Patents by Inventor Mitsuo Konno
Mitsuo Konno 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).
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Publication number: 20220144042Abstract: A thermal management system includes a first flow path through which cooling water is circulatable, a radiator provided in the first flow path to cool the cooling water, a second flow path which branches from a first branch portion of the first flow path and joins a first junction portion of the first flow path and allows the cooling water which passes through the radiator to flow through the first branch portion, a heater provided in the second flow path to heat the cooling water, a heater core provided on a downstream side of the heater in the second flow path and warming air with the cooling water heated by the heater, a third flow path which branches from a second branch portion on a downstream side of the heater core in the second flow path and joins a second junction portion on an upstream side of the heater core in the second flow path, and a switching unit provided in the second branch portion and switching a flow direction of the cooling water which passes through the heater core to at least one of tType: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2020Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventor: Mitsuo KONNO
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Patent number: 8258675Abstract: A detection sensor (10) includes: plural beam-like resonators (30A, 30B), a vibration characteristic of which changes according to adsorption or sticking of a substance having a mass and one end of each of which is fixed; a driving unit (40) that vibrates the resonators; and a detecting unit (40) that detects a change in the vibration in the resonators to detect the substance. The plural resonators have lengths different from one another. When the length of an arbitrary resonator is represented as L, a difference ?L between the length L and the length of the other resonators is set to satisfy the following condition: 2(?L/L)>1/Q (Q represents a Q factor of the resonators). The driving unit vibrates the respective plural resonators at frequencies corresponding to resonant frequencies of the resonators.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2011Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignees: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Olympus CorporationInventors: Tsuyoshi Ikehara, Mitsuo Konno, Takashi Mihara
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Patent number: 8196451Abstract: There is provided a technique that can increase sensitivity of a resonator. A ratio Rb/Ra between an inner diameter Rb and an outer diameter Ra of the resonator 20 is appropriately selected, and thus there may be a fixed point where an r component (U(Ra) or U(Rb)) of displacement in a radial direction and an r component (V(Ra) or V(Rb)) of displacement in a tangential direction are 0 on an outer diameter portion or an inner diameter portion of the resonator 20. In this case, the resonator 20 is supported by a holding member 22 constituted by a single-span beam set so that a boundary condition on a side of the resonator 20 is pinned and a boundary condition on a side of an anchor that supports the resonator 20 is clamped at the fixed point, and this prevents vibration energy of the resonator 20 from being lost through the holding member 22, avoids a state to disturb a vibration mode, and achieves a sensor having high sensitivity.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2010Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignees: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Olympus CorporationInventors: Mitsuo Konno, Tsuyoshi Ikehara, Takayuki Takano, Takashi Mihara
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Publication number: 20110266919Abstract: A detection sensor (10) includes: plural beam-like resonators (30A, 30B), a vibration characteristic of which changes according to adsorption or sticking of a substance having a mass and one end of each of which is fixed; a driving unit (40) that vibrates the resonators; and a detecting unit (40) that detects a change in the vibration in the resonators to detect the substance. The plural resonators have lengths different from one another. When the length of an arbitrary resonator is represented as L, a difference ?L between the length L and the length of the other resonators is set to satisfy the following condition: 2(?L/L)>1/Q (Q represents a Q factor of the resonators). The driving unit vibrates the respective plural resonators at frequencies corresponding to resonant frequencies of the resonators.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicants: Olympus Corporation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and TechnologyInventors: Tsuyoshi Ikehara, Mitsuo Konno, Takashi Mihara
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Patent number: 8006561Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique that can realize improvement of sensitivity of a vibrator. A platform 50 to which a substance adheres or sticks is provided to be mechanically coupled to a vibrator 20 of a sensor via bridges 51. Sensitivity of the sensor is improved by causing the mass of a substance adhering or sticking onto the platform 50 as if the substance concentratedly adheres or sticks to places where the platform 50 is connected to the vibrator 20. It is preferable to connect, via the bridges 51, the platform 50 to places where the platform 50 vibrates integrally with the vibrator 20. For this purpose, it is preferable to mechanically couple, via the bridges 51, the platform 50 to regions where vibration occurs only in one of an r direction or a ? direction in the vibrator 20.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2007Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignees: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Olympus CorporationInventors: Mitsuo Konno, Tsuyoshi Ikehara, Takashi Mihara
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Publication number: 20100223987Abstract: There is provided a technique that can increase sensitivity of a resonator. A ratio Rb/Ra between an inner diameter Rb and an outer diameter Ra of the resonator 20 is appropriately selected, and thus there may be a fixed point where an r component (U(Ra) or U(Rb)) of displacement in a radial direction and an r component (V(Ra) or V(Rb)) of displacement in a tangential direction are 0 on an outer diameter portion or an inner diameter portion of the resonator 20. In this case, the resonator 20 is supported by a holding member 22 constituted by a single-span beam set so that a boundary condition on a side of the resonator 20 is pinned and a boundary condition on a side of an anchor that supports the resonator 20 is clamped at the fixed point, and this prevents vibration energy of the resonator 20 from being lost through the holding member 22, avoids a state to disturb a vibration mode, and achieves a sensor having high sensitivity.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2010Publication date: September 9, 2010Applicants: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Olympus CorporationInventors: Mitsuo Konno, Tsuyoshi Ikehara, Takayuki Takano, Takashi Mihara
