Patents by Inventor Kan Ichihara

Kan Ichihara 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: 9400206
    Abstract: A weight detection sensor disposed in a fixing unit fixing a seat side fixing member to a floor side fixed member and measuring a load of a passenger sitting in the seat, includes: a strain body fixed to both end portions of a mounting surface formed on one of the floor side fixed member and the seat side fixing member and arranged in the fixing unit; a connection member fixed to a central portion of the strain body in a vertical direction and fixed to the other one of the floor side fixed member and the seat side fixing member; a strain detection element unit including first to fourth strain detection elements; and a Wheatstone bridge circuit where the first and third strain detection elements are arranged on sides facing each other and the second and fourth strain detection elements are arranged on sides facing each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mutsuro Aoyama, Kan Ichihara, Hiroyuki Fujii, Kazumasa Seo, Koji Washino
  • Patent number: 9389116
    Abstract: A weight detection sensor interposed between a seat side fixing member and a floor side fixed member to measure a load of a passenger sitting in the seat, includes: a strain body fixed to both end portions of a mounting surface formed on one of the floor side fixed member and the seat side fixing member at a predetermined distance from the mounting surface; a connection member fixed to a central portion of the strain body in a vertical direction and fixed to the other one of the floor side fixed member and the seat side fixing member; and a Wheatstone bridge circuit where first and third strain detection elements are arranged on sides facing each other and second and fourth strain detection elements are arranged on sides facing each other, each of the strain detection elements being a variable resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mutsuro Aoyama, Kan Ichihara, Hiroyuki Fujii, Kazumasa Seo, Koji Washino
  • Patent number: 9021888
    Abstract: A load detection device for a vehicle seat includes a strain generating body including a first end hole, a second end hole and a strain gauge, a first fixing member including a first middle shaft portion and a first end shaft portion, a second fixing member including a second middle shaft portion and a second end shaft portion, a bracket member including first and second fixing portions connected to each other with a connecting portion, first and second fixing holes, the first end shaft portion is press-fitted into the first fixing hole, the second fixing hole is fitted onto the second end shaft portion in a manner that the second fixing hole includes a degree of freedom of a movement thereof in a lengthwise direction and a movement thereof in a direction intersecting with the lengthwise direction is restricted, and a connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Setsu Takuma, Kan Ichihara, Koichi Nakayama, Koji Washino, Harutomi Nishide
  • Publication number: 20140338990
    Abstract: A weight detection sensor disposed in a fixing unit fixing a seat side fixing member to a floor side fixed member and measuring a load of a passenger sitting in the seat, includes: a strain body fixed to both end portions of a mounting surface formed on one of the floor side fixed member and the seat side fixing member and arranged in the fixing unit; a connection member fixed to a central portion of the strain body in a vertical direction and fixed to the other one of the floor side fixed member and the seat side fixing member; a strain detection element unit including first to fourth strain detection elements; and a Wheatstone bridge circuit where the first and third strain detection elements are arranged on sides facing each other and the second and fourth strain detection elements are arranged on sides facing each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mutsuro AOYAMA, Kan Ichihara, Hiroyuki Fujii, Kazumasa Seo, Koji Washino
  • Publication number: 20140338989
    Abstract: A weight detection sensor interposed between a seat side fixing member and a floor side fixed member to measure a load of a passenger sitting in the seat, includes: a strain body fixed to both end portions of a mounting surface formed on one of the floor side fixed member and the seat side fixing member at a predetermined distance from the mounting surface; a connection member fixed to a central portion of the strain body in a vertical direction and fixed to the other one of the floor side fixed member and the seat side fixing member; and a Wheatstone bridge circuit where first and third strain detection elements are arranged on sides facing each other and second and fourth strain detection elements are arranged on sides facing each other, each of the strain detection elements being a variable resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mutsuro AOYAMA, Kan ICHIHARA, Hiroyuki FUJII, Kazumasa SEO, Koji WASHINO
  • Patent number: 8448529
