Patents by Inventor Atsuhiko Hirata

Atsuhiko Hirata 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: 11904092
    Abstract: An air-blowing device 10A includes an air blower 50 and a housing 20 that includes an intake hole 41a into which a fluid flows as a result of the air blower 50 being driven and an exhaust portion from which the fluid is discharged as a result of the air blower 50 being driven and that accommodates the air blower 50. The housing 20 is capable of expanding and contracting so as to change the internal volume of the housing 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Wada, Atsuhiko Hirata
  • Publication number: 20230352953
    Abstract: A charger assembly including a housing with a first surface, a second surface that is not parallel with the first surface, a first recess in the first surface, a second recess in the second surface, and a first opening connecting the first recess and the second recess. The charger assembly further includes a first group of electrical contacts in the first recess and a second group of electrical contacts in the second recess. Each of the first recess and the second recess is configured to receive a battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Atsuhiko HIRATA, Nobuhiro KONDO, Masamichi YANAI
  • Publication number: 20230346309
    Abstract: A patient-monitoring device includes a main device with a recess and a first group of electrical contacts provided in the recess. The patient-monitoring device further includes a battery pack that engages the recess and that includes a second group of electrical contacts. A first gasket is provided in patient-monitoring device and is located on either the main device or the battery pack. The first gasket surrounds the first group of electrical contacts and the second group of electrical contacts when the battery pack engages the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Atsuhiko HIRATA, Nobuhiro KONDO, Masamichi YANAI
  • Patent number: 11598330
    Abstract: A pump (1) includes a vibrating plate (15) that has a central part (21), a frame part (22), and connecting parts (23 to 26), a piezoelectric element (16) that is stacked over the central part (21) and configured to cause flexural vibrations to occur concentrically from the central part (21) to the connecting parts (23 to 26), and an opposed plate (13) that is stacked over the frame part (22) and positioned facing each of the connecting parts (23 to 26) with a spacing therebetween. The vibrating plate (15) has such a resonant mode that an antinode occurs in each of the central part (21) and the connecting parts (23 to 26). The opposed plate (13) has, at positions facing the connecting parts (23 to 26), a plurality of channel holes (39 to 43) through which a fluid flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsuhiko Hirata, Yukiharu Kodama
  • Patent number: 11419982
    Abstract: A dripping detection apparatus includes a cylindrical drip cylinder into which a nozzle is inserted from an upper side and that receives inside a liquid droplet dripping from a lower end of the nozzle, and a photo interrupter that has equal to or more than one light emitting element emitting light and equal to or more than two light receiving elements receiving the light, wherein the equal to or more than one light emitting element and the equal to or more than two light receiving elements are arranged at opposing or substantially opposing positions with the drip cylinder interposed between the elements and equal to or more than two light paths connecting the equal to or more than one light emitting element to the equal to or more than two light receiving elements are located at a lower side relative to the lower end of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsuhiko Hirata, Nobuhiro Kondo, Kouji Miyabayashi
  • Publication number: 20220249001
    Abstract: A patient-monitoring device includes a housing including a first opening, a snap located in the first opening to connect to an electrode through the first opening, and a dielectric potting compound covering the snap. A method of manufacturing a patient-monitoring device includes attaching a wire to a snap, providing a housing, providing a substrate including a connector and circuitry components, installing the snap into the housing, installing the substrate into the housing, providing a dielectric potting compound into the housing such that the dielectric potting compound covers the snap and the substrate, and curing the dielectric potting compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Atsuhiko HIRATA, Rachel MYERS, Nobuhiro KONDO
  • Publication number: 20220192599
    Abstract: A patient-monitoring device includes an adapter with a flexible printed circuit, the flexible printed circuit includes a rigid portion with a rigid stiffener and a flexible portion with a trace, and with a connector that is connected to one end of the trace, that is movable in two or three dimensions independent of the rigid portion, and that is connectible to an electrode assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Michael MARSHIK, Brandon LA PLANTE, Dattatraya BATHE, Scott MAZAR, Nobuhiro KONDO, Atsuhiko HIRATA
  • Patent number: 11191437
