Patents by Inventor Norinao Watanabe

Norinao Watanabe 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: 12103454
    Abstract: A vehicle transporting device includes a bogie frame, a device main body, and an upright frame. The upright frame connects a tip portion of the bogie frame and the device main body. The bogie frame includes two frame members and at least two pipes, which are disposed parallel to a longitudinal direction of the bogie frame. The two frame members are disposed parallel to the at least two pipes at a position outside the at least two pipes in a width direction of the bogie frame. The at least two pipes include two pipes facing each other in the width direction. A reinforcing member extending in the width direction is provided at the tip portion of the bogie frame and between the two facing pipes. The two frame members, the reinforcing member, and the upright frame are connected to each other at the tip portion of the bogie frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiki Kitajima, Norinao Watanabe, Yutaka Nakamura, Naoya Kajita, Kenji Nakano, Takafumi Sannomiya, Yasutada Shimizu, Kohei Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20240059534
    Abstract: A carrier body of a lift carrier includes: a pair of wheel support mechanisms that supports a first wheel of a vehicle to be transported; a frame-shaped structure connected to the wheel support mechanisms; and one or more lifting units that lift or lower the pair of wheel support mechanisms. The frame-shaped structure includes a frame portion and an upper plate and is open on a lower side of the carrier body. Each of the lifting units includes a wheel support and an air spring. The air spring is interposed between the wheel support and an upper plate. As the air spring expands, the wheel support is rotated about one end of the wheel support rotatably supported by the frame portion, and is deployed out of the frame-shaped structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiki KITAJIMA, Norinao WATANABE, Yutaka NAKAMURA, Naoya KAJITA, Kenji NAKANO, Takafumi SANNOMIYA, Yasutada SHIMIZU, Kohei YASUDA
  • Patent number: 11834313
    Abstract: A carrier body of a lift carrier includes: a pair of wheel support mechanisms that supports a first wheel of a vehicle to be transported; a frame-shaped structure connected to the wheel support mechanisms; and one or more lifting units that lift or lower the pair of wheel support mechanisms. The frame-shaped structure includes a frame portion and an upper plate and is open on a lower side of the carrier body. Each of the lifting units includes a wheel support and an air spring. The air spring is interposed between the wheel support and an upper plate. As the air spring expands, the wheel support is rotated about one end of the wheel support rotatably supported by the frame portion, and is deployed out of the frame-shaped structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiki Kitajima, Norinao Watanabe, Yutaka Nakamura, Naoya Kajita, Kenji Nakano, Takafumi Sannomiya, Yasutada Shimizu, Kohei Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20230374808
    Abstract: A parking facility is suitable for carrying a vehicle into a parking stall or carrying the vehicle out of the parking stall by a transport vehicle that enters a lower space under the vehicle and picks up the vehicle. The parking facility includes a restricting member that can move between a restricting position in which entry of the transport vehicle into the parking stall for carrying the vehicle into the parking stall or carrying the vehicle out of the parking stall is restricted and an allowable position in which the entry of the transport vehicle into the parking stall for carrying the vehicle into the parking stall or carrying the vehicle out of the parking stall is allowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Masayuki ITOH, Iwao MAEDA, Tatsuya SUGANO, Norinao WATANABE, Yutaka NAKAMURA, Yoshikazu JIKUHARA, Yuki NISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20230376028
    Abstract: The vehicle transportation system includes an in-vehicle system mounted on the vehicle, and a vehicle transportation device capable of communicating with the in-vehicle system and capable of transporting the vehicle by autonomous travel. The vehicle transportation device is configured to transmit a confirmation signal for confirming the presence or absence of a remote operation request to the in-vehicle system at the time of transportation of the vehicle, and permit remote operation from the inside of the vehicle when a request signal for remote operation is received from the in-vehicle system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Masayuki ITOH, Iwao MAEDA, Tatsuya SUGANO, Norinao WATANABE, Yutaka NAKAMURA, Yoshikazu JIKUHARA, Yuki NISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20230367331