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a seat occupancy includes a load detecting portion provided between one of a front portion and a rear portion of a seating portion of a seat for a vehicle that includes a lifting function for changing a height position of the seating portion relative to a floor for the vehicle, the seat including a seat back at the rear portion of the seating portion of the seat, the load detecting portion detecting a seating load applied to the seating portion, and a seat occupancy determining portion comparing the seating load detected by the load detecting portion with a predetermined threshold value and determining a seat occupancy state of the seat, the seat occupancy determining portion changing the threshold value based on the height position of the seating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mutsuro Aoyama, Hideki Kawabata, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Kazumasa Seo, Isao Honda, Takeshi Kuwabara, Hiroyuki Fujii
  • Patent number: 8258413
    Abstract: A load detection device for a vehicle seat mounted between a floor side mounting mechanism and a seat side mounting mechanism and measuring a load applied by an occupant seated on the vehicle seat, includes a shaft member adapted to be fixed to one of the floor side mounting mechanism and the seat side mounting mechanism, a strain generating member fixed to the shaft member and including a hole into which the shaft member is press-fitted, a strain gauge attached to the strain generating member, the shaft member of which surface hardness is specified to be lower than a surface hardness of the hole and including a scraping projecting portion scraped off by means of the hole in a case where the shaft member is press-fitted to the hole, and an inter space formed between the strain generating member and the shaft member and positioned next to the scraping projecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Ito, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Yoshimasa Asano, Hiroyuki Fujii, Naoka Kawajiri, Takeshi Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 8215189
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle, includes a seat-side fixing member, a slide rail, a load detecting device disposed between the seat-side fixing member and the slide rail and arranged at an end portion of the slide rail on a rear side of the vehicle, and a bracket arranged at an end portion of the slide rail on a front side of the vehicle, the bracket supporting the seat-side fixing member. The bracket includes a lower attachment portion attached to the slide rail, a supporting portion extending from the lower attachment portion toward an upper side of the vehicle, and an upper attachment portion connected to the supporting portion so as to extend from the supporting portion toward the rear side of the vehicle, thereby being cantilever-supported by the supporting portion, and attached to the seat-side fixing member at a free-end side of the upper attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Maeta, Koji Ito, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Hiroyuki Fujii, Yoshimasa Asano, Naoka Kawajiri, Takeshi Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 8212157
    Abstract: A load detection device for a vehicle seat mounted between a floor side mounting mechanism made of metal and a seat side mounting mechanism made of metal and measuring a load applied by an occupant seated on the vehicle seat includes a strain generating body adapted to be fixed via both end portions to a fitting surface formed at one of the floor side mounting mechanism and the seat side mounting mechanism while having a predetermined clearance from the fitting surface, a strain gauge attached to the strain generating body, a bracket made of metal and including an attachment portion that extends laterally relative to the strain generating body, and an amplifier substrate mounted on the attachment portion while being arranged in parallel to the strain generating body, both surfaces of the amplifier substrate being covered by one of or more of the bracket, the floor side mounting mechanism and the seat side mounting mechanism, the amplifier substrate amplifying a signal output from the strain gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Ito, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Hiroyuki Fujii, Yoshimasa Asano, Naoka Kawajiri, Takeshi Kuwabara, Hajime Shiohara
  • Publication number: 20110094317
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a seat occupancy includes a load detecting portion provided between one of a front portion and a rear portion of a seating portion of a seat for a vehicle that includes a lifting function for changing a height position of the seating portion relative to a floor for the vehicle, the seat including a seat back at the rear portion of the seating portion of the seat, the load detecting portion detecting a seating load applied to the seating portion, and a seat occupancy determining portion comparing the seating load detected by the load detecting portion with a predetermined threshold value and determining a seat occupancy state of the seat, the seat occupancy determining portion changing the threshold value based on the height position of the seating portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mutsuro AOYAMA, Hideki Kawabata, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Kazumasa Seo, Isao Honda, Takeshi Kuwabara, Hiroyuki Fujii
  • Patent number: 7823459
