Patents by Inventor Kazunobu Hashimoto

Kazunobu Hashimoto 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: 10028881
    Abstract: A swinging leg pendulum movement aid for walking including a pair of assisting units for a left leg and a right leg each having a drive source for applying a pulling force to an auxiliary force transmission part, a joint angle sensor for detecting a joint angle of user's hip joints, and a control member for driving the drive sources of the respective assisting units corresponding to changes in the joint angle and applying an assistance force in a forward swinging direction to the swinging leg that kicked off a ground so as to aid a pendulum movement of the swinging leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignees: KYUSHU UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION, SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Motoji Yamamoto, Shin-ichiro Takasugi, Masanori Sato, Takahiro Komatsu, Kazunobu Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9954162
    Abstract: A reactive ionic liquid to be used as an ionic component that is contained in an ion-containing layer in a transducer arranged in contact with a high-resistance layer as a dielectric layer of the transducer, and is restrained from migrating from the ion-containing layer to the high-resistance layer on application of a voltage is provided. The reactive ionic liquid comprises an ion pair that consists of an anion and a cation. (a) The cation (a1) is an imidazolium or quaternary ammonium cation, and (a2) comprises a reactive group that consists of an alkoxysilyl or phosphonate group. (b) The anion (b1) is a sulfonate, sulfonylimide, or nitrobenzoate anion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignees: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED, KYUSHU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shigeaki Takamatsu, Yota Kokubo, Kazunobu Hashimoto, Hitoshi Yoshikawa, Atsushi Takahara, Ryousuke Matsuno, Hideyuki Otsuka
  • Patent number: 9763847
    Abstract: Provided is a joint movement aid, which has a simple structure and is lightweight and which a user can easily put on and take off, and which has a novel structure capable of safely supporting a walking without impeding a user's autonomous fall-preventing movement even in a case of a disturbance such as external force on the user in a transverse direction. The walking movement aid includes a right and left pair of assisting units provided with drive sources, which exert a pulling force on flexible auxiliary force transmission parts, and a control member for controlling the respective drive sources of the assisting units corresponding to changes in a joint angle with user's hip joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignees: KYUSHU UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION, SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Motoji Yamamoto, Shin-ichiro Takasugi, Yukihide Iwamoto, Masanori Sato, Kazunobu Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9550865
    Abstract: An ion-immobilized metal oxide particle includes a metal oxide particle and an anion that itself includes a) a reactive group that consists of an alkoxysilyl group and b) an anionic group consisting of a carboxylate (—COO?) group or a sulfonate (—SO3?) group, the anion being immobilized to the metal oxide particle via a silanol group derived from the reactive group. An elastomer includes the ion-immobilized metal oxide particle, and a transducer includes the elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignees: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED, KYUSHU UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeaki Takamatsu, Ryosuke Matsuno, Shingi Kumagai, Yota Kokubo, Kazunobu Hashimoto, Hitoshi Yoshikawa, Atsushi Takahara, Hideyuki Otsuka
  • Publication number: 20160235615
    Abstract: A joint-movement assisting device including: (i) an assist force control member to adjust an output level of a driving member in order to bring a load acting on an assist force transmission part to a targeted assist force during action of an assist force; (ii) a slack prevention control member to operate the driving member and exert a bias force on the assist force transmission part in order to eliminate a slack thereof during non-action of the assist force; and a load sensor to detect the load acting on the assist force transmission part in a direction of tension. For at least one of the assist force control member and the slack prevention control member, the driving member is feedback-controlled based on a detection value by the load sensor in order to bring the acting load to the targeted assist force or bias force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicants: KYUSHU UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION, Sumitomo Riko Company Limited
    Inventors: Motoji YAMAMOTO, Shin-ichiro TAKASUGI, Shanhai JIN, Hiroshi YOSHIMINE, Takahiro KOMATSU, Kazunobu HASHIMOTO, Shohei SATO
  • Publication number: 20160075835
