Patents by Inventor Mikio Fukui

Mikio Fukui 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: 11937360
    Abstract: A high frequency heating apparatus (1A) includes the following components: a first electrode (11) that is flat; a plurality of flat second electrodes (12) that are flat; a high-frequency power supply (20); a matching unit (30); a controller (40); and an electric field regulator (50). The second electrodes (12) are placed opposite to the first electrode (11). The high-frequency power supply (20) applies a high-frequency voltage to the first electrode (11). The matching unit (30) is placed between the first electrode (11) and the high-frequency power supply (20), and is impedance-matched with the high-frequency power supply (20). The controller (40) controls the high-frequency power supply (20). The electric field regulator (50) individually adjusts the electric field strengths in a plurality of regions located between first electrode (11) and the second electrodes (12). This aspect can reduce uneven heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Uno, Daisuke Hosokawa, Fumitaka Ogasawara, Mikio Fukui, Koji Yoshino, Yoshiharu Oomori
  • Publication number: 20240073829
    Abstract: An RF energy radiation device of this disclosure comprises: an oscillator; a power amplifier; a radiation element; a detector; and a controller. The oscillator generates an RF signal. The power amplifier amplifies the RF signal to output RF power. The radiation element radiates the RF power. The detector detects progressive wave power. The controller performs an RF power output control using a closed-loop control for setting an output set value of the RF power by a closed-loop and an open-loop control for setting the output set value of the RF power by an open-loop. In a burst operation alternately switching between a period of outputting the RF power and a period of stopping the RF power, the controller changes the RF power output control from the closed-loop control to the open-loop control when a specified condition for change is satisfied during the period of stopping the RF power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: SHINJI TAKANO, TAKASHI UNO, MIKIO FUKUI, CHIKAKO HOSOKAWA
  • Patent number: 11683867
    Abstract: A microwave treatment device includes a plurality of radiation parts, a transmission line, and a plurality of feeding parts. The plurality of radiation parts includes first, second, and third radiation parts, and radiates a microwave. The transmission line has a loop line structure provided with a plurality of branch parts including first, second, and third branch parts, and transmits the microwave to the first, second, and third radiation parts respectively connected to the first, second, and third branch parts. The plurality of feeding parts includes the first feeding part and the second feeding part arranged in the transmission line at an interval of ¼ or less of the wavelength of the microwave, and transmits the microwave to the transmission line. According to this aspect, a radiation part that radiates the microwave can be selectively switched. This enables the intended heating distribution to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Oomori, Mikio Fukui, Daisuke Hosokawa
  • Publication number: 20220086970
    Abstract: A microwave treatment device comprises a heating chamber for accommodating a heating target, a microwave generator, a feeder, a detector, and a controller. The microwave generator generates a microwave having a frequency in a specified frequency band. The feeder radiates the microwave inside the heating chamber. The detector detects a reflected microwave power reflected from the heating chamber. The controller causes the microwave generator to execute a frequency sweeping in the specified frequency band. The controller also controls the microwave generator according to a temporal change in a frequency characteristic of the reflected microwave power. The temporal change in the frequency characteristic of the reflected microwave power is based on the frequency of the microwave, a level of the reflected microwave power, and a time passed from a start of heating. In this aspect, it is possible to accurately recognizes the progress of cooking while heating the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: YOSHIHARU OOMORI, DAISUKE HOSOKAWA, FUMITAKA OGASAWARA, MIKIO FUKUI, KOJI YOSHINO, TAKASHI UNO
  • Publication number: 20220007471
    Abstract: A high frequency heating apparatus of the present disclosure includes a first electrode (11), a second electrode (12), a high frequency power supply, a position adjuster (20), and a controller. The second electrode (12) is disposed facing the first electrode (11). The high frequency power supply supplies high frequency power to the first electrode (11) or the second electrode (12). The position adjuster (20) adjusts the position of the first electrode (11). The controller controls the position adjuster (20). The position adjuster (20) includes a weight (21), one or more connecting lines (22), one or more pulleys (23), and one or more drive units (24). The one or more connecting lines (22) connect the weight (21) and the first electrode (11). The one or more pulleys (23) support the one or more connecting lines (22). The one or more drive units (24) are attached to the one or more pulleys (23) and drive the one or more pulleys (23). In this embodiment, a heating target can be heated efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: TAKASHI UNO, MIKIO FUKUI, KOJI YOSHINO, DAISUKE HOSOKAWA
  • Publication number: 20210352777
