Patents by Inventor Kenzo Makino

Kenzo Makino 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: 12282076
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes an insulating layer, a first MR element, and a second MR element. The insulating layer includes a protruding surface including first and second inclined surfaces. Each of the first and second MR elements includes a magnetization pinned layer and a free layer. The magnetization pinned layer and the free layer of the first MR element are disposed on the first inclined surface. The magnetization pinned layer and the free layer of the second MR element are disposed on the second inclined surface. The dimension of the protruding surface in a direction parallel to the Z direction is in the range of 1.4 ?m to 3.0 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromichi Umehara, Keita Kawamori, Kenzo Makino, Masachika Hashino
  • Publication number: 20250123341
    Abstract: A magnetic field detection apparatus includes a substrate including a flat surface, and multiple projections including a first projection and a second projection. Each of the multiple projections is provided on the flat surface and includes a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface, the first inclined surface being inclined with respect to the flat surface, the second inclined surface being inclined with respect to both the flat surface and the first inclined surface. A first magnetoresistive effect film is provided on the first inclined surface. A second magnetoresistive effect film is provided on the second inclined surface. A first wiring line couples the first magnetoresistive effect film provided on the first inclined surface of the first projection of the multiple projections and the first magnetoresistive effect film provided on the first inclined surface of the second projection of the multiple projections to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Applicant: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke TAKASUGI, Kenzo MAKINO
  • Publication number: 20250123340
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a first path and a second path, a plurality of structures, and a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes. The first path includes at least one first array. The second path includes at least one second array. The at least one first array and the at least one second array are disposed so that they are arranged in a first direction. The at least one first array and the at least one second array each include an odd number of structures disposed so that they are arranged in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Applicant: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya HIRAKI, Kenzo Makino, Naoki Ohta
  • Publication number: 20250093434
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes an MR element. The MR element includes a free layer. The free layer has a first surface having a shape that is long in one direction and a second surface located opposite the first surface, and has a thickness that is a dimension in a direction perpendicular to the first surface. The first surface has a first edge and a second edge located at both lateral ends of the first surface. In a given cross section, the thickness at the first edge is smaller than the thickness at a predetermined point on the first surface between the first edge and the second edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Applicant: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu TAKAHASHI, Kenzo Makino
  • Patent number: 12248040
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a substrate including a top surface; an insulating layer disposed on the substrate, the insulating layer including first and second inclined surfaces each inclined with respect to the top surface of the substrate; and an MR element. The MR element is disposed on the first inclined surface or the second inclined surface. The MR element includes a first side surface including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion having different angles with respect to the first inclined surface or the second inclined surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidekazu Kojima, Kenzo Makino, Hiraku Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 12233868
    Abstract: The objective is to improve driving feeling at a time of acceleration operation or deceleration operation, by recognizing driver's intention of acceleration or deceleration during straight-ahead running. A driving-assistance control apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a straight-running determination unit that determines whether or not a vehicle is running straight, a head-position detection unit that detects a head position of a driver, a driving-posture determination unit that determines the posture of the driver, based on the head position detected by the head-position detection unit, and a driving-assistance control unit that performs acceleration preparation control for raising a reaction speed for acceleration operation or deceleration preparation control for raising a reaction speed for deceleration operation in accordance with an output of the driving-posture determination unit, when the straight-running determination unit determines that a vehicle is running straight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuo Fujimoto, Nobuyoshi Tomomatsu, Takuma Kusagaki, Taiga Tanaka, Tatsuji Irie, Wataru Tsujita, Kenzo Makino
  • Patent number: 12235334
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes an insulating layer, a first MR element, and a second MR element. The insulating layer includes a first layer and a second layer, and also includes first and second inclined surfaces formed across the first layer and the second layer. Each of the first and second MR elements includes a magnetization pinned layer and a free layer. The magnetization pinned layer and the free layer of the first MR element are disposed on the first inclined surface. The magnetization pinned layer and the free layer of the second MR element are disposed on the second inclined surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromichi Umehara, Keita Kawamori, Kenzo Makino, Masachika Hashino
  • Publication number: 20250060425
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor device includes a first chip including a first magnetic sensor, a second chip including a second magnetic sensor and a third magnetic sensor, and a support having a reference plane. The first magnetic sensor includes at least one first magnetic detection element, and detects a first component of an external magnetic field. The second magnetic sensor includes at least one second magnetic detection element, and detects a second component of the external magnetic field. The third magnetic sensor includes at least one third magnetic detection element, and detects a third component of the external magnetic field. The first chip and the second chip are mounted on the reference plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Applicant: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenzo MAKINO, Shuhei MIYAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20250060428
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a first insulating layer, a second insulating layer, a third insulating layer, a lower coil element located on an opposite side of the first insulating layer from the second insulating layer, and a second MR element. The second MR element includes a magnetization pinned layer and a free layer. The magnetization pinned layer and the free layer are located on an opposite side of the third insulating layer from the second insulating layer. The first and third insulating layers each contain a first insulating material. The second insulating layer contains a second insulating material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Applicant: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke TAKASUGI, Kenzo MAKINO, Hiraku HIRABAYASHI, Masanori SAKAI
  • Patent number: 12216183
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a first path and a second path, a plurality of structures, and a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes. The first path includes at least one first array. The second path includes at least one second array. The at least one first array and the at least one second array are disposed so that they are arranged in a first direction. The at least one first array and the at least one second array each include an odd number of structures disposed so that they are arranged in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuya Hiraki, Kenzo Makino, Naoki Ohta
  • Patent number: 12189003
