Patents by Inventor Akihiro Kimura

Akihiro Kimura 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).

  • Publication number: 20140174339
    Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing a silicon single crystal, the method includes: a raw material melting step of melting polycrystalline silicon accommodated in a crucible to obtain a silicon melt; and bringing a seed crystal into contact with the silicon melt and pulling up the seed crystal to grow the silicon single crystal, wherein, after the raw material melting step and before the pulling step, there are performed: a cristobalitizing step of leaving the silicon melt at a predetermined number of rotations of the crucible with a predetermined gas flow rate and a predetermined furnace pressure to generate cristobalite while applying a magnetic field; and a dissolving step of partially dissolving the cristobalite by carrying out any one of an increase in number of rotations of the crucible, an increase in gas flow rate, and a reduction in furnace pressure beyond counterpart figures in the cristobalitizing step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: SHIN-ETSU HANDOTAI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Kimura, Kiyotaka Takano, Junya Tokue
  • Patent number: 8733725
    Abstract: A power slider includes a lower rail and an upper rail which are engaged with each other so as to be mutually slidable along each other, a screw rod which is rotatably supported on one of the lower rail and the upper rail, a feed nut which is supported on the other of the lower rail and the upper rail and is screw-engaged with the screw rod, and a gearbox which is supported on the one of the lower rail and the upper rail via a holder and which rotatably drives the screw rod. The gearbox is provided with a mounting bolt through-hole and is supported by the holder via a mounting bolt that is inserted through the mounting bolt through-hole. A resilient member is positioned in a space defined between the mounting bolt through-hole of the gearbox and the mounting bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Shiroki Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Kimura, Tomohiro Enokijima
  • Patent number: 8722173
    Abstract: A liquid-pervious fibrous non-woven fabric includes staple fibers made of thermoplastic synthetic resin fused together which is formed on its upper surface with a plurality of ridges, and a plurality of grooves extending in parallel in a longitudinal direction. The ridges and grooves are arranged alternately in a transverse direction. On the upper surface, some of the staple fibers extend across the ridges to the adjacent grooves on each side of the ridges and are, in the respective grooves, fused to the staple fibers of a different type from the former staple fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Oba, Satoshi Mizutani, Akihiro Kimura
  • Patent number: 8690435
    Abstract: A dynamic pressure bearing has a reduced axial dimension and is constructed to ensure smooth feeding of a lubricating oil. The dynamic pressure bearing includes a communicating hole and at least one tapered seal, and is constructed such that an opening angle of one of the at least one tapered seal through which oil feeding is possible is in a range of about 30 degrees inclusive to about 180 degrees exclusive, a tapered seal wall surface depth W1 of the tapered seal is about 0.3 mm or more, and a sum of distances over which the lubricating oil travels from both sides of an end portion of the communicating hole in a cross-section beyond a wall surface of the communicating hole along a wall surface opposite the end portion of the communicating hole exceeds an inside diameter of the communicating hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nidec Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Kimura, Kyoko Horise, Ryota Ogino, Kunio Sakurada, Teiichi Hirono
  • Patent number: 8674655
    Abstract: An electric power charge and discharge system for an electronic device having a battery, by which the electronic device can be used for a long period of time. In a wireless communication device including a wireless driving portion including a first battery and a wireless charging portion including a second battery, the first battery is charged by electric power from a fixed power supply and the second battery is charged by using electromagnetic waves existing in an external space. Further, the first battery and the second battery are discharged alternately, and during a period in which the first battery is discharged, the second battery is charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuhei Nagatsuka, Akihiro Kimura
  • Publication number: 20140027891
    Abstract: A method includes the steps of: preparing a lead frame including a plurality of die pads, and preparing a plurality of semiconductor chips; disposing each of the semiconductor chips on a respective one of the die pads; forming a sealing resin to cover the die pads and the semiconductor chips; and attaching a heat dissipation plate to the die pads by pressing the heat dissipation plate against the die pads via a resin sheet which is an adhesive layer after the sealing resin is formed
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Kimura, Takeshi Sunaga, Shouji Yasunaga, Akihiro Koga
  • Publication number: 20140021627
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided with a semiconductor element having a plurality of electrodes, a plurality of terminals electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes, and a sealing resin covering the semiconductor element. The sealing resin covers the plurality of terminals such that a bottom surface of the semiconductor element in a thickness direction is exposed. A first terminal, which is one of the plurality of terminals, is disposed in a position that overlaps a first electrode, which is one of the plurality of electrodes, when viewed in the thickness direction. The semiconductor device is provided with a conductive connection member that contacts both the first terminal and the first electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Kimura, Takeshi Sunaga
