Patents by Inventor Makoto Iwasa

Makoto Iwasa 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: 11927225
    Abstract: A sliding spline shaft device of the present invention includes a male spline and a female spline that is fitted to the male spline in an axially slidable manner, and at least one of the splines has a surface processed layer. The surface processed layer includes an undercoat layer, an intermediate layer containing phosphate, and a topcoat layer containing solid lubricant, in this order. The undercoat layer contains iron nitride and/or iron carbide. Thus, the surface of a base material has high hardness. As a result, microscopic deformation of the sliding surface is reduced, and increase in a real contact area is suppressed, whereby stick-slip is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignees: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD., NIHON PARKERIZING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigetoshi Kashiwabara, Kunio Katada, Shunsuke Hiraiwa, Akihumi Kawaguchi, Takeo Nishijima, Shinichi Suzuki, Yasuyuki Katsumada, Makoto Nakajima, Tokunori Kodama, Masato Ito, Aiki Iwasa
  • Patent number: 11059522
    Abstract: A vehicle (1) comprises a passenger compartment (2) in which a front seat (32F), a rear seat (32R), and a floor (33) between the front seat (32F) and the rear seat (38R) are provided. A first group (S1) of batteries (3) is mounted under the front seat (32F), a second group (S2) of the batteries (3) is mounted under the floor (33), and a third group (S3) of the batteries (3) is mounted under a rear seat (32R). By setting a height (h2) of the second group (S2) of the batteries (3) to be lower than respective heights (h1, h3) of the first and third groups (S1, S3) of the batteries (3), a battery mounting capacity of the vehicle (1) can be increased without affecting the comfort of the passenger compartment (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Iwasa, Hidetoshi Kadota, Tadayoshi Hashimura, Shinya Ogata, Satoshi Shigematsu
  • Patent number: 10766347
    Abstract: A battery unit (38F) comprising a plurality of batteries (3) and a connection control device (35a, 35b, 36a, 36b, 36d, 36e) which controls electrical connection relating to the battery unit (38F) are provided in a vehicle (1). The battery unit (38F) comprises two groups (S1R, S1L) of the batteries (3) disposed to have a space (G) there-between, and the connection control device (35a, 35b, 36a, 36b, 36d, 36e) is disposed in the space (G). The layout of the connection control device (35a, 35b, 36a, 36b, 36d, 36e) is thereby optimized and the length of a harness (34) can be shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Iwasa, Hidetoshi Kadota, Tadayoshi Hashimura, Satoshi Shigematsu, Nobuhiro Mori, Kentaro Hatta
  • Patent number: 10421334
    Abstract: An electric compressor mounted to a vehicle includes a motor, a compression unit driven by the motor, an inverter unit for driving the motor, a housing for accommodating the motor, the compression unit, and the inverter unit, and a cover mounted to the housing for closing a space accommodating the inverter unit. The electric compressor is fixed to the vehicle by means of a first mounting leg provided to the housing, and a second mounting leg provided to the cover. The second mounting leg includes a stress concentration part at which stress concentrates as compared with another portion of the second mounting leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kei Nishibori, Makoto Iwasa, Nobuaki Ogawa, Takeshi Imanishi, Yoshifumi Abe
  • Patent number: 10109894
    Abstract: In a battery pack structure for electric vehicles that a battery module, a junction box, and a battery controller for battery management are mounted in a battery-pack-case internal space, clearances, ensured when the battery module is mounted in the case internal space, are configured as temperature-adjustment air passages through which temperature-adjusting air flows. The junction box and the battery controller are arranged at positions spaced apart from each other and facing one straight passage part of the temperature-adjustment air passages. Furthermore, a weak-electric harness, via which the junction box and the battery controller are connected to each other, is wired along the straight passage part, thus ensuring smooth flow of temperature-adjusting air, while improving both the harness-wiring workability and the harness durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norihisa Tsujimura, Toshifumi Takamatsu, Makoto Iwasa, Tatsunori Tanigaki
  • Publication number: 20170259647
    Abstract: An electric compressor mounted to a vehicle includes a motor, a compression unit driven by the motor, an inverter unit for driving the motor, a housing for accommodating the motor, the compression unit, and the inverter unit, and a cover mounted to the housing for closing a space accommodating the inverter unit. The electric compressor is fixed to the vehicle by means of a first mounting leg provided to the housing, and a second mounting leg provided to the cover. The second mounting leg includes a stress concentration part at which stress concentrates as compared with another portion of the second mounting leg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: KEI NISHIBORI, MAKOTO IWASA, NOBUAKI OGAWA, TAKESHI IMANISHI, YOSHIFUMI ABE
  • Patent number: 9748553
    Abstract: A battery pack is disposed at a lower part of a vehicular body. The battery pack (13) includes: a protrusion protruding in a vehicular upward direction and disposed at an upper face of the battery pack, and a dent portion disposed at the upper face of the battery pack (13) and formed lower than the protrusion, wherein an accessory is disposed in the dent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kentaro Hatta, Makoto Iwasa, Nobuhiro Mori
