Patents by Inventor Maki HIRAOKA

Maki HIRAOKA 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: 11952683
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an actuator device having a large ratio of contraction ratio to initial tension. The actuator device according to the present disclosure comprises an actuator band and a control device. The actuator band is formed by braiding, knitting, or weaving a plurality of actuator single wires. The plurality of the actuator single wires each comprise an actuator wire and a mesh-shaped heating element which covers a side surface of the actuator wire. The actuator wire is formed of a polymer fiber. The fiber is twisted around the long axis thereof and folded so as to have a cylindrical coil shape. The control device is configured to supply electric power for heating the mesh-shaped heating element. The actuator band is heated to be contracted along the longitudinal direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuriko Kaneko, Maki Hiraoka
  • Publication number: 20240090309
    Abstract: A semiconductor material of the present disclosure is represented by formula (I) below, in which R1, R2, and R3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R4 represents an aryl group, an amino group, a hydroxy group, or an alkoxy group, and n represents an integer greater than or equal to 2; and a photoelectric conversion element of the present disclosure includes a first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer, a hole transport layer, and a second electrode in this order, in which the hole transport layer includes the semiconductor material of the present disclosure:
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: TORU NAKAMURA, MAKI HIRAOKA, HIROSHI HIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20240057360
    Abstract: A solar cell according to the present disclosure includes a support, a photoelectric conversion element, and a sealing member. The photoelectric conversion element is in a sealed space defined by the support and the sealing member. The photoelectric conversion element includes, in this order, a first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a second electrode. An oxygen concentration in the sealed space is less than 10 ppm in terms of volume fraction, and a water vapor concentration in the sealed space is greater than or equal to 100 ppm and less than or equal to 5000 ppm in terms of volume fraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: MAKI HIRAOKA, TAKEYUKI SEKIMOTO, TAISUKE MATSUI, TORU NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 11696456
    Abstract: A solar cell 100 includes a substrate 1, a first electrode 6, an electron transport layer 2, a first photoelectric conversion layer 3, and a coating layer 5. The first photoelectric conversion layer 3 is disposed between the first electrode 6 and the substrate 1. The substrate 1 has a first main surface and a second main surface, and the second main surface has an uneven structure. The electron transport layer 2 has a first main surface and a second main surface, and the first main surface and the second main surface each have an uneven structure. The first photoelectric conversion layer 3 has a first main surface and a second main surface. The second main surface of the substrate 1 faces the first main surface of the electron transport layer 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Kawano, Taisuke Matsui, Akio Matsushita, Maki Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 11647640
    Abstract: A solar cell 100 includes a substrate 1, a first electrode 6, an electron transport layer 2, a first photoelectric conversion layer 3, and a coating layer 5. The first photoelectric conversion layer 3 is disposed between the first electrode 6 and the substrate 1. The substrate 1 has a first main surface and a second main surface, and the second main surface has an uneven structure. The electron transport layer 2 has a first main surface and a second main surface, and the first main surface and the second main surface each have an uneven structure. The first photoelectric conversion layer 3 has a first main surface and a second main surface. The second main surface of the substrate 1 faces the first main surface of the electron transport layer 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Kawano, Taisuke Matsui, Akio Matsushita, Maki Hiraoka
  • Publication number: 20230096903
    Abstract: A solar cell includes a first electrode, a first electron transport layer, a second electron transport layer, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a second electrode. The first electron transport layer includes carbon and a porous electron transport material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: MAKI HIRAOKA, TAKEYUKI SEKIMOTO, TERUAKI YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20220285639
    Abstract: A solar cell 100 includes a substrate 1, a first electrode 6, a carrier transport layer, such as a hole transport layer 5, a first photoelectric conversion layer 3, and a coating layer 4. The first photoelectric conversion layer is disposed between the first electrode 6 and the substrate 1. The substrate 1 has a first main surface and a second main surface, and the second main surface has an uneven structure. The first photoelectric conversion layer 3 has a first main surface and a second main surface, and the first main surface and the second main surface each have an uneven structure. The coating layer 4 has a first main surface and a second main surface, and the first main surface and the second main surface each have an uneven structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: TAISUKE MATSUI, KENJI KAWANO, AKIO MATSUSHITA, MAKI HIRAOKA
  • Publication number: 20220285640
