Patents by Inventor Akihito Yoshiie

Akihito Yoshiie 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: 20170297652
    Abstract: A battery bracket for attaching, to an electrically assisted moving body capable of supplementing a first driving force generated by human power with a second driving force generated by electrical power, and a battery for use in the electrically assisted moving body. This battery bracket includes an extension section extending in a prescribed direction, and a plurality of projection sections projecting from the extension section in a direction intersecting the prescribed direction. The plurality of projection sections are mutually spaced along the prescribed direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: SUNSTAR GIKEN KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akihito YOSHIIE, Katsuhiro YAMAGUCHI, Masafumi NISHIKAWA, Akira TAKAMA
  • Publication number: 20170113756
    Abstract: A highly-responsive sensor for use in a power-assisted mobile object. The sensor for use in power-assisted mobile object includes: ring-shaped first and second magnets each having a north pole and a south pole along a circumferential direction, having a ring shape, and disposed so as to rotate with rotation of a drive shaft coaxially with each other; at least a pair of first hall elements and a pair of second hall elements that detect a magnetic field of the first magnet and the second magnet, respectively, and is disposed at a distance from each other in the circumferential direction; and a distortion unit that is configured to get distorted in the circumferential direction due to torque during rotation of the drive shaft and disposed such that the distortion changes relative positions of the first magnet and the second magnet in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Akihito YOSHIIE, Katsuhiro YAMAGUCHI, Masafumi NISHIKAWA, Akira TAKAMA
  • Publication number: 20160339992
    Abstract: A power-assisted unit to be attached to a power-assisted moving vehicle capable of assisting a first driving force generated by a human power by means of a second driving force generated by an electric power includes a sensor unit having a sensor for detecting a physical quantity concerning the power-assisted moving vehicle, and a storage medium, a motor for generating the second driving force, and a control device configured to control the motor on the basis of a detection result by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Akihito YOSHIIE, Katsuhiro YAMAGUCHI, Masafumi NISHIKAWA, Takeshi KANATA
  • Patent number: 7386482
    Abstract: To realize a unit sales system of an electromotive power assisted bicycle that provides a broad range of flexibility in conformity with requirements of a user, a server computer 1-1 for distributing an electromotive power assisted bicycle according to the present invention comprises a control section 1-2 for providing a general control and management of the computer, a hard disk 1-3 for storing a set of a variety of information for providing the electromotive power assisted bicycle, and a modem 1-4 enabling the connection to a variety of different terminals via a communication network. The hard disk 1-3 stores bicycle information, electromotive power assisting information, user information, physical strength/health information, a variety of different control programs to be downloaded, information about a supplier to which an order is issued, and information about an assembly station and so on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignees: Sunstar Giken Kabushiki Kaisha, Sunstar Suisse SA
    Inventors: Kyosuke Kokatsu, Akihito Yoshiie, Fumihito Nigara, Takehiko Ito, Satoshi Maruyama
  • Patent number: 7370720
    Abstract: An electromotive power assisted bicycle includes a drive shaft rotated by a pedal effort a primary sprocket fixed to the drive shaft for transmitting the pedal effort to a drive wheel; a secondary sprocket fixed to the drive shaft coaxially with the primary sprocket; a pedal effort detection sensor; an electromotive power output unit box detachably attached to the body for outputting electromotive power in response to the detected pedal effort; a power sprocket coupled to a rotating output shaft of the electromotive power output unit box; an auxiliary chain stretched between the secondary sprocket and the power sprocket; a supporting section for rotatably supporting the drive shaft; and a unit mounting bracket on which the electromotive power output unit box is mounted, the unit mounting bracket being fixed to the supporting section with the drive shaft penetrating through the unit mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignees: Sunstar Giken Kabushiki Kaisha, Sunstar Suisse SA
