Patents by Inventor Mitsuhiro Yoda

Mitsuhiro Yoda 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: 9086428
    Abstract: A functional device according to an embodiment of the invention includes: an insulating substrate; a movable section; movable electrode fingers provided in the movable section; and fixed electrode fingers provided on the insulating substrate and arranged to be opposed to the movable electrode fingers. The fixed electrode fingers include: first fixed electrode fingers arranged on one side of the movable electrode fingers; and second fixed electrode fingers arranged on the other side of the movable electrode fingers. The first fixed electrode fingers and the second fixed electrode fingers are arranged to be spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Yoda, Shuichi Kawano, Shigekazu Takagi, Seiji Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9068835
    Abstract: A functional element including a substrate having a principal surface, a groove portion (a first groove portion, a second groove portion) disposed on the principal surface, and a fixed electrode section (a first fixed electrode finger, a second fixed electrode finger) laid across the groove portion on the substrate, wherein, in the groove portion, a raised portion formed by using at least one of the substrate and the fixed electrode section is provided in a position overlapping with the fixed electrode section in a plan view, the raised portion has a bonded surface (an end face), a wiring line (a first wiring line, a second wiring line) is disposed on the bonded surface, and the substrate and the fixed electrode section are connected with the wiring line sandwiched between the substrate and the fixed electrode section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Yoda, Shuichi Kawano, Shigekazu Takagi, Seiji Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8537447
    Abstract: An actuator includes a mass section; a support section; a coupling section for coupling the mass section rotatably to the support section so as to support the mass section with cantilever structure; and a pair of driving sources including a piezoelectric element for rotating the mass section, wherein the pair of driving sources are provided separately from each other with respect to a central axis of rotation of the mass section, each of the driving sources is provided slidably with respect to the coupling section or the support section, and the actuator is structured such that it causes the pair of piezoelectric elements to expand and contract in phases opposite to each other, so as to rotate at least a part of the coupling section while torsionally deforming the mass section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Mizoguchi, Mitsuhiro Yoda, Makiko Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20130042684
    Abstract: An acceleration sensor includes a base substrate provided with a first recess part, and a sensor part located on the first recess part and swingably supported in a depth direction of the first recess part by a support part, wherein the sensor part is sectioned into a first part and a second part by the support part, includes a movable electrode part in the first part and the second part, a through hole is provided at least at an end side in the second part larger in mass than the first part, and the base substrate includes a fixed electrode part in a position opposed to the movable electrode part in the first recessed part, and a second recess part deeper than the first recess part is provided in a position opposed to the end side of the sensor part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro YODA
  • Publication number: 20130042685
    Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes a base substrate, a movable part located on the base substrate and provided on a principal surface of the base substrate, a movable electrode part provided in the movable part, and a fixed electrode part provided on the principal surface of the base substrate and located to be opposed to a movable electrode finger, and the fixed electrode part is connected to fixed electrode wiring provided at the principal surface side of the base substrate, the movable electrode part is connected to movable electrode wiring provided at the principal surface side of the base substrate, and a shield part is provided between the fixed electrode wiring and the movable electrode wiring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro YODA
  • Patent number: 8355191
    Abstract: An actuator includes a mass section; a support section; a coupling section for coupling the mass section rotatably to the support section so as to support the mass section with cantilever structure; and a pair of driving sources including a piezoelectric element for rotating the mass section, wherein the pair of driving sources are provided separately from each other with respect to a central axis of rotation of the mass section, each of the driving sources is provided slidably with respect to the coupling section or the support section, and the actuator is structured such that it causes the pair of piezoelectric elements to expand and contract in phases opposite to each other, so as to rotate at least a part of the coupling section while torsionally deforming the mass section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Mizoguchi, Mitsuhiro Yoda, Makiko Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20120267150