    Abstract: The server receives the driving difficulty information indicating that the driving of the vehicle by the driver is difficult, determines that the current position of the vehicle is within a predetermined transportation target area, and, in response to receiving the driving difficulty information and determining that the current position of the vehicle is within the transportation target area, causes the transportation robot to convey the vehicle from the current position to a predetermined transportation destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Masayuki ITOH, Iwao MAEDA, Tatsuya SUGANO, Norinao WATANABE, Yutaka NAKAMURA, Yoshikazu JIKUHARA, Yuki NISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20230351871
    Abstract: The notification system is configured to be capable of communicating with the outside, and is configured to notify the surroundings of the fact that the conveyance work is performed by a third party who has obtained permission when the vehicle is conveyed by the vehicle transportation device capable of autonomous traveling based on a notification instruction from the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Masayuki ITOH, Iwao MAEDA, Tatsuya SUGANO, Norinao WATANABE, Yutaka NAKAMURA, Yoshikazu JIKUHARA, Yuki NISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20230322210
    Abstract: In an automated parking lot in which manual driving vehicles and automated driving vehicles can park, when entering the automated parking lot, the manual driving vehicle is conveyed by a vehicle conveyance robot to an empty parking space. When an automated driving vehicle breaks down and stops in the automated parking lot, the manual driving vehicle being conveyed is unloaded from the vehicle conveyance robot and the broken down automated driving vehicle is loaded on the vehicle conveyance robot. Due to this, the broken down automated driving vehicle is recovered by the vehicle conveyance robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Masayuki ITOH, Iwao MAEDA, Tatsuya SUGANO, Norinao WATANABE, Yutaka NAKAMURA, Yoshikazu JIKUHARA, Yuki NISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20230322545
    Abstract: In the automated parking lot, a plurality of facilities having respectively different functions enabling automated driving vehicles to be restored to a runnable state in accordance with the causes of disablement acquired from the automated driving vehicles when the automated driving vehicle becomes disabled and stop are provided. When the automated driving vehicle becomes disabled and stops in the automated parking lot, a facility having a function enabling the automated driving vehicle to be restored to a runnable state for the cause of disablement of that automated driving vehicle is selected from the plurality of facilities and the automated driving vehicle disabled is conveyed by the vehicle conveyance robot to the selected facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Masayuki ITOH, Iwao MAEDA, Tatsuya SUGANO, Norinao WATANABE, Yutaka NAKAMURA, Yoshikazu JIKUHARA, Yuki NISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20230219563
    Abstract: A vehicle information delivery device includes an image processing unit configured to generate vehicle related images indicating the status of a vehicle moving unmanned in a predetermined target area based on camera images taken in the target area where unattended parking is performed, and an information sending unit configured to send delivery information including the vehicle related images to a display terminal visually recognized by a user of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Masayuki ITOH, Iwao MAEDA, Tatsuya SUGANO, Norinao WATANABE, Yutaka NAKAMURA, Yoshikazu JIKUHARA, Yuki NISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20230219480
    Abstract: A vehicle transport planning device includes a transport proposal unit that proposes, to an occupant of a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, transport of the vehicle in a predetermined area where driving of the internal combustion engine is prohibited or restricted, and a transport arrangement unit that requests arrangement of a vehicle transport device for transporting the vehicle when the occupant desires the transport of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Masayuki ITOH, Iwao MAEDA, Tatsuya SUGANO, Norinao WATANABE, Yutaka NAKAMURA, Yoshikazu JIKUHARA, Yuki NISHIKAWA, Yuta MANIWA
  • Publication number: 20230202463
    Abstract: A vehicle transport device includes a traction portion having a drive wheel; a carriage portion coupled to the traction portion and supporting a transport object; and a controller configured to control travel of the vehicle transport device so as to selectively transport a four-wheeled vehicle and a personal transporter as the transport object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Masayuki ITOH, Iwao MAEDA, Tatsuya SUGANO, Norinao WATANABE, Yutaka NAKAMURA, Yoshikazu JIKUHARA, Yuki NISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20230192071
    Abstract: The vehicle transport management device includes a processor configured to acquire vehicle information relating to a vehicle to be transported, and select a particular type of vehicle transport device from the plurality of types of vehicle transport devices as a vehicle transport device for transporting the vehicle based on the vehicle information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Masayuki ITOH, Iwao MAEDA, Tatsuya SUGANO, Norinao WATANABE, Yutaka NAKAMURA, Yoshikazu JIKUHARA, Yuki NISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20230015091
