element is engaged using a hydraulic pressure from the mechanical oil pump in a travel state in which the internal combustion engine serves as a drive source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yosuke UEDA, Masahiro ASAI, Kazuhiko MOTODOHI, Yoichi TAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20130260955
    Abstract: A control device of a hybrid vehicle including an engine; an automatic transmission placed on a power transmission path between the engine and wheels, having a first friction engagement element engaged in a forward range and a second engagement element engaged in a reverse range based on a hydraulic pressure generated while the engine is stopped; and a rotary electric machine capable of driving the wheels without using the power transmission path. The rotary electric machine is driven when a shift range is the forward range or the reverse range while the internal combustion engine is stopped, and the driving of the rotary electric machine is restrained for a set time after the shift range is changed from the forward range to the reverse range or vice versa while the engine is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Kenta KIMATA, Masahiro ASAI, Kazuhiko MOTODOHI, Shinichiro IGA
  • Patent number: 8423213
    Abstract: A vehicle control device for controlling a vehicle drive apparatus, the vehicle control device configured with a phase determining mechanism that determines the end of the torque phase in a shift operation, and a rotary electrical machine control mechanism that controls the torque of the rotary electrical machine using a variation of input torque. The vehicle control device is also configured with an engagement control mechanism that provides feedback controlling supplied oil pressure to an engagement side element as an engagement element on a side to be engaged after switching of shift speeds so that the rotation speed change rate of the input member becomes the target rotation speed change rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Tsuda, Yomei Hakumura, Masahiro Asai, Yoichi Tajima, Tomokazu Ito
  • Patent number: 8352109
    Abstract: A vehicle control device for controlling a vehicle drive apparatus, the vehicle control device configured with a release control mechanism that provides feedback controlling supplied oil pressure to a release side element, and an engagement control mechanism that increases supplied oil pressure to an engagement side element as an engagement element on a side to be engaged in a state that the differential rotation speed is substantially constant. The control device is further configured with a phase determining mechanism that determines if the torque phase has started when a condition that a phenomenon accompanying a change of the differential rotation speed due to increase of the supplied oil pressure to the engagement side element is detected is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Tsuda, Yomei Hakumura, Masahiro Asai, Yoichi Tajima, Tomokazu Ito
  • Publication number: 20120304735
    Abstract: Provided is a gas sensor in which a connection terminal can be favorably fitted onto a cylindrical sensor element without causing a breakage of the connection terminal. An oxygen sensor (1) includes an outer connection terminal (29) having an outer fitting portion (53), an extension portion (55) extending inwardly from an axially intermediate point of the outer fitting portion (53) and pulling prevention portions (75) and (77) formed on rear end parts of the outer fitting portion (53) at positions adjacent to the extension portion (55). When the extension portion (55) of the outer connection terminal (29) is inserted in and pulled out from a through hole (23) of a separator (27), the extension portion (55) can be prevented from further pulling in the through hole (23) by contact of the pulling prevention portions (75) and (77) with a front end surface of the separator (27).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Kato, Tatsuya Okumura, Masahiro Asai, Tomoyuki Miyashita
  • Patent number: 8215153
    Abstract: A gas sensor including a detection element having a detection portion; a metal shell that surrounds the detection element so as to expose the detection portion to a measured atmosphere; an outer tube that is fixed to the metal shell so as to cover a rear end side of the detection element; and a seal member that is contained inside the outer tube, the seal member having a lead wire insertion hole and a through hole that penetrates in the axial direction; a tubular holding member made of a resin having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the seal member, the tubular holding member being held inside the through hole, the tubular holding member having a ventilation hole; and a filter that covers the ventilation hole, the filter being joined to the holding member, the filter blocking water from passing therethrough, and the filter having air permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Matsubara, Takayoshi Atsumi, Kouji Matsuo, Kazuhiro Kouzaki, Masahiro Asai
  • Publication number: 20110106356
    Abstract: A vehicle control device for controlling a vehicle drive apparatus, the vehicle control device configured with a phase determining mechanism that determines the end of the torque phase in a shift operation, and a rotary electrical machine control mechanism that controls the torque of the rotary electrical machine using a variation of input torque. The vehicle control device is also configured with an engagement control mechanism that provides feedback controlling supplied oil pressure to an engagement side element as an engagement element on a side to be engaged after switching of shift speeds so that the rotation speed change rate of the input member becomes the target rotation speed change rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei TSUDA, Yomei Hakumura, Masahiro Asai, Yoichi Tajima, Tomokazu Ito
  • Publication number: 20110106355
    Abstract: A vehicle control device for controlling a vehicle drive apparatus, the vehicle control device configured with a release control mechanism that provides feedback controlling supplied oil pressure to a release side element, and an engagement control mechanism that increases supplied oil pressure to an engagement side element as an engagement element on a side to be engaged in a state that the differential rotation speed is substantially constant. The control device is further configured with a phase determining mechanism that determines if the torque phase has started when a condition that a phenomenon accompanying a change of the differential rotation speed due to increase of the supplied oil pressure to the engagement side element is detected is met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei TSUDA, Yomei Hakumura, Masahiro Asai, Yoichi Tajima, Tomokazu Ito
  • Publication number: 20100082208
