Patents by Inventor Minoru Izawa

Minoru Izawa 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: 8086375
    Abstract: A method for adjusting sensitivity of a load detecting device of a seat for a vehicle includes a seat assembling step for assembling the seat with plural load sensors assembled, a zero point adjusting step for obtaining a non-load output value by totaling output values of the load sensors when no load is applied on the seat and memorizing the non-load output value in a memory of a processing device, an adjusted output value calculating step for obtaining an adjusted output value by subtracting the non-load output value from a total of the output values of the load sensors when a predetermined load is applied on the seat, a trimming coefficient calculating step for calculating a trimming coefficient by dividing a designed output value by the adjusted output value, and a trimming coefficient memorizing step for memorizing the trimming coefficient in the memory of the processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satohiko Nakano, Mutsuro Aoyama, Akira Enomoto, Minoru Izawa
  • Patent number: 7762150
    Abstract: A load detecting device for a vehicle seat includes a supporting base adapted to be mounted on a floor of the vehicle, a plurality of load sensors arranged along a forward and backward direction of a seat for the vehicle on the supporting base, the load sensors including a load input portion, a deflection portion deflecting by a load and a deflection gauge measuring an amount of deflection, the load sensors detecting the load based on the amount of deflection measured by the deflection gauge, a connecting member connecting the load input portions, a seat supporting member connected to the connecting member and adapted to support the seat for the vehicle, the seat supporting member transmitting load to the connecting member, and a stopper preventing deformation of the connecting member in a vertical direction of the seat when load which exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kawabata, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Hiroyuki Fujii, Kenichiro Akizuki, Minoru Izawa
  • Patent number: 7584037
    Abstract: An occupant determining device includes a load detecting sensor provided on a seat body and a controller. The controller calculates a detected load value based on an output value of the load detecting sensor and performs occupant determination based on the detected load value. The occupant determination state is switched to an adult determination state when a certain delaying time elapses after the detected load value exceeds a determination threshold. The controller sets plural determination thresholds, and the larger each determination threshold being exceeded by the detected load value is, the shorter the delaying time is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Masaki Mori, Minoru Izawa, Yasunori Hasegawa, Daisuke Itoh, Norihiko Nagae
  • Patent number: 7559249
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle has a load detecting device arranged between a floor-side fixing member adapted to be fixed to a floor of the vehicle and a seat-side fixing member adapted to be fixed to a seat for the vehicle and for measuring a load of an occupant seated on the seat. The load detecting device includes: a strain member; a connecting member vertically fixed to an intermediate portion of the strain member; strain gauges attached to a surface of the strain member; an upper bracket having a first and second fixed portions both fixed to the other surface of the strain member. The upper bracket further has an attachment portion connecting the first and second fixed portions and extending in a lateral direction of the seat; and an amplifier unit attached to a surface of the attachment portion of the upper bracket corresponding to the strain member so as to be coplanar with the strain member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidoshi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satohiko Nakano, Muneto Inayoshi, Mutsuro Aoyama, Hideki Kawabata, Kenichiro Akizuki, Minoru Izawa
  • Publication number: 20080156103
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle has a load detecting device arranged between a floor-side fixing member adapted to be fixed to a floor of the vehicle and a seat-side fixing member adapted to be fixed to a seat for the vehicle and for measuring a load of an occupant seated on the seat. The load detecting device includes: a strain member; a connecting member vertically fixed to an intermediate portion of the strain member; strain gauges attached to a surface of the strain member; an upper bracket having a first and second fixed portions both fixed to the other surface of the strain member. The upper bracket further has an attachment portion connecting the first and second fixed portions and extending in a lateral direction of the seat; and an amplifier unit attached to a surface of the attachment portion of the upper bracket corresponding to the strain member so as to be coplanar with the strain member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicants: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satohiko Nakano, Muneto Inayoshi, Mutsuro Aoyama, Hideki Kawabata, Kenichiro Akizuki, Minoru Izawa
  • Publication number: 20080114517
    Abstract: A method for adjusting sensitivity of a load detecting device of a seat for a vehicle includes a seat assembling step for assembling the seat with plural load sensors assembled, a zero point adjusting step for obtaining a non-load output value by totaling output values of the load sensors when no load is applied on the seat and memorizing the non-load output value in a memory of a processing device, an adjusted output value calculating step for obtaining an adjusted output value by subtracting the non-load output value from a total of the output values of the load sensors when a predetermined load is applied on the seat, a trimming coefficient calculating step for calculating a trimming coefficient by dividing a designed output value by the adjusted output value, and a trimming coefficient memorizing step for memorizing the trimming coefficient in the memory of the processing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicants: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satohiko Nakano, Mutsuro Aoyama, Akira Enomoto, Minoru Izawa