    Abstract: A microwave treatment device includes a plurality of radiation parts, a transmission line, and a plurality of feeding parts. The plurality of radiation parts includes first, second, and third radiation parts, and radiates a microwave. The transmission line has a loop line structure provided with a plurality of branch parts including first, second, and third branch parts, and transmits the microwave to the first, second, and third radiation parts respectively connected to the first, second, and third branch parts. The plurality of feeding parts includes the first feeding part and the second feeding part arranged in the transmission line at an interval of ¼ or less of the wavelength of the microwave, and transmits the microwave to the transmission line. According to this aspect, a radiation part that radiates the microwave can be selectively switched. This enables the intended heating distribution to be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: YOSHIHARU OOMORI, MIKIO FUKUI, DAISUKE HOSOKAWA
  • Publication number: 20210329749
    Abstract: A microwave heating device includes the following components: a heating chamber for accommodating a heating target object, a microwave generator that generates a microwave, and a coaxial connector. The coaxial connector includes a center conductor, an insulator, and an external conductor. The center conductor is connected to the output terminal of the microwave generator. The coaxial connector includes an air gap between the center conductor and the insulator. This aspect can reduce the occurrence of cracking of the soldered joint between the microwave generator and the coaxial connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: MIKIO FUKUI, TAKASHI UNO, FUMITAKA OGASAWARA, MOTOYOSHI IWATA, SHINJI TAKANO, DAISUKE HOSOKAWA, MASAYOSHI HIRAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20210274609
    Abstract: An RF energy radiation device includes a cavity in which a heating target object is to be placed, an RF signal generation unit, an RF amplifier, a radiation element, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The RF signal generation unit oscillates an RF signal. The RF amplifier amplifies the RF signal and provides RF energy. The radiation element radiates the RF energy into the cavity. The temperature sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the RF amplifier. The controller controls the RF amplifier so that the RF amplifier adjusts the RF energy output in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature sensor and a plurality of threshold levels. This aspect can improve the reliability of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: SHINJI TAKANO, MASAYOSHI HIRAMOTO, FUMITAKA OGASAWARA, MOTOYOSHI IWATA, TAKASHI UNO, MIKIO FUKUI, DAISUKE HOSOKAWA
  • Publication number: 20210267027
    Abstract: A high-frequency heating apparatus includes: a heating chamber for accommodating a load; a microwave source; at least one radiator; a temperature detector; and a controller. The microwave source generates a microwave and adjusts the frequency and output of the microwave. The at least one radiator radiates a microwave into the heating chamber. The temperature detector detects the temperature in the heating chamber. The controller causes the microwave source to adjust the output of the microwave based on the temperature profile that defines the temperature change in the load, and the temperature in the heating chamber. According to this aspect, food can be heated in accordance with the temperature profile appropriate for the cooking recipe, thereby ensuring the quality of cooked food.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: TAKASHI UNO, FUMITAKA OGASAWARA, MOTOYOSHI IWATA, SHINJI TAKANO, MIKIO FUKUI, DAISUKE HOSOKAWA, MASAYOSHI HIRAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20210267025
    Abstract: A high frequency heating apparatus (1A) includes the following components: a first electrode (11) that is flat; a plurality of flat second electrodes (12) that are flat; a high-frequency power supply (20); a matching unit (30); a controller (40); and an electric field regulator (50). The second electrodes (12) are placed opposite to the first electrode (11). The high-frequency power supply (20) applies a high-frequency voltage to the first electrode (11). The matching unit (30) is placed between the first electrode (11) and the high-frequency power supply (20), and is impedance-matched with the high-frequency power supply (20). The controller (40) controls the high-frequency power supply (20). The electric field regulator (50) individually adjusts the electric field strengths in a plurality of regions located between first electrode (11) and the second electrodes (12). This aspect can reduce uneven heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: TAKASHI UNO, DAISUKE HOSOKAWA, FUMITAKA OGASAWARA, MIKIO FUKUI, KOJI YOSHINO, YOSHIHARU OOMORI
  • Patent number: 10609772
    Abstract: In a microwave heating device of the present disclosure, inverter unit drives first and second microwave generators. Cooling unit cools first and second microwave generators and inverter unit. First and second waveguides supplies, to cavity, microwaves generated by first and second microwave generators. First and second microwave generators are disposed side by side in a right-left direction below a bottom surface of cavity. Inverter unit and cooling fan are disposed from the first and second microwave generators toward a front side in order, and first and second waveguides are provided so as to extend in a front-back direction from first and second microwave generators, respectively. According to the present disclosure, the microwave heating device can be further downsized in a right-left direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Hayashi, Yuichi Otsuki, Seiichi Yamashita, Mikio Fukui, Toshifumi Kamiya
  • Patent number: 10368403
    Abstract: Heating cooker (30) of the present disclosure includes convection device (35) that includes fan (14), heater (13), a first air guide, and second air guide, is communicated with heating chamber (2) through a suction port and a discharge port provided in back wall (2d) of heating chamber (2), and supplies hot air to the heating chamber (2). Fan (14) sucks air inside heating chamber (2) from the suction port into convection device (35), and sends out the air from the discharge port into heating chamber (2). Heater (13) is provided in front of fan (14), and heats the sucked air. The first air guide is provided so as to surround heater (13), and guides the heated air to the discharge port. The second air guide is provided so as to surround fan (14) and the first air guide, and guides the heated air to the discharge port. A part of the second air guide is in contact with the first air guide, and another part of the second air guide is isolated from the first air guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Hayashi, Yuichi Otsuki, Seiichi Yamashita, Mikio Fukui, Toshifumi Kamiya
