Patents by Inventor Tomohiro Usami

Tomohiro Usami 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: 11752874
    Abstract: A power source system includes a first power source, a second power source, a Direct Current to Direct Current converter, a first load including a vehicle control device configured to perform predetermined control regarding at least one of traveling, steering, and braking of the vehicle regardless of a driving operation performed by a driver of the vehicle, and an electric actuator as a control target of the vehicle control device, and connected to the first path so as to be supplied with power from the first power source, and a power source control device configured to control an operation of the Direct Current to Direct Current converter such that power is supplied to the first path from the second power source in a case where the predetermined control is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shu Nakayama, Isao Yoneyama, Tomohiro Usami, Yasuharu Terada
  • Patent number: 11752875
    Abstract: A power source system includes a first power source, a second power source, a Direct Current to Direct Current converter, a first load including a vehicle control device configured to perform predetermined control regarding at least one of traveling, steering, and braking of the vehicle regardless of a driving operation performed by a driver of the vehicle, and an electric actuator as a control target of the vehicle control device, and connected to the first path so as to be supplied with power from the first power source, and a power source control device configured to control an operation of the Direct Current to Direct Current converter such that power is supplied to the first path from the second power source in a case where the predetermined control is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shu Nakayama, Isao Yoneyama, Tomohiro Usami, Yasuharu Terada
  • Publication number: 20230104493
    Abstract: A power source system includes a first power source, a second power source, a Direct Current to Direct Current converter, a first load including a vehicle control device configured to perform predetermined control regarding at least one of traveling, steering, and braking of the vehicle regardless of a driving operation performed by a driver of the vehicle, and an electric actuator as a control target of the vehicle control device, and connected to the first path so as to be supplied with power from the first power source, and a power source control device configured to control an operation of the Direct Current to Direct Current converter such that power is supplied to the first path from the second power source in a case where the predetermined control is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shu NAKAYAMA, Isao YONEYAMA, Tomohiro USAMI, Yasuharu TERADA
  • Patent number: 11548590
    Abstract: A drive unit includes an electric motor including an output shaft including an output gear; a pedal crank shaft extending through a housing, rotatably supported by the housing, and including a driven gear; and a transmission to transmit a torque of the output gear of the electric motor to the driven gear. The transmission includes a decelerator rotatably supported by the housing, and an idle gear rotatably supported by the housing. The decelerator increases the torque of the output shaft of the electric motor, and the increased torque is transmitted to the driven gear via the idle gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomohiro Usami
  • Patent number: 11381223
    Abstract: A power supply system includes: a first power storage device; a second power storage device having a lower voltage than the first power storage device; a DC-DC converter including a choke coil, a first switching element, a diode connected in parallel with the first switching element, and a second switching element; a semiconductor relay configured to switch a connection state between a second end of the choke coil and the second power storage device; and a controller configured to perform PWM control of the first switching element and the second switching element to control ON and OFF of the semiconductor relay. When an ON time of the second switching element is controlled to become zero and a current flowing out from the second power storage device exceeds a first reference current, the controller reduces a duty ratio of an ON time of the first switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Usami, Takuya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11312239
    Abstract: A power source system includes a first power source, a second power source, a Direct Current to Direct Current converter, a first load including a vehicle control device configured to perform predetermined control regarding at least one of traveling, steering, and braking of the vehicle regardless of a driving operation performed by a driver of the vehicle, and an electric actuator as a control target of the vehicle control device, and connected to the first path so as to be supplied with power from the first power source, and a power source control device configured to control an operation of the Direct Current to Direct Current converter such that power is supplied to the first path from the second power source in a case where the predetermined control is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shu Nakayama, Isao Yoneyama, Tomohiro Usami, Yasuharu Terada
  • Publication number: 20220041059
