Patents by Inventor Hiroaki Kato

Hiroaki Kato 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: 20090025686
    Abstract: To provide a fuel injection system that can efficiently supply high pressure fuel with respect to fuel injectors of an internal combustion engine, whose pump is capable of being made versatile, and which has excellent maintainability such as service, replacement and detachment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kato, Takao Iwasaki, Teruo Ohsawa
  • Publication number: 20090024280
    Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus 1 includes a variable gear ratio actuator 7, an IFS ECU 8, which controls the actuator 7, an EPS actuator 17, and an EPS ECU 18, which controls the EPS actuator 17. The variable gear ratio actuator 7 varies the transmission ratio between a steering wheel and steered wheels. The EPS actuator 17 applies an assist force that assists a steering operation. A microcomputer 43 of the EPS actuator 17 increases an inertia compensation current command Iti* (Iti**), which is a compensation component based on the differential value of a steering torque, during actuation of the variable gear ratio actuator 7, that is, when an ACT angle ?ta is changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki KATO, Satoru MIKAMO
  • Publication number: 20080279591
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a nonmagnetic one-component toner containing a colorant, and a binder resin, wherein metal oxide fine particles are fixed on a toner surface with an adhesion strength of 95% to 99%, the toner has a direct current resistance of 1E7 ?·cm to 1E9 ?·cm, and an electrostatic capacity of 1.0E-12F to 1.5E-11F.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Hideaki Yasunaga, Hiroaki Kato, Kazuoki Fuwa, Masayuki Hagi, Yoshihiro Mikuriya, Takuya Kadota, Hiroyuki Murakami, Yoshimichi Ishikawa, Katsunori Kurose
  • Patent number: 7441627
    Abstract: The control system of a vehicle controls the transmission ratio of the steering angle of a steering wheel relative to a turning angle of front wheels based on a drive force distribution ratio. Thus, the performance of the tires on the front wheels can be used to almost maximum potential, providing effective prevention of understeering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Jtekt Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Ohta, Shinji Takeuchi, Minekazu Momiyama, Hiroaki Kato, Tsuyoshi Murakami
  • Patent number: 7426428
    Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus includes a drive unit for changing a steering angle of a steered wheel. A calculation unit calculates a control target amount of the steering angle based on a vehicle model. A control unit controls the drive unit to change the steering angle based on the control target amount. A determination unit determines whether the absolute value of at least one of yaw rate of the vehicle and lateral acceleration of the vehicle is greater than or equal to a predetermined value when velocity of the vehicle is less than or equal to a predetermined velocity. The control unit refrains from executing the control based on the control target amount when the absolute value is not greater than or equal to the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroaki Kato
  • Patent number: 7398145
    Abstract: A grip factor estimating apparatus includes a steering torque detecting unit M1, and an assist torque detecting unit M2. When a self-aligning torque estimating unit M6 estimates self-aligning torque generated in front wheels on the basis of detection result of the detecting unit, the quantity of influence of longitudinal force on self-aligning torque is removed on the basis of longitudinal force acting on the front wheels and estimated by a longitudinal force estimating unit M15 and a front wheel slip angle estimated by a front wheel slip angle estimating unit M9y. A grip factor estimating unit M12 estimates the grip factor of the front wheels on the basis of change in self-aligning torque in accordance with the side force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignees: Jtekt Corporation, Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kato, Minekazu Momiyama, Yoshiyuki Yasui, Yuji Muragishi, Yuzo Imoto, Hiroaki Aizawa
  • Patent number: 7374014
    Abstract: A motor-driven steering controller for controlling a steering wheel of a vehicle. The controller includes a steering torque controlling unit, a braking force estimating unit, a right and left braking force difference estimating unit and an assist steering torque providing unit. The steering torque controlling unit controls a steering torque on the steering wheel depending on a steering operation. The braking force estimating unit estimates braking forces to be imposed on wheels of the vehicle. The right and left braking force difference estimating unit estimates difference between the braking forces to be imposed on the right and left wheels each estimated by the braking forces estimating unit. The assist steering torque providing unit provides an assist steering torque for the steering torque controlling unit on the basis of the difference in braking force between right and left wheels estimated by the right and left braking force difference estimating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Jtekt Corporation, Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Wataru Tanaka, Yuji Muragishi, Eiichi Ono, Katsuhiro Asano, Minekazu Momiyama, Hiroaki Kato, Kenji Asano
  • Publication number: 20080069605