    Abstract: An automatic transmission control system calculates a sustention output, needed to sustain a vehicle speed, based on the running resistance, calculates a request output based on, for example, an accelerator pedal angle, calculates a current gear ratio maximum output, which is a maximum output of a vehicle at the current gear ratio, based on the maximum output performance of the engine, and also calculates a post-upshift maximum output that is the maximum output of the vehicle at a gear ratio resulting from an upshift. When a first value based on the sustention output, request output, and a reserve output becomes larger than a second value based on the current gear ratio maximum output, a downshift is decided. When a third value based on the sustention output, request output, and reserve output becomes smaller than a fourth value based on a post-upshift maximum output, upshift is decided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro ASAI, Keiichirou KUSABE
  • Publication number: 20100050740
    Abstract: A gas sensor including a detection element having a detection portion; a metal shell that surrounds the detection element so as to expose the detection portion to a measured atmosphere; an outer tube that is fixed to the metal shell so as to cover a rear end side of the detection element; and a seal member that is contained inside the outer tube, the seal member having a lead wire insertion hole and a through hole that penetrates in the axial direction; a tubular holding member made of a resin having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the seal member, the tubular holding member being held inside the through hole, the tubular holding member having a ventilation hole; and a filter that covers the ventilation hole, the filter being joined to the holding member, the filter blocking water from passing therethrough, and the filter having air permeability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki MATSUBARA, Takayoshi ATSUMI, Kouji MATSUO, Kazuhiro KOUZAKI, Masahiro ASAI
  • Patent number: 7603686
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus in which television channel setting processing and provider setting processing can be completed expeditiously. The information processing apparatus has the function of connecting to the Internet and the function of receiving television broadcast from the broadcasting stations. If, when the broadcast territory of using the information processing apparatus is set and registered, and the Internet service provider is to be set, the Internet service providers are demonstrated in the display unit of the information processing apparatus beginning from those geographically closest to the user's territory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Justsystem Corporation
    Inventors: Natsuko Yotsumoto, Masahiro Asai, Mami Uchida, Takaaki Miura, Katsuhisa Takata
  • Patent number: 7562555
    Abstract: A water-repellent filter member formed from a resin sheet of a porous, fibrous structure having air permeability and water repellency; a waterproof instrument and gas sensor having air permeability; and a method of manufacturing the same. A water-repellent filter member (19) is formed from a resin sheet (54) of a porous, fibrous structure having air permeability and water repellency by subjecting the resin sheet to forming work, and includes an axially extending tubular side wall portion (19s) and a bottom wall portion closing one end of the tubular side wall portion. At least a portion of the bottom wall portion (19t) retains the porous, fibrous structure of the resin sheet and thereby has air permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisaharu Nishio, Yuichi Yamada, Masahiro Asai, Makoto Hishiki
  • Patent number: 7477231
    Abstract: An information processing device according to the invention is adapted to receive information as input. A software keyboard is assigned to part of a pressure detection panel (4) for key arrangement and only markers are normally displayed in a display (3) to indicate the home position (reference position) of the software keyboard. Characters can be input to the character input section that is displayed on the display (3) by way of the software keyboard without using input devices such as mouse and hardware keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Asai
  • Patent number: RE41009
    Abstract: An audio recording and reproducing apparatus includes a controller for controlling the entire behaviors, hard disc for write and read of audio data, audio compression/expansion circuit for expanding compressed audio data, and external I/O port. The audio recording and reproducing apparatus is connected to a network service center to obtain desired music data from storage of the network service center and to store it in the hard disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunori Ozawa, Nobuhiro Tone, Masahiro Asai
  • Patent number: RE41256
    Abstract: An audio recording and reproducing apparatus includes a controller for controlling the entire behaviors, hard disc for write and read of audio data, audio compression/expansion circuit for expanding compressed audio data, and external I/O port. The audio recording and reproducing apparatus is connected to a network service center to obtain desired music data from storage of the network service center and to store it in the hard disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunori Ozawa, Nobuhiro Tone, Masahiro Asai
  • Patent number: RE41544
    Abstract: An audio recording and reproducing apparatus includes a controller for controlling the entire behaviors, hard disc for write and read of audio data, audio compression/expansion circuit for expanding compressed audio data, and external I/O port. The audio recording and reproducing apparatus is connected to a network service center to obtain desired music data from storage of the network service center and to store it in the hard disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunori Ozawa, Nobuhiro Tone, Masahiro Asai
  • Patent number: RE42701
    Abstract: An audio recording and reproducing apparatus includes a controller for controlling the entire behaviors, hard disc for write and read of audio data, audio compression/expansion circuit for expanding compressed audio data, and external I/O port. The audio recording and reproducing apparatus is connected to a network service center to obtain desired music data from storage of the network service center and to store it in the hard disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunori Ozawa, Nobuhiro Tone, Masahiro Asai
  • Patent number: RE44954
    Abstract: An audio recording and reproducing apparatus includes a controller for controlling the entire behaviors, hard disc for write and read of audio data, audio compression/expansion circuit for expanding compressed audio data, and external I/O port. The audio recording and reproducing apparatus is connected to a network service center to obtain desired music data from storage of the network service center and to store it in the hard disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunori Ozawa, Nobuhiro Tone, Masahiro Asai