    Abstract: A fluid control device (10) includes a container (13), a pump (11), a solenoid valve (12), and a capacitor. The pump (11) is driven by a main power source, and is capable of pressurizing or depressurizing the inside of the container (13). A suction port and a discharge port of the pump (11) internally communicate with each other. The solenoid valve (12) is connected at both ends thereof to the container (13) and the pump (11). If the voltage of the main power source is reduced or lost, the solenoid valve (12) releases pressure in the container (13) by being driven by the power stored in the capacitor or secondary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsuhiko Hirata, Kenjiro Okaguchi
  • Patent number: 11047376
    Abstract: A piezoelectric pump includes a leaf spring including a disc portion defining an actuator, an outer frame portion defining a housing, and an elastic support portion. The actuator flexurally vibrates from a center portion of a principal surface thereof to an outer periphery thereof. The elastic support portion includes a beam portion and connection portions and elastically supports the disc portion on the outer frame portion. The beam portion extends in a gap between the disc portion and the outer frame portion in a direction along an outer periphery of the disc portion. A first of the connection portions connects the beam portion to the disc portion. Second and third connection portions are offset from the first connection portion and connect the beam portion to the outer frame portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsuhiko Hirata, Yukiharu Kodama, Kenta Omori
  • Publication number: 20210088041
    Abstract: A pump (1) includes a vibrating plate (15) that has a central part (21), a frame part (22), and connecting parts (23 to 26), a piezoelectric element (16) that is stacked over the central part (21) and configured to cause flexural vibrations to occur concentrically from the central part (21) to the connecting parts (23 to 26), and an opposed plate (13) that is stacked over the frame part (22) and positioned facing each of the connecting parts (23 to 26) with a spacing therebetween. The vibrating plate (15) has such a resonant mode that an antinode occurs in each of the central part (21) and the connecting parts (23 to 26). The opposed plate (13) has, at positions facing the connecting parts (23 to 26), a plurality of channel holes (39 to 43) through which a fluid flows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Atsuhiko Hirata, Yukiharu Kodama
  • Patent number: 10890171
    Abstract: A pump (1) includes a vibrating plate (15) that has a central part (21), a frame part (22), and connecting parts (23 to 26), a piezoelectric element (16) that is stacked over the central part (21) and configured to cause flexural vibrations to occur concentrically from the central part (21) to the connecting parts (23 to 26), and an opposed plate (13) that is stacked over the frame part (22) and positioned facing each of the connecting parts (23 to 26) with a spacing therebetween. The vibrating plate (15) has such a resonant mode that an antinode occurs in each of the central part (21) and the connecting parts (23 to 26). The opposed plate (13) has, at positions facing the connecting parts (23 to 26), a plurality of channel holes (39 to 43) through which a fluid flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuhiko Hirata, Yukiharu Kodama
  • Patent number: 10806857
    Abstract: A fluid control device includes a tube insertion portion formed in a casing, a fixing member that fixedly holds, in the tube insertion portion, a tube inserted into the tube insertion portion, a pressing member driven by an actuator to press the tube within the tube insertion portion, and a controller that controls the actuator for the pressing member, wherein the controller controls the pressing member to start pressing on the tube after the fixing member has fixedly hold the tube in the tube insertion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsuhiko Hirata, Yoshihide Amagai, Nobuhiro Kondo, Yoshitaka Hane
  • Publication number: 20200284250
    Abstract: A pump (1) includes a vibrating plate (15) that has a central part (21), a frame part (22), and connecting parts (23 to 26), a piezoelectric element (16) that is stacked over the central part (21) and configured to cause flexural vibrations to occur concentrically from the central part (21) to the connecting parts (23 to 26), and an opposed plate (13) that is stacked over the frame part (22) and positioned facing each of the connecting parts (23 to 26) with a spacing therebetween. The vibrating plate (15) has such a resonant mode that an antinode occurs in each of the central part (21) and the connecting parts (23 to 26). The opposed plate (13) has, at positions facing the connecting parts (23 to 26), a plurality of channel holes (39 to 43) through which a fluid flows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Atsuhiko HIRATA, Yukiharu KODAMA
  • Patent number: 10648463
    Abstract: A gas control device (100) includes a first pump (101), a second pump (201), a first check valve (102), a second check valve (202), and a receptacle (9). The volume of the receptacle (9) changes in accordance with the pressure of air flowing thereinto. The first pump (101) has an air suction hole (53) and an air discharge hole (24). The second pump (201) has an air suction hole (197) and an air discharge hole (181). The first pump (101) is a type of pump having a high discharge flow rate and a low discharge pressure. The second pump (201) is a type of pump having a low discharge flow rate and a high discharge pressure. The suction hole (53) of the first pump (101) communicates with a first ventilation hole (106). The suction hole (197) of the second pump (201) communicates with a second ventilation hole (107).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Atsuhiko Hirata
