Patents by Inventor Takahiro Yamafuji
Takahiro Yamafuji 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).
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Patent number: 11577189Abstract: A liquid recovery device includes: an outer pipe that includes an introduction portion into which a gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced; an inner pipe disposed inside the outer pipe at a position where the introduction portion is extended to a downstream side in a flow direction of the gas-liquid two-phase fluid; a double pipe portion that includes a clearance part provided between an inner side of the outer pipe and the inner pipe at a downstream side of the outer pipe in the flow direction; a communication hole that communicates the inner side of the inner pipe with the clearance part; and a drainage portion connected to the clearance part to discharge the liquid-phase fluid flowing into an interior of the clearance part.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazutoshi Nishinakamura, Ryo Yoshioka, Takahiro Yamafuji
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Patent number: 10916787Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a water supply unit configured to supply water from a first water storage unit to a second water storage unit, and a water usage unit uses water in the second water storage unit. The first and second water storage units store produced water form the fuel cell. When the amount of water stored in the first water storage unit exceeds a first predetermined value and the amount of water stored in the second water storage unit is smaller than a second predetermined value, water is supplied from the first water storage unit to the second water storage unit. When water is being used by the water usage unit, water is supplied from the first water storage unit to the second water storage unit even when the amount of water stored in the second water storage unit is not smaller than the second predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2018Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuichi Sakajo, Takashi Koyama, Ryo Yoshioka, Takahiro Yamafuji
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Patent number: 10741857Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a water storage unit configured to store water recovered from the fuel cell and be able to drain the stored water, a water usage unit configured to use the water in the water storage unit, and a control unit configured to control a drain of the water from the water storage unit. The control unit is configured to, when a first predetermined time has elapsed since a last drain of the water from the water storage unit, drain the water from the water storage unit. The control unit is configured to, when it is predicted that the water in the water storage unit is used by the water usage unit within a second predetermined time shorter than the first predetermined time, not drain the water from the water storage unit even when the first predetermined time has elapsed since the drain of the water from the water storage unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuichi Sakajo, Takashi Koyama, Ryo Yoshioka, Takahiro Yamafuji
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Publication number: 20200179849Abstract: A liquid recovery device includes: an outer pipe that includes an introduction portion into which a gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced; an inner pipe disposed inside the outer pipe at a position where the introduction portion is extended to a downstream side in a flow direction of the gas-liquid two-phase fluid; a double pipe portion that includes a clearance part provided between an inner side of the outer pipe and the inner pipe at a downstream side of the outer pipe in the flow direction; a communication hole that communicates the inner side of the inner pipe with the clearance part; and a drainage portion connected to the clearance part to discharge the liquid-phase fluid flowing into an interior of the clearance part.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2020Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Kazutoshi NISHINAKAMURA, Ryo YOSHIOKA, Takahiro YAMAFUJI
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Patent number: 10518620Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell mounting structure including: a pair of left and right vibration-proofing members that are provided due to front side joining portions and rear side joining portions being mounted to suspension members; and a fuel cell that is supported at least by the pair of left and right vibration-proofing members, and is disposed at vehicle body upper sides of the suspension members, wherein one of the front side joining portions and the rear side joining portions are supported so as to be rotatable with a vehicle transverse direction being an axis of rotation, and another of the front side joining portions and the rear side joining portions are structured so as to break away from the suspension members, due to weak portions breaking at a time when load is inputted to the fuel cell from a vehicle body longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2017Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takahiro Yamafuji, Fumihiro Abukawa
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Patent number: 10454117Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell mounting structure including (i) a fuel cell which is configured to be disposed in a vehicle where a drive motor that drives rear wheels is placed in a vehicle rear portion, the fuel cell placed on the vehicle upper side of a suspension member disposed in a vehicle front portion and connected via a plurality of anti-vibration members to the suspension member, and (ii) auxiliaries that are attached to the fuel cell in a state in which the auxiliaries do not contact the suspension member and include at least an air compressor and a pump.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2016Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takahiro Yamafuji