    Abstract: A power source system includes a first power source, a second power source, a Direct Current to Direct Current converter, a first load including a vehicle control device configured to perform predetermined control regarding at least one of traveling, steering, and braking of the vehicle regardless of a driving operation performed by a driver of the vehicle, and an electric actuator as a control target of the vehicle control device, and connected to the first path so as to be supplied with power from the first power source, and a power source control device configured to control an operation of the Direct Current to Direct Current converter such that power is supplied to the first path from the second power source in a case where the predetermined control is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shu NAKAYAMA, Isao YONEYAMA, Tomohiro USAMI, Yasuharu TERADA
  • Publication number: 20210387695
    Abstract: A drive unit includes an electric motor including an output shaft including an output gear; a pedal crank shaft extending through a housing, rotatably supported by the housing, and including a driven gear; and a transmission to transmit a torque of the output gear of the electric motor to the driven gear. The transmission includes a decelerator rotatably supported by the housing, and an idle gear rotatably supported by the housing. The decelerator increases the torque of the output shaft of the electric motor, and the increased torque is transmitted to the driven gear via the idle gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventor: Tomohiro USAMI
  • Publication number: 20210217096
    Abstract: An information center apparatus includes: a communication part that transmits a request for providing information which records situation of an incident or accident to a terminal(s) and receives the information which records the situation of the incident or accident from the terminal; a measuring part that measures a communication traffic volume required to transmit the information by the terminal; and a recording part that records the measured communication traffic volume to provide an incentive to the terminal that accepts the request for providing information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohiro USAMI
  • Publication number: 20210107591
    Abstract: A drive unit for an electrically assisted bicycle includes a one-way clutch including an inner member linked to an end of a connecting shaft and an outer member linked to a drive sprocket wheel. The inner member includes clutch pawls and a boss. The outer member includes clutch teeth that are able to engage with the clutch pawls and an extension to be coupled to the drive sprocket wheel. The extension includes a recess to accept the boss at an inner member side thereof. The recess has an inner peripheral surface that is able to slide against an outer peripheral surface of the boss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Tatsunori SHIMIZU, Ryota SUZUKI, Tomohiro USAMI
  • Patent number: 10933944
    Abstract: A drive unit for an electrically assisted bicycle includes a housing, a motor in the housing, a crank shaft extending through the housing along a right-left direction of the bicycle, and a pair of bearings rotatably supporting the crank shaft within the housing, wherein each bearing includes an inner ring and an outer ring. The pair of bearings include a first bearing at one side of a thrust direction and a second bearing at another side along the thrust direction, wherein the thrust direction is an axial direction of the crank shaft. The first bearing does not move along the thrust direction relative to the crank shaft. The drive unit has a movement restricting structure that restricts movement of the first bearing relative to the relative to the housing along the thrust direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomohiro Usami
  • Patent number: 10855147
    Abstract: A drive unit for an electrically assisted vehicle includes an electric motor, an electronic circuit board including a control circuit that controls rotation of the electric motor, a holder that covers an entirety or a portion of the electronic circuit board and is fixed to the electronic circuit board, and a housing that accommodates the electric motor, the electronic circuit board, and the holder, such that the electronic circuit board is at a deeper position than the holder. A position of the holder on the electronic circuit board is fixed by tabs. The holder and the electronic circuit board are fixed to the housing by fasteners extending through first holes in the electronic circuit board and second holes in the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomohiro Usami
  • Publication number: 20200238832
    Abstract: A power source system includes a first power source, a second power source, a Direct Current to Direct Current converter, a first load including a vehicle control device configured to perform predetermined control regarding at least one of traveling, steering, and braking of the vehicle regardless of a driving operation performed by a driver of the vehicle, and an electric actuator as a control target of the vehicle control device, and connected to the first path so as to be supplied with power from the first power source, and a power source control device configured to control an operation of the Direct Current to Direct Current converter such that power is supplied to the first path from the second power source in a case where the predetermined control is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shu NAKAYAMA, Isao YONEYAMA, Tomohiro USAMI, Yasuharu TERADA
  • Patent number: 10723228
