Patents by Inventor Hirofumi Sakai

Hirofumi Sakai 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: 11933543
    Abstract: A heat sink includes: a container having a cavity inside and a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a working fluid encapsulated in the cavity; and a steam flow path in the cavity where the working fluid in a gas phase flows, the first surface having a flat part and a protruding part projecting from the flat part in an external direction, causing the container to have a flat portion and a protruding portion projecting from the flat portion in the external direction, an inner space of the protruding portion of the container being in communication with an inner space of the flat portion, causing the cavity to be formed, and a first heat radiating fin being provided on an exterior of the flat part of the first surface and a second heat radiating fin being provided on an exterior of the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenya Kawabata, Masahiro Meguro, Ryo Tsubata, Hirofumi Aoki, Yoshikatsu Inagaki, Hiroshi Sakai, Hideaki Kawabata
  • Patent number: 11917285
    Abstract: A recording control apparatus includes a recording control unit for storing photographing data corresponding to an event of a mobile object as event record data in a recording unit, a removal detection unit for detecting that a recording apparatus is removed from the mobile object by acquiring a signal indicating that the recording apparatus including at least the recording unit is removed from the mobile object, a location information acquisition unit for acquiring location information of the recording apparatus, and a communication control unit for transmitting the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit to another apparatus when the removal of the recording apparatus is detected by the removal detection unit within a predetermined time period after the event detection unit detects the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: JVCKENWOOD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirofumi Taniyama, Yasutoshi Sakai, Keita Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11192361
    Abstract: A liquid-discharging-head includes a nozzle having a first-nozzle-portion having a first-sectional-area and a second-nozzle-portion having a second-sectional-area larger than the first-sectional-area, a liquid chamber which communicates with the nozzle, and a piezoelectric-element which changes a pressure inside the liquid chamber, in which the piezoelectric-element is driven from the control section, and the liquid-discharging-head executes a first control in which an apex of a liquid surface is drawn into the second-nozzle-portion in a state in which an inner wall surface of the first-nozzle-portion is covered by a liquid film by decreasing the pressure inside the liquid chamber, and a second control in which a shape of the apex of the liquid surface is inverted to a protruding shape towed the opening and the droplet is discharged from the nozzle by increasing the pressure inside the liquid chamber in a state in which the inner wall surface is covered by the liquid film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Katakura, Hirofumi Sakai, Keigo Sugai, Shinichi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10847723
    Abstract: A droplet discharge method includes a region setting step of setting one end portion of a landing region of an opening at a predetermined distance from an end portion of the opening on an opening side which is adjacent to the opening in an X-axis direction, and a discharging step of causing a base and a discharge head to face and relatively scan each other, and causing at least one droplet to land in the landing region from a nozzle of the discharge head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Hirofumi Sakai, Kiyomi Oshima
  • Publication number: 20200207081
    Abstract: A liquid-discharging-head includes a nozzle having a first-nozzle-portion having a first-sectional-area and a second-nozzle-portion having a second-sectional-area larger than the first-sectional-area, a liquid chamber which communicates with the nozzle, and a piezoelectric-element which changes a pressure inside the liquid chamber, in which the piezoelectric-element is driven from the control section, and the liquid-discharging-head executes a first control in which an apex of a liquid surface is drawn into the second-nozzle-portion in a state in which an inner wall surface of the first-nozzle-portion is covered by a liquid film by decreasing the pressure inside the liquid chamber, and a second control in which a shape of the apex of the liquid surface is inverted to a protruding shape towed the opening and the droplet is discharged from the nozzle by increasing the pressure inside the liquid chamber in a state in which the inner wall surface is covered by the liquid film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro KATAKURA, Hirofumi SAKAI, Keigo SUGAI, Shinichi NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 10618276
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a plurality of nozzles, a plurality of pressure chambers, a plurality of pressure-generation-elements, a plurality of inflow channels, a first-channel-resistance-changing-section, and a control-unit. The control-unit repeats control of switching between a first state in which the control-unit controls the first-channel-resistance-changing-section to collectively increase channel resistance of the inflow channels and a second state in which the control-unit controls the first-channel-resistance-changing-section to collectively decrease the channel resistance of the inflow channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Katakura, Keigo Sugai, Hirofumi Sakai, Shinichi Nakamura, Junichi Sano
  • Patent number: 10618279
    Abstract: A liquid discharging apparatus includes: a liquid compartment; a flowing-in passage that is in communication with the liquid compartment through a flowing-in opening, the liquid flowing through the flowing-in passage into the liquid compartment; a nozzle that is in communication with the liquid compartment through a communication opening; a capacity changer that causes the liquid contained in the liquid compartment to be discharged from the nozzle by causing a displacement of an inner wall surface of the liquid component and changing capacity of the liquid compartment; and a flowing-in passage resistance changer that changes capacity of the flowing-in passage to change flow resistance of the flowing-in passage. In the liquid compartment, as viewed from the flowing-in opening, the communication opening is located in front of a center-of-displacement portion, an amount of the displacement of which is largest in the inner wall surface displaced by the capacity changer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Sakai, Takahiro Katakura, Keigo Sugai, Shinichi Nakamura, Junichi Sano