    Abstract: A lift carrier (10) includes: a carrier frame that is inserted under a vehicle to be transported; a lifting mechanism that lifts and lowers the carrier frame to lift and lower the vehicle; and a carrier body configured to move the carrier frame. The carrier frame includes a rear end frame that includes a pair of arm fixing plates provided so as to protrude outward in a lateral direction of the vehicle from lower surfaces of the side members. The top plate is fixed to the rear end frame, fixes a plurality of rear end arms at such positions that the rear end arms are sandwiched between the top plate and the arm fixing plates, and fixes an upper end face of a lifting unit that is the lifting mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiki Kitajima, Norinao Watanabe, Yutaka Nakamura, Naoya Kajita, Kenji Nakano, Takafumi Sannomiya, Yasutada Shimizu, Kohei Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20230012384
    Abstract: A lift carrier includes: a bogie frame that is inserted under a transport target vehicle; an elevating mechanism that raises and lowers the bogie frame with each of a plurality of tires supported with arms to raise and lower a vehicle; a bogie body that is able to move the bogie frame to any location. The bogie frame includes a main frame and a rear end frame joined to the main frame. The rear end frame is formed in a rectangular shape by a pair of side members, a first cross member, and a second cross member. The rear end frame includes a first reinforcing member projecting from the first cross member toward a front end side and a second reinforcing member projecting from the first cross member toward a rear end side. The first reinforcing member is joined to a part of the main frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiki Kitajima, Norinao Watanabe, Yutaka Nakamura, Naoya Kajita, Kenji Nakano, Takafumi Sannomiya, Yasutada Shimizu, Kohei Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20230002203
    Abstract: A carrier body of a lift carrier includes: a pair of wheel support mechanisms that supports a first wheel of a vehicle to be transported; a frame-shaped structure connected to the wheel support mechanisms; and one or more lifting units that lift or lower the pair of wheel support mechanisms. The frame-shaped structure includes a frame portion and an upper plate and is open on a lower side of the carrier body. Each of the lifting units includes a wheel support and an air spring. The air spring is interposed between the wheel support and an upper plate. As the air spring expands, the wheel support is rotated about one end of the wheel support rotatably supported by the frame portion, and is deployed out of the frame-shaped structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiki Kitajima, Norinao Watanabe, Yutaka Nakamura, Naoya Kajita, Kenji Nakano, Takafumi Sannomiya, Yasutada Shimizu, Kohei Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20220410789
    Abstract: A vehicle transporting device includes a bogie frame, a device main body, and an upright frame. The upright frame connects a tip portion of the bogie frame and the device main body. The bogie frame includes two frame members and at least two pipes, which are disposed parallel to a longitudinal direction of the bogie frame. The two frame members are disposed parallel to the at least two pipes at a position outside the at least two pipes in a width direction of the bogie frame. The at least two pipes include two pipes facing each other in the width direction. A reinforcing member extending in the width direction is provided at the tip portion of the bogie frame and between the two facing pipes. The two frame members, the reinforcing member, and the upright frame are connected to each other at the tip portion of the bogie frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiki Kitajima, Norinao Watanabe, Yutaka Nakamura, Naoya Kajita, Kenji Nakano, Takafumi Sannomiya, Yasutada Shimizu, Kohei Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20220402421
    Abstract: A vehicle transporting device includes a bogie frame, a total of eight arms, upper surface plates, and arm driving units. Two arms in a longitudinal direction of the bogie frame of the total of eight arms are paired with each other to support tires. The upper surface plates extend in a width direction of the bogie frame to support the arms. At least six arm driving units are provided on the bogie frame to individually drive at least six arms. Base end portions of pivoting arms are pivotably supported by the upper surface plates in outer peripheral regions of the upper surface plates. Tip portions of the pivoting arms are located outside the upper surface plates. One ends of the arm driving units are attached partway through the pivoting arms. The other ends of the arm driving units are located outside the bogie frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiki Kitajima, Norinao Watanabe, Yutaka Nakamura, Kohei Yasuda