    Inventors: Kyosuke Kokatsu, Akihito Yoshiie, Fumihito Nigara
  • Patent number: 7357209
    Abstract: To provide an electromotive power assisted bicycle enabling an aerobic exercise with a light weight and simple mechanism, an electromotive power assisted bicycle 1 comprises a pedal effort detection means for detecting a pedal effort (99, 126), a drive unit 13, a force combining mechanism for transmitting a rotational torque of a speed reducing unit to a drive shaft, and a heart rate detection sensor 254. The drive unit 13 comprises an electric motor 37 and a speed reducing unit 35 having an electromagnetic clutch 250. In a mode enabling the aerobic exercise, if the detected pedal effort is higher than the pedal effort level enabling the aerobic exercise, the drive unit 13 drives the electric motor 37 under the condition of the electromagnetic clutch 250 being engaged and thus assists the pedal effort with the electric force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignees: Sunstar Giken Kabushiki Kaisha, Sunstar Suisse SA
    Inventors: Kyosuke Kokatsu, Akihito Yoshiie, Fumihito Nigara
  • Patent number: 7258216
    Abstract: A power-assisted bicycle is provided with a one-way clutch that can also be used as a torque detection apparatus. The one-way clutch has a tooth part (112) mounted on a driven means and a piece part (100) mounted slidably yet non-rotatably on a drive shaft (4). The tooth part has a first engagement face (121) formed with a plurality of teeth (114) and the piece part has a second engagement face (110) formed with a plurality of pieces (102). The first engagement face and the second engagement face are disposed facing each other generally perpendicularly to the axial direction. A disc spring (124) is disposed on the rear face of the piece part. As the piece part rotates in the direction of running forward, the piece is engaged with a sharply sloping face of the tooth to engage with the tooth and the angle of the piece with respect to the second engagement face increases, whereby the piece slides so as to increase the distance from the tooth part in resistance to the disc spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignees: Sunstar Giken Kabushiki Kaisha, Sunstar Suisse SA
    Inventors: Akihito Yoshiie, Kyosuke Kokatsu
  • Publication number: 20050167226
    Abstract: A power-assisted bicycle is provided with a one-way clutch that can also be used as a torque detection apparatus. The one-way clutch has a tooth part (112) mounted on a driven means and a piece part (100) mounted slidably yet non-rotatably on a drive shaft (4). The tooth part has a first engagement face (121) formed with a plurality of teeth (114) and the piece part has a second engagement face (110) formed with a plurality of pieces (102). The first engagement face and the second engagement face are disposed facing each other generally perpendicularly to the axial direction. A disc spring (124) is disposed on the rear face of the piece part. As the piece part rotates in the direction of running forward, the piece is engaged with a sharply sloping face of the tooth to engage with the tooth and the angle of the piece with respect to the second engagement face increases, whereby the piece slides so as to increase the distance from the tooth part in resistance to the disc spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Inventors: Akihito Yoshiie, Kyosuke Kokatsu
  • Publication number: 20050140113
    Abstract: To provide an electromotive power assisted bicycle enabling an aerobic exercise with a light weight and simple mechanism, an electromotive power assisted bicycle 1 comprises a pedal effort detection means for detecting a pedal effort (99, 126), a drive unit 13, a force combining mechanism for transmitting a rotational torque of a speed reducing unit to a drive shaft, and a heart rate detection sensor 254. The drive unit 13 comprises an electric motor 37 and a speed reducing unit 35 having an electromagnetic clutch 250. In a mode enabling the aerobic exercise, if the detected pedal effort is higher than the pedal effort level enabling the aerobic exercise, the drive unit 13 drives the electric motor 37 under the condition of the electromagnetic clutch 250 being engaged and thus assists the pedal effort with the electric force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Kyosuke Kokatsu, Akihito Yoshiie, Fumihito Nigara
  • Patent number: 6889809