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Patent number: 7681433Abstract: By using a disc type resonator, a sensor detects a substance having a mass and the mass with high sensitivity. Moreover, it is preferable to detect a change in vibrations of a substance attached or adsorbed to an area having a vibration amplitude equal to or larger than a constant value. This disc type resonator can be fabricated by the MEMS technique by using single-crystal or polycrystalline Si as a structural material. To improve the attachment efficiency of molecules and the like to be detected, irregularity or a groove is preferably provided on the surface of the disc type resonator.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2006Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignees: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Olympus CorporationInventors: Mitsuo Konno, Tsuyoshi Ikehara, Ryutaro Maeda, Takashi Mihara
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Publication number: 20090199639Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique that can realize improvement of sensitivity of a vibrator. A platform 50 to which a substance adheres or sticks is provided to be mechanically coupled to a vibrator 20 of a sensor via bridges 51. Sensitivity of the sensor is improved by causing the mass of a substance adhering or sticking onto the platform 50 as if the substance concentratedly adheres or sticks to places where the platform 50 is connected to the vibrator 20. It is preferable to connect, via the bridges 51, the platform 50 to places where the platform 50 vibrates integrally with the vibrator 20. For this purpose, it is preferable to mechanically couple, via the bridges 51, the platform 50 to regions where vibration occurs only in one of an r direction or a ? direction in the vibrator 20.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2007Publication date: August 13, 2009Applicants: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE, OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventors: Mitsuo Konno, Tsuyoshi Ikehara, Takashi Mihara
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Publication number: 20070119232Abstract: By using a disc type resonator, a sensor detects a substance having a mass and the mass with high sensitivity. Moreover, it is preferable to detect a change in vibrations of a substance attached or adsorbed to an area having a vibration amplitude equal to or larger than a constant value. This disc type resonator can be fabricated by the MEMS technique by using single-crystal or polycrystalline Si as a structural material. To improve the attachment efficiency of molecules and the like to be detected, irregularity or a groove is preferably provided on the surface of the disc type resonator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2006Publication date: May 31, 2007Inventors: Mitsuo Konno, Tsuyoshi Ikehara, Ryutaro Maeda, Takashi Mihara
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Patent number: 7091681Abstract: A drive circuit for a brushless DC fan motor for rotating a rotor (permanent magnet) by a rotating magnetic field produced by turning on/off the flow of electric current to field coils by a signal to control terminals of switch elements in which switch sections are each connected in series with the field coils. When connecting capacitors for absorbing a current spike in parallel with the switch sections of the switch elements, resistors are each connected between the field coil and switch section, through which the capacitors are connected in parallel with the switch sections. A discharge current of the capacitors which absorbed a current spike when turning on the switch elements is passed via the resistors, thereby eliminating a current spike.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2004Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junnan Xi, Mitsuo Konno, Susumu Yamamoto
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Patent number: 7060537Abstract: A reliable microchip controller board and a manufacturing method thereof suitable for mass production are provided. A board wherein a programmable microchip controller is mounted includes; terminals for writing a program into the microchip controller and a circuit pattern connecting an operating terminal to shared terminals which are disconnected. A non-programmed microchip controller is mounted on the board in a state where patterns are disconnected and then programmed. The disconnected portion is connected thereafter.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2004Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventor: Mitsuo Konno
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Patent number: 6933688Abstract: A brushless direct current motor drive circuit having a serially connected motor coil energizing circuit, a serially connected feedback circuit, a pre-drive circuit, a position sensor, and a duty ratio controller. This circuit can decrease the heat generation from the switching elements on the power source side, perform absorption of the current flowing back in the direction of the switching elements on the power source side when the duty ratio is set to less than 100% without using an electrolytic capacitor group that causes a shortening of the motor lifetime, and solve various problems caused by the use of an electrolytic capacitor group.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Xi Junnan, Mitsuo Konno
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Patent number: 6917120Abstract: A reliable microchip controller board and a manufacturing method thereof suitable for mass production are provided. A board wherein a programmable microchip controller is mounted includes; terminals for writing a program into the microchip controller and a circuit pattern connecting an operating terminal to shared terminals which are disconnected. A non-programmed microchip controller is mounted on the board in a state where patterns are disconnected and then programmed. The disconnected portion is connected thereafter.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2001Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventor: Mitsuo Konno
