Patents by Inventor Mitsuo Fujimoto

Mitsuo Fujimoto 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: 9314870
    Abstract: A tool driving section of a friction stir spot welding device is configured to advance and retract each of a pin member and a shoulder member. A tool driving control section is configured to control the tool driving section such that an absolute value of a tool average position Tx is small, wherein Tx is defined by a following equation: Ap·Pp+As·Ps=Tx, where Ap is a cross-section area of a front end surface of the pin member, As is a cross-section area of a front end surface of the shoulder member, Pp is a press-fit depth of the pin member press-fitted from a front surface of an object to be welded, and Ps is a press-fit depth of the shoulder member press-fitted from the front surface of the object to be welded. Thus, especially in a double-acting friction stir spot welding, excellent welding quality can be accurately achieved according to welding conditions, and an internal cavity defect can be prevented or suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki Okada, Hajime Kashiki, Kazumi Fukuhara, Mitsuo Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20150231734
    Abstract: A tool driving section of a friction stir spot welding device is configured to advance and retract each of a pin member and a shoulder member. A tool driving control section is configured to control the tool driving section such that an absolute value of a tool average position Tx is small, wherein Tx is defined by a following equation: Ap·Pp+As·Ps=Tx, where Ap is a cross-section area of a front end surface of the pin member, As is a cross-section area of a front end surface of the shoulder member, Pp is a press-fit depth of the pin member press-fitted from a front surface of an object to be welded, and Ps is a press-fit depth of the shoulder member press-fitted from the front surface of the object to be welded. Thus, especially in a double-acting friction stir spot welding, excellent welding quality can be accurately achieved according to welding conditions, and an internal cavity defect can be prevented or suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Hideki OKADA, Hajime KASHIKI, Kazumi FUKUHARA, Mitsuo FUJIMOTO
  • Patent number: 9095926
    Abstract: A tool driving section of a friction stir spot welding device is configured to advance and retract each of a pin member and a shoulder member. A tool driving control section is configured to control the tool driving section such that an absolute value of a tool average position Tx defined by a following equation: Ap·Pp+As·Ps=Tx, where Ap is a cross-section area of a front end surface of the pin member, As is a cross-section area of a front end surface of the shoulder member, Pp is a press-fit depth of the pin member press-fitted from a front surface of an object to be welded, and Ps is a press-fit depth of the shoulder member press-fitted from the front surface of the object to be welded, is small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki Okada, Hajime Kashiki, Kazumi Fukuhara, Mitsuo Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 9073151
    Abstract: A dissimilar material joint is formed by arranging a plurality of joint segments consecutively in a longitudinal direction. Each joint segment is formed by joining and integrating together a first member, an intermediate member, and a second member by explosive welding. A groove is formed in a joint end face of each joint segment, the joint end face being joined to another one of the segments, the groove spacing apart an end face of the first member and an end face of the second member from each other in a stacking direction. In the dissimilar material joint, the end faces of the respective first members of the joint segments that are adjacent to each other are joined together by welding, and the end faces of the respective second members of the joint segments that are adjacent to each other are joined together by welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hironori Okauchi, Yukichi Takaoka, Takumi Yoshida, Noriko Ohmichi, Mitsuo Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8950650
    Abstract: A tool driving section of a friction stir spot welding device is configured to cause each of a pin member and a shoulder member to advance and retract, and is controlled by a tool driving control section. A press-fit reference point setting section sets a position where the pin member or the shoulder member contacts an object to be welded as a press-fit reference point, and the tool driving control section controls the position of the pin member with respect to the shoulder member on the basis of the press-fit reference point, thereby controlling the press-fit depth of a rotating tool press-fitted from the surface of the object to be welded. This achieves the excellent welding quality at suitable precision according to welding conditions especially in a double-acting friction stir spot welding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Okada, Hajime Kashiki, Kazumi Fukuhara, Mitsuo Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8757470
    Abstract: A friction stir welding method in which a welding tool rotating around an axis is pressed against a welding target portion of workpieces supported by a backing member so that frictional heat is generated and the friction heat softens the welding target portion. The welding tool is at least partially inserted into the softened welding target portion and stirs the softened welding target portion so that the welding target portion is stir welded in a solid phase state. The friction stir welding method includes detecting a temperature of a temperature measurement point provided in the backing member, and calculating an estimated temperature of the welding tool from the detected temperature of the temperature measurement point, based on a predefined correlation between a temperature of the welding tool and a temperature of the backing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoji Ohashi, Mitsuo Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20140112709
