Patents by Inventor Hiroaki Kimura

Hiroaki Kimura 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: 20180187764
    Abstract: A wave generator of a flat-type strain wave gearing has an insertion member disposed between two wave bearings. The insertion member is pressed into an elliptical outer peripheral surface of a plug and is fixed thereto by an adhesive. An inner ring contact part of the insertion member is in contact with inner rings of the wave bearings from the direction of a center axis. When the flat-type strain wave gearing is in an operating state, the wave bearings can be prevented from moving relative to the plug in the direction of the center axis by means of thrust force acting on the wave bearings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Jun HANDA, Hiroaki KIMURA, Sotaro MIYAKE
  • Publication number: 20180186342
    Abstract: A foreign matter removal device is configured to remove foreign matters on a lens (101) of an in-vehicle camera (100) attached to a vehicle so that the lens (101) of the in-vehicle camera (100) is exposed toward an outside of a body panel of a vehicle. The foreign matter removal device includes a generation unit configured to generate high-pressure air and a nozzle unit (2) having a nozzle (22) configured to inject the high-pressure air toward the lens (101) and an attachment part (21) formed integrally with the nozzle (22) and attachable to a housing (102) of the in-vehicle camera (100). A tip end of the nozzle (22) is positioned with respect to the lens (101) in a state where the attachment part (21) is attached to the housing (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akinobu KUBOTA, Yasuhiro ICHIKAWA, Hiroaki KIMURA, Junji BABA
  • Publication number: 20180186341
    Abstract: A foreign matter removal device of the present invention is a foreign matter removal device that removes foreign matters adhering to a lens (101) included in an in-vehicle camera (100), including a camera bracket (91) that attaches the in-vehicle camera (100) to a rear bumper panel (200b) of a vehicle in a state in which the lens (101) is exposed toward the outside of the rear bumper panel (200b) of the vehicle, a high-pressure air generation unit disposed inside the rear bumper panel (200b) and configured to generate high-pressure air, and a nozzle unit provided with a nozzle (22) that injects the high-pressure air toward the lens (101), wherein a through-hole (92) is formed in the camera bracket (91), and the high-pressure air generated by the high-pressure air generation unit passes from the inside to the outside of the rear bumper panel (200b) through the through-hole (92), and is injected from the nozzle (22) toward the lens (101).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki KIMURA, Junji BABA, Akinobu KUBOTA, Yasuhiro ICHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20180180146
    Abstract: In a rotation transmission mechanism that transmits the rotational driving force of a motor to a load-side member via a speed reducer, a strain wave gearing is used as the speed reducer, and the allowable load torque of members in the powertrain other than the strain wave gearing is greater than a predetermined upper-limit load torque. The allowable load torque of the strain wave gearing is dictated by the ratcheting torque, which is set so as not to exceed the upper-limit load torque. In an overload state, ratcheting is generated in the strain wave gearing, so that the strain wave gearing functions as a mechanical fuse. Other power transmission members can be protected from an overload state without adding a separate member such as a torque limiter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Jun HANDA, Hiroaki KIMURA, Sotaro MIYAKE
  • Patent number: 9963148
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle is provided. The control device includes an electronic control unit that is configured to: exert the torque of an input member on a fixed member and a rotating member such that the fixed member and the rotating member are separated from each other, when the thrust is exerted for making the engagement teeth mesh with each other; estimate an inclination angle of tooth surfaces based on a relative movement amount between the fixed member and the rotating member, and a relative rotational amount between the fixed member and the rotating member; estimate a frictional coefficient of the tooth surfaces based on the inclination angle; and control the thrust of the actuator according to the frictional coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroto Hashimoto, Akira Murakami, Hiroaki Kimura, Tomohito Ono
  • Patent number: 9916754
    Abstract: Arrangements related to proximity-based vehicle location alerts are described. A vehicle can include a location signaling mode. In the location signaling mode, an alert is automatically provided by the vehicle responsive to detecting an authorized portable communication device being located within a predetermined alert distance from the vehicle. In the way, an indication of the location of the vehicle is provided to a user of the portable communication device. However, responsive to determining that the vehicle is located in a predetermined special location, the location signaling mode can be altered in one or more respects. In one or more arrangements, altering the location signaling mode can include disabling the location signaling mode. Thus, an indication of the location of the vehicle is not provided responsive to detecting that the portable device is located within the predetermined alert distance from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Katsumi Nagata, Yuichi Ochiai, Hiroaki Kimura
  • Publication number: 20180058478
