Patents by Inventor Hirofumi Funabashi

Hirofumi Funabashi 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: 11740087
    Abstract: A micro vibration body includes a curved surface portion, a recessed portion recessed from the curved surface portion, a bottom surface protruding portion protruding from a bottom surface of the recessed portion, and a through hole in the bottom surface protruding portion. A mounting substrate has a positioning recess, into which the bottom surface protruding portion is inserted, and electrode portions surrounding the inner frame portion. A joining member is in the positioning recess and joins the bottom surface protruding portion with the mounting substrate. The bottom surface is in contact with a region of the mounting substrate around the positioning recess. The bottom surface protruding portion has a tip end surface that is at a distance from the positioning recess. The joining member at least partially enters the through hole and is electrically connected to the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, MIRISE Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Shota Harada, Keitaro Ito, Katsuaki Goto, Yuuki Inagaki, Takahiko Yoshida, Yusuke Kawai, Teruhisa Akashi, Hirofumi Funabashi
  • Publication number: 20220353996
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a component mounting portion, an electronic component disposed on the component mounting portion, a solder between the component mounting portion and the electronic component, a mounting base member, and a supporting beam connecting the component mounting portion and the mounting base member. The supporting beam has a plurality of bent portions. The supporting beam includes a frame, an outer supporting portion connecting the frame and the mounting base member, and an inner supporting portion connecting the frame and the component mounting portion. The inner supporting portion is shifted from the outer supporting portion along the frame. One of the plurality of bent portions is a connecting portion between the frame and the outer supporting portion. Another of the plurality of bent portions is a connecting portion between the frame and the inner supporting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Keitaro ITO, Teruhisa AKASHI, Hirofumi FUNABASHI
  • Publication number: 20220316880
    Abstract: A micro vibration body includes a curved surface portion, a recessed portion recessed from the curved surface portion, a bottom surface protruding portion protruding from a bottom surface of the recessed portion, and a through hole in the bottom surface protruding portion. A mounting substrate has a positioning recess, into which the bottom surface protruding portion is inserted, and electrode portions surrounding the inner frame portion. A joining member is in the positioning recess and joins the bottom surface protruding portion with the mounting substrate. The bottom surface is in contact with a region of the mounting substrate around the positioning recess. The bottom surface protruding portion has a tip end surface that is at a distance from the positioning recess. The joining member at least partially enters the through hole and is electrically connected to the conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Shota HARADA, Keitaro ITO, Katsuaki GOTO, Yuuki INAGAKI, Takahiko YOSHIDA, Yusuke KAWAI, Teruhisa AKASHI, Hirofumi FUNABASHI
  • Publication number: 20220317147
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: a sensor mounting portion; an inertial force sensor unit detecting an inertial force, the inertial force sensor unit being mounted on the sensor mounting portion; a mounting base substrate arranged in a housing; and a support beam having multiple connection portions connecting with the sensor mounting portion and having multiple connection portions connecting with the mounting base substrate, the support beam includes an angular portion at which an extension direction of the support beam is angled. The mounting base substrate defines a substrate penetration portion that penetrates the mounting base substrate in a thickness direction of the mounting base substrate. The sensor mounting portion is arranged at an inner side of the substrate penetration portion of the mounting base substrate when viewed from the thickness direction of the mounting base substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: KEITARO ITO, TERUHISA AKASHI, HIROFUMI FUNABASHI
  • Publication number: 20220315411
    Abstract: A micro vibration body includes a curved surface portion, which has an annular curved surface, and a recessed portion, which is recessed from the curved surface portion. A mounting substrate includes an inner frame portion and electrode portions, which surround an inner frame portion. A joining member is provided in an inner region of the mounting substrate surrounded by the inner frame portion. The recessed portion of the micro vibration body has a bottom surface defining a mounted surface located in the inner region and joined to the mounting substrate via the joining member. The curved surface portion has a rim that includes an end portion of the curved surface portion on an opposite side to the recessed portion. The rim has a rim lower surface located on a same plane as the mounted surface or a tip end portion of the mounted surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Keitaro ITO, Shota HARADA, Katsuaki GOTO, Yuuki INAGAKI, Teruhisa AKASHI, Hirofumi FUNABASHI, Takahiko YOSHIDA, Yusuke KAWAI
  • Publication number: 20220187072
    Abstract: A support structure for a micro-vibrator includes: a micro-vibrating body having a curved surface portion and a recess recessed from the curved surface portion; and a support member having a rod and an adhesive member arranged at a tip end of the rod. The support member is adhered on a connecting surface of the recess through the adhesive member. The connecting surface of the recess is an internal bottom surface of the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: TERUHISA AKASHI, HIROFUMI FUNABASHI, YUUKI INAGAKI
