Patents by Inventor Kenichiro Kawamura

Kenichiro Kawamura 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: 11701014
    Abstract: A gas control device includes a pump, a valve, a cuff, and a controller. The valve includes a first plate having a first vent hole and a first vent hole, a channel forming plate having an exhaust hole and an exhaust channel, a second plate having a second vent hole, and an edge separation plate. A manchette rubber tube in the cuff is joined to the periphery of the second vent hole in the second plate by an adhesive, and thus the valve is connected to the cuff. The exhaust hole is opened to the atmosphere. The pump includes a pump housing having a discharge hole and a discharge hole. The upper surface of the pump housing is joined to the bottom surface of the edge separation plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Kawamura, Yukiharu Kodama, Kosuke Narita, Hiroki Achiwa, Hiroshi Takemura
  • Patent number: 11578715
    Abstract: A pump is provided with a pump housing, a vibrating portion, a driving portion, and a displacement regulating portion. The pump housing internally has a pump chamber. The vibrating portion is supported against the pump housing in the pump chamber and divides the pump chamber into a first pump chamber and a second pump chamber. The driving portion drives the vibrating portion so as to bend and vibrate the vibrating portion in a predetermined direction. The displacement regulating portion is positioned to prevent displacement of the vibrating portion that results in plastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaaki Fujisaki, Kenichiro Kawamura
  • Patent number: 11512690
    Abstract: A pump is provided with a pump housing, a vibrating portion, a driving portion, and a displacement regulating portion. The pump housing internally has a pump chamber. The vibrating portion is supported against the pump housing in the pump chamber and divides the pump chamber into a first pump chamber and a second pump chamber. The driving portion drives the vibrating portion so as to bend and vibrate the vibrating portion in a predetermined direction. The displacement regulating portion is positioned to prevent displacement of the vibrating portion that results in plastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaaki Fujisaki, Kenichiro Kawamura
  • Patent number: 11486388
    Abstract: A fluid control apparatus includes a piezoelectric pump and valve. The valve includes a second valve housing, second seal member, diaphragm, first seal member, and first valve housing and has a structure in which they are laminated in sequence. The first valve housing includes a second vent and third vent, has a valve seat, and includes six cavities. The second valve housing has a first vent and first vent and includes a valve seat and six first protrusions. The second valve housing further includes six second protrusions nearer the outer edges than the six first protrusions, as seen in the x-axis direction in plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Kawamura, Tsuyoshi Waku, Yukinori Sakuraya
  • Publication number: 20220333704
    Abstract: A valve includes a first case member having an inflow port and a first valve seat, a second case member having an air outlet and a discharge port, a valve chamber formed by bonding the first case member and the second case member, at least one of which has a recessed shape, with a first bonding member while the recessed shape is located on an inner side, and a diaphragm formed so as to partition the valve chamber into a lower valve chamber connected to the inflow port and an upper valve chamber connecting the discharge port and the air outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventor: Kenichiro KAWAMURA
  • Patent number: 11408524
    Abstract: A valve (10) includes a first case member (101) having an inflow port (H1) and a first valve seat (VS), a second case member (105) having an air outlet (H2) and a discharge port (H3), a valve chamber formed by bonding the first case member (101) and the second case member (105), at least one of which has a recessed shape, with a first bonding member (300) while the recessed shape is located on an inner side, and a diaphragm (150) formed so as to partition the valve chamber into a lower valve chamber (106) connected to the inflow port (H1) and an upper valve chamber (107) connecting the discharge port (H3) and the air outlet (H2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichiro Kawamura
  • Patent number: 11293427
    Abstract: A valve includes a first valve housing, a second valve housing, a diaphragm, a first fixing part, and a second fixing part. The diaphragm defines an upstream valve chamber together with the first valve housing. The diaphragm defines a downstream valve chamber together with the second valve housing. The diaphragm is movable between a first position in which the diaphragm blocks communication between the upstream valve chamber and the downstream valve chamber, and a second position in which the diaphragm allows communication between the upstream valve chamber and the downstream valve chamber. When in its second position, the diaphragm makes contact with the inlet of the second discharge channel or the wall surface of the downstream valve chamber to seal between the second discharge channel and the first discharge channel, and when in its first position, the diaphragm allows communication between the first discharge channel and the second discharge channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Kawamura, Yukiharu Kodama, Hiroshi Takemura, Hiroki Achiwa
  • Patent number: 11167072