  • Publication number: 20080007100
    Abstract: A load detecting device for a vehicle seat includes a supporting base adapted to be mounted on a floor of the vehicle, a plurality of load sensors arranged along a forward and backward direction of a seat for the vehicle on the supporting base, the load sensors including a load input portion, a deflection portion deflecting by a load and a deflection gauge measuring an amount of deflection, the load sensors detecting the load based on the amount of deflection measured by the deflection gauge, a connecting member connecting the load input portions, a seat supporting member connected to the connecting member and adapted to support the seat for the vehicle, the seat supporting member transmitting load to the connecting member, and a stopper preventing deformation of the connecting member in a vertical direction of the seat when load which exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the connecting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicants: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki KAWABATA, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Hiroyuki Fujii, Kenichiro Akizuki, Minoru Izawa
  • Patent number: 7032968
    Abstract: An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat includes a load sensor provided in the vehicle seat and a controller for calculating a detected load value based on an output load value from the load sensor and determining an occupant on the vehicle seat by comparing the detected load value and a predetermined threshold value. The controller judges by a decrease state of the detected load value detected after the seatbelt is fastened being maintained for a first predetermined time that a child restraint device is installed, when a state in which the seatbelt is fastened and the door is opened is detected. Further, the controller judges by a decrease state of the detected load value detected after the seatbelt is fastened being maintained for a second predetermined time that the child restraint device is installed, when a state in which the seatbelt is fastened and the door is closed is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Masaki Mori, Koji Aoki, Minoru Izawa
  • Patent number: 7023355
    Abstract: An occupant determination device for a vehicle seat includes a load sensor provided at a seat body, a controller for calculating a detection load value based on a load value output from the load sensor and for determining whether an occupant seated on the vehicle seat is adult or a child, wherein a hysteresis is provided for changing the occupant determination from either a child or an adult to an adult or a child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Masaki Mori, Kazunori Sakamoto, Minoru Izawa, Yasunori Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6987226
    Abstract: An occupant weight detecting apparatus for detecting an occupant weight on a seat includes a load sensor mounted on the seat to detect a load on the seat and output a load signal. A detected load value is calculated periodically based on the load signal and an average is calculated based on the detected load values calculated during a period in which the detected load value is less than a first predetermined. The average of the detected load values is set to a zero point, and the occupant weight is detected based on the detected load value and the zero point when the detected load value exceeds a second predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Koji Aoki, Masaki Mori, Minoru Izawa, Yasunori Hasegawa, Takaaki Enomoto
  • Patent number: 6876299
    Abstract: An occupant determining device includes a load detecting sensor provided on a seat body and a controller. The controller calculates a detected load value based on an output value of the load detecting sensor and performs occupant determination based on the detected load value. The occupant determination state is switched to an adult determination state when a certain delaying time elapses after the detected load value exceeds a first determination threshold. The controller sets the delaying time shorter when the detected load value exceeds the first determination threshold within a predetermined time after the detected load value exceeds a second determination threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Masaki Mori, Koji Aoki, Minoru Izawa, Yasunori Hasegawa, Takaai Enomoto
  • Publication number: 20040173398
    Abstract: An occupant determination device for a vehicle seat includes a load sensor provided at a seat body, a controller for calculating a detection load value based on a load value output from the load sensor and for determining whether an occupant seated on the vehicle seat is adult or a child, wherein a hysteresis is provided for changing the occupant determination from either a child or an adult to an adult or a child.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Masaki Mori, Kazunori Sakamoto, Minoru Izawa, Yasunori Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20040135697
    Abstract: An occupant determining device includes a load detecting sensor provided on a seat body and a controller. The controller calculates a detected load value based on an output value of the load detecting sensor and performs occupant determination based on the detected load value. The occupant determination state is switched to an adult determination state when a certain delaying time elapses after the detected load value exceeds a first determination threshold. The controller sets the delaying time shorter when the detected load value exceeds the first determination threshold within a predetermined time after the detected load value exceeds a second determination threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Masaki Mori, Koji Aoki, Minoru Izawa, Yasunori Hasegawa, Takaaki Enomoto
  • Publication number: 20040068356
