Patents by Inventor Masaharu Ushihara
Masaharu Ushihara 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: 7321230Abstract: The rotation angle-detecting device has a main rotator and two detecting rotators that rotate as the main rotator rotates. Each of the two detecting rotators has a magnet and a magnetic detector. As the detecting rotator rotates, a change occurs in magnetic lines of force from the magnet. From the change, the magnetic detector detects rotation of the detecting rotator. According to the rotation detected, the device determines the rotation angle of the main rotator. In addition, a ring-shaped ferromagnetic body is disposed around the magnet or the magnetic detector of the detecting rotator. The structure described above enables magnetic detection without disturbance in each magnetic field of the magnets, and even in a downsized structure, the device can detect the rotation angle with high accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2007Date of Patent: January 22, 2008Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaharu Ushihara, Kouji Oike
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Patent number: 7258027Abstract: A detector of an absolute rotation angle and torque includes a first gear coupled to an input shaft of a torsion-bar unit, a gear A engaging with the first gear, and a first detecting section of an absolute rotation angle placed at the center of the gear A. The detector also includes a second gear coupled to an output shaft of the torsion-bar unit, a gear B engaging with the second gear, and a second detecting section of an absolute angle placed at the center of gear B.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2004Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Oike, Kiyotaka Uehira, Masaharu Ushihara
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Publication number: 20070152662Abstract: The rotation angle-detecting device has a main rotator and two detecting rotators that rotate as the main rotator rotates. Each of the two detecting rotators has a magnet and a magnetic detector. As the detecting rotator rotates, a change occurs in magnetic lines of force from the magnet. From the change, the magnetic detector detects rotation of the detecting rotator. According to the rotation detected, the device determines the rotation angle of the main rotator. In addition, a ring-shaped ferromagnetic body is disposed around the magnet or the magnetic detector of the detecting rotator. The structure described above enables magnetic detection without disturbance in each magnetic field of the magnets, and even in a downsized structure, the device can detect the rotation angle with high accuracy.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2007Publication date: July 5, 2007Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaharu Ushihara, Kouji Oike
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Patent number: 7202659Abstract: The rotation angle-detecting device has a main rotator and two detecting rotators that rotate as the main rotator rotates. Each of the two detecting rotators has a magnet and a magnetic detector. As the detecting rotator rotates, a change occurs in magnetic lines of force from the magnet. From the change, the magnetic detector detects rotation of the detecting rotator. According to the rotation detected, the device determines the rotation angle of the main rotator. In addition, a ring-shaped ferromagnetic body is disposed around the magnet or the magnetic detector of the detecting rotator. The structure described above enables magnetic detection without disturbance in each magnetic field of the magnets, and even in a downsized structure, the device can detect the rotation angle with high accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2004Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaharu Ushihara, Kouji Oike
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Publication number: 20060042403Abstract: A detector of an absolute rotation angle and torque is disclosed. The detector includes a first gear (1) coupled to an input shaft (2) of a torsion-bar unit, a gear A (6) engaging with the first gear (1), and a first detecting section of an absolute rotation angle placed at the center of the gear A (6). The detector also includes a second gear (3) coupled to an output shaft (4) of the torsion-bar unit, a gear B (7) engaging with the second gear (3), and a second detecting section of an absolute angle placed at the center of gear B (7).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2004Publication date: March 2, 2006Inventors: Koji Oike, Kiyotaka Uehira, Masaharu Ushihara
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Patent number: 6987384Abstract: A detector of a rotation angle and torque is disclosed. First gear (1) and second gear (2) are coupled to input shaft (4) and output shaft (6) of a torsion-bar unit respectively. First magnet (20a) magnetized in a radius direction is rigidly mounted to first rotor (10) engaging with first gear (1). Second magnet (20b) magnetized in a radius direction is rigidly mounted to second rotor (16) engaging with second gear (3). Circuit board (15) is placed between first rotor (10) and second rotor (16). Circuit board (15) includes first magnetism detecting element (21a) on its first face confronting the first magnet (20a), and also includes second magnetism detecting element (21b) on its second face confronting the second magnet (20b).Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kiyotaka Uehira, Koji Oike, Masaharu Ushihara
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Publication number: 20050258824Abstract: A detector of a rotation angle and torque is disclosed. First gear (1) and second gear (2) are coupled to input shaft (4) and output shaft (6) of a torsion-bar unit respectively. First magnet (20a) magnetized in a radius direction is rigidly mounted to first rotor (10) engaging with first gear (1). Second magnet (20b) magnetized in a radius direction is rigidly mounted to second rotor (16) engaging with second gear (3). Circuit board (15) is placed between first rotor (10) and second rotor (16). Circuit board (15) includes first magnetism detecting element (21a) on its first face confronting the first magnet (20a), and also includes second magnetism detecting element (21b) on its second face confronting the second magnet (20b).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2004Publication date: November 24, 2005Inventors: Kiyotaka Uehira, Koji Oike, Masaharu Ushihara