    Abstract: A solar cell 100 includes a substrate 1, a first electrode 6, an electron transport layer 2, a first photoelectric conversion layer 3, and a coating layer 5. The first photoelectric conversion layer 3 is disposed between the first electrode 6 and the substrate 1. The substrate 1 has a first main surface and a second main surface, and the second main surface has an uneven structure. The electron transport layer 2 has a first main surface and a second main surface, and the first main surface and the second main surface each have an uneven structure. The first photoelectric conversion layer 3 has a first main surface and a second main surface. The second main surface of the substrate 1 faces the first main surface of the electron transport layer 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: KENJI KAWANO, TAISUKE MATSUI, AKIO MATSUSHITA, MAKI HIRAOKA
  • Publication number: 20220216439
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion film according to the present disclosure includes a perovskite compound including a monovalent formamidinium cation, a Pb cation and an iodide ion, and a substance having Hansen solubility parameters satisfying a dispersion term ?D of 20±0.5 MPa0.5, a polar term ?P of 18±1 MPa0.5 and a hydrogen bonding term ?H of 11±2 MPa0.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: MAKI HIRAOKA, RYUUSUKE UCHIDA, TORU NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20220077411
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a photoelectric conversion film having a high light absorption ability and a long carrier life. A photoelectric conversion film of the present disclosure includes a perovskite compound including a monovalent formamidinium cation, a Pb cation and an iodide ion. The film thickness of the photoelectric conversion film is greater than or equal to 1 ?m. In the photoelectric conversion film, the ratio of root mean square roughness Rq to the film thickness is less than or equal to 0.13.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: MAKI HIRAOKA, TORU NAKAMURA, RYUUSUKE UCHIDA, AKIO MATSUSHITA
  • Patent number: 11181100
    Abstract: In order to stably operate an actuator device in repeated operations with suppression of an increase in a resistance value of a heating wire, the actuator band according to the present disclosure comprises a plurality of actuator wires and a plurality of heating wires. Each of the plurality of the actuator wires is formed of a fiber which consists of a polymer. The fiber is twisted along the long axis thereof and folded so as to have a cylindrical coil shape. Each of the plurality of the actuator wires is contracted by heat and restored by release of the heat. A braided fabric is formed with the plurality of the actuator wires arranged in a planer shape and the plurality of the heating wires. A first end of each of the plurality of heating wires is connected to a first end of each of the plurality of the actuator wires. A second end of each of the plurality of the heating wires is connected to a second end of each of the plurality of the actuator wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuriko Kaneko, Maki Hiraoka
  • Publication number: 20200347525
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an actuator device having a large ratio of contraction ratio to initial tension. The actuator device according to the present disclosure comprises an actuator band and a control device. The actuator band is formed by braiding, knitting, or weaving a plurality of actuator single wires. The plurality of the actuator single wires each comprise an actuator wire and a mesh-shaped heating element which covers a side surface of the actuator wire. The actuator wire is formed of a polymer fiber. The fiber is twisted around the long axis thereof and folded so as to have a cylindrical coil shape. The control device is configured to supply electric power for heating the mesh-shaped heating element. The actuator band is heated to be contracted along the longitudinal direction thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: YURIKO KANEKO, MAKI HIRAOKA
  • Publication number: 20200347835
    Abstract: In order to stably operate an actuator device in repeated operations with suppression of an increase in a resistance value of a heating wire, the actuator band according to the present disclosure comprises a plurality of actuator wires and a plurality of heating wires. Each of the plurality of the actuator wires is formed of a fiber which consists of a polymer. The fiber is twisted along the long axis thereof and folded so as to have a cylindrical coil shape. Each of the plurality of the actuator wires is contracted by heat and restored by release of the heat. A braided fabric is formed with the plurality of the actuator wires arranged in a planer shape and the plurality of the heating wires. A first end of each of the plurality of heating wires is connected to a first end of each of the plurality of the actuator wires. A second end of each of the plurality of the heating wires is connected to a second end of each of the plurality of the actuator wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: YURIKO KANEKO, MAKI HIRAOKA
  • Patent number: 10815976
    Abstract: An actuator device comprises an actuator wire, a net-shaped heating element which covers a side surface of the actuator wire and comprises heating wires, and a controller for supplying electric power to the net-shaped heating element to heat the net-shaped heating element. The actuator wire is contracted by application of heat and restored by release of the heat. The side surface of the actuator wire is formed of a polymer. One end of the net-shaped heating element is connected to an end of the actuator wire. Another end of the net-shaped heating element is connected to another end of the actuator wire. Each of the heating wires comprises an insulative first elastic yarn and a metal wire. The metal wire are helically wound onto the first elastic yarn. When the net-shaped heating element is not heated, the net-shaped heating element is in contact with the side surface of the actuator wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuriko Kaneko, Maki Hiraoka, Naoki Hayashi, Kenji Tagashira
