Patents by Inventor Toshifumi Usui

Toshifumi Usui 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: 7367315
    Abstract: The invention provides a throttle valve control apparatus provided with a throttle sensor which is in trouble at a low possibility and has a long service life, whereby an accurate output of a throttle opening degree can be obtained. The throttle valve control apparatus of an internal combustion engine has a throttle opening degree sensor constituted by an non-contact sensor using hole elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eisuke Wayama, Toshifumi Usui, Yoshikatsu Hashimoto, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito
  • Patent number: 7231903
    Abstract: A returning spring of the electronic control throttle and a default spring for securing an initial opening degree (default opening degree) of the throttle valve have diameters different from each other, and both of the springs are held around a shaft of the throttle valve shaft and arranged between a gear attached to the throttle valve shaft and a wall portion of the throttle body. A shaft supporting gap of the throttle valve shaft is filled with an air leak preventing material, and a minimum opening degree for control of the throttle valve is set to a value larger than an amount of overshoot of the throttle valve occurring when opening degree of the throttle valve is changed from a maximum opening degree on control purpose of the throttle valve to the minimum opening degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eisuke Wayama, Toshifumi Usui, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito
  • Publication number: 20070012288
    Abstract: The invention provides a throttle valve control apparatus provided with a throttle sensor which is in trouble at a low possibility and has a long service life, whereby an accurate output of a throttle opening degree can be obtained. The throttle valve control apparatus of an internal combustion engine ahs a throttle opening degree sensor constituted by a non-contact sensor using hole elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Applicants: HITACHI LTD., HITACHI CAR ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eisuke Wayama, Toshifumi Usui, Yoshikatsu Hashimoto, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito
  • Patent number: 7152581
    Abstract: The invention provides a throttle valve control apparatus provided with a throttle sensor which is in trouble at a low possibility and has a long service life, whereby an accurate output of a throttle opening degree can be obtained. The throttle valve control apparatus of an internal combustion engine has a throttle opening degree sensor constituted by an non-contact sensor using hole elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eisuke Wayama, Toshifumi Usui, Yoshikatsu Hashimoto, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito
  • Publication number: 20060272615
    Abstract: The invention provides a throttle valve control apparatus provided with a throttle sensor which is in trouble at a low possibility and has a long service life, whereby an accurate output of a throttle opening degree can be obtained. The throttle valve control apparatus of an internal combustion engine has a throttle opening degree sensor constituted by an non-contact sensor using hole elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Applicants: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eisuke Wayama, Toshifumi Usui, Yoshikatsu Hashimoto, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito
  • Patent number: 7121259
    Abstract: A throttle device for an internal-combustion engine, in which, on one surface of a throttle body side wall is formed a mounting space for mounting a reduction gear mechanism which transmits the power of a motor to a throttle valve shaft; and a throttle sensor for detecting the throttle valve opening is built inside of the gear cover covering the mounting space, and is covered with a sensor cover. A shaft hole of a rotor of the throttle sensor is exposed out through the sensor cover. When the gear cover is attached to the side wall of the throttle body, one end of the throttle valve shaft fits in the rotor shaft hole by elastically deforming a fitting spring inserted in the shaft hole, thereby enabling downsizing, weight reduction, and simplification of assembly and wiring harness of the electronically controlled throttle device, and realization of stabilized operation and improved accuracy of the throttle sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eisuke Wayama, Yoshikatsu Hashimoto, Yasuo Saito, Toshifumi Usui
  • Patent number: 7093581
    Abstract: The invention provides a throttle valve control apparatus provided with a throttle sensor which is in trouble at a low possibility and has a long service life, whereby an accurate output of a throttle opening degree can be obtained. The throttle valve control apparatus of an internal combustion engine has a throttle opening degree sensor constituted by a non-contact sensor using hall elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eisuke Wayama, Toshifumi Usui, Yoshikatsu Hashimoto, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito
  • Patent number: 7055498
    Abstract: In a throttle body there are provided a throttle valve for controlling the flow of intake air in an internal combustion engine, an electrically-driven actuator for actuating the throttle valve, and a reduction gear mechanism for the actuator, and a receptacle portion for receiving the reduction gear mechanism therein is formed in a side wall of the throttle body. A cover which covers the receptacle portion is attached to a side wall of the throttle body. The throttle assembly of the invention is provided with a potentiometer type sensor for detecting the degree of opening of the throttle valve, the sensor comprising a slider and a resistor, the slider being adapted to slide on the resistor and mounted to a peripheral surface of a driven gear so that a tip end thereof faces in a radial direction of a throttle valve shaft, the driven gear being disposed on the throttle valve shaft side of the reduction gear mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikatsu Hashimoto, Toshifumi Usui, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito, Eisuki Wayama