  • Patent number: 10618062
    Abstract: A fluid discharge apparatus includes a storage chamber, a moving body, a drive mechanism, and a coupling member. The storage chamber includes a discharge port to discharge the fluid. The moving body includes a leading end portion facing the discharge port inside the storage chamber. The drive mechanism is positioned on the opposite side of the moving body to the discharge port, and performs an operation to reciprocate the moving body. The coupling member couples the moving body to the drive mechanism such that the moving body is attachable and detachable. The coupling member includes a biasing section to apply an elastic force in a direction to move the moving body toward the drive mechanism, and, while pressing the moving body against the coupling member, to support the moving body in a state in which the moving body is capable of elastic displacement in a direction toward the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Nakamura, Takahiro Katakura, Keigo Sugai, Hirofumi Sakai, Junichi Sano
  • Patent number: 10549532
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus including; a first liquid chamber that communicates with a first nozzle, a first channel, and a first outflow channel; a second liquid chamber that communicates with a second nozzle, a second channel, and a second outflow channel; a first volume changing portion that changes a volume of the first liquid chamber to eject liquid from the first nozzle; a second volume changing portion that changes a volume of the second liquid chamber to eject the liquid from the second nozzle; a first inflow channel resistance changing portion that changes a flow channel resistance of the first inflow channel, a second inflow channel resistance changing portion that changes a flow channel resistance of the second inflow channel, and an inflow channel-side common drive portion that applies drive forces to the first inflow channel resistance changing portion and the second inflow channel resistance changing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Keigo Sugai, Takahiro Katakura, Hirofumi Sakai, Shinichi Nakamura, Junichi Sano
  • Patent number: 10479097
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid chamber that is in communication with a nozzle that ejects liquid, a volume changing device that changes volume of the liquid chamber, an inflow channel that is connected to the liquid chamber and enables the liquid to flow into the liquid chamber, a discharge channel that discharges the liquid, a first flow path resistance changing device that changes flow path resistance of the inflow channel, a liquid supply section that supplies the liquid to the inflow channel by pressurizing the liquid, and a bypass channel that enables the liquid supplied from the liquid supply section to bypass the inflow channel and to flow into the discharge channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Katakura, Shinichi Nakamura, Junichi Sano, Hirofumi Sakai, Keigo Sugai
  • Patent number: 10399336
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid chamber in communication with a nozzle, a volume changing unit configured to change a volume of the liquid chamber, an inflow passage through which the liquid flows into the liquid chamber, an outflow passage through which the liquid flows out of the liquid chamber, a passage resistance changing unit configured to change a passage resistance of the outflow passage, and a controller configured to control the volume changing unit to reduce the volume of the liquid chamber so as to cause the liquid to be ejected through the nozzle. In filling the liquid chamber with the liquid for ejection of the liquid through the nozzle, the controller controls the passage resistance changing unit to change the passage resistance of the outflow passage to an increased passage resistance and controls the volume changing unit to increase the volume of the liquid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Katakura, Keigo Sugai, Hirofumi Sakai, Shinichi Nakamura, Junichi Sano
  • Patent number: 10384227
    Abstract: A fluid discharging apparatus includes an accommodation unit that accommodates a fluid, a discharge port that communicates with the accommodation unit, a moving object that moves in a first direction toward the discharge port and in a second direction away from the discharge port in the accommodation unit, and a control unit that controls driving of the moving object. The control unit performs discharging processing and moving processing. In the discharging processing, the discharge port is opened by moving the moving object from a closed position at which the discharge port is closed, in the second direction, and then the fluid is extruded and discharged from the discharge port by moving the moving object in the first direction. In the moving processing, the moving object is moved in the second direction during a period when the fluid is discharged from the discharge port in the discharging processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Sakai, Takahiro Katakura, Keigo Sugai, Junichi Sano, Shinichi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10363752
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid chamber communicating with a nozzle that discharges liquid; a capacity changer that changes a capacity of the chamber; an inflow path connected to the chamber allowing the liquid to enter the chamber; an outflow path connected to the liquid chamber allowing the liquid to exit the chamber; a first resistance changer changing a flow resistance of the inflow path; a second resistance changer changing a flow resistance of the outflow path; and a controller controlling the capacity changer, the first resistance changer, and the second resistance changer. The controller allows the nozzle to discharge the liquid by increasing the flow resistance of the inflow and outflow paths, increasing the capacity of the chamber, and then, while the flow resistance of the inflow and outflow paths remain increased, decreasing the capacity of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Sakai, Shinichi Nakamura, Junichi Sano, Takahiro Katakura, Keigo Sugai
  • Patent number: 10315432