    Abstract: An ion-immobilized metal oxide particle includes a metal oxide particle and an anion that itself includes a) a reactive group that consists of an alkoxysilyl group and b) an anionic group consisting of a carboxylate (—COO?) group or a sulfonate (—SO3?) group, the anion being immobilized to the metal oxide particle via a silanol group derived from the reactive group. An elastomer includes the ion-immobilized metal oxide particle, and a transducer includes the elastomer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicants: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED, KYUSHU UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeaki TAKAMATSU, Ryosuke MATSUNO, Shingi KUMAGAI, Yota KOKUBO, Kazunobu HASHIMOTO, Hitoshi YOSHIKAWA, Atsushi TAKAHARA, Hideyuki OTSUKA
  • Patent number: 9212263
    Abstract: A reactive ionic liquid to be used as an ionic component that is contained in an ion-containing layer in a transducer arranged in contact with a high-resistance layer as a dielectric layer of the transducer, and is restrained from migrating from the ion-containing layer to the high-resistance layer on application of a voltage is provided. The reactive ionic liquid comprises an ion pair that consists of an anion and a cation. In the reactive ionic liquid, (a) the anion comprises (a1) a reactive group that consists of an alkoxysilyl group and (a2) an anionic group consisting of a carboxylate (—COO?) group or a sulfonate (—SO3?) group. (b) The cation (b1) consists of an imidazolium, ammonium, pyrrolidinium, morpholinium, or phosphonium cation, and (b2) does not comprise an N—H group or a P—H group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignees: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED, KYUSHU UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeaki Takamatsu, Ryosuke Matsuno, Shingi Kumagai, Yota Kokubo, Kazunobu Hashimoto, Hitoshi Yoshikawa, Atsushi Takahara, Hideyuki Otsuka
  • Patent number: 9073449
    Abstract: An efficiency map generating apparatus (100) generates an efficiency map of motors (M) connected to drive wheels of a mobile body and includes an instructed torque detecting unit (111) that detects an instructed torque input for the multiple motors (M), a torque distributing unit (112) that distributes torque to each of the multiple motors (M) based on the instructed torque, a power consumption detecting unit (113) that detects power consumption of the motors (M), a rotation count detecting unit (103) that detects the rotation counts of the motors (M), and an efficiency map generating unit (114) that generates a motor efficiency map (115) based on the torque in multiple combinations, the power consumption, and the rotation counts, where the torque distributing unit (112) causes any of the multiple motors (M) to generate regenerative torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Kitano, Masahiro Kato, Yoshikazu Takeuchi, Kazunobu Hashimoto, Chihiro Kawabata, Eiji Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 9045057
    Abstract: An efficiency map generating apparatus (100) generates an efficiency map of motors (M) connected to drive wheels of a mobile body and includes an instructed torque detecting unit (111) that detects an instructed torque input for the multiple motors (M), a torque distributing unit (112) that distributes torque to each of the multiple motors (M) based on the instructed torque, a power consumption detecting unit (113) that detects power consumption of the motors (M), a rotation count detecting unit (103) that detects the rotation counts of the motors (M), and an efficiency map generating unit (114) that generates a motor efficiency map (115) based on the torque in multiple combinations, the power consumption, and the rotation counts, where the torque distributing unit (112) causes any of the multiple motors (M) to generate regenerative torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Kitano, Masahiro Kato, Yoshikazu Takeuchi, Kazunobu Hashimoto, Chihiro Kawabata, Eiji Muramatsu
  • Publication number: 20150137666
    Abstract: A reactive ionic liquid to be used as an ionic component that is contained in an ion-containing layer in a transducer arranged in contact with a high-resistance layer as a dielectric layer of the transducer, and is restrained from migrating from the ion-containing layer to the high-resistance layer on application of a voltage is provided. The reactive ionic liquid comprises an ion pair that consists of an anion and a cation. (a) The cation (a1) is an imidazolium or quaternary ammonium cation, and (a2) comprises a reactive group that consists of an alkoxysilyl or phosphonate group. (b) The anion (b1) is a sulfonate, sulfonylimide, or nitrobenzoate anion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicants: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED, KYUSHU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shigeaki TAKAMATSU, Yota KOKUBO, Kazunobu HASHIMOTO, Hitoshi YOSHIKAWA, Atsushi TAKAHARA, Ryousuke MATSUNO, Hideyuki OTSUKA
  • Patent number: 9014897