    Abstract: A dissimilar material joint is formed by arranging a plurality of joint segments consecutively in a longitudinal direction. Each joint segment is formed by joining and integrating together a first member, an intermediate member, and a second member by explosive welding. A groove is formed in a joint end face of each joint segment, the joint end face being joined to another one of the segments, the groove spacing apart an end face of the first member and an end face of the second member from each other in a stacking direction. In the dissimilar material joint, the end faces of the respective first members of the joint segments that are adjacent to each other are joined together by welding, and the end faces of the respective second members of the joint segments that are adjacent to each other are joined together by welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hironori Okauchi, Yukichi Takaoka, Takumi Yoshida, Noriko Ohmichi, Mitsuo Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20140069985
    Abstract: A tool driving section of a friction stir spot welding device is configured to cause each of a pin member and a shoulder member to advance and retract, and is controlled by a tool driving control section. A press-fit reference point setting section sets a position where the pin member or the shoulder member contacts an object to be welded as a press-fit reference point, and the tool driving control section controls the position of the pin member with respect to the shoulder member on the basis of the press-fit reference point, thereby controlling the press-fit depth of a rotating tool press-fitted from the surface of the object to be welded. This achieves the excellent welding quality at suitable precision according to welding conditions especially in a double-acting friction stir spot welding method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki Okada, Hajime Kashiki, Kazumi Fukuhara, Mitsuo Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20140069986
    Abstract: A tool driving section of a friction stir spot welding device is configured to advance and retract each of a pin member and a shoulder member. A tool driving control section is configured to control the tool driving section such that an absolute value of a tool average position Tx defined by a following equation: Ap·Pp+As·Ps=Tx, where Ap is a cross-section area of a front end surface of the pin member, As is a cross-section area of a front end surface of the shoulder member, Pp is a press-fit depth of the pin member press-fitted from a front surface of an object to be welded, and Ps is a press-fit depth of the shoulder member press-fitted from the front surface of the object to be welded, is small.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki Okada, Hajime Kashiki, Kazumi Fukuhara, Mitsuo Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20130320070
    Abstract: A friction stir welding method in which a welding tool rotating around an axis is pressed against a welding target portion of workpieces supported by a backing member so that frictional heat is generated and the friction heat softens the welding target portion. The welding tool is at least partially inserted into the softened welding target portion and stirs the softened welding target portion so that the welding target portion is stir welded in a solid phase state. The friction stir welding method includes detecting a temperature of a temperature measurement point provided in the backing member, and calculating an estimated temperature of the welding tool from the detected temperature of the temperature measurement point, based on a predefined correlation between a temperature of the welding tool and a temperature of the backing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryoji OHASHI, Mitsuo FUJIMOTO
  • Patent number: 8528803
    Abstract: A friction stir welding apparatus includes: a thermocouple and a temperature measurement device which are configured to detect a temperature of the temperature measurement point; a temperature monitor configured to calculate an estimated temperature of the welding tool from the detected temperature of the temperature measurement point, based on a predefined correlation between a temperature of the welding tool and a temperature of the backing member; and a controller configured to perform a predetermined procedure based on the estimated temperature of the welding tool so as to prevent overheating of the welding tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoji Ohashi, Mitsuo Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20120261457
    Abstract: A friction stir welding apparatus includes: a thermocouple and a temperature measurement device which are configured to detect a temperature of the temperature measurement point; a temperature monitor configured to calculate an estimated temperature of the welding tool from the detected temperature of the temperature measurement point, based on a predefined correlation between a temperature of the welding tool and a temperature of the backing member; and a controller configured to perform a predetermined procedure based on the estimated temperature of the welding tool so as to prevent overheating of the welding tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryoji Ohashi, Mitsuo Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8113133