  • Publication number: 20190376495
    Abstract: An actuator device comprises an actuator wire, a net-shaped heating element which covers a side surface of the actuator wire and comprises heating wires, and a controller for supplying electric power to the net-shaped heating element to heat the net-shaped heating element. The actuator wire is contracted by application of heat and restored by release of the heat. The side surface of the actuator wire is formed of a polymer. One end of the net-shaped heating element is connected to an end of the actuator wire. Another end of the net-shaped heating element is connected to another end of the actuator wire. Each of the heating wires comprises an insulative first elastic yarn and a metal wire. The metal wire are helically wound onto the first elastic yarn. When the net-shaped heating element is not heated, the net-shaped heating element is in contact with the side surface of the actuator wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: YURIKO KANEKO, MAKI HIRAOKA, NAOKI HAYASHI, KENJI TAGASHIRA
  • Patent number: 10480492
    Abstract: The present invention provides an actuator device comprising an actuator wire; a net-shaped electric heating element which covers a side surface of the actuator wire and comprises heating wires; and a controller for supplying electric power to the net-shaped electric heating element to heat the net-shaped electric heating element. The actuator wire is capable of being contracted by application of heat and restored by release of heat. The side surface of the actuator wire is formed of polymer. One end and the other end of the net-shaped electric heating element is connected to one end and the other end of the actuator wire, respectively. The net-shaped electric heating element is in contact with the side surface of the actuator wire, when the net-shaped electric heating element is not heated. The net-shaped electric heating element is moved outward from the side surface of the actuator wire due to contraction of the actuator wire, when the net-shaped electric heating element is heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuriko Kaneko, Maki Hiraoka, Hidekazu Arase
  • Patent number: 10154895
    Abstract: The present invention provides an actuator, comprising a fiber and a temperature regulator capable of at least one of heating and cooling the fiber. The fiber is twisted around a longitudinal axis thereof. The fiber is folded so as to have a shape of a cylindrical coil. The fiber is formed of linear low-density polyethylene. The following mathematical formula (I) is satisfied: D/d<1 (I), where D represents a mean diameter of the cylindrical coil; and d represents a diameter of the fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: PANASAONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMEENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Maki Hiraoka, Katsuhiko Asai, Yuriko Kaneko, Hidekazu Arase, Atsushi Omote
  • Patent number: 10143216
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a coated confection in which the wear resistance and shape retention property in high temperature of the center thereof are improved by coating a sufficient amount of shellac on a center with a complex shape. More particularly, the present invention relates to a coated confection composed of a center composed of an oil-based confection and shellac coating the center, wherein a coating rate of shellac is 0.1 to 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: MEIJI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tadashi Matsuura, Maki Hiraoka, Naoko Takai, Hiroyuki Utsunomiya
  • Publication number: 20180320670
    Abstract: The actuator device according to the present invention comprises an actuator and an AC power supply capable of applying a high-frequency voltage to the actuator. The actuator comprises a flexible tube formed of a polymer, an inner electrode, and an outer electrode. In a cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the flexible tube, the inner electrode is in contact with at least a part of an inner periphery of the flexible tube. In the cross section, a part of an outer periphery of the flexible tube is coated with the outer electrode. In operation, the AC power supply applies a high-frequency voltage having a frequency of not less than 1 MHz to the actuator to deform the actuator in a direction from the inner electrode toward the outer electrode in the cross section. The AC power supply stops the application of the high-frequency voltage to the actuator to return the actuator to the original position thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: YURIKO KANEKO, MAKI HIRAOKA, KUNIHIKO NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 10100352
    Abstract: Provided is a DNA chip with micro-channel for DNA analysis, which has a structure in which a silicon layer (chip A) and a plastic layer (chip B) are laminated, wherein the chip A includes at least two PCR reactors connected in series in a micro-channel, and a filter between the PCR reactors, the chip B includes a reagent, a liquid delivery mechanism and a sensor in a micro-channel, and the reagent, liquid delivery mechanism and sensor can be changed according to a kind of an analyte and an object to be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignees: PANASONIC CORPORATION, IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tanaka, Maki Hiraoka, Benjamin Jones, Paolo Fiorini