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Publication number: 20050104580Abstract: The rotation angle-detecting device has a main rotator and two detecting rotators that rotate as the main rotator rotates. Each of the two detecting rotators has a magnet and a magnetic detector. As the detecting rotator rotates, a change occurs in magnetic lines of force from the magnet. From the change, the magnetic detector detects rotation of the detecting rotator. According to the rotation detected, the device determines the rotation angle of the main rotator. In addition, a ring-shaped ferromagnetic body is disposed around the magnet or the magnetic detector of the detecting rotator. The structure described above enables magnetic detection without disturbance in each magnetic field of the magnets, and even in a downsized structure, the device can detect the rotation angle with high accuracy.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2004Publication date: May 19, 2005Inventors: Masaharu Ushihara, Kouji Oike
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Patent number: 6499220Abstract: An inclination sensor having excellent rotational performance, longlasting stability and high sensing precision. The inclination sensor comprises a pendulum (10) rotatably attached to a case (1) of a fixed body secured to an attached member, a magnetic flux-generating means (11) attached to the pendulum (10), reed switches (4a) and (4b) attached to part of the case (1) corresponding to the locus along which the magnetic flux-generating means (11) moves, and a flange portion (12) which is a damping body being nonmagnetic and electrically conductive and disposed in the case (1) along the locus of the movement of the magnetic flux-generating means (11).Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1999Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobuharu Katsuki, Masaharu Ushihara, Toshiya Nakagaki
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Patent number: 6470580Abstract: The pendulum assembly comprises a permanent magnet disposed in the vicinity of a pendulum, a U-shaped yoke by which most of the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet is gathered and passes through, and a rotation shaft. The direction of axis of the rotation shaft is parallel to the direction of magnetic poles of the permanent magnet. Eddy current brakes are inserted into the spaces between one of the magnetic poles of the permanent magnet and one of the ends of the yoke, and between the other magnetic pole the magnet and the other end of the yoke. This construction achieves a more compact and shorter tilt sensor which is resistant to disturbances such as geomagnetism and other magnetic fields and vibrations.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2000Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaharu Ushihara, Nobuharu Katsuki
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Patent number: 6399941Abstract: The present invention aims at providing an inclination angle sensor that can be mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, resistant to external disturbances such as vibrations, superior in rotational performance, and small in size. In order to achieve the object, an inclination angle sensor of the present invention includes: a non-magnetic and electrically conductive weight (1); a rotary shaft (2) fixed to the weight (1); a bearing (3) for rotatably supporting the rotary shaft (2); a frame (4) for securing the bearing (3); one or two combinations of reflection type photo-interrupter (6) consisting of a light-receiving element (27) and a light-emitting element (26) for varying signal in response to a movement of the weight (1); a flange part (7) provided to outstretch from an outer perimeter of the weight in parallel to or in a manner to form a predetermined angle with the rotary shaft (2); and a magnet (8) fixed to the frame (4) in a manner produce magnetic flux primarily toward the flange part (7).Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 1999Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial, Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiya Nakagaki, Masaharu Ushihara, Nobuharu Katsuki
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Publication number: 20020050068Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an inclination sensor that has a superior rotational performance and long term stability, and is high in detecting accuracy. In order to achieve the above object, the inclination sensor of the present invention comprises a pendulum (10) mounted rotatably relative to a case (1) of a fixing body to be fixed to a mounting body, a magnetic flux generation means (11) mounted on the pendulum (10), reed switches (4a) and (4b) mounted on a part of the case (1) corresponding with a rotational path of the magnetic flux generation means (11), and a flange part (12) having nonmagnetic and electrically conductive properties defining a damping body arranged on the case (1) along the rotational path of the magnetic flux generation means (11).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 1999Publication date: May 2, 2002Inventors: NOBUHARU KATSUKI, MASAHARU USHIHARA, TOSHIYA NAKAGAKI
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Patent number: 5854427Abstract: The present invention is related to an angular velocity sensor, and intends to improve the detection characteristic through a precise measuring of an angular velocity signal. For this objective, the invented angular velocity sensor comprises U-shape first and second piezoelectric elements(4),(5) bonded together sandwiching a detection electrode(6), wherein in at least one of the tuning fork arms(4a),(5a) the first and second piezoelectric elements(4),(5) are polarized in a direction of thickness along which the piezoelectric elements are bonded together. Driving electrodes(7),(12) and (8),(11) provided in diagonal arrangement on the tuning fork arm are supplied with driving signals inverse-phased to each other. In such a structure, the driving signals cancel to each other at the vicinity of detection electrode; as a result, the driving signals never mix with a detection signal to be detected by the detection electrode(6). Thus, the capability of detecting an angular velocity signal is improved.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1997Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jiro Terada, Hiroshi Senda, Masami Tamura, Masaharu Ushihara, Masakazu Hatanaka