    Abstract: A functional element including a substrate having a principal surface, a groove portion (a first groove portion, a second groove portion) disposed on the principal surface, and a fixed electrode section (a first fixed electrode finger, a second fixed electrode finger) laid across the groove portion on the substrate, wherein, in the groove portion, a raised portion formed by using at least one of the substrate and the fixed electrode section is provided in a position overlapping with the fixed electrode section in a plan view, the raised portion has a bonded surface (an end face), a wiring line (a first wiring line, a second wiring line) is disposed on the bonded surface, and the substrate and the fixed electrode section are connected with the wiring line sandwiched between the substrate and the fixed electrode section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro YODA, Shuichi KAWANO, Shigekazu TAKAGI, Seiji YAMAZAKI
  • Patent number: 8179583
    Abstract: An actuator includes a movable plate having a plate shape, a pair of axial parts that is elastically deformable and supporting the movable plate rotatable, and a tension adjuster adjusting tension on an axial direction of the pair of the axial parts and including a torsional axis that is formed jointly or integrally with one of the axial parts and disposed orthogonally to the axial direction of the axial parts, and a drive source that torsionally deforms the torsional axis, wherein the torsional axis is torsionally deformed through the action of the drive source and a spring constant of the pair of the axial parts is adjusted by adjusting the tension on the pair of the axial parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Yoda
  • Publication number: 20120111615
    Abstract: A functional device according to an embodiment of the invention includes: an insulating substrate; a movable section; movable electrode fingers provided in the movable section; and fixed electrode fingers provided on the insulating substrate and arranged to be opposed to the movable electrode fingers. The fixed electrode fingers include: first fixed electrode fingers arranged on one side of the movable electrode fingers; and second fixed electrode fingers arranged on the other side of the movable electrode fingers. The first fixed electrode fingers and the second fixed electrode fingers are arranged to be spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro YODA, Shuichi KAWANO, Shigekazu TAKAGI, Seiji YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20110120221
    Abstract: A MEMS sensor includes: a fixed portion; an elastically deformable portion; a movable weight portion coupled to the fixed portion via the elastically deformable portion, the movable weight portion including a coupling portion; a plurality of fixed electrode portions arranged in a first direction and protruding in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a plurality of movable electrode portions protruding from the coupling portion in the second direction, provided to respectively face the plurality of fixed electrode portions, and arranged in the first direction, wherein the movable weight portion has an additional weight portion connected to the coupling portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Yoda
  • Patent number: 7926369
    Abstract: The actuator has a movable mass portion and a pair of drive mechanisms for driving the movable mass portion. Each of the pair of drive mechanisms includes a drive mass portion, a support portion for supporting the drive mass portion, a first elastic connecting portion interconnecting the drive mass portion and the support portion so as to allow the drive mass portion to be pivoted about a pivotal axis with respect to the support portion, and a second elastic connecting portion interconnecting the drive mass portion and the movable mass portion so as to allow the movable mass portion to be pivoted about a pivotal axis with respect to the drive mass portion. The first elastic connecting portion includes a pair of bending bars opposed to each other with interposing the pivotal axis of the drive mass portion therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Yoda
  • Patent number: 7880365
    Abstract: An actuator 100 includes: a pair of driving portions 1, 11 spaced apart from each other; a movable portion 2 provided between the pair of driving portions 1, 11; a pair of supporting portions 3, 3 for supporting the pair of driving portions 1, 11 and the movable portion 2; a pair of first elastic connecting portions 4, 4 which respectively connect the pair of driving portions 1, 11 to the pair of supporting portions 3, 3 so that each of the driving portions 1, 11 can rotate with respect to the supporting portions 3, 3; and a pair of second elastic connecting portions 5, 5 which respectively connect the movable portion 2 to the pair of driving portions 1, 11 so that the movable portion 2 can rotate in accordance with the rotation of the pair of driving portions 1, 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Yoda, Hirokazu Ito
  • Patent number: 7808150
    Abstract: An actuator that can be driven at a reduced voltage and manufactured with ease, and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The actuator includes second supporting portions 31 and 32 secured to a supporting substrate 4 through a spacer, fixed portions 33 and 34 secured to the supporting substrate 4 with no intervention of the spacer, fixed comb electrodes 331 and 341 integrally formed the fixed portions 33 and 34 and meshing with movable comb electrodes 211 and 212 in a spaced-apart relationship, and bridge portions 35 and 36 for connecting the fixed portions 33 and 34 to the second supporting portions 31 and 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation, The University of Tokyo, Santec Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Yoda, Keiji Isamoto, Hiroshi Toshiyoshi
  • Publication number: 20100149613
