Patents by Inventor Hiroshi Ookubo

Hiroshi Ookubo 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: 20240034044
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a closed cross-section structural member includes a first panel and a second panel joined to each other to form a closed cross-section, and a fiber reinforced plastic (“FRP”) material bonded to the first panel. The method includes: attaching the FRP material to the first panel with an adhesive; curing the FRP material and the adhesive by heating the FRP material and the adhesive together with the first panel; and joining the second panel to the first panel in which the FRP material and the adhesive are cured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ookubo, Kentaro Kono
  • Patent number: 11826967
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a closed cross-section structural member is disclosed. The closed cross-section structural member includes: a first panel and a second panel joined to each other to form a closed cross-section; and a fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) material bonded to the first panel. The method includes: attaching the FRP material to the first panel with an adhesive; curing the FRP material and the adhesive by heating the FRP material and the adhesive together with the first panel; and joining the second panel to the first panel in which the FRP material and the adhesive are cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ookubo, Kentaro Kono
  • Publication number: 20220260103
    Abstract: A metal collar attached in a through-hole of FRP member includes first and second collar members. The first collar member includes outer and inner circumferential surfaces. The outer circumferential surface is in contact with a hole inner circumferential surface of the through-hole. A slit is formed in a part in a circumferential direction of the first collar member. The second collar member applies a pressing force radially outward to at least a part of the inner circumferential surface of the first collar member or a pressing force to inner surfaces of the slit in a direction in which the inner surfaces separate from each other in the circumferential direction. The second collar member is held in the first collar member by reaction of the pressing force, deforms the first collar member for diameter expansion with the pressing force, and presses the outer circumferential surface against the hole inner circumferential surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ookubo, Hayato Sakurai
  • Publication number: 20220250337
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a closed cross-section structural member is disclosed. The closed cross-section structural member includes: a first panel and a second panel joined to each other to form a closed cross-section; and a fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) material bonded to the first panel. The method includes: attaching the FRP material to the first panel with an adhesive; curing the FRP material and the adhesive by heating the FRP material and the adhesive together with the first panel; and joining the second panel to the first panel in which the FRP material and the adhesive are cured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ookubo, Kentaro Kono
  • Patent number: 11390043
    Abstract: A fiber-reinforced resin component comprises a first part having a plurality of first fiber layers impregnated in a matrix resin and a second part having a plurality of second fiber layers impregnated in the matrix resin. The second part is bonded to the first part via an adhesive layer. The fiber-reinforced resin component further comprises a plurality of connecting fibers that connect the first part and the second part. One end portion of the connecting fibers is sandwiched between the first fiber layers, and the other end portion of the connecting fibers is sandwiched between the second fiber layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shohei Kurai, Hiroshi Ookubo
  • Publication number: 20220169319
    Abstract: A long composite member (center pillar) includes a main member (pillar outer panel) that has a curvature in its longitudinal direction and whose shape of a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction protrudes on an outer side of the curvature, and a reinforcing member that is made of fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) and is disposed on an inner side of the curvature with respect to the main member and within the cross-section of the main member. One end of the reinforcing member is adhered on a side of one end of the main member, and the other end of the reinforcing member is adhered on a side of the other end of the main member. An intermediary portion between the one end and the other end of the reinforcing member is extended straight within the cross-section of the main member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ookubo
  • Publication number: 20210164508
    Abstract: A metal collar attached in a through-hole of an FRP member includes first and second collar members. The first collar member includes outer and inner circumferential surfaces. The outer circumferential surface is in contact with a hole inner circumferential surface of the through-hole. A slit is formed in a part in a circumferential direction of the first collar member. The second collar member applies a pressing force radially outward to at least a part of the inner circumferential surface of the first collar member or a pressing force to inner surfaces of the slit in a direction in which the inner surfaces separate from each other in a circumferential direction. The second collar member is held in the first collar member by reaction of the pressing force, deforms the first collar member for diameter expansion with the pressing force, and presses the outer circumferential surface against the hole inner circumferential surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ookubo, Hayato Sakurai
  • Patent number: 10864699
    Abstract: A composite material member having an FRP layer made of fiber-reinforced plastic, and a resin-rich layer that has a fiber content that is 5% or less of the fiber content of the FRP layer. The resin-rich layer is formed in at least a partial region of a surface of the FRP layer, and is formed from the same resin as a matrix resin of the fiber-reinforced plastic. A hole is bored so as to penetrate the FRP layer and the resin-rich layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Hamada, Hiroshi Ookubo
  • Publication number: 20200376778
    Abstract: A fiber-reinforced resin component comprises a first part having a plurality of first fiber layers impregnated in a matrix resin and a second part having a plurality of second fiber layers impregnated in the matrix resin. The second part is bonded to the first part via an adhesive layer. The fiber-reinforced resin component further comprises a plurality of connecting fibers that connect the first part and the second part. One end portion of the connecting fibers is sandwiched between the first fiber layers, and the other end portion of the connecting fibers is sandwiched between the second fiber layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Shohei KURAI, Hiroshi OOKUBO
  • Publication number: 20200055273
    Abstract: A composite material member having an FRP layer made of fiber-reinforced plastic, and a resin-rich layer that has a fiber content that is 5% or less of the fiber content of the FRP layer. The resin-rich layer is formed in at least a partial region of a surface of the FRP layer, and is formed from the same resin as a matrix resin of the fiber-reinforced plastic. A hole is bored so as to penetrate the FRP layer and the resin-rich layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Yukihiro HAMADA, Hiroshi OOKUBO
  • Patent number: 10132342