  • Publication number: 20140013893
    Abstract: A robot, includes: a robot arm including: a first frame; and a second frame coupled to the first frame to be turnable about a joint axis; a cable arranged along a side surface of the first frame and a side surface of the second frame; a first fixing member for fixing the cable to the side surface of the first frame; a second fixing member for fixing the cable to the side surface of the second frame; a holding member for holding a part of the cable between the first fixing member and the second fixing member; and a support mechanism for regulating movement of the holding member in an axis direction of the joint axis, the support mechanism supporting the holding member so that the holding member is movable in a direction orthogonal to the axis direction of the joint axis to follow a bending movement of the cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Hidetada Asano, Kazunori Ogami, Akihiro Kimura, Takayuki Ogawara
  • Patent number: 8630063
    Abstract: A bearing mechanism includes a shaft portion, a sleeve portion, a lower opposing portion, a lower outer annular portion, and an upper opposing portion. The sleeve portion includes a sleeve body and a lower thrust plate. A radial dynamic pressure bearing portion is defined in a radial gap. A lower thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion is defined in a lower thrust gap. A lower seal portion is defined in a lower seal gap located between the sleeve portion and the lower outer annular portion. An upper seal portion is defined in an upper seal gap continuous with an upper thrust gap. The sleeve portion includes a first communicating channel in communication with the upper seal gap, and a second communicating channel located between the sleeve body and the lower thrust plate. A lower mouth portion of the first communicating channel axially overlaps the lower thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Nidec Corporation
    Inventors: Akinobu Sumiji, Akihiro Kimura, Kunio Sakurada
  • Publication number: 20140010065
    Abstract: A bearing apparatus includes a first cup portion defining a portion of a stationary portion of a bearing apparatus includes a first circular plate portion and a first cylindrical portion projecting downward from an outer edge portion of the first circular plate portion. A rotating portion of the bearing apparatus includes an annular recessed portion arranged to accommodate at least a lower end portion of the first cylindrical portion. The stationary portion includes a second cup portion including a second circular plate portion arranged to extend radially outward from an outer circumferential surface of a stationary shaft below the first cup portion and a second cylindrical portion arranged to project upward from an outer edge portion of the second circular plate portion. One of the first and second cup portions is integral with the stationary shaft defining a single monolithic member, and the other is fixed to the stationary shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro KIMURA, Teiichi HIRONO, Kunio SAKURADA, Kyoko HORISE
  • Publication number: 20130341983
    Abstract: A slide rail device which includes a lower rail, an upper rail which is freely slidably engaged with the lower rail, and balls which are installed between the lower and upper rails. The lower rail includes a lower-rail bottom wall, a pair of lower-rail side walls, a pair of lower-rail upper wails, a pair of lower-rail lower-ball contact R-portions, and a pair of lower-rail upper-ball contact R-portions. The upper rail includes an upper-rail top wall, a pair of upper-rail side walls, and a pair of upper-rail ball-bearing walls. Each upper-rail ball-bearing wall includes an upper-rail lower-ball contact portion and an upper-rail upper-ball contact portion. A radius of curvature of the lower-rail lower-ball contact R-portion of the lower rail is greater than that of the lower ball, and a radius of curvature of the lower-rail upper-ball contact R-portion of the lower rail is greater than that of the upper ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: SHIROKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiro KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20130340671
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a silica glass crucible, includes: preparing a crucible base material that is made of silica glass and has a crucible shape; fabricating a synthetic silica glass material based on a direct method or a soot method; processing the synthetic silica glass material into the crucible shape without being pulverized; and bonding an inner wall of the crucible base material and an outer wall of the synthetic silica glass material processed into the crucible shape through a silica powder by performing a heat treatment. As a result, it is possible to provide the silica glass crucible that can avoid occurrence of dislocations of silicon single crystal at the time of manufacturing the silicon single crystal, has high heat-resisting properties, and can suppress a reduction in productivity and yield ratio, the manufacturing method thereof, and the method for manufacturing silicon single crystal using such a silica glass crucible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: SHIN-ETSU HANDOTAI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Kimura, Ryoji Hoshi, Nobuaki Mitamura, Hiroyuki Kamada
  • Publication number: 20130345871
    Abstract: Provided is a robot controlling device which can accurately estimate the temperature of a frame when the drive of a robot arm main body is restarted, thereby can accurately set the distal end of the robot arm main body at a target position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Akihiro Kimura
  • Publication number: 20130320527
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip, and a terminal connected with the semiconductor chip. The terminal has a first surface and a second surface spaced from each other in a thickness direction. The semiconductor device also includes a sealing resin covering the semiconductor chip and the terminal. The sealing resin is so configured that the first surface of the terminal is exposed from the sealing resin. The terminal is formed with an opening to be filled with the sealing resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi SUNAGA, Akihiro KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20130321952