    Abstract: A torque distribution apparatus acquires instructed torque input and a motor efficiency map; detects vehicular speed and drive wheel rotational speed; calculates based on the speeds, a relational expression of a slip rate at drive wheels and a friction coefficient; creates based on the relational expression, a performance curve expression that indicates torque-drive wheel rotational speed relations, superimposes the performance curve expression on the motor efficiency map, creates an efficiency variation expression that indicates for each vehicular speed, the torque and efficiency values of the motor efficiency map, and calculates torque that optimizes efficiency, from the efficiency variation expression; calculates within a range of the slip rate being 0 to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Kato, Eiji Muramatsu, Chihiro Kawabata, Kazutoshi Kitano, Kazunobu Hashimoto, Yoshikazu Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8935032
    Abstract: A torque distribution apparatus acquires an instructed torque input and a motor efficiency map for motors; detects vehicular speed and drive wheel rotational speed; calculates based on the detected speeds, a relational expression of drive wheel slip rate and a friction coefficient; creates based on the relational expression, a performance curve expression indicating relations between torque and the drive wheel rotational speed, superimposes the performance curve expression on the motor efficiency map, creates an efficiency variation expression indicating for each vehicular speed, the torque and efficiency values of the motor efficiency map, and calculates a torque that optimizes efficiency from the efficiency variation expression; calculates based on the instructed torque and the torque optimizing efficiency, a torque distribution value for each motor; and controls torque distribution to each motor, within a range of the slip rate being 0 to 0.2 and based on the torque distribution values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Kato, Eiji Muramatsu, Chihiro Kawabata, Kazutoshi Kitano, Kazunobu Hashimoto, Yoshikazu Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20140300247
    Abstract: A reactive ionic liquid to be used as an ionic component that is contained in an ion-containing layer in a transducer arranged in contact with a high-resistance layer as a dielectric layer of the transducer, and is restrained from migrating from the ion-containing layer to the high-resistance layer on application of a voltage is provided. The reactive ionic liquid comprises an ion pair that consists of an anion and a cation. In the reactive ionic liquid, (a) the anion comprises (a1) a reactive group that consists of an alkoxysilyl group and (a2) an anionic group consisting of a carboxylate (—COO?) group or a sulfonate (—SO3?) group. (b) The cation (b1) consists of an imidazolium, ammonium, pyrrolidinium, morpholinium, or phosphonium cation, and (b2) does not comprise an N—H group or a P—H group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Shigeaki TAKAMATSU, Ryosuke MATSUNO, Shingi KUMAGAI, Yota KOKUBO, Kazunobu HASHIMOTO, Hitoshi YOSHIKAWA, Atsushi TAKAHARA, Hideyuki OTSUKA
  • Publication number: 20140296761
    Abstract: Provided is a joint movement aid, which has a simple structure and is lightweight and which a user can easily put on and take off, and which has a novel structure capable of safely supporting a walking without impeding a user's autonomous fall-preventing movement even in a case of a disturbance such as external force on the user in a transverse direction. The walking movement aid includes a right and left pair of assisting units provided with drive sources, which exert a pulling force on flexible auxiliary force transmission parts, and a control member for controlling the respective drive sources of the assisting units corresponding to changes in a joint angle with user's hip joints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Motoji YAMAMOTO, Shin-ichiro TAKASUGI, Yukihide IWAMOTO, Masanori SATO, Kazunobu HASHIMOTO
  • Patent number: 8849538
    Abstract: A torque distribution apparatus includes an instructed torque acquiring unit that acquires input instructed torque, a determining unit that determines whether to perform power running control or regenerative braking, an efficiency map acquiring unit that based on a determination result, acquires a motor efficiency map, a vehicular speed detecting unit, a drive wheel rotational speed detecting, a slip rate calculating unit that calculates slip rate at drive wheels, a calculating unit that based on the slip rate, creates an efficiency variation expression that indicates efficiency values on a performance curve that indicates relations between drive wheel rotational speed and torque, a distributing unit that calculates based on the slip rate, the instructed torque, and the torque optimizing efficiency, torque distribution values such that overall efficiency during power running and during regeneration are maximized, and a control unit that controls torque distribution to the motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Kato, Eiji Muramatsu, Kazutoshi Kitano, Chihiro Kawabata, Kazunobu Hashimoto, Yoshikazu Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8770045