  • Publication number: 20160330801
    Abstract: Heating cooker (30) of the present disclosure includes convection device (35) that includes fan (14), heater (13), a first air guide, and second air guide, is communicated with heating chamber (2) through a suction port and a discharge port provided in back wall (2d) of heating chamber (2), and supplies hot air to the heating chamber (2). Fan (14) sucks air inside heating chamber (2) from the suction port into convection device (35), and sends out the air from the discharge port into heating chamber (2). Heater (13) is provided in front of fan (14), and heats the sucked air. The first air guide is provided so as to surround heater (13), and guides the heated air to the discharge port. The second air guide is provided so as to surround fan (14) and the first air guide, and guides the heated air to the discharge port. A part of the second air guide is in contact with the first air guide, and another part of the second air guide is isolated from the first air guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: TAKAHIRO HAYASHI, YUICHI OTSUKI, SEIICHI YAMASHITA, MIKIO FUKUI, TOSHIFUMI KAMIYA
  • Publication number: 20160330800
    Abstract: In a microwave heating device of the present disclosure, inverter unit drives first and second microwave generators. Cooling unit cools first and second microwave generators and inverter unit. First and second waveguides supplies, to cavity, microwaves generated by first and second microwave generators. First and second microwave generators are disposed side by side in a right-left direction below a bottom surface of cavity. Inverter unit and cooling fan are disposed from the first and second microwave generators toward a front side in order, and first and second waveguides are provided so as to extend in a front-back direction from first and second microwave generators, respectively. According to the present disclosure, the microwave heating device can be further downsized in a right-left direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Takahiro Hayashi, Yuichi Otsuki, Seiichi Yamashita, Mikio Fukui, Toshifumi Kamiya
  • Publication number: 20110297664
    Abstract: Including a first reflector plate (14) placed between a light source (13) and an illumination ring (12) placed around an operation dial (11), further including a second reflector plate (15) of which a reflecting surface is an angle different from that of the first reflector plate (14) and a third reflector plate (16) of which a reflecting surface is an angle different from that of the second reflector plate (15), in which a light from the light source (13) is shaded and reflected by the first reflector plate (14) and further reflected by the second reflector plate (15) and the third reflector plate (16), evenly illuminating the illumination ring (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mikio Fukui
  • Publication number: 20110062152
    Abstract: There is provided a high-frequency heating apparatus with an electrothermic heating device, including a heating chamber that houses an object to be heated, a high-frequency generating device and an electrothermic heating device for heating the object to be heated, and two overheat prevention devices provided in the electrothermic heating device, wherein the two overheat prevention devices are a first stage overheat prevention device of a resettable type and a second stage overheat prevention device of a non-resettable type, and an operating temperature of the second stage overheat prevention device is set higher than an operating temperature of the first stage temperature overheat prevention device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mikio Fukui, Hisahiro Nishitani, Yoshio Semori
  • Publication number: 20050103669
    Abstract: A relatively light and generally resinous hermetically sealed container is provided for accommodating, supporting and transporting a precision sheet (semi-)product, such as a photomask, safely and in an airtight manner without exerting an inappropriate stress thereto, which precision sheet (semi-)product has such a large planar size that encounters an extreme difficulty in integral resin molding of a half of a container therefor. The container includes a main body and a lid member which are generally symmetrical with each other and respectively have sealing peripheries to be abutted to each other. Each of the main body and the lid member includes a plurality of resin-sheets which are disposed in a plane, abutted to each other at an intermediate joint boundary therebetween and joined with each other at the joint boundary. A reinforcing metal belt member is disposed from outside along the joint boundary and hermetically bolted to the resin sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Inventors: Mikio Fukui, Shiro Arai, Takayuki Abe
  • Publication number: 20050103668
    Abstract: A relatively light resinous hermetically sealed container for a large-sized precision sheet (semi-)product, such as a photomask, is provided so as to accommodate, support and transport the precision sheet (semi-)product safely and in an airtight manner. The hermetically sealed container includes a main body and a lid member respectively having peripheral flange portions abutted to each other so as to accommodate a precision sheet (semi-)product therein. Each of the main body and the lid member is formed as a vacuum or air-pressure formed thermoplastic resin sheet equipped with a reinforcing rib.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Inventors: Mikio Fukui, Shiro Arai, Takayuki Abe