    Abstract: A load detection device includes a strain generating body having first and second holes at first and second ends of the strain generating body, a strain gauge attached on the strain generating body, first and second fixing members having first and second middle shaft portion press-fitted into the first and second holes, respectively, and having first and second end shaft portions protruding from the first and second middle shaft portions, respectively, a bracket member having first fixing portion including a first fixing hole into which the first end shaft portion is press-fitted, and a second fixing portion, integrally connected to the first fixing portion and including a second fixing hole into which the second end shaft portion is inserted with a clearance therebetween, a press-fit fixing member press-fitted onto the second end shaft portion, and a connecting shaft integrally connected to the strain generating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Ito, Hideki Kawabata, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Hiroyuki Fujii, Yoshimasa Asano, Naoka Kawajiri
  • Patent number: 7762150
    Abstract: A load detecting device for a vehicle seat includes a supporting base adapted to be mounted on a floor of the vehicle, a plurality of load sensors arranged along a forward and backward direction of a seat for the vehicle on the supporting base, the load sensors including a load input portion, a deflection portion deflecting by a load and a deflection gauge measuring an amount of deflection, the load sensors detecting the load based on the amount of deflection measured by the deflection gauge, a connecting member connecting the load input portions, a seat supporting member connected to the connecting member and adapted to support the seat for the vehicle, the seat supporting member transmitting load to the connecting member, and a stopper preventing deformation of the connecting member in a vertical direction of the seat when load which exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kawabata, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Hiroyuki Fujii, Kenichiro Akizuki, Minoru Izawa
  • Publication number: 20100133017
    Abstract: A load detection device for a vehicle seat mounted between a floor side mounting mechanism made of metal and a seat side mounting mechanism made of metal and measuring a load applied by an occupant seated on the vehicle seat includes a strain generating body adapted to be fixed via both end portions to a fitting surface formed at one of the floor side mounting mechanism and the seat side mounting mechanism while having a predetermined clearance from the fitting surface, a strain gauge attached to the strain generating body, a bracket made of metal and including an attachment portion that extends laterally relative to the strain generating body, and an amplifier substrate mounted on the attachment portion while being arranged in parallel to the strain generating body, both surfaces of the amplifier substrate being covered by one of or more of the bracket, the floor side mounting mechanism and the seat side mounting mechanism, the amplifier substrate amplifying a signal output from the strain gauge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji ITO, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Hiroyuki Fujii, Yoshimasa Asano, Naoka Kawajiri, Takeshi Kuwabara, Hajime Shiohara
  • Publication number: 20100127552
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle, includes a seat-side fixing member, a slide rail, a load detecting device disposed between the seat-side fixing member and the slide rail and arranged at an end portion of the slide rail on a rear side of the vehicle, and a bracket arranged at an end portion of the slide rail on a front side of the vehicle, the bracket supporting the seat-side fixing member. The bracket includes a lower attachment portion attached to the slide rail, a supporting portion extending from the lower attachment portion toward an upper side of the vehicle, and an upper attachment portion connected to the supporting portion so as to extend from the supporting portion toward the rear side of the vehicle, thereby being cantilever-supported by the supporting portion, and attached to the seat-side fixing member at a free-end side of the upper attachment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji MAETA, Koji Ito, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Hiroyuki Fujii, Yoshimasa Asano, Naoka Kawajiri, Takeshi Kuwabara
  • Publication number: 20100122854
    Abstract: A load detection device for a vehicle seat mounted between a floor side mounting mechanism and a seat side mounting mechanism and measuring a load applied by an occupant seated on the vehicle seat, includes a shaft member adapted to be fixed to one of the floor side mounting mechanism and the seat side mounting mechanism, a strain generating member fixed to the shaft member and including a hole into which the shaft member is press-fitted, a strain gauge attached to the strain generating member, the shaft member of which surface hardness is specified to be lower than a surface hardness of the hole and including a scraping projecting portion scraped off by means of the hole in a case where the shaft member is press-fitted to the hole, and an inter space formed between the strain generating member and the shaft member and positioned next to the scraping projecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji ITO, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Yoshimasa Asano, Hiroyuki Fujii, Naoka Kawajiri, Takeshi Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 7712374
