Patents by Inventor Atsushi Shimaoka

Atsushi Shimaoka 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: 10900765
    Abstract: A form measuring apparatus includes a base; an arm capable of swinging relative to the base; a coupler coupling the base and the arm, and having a deformation region that is capable of elastic deformation between the base and the arm; and a distortion detector installed in the deformation region. In the form measuring apparatus, a stylus is mounted to the arm and can slide along a surface of a work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Shimaoka, Kazuhiko Hidaka
  • Patent number: 10422628
    Abstract: A measuring probe includes a stylus having a contact part, an axial motion mechanism, and a rotary motion mechanism. The axial motion mechanism includes first diaphragm structures and a moving member that allows the contact part to move in an axial direction. The rotary motion mechanism includes a second diaphragm structure and a rotating member that allows the contact part to move along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. The first diaphragm structures are disposed at a symmetric distance with respect to the second diaphragm structure, and the second diaphragm structure is disposed between the first diaphragm structures in the axial direction. The axial motion mechanism supports the rotary motion mechanism, or the rotary motion mechanism supports the axial motion mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Shimaoka, Tomoyuki Miyazaki, Kazuhiko Hidaka
  • Publication number: 20190170493
    Abstract: A form measuring apparatus includes a base; an arm capable of swinging relative to the base; a coupler coupling the base and the arm, and having a deformation region that is capable of elastic deformation between the base and the arm; and a distortion detector installed in the deformation region. In the form measuring apparatus, a stylus is mounted to the arm and can slide along a surface of a work piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi SHIMAOKA, Kazuhiko HIDAKA
  • Patent number: 9810529
    Abstract: A measuring probe includes a stylus having a contact part to be in contact with an object to be measured, an axial motion mechanism having a moving member that allows the contact part to move in an axial direction, and a rotary motion mechanism having a rotating member that allows the contact part to move along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction by means of rotary motion. The measuring probe includes a main body housing that supports the axial motion mechanism, a module housing that supports the rotary motion mechanism, and a displacement detector supported by the main body housing for detecting displacement of the moving member. The measuring probe with this configuration ensures high measurement accuracy while keeping a low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: MITOTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Shimaoka, Tomoyuki Miyazaki, Kazuhiko Hidaka
  • Publication number: 20170146336
    Abstract: A measuring probe includes a stylus having a contact part, an axial motion mechanism, and a rotary motion mechanism. The axial motion mechanism includes first diaphragm structures and a moving member that allows the contact part to move in an axial direction. The rotary motion mechanism includes a second diaphragm structure and a rotating member that allows the contact part to move along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. The first diaphragm structures are disposed at a symmetric distance with respect to the second diaphragm structure, and the second diaphragm structure is disposed between the first diaphragm structures in the axial direction. The axial motion mechanism supports the rotary motion mechanism, or the rotary motion mechanism supports the axial motion mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi SHIMAOKA, Tomoyuki MIYAZAKI, Kazuhiko HIDAKA
  • Patent number: 9618312
    Abstract: A measuring probe includes a stylus having a contact part to be in contact with an object to be measured, an axial motion mechanism having a moving member that allows the contact part to move in an axial direction, and a rotary motion mechanism having a rotating member that allows the contact part to move along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction by means of rotary motion. The measuring probe includes a probe main body that incorporates the axial motion mechanism, and a probe module that is supported by the probe main body, incorporates the rotary motion mechanism, and supports the stylus. The probe main body and the probe module are detachably coupled to each other with a pair of rollers and a ball capable of positioning to each other. This allows adequate detection sensitivity and a restoring force suitable for the stylus to be obtained at a low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Shimaoka, Tomoyuki Miyazaki, Kazuhiko Hidaka
  • Patent number: 9605943
    Abstract: A measuring probe includes a stylus, an axial motion mechanism, and a rotary motion mechanism. The axial motion mechanism includes a pair of first diaphragm structures that allows a moving member to be displaced, and the rotary motion mechanism includes a second diaphragm structure that allows a rotating member to be displaced. The second diaphragm structure is disposed between the pair of first diaphragm structures in an axial direction. The respective first diaphragm structures are disposed at a symmetric distance with respect to the second diaphragm structure. This can reduce the length in the axial direction and weight thereof and also reduce shape errors and improve measurement accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Shimaoka, Tomoyuki Miyazaki, Kazuhiko Hidaka