  • Publication number: 20200038606
    Abstract: An air-blowing device 10A includes an air blower 50 and a housing 20 that includes an intake hole 41a into which a fluid flows as a result of the air blower 50 being driven and an exhaust portion from which the fluid is discharged as a result of the air blower 50 being driven and that accommodates the air blower 50. The housing 20 is capable of expanding and contracting so as to change the internal volume of the housing 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Hiroaki WADA, Atsuhiko HIRATA
  • Publication number: 20200032786
    Abstract: A pump (1) includes a vibrating plate (15) that has a central part (21), a frame part (22), and connecting parts (23 to 26), a piezoelectric element (16) that is stacked over the central part (21) and configured to cause flexural vibrations to occur concentrically from the central part (21) to the connecting parts (23 to 26), and an opposed plate (13) that is stacked over the frame part (22) and positioned facing each of the connecting parts (23 to 26) with a spacing therebetween. The vibrating plate (15) has such a resonant mode that an antinode occurs in each of the central part (21) and the connecting parts (23 to 26). The opposed plate (13) has, at positions facing the connecting parts (23 to 26), a plurality of channel holes (39 to 43) through which a fluid flows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Atsuhiko HIRATA, Yukiharu KODAMA
  • Publication number: 20200018303
    Abstract: A piezoelectric pump includes a leaf spring including a disc portion defining an actuator, an outer frame portion defining a housing, and an elastic support portion. The actuator flexurally vibrates from a center portion of a principal surface thereof to an outer periphery thereof. The elastic support portion includes a beam portion and connection portions and elastically supports the disc portion on the outer frame portion. The beam portion extends in a gap between the disc portion and the outer frame portion in a direction along an outer periphery of the disc portion. A first of the connection portions connects the beam portion to the disc portion. Second and third connection portions are offset from the first connection portion and connect the beam portion to the outer frame portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Atsuhiko HIRATA, Yukiharu KODAMA, Kenta OMORI
  • Patent number: 10502328
    Abstract: A valve includes a lower valve housing, a diaphragm, and an upper valve housing. A top surface of a piezoelectric pump is bonded to a bottom surface of the lower valve housing. A circular hole portion is provided in a central portion of a region of the diaphragm that opposes a projecting portion of the lower valve housing. The diaphragm is bonded to the upper valve housing and the lower valve housing, and a divided interior of a valve housing configures a first lower valve chamber, a second lower valve chamber, a first upper valve chamber, and a second upper valve chamber. A groove is located in a wall portion of the upper valve housing that opposes the diaphragm in the first upper valve chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kotani, Takenobu Maeda, Atsuhiko Hirata
  • Patent number: 10480502
    Abstract: A pump (1) includes a vibrating plate (15) that has a central part (21), a frame part (22), and connecting parts (23 to 26), a piezoelectric element (16) that is stacked over the central part (21) and configured to cause flexural vibrations to occur concentrically from the central part (21) to the connecting parts (23 to 26), and an opposed plate (13) that is stacked over the frame part (22) and positioned facing each of the connecting parts (23 to 26) with a spacing therebetween. The vibrating plate (15) has such a resonant mode that an antinode occurs in each of the central part (21) and the connecting parts (23 to 26). The opposed plate (13) has, at positions facing the connecting parts (23 to 26), a plurality of channel holes (39 to 43) through which a fluid flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsuhiko Hirata, Yukiharu Kodama
  • Patent number: 10465672
    Abstract: A piezoelectric pump includes a leaf spring including a disc portion defining an actuator, an outer frame portion defining a housing, and an elastic support portion. The actuator flexurally vibrates from a center portion of a principal surface thereof to an outer periphery thereof. The elastic support portion includes a beam portion and connection portions and elastically supports the disc portion on the outer frame portion. The beam portion extends in a gap between the disc portion and the outer frame portion in a direction along an outer periphery of the disc portion. A first of the connection portions connects the beam portion to the disc portion. Second and third connection portions are offset from the first connection portion and connect the beam portion to the outer frame portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsuhiko Hirata, Yukiharu Kodama, Kenta Omori