    Abstract: A bearing mechanism includes a shaft portion, a sleeve portion, a lower opposing portion, a lower outer ring-shaped portion, and an upper opposing portion. A lower seal portion serving as a pumping seal portion is provided in a lower seal gap between the sleeve portion and the lower outer ring-shaped portion. An upper seal portion is provided in an upper seal gap joined to an upper thrust gap. The lower portion of the sleeve portion includes a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion positioned below the large-diameter portion. The sleeve portion includes a communication path joined to the upper seal gap. The communication path includes an opening portion opened in a border between the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion. The outer peripheral portion of the lower opposing portion includes an outer periphery protrusion portion radially opposed to the small-diameter portion and axially opposed to the large-diameter portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akinobu SUMIJI, Akihiro KIMURA, Kunio SAKURADA
  • Publication number: 20130321951
    Abstract: A bearing mechanism includes a shaft portion, a sleeve portion, a lower opposing portion, a lower outer annular portion, and an upper opposing portion. The sleeve portion includes a sleeve body and a lower thrust plate. A radial dynamic pressure bearing portion is defined in a radial gap. A lower thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion is defined in a lower thrust gap. A lower seal portion is defined in a lower seal gap located between the sleeve portion and the lower outer annular portion. An upper seal portion is defined in an upper seal gap continuous with an upper thrust gap. The sleeve portion includes a first communicating channel in communication with the upper seal gap, and a second communicating channel located between the sleeve body and the lower thrust plate. A lower mouth portion of the first communicating channel axially overlaps the lower thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akinobu SUMIJI, Akihiro KIMURA, Kunio SAKURADA
  • Publication number: 20130321946
    Abstract: A bearing mechanism includes a shaft portion, a sleeve portion, and an opposing portion including a surface arranged opposite to an end surface of the sleeve portion on one of upper and lower sides with a thrust gap defined therebetween. The thrust gap includes a thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion defined therein. The sleeve portion includes a sleeve body and a thrust plate fixed to an end portion of the sleeve body on the one of the upper and lower sides. The sleeve body includes an annular surface arranged opposite to the thrust plate, and an annular body projecting portion arranged to project in an axial direction inside of the annular surface. An outer circumferential surface of the body projecting portion and an inner circumferential surface of the thrust plate are arranged to be in direct or indirect contact with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro KIMURA, Akinobu SUMIJI, Kunio SAKURADA, Daisuke FUKUOKA, Akihisa MORIGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8599513
    Abstract: A bearing mechanism includes a shaft portion, a sleeve portion, and an opposing portion including a surface arranged opposite to an end surface of the sleeve portion on one of upper and lower sides with a thrust gap defined therebetween. The thrust gap includes a thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion defined therein. The sleeve portion includes a sleeve body and a thrust plate fixed to an end portion of the sleeve body on the one of the upper and lower sides. The sleeve body includes an annular surface arranged opposite to the thrust plate, and an annular body projecting portion arranged to project in an axial direction inside of the annular surface. An outer circumferential surface of the body projecting portion and an inner circumferential surface of the thrust plate are arranged to be in direct or indirect contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Nidec Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Kimura, Akinobu Sumiji, Kunio Sakurada, Daisuke Fukuoka, Akihisa Moriguchi
  • Publication number: 20130311015
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a start switch, an engine, and a first motor-generator coupled to a rotation shaft of the engine. Upon an operation of the start switch, the first motor-generator accelerates a rotational speed of the output shaft of the engine with a torque which decreases as a rotational speed of an output shaft of the first motor-generator increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideaki Yaguchi, Takeshi Hoshiba, Akihiro Kimura, Masahiro Naito
  • Patent number: 8587895
    Abstract: A bearing mechanism includes a shaft portion, a sleeve portion, a lower opposing portion, a lower outer ring-shaped portion, and an upper opposing portion. A lower seal portion serving as a pumping seal portion is provided in a lower seal gap between the sleeve portion and the lower outer ring-shaped portion. An upper seal portion is provided in an upper seal gap joined to an upper thrust gap. The lower portion of the sleeve portion includes a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion positioned below the large-diameter portion. The sleeve portion includes a communication path joined to the upper seal gap. The communication path includes an opening portion opened in a border between the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion. The outer peripheral portion of the lower opposing portion includes an outer periphery protrusion portion radially opposed to the small-diameter portion and axially opposed to the large-diameter portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Nidec Corporation
    Inventors: Akinobu Sumiji, Akihiro Kimura, Kunio Sakurada