  • Publication number: 20060042594
    Abstract: A throttle device for an internal-combustion engine, in which, on one surface of a throttle body side wall is formed a mounting space for mounting a reduction gear mechanism which transmits the power of a motor to a throttle valve shaft; and a throttle sensor for detecting the throttle valve opening is built inside of the gear cover covering the mounting space, and is covered with a sensor cover. A shaft hole of a rotor of the throttle sensor is exposed out through the sensor cover. When the gear cover is attached to the side wall of the throttle body, one end of the throttle valve shaft fits in the rotor shaft hole by elastically deforming a fitting spring inserted in the shaft hole, thereby enabling downsizing, weight reduction, and simplification of assembly and wiring harness of the electronically controlled throttle device, and realization of stabilized operation and improved accuracy of the throttle sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: Eisuke Wayama, Yoshikatsu Hashimoto, Yasuo Saito, Toshifumi Usui
  • Patent number: 6966297
    Abstract: A throttle device for an internal-combustion engine, in which, on one surface of a throttle body side wall is formed a mounting space for mounting a reduction gear mechanism which transmits the power of a motor to a throttle valve shaft; and a throttle sensor for detecting the throttle valve opening is built inside of the gear cover covering the mounting space, and is covered with a sensor cover. A shaft hole of a rotor of the throttle sensor is exposed out through the sensor cover. When the gear cover is attached to the side wall of the throttle body, one end of the throttle valve shaft fits in the rotor shaft hole by elastically deforming a fitting spring inserted in the shaft hole, thereby enabling downsizing, weight reduction, and simplification of assembly and wiring harness of the electronically controlled throttle device, and realization of stabilized operation and improved accuracy of the throttle sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eisuke Wayama, Yoshikatsu Hashimoto, Yasuo Saito, Toshifumi Usui
  • Patent number: 6945228
    Abstract: Disclosed is a throttle device for an internal-combustion engine, in which, on one side of the side wall of a throttle body, there are formed a space for mounting a reduction gear mechanism which transmits the power from a motor to a throttle valve shaft and a default opening setting mechanism for holding a throttle valve opening at a specific opening (default opening) when the ignition switch is in off position, and a gear cover mounting frame which edges the mounting space. The frame is formed lower than the mounting level of the reduction gear mechanism. A gear cover for covering the gear mounting space is attached on the frame. A stopper for defining the default opening and a stopper for defining the full-closed position of the throttle valve are juxtaposed so as to enable position adjustments in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Saito, Yoshikatsu Hashimoto, Eisuke Wayama, Toshifumi Usui
  • Publication number: 20050178359
    Abstract: A returning spring 7 of the electronic control throttle and a default spring 8 for securing an initial opening degree (default opening degree) of the throttle valve 3 have diameters different from each other, and both of the springs 7, 8 are held around a shaft of the throttle valve shaft 3 and arranged between a gear 43 attached to the throttle valve shaft 3 and a wall portion of the throttle body 100. A shaft supporting gap of the throttle valve shaft 3 is filled with an air leak preventing material, and a minimum opening degree on control purpose of the throttle valve is set to a value larger than an amount of overshoot of the throttle valve occurring when opening degree of the throttle valve is changed from a maximum opening degree on control purpose of the throttle valve to the minimum opening degree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Inventors: Eisuke Wayama, Toshifumi Usui, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito
  • Publication number: 20040154589
    Abstract: The invention provides a throttle valve control apparatus provided with a throttle sensor which is in trouble at a low possibility and has a long service life, whereby an accurate output of a throttle opening degree can be obtained. The throttle valve control apparatus of an internal combustion engine has a throttle opening degree sensor constituted by an non-contact sensor using hole elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicants: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eisuke Wayama, Toshifumi Usui, Yoshikatsu Hashimoto, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito
  • Publication number: 20040149262
    Abstract: The invention provides a throttle valve control apparatus provided with a throttle sensor which is in trouble at a low possibility and has a long service life, whereby an accurate output of a throttle opening degree can be obtained. The throttle valve control apparatus of an internal combustion engine has a throttle opening degree sensor constituted by an non-contact sensor using hole elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicants: HITACHI LTD., HITACHI CAR ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eisuke Wayama, Toshifumi Usui, Yoshikatsu Hashimoto, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito
  • Publication number: 20040129252
    Abstract: A throttle device for an internal-combustion engine, in which, on one surface of a throttle body side wall is formed a mounting space for mounting a reduction gear mechanism which transmits the power of a motor to a throttle valve shaft; and a throttle sensor for detecting the throttle valve opening is built inside of the gear cover covering the mounting space, and is covered with a sensor cover. A shaft hole of a rotor of the throttle sensor is exposed out through the sensor cover. When the gear cover is attached to the side wall of the throttle body, one end of the throttle valve shaft fits in the rotor shaft hole by elastically deforming a fitting spring inserted in the shaft hole, thereby enabling downsizing, weight reduction, and simplification of assembly and wiring harness of the electronically controlled throttle device, and realization of stabilized operation and improved accuracy of the throttle sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Eisuke Wayama, Yoshikatsu Hashimoto, Yasuo Saito, Toshifumi Usui
  • Publication number: 20040123838
    Abstract: In a throttle body there are provided a throttle valve for controlling the flow of intake air in an internal combustion engine, an electrically-driven actuator for actuating the throttle valve, and a reduction gear mechanism for the actuator, and a receptacle portion for receiving the reduction gear mechanism therein is formed in a side wall of the throttle body. A cover which covers the receptacle portion is attached to a side wall of the throttle body. The throttle assembly of the invention is provided with a potentiometer type sensor for detecting the degree of opening of the throttle valve, the sensor comprising a slider and a resistor, the slider being adapted to slide on the resistor and mounted to a peripheral surface of a driven gear so that a tip end thereof faces in a radial direction of a throttle valve shaft, the driven gear being disposed on the throttle valve shaft side of the reduction gear mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicants: HITACHI LTD., HITACHI CAR ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshikatsu Hashimoto, Toshifumi Usui, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito, Eisuke Wayama
  • Publication number: 20040060542
    Abstract: A returning spring 7 of the electronic control throttle and a default spring 8 for securing an initial opening degree (default opening degree) of the throttle valve 3 have diameters different from each other, and both of the springs 7, 8 are held around a shaft of the throttle valve shaft 3 and arranged between a gear 43 attached to the throttle valve shaft 3 and a wall portion of the throttle body 100. A shaft supporting gap of the throttle valve shaft 3 is filled with an air leak preventing material, and a minimum opening degree on control purpose of the throttle valve is set to a value larger than an amount of overshoot of the throttle valve occurring when opening degree of the throttle valve is changed from a maximum opening degree on control purpose of the throttle valve to the minimum opening degree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicants: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eisuke Wayama, Toshifumi Usui, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito
  • Patent number: 6701892
    Abstract: The invention provides a throttle valve control apparatus provided with a throttle sensor which is in trouble at a low possibility and has a long service life, whereby an accurate output of a throttle opening degree can be obtained. The throttle valve control apparatus of an internal combustion engine has a throttle opening degree sensor constituted by an non-contact sensor using hole elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eisuke Wayama, Toshifumi Usui, Yoshikatsu Hashimoto, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito
  • Patent number: 6694947
    Abstract: A returning spring of the electronic control throttle and a default spring for securing an initial opening degree (default opening degree) of the throttle valve have diameters different from each other, and both of the springs are held around a shaft of the throttle valve shaft and arranged between a gear attached to the throttle valve shaft and a wall portion of the throttle body. A shaft supporting gap of the throttle valve shaft is filled with an air leak preventing material, and a minimum opening degree of the throttle valve is set to a value larger than an amount of overshoot of the throttle valve occurring when the opening degree of the throttle valve is changed from a maximum opening degree to the minimum opening degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eisuke Wayama, Toshifumi Usui, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito
  • Patent number: RE40523
    Abstract: A non-contact sensor for sensing a rotational position of a rotating object is provided. A ring-shaped permanent magnet magnetized in the axial direction is sandwiched between two pairs of magnetic plates from above and below. Two pairs of upper and lower protruded magnetic substance portions are provided between the upper and lower magnetic plates at opposite outer ends thereof. Magnetic sensitive devices are inserted in air gaps between the two pairs of upper and lower protruded magnetic substance portions. A magnetic flux generated from the ring-shaped permanent magnet is substantially concentrated to the protruded magnetic substance portions and passes the magnetic sensitive devices. The amount of magnetic flux passing each magnetic sensitive device is substantially proportional to the rotational angle of the ring-shaped permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Miyata, Satoshi Shimada, Fumio Tajima, Toshifumi Usui, Masanori Kubota