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Publication number: 20190115605Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a water supply unit configured to supply water from a first water storage unit to a second water storage unit, and a water usage unit uses water in the second water storage unit. The first and second water storage units store produced water form the fuel cell. When the amount of water stored in the first water storage unit exceeds a first predetermined value and the amount of water stored in the second water storage unit is smaller than a second predetermined value, water is supplied from the first water storage unit to the second water storage unit. When water is being used by the water usage unit, water is supplied from the first water storage unit to the second water storage unit even when the amount of water stored in the second water storage unit is not smaller than the second predetermined value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2018Publication date: April 18, 2019Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuichi SAKAJO, Takashi KOYAMA, Ryo YOSHIOKA, Takahiro YAMAFUJI
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Publication number: 20190103615Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a water storage unit configured to store water recovered from the fuel cell and be able to drain the stored water, a water usage unit configured to use the water in the water storage unit, and a control unit configured to control a drain of the water from the water storage unit. The control unit is configured to, when a first predetermined time has elapsed since a last drain of the water from the water storage unit, drain the water from the water storage unit. The control unit is configured to, when it is predicted that the water in the water storage unit is used by the water usage unit within a second predetermined time shorter than the first predetermined time, not drain the water from the water storage unit even when the first predetermined time has elapsed since the drain of the water from the water storage unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2018Publication date: April 4, 2019Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuichi SAKAJO, Takashi KOYAMA, Ryo YOSHIOKA, Takahiro YAMAFUJI
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Publication number: 20180178641Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell mounting structure including: a pair of left and right vibration-proofing members that are provided due to front side joining portions and rear side joining portions being mounted to suspension members; and a fuel cell that is supported at least by the pair of left and right vibration-proofing members, and is disposed at vehicle body upper sides of the suspension members, wherein one of the front side joining portions and the rear side joining portions are supported so as to be rotatable with a vehicle transverse direction being an axis of rotation, and another of the front side joining portions and the rear side joining portions are structured so as to break away from the suspension members, due to weak portions breaking at a time when load is inputted to the fuel cell from a vehicle body longitudinal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2017Publication date: June 28, 2018Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takahiro YAMAFUJI, Fumihiro ABUKAWA
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Publication number: 20170133691Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell mounting structure including (i) a fuel cell which is configured to be disposed in a vehicle where a drive motor that drives rear wheels is placed in a vehicle rear portion, the fuel cell placed on the vehicle upper side of a suspension member disposed in a vehicle front portion and connected via a plurality of anti-vibration members to the suspension member, and (ii) auxiliaries that are attached to the fuel cell in a state in which the auxiliaries do not contact the suspension member and include at least an air compressor and a pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2016Publication date: May 11, 2017Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takahiro YAMAFUJI
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Patent number: 7948112Abstract: An electric equipment mounting structure includes: a PCU mounted inside an engine room of a hybrid vehicle; an air cleaner mounted inside the engine room of the hybrid vehicle with a distance between the PCU; and cables connected to a surface, facing the air cleaner, of the PCU.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2007Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takahiro Yamafuji
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Publication number: 20100213760Abstract: A structure for mounting electrical machinery comprises a PCU (700) mounted in the engine room (2) of a hybrid vehicle (1), an air cleaner (800) mounted in the engine room (2) of the hybrid vehicle (1) at a position spaced from the PCU (700), and cables (900A, 900B, 900C) connected to connection parts (901A, 901B, 901C) positioned on the surface of the PCU (700) facing the air cleaner (800).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2007Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takahiro Yamafuji
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Patent number: 7766113Abstract: A mount structure for an electric unit is a mount structure for a PCU mounted in an engine room of a hybrid vehicle. The mount structure includes a vehicle body, the PCU mounted in the engine room, an engine mounted on the vehicle body and spaced from PCU, a cable connected to the PCU and having a portion positioned between the PCU and the engine, and a wire-protecting portion positioned between the PCU and the engine and keeping the distance between the PCU and the cable and the distance between the engine and the cable at respective distances that are at least distances necessary for wiring protection.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2006Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takahiro Yamafuji
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Publication number: 20090294626Abstract: In an engine room accommodating an engine and a motor, an air cleaner accommodated in a resin case is disposed behind an inverter device, which has an inverter circuit for driving a motor and has a connection portion to which a power cable rising on a rear side of a vehicle is connected, with respect to the vehicle. The air cleaner is mounted in regions different from a front lower region thereof, namely, in a front upper region thereof and a rear lower region thereof to the engine room or a member mounted to the engine room. Thus, in the event of a collision of the vehicle, the power cable can be restrained from being deformed or damaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventors: Naoki ABE, Takahiro Yamafuji