  • Patent number: 9564664
    Abstract: A battery pack temperature control structure is provided for an electric vehicle, and basically includes a battery module, a heavy-current disconnecting switch and a temperature control unit. The battery module is mounted in an inner space of the battery pack case. The heavy-current disconnecting switch disconnects, by a manual operation, a battery high-power circuit in the battery module. The temperature control unit is mounted in the inner space of the battery pack case for producing a temperature-controlled air to be blown to the battery module. The heavy-current disconnecting switch is disposed in an upper space position within the inner space of the battery pack case. The temperature control unit is disposed in a space position that is lower than the heavy-current disconnecting switch and that overlaps with the heavy-current disconnecting switch in the vehicle vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsunori Tanigaki, Kentaro Hatta, Norihisa Tsujimura, Makoto Iwasa
  • Patent number: 9444082
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to secure both of vehicle body floor upper space and battery mounting space, in setting of a mounting position of a high-power cut-off switch to a battery pack case. Battery pack case 1 having battery modules 2 and SD switch 4 that cuts off battery high-power circuit by manual operation is arranged in a lower position of vehicle body floor 100. In this battery pack structure for electric vehicle, an inside space of the battery pack case 1 is divided into two areas in a vehicle front-and-rear direction, and one of the two areas is defined as a battery module mounting area 7. SD switch 4 is provided in an upper surface position of the case that covers an electrical component mounting area 8, which is the other area, located on a vehicle front side with respect to battery module mounting area 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norihisa Tsujimura, Toshifumi Takamatsu, Makoto Iwasa, Takeshi Onodera, Tatsunori Tanigaki
  • Publication number: 20150263328
    Abstract: A battery pack is disposed at a lower part of a vehicular body. The battery pack (13) includes: a protrusion protruding in a vehicular upward direction and disposed at an upper face of the battery pack, and a dent portion disposed at the upper face of the battery pack (13) and formed lower than the protrusion, wherein an accessory is disposed in the dent portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kentaro HATTA, Makoto Iwasa, Nobuhiro Mori
  • Patent number: 9118094
    Abstract: In a battery pack structure for electric vehicles that battery modules and a controller for battery management are mounted in a battery-pack-case internal space, a first one of clearances, ensured when the battery modules are mounted in the case internal space, which first clearance extends in a first direction, is configured as a first temperature-adjustment air passage, and the second clearance, located downstream of the first temperature-adjustment air passage and extending in a second direction different from the first direction, is configured as a second temperature-adjustment air passage. The controller is arranged at a position facing the second temperature-adjustment air passage. A harness for connecting between each detection line terminal from the battery modules and the controller, and one end of the harness, which harness end is configured as harness terminals connected to the respective detection line terminals, are wired along and arranged in the second temperature-adjustment air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norihisa Tsujimura, Toshifumi Takamatsu, Makoto Iwasa, Tatsunori Tanigaki
  • Patent number: 9048484
    Abstract: A battery pack (13) is disposed at a lower part of a vehicular body. The battery pack (13) includes: a protrusion (27, 31) protruding in a vehicular upward direction and disposed at an upper face of the battery pack (13), and a dent portion (29) disposed at the upper face of the battery pack (13) and formed lower than the protrusion (27, 31), wherein an accessory (25) is disposed in the dent portion (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kentaro Hatta, Makoto Iwasa, Nobuhiro Mori
  • Publication number: 20150136504
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to secure both of vehicle body floor upper space and battery mounting space, in setting of a mounting position of a high-power cut-off switch to a battery pack case. Battery pack case 1 having battery modules 2 and SD switch 4 that cuts off battery high-power circuit by manual operation is arranged in a lower position of vehicle body floor 100. In this battery pack structure for electric vehicle, an inside space of the battery pack case 1 is divided into two areas in a vehicle front-and-rear direction, and one of the two areas is defined as a battery module mounting area 7. SD switch 4 is provided in an upper surface position of the case that covers an electrical component mounting area 8, which is the other area, located on a vehicle front side with respect to battery module mounting area 7.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Norihisa Tsujimura, Toshifumi Takamatsu, Makoto Iwasa, Takeshi Onodera, Tatsunori Tanigaki
  • Publication number: 20150010782