    Abstract: A suction discharge unit of a suction discharge device includes a first unit and a second unit. The second unit controls the pressure inside the first unit. The first unit includes a storage chamber and a water sealing chamber. The water sealing chamber includes a first chamber communicating with the storage chamber, and a second chamber is sealed from the first chamber by sealing water. A negative pressure control unit is disposed in the second chamber. The negative pressure control unit includes a liquid retaining part retaining a liquid, a control member including control holes, and a support tube supporting the control member. The negative pressure control unit controls the pressure of the first chamber by causing gas to flow from the second chamber into the first chamber via the control holes and the liquid based on the pressure of the second chamber and the pressure of the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kurihara, Susumu Takeuchi, Kenichiro Kawamura, Hiroaki Wada
  • Publication number: 20210276033
    Abstract: An atomizer includes a first piezoelectric pump, a first flow path, a reservoir part, and a second flow path. The first piezoelectric pump ejects gas through an outlet. The first flow path has a first end and a second end. The first end of the first flow path is connected to the outlet of the first piezoelectric pump. A connection point is provided between the first and second ends of the first flow path. Liquid is to be stored in the reservoir part. The second flow path has a first end and a second end. The first end of the second flow path is connected to the liquid reservoir part. The second end of the second flow path is connected to the connection point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Miki IKEDA, Kiyoshi KURIHARA, Susumu TAKEUCHI, Kenichiro KAWAMURA, Kenjiro OKAGUCHI, Masaaki FUJISAKI, Yohei Kawasaki, Hiroaki WADA
  • Patent number: 11089967
    Abstract: A fluid controller includes a piezoelectric pump, a valve, and a cuff. The valve includes a first valve housing, a diaphragm, and a second valve housing. The second valve housing has a second air hole, a third air hole, and a first valve seat. The second air hole connects to the internal space of the cuff. The third air hole connects to the outside of the fluid controller. The first valve seat is formed around the third air hole. Together, the second valve housing and the diaphragm form a first flow passage. The first flow passage connects the second air hole and the third air hole to each other. The second valve housing has a protruded portion protruding toward the diaphragm and providing a portion of the first flow passage. The shortest distance between the protruded portion and the diaphragm is less than the diameter of the third air hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichiro Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20210131416
    Abstract: A pump is provided with a pump housing, a vibrating portion, a driving portion, and a displacement regulating portion. The pump housing internally has a pump chamber. The vibrating portion is supported against the pump housing in the pump chamber and divides the pump chamber into a first pump chamber and a second pump chamber. The driving portion drives the vibrating portion so as to bend and vibrate the vibrating portion in a predetermined direction. The displacement regulating portion is positioned to prevent displacement of the vibrating portion that results in plastic deformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Masaaki FUJISAKI, Kenichiro KAWAMURA
  • Publication number: 20210115916
    Abstract: A fluid control apparatus includes a piezoelectric pump and valve. The valve includes a second valve housing, second seal member, diaphragm, first seal member, and first valve housing and has a structure in which they are laminated in sequence. The first valve housing includes a second vent and third vent, has a valve seat, and includes six cavities. The second valve housing has a first vent and first vent and includes a valve seat and six first protrusions. The second valve housing further includes six second protrusions nearer the outer edges than the six first protrusions, as seen in the x-axis direction in plan view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Kenichiro Kawamura, Tsuyoshi Waku, Yukinori Sakuraya
  • Patent number: 10920765
    Abstract: A pump is provided with a pump housing, a vibrating portion, a driving portion, and a displacement regulating portion. The pump housing internally has a pump chamber. The vibrating portion is supported against the pump housing in the pump chamber and divides the pump chamber into a first pump chamber and a second pump chamber. The driving portion drives the vibrating portion so as to bend and vibrate the vibrating portion in a predetermined direction. The displacement regulating portion is positioned to prevent displacement of the vibrating portion that results in plastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaaki Fujisaki, Kenichiro Kawamura
  • Patent number: 10883494
    Abstract: A fluid control apparatus includes a piezoelectric pump and valve. The valve includes a second valve housing, second seal member, diaphragm, first seal member, and first valve housing and has a structure in which they are laminated in sequence. The first valve housing includes a second vent and third vent, has a valve seat, and includes six cavities. The second valve housing has a first vent and first vent and includes a valve seat and six first protrusions. The second valve housing further includes six second protrusions nearer the outer edges than the six first protrusions, as seen in the x-axis direction in plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Kawamura, Tsuyoshi Waku, Yukinori Sakuraya