  • Patent number: 10840519
    Abstract: A fuel cell system may include a first fuel cell provided on a first substrate; a second fuel cell provided on a second substrate, and having a power generation capacity higher than a power generation capacity of the first fuel cell; a first heater provided at the first fuel cell; a second heater provided at the second fuel cell; and a battery, wherein the first heater heats the first fuel cell by using power supplied from the battery, and wherein the second heater heats the second fuel cell by using power supplied from the first fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Teruhisa Akashi, Hirofumi Funabashi, Hidehito Matsuo
  • Patent number: 10727517
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell includes an Si support substrate having a through hole, an electrolyte film formed on the surface of an Si support substrate and containing a solid oxide having oxygen ion conductivity, a first electrode formed on a surface of the electrolyte film (surface on the side opposite to the Si support substrate), and a second electrode formed at least on a surface exposed from the through hole in a rear face of the electrolyte film. The electrolyte film includes a porous layer including the solid oxide and containing pores inside, a first dense layer formed on a surface of the porous layer (surface on the side opposite to the Si support substrate), and a second dense layer formed at the interface between a rear face of the porous layer and the Si support substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Hidehito Matsuo, Teruhisa Akashi, Hirofumi Funabashi, Hiroko Iguchi, Shigeo Hori, Toshihiko Tani
  • Patent number: 10727494
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell is disclosed herein. The fuel cell includes a silicon substrate, an electrolyte film laminated on the silicon substrate, and a gas flow path formed inside the silicon substrate. The electrolyte film is opposed to the gas flow path via an electrode film. A portion of a side wall of the gas flow path has a fillet shape, and the portion is close to the electrolyte film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Teruhisa Akashi, Hirofumi Funabashi, Hiroko Iguchi, Hidehito Matsuo, Shigeo Hori
  • Patent number: 10637078
    Abstract: A fuel cell disclosed herein may comprise: a substrate provided with a recess through which fuel gas passes; an electrolyte membrane covering an opening of the recess; an insulating film covering one surface of the electrolyte membrane and having a through hole reaching the electrolyte membrane; a first electrode in contact with the one surface of the electrolyte membrane in the through hole; a second electrode in contact with the other surface of the electrolyte membrane; and a heater disposed in the insulating film at a position adjacent to the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Hirofumi Funabashi, Teruhisa Akashi, Hiroko Iguchi, Hidehito Matsuo, Shigeo Hori
  • Publication number: 20180277874
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell includes an Si support substrate having a through hole, an electrolyte film formed on the surface of an Si support substrate and containing a solid oxide having oxygen ion conductivity, a first electrode formed on a surface of the electrolyte film (surface on the side opposite to the Si support substrate), and a second electrode formed at least on a surface exposed from the through hole in a rear face of the electrolyte film. The electrolyte film includes a porous layer including the solid oxide and containing pores inside, a first dense layer formed on a surface of the porous layer (surface on the side opposite to the Si support substrate), and a second dense layer formed at the interface between a rear face of the porous layer and the Si support substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Hidehito MATSUO, Teruhisa AKASHI, Hirofumi FUNABASHI, Hiroko IGUCHI, Shigeo HORI, Toshihiko TANI
  • Publication number: 20180277855
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell is disclosed herein. The fuel cell includes a silicon substrate, an electrolyte film laminated on the silicon substrate, and a gas flow path formed inside the silicon substrate. The electrolyte film is opposed to the gas flow path via an electrode film. A portion of a side wall of the gas flow path has a fillet shape, and the portion is close to the electrolyte film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Teruhisa AKASHI, Hirofumi FUNABASHI, Hiroko IGUCHI, Hidehito MATSUO, Shigeo HORI
  • Publication number: 20180261856
    Abstract: A fuel cell system may include a first fuel cell provided on a first substrate; a second fuel cell provided on a second substrate, and having a power generation capacity higher than a power generation capacity of the first fuel cell; a first heater provided at the first fuel cell; a second heater provided at the second fuel cell; and a battery, wherein the first heater heats the first fuel cell by using power supplied from the battery, and wherein the second heater heats the second fuel cell by using power supplied from the first fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Teruhisa AKASHI, Hirofumi FUNABASHI, Hidehito MATSUO
  • Publication number: 20180248205
    Abstract: A fuel cell disclosed herein may comprise: a substrate provided with a recess through which fuel gas passes; an electrolyte membrane covering an opening of the recess; an insulating film covering one surface of the electrolyte membrane and having a through hole reaching the electrolyte membrane; a first electrode in contact with the one surface of the electrolyte membrane in the through hole; a second electrode in contact with the other surface of the electrolyte membrane; and a heater disposed in the insulating film at a position adjacent to the through hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Hirofumi FUNABASHI, Teruhisa AKASHI, Hiroko IGUCHI, Hidehito MATSUO, Shigeo HORI