  • Patent number: 9518811
    Abstract: A measuring force includes a stem, an arm, a detector, a rotation fulcrum, and a measuring force adjuster. A probe which makes contact with a workpiece is provided on the stem. An end portion of the arm is joined to the stem. The rotation fulcrum acts as a fulcrum for a rotating motion of the stem and the arm. The detector detects a displacement amount of the rotating motion of the arm. A crossed spring of the rotation fulcrum imparts on the stem and the arm a torque around an axis of the rotating motion in accordance with the displacement amount of the rotating motion. The measuring force adjuster imparts on the arm and the stem a torque, in a reverse direction of the torque generated by the crossed spring, by an attraction force generated by a magnetic force between at least two magnetic members mutually arranged at opposite ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Yamamoto, Sadayuki Matsumiya, Atsushi Shimaoka, Kazuhiko Hidaka, Tomoyuki Miyazaki, Yasunori Mori
  • Publication number: 20160258744
    Abstract: A measuring probe includes a stylus having a contact part to be in contact with an object to be measured, an axial motion mechanism having a moving member that allows the contact part to move in an axial direction, and a rotary motion mechanism having a rotating member that allows the contact part to move along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction by means of rotary motion. The measuring probe includes a main body housing that supports the axial motion mechanism, a module housing that supports the rotary motion mechanism, and a displacement detector supported by the main body housing for detecting displacement of the moving member. The measuring probe with this configuration ensures high measurement accuracy while keeping a low cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi SHIMAOKA, Tomoyuki MIYAZAKI, Kazuhiko HIDAKA
  • Publication number: 20160258738
    Abstract: A measuring probe includes a stylus, an axial motion mechanism, and a rotary motion mechanism. The axial motion mechanism includes a pair of first diaphragm structures that allows a moving member to be displaced, and the rotary motion mechanism includes a second diaphragm structure that allows a rotating member to be displaced. The second diaphragm structure is disposed between the pair of first diaphragm structures in an axial direction. The respective first diaphragm structures are disposed at a symmetric distance with respect to the second diaphragm structure. This can reduce the length in the axial direction and weight thereof and also reduce shape errors and improve measurement accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi SHIMAOKA, Tomoyuki MIYAZAKI, Kazuhiko HIDAKA
  • Publication number: 20160258733
    Abstract: A measuring probe includes a stylus having a contact part to be in contact with an object to be measured, an axial motion mechanism having a moving member that allows the contact part to move in an axial direction, and a rotary motion mechanism having a rotating member that allows the contact part to move along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction by means of rotary motion. The measuring probe includes a probe main body that incorporates the axial motion mechanism, and a probe module that is supported by the probe main body, incorporates the rotary motion mechanism, and supports the stylus. The probe main body and the probe module are detachably coupled to each other with a pair of rollers and a ball capable of positioning to each other. This allows adequate detection sensitivity and a restoring force suitable for the stylus to be obtained at a low cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi SHIMAOKA, Tomoyuki MIYAZAKI, Kazuhiko HIDAKA
  • Patent number: 9303968
    Abstract: A lever-type measuring machine swinging around a supporting point includes a stylus measuring a shape of a measured object, an arm having a first end connected to the stylus and a second end connected to the supporting point, and a balancer having a first end connected to the supporting point. The balancer is formed of a material having high specific flexural rigidity. The lever-type measuring machine enables more accurate measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasunori Mori, Takeshi Yamamoto, Atsushi Shimaoka, Tomoyuki Miyazaki, Kazuhiko Hidaka
  • Publication number: 20150292851
    Abstract: A measuring force includes a stem, an arm, a detector, a rotation fulcrum, and a measuring force adjuster. A probe which makes contact with a workpiece is provided on the stem. An end portion of the arm is joined to the stem. The rotation fulcrum acts as a fulcrum for a rotating motion of the stem and the arm. The detector detects a displacement amount of the rotating motion of the arm. A crossed spring of the rotation fulcrum imparts on the stem and the arm a torque around an axis of the rotating motion in accordance with the displacement amount of the rotating motion. The measuring force adjuster imparts on the arm and the stem a torque, in a reverse direction of the torque generated by the crossed spring, by an attraction force generated by a magnetic force between at least two magnetic members mutually arranged at opposite ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi YAMAMOTO, Sadayuki MATSUMIYA, Atsushi SHIMAOKA, Kazuhiko HIDAKA, Tomoyuki MIYAZAKI, Yasunori MORI
