Patents by Inventor Jiro Nakano

Jiro Nakano 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: 8203245
    Abstract: A motor rotor has: a rotor yoke; a plurality of magnet fixing sections formed on the lateral surface of the rotor yoke; segment magnets respectively fixed to the magnet fixing sections and extending in the axial direction of the rotor yoke; and a plurality of projections which are provided, on the rotor yoke, at each boundary section located between each of the adjacent magnet mounting sections, and which protrude outward from the rotor yoke; and a pair of end claws are formed by bifurcating the end of each projection into two prongs, and each of the end claws is locked to the outer surface of each of the segment magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuji Ishikawa, Jiro Nakano
  • Patent number: 8116946
    Abstract: An electric power steering (EPS) device including a rack actuator that applies assist force to a rack shaft, a column actuator that applies assist force to a column shaft, and an ECU that controls operation of the actuators by supplying drive power to motors, each of which is a drive source of the corresponding one of the actuators. A permanent magnet motor (BLDC) is employed as the motor of the rack actuator and an induction motor, which is a non-permanent magnet motor, is used as the motor of the column actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Shibata, Jiro Nakano
  • Publication number: 20100042295
    Abstract: An electric power steering (EPS) device including a rack actuator that applies assist force to a rack shaft, a column actuator that applies assist force to a column shaft, and an ECU that controls operation of the actuators by supplying drive power to motors, each of which is a drive source of the corresponding one of the actuators. A permanent magnet motor (BLDC) is employed as the motor of the rack actuator and an induction motor, which is a non-permanent magnet motor, is used as the motor of the column actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Shibata, Jiro Nakano
  • Patent number: 7637331
    Abstract: A vehicle including a steer-by-wire type steering device controlling yaw moment of the vehicle in correspondence with an operation of a steering wheel mechanically separated from each of wheels. The wheels are configured such that a steered angle cannot be changed. The steering device has a power distribution device capable of changing a distribution rate of power applied to each of the wheels, and a braking force control device capable of separately controlling a braking force for each of the wheels. The steering device controls a yaw moment of the vehicle by separately controlling the power applied to each of the wheels and the braking force in each of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Takeuchi, Jiro Nakano
  • Publication number: 20090261677
    Abstract: A motor rotor has: a rotor yoke; a plurality of magnet fixing sections formed on the lateral surface of the rotor yoke; segment magnets respectively fixed to the magnet fixing sections and extending in the axial direction of the rotor yoke; and a plurality of projections which are provided, on the rotor yoke, at each boundary section located between each of the adjacent magnet mounting sections, and which protrude outward from the rotor yoke; and a pair of end claws are formed by bifurcating the end of each projection into two prongs, and each of the end claws is locked to the outer surface of each of the segment magnets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuji ISHIKAWA, Jiro Nakano
  • Patent number: 7433767
    Abstract: A first system and a second system include a first motor and a second motor for driving a steering mechanism in dependence on the rotational manipulation of a steering wheel. A first ECU and a second ECU mutually monitor abnormalities of the systems each to stop an abnormal system. When the respective systems are normal, the first ECU and the second ECU drivingly control the first motor and the second motor of their own systems to drive the steering mechanism by cooperation of the respective motors. When either one of the both systems is abnormal, the ECU of the other system solely drivingly controls the motor of its own system thereby to drive the steering mechanism. Thus, it can be realized to make the systems low in cost irrespective of the provision of the plural systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Takeuchi, Jiro Nakano, Kenichi Fukumura, Yutaka Mori
  • Publication number: 20070289804
    Abstract: A vehicle including a steer-by-wire type steering device controlling yaw moment of the vehicle in correspondence with an operation of a steering wheel mechanically separated from each of wheels. The wheels are configured such that a steered angle cannot be changed. The steering device has a power distribution device capable of changing a distribution rate of power applied to each of the wheels, and a braking force control device capable of separately controlling a braking force for each of the wheels. The steering device controls a yaw moment of the vehicle by separately controlling the power applied to each of the wheels and the braking force in each of the wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Takeuchi, Jiro Nakano
  • Patent number: 6948382
    Abstract: An angle detection device that accurately detects a rotational angle even if the ratio of an detection voltage relative to an excitation voltage of a resolver fluctuates. The angle detection device includes an angle detector and a controller connected to the angle detector. The angle detector includes an excitation coil, which is arranged on a predetermined rotary shaft and supplied with excitation voltage, and a pair of detection coils. Each detection coil is arranged near the excitation coil to induce detection voltage when excitation voltage excites the excitation coil. The detection voltages of the detection coils have different phases. A controller calculates the rotational angle of the excitation coil with the detection voltages induced to the detection coils. Further, the controller includes a correction unit for correcting the amplitude of the excitation voltage to maintain each of the induced detection voltages at a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsuo Sakai, Jiro Nakano, Tsutomu Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20050159866