    Abstract: A load detecting apparatus includes a strain member, a supporting member, a load input member and a strain detecting element. The supporting member is employed for supporting the strain member at a supporting portion thereof. The load input member is supported by the strain member and strains the strain member when an external load is applied thereon. The strain detecting element is provided at at least a surface of the strain member for detecting the strain generated by the load input member. Further, an outer end of the supporting portion located outwardly relative to the load input member is fixed to the strain member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kawabata, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Yoshimasa Asano, Hiroyuki Fujii, Naoka Kawajiri
  • Publication number: 20090126500
    Abstract: A load detection device includes a strain generating body having first and second holes at first and second ends of the strain generating body, a strain gauge attached on the strain generating body, first and second fixing members having first and second middle shaft portion press-fitted into the first and second holes, respectively, and having first and second end shaft portions protruding from the first and second middle shaft portions, respectively, a bracket member having first fixing portion including a first fixing hole into which the first end shaft portion is press-fitted, and a second fixing portion, integrally connected to the first fixing portion and including a second fixing hole into which the second end shaft portion is inserted with a clearance therebetween, a press-fit fixing member press-fitted onto the second end shaft portion, and a connecting shaft integrally connected to the strain generating body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji ITO, Hideki Kawabata, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Hiroyuki Fujii, Yoshimasa Asano, Naoka Kawajiri
  • Publication number: 20090064792
    Abstract: A load detecting apparatus includes a strain member, a supporting member, a load input member and a strain detecting element. The supporting member is employed for supporting the strain member at a supporting portion thereof The load input member is supported by the strain member and strains the strain member when an external load is applied thereon. The strain detecting element is provided at at least a surface of the strain member for detecting the strain generated by the load input member. Further, an outer end of the supporting portion located outwardly relative to the load input member is fixed to the strain member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki Kawabata, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Yoshimasa Asano, Hiroyuki Fujii, Naoka Kawajiri
  • Patent number: 7328627
    Abstract: In a seat load detecting device, sensor bodies are interposed between an upper rail and respective lower brackets. Each sensor body includes an annular strain portion which axial line extends vertically, an outer peripheral holder which is mounted to the upper rail and which holds an outer peripheral edge of the strain portion, and an inner peripheral holder which is mounted to the lower bracket and which holds an inner peripheral edge of the strain portion. Strain gauges for detecting a load applied to a seat on the basis of a strain amount between an outer periphery and an inner periphery of each strain portion are disposed on each strain portion. A second clamping member of each inner peripheral holder has a mounting hole which is formed through the second clamping member in a widthwise direction thereof and which rockably connects the lower bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kawabata, Kan Ichihara, Muneto Inayoshi
  • Publication number: 20080007100
    Abstract: A load detecting device for a vehicle seat includes a supporting base adapted to be mounted on a floor of the vehicle, a plurality of load sensors arranged along a forward and backward direction of a seat for the vehicle on the supporting base, the load sensors including a load input portion, a deflection portion deflecting by a load and a deflection gauge measuring an amount of deflection, the load sensors detecting the load based on the amount of deflection measured by the deflection gauge, a connecting member connecting the load input portions, a seat supporting member connected to the connecting member and adapted to support the seat for the vehicle, the seat supporting member transmitting load to the connecting member, and a stopper preventing deformation of the connecting member in a vertical direction of the seat when load which exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the connecting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicants: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki KAWABATA, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Hiroyuki Fujii, Kenichiro Akizuki, Minoru Izawa