    Abstract: A vacuum pump comprises: a pump rotor rotatably driven by a motor and fastened to a shaft; a recessed portion formed at a suction-port-side end surface of the pump rotor; and a rotor balance correction member including a cover portion configured to cover the recessed portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Hiroaki KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20180029590
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle configured to promptly disengage a clutch for halting an engine is provided. A clutch device comprises a reciprocating member having tapered reciprocating teeth, and a rotary member having tapered teeth opposed to the tapered rotary teeth. A controller is configured to turn off an actuator to eliminate the electromagnetic attraction thereby allowing the engine to be started, and to apply a torque of the first motor to the clutch device after the actuator is turned off thereby disengaging the reciprocating teeth from the rotary teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroto HASHIMOTO, Hiroaki KIMURA, Tomohito ONO, Takuya IGUCHI
  • Patent number: 9863294
    Abstract: A first check valve of a hydraulic control system allows oil to flow in only a direction from a first oil pump toward an oil receiving portion. A second check valve allows oil to flow in only a direction from a second oil pump toward the oil receiving portion. A third oil passage is configured to provide communication between a merging point of a first oil passage and a second oil passage, and the second oil pump by bypassing the second check valve. The third oil passage includes a throttle mechanism. The third oil passage is configured to restrict a flow rate of oil that is discharged from the second oil pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya Kodama, Hiroaki Kimura, Shigeho Inaoka
  • Patent number: 9850052
    Abstract: The press-through pack package of the invention has a covering material composed of a stretched film with at least one layer comprising a thermoplastic resin and an inorganic filler at 5 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the thermoplastic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: ASAHI KASEI CHEMICALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Yagi, Hiroaki Kimura, Yutaka Matsuki, Hideki Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20170291504
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle having two motors is provided to limit damage on rotary members even if an excessive torque is applied from drive wheels. The control system comprises a first motor, a second motor, and a locking mechanism, and a differential mechanism disposed between the first motor and the drive wheels. The locking mechanism halts one of rotary elements of a differential mechanism when torque of the rotary member is small, and allows the rotary element to rotate when the torque of the rotary member is large. A controller is configured to increase power output of the first motor and decrease power output of the second motor during propulsion on an uneven road surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki KIMURA, Tomohito ONO, Hiroto HASHIMOTO
  • Patent number: 9784336
    Abstract: In a positive torsion angle region in which a torque is transmitted from an engine side, a small hysteresis torque is generated at all times. Therefore, torsional vibrations of a small amplitude occurring during idle operation can be effectively attenuated by the small hysteresis torque, without switching to a large hysteresis torque, for example, during idle operation of the engine. As a result, the driver can be prevented from feeling uncomfortable due to switching to a large hysteresis torque during idle operation, and drivability can therefore be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masataka Sugiyama, Hiroaki Kimura, Akitaka Ichikawa, Masaru Ebata, Tomohiro Saeki, Tsutomu Sekine, Hiroaki Suezaki
  • Publication number: 20170267246
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle is provided. The control device includes an electronic control unit that is configured to: exert the torque of an input member on a fixed member and a rotating member such that the fixed member and the rotating member are separated from each other, when the thrust is exerted for making the engagement teeth mesh with each other; estimate an inclination angle of tooth surfaces based on a relative movement amount between the fixed member and the rotating member, and a relative rotational amount between the fixed member and the rotating member; estimate a frictional coefficient of the tooth surfaces based on the inclination angle; and control the thrust of the actuator according to the frictional coefficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroto HASHIMOTO, Akira MURAKAMI, Hiroaki KIMURA, Tomohito ONO
  • Patent number: 9739340
    Abstract: A damper apparatus according to an embodiment includes a pair of first plates, a second plate, an elastic member, a first friction material and a second friction material. The elastic member is configured to elastically deform in a circumferential direction of a rotation axis by a relative rotation between the pair of first plates and the second plate around the rotation axis. The first friction material is configured to generate a first friction torque in a case where the second plate rotates relative to the pair of first plates in a first direction from an initial state. The second friction material is configured to generate a second friction torque greater than the first friction torque in a case where the second plate rotates relative to the pair of first plates in a second direction which is opposite from the first direction from the initial state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Nakagaito, Tomohiro Saeki, Masaru Ebata, Tsutomu Sekine, Masataka Sugiyama, Ryuji Ibaraki, Hiromichi Kimura, Hiroaki Kimura
