Patents by Inventor Akio Nakano

Akio Nakano 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: 8125321
    Abstract: An obstacle detecting device includes a wall member and an ultrasonic sensor. The wall member has a base member having an inner surface, and the base member extends in parallel with an imaginary plane. The ultrasonic sensor is attached to the inner surface of the base member for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave via the base member. The ultrasonic sensor includes an ultrasonic transducer, and is in contact with the base member via a contact portion of the inner surface of the base member. The wall member includes a plurality of rigidity changing portions that are arranged on an other part of the inner surface other than the contact portion in an arrangement direction away from the contact portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiyonari Kojima, Toshihiro Hattori, Akio Nakano
  • Publication number: 20110172792
    Abstract: The energy management system includes a judging means (103), a usage information means (105), a schedule input means (106), a simulating means (108), a prediction information indicating means (110). The judging means (103) judges whether or not the device was used for each unit time, on the basis of power consumption of the device in a predetermined time period (measurement value). The usage information indicating means (105) indicates whether or not the device was used for each unit time, on the basis of the judgment result of the judging means (103). The schedule input means (106) requires a user to input schedule information which defines operation of the device for each unit time in the predetermined time period. The simulating means (108) calculates power consumption (prediction value) used in the device which operates in accordance with the schedule information input via the schedule input means (106), on the basis of the measurement value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Kiyotoshi Shinohara, Akio Nakano, Masaaki Terano, Tooru Shimotsuma, Ryuichi Maeda, Tomoya Sogou
  • Patent number: 7940512
    Abstract: This invention relates to a suitable electrostatic chuck to hold a substrate during the manufacture of a semiconductor integrated circuit having excellent cooling performance and insulation performance, and a low level of particulate generation, which is comprised of an electrostatic chuck, comprising a metal substrate, a first insulating layer of silicone rubber formed directly or via an adhesive layer on the metal substrate and having a thermal conductivity of 0.5 W/mK or more, an electrically conducting pattern formed directly or via an adhesive layer on this first insulating layer, a second insulating layer of an insulating polyimide film formed directly or via an adhesive layer on this electrically conducting pattern, and a third insulating layer formed directly or via an adhesive layer on this second insulating layer, wherein this third insulating layer is a silicone rubber containing reinforcing silica, this layer not containing any thermally conductive filler having an average particle size of 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Handa, Akio Nakano, Ikuo Sakurai
  • Patent number: 7902968
    Abstract: An obstacle detection device has an ultrasonic sensor fixed to a first side of a mount member. The ultrasonic sensor sends/receives ultrasonic wave toward/from a second side of the mount member, which is opposite to the first side thereof. At least one of a mounting surface of the ultrasonic sensor and a mounting surface of the mount member has a protrusion, which protrudes therefrom so that an end surface of the protrusion contacts the other of the mounting surfaces. The mounting surfaces of the mount member and the ultrasonic sensor face each other. The end surface of the protrusion and the mounting surface of the ultrasonic sensor are different from each other in at least one of shape and area thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiyonari Kojima, Hisanaga Matsuoka, Akio Nakano, Muneaki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7667943
    Abstract: An electrostatic chuck comprises an insulating layer with an electrode embedded therein and having a surface to come in contact with a workpiece to be held. Formed on the insulating layer surface is a silicone rubber layer which is filled with reinforcing silica, but free of another filler having an average particle size of at least 0.5 ?m. The ESC allows for an intimate contact with a wafer and has an improved cooling capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Nakano, Ryuichi Handa, Ikuo Sakurai
  • Patent number: 7628076
    Abstract: An ultrasound sensor has an ultrasound oscillator which is expandable and contractible in a thickness direction thereof, and a casing which houses therein the ultrasound oscillator. An outer surface of an end portion of the casing is fixed to a mounting member. The side surface of the ultrasound oscillator has at least one of a protrusion portion, a concave portion and an inclined portion, through which one of two end surfaces of the ultrasound oscillator fixedly contacts an inner surface of the end portion of the casing. The side surface of the ultrasound oscillator is substantially parallel with the thickness direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Akio Nakano, Muneaki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7626888
    Abstract: An ultrasound sensor for a vehicle has a housing which is fixedly arranged at a vehicle inner side of a periphery member of the vehicle, an ultrasound vibrator for sending and receiving ultrasound, and an ultrasound transferring member which is constructed of a different material from that of the housing to have an acoustic impedance with a medium value between an acoustic impedance of the ultrasound vibrator and that of the periphery member. The ultrasound vibrator is accommodated in the housing and fixed to an end portion of the housing, which faces the periphery member. The ultrasound transferring member is arranged at the end portion of the housing, and contacts both the ultrasound vibrator and the periphery member of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Akio Nakano, Takeo Tsuzuki, Yoshihisa Sato, Kiyonari Kojima
