Patents by Inventor Masashi Yamasaki

Masashi Yamasaki 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: 8710705
    Abstract: An electronic control unit (50, 70) including semiconductor modules (501 to 506) and capacitors (701 to 706) is disposed in the axial direction of a motor (30). The semiconductor modules (501 to 506) are placed longitudinally and brought into contact with a heat sink (601). The vertical line to each of surfaces of semiconductor chips included in the semiconductor modules (501 to 506) is perpendicular to the axial line of the motor (30). Accordingly, the capacitors (701 to 706) are disposed so that at least a part of the capacitors (701 to 706) overlap the semiconductor modules (501 to 506) and heat sink (601) in the axial direction of the motor (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Yamasaki, Hideki Kabune, Atsushi Furumoto
  • Patent number: 8705242
    Abstract: In two systems of three-phase alternating-current inverter devices that drive a motor, power elements on power supply sides of bridge circuits are mounted on unit bases to constitute upper arm units. Power elements on ground sides of the bridge circuits are mounted on unit bases to constitute lower arm units. The upper arm units and the lower arm units are arranged separately on upper surfaces and outside surfaces of heat dissipation blocks of a heat sink. Heats generated by the power elements do not interfere with each other and are emitted to the heat sink, whereby heat dissipation performance of the power elements constituting the bridge circuits is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Abe, Masashi Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 8659193
    Abstract: A power module for supplying driving current to coils wound on a stator of an electric motor and a heat sink for absorbing heat generated at the power module are provided at an axial outside of a motor casing. An intermediate member is provided between the motor casing and the heat sink. The intermediate member has a bottom plate portion fixed to an axial end plate of the motor casing and a cylindrical side wall axially extending from the bottom plate portion. An outer peripheral surface of the heat sink is in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical side wall, so that the power module fixed to the heat sink is arranged in a space, which is within a range smaller than an outer diameter of the motor casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Yamasaki, Hiroshi Imai, Katsuji Kawai
  • Patent number: 8646568
    Abstract: An electric power steering device includes an electric motor assembly. The assembly includes a case, a motor, and a control unit. The control unit controls the motor based on at least a torque signal indicative of a steering torque applied to a steering wheel by an operator. A power connector is disposed to protrude toward radial outside from the case. A signal connector is disposed to protrude toward radial outside from the case. A torque signal connector is disposed on a case portion close to the control unit to protrude toward radial outside from the case. The torque signal connector and the power connector are disposed apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and the torque signal connector has a connecting portion, which is prepared to be connected with the torque signal line, formed toward the motor along the axial direction of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Yamasaki
  • Publication number: 20140035445
    Abstract: A rotating electric machine for driving a drive object includes a heat sink having a cavity on a first face, a power module disposed on the heat sink for switching a power supply for the winding, a power wiring part disposed on the first face of the heat sink and electrically connected to the power module for flowing a drive electric current to the winding, a control wiring part disposed on a second face of the heat sink and electrically connected to the power module for flowing a control electric current that controls the power module, and at least one electrolytic capacitor disposed in the power wiring part and housed in the cavity, thereby preventing an abnormality of the electrolytic capacitor from causing an abnormality of the control wiring part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuhiko URYU, Masashi YAMASAKI
  • Patent number: 8564161
    Abstract: A power module, a control board and a heat sink are provided on one axial side of a shaft of an electric motor, which consists of a motor case, a stator, a rotor, the shaft and the like. The power module is electrically connected with extraction lines, which extend from a coil wound around the stator, and supplies a drive current to the coil. The control board for controlling switching of the power module is provided on a motor case side of the power module. The heat sink is provided on a side of the control board opposite to the motor case. Thus, when setting of an output of the electric motor is changed, a body size of the heat sink can be changed without changing a positional relationship between the control board and the electric motor and a positional relationship between the power module and the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 8552604
    Abstract: A power module of a drive unit of an electric motor is formed by inserting multiple power transistors, which supply a drive current to a coil wound around a stator or a rotor, and wirings connecting the power transistors in a resin, which is formed in the shape of a plate, by resin molding. Electronic components such as aluminum electrolytic capacitors, a choke coil and a first connector are provided in a board thickness direction of the power module and are electrically connected with the wirings of the power module. Thus, a construction for electrically connecting the wirings of the power module formed by the resin molding and the electronic components can be simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Matsuda, Masashi Yamasaki
  • Publication number: 20130257194
    Abstract: A power module, a control board and a heat sink are provided on one axial side of a shaft of an electric motor, which consists of a motor case, a stator, a rotor, the shaft and the like. The power module is electrically connected with extraction lines, which extend from a coil wound around the stator, and supplies a drive current to the coil. The control board for controlling switching of the power module is provided on a motor case side of the power module. The heat sink is provided on a side of the control board opposite to the motor case. Thus, when setting of an output of the electric motor is changed, a body size of the heat sink can be changed without changing a positional relationship between the control board and the electric motor and a positional relationship between the power module and the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masashi YAMASAKI
  • Patent number: 8471418
    Abstract: A power module, a control board and a heat sink are provided on one axial side of a shaft of an electric motor, which consists of a motor case, a stator, a rotor, the shaft and the like. The power module is electrically connected with extraction lines, which extend from a coil wound around the stator, and supplies a drive current to the coil. The control board for controlling switching of the power module is provided on a motor case side of the power module. The heat sink is provided on a side of the control board opposite to the motor case. Thus, when setting of an output of the electric motor is changed, a body size of the heat sink can be changed without changing a positional relationship between the control board and the electric motor and a positional relationship between the power module and the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 8456049