    Abstract: An actuator includes a movable plate having a plate shape, a pair of axial parts that is elastically deformable and supporting the movable plate rotatable, and a tension adjuster adjusting tension on an axial direction of the pair of the axial parts and including a torsional axis that is formed jointly or integrally with one of the axial parts and disposed orthogonally to the axial direction of the axial parts, and a drive source that torsionally deforms the torsional axis, wherein the torsional axis is torsionally deformed through the action of the drive source and a spring constant of the pair of the axial parts is adjusted by adjusting the tension on the pair of the axial parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro YODA
  • Patent number: 7719163
    Abstract: An actuator that can be driven at a reduced voltage and manufactured with ease, and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The actuator includes second supporting portions 31 and 32 secured to a supporting substrate 4 through a spacer, fixed portions 33 and 34 secured to the supporting substrate 4 with no intervention of the spacer, fixed comb electrodes 331 and 341 integrally formed the fixed portions 33 and 34 and meshing with movable comb electrodes 211 and 212 in a spaced-apart relationship, and bridge portions 35 and 36 for connecting the fixed portions 33 and 34 to the second supporting portions 31 and 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation, The University of Tokyo, Santec Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Yoda, Keiji Isamoto, Hiroshi Toshiyoshi
  • Patent number: 7697185
    Abstract: An actuator includes a movable plate having a plate shape, a pair of axial parts that is elastically deformable and supporting the movable plate rotatable, and a tension adjuster adjusting tension on an axial direction of the pair of the axial parts and including a torsional axis that is formed jointly or integrally with one of the axial parts and disposed orthogonally to the axial direction of the axial parts, and a drive source that torsionally deforms the torsional axis, wherein the torsional axis is torsionally deformed through the action of the drive source and a spring constant of the pair of the axial parts is adjusted by adjusting the tension on the pair of the axial parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Yoda
  • Publication number: 20100079835
    Abstract: An actuator 100 includes: a pair of driving portions 1, 11 spaced apart from each other; a movable portion 2 provided between the pair of driving portions 1, 11; a pair of supporting portions 3, 3 for supporting the pair of driving portions 1, 11 and the movable portion 2; a pair of first elastic connecting portions 4, 4 which respectively connect the pair of driving portions 1, 11 to the pair of supporting portions 3, 3 so that each of the driving portions 1, 11 can rotate with respect to the supporting portions 3, 3; and a pair of second elastic connecting portions 5, 5 which respectively connect the movable portion 2 to the pair of driving portions 1, 11 so that the movable portion 2 can rotate in accordance with the rotation of the pair of driving portions 1, 11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro YODA, Hirokazu ITO
  • Publication number: 20100045137
    Abstract: An actuator that can be driven at a reduced voltage and manufactured with ease, and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The actuator includes second supporting portions 31 and 32 secured to a supporting substrate 4 through a spacer, fixed portions 33 and 34 secured to the supporting substrate 4 with no intervention of the spacer, fixed comb electrodes 331 and 341 integrally formed the fixed portions 33 and 34 and meshing with movable comb electrodes 211 and 212 in a spaced-apart relationship, and bridge portions 35 and 36 for connecting the fixed portions 33 and 34 to the second supporting portions 31 and 32.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicants: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro YODA, Keiji ISAMOTO, Hiroshi TOSHIYOSHI
  • Patent number: 7649301
    Abstract: An actuator 100 includes: a pair of driving portions 1, 11 spaced apart from each other; a movable portion 2 provided between the pair of driving portions 1, 11; a pair of supporting portions 3, 3 for supporting the pair of driving portions 1, 11 and the movable portion 2; a pair of first elastic connecting portions 4, 4 which respectively connect the pair of driving portions 1, 11 to the pair of supporting portions 3, 3 so that each of the driving portions 1, 11 can rotate with respect to the supporting portions 3, 3; and a pair of second elastic connecting portions 5, 5 which respectively connect the movable portion 2 to the pair of driving portions 1, 11 so that the movable portion 2 can rotate in accordance with the rotation of the pair of driving portions 1, 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Yoda, Hirokazu Ito
  • Publication number: 20080304124
    Abstract: An actuator includes a movable plate having a plate shape, a pair of axial parts that is elastically deformable and supporting the movable plate rotatable, and a tension adjuster adjusting tension on an axial direction of the pair of the axial parts and including a torsional axis that is formed jointly or integrally with one of the axial parts and disposed orthogonally to the axial direction of the axial parts, and a drive source that torsionally deforms the torsional axis, wherein the torsional axis is torsionally deformed through the action of the drive source and a spring constant of the pair of the axial parts is adjusted by adjusting the tension on the pair of the axial parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro YODA