    Abstract: A battery pack temperature control structure is provided for an electric vehicle, and basically includes a battery module, a heavy-current disconnecting switch and a temperature control unit. The battery module is mounted in an inner space of the battery pack case. The heavy-current disconnecting switch disconnects, by a manual operation, a battery high-power circuit in the battery module. The temperature control unit is mounted in the inner space of the battery pack case for producing a temperature-controlled air to be blown to the battery module. The heavy-current disconnecting switch is disposed in an upper space position within the inner space of the battery pack case. The temperature control unit is disposed in a space position that is lower than the heavy-current disconnecting switch and that overlaps with the heavy-current disconnecting switch in the vehicle vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsunori Tanigaki, Kentaro Hatta, Norihisa Tsujimura, Makoto Iwasa
  • Patent number: 8820452
    Abstract: A vehicle component mounting structure is provided with a vehicle body, a battery, a charger, a high-power electrical component other than the charger. The battery is mounted on the vehicle body. The charger is mounted on the vehicle body and converts a lower-voltage electric power supplied thereto from an external source into a higher-voltage electric power that is supplied to the battery. The high-power electrical component is mounted on the vehicle body with high voltage being supplied to the high-power electrical component. The charger and the high-power electrical component are arranged on longitudinally opposite sides of the battery with respect to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Iwasa, Nobuhiro Mori, Satoshi Shigematsu, Kenji Tamura
  • Patent number: 8708079
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure is provided with a vehicle body member, a charger, a structural support member. The charger includes an upper end portion and a lower end portion. The lower end portion of the charger is supported on the vehicle body member. The structural support member extends in a widthwise direction of the vehicle body structure in a position rearward of the upper end portion of the charger and adjacent the upper end portion of the charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadayoshi Hashimura, Makoto Iwasa, Seiichi Ichihara, Nobuhiro Mori, Kenji Tamura
  • Publication number: 20140079977
    Abstract: In a battery pack structure for electric vehicles that battery modules and a controller for battery management are mounted in a battery-pack-case internal space, a first one of clearances, ensured when the battery modules are mounted in the case internal space, which first clearance extends in a first direction, is configured as a first temperature-adjustment air passage, and the second clearance, located downstream of the first temperature-adjustment air passage and extending in a second direction different from the first direction, is configured as a second temperature-adjustment air passage. The controller is arranged at a position facing the second temperature-adjustment air passage. A harness for connecting between each detection line terminal from the battery modules and the controller, and one end of the harness, which harness end is configured as harness terminals connected to the respective detection line terminals, are wired along and arranged in the second temperature-adjustment air passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Norihisa Tsujimura, Toshifumi Takamatsu, Makoto Iwasa, Tatsunori Tanigaki
  • Publication number: 20140072835
    Abstract: In a battery pack structure for electric vehicles that a battery module, a junction box, and a battery controller for battery management are mounted in a battery-pack-case internal space, clearances, ensured when the battery module is mounted in the case internal space, are configured as temperature-adjustment air passages through which temperature-adjusting air flows. The junction box and the battery controller are arranged at positions spaced apart from each other and facing one straight passage part of the temperature-adjustment air passages. Furthermore, a weak-electric harness, via which the junction box and the battery controller are connected to each other, is wired along the straight passage part, thus ensuring smooth flow of temperature-adjusting air, while improving both the harness-wiring workability and the harness durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Norihisa Tsujimura, Toshifumi Takamatsu, Makoto Iwasa, Tatsunori Tanigaki
  • Patent number: 8561743
    Abstract: A plurality of batteries (3) are disposed under a floor panel (16) of a vehicle (1). A first battery unit (38F) comprising a plurality of batteries (3) stacked in a vertical direction and a second battery unit (38R) comprising a plurality of batteries (3) stacked in a vehicle transverse direction are provided. By arranging a layout of the first battery unit (38F) and the second battery unit (38R) considering the location of an electric equipment (12, 13, 14) to which the batteries (3) supply power as well as the location of passenger seats (32F, 32R), the weight balance of the vehicle (1) in the front-aft direction can be optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Iwasa, Shinya Ogata, Hidetoshi Kadota, Tadayoshi Hashimura, Nobuhiro Mori
  • Publication number: 20120115001
    Abstract: A battery pack (13) is disposed at a lower part of a vehicular body. The battery pack (13) includes: a protrusion (27, 31) protruding in a vehicular upward direction and disposed at an upper face of the battery pack (13), and a dent portion (29) disposed at the upper face of the battery pack (13) and formed lower than the protrusion (27, 31), wherein an accessory (25) is disposed in the dent portion (29).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Kentaro Hatta, Makoto Iwasa, Nobuhiro Mori