  • Publication number: 20080266746
    Abstract: This invention relates to a suitable electrostatic chuck to hold a substrate during the manufacture of a semiconductor integrated circuit having excellent cooling performance and insulation performance, and a low level of particulate generation, which is comprised of an electrostatic chuck, comprising a metal substrate, a first insulating layer of silicone rubber formed directly or via an adhesive layer on the metal substrate and having a thermal conductivity of 0.5 W/mK or more, an electrically conducting pattern formed directly or via an adhesive layer on this first insulating layer, a second insulating layer of an insulating polyimide film formed directly or via an adhesive layer on this electrically conducting pattern, and a third insulating layer formed directly or via an adhesive layer on this second insulating layer, wherein this third insulating layer is a silicone rubber containing reinforcing silica, this layer not containing any thermally conductive filler having an average particle size of 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Ryuichi Handa, Akio Nakano, Ikuo Sakurai
  • Publication number: 20080089177
    Abstract: An obstacle detecting device includes a wall member and an ultrasonic sensor. The wall member has a base member having an inner surface, and the base member extends in parallel with an imaginary plane. The ultrasonic sensor is attached to the inner surface of the base member for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave via the base member. The ultrasonic sensor includes an ultrasonic transducer, and is in contact with the base member via a contact portion of the inner surface of the base member. The wall member includes a plurality of rigidity changing portions that are arranged on an other part of the inner surface other than the contact portion in an arrangement direction away from the contact portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, NIPPON SOKEN, INC.
    Inventors: Kiyonari Kojima, Toshihiro Hattori, Akio Nakano
  • Patent number: 7352555
    Abstract: Provided is an electrostatic chuck, including: a first insulating layer including a heat conductive silicone rubber with a thermal conductivity of at least 0.2 W/mK, which is formed on top of a metal substrate, either directly or with an adhesive layer disposed therebetween; a conductive pattern, which is formed on top of the first insulating layer, either directly or with an adhesive layer disposed therebetween; a second insulating layer including an insulating polyimide film, which is formed on top of the conductive pattern, either directly or with an adhesive layer disposed therebetween; and a third insulating layer including a heat conductive silicone rubber with a thermal conductivity of at least 0.2 W/mK, a hardness of no more than 85, and a surface roughness of no more than 5 ?m, which is formed on top of the second insulating layer, either directly or with an adhesive layer disposed therebetween. Also provided is a process for holding a substrate on the electrostatic chuck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Handa, Akio Nakano
  • Publication number: 20070253139
    Abstract: An electrostatic chuck comprises an insulating layer with an electrode embedded therein and having a surface to come in contact with a workpiece to be held. Formed on the insulating layer surface is a silicone rubber layer which is filled with reinforcing silica, but free of another filler having an average particle size of at least 0.5 ?m. The ESC allows for an intimate contact with a wafer and has an improved cooling capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: Akio Nakano, Ryuichi Handa, Ikuo Sakurai
  • Publication number: 20070163350
    Abstract: An ultrasound sensor has an ultrasound oscillator which is expandable and contractible in a thickness direction thereof, and a casing which houses therein the ultrasound oscillator. An outer surface of an end portion of the casing is fixed to a mounting member. The side surface of the ultrasound oscillator has at least one of a protrusion portion, a concave portion and an inclined portion, through which one of two end surfaces of the ultrasound oscillator fixedly contacts an inner surface of the end portion of the casing. The side surface of the ultrasound oscillator is substantially parallel with the thickness direction thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akio Nakano, Muneaki Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20070115758
    Abstract: An obstacle detection device has an ultrasonic sensor fixed to a first side of a mount member. The ultrasonic sensor sends/receives ultrasonic wave toward/from a second side of the mount member, which is opposite to the first side thereof. At least one of a mounting surface of the ultrasonic sensor and a mounting surface of the mount member has a protrusion, which protrudes therefrom so that an end surface of the protrusion contacts the other of the mounting surfaces. The mounting surfaces of the mount member and the ultrasonic sensor face each other. The end surface of the protrusion and the mounting surface of the ultrasonic sensor are different from each other in at least one of shape and area thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, NIPPON SOKEN, INC.
    Inventors: Kiyonari Kojima, Hisanaga Matsuoka, Akio Nakano, Muneaki Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20070115102
    Abstract: An ultrasound sensor for a vehicle has a housing which is fixedly arranged at a vehicle inner side of a periphery member of the vehicle, an ultrasound vibrator for sending and receiving ultrasound, and an ultrasound transferring member which is constructed of a different material from that of the housing to have an acoustic impedance with a medium value between an acoustic impedance of the ultrasound vibrator and that of the periphery member. The ultrasound vibrator is accommodated in the housing and fixed to an end portion of the housing, which faces the periphery member. The ultrasound transferring member is arranged at the end portion of the housing, and contacts both the ultrasound vibrator and the periphery member of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, NIPPON SOKEN, INC.