    Abstract: A power-assisted bicycle is provided with a one-way clutch that can also be used as a torque detection apparatus. The one-way clutch has a tooth part (112) mounted on a driven means and a piece part (100) mounted slidably yet non-rotatably on a drive shaft (4). The tooth part has a first engagement face (121) formed with a plurality of teeth (114) and the piece part has a second engagement face (110) formed with a plurality of pieces (102). The first engagement face and the second engagement face are disposed facing each other generally perpendicularly to the axial direction. A disc spring (124) is disposed on the rear face of the piece part. As the piece part rotates in the direction of running forward, the piece is engaged with a sharply sloping face of the tooth to engage with the tooth and the angle of the piece with respect to the second engagement face increases, whereby the piece slides so as to increase the distance from the tooth part in resistance to the disc spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Sunstar Suisse SA
    Inventors: Akihito Yoshiie, Kyosuke Kokatsu
  • Publication number: 20050077096
    Abstract: An electromotive power assisted bicycle comprises a drive shaft 4 to be rotated by a pedal effort; a primary sprocket 2 fixed to the drive shaft 4 for transmitting the pedal effort to a drive wheel 22; a secondary sprocket fixed to the drive shaft 4 coaxially with the primary sprocket 2; a pedal effort detection sensor for detecting a pedal effort; an electromotive power output unit box 13 detachably attached to the body for outputting an electromotive power in response to the pedal effort detected by the pedal effort detection sensor; a power sprocket coupled to a rotating output shaft of the electromotive power output unit box 13; an auxiliary chain stretched across between the secondary sprocket and the power sprocket; and a battery bracket 165 capable of accommodating a battery 162 for the electromotive power output unit box 13.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Kyosuke Kokatsu, Akihito Yoshiie, Fumihito Nigara
  • Patent number: 6851497
    Abstract: A power-assisted bicycle includes a torque detection mechanism system that is simple in structure, saves space, and is lightweight. A one-way clutch (72) for transmitting only rotation of the drive shaft (4) to the sprocket (70) in the direction in which the bicycle proceeds is disposed inside a hollow cylindrical portion (82) of the sprocket (70). On the sprocket face opposite thereto, a bearing (74) is engaged with an outer periphery of the cylindrical portion (82), and an elastic disc spring (76) holds the sprocket (70) with the aid of the bearing. The disc spring (76) is fixed to the bicycle body and a strain gauge (80) for detecting a stress deformation of the disc spring (76) is mounted on the surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignees: Sunstar Giken Kabushiki Kaisha, Sunstar Suisse SA
    Inventors: Akihito Yoshiie, Kyosuke Kokatsu
  • Publication number: 20040084272
    Abstract: A power-assisted bicycle is provided with a one-way clutch that can also be used as a torque detection apparatus. The one-way clutch has a tooth part (112) mounted on a driven means and a piece part (100) mounted slidably yet non-rotatably on a drive shaft (4). The tooth part has a first engagement face (121) formed with a plurality of teeth (114) and the piece part has a second engagement face (110) formed with a plurality of pieces (102). The first engagement face and the second engagement face are disposed facing each other generally perpendicularly to the axial direction. A disc spring (124) is disposed on the rear face of the piece part. As the piece part rotates in the direction of running forward, the piece is engaged with a sharply sloping face of the tooth to engage with the tooth and the angle of the piece with respect to the second engagement face increases, whereby the piece slides so as to increase the distance from the tooth part in resistance to the disc spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Akihito Yoshiie, Kyosuke Kokatsu
  • Patent number: 5830095
    Abstract: A sprocket made of low carbon steel of not more than 0.25 wt % in the carbon content comprising teeth portion which are quenched to a hardness close to the theoretical maximum quenching hardness of 35-55 Rockwell hardness C, and an inside diameter mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignees: Sunstar Engineering Inc., Uni-Sunstar B.V.
    Inventors: Norihiko Takamori, Fumihiko Metsugi, Akihito Ohata, Akihito Yoshiie, Shunji Takeda
  • Patent number: D460932
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kyosuke Kokatsu, Akihito Yoshiie, Fumihito Nigara