    Abstract: A heat sink is provided on a motor. A power module is provided on the heat sink to switch current supply to motor coils. A control circuit substrate is arranged on the heat sink and connected electrically to the power module. A power circuit substrate is connected electrically to the power module and arranged at an opposite side of the control circuit substrate relative to the heat sink. A control circuit connector is electrically connected to the control circuit substrate. A power circuit connector is electrically connected to the power circuit substrate. The control circuit connector and the power circuit connector are arranged between the control circuit substrate and the power circuit substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Matsuda, Masashi Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 8338998
    Abstract: An electronic circuit including semiconductor modules and capacitors is positioned in the axial direction of a motor. Each semiconductor module is longitudinally positioned in contact with a heat sink. More specifically, a line perpendicular to the surface of a semiconductor chip included in the semiconductor module is perpendicular to the axis line of the motor. Consequently, each capacitor is positioned so that at least a part of the positional range of the capacitor in the axial direction of the motor coincides with the positional ranges of the semiconductor module and the heat sink in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Yamasaki, Hideki Kabune, Atsushi Furumoto
  • Publication number: 20120307476
    Abstract: Power terminals of power modules are magnetically coupled to power-output terminals and power-input terminals. A heat sink has parallel surfaces, which are in parallel to the power modules and the power terminals. A magnetic field, which is generated by electric current flowing through switching devices and the power terminals, is cancelled by a magnetic field, which is generated by eddy current flowing in the heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi MASUZAWA, Masashi Yamasaki, Hiroshi Taki
  • Patent number: 8304942
    Abstract: A drive apparatus has a motor device having a tubular motor case. A stator is arranged radially inside the motor case. A rotor is arranged radially inside the stator. A shaft is rotatable with the rotor. An electronic circuit is arranged in the central axis direction of the shaft relative to the motor case. A choke coil has a hole in a central part thereof, in which the shaft is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Yamasaki, Hideki Kabune, Atsushi Furumoto
  • Patent number: 8299664
    Abstract: A special terminal may project from an encapsulation body of a semiconductor module and may be engaged with an engaging portion of a motor case to limit a positional deviation of the semiconductor module relative to the motor case. Additionally or alternatively, a module side engaging portion may be formed in the encapsulation body and may be engaged with a case side engaging portion to position the semiconductor module relative to the motor case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ayako Iwai, Masashi Yamasaki, Hideki Kabune, Atsushi Furumoto, Yoshimasa Kinpara
  • Publication number: 20120161558
    Abstract: A drive device includes a motor, a control unit and a holder. The motor has a motor case, a stator, a winding wire, a rotor and a shaft. The control unit includes a semiconductor module, a receiving member, and a cover. The control unit is arranged on a side of the motor in an axis direction of the motor. The holder is arranged between the motor and the control unit, and has a wall portion extending toward the control unit and fitting with the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicants: ASMO CO., LTD., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Yamasaki, Hiroshi Imai
  • Publication number: 20120160596
    Abstract: An electric power steering device includes an electric motor assembly. The assembly includes a case, a motor, and a control unit. The control unit controls the motor based on at least a torque signal indicative of a steering torque applied to a steering wheel by an operator. A power connector is disposed to protrude toward radial outside from the case. A signal connector is disposed to protrude toward radial outside from the case. A torque signal connector is disposed on a case portion close to the control unit to protrude toward radial outside from the case. The torque signal connector and the power connector are disposed apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and the torque signal connector has a connecting portion, which is prepared to be connected with the torque signal line, formed toward the motor along the axial direction of the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masashi Yamasaki
  • Publication number: 20120161590
    Abstract: A drive device includes a motor, a control unit, a first fastener, and a second fastener. The control unit is arranged on a side of the motor in an axis direction of the motor. The first fastener is arranged in a wall part of a cylindrical motor case of the motor opposing to the control unit, on an inner side of a peripheral wall of the motor case in a radial direction. The second fastener is tightened with the first fastener so as to connect the motor and the control unit with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicants: ASMO CO., LTD., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Yamasaki, Hiroshi Imai
  • Publication number: 20120161689
    Abstract: Each of a first and a second inverter circuit supplies a driving current to an electric motor in a different power supply line. A custom IC has a first pre-driver circuit for outputting control signals to the first inverter circuit and a second pre-driver circuit for outputting control signals to the second inverter circuit. A micro-computer for outputting operation signals to the first and second pre-driver circuits is mounted to a control board on a center line. A distance between the center line and the first inverter circuit and a distance between the center line and the second inverter circuit is equal to each other. First and second output terminals of the micro-computer as well as first and second input and output terminals of the custom IC are symmetric with respect to the center line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masashi Yamasaki
  • Publication number: 20120104886
    Abstract: A heat sink of a drive apparatus includes a heat receiving surface located in a rising direction from an end surface wall of a motor case formed in an axial direction of the motor case. A power module is arranged along the heat receiving surface of the heat sink. A control circuit substrate includes a control circuit for controlling driving of a motor and is electrically connected to the power module. A power circuit substrate is supplied with currents supplied to winding wires, and is electrically connected to the power module. In the drive apparatus, the motor case, the control circuit substrate, the power module and the power wiring part are arranged in this order in an axial direction. The power module is arranged longitudinally relative to the end surface wall in the axial direction of the motor case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Masashi Yamasaki, Atsushi Furumoto, Hideki Kabune
  • Publication number: 20120098361
    Abstract: A heat sink has two heat radiation blocks. The heat radiation block is formed in a wide column shape. The heat radiation block has connection parts at both ends. The connection parts have respective holes formed to pass through in the axial direction of a motor. One screw is inserted in one connection part and threaded into a motor case. The other screw is inserted in the other connection part and threaded into the motor case together with a cover. A power module forming an inverter circuit of each of two power supply systems is arranged on each heat radiation blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Masashi Yamasaki, Atsushi Furumoto, Hideki Kabune