    Abstract: A fluid discharging apparatus includes a storage chamber storing a fluid, a discharge port communicating with the storage chamber, a supply unit supplying the fluid to the storage chamber by pressure, a moving object moving in a first direction toward the discharge port and in a second direction away from the discharge port, a pressure changing mechanism, and a control unit controlling the moving object and the pressure changing mechanism. The control unit performs discharge processing, moving processing, and pressure control processing. In the discharge processing, the moving object moves from a closed position closing the discharge port in the first direction to discharge the fluid. In the moving processing, the moving object moves in the second direction while the fluid is discharged from the discharge port. In the pressure control processing, the pressure changing mechanism suppresses a pressure increase in storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Sakai, Keigo Sugai, Takahiro Katakura, Junichi Sano, Shinichi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20190160810
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a plurality of nozzles, a plurality of pressure chambers, a plurality of pressure-generation-elements, a plurality of inflow channels, a first-channel-resistance-changing-section, and a control-unit. The control-unit repeats control of switching between a first state in which the control-unit controls the first-channel-resistance-changing-section to collectively increase channel resistance of the inflow channels and a second state in which the control-unit controls the first-channel-resistance-changing-section to collectively decrease the channel resistance of the inflow channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Takahiro KATAKURA, Keigo SUGAI, Hirofumi SAKAI, Shinichi NAKAMURA, Junichi SANO
  • Publication number: 20190030904
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid chamber that is in communication with a nozzle that ejects liquid, a volume changing device that changes volume of the liquid chamber, an inflow channel that is connected to the liquid chamber and enables the liquid to flow into the liquid chamber, a discharge channel that discharges the liquid, a first flow path resistance changing device that changes flow path resistance of the inflow channel, a liquid supply section that supplies the liquid to the inflow channel by pressurizing the liquid, and a bypass channel that enables the liquid supplied from the liquid supply section to bypass the inflow channel and to flow into the discharge channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Takahiro KATAKURA, Shinichi NAKAMURA, Junichi SANO, Hirofumi SAKAI, Keigo SUGAI
  • Patent number: 10189267
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus is provided with a liquid chamber which communicates with a nozzle for ejecting liquid; an inflow path which is connected to the liquid chamber; a liquid supply unit which supplies the liquid to the inflow path; an outflow path which is connected to the liquid chamber, and through which the liquid is caused to flow out from the liquid chamber; a moving object which causes the liquid to be ejected from the nozzle by reciprocating toward the nozzle in the liquid chamber; and an actuator which causes the moving object to reciprocate. In an ejecting state in which liquid is continuously ejected from the nozzle due to at least reciprocating of the moving object, a flow path resistance of the outflow path is larger than that of the inflow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Sakai, Shinichi Nakamura, Junichi Sano, Takahiro Katakura, Keigo Sugai
  • Publication number: 20180345663
    Abstract: A liquid discharging apparatus includes: a liquid compartment; a flowing-in passage that is in communication with the liquid compartment through a flowing-in opening, the liquid flowing through the flowing-in passage into the liquid compartment; a nozzle that is in communication with the liquid compartment through a communication opening; a capacity changer that causes the liquid contained in the liquid compartment to be discharged from the nozzle by causing a displacement of an inner wall surface of the liquid component and changing capacity of the liquid compartment; and a flowing-in passage resistance changer that changes capacity of the flowing-in passage to change flow resistance of the flowing-in passage. In the liquid compartment, as viewed from the flowing-in opening, the communication opening is located in front of a center-of-displacement portion, an amount of the displacement of which is largest in the inner wall surface displaced by the capacity changer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Hirofumi SAKAI, Takahiro KATAKURA, Keigo SUGAI, Shinichi NAKAMURA, Junichi SANO
  • Publication number: 20180281409
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus including; a first liquid chamber that communicates with a first nozzle, a first channel, and a first outflow channel; a second liquid chamber that communicates with a second nozzle, a second channel, and a second outflow channel; a first volume changing portion that changes a volume of the first liquid chamber to eject liquid from the first nozzle; a second volume changing portion that changes a volume of the second liquid chamber to eject the liquid from the second nozzle; a first inflow channel resistance changing portion that changes a flow channel resistance of the first inflow channel, a second inflow channel resistance changing portion that changes a flow channel resistance of the second inflow channel, and an inflow channel-side common drive portion that applies drive forces to the first inflow channel resistance changing portion and the second inflow channel resistance changing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Keigo SUGAI, Takahiro KATAKURA, Hirofumi SAKAI, Shinichi NAKAMURA, Junichi SANO
  • Publication number: 20180281443
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid chamber communicating with a nozzle that discharges liquid; a capacity changer that changes a capacity of the chamber; an inflow path connected to the chamber allowing the liquid to enter the chamber; an outflow path connected to the liquid chamber allowing the liquid to exit the chamber; a first resistance changer changing a flow resistance of the inflow path; a second resistance changer changing a flow resistance of the outflow path; and a controller controlling the capacity changer, the first resistance changer, and the second resistance changer. The controller allows the nozzle to discharge the liquid by increasing the flow resistance of the inflow and outflow paths, increasing the capacity of the chamber, and then, while the flow resistance of the inflow and outflow paths remain increased, decreasing the capacity of the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Hirofumi SAKAI, Shinichi NAKAMURA, Junichi SANO, Takahiro KATAKURA, Keigo SUGAI