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes an MR element. The MR element includes a free layer. The free layer has a first surface having a shape that is long in one direction and a second surface located opposite the first surface, and has a thickness that is a dimension in a direction perpendicular to the first surface. The first surface has a first edge and a second edge located at both lateral ends of the first surface. In a given cross section, the thickness at the first edge is smaller than the thickness at a predetermined point on the first surface between the first edge and the second edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu Takahashi, Kenzo Makino
  • Patent number: 12174273
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor device includes a first chip including a first magnetic sensor, a second chip including a second magnetic sensor and a third magnetic sensor, and a support having a reference plane. The first magnetic sensor includes at least one first magnetic detection element, and detects a first component of an external magnetic field. The second magnetic sensor includes at least one second magnetic detection element, and detects a second component of the external magnetic field. The third magnetic sensor includes at least one third magnetic detection element, and detects a third component of the external magnetic field. The first chip and the second chip are mounted on the reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenzo Makino, Shuhei Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 12164009
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a first insulating layer, a second insulating layer, a third insulating layer, a lower coil element located on an opposite side of the first insulating layer from the second insulating layer, and a second MR element. The second MR element includes a magnetization pinned layer and a free layer. The magnetization pinned layer and the free layer are located on an opposite side of the third insulating layer from the second insulating layer. The first and third insulating layers each contain a first insulating material. The second insulating layer contains a second insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Takasugi, Kenzo Makino, Hiraku Hirabayashi, Masanori Sakai
  • Publication number: 20240369651
    Abstract: A magnetic field detection apparatus includes first and second projections that are provided on a flat surface of a substrate and that each include first and second inclined surfaces. First and second MR films are provided on the first and second inclined surfaces, respectively. A first wiring line couples the first MR films provided on the respective first inclined surfaces of the first and second projections. A second wiring line couples the second MR films provided on the respective second inclined surfaces of the first and second projections. The first and second projections are adjacent in a first direction, with the first inclined surface of the first projection and the second inclined surface of the second projection opposed to each other in the first direction. One or more patterns are provided on the first inclined surface of the first projection, the second inclined surface of the second projection, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Applicant: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke TAKASUGI, Kenzo Makino
  • Patent number: 12134382
    Abstract: The posture of the driver is detected from the driver head portion, and the detected value and the driver mounting determination value are used to determine that the driver is pushing the vehicle and obtain the vehicle pushing command value. Converts the vehicle pushing command value to the target vehicle pushing assistance vesicle speed, determines whether vehicle pushing assistance can be performed based on the driver's posture and the vehicle condition, and outputs the vehicle pushing assistance permission determination. Then, from the target vehicle pushing assistance vehicle speed and the vehicle pushing assistance permission determination, the control amount for the vehicle power source that assists the vehicle pushing is calculated and output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takuma Kusagaki, Tatsuo Fujimoto, Nobuyoshi Tomomatsu, Taiga Tanaka, Tatsuji Irie, Wataru Tsujita, Kenzo Makino
  • Publication number: 20240361404
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a substrate including a top surface, an insulating layer including an inclined surface, and a magnetic detection element disposed on the inclined surface. The magnetic detection element includes a first side surface and a second side surface. The first side surface is located at a position forward in a first direction that is one direction along the inclined surface. The second side surface is located at a position forward in a second direction that is another direction along the inclined surface. The magnetic detection element includes a first non-constant portion in which a gap between an upper end of the first side surface and an upper end of the second side surface becomes smaller along the longitudinal direction of the magnetic detection element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Applicant: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya Watanabe, Kenzo Makino
  • Patent number: 12072397
    Abstract: A magnetic field detection apparatus includes first and second projections that are provided on a flat surface of a substrate and that each include first and second inclined surfaces. First and second MR films are provided on the first and second inclined surfaces, respectively. A first wiring line couples the first MR films provided on the respective first inclined surfaces of the first and second projections. A second wiring line couples the second MR films provided on the respective second inclined surfaces of the first and second projections. The first and second projections are adjacent in a first direction, with the first inclined surface of the first projection and the second inclined surface of the second projection opposed to each other in the first direction. One or more patterns are provided on the first inclined surface of the first projection, the second inclined surface of the second projection, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Takasugi, Kenzo Makino
  • Publication number: 20240280651
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes an insulating layer, a first MR element, and a second MR element. The insulating layer includes a protruding surface including first and second inclined surfaces. Each of the first and second MR elements includes a magnetization pinned layer and a free layer. The magnetization pinned layer and the free layer of the first MR element are disposed on the first inclined surface. The magnetization pinned layer and the free layer of the second MR element are disposed on the second inclined surface. The dimension of the protruding surface in a direction parallel to the Z direction is in the range of 1.4 ?m to 3.0 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromichi Umehara, Keita Kawamori, Kenzo Makino, Masachika Hashino
  • Publication number: 20240272248
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes an MR element and a support member. A top surface of the support member includes an inclined portion. The MR element includes an MR element main body, a lower electrode, and an upper electrode. The lower electrode includes a first end closest to a lower end of the inclined portion and a second end closest to an upper end of the inclined portion. The MR element main body is located at a position closer to the second end than to the first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Applicant: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenzo MAKINO, Takafumi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20240272249
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes an MR element and a support member. The support member has an opposed surface including a first inclined portion, and a bottom surface. In a given cross section, the first inclined portion is inclined at a first angle at a first position, and inclined at a second angle smaller than the first angle at a second position. The absolute value of a curvature of the first inclined portion at the first position is less than the absolute value of the curvature of the first inclined portion at the second position. The MR element is provided on the first inclined portion so that the first edge is located above the first position in a given cross section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Applicant: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu Takahashi, Kenzo Makino