    Abstract: A first system and a second system include a first motor and a second motor for driving a steering mechanism in dependence on the rotational manipulation of a steering wheel. A first ECU and a second ECU mutually monitor abnormalities of the systems each to stop an abnormal system. When the respective systems are normal, the first ECU and the second ECU drivingly control the first motor and the second motor of their own systems to drive the steering mechanism by cooperation of the respective motors. When either one of the both systems is abnormal, the ECU of the other system solely drivingly controls the motor of its own system thereby to drive the steering mechanism. Thus, it can be realized to make the systems low in cost irrespective of the provision of the plural systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Applicant: TOYODA KOKI KABUSHIKE KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinji Takeuchi, Jiro Nakano, Kenichi Fukumura, Yutaka Mori
  • Patent number: 6827177
    Abstract: A torque detector that suppresses fluctuation of an output value relative to fluctuation of an input value and that also has the output value accurately follow the input value even when the input value changes suddenly. The torque detector includes a detection element, a converter, and a hysteresis processor. The detection element detects the steering torque applied to a steering shaft when the steering shaft is rotated to generate an analog torque signal corresponding to the steering torque. The converter converts the analog torque signal to a digital torque signal. The hysteresis processor performs hysteresis processing on the digital torque signal to include the value of the digital torque signal in a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsuhisa Asada, Jiro Nakano
  • Publication number: 20040112148
    Abstract: An angle detection device that accurately detects a rotational angle even if the ratio of an detection voltage relative to an excitation voltage of a resolver fluctuates. The angle detection device includes an angle detector and a controller connected to the angle detector. The angle detector includes an excitation coil, which is arranged on a predetermined rotary shaft and supplied with excitation voltage, and a pair of detection coils. Each detection coil is arranged near the excitation coil to induce detection voltage when excitation voltage excites the excitation coil. The detection voltages of the detection coils have different phases. A controller calculates the rotational angle of the excitation coil with the detection voltages induced to the detection coils. Further, the controller includes a correction unit for correcting the amplitude of the excitation voltage to maintain each of the induced detection voltages at a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: TOYODA KOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsuo Sakai, Jiro Nakano, Tsutomu Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20040099471
    Abstract: A torque detector that suppresses fluctuation of an output value relative to fluctuation of an input value and that also has the output value accurately follow the input value even when the input value changes suddenly. The torque detector includes a detection element, a converter, and a hysteresis processor. The detection element detects the steering torque applied to a steering shaft when the steering shaft is rotated to generate an analog torque signal corresponding to the steering torque. The converter converts the analog torque signal to a digital torque signal. The hysteresis processor performs hysteresis processing on the digital torque signal to include the value of the digital torque signal in a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: TOYODA KOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsuhisa Asada, Jiro Nakano
  • Patent number: 6665598
    Abstract: An informing apparatus informs an operator of procedures for adjusting control parameters used in a control apparatus that controls an electric power steering apparatus based on various control parameter data. The power steering apparatus is used for the steering wheel of a vehicle. A storage portion stores various data. The data includes evaluation data, steering state data, control parameter data of the power steering control apparatus, and adjusting procedure data. The evaluation data is related to steering of the steering wheel. The steering state data represents the steering state when the evaluation data is obtained. The steering state data is related to the evaluation data. The control parameter data is related to the steering state data, and the evaluation data, and is being used when the evaluation data is obtained. The adjusting procedure data is used for adjusting the control parameter data such that the evaluation data is resolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jiro Nakano, Shinji Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6622576
    Abstract: A torque sensor is provided with a coil whose inductance changes in accordance with variation in torque acting on an object. The torque is detected on the basis of the inductance of the coil. Specifically, the torque sensor includes a first oscillation circuit for detecting the inductance of the coil and for oscillating a signal having a period corresponding to the detected inductance. The period of the signal generated by the first oscillation circuit is detected by a period detection section. A torque detection section detects the torque on the basis of the period detected by the period detection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jiro Nakano, Ichiro Nagashima, Hisashi Oue, Takatsugu Asano, Takeshi Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 6564645