  • Publication number: 20150075020
    Abstract: A lever-type measuring machine swinging around a supporting point includes a stylus measuring a shape of a measured object, an arm having a first end connected to the stylus and a second end connected to the supporting point, and a balancer having a first end connected to the supporting point. The balancer is formed of a material having high specific flexural rigidity. The lever-type measuring machine enables more accurate measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Yasunori MORI, Takeshi YAMAMOTO, Atsushi SHIMAOKA, Tomoyuki MIYAZAKI, Kazuhiko HIDAKA
  • Patent number: 8869601
    Abstract: A lever-type detector, a stylus, and an automatic stylus exchanger allow styluses of different types to be exchanged automatically and reduce the burden of exchanging the styluses of different types for the lever-type detector. An approximately U-shaped notch is formed in a seating plate provided for a stylus body. In order to attach a stylus to a stylus holder, the longitudinal direction of the stylus body is set in a direction orthogonal to the central axis of a shaft body of the stylus holder, and the seating plate is moved in the direction orthogonal to the central axis of the shaft body. Then, the notch guides the shaft body to the center of gravity of the whole stylus on the seating plate. With the shaft body guided to the center of gravity by the notch, a flat swinging member holds the seating plate detachably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Yamamoto, Atsushi Shimaoka
  • Patent number: 8261461
    Abstract: A linear guiding mechanism includes a fixed member, a moving member, a first double parallel leaf spring mechanism and a second double parallel leaf spring mechanism arranged between the fixed member and the moving member and configured to movably support the moving member. The first double parallel leaf spring mechanism and the second double parallel leaf spring mechanism are arranged at an angle other than 180° (for example, 90°) about an axis of movement of the moving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Shimaoka, Takeshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8161657
    Abstract: A position controller provided in a controlling module obtains a difference between a detected rotation angle of a stylus and a target rotation angle, and determines an energization amount to a voice coil motor so that the difference becomes zero. A variable limiter circuit limits a driving current, which is supplied from the position controller, to a limitation value so that a rotation force applied to the stylus from the voice coil motor is constant. A target rotation angle issuing portion switches over the target rotation angle based on a relative position of a contact portion of the stylus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Yamamoto, Atsushi Shimaoka
  • Publication number: 20110162444
    Abstract: A lever-type detector, a stylus, and an automatic stylus exchanger allow styluses of different types to be exchanged automatically and reduce the burden of exchanging the styluses of different types for the lever-type detector. An approximately U-shaped notch is formed in a seating plate provided for a stylus body. In order to attach a stylus to a stylus holder, the longitudinal direction of the stylus body is set in a direction orthogonal to the central axis of a shaft body of the stylus holder, and the seating plate is moved in the direction orthogonal to the central axis of the shaft body. Then, the notch guides the shaft body to the center of gravity of the whole stylus on the seating plate. With the shaft body guided to the center of gravity by the notch, a flat swinging member holds the seating plate detachably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi YAMAMOTO, Atsushi SHIMAOKA
  • Publication number: 20110088273
    Abstract: A position controller provided in a controlling module obtains a difference between a detected rotation angle of a stylus and a target rotation angle, and determines an energization amount to a voice coil motor so that the difference becomes zero. A variable limiter circuit limits a driving current, which is supplied from the position controller, to a limitation value so that a rotation force applied to the stylus from the voice coil motor is constant. A target rotation angle issuing portion switches over the target rotation angle based on a relative position of a contact portion of the stylus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Yamamoto, Atsushi Shimaoka
  • Publication number: 20100180458
    Abstract: A linear guiding mechanism includes a fixed member, a moving member, a first double parallel leaf spring mechanism and a second double parallel leaf spring mechanism arranged between the fixed member and the moving member and configured to movably support the moving member. The first double parallel leaf spring mechanism and the second double parallel leaf spring mechanism are arranged at an angle other than 180° (for example, 90°) about an axis of movement of the moving member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Shimaoka, Takeshi Yamamoto