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Publication number: 20050101058Abstract: A reliable microchip controller board and a manufacturing method thereof suitable for mass production are provided. A board wherein a programmable microchip controller is mounted includes; terminals for writing a program into the microchip controller and a circuit pattern connecting an operating terminal to shared terminals which are disconnected. A non-programmed microchip controller is mounted on the board in a state where patterns are disconnected and then programmed. The disconnected portion is connected thereafter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2004Publication date: May 12, 2005Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventor: Mitsuo Konno
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Publication number: 20040189222Abstract: A drive circuit for a brushless DC fan motor for rotating a rotor (permanent magnet) by a rotating magnetic field produced by turning on/off the flow of electric current to field coils by a signal to control terminals of switch elements in which switch sections are each connected in series with the field coils. When connecting capacitors for absorbing a current spike in parallel with the switch sections of the switch elements, resistors are each connected between the field coil and switch section, through which the capacitors are connected in parallel with the switch sections. A discharge current of the capacitors which absorbed a current spike when turning on the switch elements is passed via the resistors, thereby eliminating a current spike.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2004Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junnan Xi, Mitsuo Konno, Susumu Yamamoto
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Publication number: 20040004453Abstract: A brushless direct current motor drive circuit having a serially connected motor coil energizing circuit, a serially connected feedback circuit, a pre-drive circuit, a position sensor, and a duty ratio controller. This circuit can decrease the heat generation from the switching elements on the power source side, perform absorption of the current flowing back in the direction of the switching elements on the power source side when the duty ratio is set to less than 100% without using an electrolytic capacitor group that causes a shortening of the motor lifetime, and solve various problems caused by the use of an electrolytic capacitor group.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2003Publication date: January 8, 2004Inventors: Xi Junnan, Mitsuo Konno
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Publication number: 20030205975Abstract: A drive circuit for a brushless DC fan motor for rotating a rotor (permanent magnet) by a rotating magnetic field produced by turning on/off the flow of electric current to field coils by a signal to control terminals of switch elements in which switch sections are each connected in series with the field coils. When connecting capacitors for absorbing a current spike in parallel with the switch sections of the switch elements, resistors are each connected between the field coil and switch section, through which the capacitors are connected in parallel with the switch sections. A discharge current of the capacitors which absorbed a current spike when turning on the switch elements is passed via the resistors, thereby eliminating a current spike.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2003Publication date: November 6, 2003Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junnan Xi, Mitsuo Konno, Susumu Yamamoto
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Publication number: 20030071589Abstract: A drive circuit for a brushless DC fan motor for rotating a rotor (permanent magnet) by a rotating magnetic field produced by turning on/off the flow of electric current to field coils by a signal to control terminals of switch elements in which switch sections are each connected in series with the field coils. When connecting capacitors for absorbing a current spike in parallel with the switch sections of the switch elements, resistors are each connected between the field coil and switch section, through which the capacitors are connected in parallel with the switch sections. A discharge current of the capacitors which absorbed a current spike when turning on the switch elements is passed via the resistors, thereby eliminating a current spike.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2002Publication date: April 17, 2003Applicant: Minebea Co, Ltd.Inventors: Junnan Xi, Mitsuo Konno, Susumu Yamamoto
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Patent number: 6531796Abstract: To facilitate the assembling work of a motor and to enhance the reliability without limiting the structure of the motor, the iron core 12 of a stator 14 is insulated by insulators 15 and 16, a high heat-resistant resin is applied to a press-fitting portion of each terminal 17 to the insulator 16, and the terminal 17 is inserted into a boss 16a through the high heat-resistant resin so that a transfer of heat from the terminal 17 to the insulator 16 is suppressed. Accordingly, when an end portion of a conductive wire is wound around the terminal 17 and is subjected to the soldering work, even if the terminal 17 receives the heat and is heated, there is no generation of softening in the insulator 16 due to the heat. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the “removal” or “tilt” of the terminal 17 caused by the heat.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2000Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventor: Mitsuo Konno
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Patent number: 6512344Abstract: A control apparatus comprises a control stick, a sensor for detecting the angular displacement amount of the stick and outputting a position signal, a spring for generating an operation force in accordance with the angular displacement amount based on a neutral point of the stick, a back drive unit coupled to the stick via the spring, for driving the stick to move the neutral point; and a controlling section for controlling the unit, the unit including a differential gear section having input shafts and an output shaft, a back drive motor coupled to the input shaft, an electromagnetic brake coupled to the input shaft, and an output arm coupled to the output shaft to drive the stick, and when the stick is being moved, the electromagnetic brake is put into disconnection to release the input shaft, the motor is rotated in the reverse direction, thereby preventing the occurrence of a transient.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1999Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Advanced Technology Institute of Commuter-Helicopter, Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuo Konno, Yoichiro Asada, Shuji Nakamura