    Abstract: Provided is an image forming method that comprises a charging step, an exposing step, a developing step, an intermediate transfer step and a secondary transfer step, wherein the diameter R (mm) of a secondary transfer roller used in the secondary transfer step and the distance A (mm) between a nip center of the secondary transfer roller and a site where paper contacts with a secondary transfer belt at ingress side satisfy the following relation, and the charge amount Q (?C/g) of the toner going into the secondary transfer step satisfies the following relation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Kazuoki FUWA, Masayuki Hagi, Yoshihiro Mikuriya, Hideaki Yasunaga, Hiroaki Kato, Yoshitaka Sekiguchi, Yoshie Iwakura
  • Publication number: 20080070149
    Abstract: To provide a pulverized toner including: a wax-containing resin; a coloring material; and an external additive, wherein the pulverized toner has an average circularity of 0.890 to 0.930, a particle diameter of 6 ?m to 10 ?m, and a torque of 1.0 mNm to 2.5 mNm at a vacancy ratio 58% in the pulverized toner as measured by a torque measuring method using a conical rotor, and wherein the pulverized toner is a wax-containing pulverized toner for non-magnetic one component development.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kato, Hideaki Yasunaga, Kazuoki Fuwa, Masayuki Hagi, Yoshihiro Mikuriya
  • Publication number: 20080063957
    Abstract: The present invention provides a developing device that allows for maintaining the conveyance amount of a toner within a certain definite range. A developing device 12 of the present invention is provided with a toner conveying unit 13 configured to convey a fist toner and a controlling member 15 configured to control the thickness of a toner layer formed with the first toner conveyed by the toner conveying unit 13, wherein a second toner provided with a charged amount per unit mass that differs from a charged amount per unit mass of the first toner is applied over the surface of the controlling member 15.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Murakami, Masahide Inoue, Masayuki Hagi, Takuya Kadota, Yoshihiro Mikuriya, Katsunori Kurose, Hideaki Yasunaga, Hiroaki Kato, Yoshimichi Ishikawa, Kazuoki Fuwa
  • Patent number: 7337873
    Abstract: A steering control apparatus is provided for controlling a steered wheel angle of a wheel to be steered. On the basis of a road coefficient of friction estimated between right and left wheels, a braking force difference between the right and left wheels is calculated. A slip angle—total lateral force characteristic indicative of a relationship between a slip angle and a total lateral force of a wheel to be steered is provided on the basis of the estimated coefficient of friction. Then, a steered wheel angle of the wheel to be steered is set on the basis of the braking force difference and the slip angle—total lateral force characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignees: Advics Co., Ltd., Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Aizawa, Hiroaki Niino, Minekazu Momiyama, Hiroaki Kato
  • Publication number: 20080002014
    Abstract: A thermal printer is disclosed. The thermal printer includes a thermal head on which plural heat-generating elements are arrayed; and a platen mounted opposite to the thermal head. The thermal printer uses an ink ribbon and paper held between the thermal head and the platen, and the thermal printer performs printing by causing the heat-generating elements to generate heat such that inks of the ink ribbon are transferred to the paper. The ink ribbon has a base film on which color inks and a transparent laminate ink are successively and repetitively arranged, and a pressure force acting between the thermal head and the platen is made different between when the color inks are transferred and when the laminate ink is transferred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kato, Yasushi Hirumi
  • Patent number: 7315773
    Abstract: This invention provides a vehicle motion control method and a vehicle motion control apparatus capable of improving the behavior stability of a vehicle. According to the vehicle motion control method, vehicle steering characteristic is determined based on a behavior amount differentiated value obtained by differentiating (S203) a slip angle differential value which is a behavior amount of the vehicle which occurs around a z-axis in the vertical direction with respect to the vehicle body (S205, S209). Consequently, because the phase of the slip angle differential value is progressed, the transition tendency of the steering characteristic, that is, which the vehicle motion condition is moved to over-steer or under-steer, can be obtained early. Therefore, the starting timing of the steering control or drive power control of the vehicle can be accelerated thereby improving the behavior stability of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kato, Minekazu Momiyama, Takayuki Ohta
  • Publication number: 20070294384
    Abstract: A network system is constructed by connecting a plurality of terminals to each other so that information such as audio data can be sent and/or received through peer-to-peer communication. The network system includes a plurality of groups each constituted from a plurality of terminals that execute the peer-to-peer communication with each other. Each group includes a master terminal connected to other terminals in the group and a plurality of slave terminals each connected to the master terminal. Each of the slave terminals communicates with the master terminal and the other slave terminals in the group. The master terminal communicates with master terminals in other groups in addition to the slave terminals in the group. In the case where a slave terminal communicates with a terminal in any other group, the slave terminal communicates with the terminal via the master terminal in the group to which the slave terminal belongs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (also trading as SQUARE ENIX Co., LTD.)