  • Patent number: 9536996
    Abstract: Teaching disclosed herein is an apparatus comprising a support layer. The support layer may be adapted for supporting a heat generator, wherein the support layer includes a flow passage. The flow passage may seal working fluid therein. The flow passage may extend along a thickness direction of the support layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Hirofumi Funabashi, Takashi Ozaki, Isao Aoyagi, Teruhisa Akashi, Yoshiteru Omura, Keiichi Shimaoka, Yutaka Nonomura, Norio Fujitsuka, Motohiro Fujiyoshi, Yoshiyuki Hata, Kanae Murata, Tetsuo Narita, Kazuyoshi Tomita
  • Patent number: 9478503
    Abstract: An integrated device with high insulation tolerance is provided. A groove having an inclined side surface is provided between adjacent devices. When a side where an electronic circuit or MEMS device is mounted is a front surface, the groove becomes narrower from the front surface to a back surface because of the inclined surface. A mold material (insulating material) is disposed inside the groove, so that the plurality of devices are mechanically joined together, being electrically insulated from one another. A line member that establishes an electrical conduction between the adjacent devices is formed to lie along the side surface and the bottom surface of the groove. To lead the line out to the backside, the bottom surface of the groove has a hole, so that the line member is exposed to the backside from the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO-KENKYUSHO, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi Makihata, Masayoshi Esashi, Shuji Tanaka, Masanori Muroyama, Hirofumi Funabashi, Yutaka Nonomura, Yoshiyuki Hata, Hitoshi Yamada, Takahiro Nakayama, Ui Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20160043066
    Abstract: Teaching disclosed herein is an apparatus comprising a support layer. The support layer may be adapted for supporting a heat generator, wherein the support layer includes a flow passage. The flow passage may seal working fluid therein. The flow passage may extend along a thickness direction of the support layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Hirofumi FUNABASHI, Takashi OZAKI, Isao AOYAGI, Teruhisa AKASHI, Yoshiteru OMURA, Keiichi SHIMAOKA, Yutaka NONOMURA, Norio FUJITSUKA, Motohiro FUJIYOSHI, Yoshiyuki HATA, Kanae MURATA, Tetsuo NARITA, Kazuyoshi TOMITA
  • Publication number: 20150333046
    Abstract: An integrated device with high insulation tolerance is provided. A groove having an inclined side surface is provided between adjacent devices. When a side where an electronic circuit or MEMS device is mounted is a front surface, the groove becomes narrower from the front surface to a back surface because of the inclined surface. A mold material (insulating material) is disposed inside the groove, so that the plurality of devices are mechanically joined together, being electrically insulated from one another. A line member that establishes an electrical conduction between the adjacent devices is formed to lie along the side surface and the bottom surface of the groove. To lead the line out to the backside, the bottom surface of the groove has a hole, so that the line member is exposed to the backside from the hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicants: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi MAKIHATA, Masayoshi ESASHI, Shuji TANAKA, Masanori MUROYAMA, Hirofumi FUNABASHI, Yutaka NONOMURA, Yoshiyuki HATA, Hitoshi YAMADA, Takahiro NAKAYAMA, Ui YAMAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 9134189
    Abstract: A dynamic quantity sensor includes a force receiving portion, a first movable portion that rotates in a first rotational direction around a first rotational axis according to dynamic quantity in a first direction that the force receiving portion receives, and rotates in the first rotational direction around the first rotational axis according to dynamic quantity in a second direction different from the first direction that the force receiving portion receives; and a second movable portion that rotates in a second rotational direction around a second rotational axis according to the dynamic quantity in the first direction that the force receiving portion receives, and rotates in an opposite direction to the second rotational direction around the second rotational axis according to the dynamic quantity in the second direction that the force receiving portion receives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho, Tohoku University
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Hata, Yutaka Nonomura, Motohiro Fujiyoshi, Hirofumi Funabashi, Teruhisa Akashi, Yoshiteru Omura, Takahiro Nakayama, Ui Yamaguchi, Hitoshi Yamada, Shuji Tanaka, Masayoshi Esashi, Masanori Muroyama, Mitsutoshi Makihata
  • Patent number: 8816451
    Abstract: In a MEMS structure, a first trench which penetrates the first layer, the second layer and the third layer is formed, and a second trench which penetrates the fifth layer, the forth layer and the third layer is formed. The first trench forms a first part of an outline of the movable portion in a view along the stacked direction. The second trench forms a second part of the outline of the movable portion in the view along the stacked direction. At least a part of the first trench overlaps with the first extending portion in the view along the stacked direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Hirofumi Funabashi, Yutaka Nonomura, Yoshiyuki Hata, Motohiro Fujiyoshi, Teruhisa Akashi, Yoshiteru Omura