    Abstract: A fastening structure is fastened to an object. The fastening structure includes a carbon fiber-reinforced resin, a metal collar and a fastener. The outer circumference of a metal collar has a tapered portion, which is inclined with respect to the central axis of the collar. The inner circumferential surface of a through hole in a carbon fiber-reinforced resin (“CFRP”) material has an abutting portion that contacts the tapered portion of the collar via an electrically insulating adhesive. The tilt angle of the tapered portion of the collar and of the abutting portion of the CFRP material are the same as the angle at which the displacement of the CFRP material in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the abutting portion due to thermal deformation resulting from temperature changes is balanced with the displacement of the collar in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the tapered portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Mori, Hiroshi Ookubo
  • Publication number: 20180266463
    Abstract: A fastening structure is fastened to an object. The fastening structure includes a carbon fiber-reinforced resin, a metal collar and a fastener. The outer circumference of a metal collar has a tapered portion, which is inclined with respect to the central axis of the collar. The inner circumferential surface of a through hole in a carbon fiber-reinforced resin (“CFRP”) material has an abutting portion that contacts the tapered portion of the collar via an electrically insulating adhesive. The tilt angle of the tapered portion of the collar and of the abutting portion of the CFRP material are the same as the angle at which the displacement of the CFRP material in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the abutting portion due to thermal deformation resulting from temperature changes is balanced with the displacement of the collar in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the tapered portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Masatoshi MORI, Hiroshi OOKUBO
  • Patent number: 10065687
    Abstract: A composite material structure is provided a metal member and a resin member. The metal member is formed in a planar shape that has a main surface. The resin member is bonded to the main surface of the metal member. The metal member has a thermal expansion coefficient in a first direction along the main surface is larger than a thermal expansion coefficient in a second direction along the main surface. The second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. The resin member is formed of a fiber-reinforced resin having a fiber quantity in the second direction that is larger than a fiber quantity in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Hamada, Hiroshi Ookubo
  • Patent number: 9896164
    Abstract: A mooring method includes the steps of: transporting a mooring member having a mooring cable which can be connected to a float at one end and an accommodation member installed at the other end of the mooring cable and has an accommodation space therein to a mooring position of the float; accommodating a first heavy weight in at least a part of the accommodation space of the accommodation member at the mooring position; connecting the one end of the mooring cable to the float at the mooring position after the accommodation step; and accommodating a second heavy weight in the accommodation space of the accommodation member by adding the second heavy weight to the first heavy weight or exchanging at least part of the first heavy weight with the second heavy weight at the mooring position after the connection step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMIKIN ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tadashi Torii, Kohichi Fujiwara, Hiroshi Ookubo, Chikara Iwamoto, Atsushi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20180022395
    Abstract: A composite material structure is provided a metal member and a resin member. The metal member is formed in a planar shape that has a main surface. The resin member is bonded to the main surface of the metal member. The metal member has a thermal expansion coefficient in a first direction along the main surface is larger than a thermal expansion coefficient in a second direction along the main surface. The second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. The resin member is formed of a fiber-reinforced resin having a fiber quantity in the second direction that is larger than a fiber quantity in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Yukihiro HAMADA, Hiroshi OOKUBO
  • Publication number: 20170190388
    Abstract: A mooring method includes the steps of: transporting a mooring member having a mooring cable which can be connected to a float at one end and an accommodation member installed at the other end of the mooring cable and has an accommodation space therein to a mooring position of the float; accommodating a first heavy weight in at least a part of the accommodation space of the accommodation member at the mooring position; connecting the one end of the mooring cable to the float at the mooring position after the accommodation step; and accommodating a second heavy weight in the accommodation space of the accommodation member by adding the second heavy weight to the first heavy weight or exchanging at least part of the first heavy weight with the second heavy weight at the mooring position after the connection step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: NIPPON STEEL & SUMIKIN ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tadashi TORII, Kohichi FUJIWARA, Hiroshi OOKUBO, Chikara IWAMOTO, Atsushi YAMASHITA
  • Publication number: 20150231687
    Abstract: A load characteristic adjustment system for use with a linear-spring forming apparatus is provided, in which the load characteristic of a conic spring can be conveniently and efficiently regulated during the formation of the spring, thereby reliving much of a physical burden of a worker to find an optimum load characteristic of a coil spring. The load characteristics adjustment system comprises: a linear material feeder for feeding a linear material; at least one spring forming tool facing the linear material feeder, adapted to abut against the linear material to coil the linear material; spiraling means for spiraling the coiled linear material; and coil-diameter varying means for varying the diameter of the coiled linear material. The load characteristic adjustment system controls the linear material feeder so as to feed the linear material at a regulated constant acceleration to adjust the load characteristic of the conical spring formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: ORII & MEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ookubo, Osamu Shimomura
  • Publication number: 20100107477
    Abstract: A diesel fuel additive composition comprising (a) polyoxyalkylene alkyl amine represented by Formula (1) below, (b) glycol monoalkyl ether represented by Formula (2) below, (c) glycol dialkyl ether represented by Formula (3) below, (d) a heterocyclic compound, and (e) water, wherein the diesel fuel additive composition contains component at 50 to 80% by weight, component (b) at 5 to 20% by weight, component (c) at 5 to 15% by weight, component (d) at 5 to 15% by weight, and component (e) at 1 to 5% by weight; (wherein R1 represents an alkyl group with a carbon number from 8 to 25, each of A1 and A2 is an alkylene group with a carbon number from 2 to 4, k and 1 respectively represent a number from 1 to 30, each of R2, R3 and R4 is an alkyl group with a carbon number from 1 to 8, each of A3 and A4 is an alkylene group with a carbon number of 2 or 3, and each of m and n represents a number from 1 to 4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, Yuka Sangyo Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ookubo, Yuki Yamamoto