    Inventors: Kengo NAKAJIMA, Hiroaki KATO
  • Publication number: 20070294011
    Abstract: A motor-driven steering controller for controlling a steering wheel of a vehicle. The controller includes a steering torque controlling unit, a braking force estimating unit, a right and left braking force difference estimating unit and an assist steering torque providing unit. The steering torque controlling unit controls a steering torque on the steering wheel depending on a steering operation. The braking force estimating unit estimates braking forces to be imposed on wheels of the vehicle. The right and left braking force difference estimating unit estimates difference between the braking forces to be imposed on the right and left wheels each estimated by the braking forces estimating unit. The assist steering torque providing unit provides an assist steering torque for the steering torque controlling unit on the basis of the difference in braking force between right and left wheels estimated by the right and left braking force difference estimating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Wataru Tanaka, Yuji Muragishi, Eiichi Ono, Katsuhiro Asano, Minekazu Momiyama, Hiroaki Kato, Kenji Asano
  • Patent number: 7302328
    Abstract: A steering control apparatus obtains a steered amount by which a steered wheel is steered based on a left-and-right braking force difference control amount, a vehicle state control amount, and a steering control amount. The apparatus changes the magnitude of the braking force difference control amount and the magnitude of the vehicle state control amount according to a vehicle speed or to time elapsed from when braking started to be applied to the left and right wheels. Accordingly, the vehicle driving on a ?-split road is prevented from being deflected toward a side of higher friction coefficient due to the left-and-right braking force difference when the braking is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignees: JTEKT Corporation, Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kato, Minekazu Momiyama, Yoshiyuki Yasui, Hiroaki Aizawa, Hiroaki Niino
  • Publication number: 20070217842
    Abstract: A cleaning device equipped with an elastic blade configured to make contact with an image bearing member to remove a toner remaining on the surface of an image bearing member, wherein the toner comprises at least a releasing agent in toner particles and at least two or more external additives of a first external additive composed of a hydrophobic silica having an average particle diameter of 5 nm to 30 nm and a second external additive composed of a hydrophobic silica having an average particle diameter of 60 nm to 300 nm, and has an average circularity of 0.880 to 0.935; the rebound elasticity modulus of an elastic material used for the elastic blade making contact with the image bearing member is 35% or more under the condition of 25° C, and the number of vibrations at the blade edge is 2.0 kHz to 4.0 kHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kato, Hideaki Yasunaga, Masayuki Hagi, Takuya Kadota, Yoshimichi Ishikawa, Atsushi Yamamoto, Yoshihiro Mikuriya, Katsunori Kurose, Masahide Inoue
  • Publication number: 20070212630
    Abstract: To provide a pulverized toner excellent in the releasing ability and cleaning ability, and an image-forming apparatus for one-component developer, and a process cartridge using the pulverized toner. The pulverized toner contains a toner base particle containing at least a binder resin, a colorant, and a releasing agent, the mass ratio of the releasing agent to the binder resin is 3.0% to 6.0%, the adhesive force among the pulverized toners at 25° C. to 55° C. is 20 g to 80 g, and the pulverized toner is used for the image-forming apparatus for one-component developer containing the cleaning unit configured to dispose an elastic blade adjacent to the surface of the image bearing member so as to clean the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Hideaki Yasunaga, Hiroaki Kato, Masayuki Hagi, Katsunori Kurose, Yoshihiro Mikuriya, Yoshimichi Ishikawa, Atsushi Yamamoto, Takuya Kadota
  • Publication number: 20070207399
    Abstract: Toner for electrostatic charge development wherein no scumming occurs, and toner leakage caused by charge defect of the toner on a developing roller can be inhibited, and an excellent image stability is obtained is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Takuya KADOTA, Masayuki Hagi, Yoshihiro Mikuriya, Katsunori Kurose, Hiroaki Kato, Atsushi Yamamoto, Yoshimichi Ishikawa, Masahide Inoue, Minoru Nakamura, Hideaki Yasunaga
  • Patent number: 7260458
    Abstract: In a steering apparatus, in accordance with a grip limit control process (30b?), it is determined whether or not a grip degree ? estimated by a grip degree estimation arithmetically operating process (30a) is less than a predetermined grip degree (??), and in the case that it is determined that an estimated grip degree (?) is less than the predetermined grip degree (??), the process applies such a feeling that a steering operation by a steering wheel suddenly becomes light to a driver, by suddenly increasing an assist quantity by a motor (M), thereby notifying the driver of the matter that the grip degree of a steered wheel is close to a limit. Therefore, it is possible to transmit to the driver a probability that a side slip is generated by further turning the steering wheel 21 in the same direction as the current direction, thereby calling the driver's attention for steering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignees: Jtekt Corporation, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kato, Minekazu Momiyama, Shoji Ogawa, Kenji Asano, Yuzou Imoto, Yoshiyuki Yasui, Wataru Tanaka, Eiichi Ono, Yuji Muragishi