    Abstract: A power source system includes a first power source, a second power source, a Direct Current to Direct Current converter, a first load including a vehicle control device configured to perform predetermined control regarding at least one of traveling, steering, and braking of the vehicle regardless of a driving operation performed by a driver of the vehicle, and an electric actuator as a control target of the vehicle control device, and connected to the first path so as to be supplied with power from the first power source, and a power source control device configured to control an operation of the Direct Current to Direct Current converter such that power is supplied to the first path from the second power source in a case where the predetermined control is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shu Nakayama, Isao Yoneyama, Tomohiro Usami, Yasuharu Terada
  • Patent number: 10279758
    Abstract: A power source system includes: a main-power source; a first load connected in parallel to the main-power source; a second load connected in parallel to the main-power source, the second load being higher in an actuation priority than the first load; a sub-power source connected in parallel to the first load and the second load; a first detection unit configured to detect output electric power of the main-power source; and a control unit configured to supply electric power from the sub-power source more to the second load than to the first load, when the output electric power of the main-power source is less than required electric power of the second load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isao Yoneyama, Tomohiro Usami
  • Publication number: 20190070973
    Abstract: A power supply system includes: a first power storage device; a second power storage device having a lower voltage than the first power storage device; a DC-DC converter including a choke coil, a first switching element, a diode connected in parallel with the first switching element, and a second switching element; a semiconductor relay configured to switch a connection state between a second end of the choke coil and the second power storage device; and a controller configured to perform PWM control of the first switching element and the second switching element to control ON and OFF of the semiconductor relay. When an ON time of the second switching element is controlled to become zero and a current flowing out from the second power storage device exceeds a first reference current, the controller reduces a duty ratio of an ON time of the first switching element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro USAMI, Takuya YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20190052153
    Abstract: A drive unit for an electrically assisted vehicle includes an electric motor, an electronic circuit board including a control circuit that controls rotation of the electric motor, a holder that covers an entirety or a portion of the electronic circuit board and is fixed to the electronic circuit board, and a housing that accommodates the electric motor, the electronic circuit board, and the holder, such that the electronic circuit board is at a deeper position than the holder. A position of the holder on the electronic circuit board is fixed by tabs. The holder and the electronic circuit board are fixed to the housing by fasteners extending through first holes in the electronic circuit board and second holes in the holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventor: Tomohiro USAMI
  • Publication number: 20190047659
    Abstract: A drive unit for an electrically assisted bicycle includes a housing, a motor in the housing, a crank shaft extending through the housing along a right-left direction of the bicycle, and a pair of bearings rotatably supporting the crank shaft within the housing, wherein each bearing includes an inner ring and an outer ring. The pair of bearings include a first bearing at one side of a thrust direction and a second bearing at another side along the thrust direction, wherein the thrust direction is an axial direction of the crank shaft. The first bearing does not move along the thrust direction relative to the crank shaft. The drive unit has a movement restricting structure that restricts movement of the first bearing relative to the relative to the housing along the thrust direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventor: Tomohiro USAMI
  • Patent number: 10084999
    Abstract: An illuminating device includes: a light source emitting excitation light; a wheel including a wheel substrate transmitting the excitation light and an illuminating light generating member provided on the first surface of the wheel substrate to generate illuminating light by the excitation light; a photo detector, arranged on the second surface side that is opposite to the first surface of the wheel substrate, detects light that passed through the wheel; and a control unit that determines whether a defect or degeneration has occurred in the illuminating light generating member, based on the light detected by the photo detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: NEC DISPLAY SOLUTIONS, LTD.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Usami
  • Patent number: 9915302
    Abstract: In a drive unit attached to a vehicle-body frame of an electric-motor-assisted bicycle including a one-way clutch including an outer member, an inner member, a plurality of clutch lugs, a plurality of springs, and a plurality of pins. Clutch teeth are located on one of an inner peripheral portion of the outer member and an outer peripheral portion of the inner member. The clutch lugs and the springs are located on the other of the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion. A number of the clutch lugs is an even number not smaller than four. A number of the clutch teeth is an even number that is not a multiple of the number of the clutch lugs. A number of the springs is half the number of clutch lugs. Each spring exerts a biasing force on two of the clutch lugs that are circumferentially adjacent. Each pin is in contact with one of the springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomohiro Usami