    Abstract: An occupant determining device includes a load detecting sensor provided on a seat body and a controller. The controller calculates a detected load value based on an output value of the load detecting sensor and performs occupant determination based on the detected load value. The occupant determination state is switched to an adult determination state when a certain delaying time elapses after the detected load value exceeds a determination threshold. The controller sets plural determination thresholds, and the larger each determination threshold being exceeded by the detected load value is, the shorter the delaying time is set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Masaki Mori, Minoru Izawa, Yasunori Hasegawa, Daisuke Itoh, Norihiko Nagae
  • Publication number: 20030213622
    Abstract: An occupant weight detecting apparatus for detecting an occupant weight on a seat includes a load sensor mounted on the seat to detect a load on the seat and output a load signal. A detected load value is calculated periodically based on the load signal and an average is calculated based on the detected load values calculated during a period in which the detected load value is less than a first predetermined. The average of the detected load values is set to a zero point, and the occupant weight is detected based on the detected load value and the zero point when the detected load value exceeds a second predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Koji Aoki, Masaki Mori, Minoru Izawa, Yasunori Hasegawa, Takaaki Enomoto
  • Publication number: 20030168895
    Abstract: An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat includes a load sensor provided in the vehicle seat and a controller for calculating a detected load value based on an output load value from the load sensor and determining an occupant on the vehicle seat by comparing the detected load value and a predetermined threshold value. The controller judges by a decrease state of the detected load value detected after the seatbelt is fastened being maintained for a first predetermined time that a child restraint device is installed, when a state in which the seatbelt is fastened and the door is opened is detected. Further, the controller judges by a decrease state of the detected load value detected after the seatbelt is fastened being maintained for a second predetermined time that the child restraint device is installed, when a state in which the seatbelt is fastened and the door is closed is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Masaki Mori, Koji Aoki, Minoru Izawa
  • Patent number: 6509653
    Abstract: According to the invention, the presence of a child seat mounted on a vehicle seat or the presence of a passenger seated in the vehicle seat is determined automatically. A child seat detecting apparatus incorporated into a vehicle seat is provided with a plurality of load sensors comprising stress sensors or the like, and a determining function for monitoring a relative change of each load detected by each load sensor and determining whether a child seat is mounted on the vehicle seat or whether a passenger is seated in the vehicle seat by the difference of the change of each load. Accordingly, this child seat detecting apparatus makes it possible to accurately determine whether a child seat is mounted on the vehicle seat or whether a person of small stature yet who does not require a child seat is seated in the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Fujimoto, Minoru Izawa
  • Publication number: 20020024257
    Abstract: According to the invention, the presence of a child seat mounted on a vehicle seat or the presence of a passenger seated in the vehicle seat is determined automatically. A child seat detecting apparatus incorporated into a vehicle seat is provided with a plurality of load sensors comprising stress sensors or the like, and a determining function for monitoring a relative change of each load detected by each load sensor and determining whether a child seat is mounted on the vehicle seat or whether a passenger is seated in the vehicle seat by the difference of the change of each load. Accordingly, this child seat detecting apparatus makes it possible to accurately determine whether a child seat is mounted on the vehicle seat or whether a person of small stature yet who does not require a child seat is seated in the vehicle seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Fujimoto, Minoru Izawa
  • Patent number: 6186538
    Abstract: An air bag control system for passenger seat has a seated-state detection sensor provided in a seat, a proximity sensor that detects an object near an air bag apparatus, and an impact sensor that detects a deceleration at the time of an impact. If there is no detection made by the proximity sensor for a predetermined length of time after the seated-state detection sensor detects the seating of an occupant, a control device keeps the air bag apparatus in an operable state after elapse of the predetermined length of time. If there is no detection made by the proximity sensor for the predetermined length of time after the seated-state detection sensor makes detection, the control device ignores an on-state of the proximity sensor or a signal from the proximity sensor, and keeps the air bag apparatus in the operable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Hamada, Akihiro Osanai, Yoshiaki Inoue, Minoru Izawa
  • Patent number: 5185203
    Abstract: Disclosed are a heat-sealable crosslinked oriented polyethylene film having low-temperature heat sealabilitiy which enables high-speed bag making, improved in antiblocking property and excellent in clarity and moistureproofness, comprising a crosslinked, biaxially oriented high density polyethylene film in which the degree of crosslinking inwardly decreases across the thickness of the film, and a heat sealing layer placed thereon, the heat sealing layer being composed of a tackifier and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer containing an antiblocking agent or composed of 1,2-polybutadiene containing an antiblocking agent, preferably further comprising a heat sealing layer free from an antiblocking agent placed between the biaxially oriented film and the heat sealing layer containing the antiblocking agent, and a process for the production of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Tonen Sekiyukagaku K.K.
    Inventors: Yasushi Itaba, Minoru Izawa, Keichiro Saito, Takayoshi Kondo