  • Publication number: 20200355278
    Abstract: A valve includes a first valve housing, a second valve housing, a diaphragm, a first fixing part, and a second fixing part. The diaphragm defines an upstream valve chamber together with the first valve housing. The diaphragm defines a downstream valve chamber together with the second valve housing. The diaphragm is movable between a first position in which the diaphragm blocks communication between the upstream valve chamber and the downstream valve chamber, and a second position in which the diaphragm allows communication between the upstream valve chamber and the downstream valve chamber. When in its second position, the diaphragm makes contact with the inlet of the second discharge channel or the wall surface of the downstream valve chamber to seal between the second discharge channel and the first discharge channel, and when in its first position, the diaphragm allows communication between the first discharge channel and the second discharge channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Kenichiro KAWAMURA, Yukiharu KODAMA, Hiroshi TAKEMURA, Hiroki ACHIWA
  • Patent number: 10781808
    Abstract: A sphygmomanometer device includes a piezoelectric pump, a valve, and a cuff. The valve includes a first valve housing, a diaphragm, and a second valve housing. The diaphragm is fixed to the second valve housing and first valve housing such that it is separated from a valve seat and the periphery of an opening portion in the diaphragm is in contact with a valve seat while providing a pressure thereto. Thus, the diaphragm defines a lower valve chamber communicating with a first vent hole, an upper valve chamber communicating with a second vent hole, a lower valve chamber communicating with a first vent hole, and an upper valve chamber communicating with the upper valve chamber, together with the second valve housing and first valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichiro Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20200217426
    Abstract: A valve (10) includes a first case member (101) having an inflow port (H1) and a first valve seat (VS), a second case member (105) having an air outlet (H2) and a discharge port (H3), a valve chamber formed by bonding the first case member (101) and the second case member (105), at least one of which has a recessed shape, with a first bonding member (300) while the recessed shape is located on an inner side, and a diaphragm (150) formed so as to partition the valve chamber into a lower valve chamber (106) connected to the inflow port (H1) and an upper valve chamber (107) connecting the discharge port (H3) and the air outlet (H2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventor: Kenichiro KAWAMURA
  • Publication number: 20190275218
    Abstract: A suction discharge unit of a suction discharge device includes a first unit and a second unit. The second unit controls the pressure inside the first unit. The first unit includes a storage chamber and a water sealing chamber. The water sealing chamber includes a first chamber communicating with the storage chamber, and a second chamber is sealed from the first chamber by sealing water. A negative pressure control unit is disposed in the second chamber. The negative pressure control unit includes a liquid retaining part retaining a liquid, a control member including control holes, and a support tube supporting the control member. The negative pressure control unit controls the pressure of the first chamber by causing gas to flow from the second chamber into the first chamber via the control holes and the liquid based on the pressure of the second chamber and the pressure of the first chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Kiyoshi KURIHARA, Susumu TAKEUCHI, Kenichiro KAWAMURA, Hiroaki WADA
  • Publication number: 20190038145
    Abstract: A fluid controller includes a piezoelectric pump, a valve, and a cuff. The valve includes a first valve housing, a diaphragm, and a second valve housing. The second valve housing has a second air hole, a third air hole, and a first valve seat. The second air hole connects to the internal space of the cuff. The third air hole connects to the outside of the fluid controller. The first valve seat is formed around the third air hole. Together, the second valve housing and the diaphragm form a first flow passage. The first flow passage connects the second air hole and the third air hole to each other. The second valve housing has a protruded portion protruding toward the diaphragm and providing a portion of the first flow passage. The shortest distance between the protruded portion and the diaphragm is less than the diameter of the third air hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventor: Kenichiro KAWAMURA
  • Publication number: 20180368704
    Abstract: A gas control device includes a pump, a valve, a cuff, and a controller. The valve includes a first plate having a first vent hole and a first vent hole, a channel forming plate having an exhaust hole and an exhaust channel, a second plate having a second vent hole, and an edge separation plate. A manchette rubber tube in the cuff is joined to the periphery of the second vent hole in the second plate by an adhesive, and thus the valve is connected to the cuff. The exhaust hole is opened to the atmosphere. The pump includes a pump housing having a discharge hole and a discharge hole. The upper surface of the pump housing is joined to the bottom surface of the edge separation plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Kenichiro Kawamura, Yukiharu Kodama, Kosuke Narita, Hiroki Achiwa, Hiroshi Takemura