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).
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Patent number: 11977136Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 22, 2023Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: TDK CORPORATIONInventors: Hirokazu Takahashi, Kenzo Makino
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Patent number: 11971461Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes an insulating layer including a protruding surface, a first MR element, and a second MR element. The protruding surface includes a first curved surface portion. The first curved surface portion includes a first portion including an upper end portion of the protruding surface, and a second portion continuous with the first portion at a position away from the upper end portion of the protruding surface. When the shape of the protruding surface is regarded as a function Z, the mean value of the absolute value of a second derivative Z? of the function Z corresponding to the first portion is smaller than the mean value of the absolute value of the second derivative Z? of the function Z corresponding to the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2022Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: TDK CORPORATIONInventors: Hiromichi Umehara, Kenzo Makino, Masachika Hashino
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Publication number: 20240125873Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: TDK CORPORATIONInventors: Hidekazu KOJIMA, Kenzo Makino, Hiraku Hirabayashi
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Patent number: 11959943Abstract: A magnetic field detection apparatus includes a magnetoresistive effect element and a conductor. The magnetoresistive effect element includes a magnetoresistive effect film extending in a first axis direction and including a first end part, a second end part, and an intermediate part between the first and second end parts. The conductor includes a first part and a second part that each extend in a second axis direction inclined with respect to the first axis direction. The conductor is configured to be supplied with a current and thereby configured to generate an induction magnetic field to be applied to the magnetoresistive effect film in a third axis direction orthogonal to the second axis direction. The first part and the second part respectively overlap the first end part and the second end part in a fourth axis direction orthogonal to both of the second axis direction and the third axis direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: TDK CORPORATIONInventors: Norikazu Ota, Kenzo Makino, Hiraku Hirabayashi
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Publication number: 20240110951Abstract: A magnetic field detection apparatus includes a magnetoresistive effect element and a coil. The coil includes first and second tier parts opposed to each other in a first axis direction, with the magnetoresistive effect element interposed therebetween. The coil is configured to be supplied with a current and thereby configured to generate an induction magnetic field to be applied to the magnetoresistive effect element in a second axis direction. The first tier part includes first conductors extending in a third axis direction, arranged in the second axis direction and coupled in parallel to each other. The second tier part includes a second conductor or second conductors extending in the third axis direction, the second conductors being arranged in the second axis direction and coupled in parallel to each other. The first conductors each have a width smaller than a width of the second conductor or each of the second conductors.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Applicant: TDK CORPORATIONInventors: Takafumi KOBAYASHI, Norikazu OTA, Kenzo MAKINO
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Patent number: 11940506Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes at least one MR element and a coil. The coil includes at least one conductor portion. The at least one conductor portion is each located at a position such that a partial magnetic field generated by the conductor portion is applied to one of the at least one MR element, the one corresponding to the conductor portion, and extends along an imaginary curve curving to protrude in a direction away from the corresponding MR element.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2022Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: TDK CORPORATIONInventors: Kenzo Makino, Norikazu Ota
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Publication number: 20240094313Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: TDK CorporationInventors: Hiromichi UMEHARA, Keita KAWAMORI, Kenzo MAKINO, Masachika HASHINO
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Publication number: 20240094315Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: TDK CORPORATIONInventors: Hirokazu TAKAHASHI, Kenzo MAKINO
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Patent number: 11919550Abstract: A rail breakage detection device includes a first core part provided to a first cable connecting an electrical neutral point of an impedance bond that electrically connects a first rail and a second rail to the first rail, a second core part provided to a second cable connecting the electrical neutral point of the impedance bond to the second rail, a first coil wound around the first core part to generate a first electromotive force in accordance with a current variation occurring in the first cable, a second coil connected electrically to the first coil and wound around the second core part to generate a second electromotive force in accordance with a current variation occurring in the second cable, and a CPU to determine that the first or second rail is broken based on an electromotive force that is a sum of the first and second electromotive forces.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2018Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoaki Takewa, Takafumi Nagano, Yoshitsugu Sawa, Wataru Tsujita, Kenzo Makino, Katsunori Tsuchida, Daisuke Koshino
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Patent number: 11892527Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 19, 2022Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: TDK CORPORATIONInventors: Hidekazu Kojima, Kenzo Makino, Hiraku Hirabayashi
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Patent number: 11885835Abstract: A magnetic field detection apparatus includes a magnetoresistive effect element and a coil. The coil includes first and second tier parts opposed to each other in a first axis direction, with the magnetoresistive dal element interposed therebetween. The coil is configured to be supplied with a current and thereby configured to generate an induction magnetic field to be applied to the magnetoresistive effect element in a second axis direction. The first tier part includes first conductors extending in a third axis direction, arranged in the second axis direction and coupled in parallel to each other. The second tier part includes a second conductor or second conductors extending in the third axis direction, the second conductors being arranged in the second axis direction and coupled in parallel to each other. The first conductor each have a width smaller than a width of the second conductor or each of the second conductors.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: TDK CORPORATIONInventors: Takafumi Kobayashi, Norikazu Ota, Kenzo Makino
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Patent number: 11867779Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 15, 2022Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: TDK CORPORATIONInventors: Hiromichi Umehara, Keita Kawamori, Kenzo Makino, Masachika Hashino
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Patent number: 11860251Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 5, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: TDK CORPORATIONInventors: Hirokazu Takahashi, Kenzo Makino
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Publication number: 20230417846Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Applicant: TDK CORPORATIONInventors: Kenzo MAKINO, Shuhei MIYAZAKI
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Publication number: 20230341484Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Applicant: TDK CORPORATIONInventors: Hirokazu TAKAHASHI, Kenzo MAKINO
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Patent number: 11789094Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 4, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: TDK CORPORATIONInventors: Kenzo Makino, Shuhei Miyazaki
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Patent number: 11726150Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 13, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: TDK CORPORATIONInventors: Hirokazu Takahashi, Kenzo Makino
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Patent number: 11686787Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes first to fourth resistor sections and a plurality of MR elements. Each of the plurality of MR elements belongs to any of first to fourth groups. The first to fourth groups are defined based on the areas of top surfaces of the MR elements. The first resistor section, the second resistor section, the third resistor section, and the fourth resistor section are constituted of the first group, the second group, the third group, and the fourth group, respectively; the second group, the first group, the fourth group, and the third group, respectively; the first group, the fourth group, the third group, and the second group, respectively; or the third group, the second group, the first group, and the fourth group, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2022Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: TDK CORPORATIONInventor: Kenzo Makino
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Patent number: 11667298Abstract: Provided are a driver posture measurement device and a vehicle control device that can accurately measure the posture of a driver with a simple configuration without attaching a plurality of wireless communication units to a vehicle. The driver posture measurement device and the vehicle control device are configured such that, between one wireless communication unit provided on the vehicle side and one wireless communication unit provided on the driver side, radio waves are radiated from the wireless communication unit provided on the vehicle side, and on the basis of a radio wave arrival angle of the radio waves arriving at the wireless communication unit provided on the driver side, the driver posture is measured.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Tatsuo Fujimoto, Nobuyoshi Tomomatsu, Taiga Tanaka, Tatsuji Irie, Wataru Tsujita, Junji Hori, Kenzo Makino
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Publication number: 20230150501Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2022Publication date: May 18, 2023Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Takuma Kusagaki, Tatsuo Fujimoto, Nobuyoshi Tomomatsu, Taiga Tanaka, Tatsuji Irie, Wataru Tsujita, Kenzo Makino