    Abstract: A pressure sensor is constructed to include a sensor housing formed of metal, and a connector housing mainly formed of synthetic resin. The connector housing includes a shoulder portion thereof in the form of a metal plate having an inner and an outer periphery thereof. On the shoulder portion, there is formed a juncture of the sensor and connector housing as a result of joining the sensor and connector housing by curling a projecting portion or one of two end portions of the sensor housing toward the shoulder portion. Wherein, the curling is performed under engagement of the sensor and connector housing therebetween, for assembling the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jiro Nakano, Satoshi Suto, Tomonari Yamakawa, Hiroaki Arashima
  • Patent number: 6480616
    Abstract: Predetermined multiple points of the front passenger seat and its periphery are irradiated with spot beams, caught with a camera, and distances are measured based on the irradiation position of the spot beams. Conversely, the characteristics for each status of use of the seat such as the shapes of the contour of the seat or the contour of a child seat are detected from the picture information caught with the camera. The status of use of the seat is decided based the characteristics for each status of use and the distance information that was previously measured. Based on this decision, the operation of a passive safety device such as an air bag device is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Hata, Jiro Nakano, Hiroshi Uenaka, Kazuo Kyuma, Jun Ohta, Masaya Oita
  • Patent number: 6445151
    Abstract: In a controller for a motor-driven power steering mechanism, a motor control section outputs to a drive circuit a control signal corresponding to a torque command output from a torque calculation section. A digital signal processor receives the control signal, calculates an average of values of the control signal during a predetermined period of time, and outputs the average to an anomalous-state monitor section. The anomalous-state monitor section counts the number of times the average deviates from an allowable range. When the number of times has reached a predetermined number, the anomalous-state monitor section judges that the controller has come into an anomalous-state, and outputs a control prohibition signal to the motor control section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jiro Nakano, Ichiro Nagashima
  • Publication number: 20020108454
    Abstract: A torque sensor includes a torsion bar, a first shaft connected to one end of the torsion bar, a second shaft connected to the other end of the torsion bar, first through third magnetic bodies, and two coils. The first magnetic body is fixed to the first shaft and has an annular shape so as to surround the torsion bar. The first magnetic body is composed of two magnetically separated magnetic portions and has a first projection on an outer circumference thereof. The second magnetic body is fixed to the second shaft and has an annular shape so as to surround the first magnetic body. The second magnetic body has on an inner circumference thereof a second projection which radially faces the first projection. The coils are disposed at respective axial positions corresponding to the magnetic portions of the first magnetic body and surround the second magnetic body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: TOYODA KOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jiro Nakano, Yoshiyuki Shibata, Hiroaki Arashima
  • Publication number: 20020087241
    Abstract: An informing apparatus informs an operator of procedures for adjusting control parameters used in a control apparatus that controls an electric power steering apparatus based on various control parameter data. The power steering apparatus is used for the steering wheel of a vehicle. A storage portion stores various data. The data includes evaluation data, steering state data, control parameter data of the power steering control apparatus, and adjusting procedure data. The evaluation data is related to steering of the steering wheel. The steering state data represents the steering state when the evaluation data is obtained. The steering state data is related to the evaluation data. The control parameter data is related to the steering state data, and the evaluation data, and is being used when the evaluation data is obtained. The adjusting procedure data is used for adjusting the control parameter data such that the evaluation data is resolved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: TOYODA KOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jiro Nakano, Shinji Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6125707
    Abstract: A pressure detection device for detecting an increase of pressure acting thereon includes an electrically conductive device housing which has an accommodation bore extending inward from one end of the device housing and a slide bare extending between the accommodation bore and the other end of the device housing. A piston is slidably disposed within the slide bore and adopted to receive a pressure, and a terminal serving as one electric contact is fixed to the accommodation bore via an electrical insulator. A disk spring serving as the other electric contact deforms due to a pressing force of the piston and coming in contact with the terminal. The pressure detection device further comprises an electro-functional member attached to either the terminal or the disk spring in which the electro-functional member is changeable its electric resistance due to an impressed pressing force acting thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kyosuke Haga, Jiro Nakano, Satoshi Suto, Tomonari Yamakawa, Katsunori Yamada, Mitsuru Asai, Nobuo Kamiya