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).

  • Publication number: 20250239753
    Abstract: Power combiner (11) includes: cavity (2) that has internal space (20) sealed electromagnetically; a plurality of input ports (4, 5) that are disposed in cavity (2); a plurality of input antennas (41, 51), each of which is disposed at a corresponding input port among the plurality of input ports (4, 5), that are disposed inside internal space (20); and output port (3) that is disposed in cavity (2). Power distributor (12) includes: cavity (2) that has internal space (20) sealed electromagnetically; input port (3) that is disposed in cavity (2); input antenna (31) that is connected to input port (3) and disposed inside internal space (20); and a plurality of output ports (4, 5) that are disposed in cavity (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2023
    Publication date: July 24, 2025
    Inventors: MIKIO FUKUI, SHINJI TAKANO, TAKASHI UNO
  • Publication number: 20250119990
    Abstract: In a radio wave emitting apparatus of the present disclosure, a radio wave emitter emits traveling waves into a cavity. A temperature measurer measures a temperature of the signal amplifier. An electric power measurer measures a reflected-wave electric power. A controller (7) executes a first control process and a second control process. In the first control process, a target value of a traveling-wave electric power is set to a first electric power. The second control process includes one or more first periods during which the target value of the traveling-wave electric power is set to the first electric power, and one or more second periods during which the target value of the traveling-wave electric power is set to a second electric power that is less than the first electric power. In the second control process, the one or more first periods and the one or more second periods are repeated alternately one by one.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2023
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventors: SHINJI TAKANO, TAKASHI UNO, MIKIO FUKUI
  • Publication number: 20250105674
    Abstract: A high-frequency processing device includes a high-frequency power supply, a high-frequency power radiation unit, an impedance adjustment unit, a power detection unit, and a control unit. The high-frequency power supply generates high-frequency power of variable magnitude. The high-frequency power radiation unit emits the high-frequency power toward a target object. The impedance adjustment unit adjusts a load impedance. The power detection unit detects supplied power and reflected power. The control unit calculates a reflectance and a phase difference to obtain the load impedance. The control unit determines whether or not the load impedance falls within a predetermined impedance region corresponding to output power of the high-frequency power supply. The control unit causes the impedance adjustment unit to guide the load impedance to and maintain the load impedance within the predetermined impedance region corresponding to the output power of the high-frequency power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: TOSHIYUKI OKAJIMA, TAKASHI UNO, MIKIO FUKUI
  • Patent number: 12225654
    Abstract: A microwave heating device includes: a heating chamber for accommodating a heating target object, a microwave generator for generating 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 an output terminal of the microwave generator. An air gap is defined between the center conductor and the insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mikio Fukui, Takashi Uno, Fumitaka Ogasawara, Motoyoshi Iwata, Shinji Takano, Daisuke Hosokawa, Masayoshi Hiramoto
  • Patent number: 12177956
    Abstract: A microwave treatment device includes 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, and 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. Thus, it is possible to accurately recognize the progress of cooking while heating the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Oomori, Daisuke Hosokawa, Fumitaka Ogasawara, Mikio Fukui, Koji Yoshino, Takashi Uno
  • Patent number: 12144091
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Uno, Fumitaka Ogasawara, Motoyoshi Iwata, Shinji Takano, Mikio Fukui, Daisuke Hosokawa, Masayoshi Hiramoto
  • Patent number: 12048082
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Uno, Mikio Fukui, Koji Yoshino, Daisuke Hosokawa
  • Publication number: 20240196486
    Abstract: A high-frequency heating device according to the present disclosure includes a heating chamber, first electrode, second electrode, high-frequency power supply, and controller. The first electrode is an electrode disposed inside the heating chamber. The second electrode is an electrode disposed inside the heating chamber and faces the first electrode. The high-frequency power supply generates high-frequency electric power. The controller controls the high-frequency power supply. The controller controls heating of a heating target placed between the first and second electrodes by causing the high-frequency power supply to apply the high-frequency electric power between the first and second electrodes. The controller causes the high-frequency power supply to selectively perform the heating in a normal mode for heating the whole of the object and the heating in a protection mode for heating the object with prevention of local overheating of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: CHIKAKO HOSOKAWA, DAISUKE HOSOKAWA, MIKIO FUKUI, TAKASHI UNO, SHINJI TAKANO
  • 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: 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
  • 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
  • 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