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Patent number: 5723788Abstract: A high-performance angular velocity sensor has a tuning-fork structure in which two vibrator units consisting of piezoelectric elements are coupled to each other. The angular velocity sensor comprises two metal plates, a first vibrator including a first actuator and a first detector joined orthogonally to each other, and a second vibrator including a second actuator and a second detector joined orthogonally to each other, the two vibrators being coupled by an electrode block to each other in parallel along an axis of detection. The first actuator and the first detector include piezoelectric elements bonded to the first metal surface, and the second actuator and the second detector include piezoelectric elements bonded to the second metal surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1996Date of Patent: March 3, 1998Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jiro Terada, Hiroshi Takenaka, Masaharu Ushihara, Masami Tamura, Hitoshi Nishimura, Kikuo Kaino
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Patent number: 5581032Abstract: In an angular velocity sensor device, a vibration isolation member, a sensor support plate on which a tuning fork unit functioning as a vibrating type angular velocity sensor is mounted, a collar, a circuit board on which a circuit pattern is formed for driving the tuning fork unit and processing a signal output therefrom are provided by having a plurality of pins inserted, in this order, which extend from the bottom surface of a concave-shaped case. The circuit pattern and the tuning fork unit are connected with each other via a flexible printed circuit board. These components are accommodated inside the concave-shaped case. A cover is fitted in an open top of the case so as to completely seal the case. The angular velocity sensor device with the aforementioned arrangement does not suffer variation in the operational properties due to disturbance vibration and deterioration in the vibration isolation property.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Uemura, Toshihiko Ichinose, Jiro Terada, Masaharu Ushihara, Junichi Yukawa, Hiroaki Mouri, Hideo Ohkoshi, Masayoshi Murakami
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Patent number: 5447066Abstract: The present invention relates to an angular velocity sensor utilized as a gyroscope and particularly, to a high-performance angular velocity sensor having a tuning-fork construction. The vibrator is formed of a metal base plate which is bent about 90 degrees along a center line defined by two opposite slits extending from their respective side edges to a central region of the metal base plate so that its two bent parts are orthogonal to each other. Two piezoelectric elements are bonded to the corresponding surfaces of the two parts of each vibrator which in turn serve as an actuator and a detector.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 1993Date of Patent: September 5, 1995Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd.Inventors: Jiro Terada, Hiroshi Takenaka, Masaharu Ushihara, Toshihiko Ichinose, Sumitake Yoshida, Masami Tamura
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Patent number: 5445025Abstract: An angular velocity sensor having a tuning-fork structure comprising a first vibrator including a first actuator and a first detector each attached to a metal plate and joined orthogonally to each other, and a second vibrator including a second actuator and a second detector each attached to another metal plate and joined orthogonally to each other, the two vibrators being coupled by an electrode block to each other in a generally parallel relationship along the axis of detection of the sensor. The first and second detectors have a rectangular plate shape each holding a piezoelectric element. The rectangular plate shape has a lengthwise edge and a widthwise edge where the lengthwise edge parallel to the axis of detection of the sensor and is longer than the width wise edge. At least one of the lengthwise edges of the detectors has a beveled surface formed by removing metal at an angle from the lengthwise edge of the detector to balance the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1993Date of Patent: August 29, 1995Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jiro Terada, Hiroshi Takenaka, Masaharu Ushihara, Masami Tamura, Hitoshi Nishimura, Kikuo Kaino
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Patent number: 4797690Abstract: The present invention relates to a ribbon feed mechanism for use in a heat transfer printer. The ribbon feed mechanism includes first, second, and third ribbon feed components fitted on a shaft, a friction plate mounted between the first and second ribbon feed components, a spring mounted between the second and third ribbon feed components, a cylinder which is in contact with the third ribbon feed component at one end thereof, and a ribbon feed presser for pressing the other end of the cylinder toward the third ribbon feed component. The rotational torque is always kept constant, and therefore no unmatching of colors occurs when the mechanism is applied to a printer.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 1988Date of Patent: January 10, 1989Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaaki Takita, Yoshikazu Tsuru, Masaharu Ushihara, Taichi Itoh, Masumi Tanaka
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Patent number: 4401998Abstract: A plurality of magnetic styli are arranged in a row for effecting a line recording. A magnetic styli are magnetized by a magnet held in contact with these styli so that a magnetic fluid attaching to the styli is protruded from each stylus to form continuous wave-like protrusions along the row of the styli. The magnetic fluid protruded from the styli is to fly or migrate as a high voltage is applied selectively between the styli and a control electrode which opposes to the styli across the recording paper, due to a Coulomb force acting on the ends of the protrusions. In consequence, a recording is made by the magnetic fluid serving as an ink on the recording paper in accordance with a recording signal. A predetermined head or height differential is preserved between the magnet and an ink tank. The magnet and the ink tank are connected to each other by means of a pipe filled with the magnetic fluid. A slight gap is formed in the connection between the pipe and the magnet.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1981Date of Patent: August 30, 1983Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaharu Ushihara, Michinori Nagahiro, Humio Yamazaki, Masami Nakagawa, Noboru Miyaji, Susumu Maruno