  • Patent number: 9731590
    Abstract: A first bearing device (68) rotatably supports a rotor shaft (30) of a motor (MG2) on a driven gear (24) side in an axial direction of the rotor shaft (30). A second bearing device (70) rotatably supports one (32) of a driven gear shaft (28) and an output shaft (32). The one (32) of the driven gear shaft (28) and the output shaft (32) is arranged radially inward of the other (28) one of the driven gear shaft (28) and the output shaft (32). A third bearing device (72) is arranged between an outer periphery of the one (32) of the driven gear shaft (28) and the output shaft (32) and an inner periphery of the rotor shaft (30) or an inner periphery of the other one (28) of the driven gear shaft (28) and the output shaft (32). The third bearing device (72) rotatably supports the one (32) of the driven gear shaft (28) and the output shaft (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masataka Sugiyama, Ryuji Ibaraki, Hiroaki Kimura
  • Patent number: 9683631
    Abstract: A downsized hydraulic system for a vehicle having a mechanical oil pump and an electric oil pump is provided. The hydraulic system comprises a first check valve allowing oil to flow only from the mechanical oil pump to an oil requiring site, and a second check valve allowing oil to flow only from the electric oil pump to an oil requiring site. The first check valve comprises a first port connected to an outlet of the mechanical oil pump, a second port connected to an outlet port of the second check valve, and a third port connected to the oil requiring site. The first check valve is adapted to provide a communication among those three ports by opening the first port, and provided with a through guide allowing the oil to flow between the second port and the third port even when the first port is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryota Takayanagi, Akiko Nishimine, Hiroaki Kimura
  • Patent number: 9618789
    Abstract: Provided are a planar lighting apparatus, a liquid crystal display apparatus, and a planar light source. The planar lighting apparatus includes a planar light source including light emitting elements, a first housing, a light emitting surface divided into light emitting regions, and a first temperature sensor disposed inside of the first housing. The planar lighting apparatus further includes a second housing covering the planar light source; a second temperature sensor disposed outside of the first housing and inside of the second housing; a light-source drive circuit including light-source drive section each driving and controlling the light emitting elements belonging to the corresponding light emitting region; a memory section; and a computing section calculating a driving condition of each light-source drive section and correcting the driving condition on the basis of measurement values of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, and setup information in the memory section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: NLT TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Kimura
  • Publication number: 20170097086
    Abstract: A cooling system for a power transmission unit that can cool a cooling site effectively is provided. The cooling system comprises: an oil pump; an oil cooler that cools the oil delivered from the oil pump; a first oil pipe for delivering the oil from the oil pump to the oil cooler; a second oil pipe for delivering the oil cooled by the oil cooler to a heat generating element. A housing chamber includes a high-temperature section where the heat generating element is arranged, and a low-temperature section. The second oil pipe is arranged in the housing chamber while passing through the low-temperature section, and an opening is formed on the second oil pipe in such a manner as to open toward the heat generating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohito ONO, Hiroto HASHIMOTO, Hiroaki KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20170043656
    Abstract: A power transmission unit that can prevent an entrance of excessive torque to the powertrain is provided. The power transmission unit includes a transmission that transmits torque between an engine and drive wheels; a locking device that selectively halts a rotation of an output shaft of the engine; a transmission case holding a first motor, a second motor, the transmission, and the locking device; a first torque limiter disposed between the engine and the locking device to restrict torque transmitted between the drive wheels and the engine; and a second torque limiter held in the transmission case to restrict torque transmitted between the drive wheels and the locking device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: HIROTO HASHIMOTO, TOMOHITO ONO, HIROAKI KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20170031541
    Abstract: An information processing device includes: a pointing device; a display unit; and a processor configured to cause the display unit to display a first GUI component selected by a cursor and a second GUI component, calculate a displacement of an input position in a predetermined coordinate system, set a reaction area in the predetermined coordinate system, set a selection area in the predetermined coordinate system based on a second coordinate, set the reaction area as an identified reaction area, cause the display unit to display the second GUI component, corresponding to the identified reaction area, as selected by the cursor, and set the reaction area so that a distance between the first coordinate and the second coordinate, required for the selection area to overlap with the reaction area with the overlapping area exceeding the overlapping criterion, becomes a predetermined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroaki KIMURA