    Inventors: Akio Nakano, Takeo Tsuzuki, Yoshihisa Sato, Kiyonari Kojima
  • Patent number: 7148790
    Abstract: A remote control device for controlling a reduced operational mode of a vehicle includes a portable communication device operable to communicate with the vehicle. A detachable component is selectively coupled to the communication device. The communication device is operable to initiate a reduced operational mode for the vehicle upon detachment of the detachable component from the communication device. The portable communication device detects the input in the attached position and initiates a normal operational mode upon the detection. Detachment of the detachable component cause an input voltage to change on the portable device. The reduced operational mode includes inhibiting access to predetermined storage compartments in the vehicle such as a vehicle trunk or glove box. Vehicle speed and RPM are limited in the reduced operational mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Denso International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Keiichi Aoyama, Thomas Keeling, Justin McBride, Akio Nakano, Michael Wiegand
  • Patent number: 7141273
    Abstract: Provided is a curable organopolysiloxane composition which includes (A) an organopolysiloxane containing at least 2 alkenyl groups bonded to silicon atoms within each molecule, (B) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane containing at least 2 hydrogen atoms bonded to silicon atoms within each molecule, (C) gallium and/or an alloy thereof, with a melting point within a range from 0 to 70° C., optionally (D) a heat conductive filler with an average particle size within a range from 0.1 to 100 ?m, (E) a platinum based catalyst, and (F) an addition reaction control agent. The composition is useful as a material capable of forming a layer with excellent thermal conductivity that is sandwiched between a heat generating electronic component and a heat radiating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Endo, Kunihiko Mita, Akio Nakano, Kunihiro Yamada, Hiroaki Kizaki, Hiroaki Tetsuka
  • Publication number: 20060120011
    Abstract: Provided is an electrostatic chuck, including: a first insulating layer including a heat conductive silicone rubber with a thermal conductivity of at least 0.2 W/mK, which is formed on top of a metal substrate, either directly or with an adhesive layer disposed therebetween; a conductive pattern, which is formed on top of the first insulating layer, either directly or with an adhesive layer disposed therebetween; a second insulating layer including an insulating polyimide film, which is formed on top of the conductive pattern, either directly or with an adhesive layer disposed therebetween; and a third insulating layer including a heat conductive silicone rubber with a thermal conductivity of at least 0.2 W/mK, a hardness of no more than 85, and a surface roughness of no more than 5 ?m, which is formed on top of the second insulating layer, either directly or with an adhesive layer disposed therebetween. Also provided is a process for holding a substrate on the electrostatic chuck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Applicant: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Handa, Akio Nakano
  • Patent number: 7050795
    Abstract: A system for communicating user identified preferences to a vehicle includes a programming device adapted to receive input indicative of user defined vehicle settings and operable to store the input as vehicle setting data. A first portable security device is operable to transmit a first identification code. A transceiver residing in the vehicle is in data communication over a wireless communication link with each of the first portable security device and the programming device. The transceiver is operable to initiate download of the vehicle setting data to the vehicle upon receipt of the first identification code from the first portable security device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Denso International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wiegand, Akio Nakano, Keiichi Aoyama, Thomas Keeling, Justin McBride
  • Publication number: 20060066439
    Abstract: A smart key entry system for unlocking a plurality of doors in a platform includes a controller within the platform. The controller is operable to lock and unlock each of the plurality of doors. A sensor is located on each of the plurality of doors. Each sensor is operable to communicate to the controller when a user has activated the sensor. A mobile device external to the platform is operable to wirelessly communicate with the controller when within a detection area surrounding the platform. If the mobile device is within the detection area, the controller unlocks a door when the sensor located on the door communicates to the controller that a user has activated the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Keeling, Akio Nakano, Keiichi Aoyama, Michael Wiegand, Justin McBride
  • Patent number: 7014901
    Abstract: The present invention intends to provide an air bag door construction in which the air bag develops smoothly and securely, the skin can be easily produced with small man-hour, and which is excellent in the surface appearance. The skin 50 is formed by a mold 5 including an endless and annular wall 50 provided at a part of a molding surface to be inclined relative to the molding surface. A groove portion 35 of the skin 3 formed by the wall 50 is cut at a bottom portion thereof to separate the skin 3 into a general portion 30 and a door portion 31. The general portion 30 and the door portion 31 are relatively shifted to make both surfaces thereof flush with each other. When the surfaces of the general portion 30 and the door portion 31 are flush by the relative shift, gap between the general portion 30 and the door portion 31 can be narrowed, and gap appeared on the surface can also be narrowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignees: Tokai Chemical Industries, Ltd., Toyoda Goset Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Sanae, Shigehiro Ueno, Akiyoshi Nagano, Hiroshi Suyama, Akio Nakano