    Abstract: A purpose is to provide a sensor assembly and a sensor module having a flexible sensor element that uses polymer material and having a component such as the sensor element and the like that hardly deteriorates and is superior in durability. A sensor assembly includes a sensor element and an exterior packaging bag enclosing the sensor element. The sensor element includes a sensor thin film made of resin or elastomer, and at least one pair of electrodes connected to the sensor thin film. The exterior packaging bag is made from laminate films having a metal foil and two resin layers arranged sandwiching the metal foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Murayama, Yuuki Saitou, Tomonori Hayakawa, Kazunobu Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20140163435
    Abstract: A swinging leg pendulum movement aid for walking including a pair of assisting units for a left leg and a right leg each having a drive source for applying a pulling force to an auxiliary force transmission part, a joint angle sensor for detecting a joint angle of user's hip joints, and a control member for driving the drive sources of the respective assisting units corresponding to changes in the joint angle and applying an assistance force in a forward swinging direction to the swinging leg that kicked off a ground so as to aid a pendulum movement of the swinging leg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Motoji YAMAMOTO, Shin-ichiro TAKASUGI, Masanori SATO, Takahiro KOMATSU, Kazunobu HASHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140067181
    Abstract: A torque distribution apparatus acquires an instructed torque input and a motor efficiency map for motors; detects vehicular speed and drive wheel rotational speed; calculates based on the detected speeds, a relational expression of drive wheel slip rate and a friction coefficient; creates based on the relational expression, a performance curve expression indicating relations between torque and the drive wheel rotational speed, superimposes the performance curve expression on the motor efficiency map, creates an efficiency variation expression indicating for each vehicular speed, the torque and efficiency values of the motor efficiency map, and calculates a torque that optimizes efficiency from the efficiency variation expression; calculates based on the instructed torque and the torque optimizing efficiency, a torque distribution value for each motor; and controls torque distribution to each motor, within a range of the slip rate being 0 to 0.2 and based on the torque distribution values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Masahiro Kato, Eiji Muramatsu, Chihiro Kawabata, Kazutoshi Kitano, Kazunobu Hashimoto, Yoshikazu Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20140046568
    Abstract: A torque distribution apparatus includes an instructed torque acquiring unit that acquires input instructed torque, a determining unit that determines whether to perform power running control or regenerative braking, an efficiency map acquiring unit that based on a determination result, acquires a motor efficiency map, a vehicular speed detecting unit, a drive wheel rotational speed detecting, a slip rate calculating unit that calculates slip rate at drive wheels, a calculating unit that based on the slip rate, creates an efficiency variation expression that indicates efficiency values on a performance curve that indicates relations between drive wheel rotational speed and torque, a distributing unit that calculates based on the slip rate, the instructed torque, and the torque optimizing efficiency, torque distribution values such that overall efficiency during power running and during regeneration are maximized, and a control unit that controls torque distribution to the motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Masahiro Kato, Eiji Muramatsu, Kazutoshi Kitano, Chihiro Kawabata, Kazunobu Hashimoto, Yoshikazu Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20140018988
    Abstract: An efficiency map generating apparatus (100) generates an efficiency map of motors (M) connected to drive wheels of a mobile body and includes an instructed torque detecting unit (111) that detects an instructed torque input for the multiple motors (M), a torque distributing unit (112) that distributes torque to each of the multiple motors (M) based on the instructed torque, a power consumption detecting unit (113) that detects power consumption of the motors (M), a rotation count detecting unit (103) that detects the rotation counts of the motors (M), and an efficiency map generating unit (114) that generates a motor efficiency map (115) based on the torque in multiple combinations, the power consumption, and the rotation counts, where the torque distributing unit (112) causes any of the multiple motors (M) to generate regenerative torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Kitano, Masahiro Kato, Yoshikazu Takeuchi, Kazunobu Hashimoto, Chihiro Kawabata, Eiji Muramatsu