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Patent number: 7484581Abstract: As a framework member 50 of a vehicle deforms, a bracket attached to the framework member 50 also deforms. An inverter 20 which is attached to the framework member 50 via a bracket 60 also deforms. Thus, following the deformation of the framework member 50 of the vehicle, the bracket 60 and the inverter 20 deform accordingly to result in a rather small amount of relative deformation among the framework member 50, the bracket 60, and the inverter 20. In addition, a high voltage line 40 attached to the bracket 60 also deforms following the deformation of the bracket 60. Therefore, even in the event of an accident, the high voltage line 40 can be secured in a space reserved between framework member 50 and inverter 20, which significantly reduces the possibility of disconnection of the high voltage line 40.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2005Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takahiro Yamafuji
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Publication number: 20060201753Abstract: A mount structure for an electric unit is a mount structure for a PCU mounted in an engine room of a hybrid vehicle. The mount structure includes a vehicle body, the PCU mounted in the engine room, an engine mounted on the vehicle body and spaced from PCU, a cable connected to the PCU and having a portion positioned between the PCU and the engine, and a wire-protecting portion positioned between the PCU and the engine and keeping the distance between the PCU and the cable and the distance between the engine and the cable at respective distances that are at least distances necessary for wiring protection.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2006Publication date: September 14, 2006Inventor: Takahiro Yamafuji
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Publication number: 20050205316Abstract: As a framework member 50 of a vehicle deforms, a bracket attached to the framework member 50 also deforms. An inverter 20 which is attached to the framework member 50 via a bracket 60 also deforms. Thus, following the deformation of the framework member 50 of the vehicle, the bracket 60 and the inverter 20 deform accordingly to result in a rather small amount of relative deformation among the framework member 50, the bracket 60, and the inverter 20. In addition, a high voltage line 40 attached to the bracket 60 also deforms following the deformation of the bracket 60. Therefore, even in the event of an accident, the high voltage line 40 can be secured in a space reserved between framework member 50 and inverter 20, which significantly reduces the possibility of disconnection of the high voltage line 40.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2005Publication date: September 22, 2005Inventor: Takahiro Yamafuji
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Patent number: 6488748Abstract: The present invention is accomplished by a canister structure for an internal combustion engine that includes a container having a gas passage therein through which gas containing evaporative fuel flows from a first end to a second end, a purge portion disposed on the container and connected to the first end through which vacuum pressure is applied into the gas passage, a charge portion disposed on the container and connected to the first end through which the gas is introduced into the gas passage, a drain portion disposed on the container and connected to the second end through which the gas passage is made open to the atmosphere, and an adsorbent material, disposed in the gas passage, to temporarily adsorb the evaporative fuel, whose specific heat on the side of the second end is made higher relative to that on the side of the first end.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2000Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takahiro Yamafuji, Yuji Itakura
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Patent number: 6354280Abstract: An evaporation control apparatus is provided that reliably suppresses the emission of fuel components into the atmosphere. The evaporation control apparatus has a canister 2 and a control valve 20 that are configured as a unit to be disposed within the fuel tank 1 so that the connection path between the canister 2 and the control valve 20 is completely enclosed within the fuel tank 1. Therefore, fuel components are prevented from permeating the hoses and joints connecting the canister 2 and the control valve 20. In the unlikely event that fuel components should permeate the case body 20A of the control valve 20, emission of the fuel components into the atmosphere will be suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2000Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuji Itakura, Takahiro Yamafuji, Masaya Furushou
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Publication number: 20010020418Abstract: The present invention is accomplished by a canister structure for an internal combustion engine that includes a container having a gas passage therein through which gas containing evaporative fuel flows from a first end to a second end, a purge portion disposed on the container and connected to the first end through which vacuum pressure is applied into the gas passage, a charge portion disposed on the container and connected to the first end through which the gas is introduced into the gas passage, a drain portion disposed on the container and connected to the second end through which the gas passage is made open to the atmosphere, and an adsorbent material, disposed in the gas passage, to temporarily adsorb the evaporative fuel, whose specific heat on the side of the second end is made higher relative to that on the side of the first end.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2000Publication date: September 13, 2001Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takahiro Yamafuji, Yuji Itakura