    Abstract: A dissimilar joint structure according to the present invention is provided at a first metal member and a second metal member which are made of dissimilar metals to each other. The dissimilar joint structure couples the first metal member and the second metal member 7. An inserting groove 8a is formed at the first metal member. The second metal member includes an inserting portion which is able to be inserted into the inserting groove. The first metal member is joined to the inserting portion 9 with the inserting portion 9 inserted into the inserting groove 8a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukichi Takaoka, Noriko Omichi, Mitsuo Fujimoto, Hidehito Nishida
  • Publication number: 20120006883
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a welding head having a welding tool to be pressed against workpieces and a rotation drive unit to drive the welding tool to be rotated; a head drive unit to drive the welding head to be displaced, the head drive unit including a cylinder actuator having a piston rod to which the welding head is attached; a first pressure unit to supply a pressure fluid into a first chamber of the cylinder actuator; a second pressure unit to supply a pressure fluid into a second chamber of the cylinder actuator; a control unit to control pressures of respective pressure fluids supplied by the first pressure unit and the second pressure unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidehito Nishida, Mitsuo Fujimoto, Mitsuhiro Kamioka, Hideki Okada
  • Patent number: 8025200
    Abstract: A friction stir welding machine is provided that is adapted to perform solid phase welding on a welding portion of materials to be welded, by pressing a welding tool against the welding portion of the materials to be welded while rotating the welding tool, and forcing the welding tool to be advanced into a softened portion which is softened by a frictional heat while stirring the softened portion, wherein a coating made of aluminum nitride is formed on at least a region of the welding tool to be in contact with the materials to be welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoji Ohashi, Mitsuo Fujimoto, Shinji Koga, Atsushi Kato
  • Publication number: 20110084116
    Abstract: A friction stir welding machine is provided that is adapted to perform solid phase welding on a welding portion of materials to be welded, by pressing a welding tool against the welding portion of the materials to be welded while rotating the welding tool, and forcing the welding tool to be advanced into a softened portion which is softened by a frictional heat while stirring the softened portion, wherein a coating made of aluminum nitride is formed on at least a region of the welding tool to be in contact with the materials to be welded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryoji Ohashi, Mitsuo Fujimoto, Shinji Koga, Atsushi Kato
  • Patent number: 7896216
    Abstract: A lightweight, mobile friction stir welding machine, a sticking pad for the friction stir welding machine, and a friction stir welding system are provided. The sticking pad has a flat base member facing an object, an annular sealing member protruding from one of major surfaces of the base member so as to surround a central area of the surface of the base member, a slippery member attached to the end surface of the annular sealing member facing the object, and one or some deformation-suppressing protrusions protruding from the surface facing the object of the base member. The slippery member is made of a material that can make the slippery member contact the object with a friction coefficient lower than that with which the sealing member can be in contact with the same object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuo Fujimoto, Hidehito Nishida
  • Patent number: 7828191
    Abstract: The present invention is a friction stir welding machine adapted to perform solid phase welding on a welding portion of materials to be welded, by pressing a welding tool against the welding portion of the materials to be welded while rotating the welding tool, and forcing the welding tool to be advanced into a softened portion which is softened by a frictional heat while stirring the softened portion, wherein a coating made of aluminum nitride is formed on at least a region of the welding tool to be in contact with the materials to be welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoji Ohashi, Mitsuo Fujimoto, Shinji Koga, Atsushi Kato
  • Publication number: 20100275834
    Abstract: A dissimilar joint structure 10 according to the present invention is provided at a first metal member 6 and a second metal member 7 which are made of dissimilar metals to each other. The dissimilar joint structure 10 couples the first metal member 6 and the second metal member 7. An inserting groove 8a is formed at the first metal member 6. The second metal member 11 includes an inserting portion 9 which is able to be inserted into the inserting groove 8a. The first metal member 6 is joined to the inserting portion 9 with the inserting portion 9 inserted into the inserting groove 8a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KAWASAKI ZOSEN
    Inventors: Yukichi Takaoka, Noriko Omichi, Mitsuo Fujimoto, Hidehito Nishida
  • Publication number: 20100213242
    Abstract: A lightweight, mobile friction stir welding machine, a sticking pad for the friction stir welding machine, and a friction stir welding system are provided. The sticking pad has a flat base member facing an object, an annular sealing member protruding from one of major surfaces of the base member so as to surround a central area of the surface of the base member, a slippery member attached to the end surface of the annular sealing member facing the object, and one or some deformation-suppressing protrusions protruding from the surface facing the object of the base member. The slippery member is made of a material that can make the slippery member contact the object with a friction coefficient lower than that with which the sealing member can be in contact with the same object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuo Fujimoto, Hidehito Nishida