Patents by Inventor Ryuichiro YASUHARA

Ryuichiro YASUHARA 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: 20240001982
    Abstract: An input device including a rotatable input unit by which it is possible to perform a plurality of types of operations is provided. The input device includes an input unit that can rotate about a rotational center shaft; an electrostatic sensor provided around the input unit; and an operation position detecting unit configured to detect, based on an output of the electrostatic sensor, a position of an operational input that is performed on the input unit or around the input unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Ryuichiro YASUHARA, Toshiyuki HOSHI, Takeaki MAEHATA, Hidemitsu KONDO, Houda MORCHID
  • Patent number: 11604488
    Abstract: An input device includes a fixed unit, a rotary member rotatably supported by the fixed unit, a rotation-detecting unit that detects a rotation angle of the rotary member, a brake-applying unit that applies a braking force to the rotary member, a torque-applying unit that applies a driving torque to the rotary member, and a control unit that controls the brake-applying unit and the torque-applying unit. The brake-applying unit includes magnetorheological fluid, a brake-applying coil that applies a magnetic field to the magnetorheological fluid, a shaft to which braking torque that changes with viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid is applied, and a transmission gear provided on the shaft and that is in mesh with a gear provided on the rotary member. The shaft is positioned on an outer side with respect to the rotary member in a radial direction of the rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventors: Asuka Koike, Takeaki Maehata, Ryuichiro Yasuhara, Kazunari Takahashi, Atsushi Goto
  • Patent number: 11532447
    Abstract: An input device includes a first part and a second part configured to move relative to each other according to an input operation, a magnetic viscous fluid whose viscosity changes according to a magnetic field, and a magnetic-field generator that generates the magnetic field applied to the magnetic viscous fluid. The second part includes a first surface and a second surface that are arranged in a direction orthogonal to a direction of relative movement between the first part and the second part. Gaps are formed between the first surface and the first part and between the second surface and the first part, and the magnetic viscous fluid is present in at least a part of the gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: KURIMOTO, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wakuda, Kazunari Takahashi, Atsushi Goto, Ryuichiro Yasuhara
  • Patent number: 11322324
    Abstract: An input device includes a first part and a second part configured to move relative to each other according to an input operation, a magnetic viscous fluid whose viscosity changes according to a magnetic field, and a magnetic-field generator that generates the magnetic field applied to the magnetic viscous fluid. The second part includes a first surface and a second surface that are arranged in a direction orthogonal to a direction of relative movement between the first part and the second part. Gaps are formed between the first surface and the first part and between the second surface and the first part, and the magnetic viscous fluid is present in at least a part of the gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: KURIMOTO, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wakuda, Kazunari Takahashi, Atsushi Goto, Ryuichiro Yasuhara
  • Publication number: 20220113752
    Abstract: In an operating device, a brake setting unit sets a target braking torque based on a braking torque pattern, and a rotational torque setting unit sets a target rotational torque based on a rotational torque pattern in accordance with information detected by a rotation detecting portion at reference time intervals. A control unit includes a time change adjustment unit. For at least one of the braking torque and the rotational torque, the time change adjustment unit changes the braking torque so that a current braking torque reaches the target braking torque and/or changes the rotational torque so that a current rotational torque reaches the target rotational torque in a predetermined time period greater than the reference time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Ryuichiro YASUHARA, Atsushi GOTO
  • Patent number: 11287841
    Abstract: An operating device according to the present invention includes magnetic field generation means. The magnetic field generation means includes a coil generating a magnetic field when energized, and a yoke forming a magnetic path for the magnetic field passing through a rotor. A control unit includes magnetization means and rotational torque control means. The magnetization means supplies a current to energize the coil such that a residual magnetic field in the yoke is held at a predetermined magnitude. The rotational torque control means adjusts a current value applied to the coil in accordance with the magnitude of the residual magnetic field in the yoke. An absolute value of a maximum value of the current value applied to the coil by the rotational torque control means is smaller than an absolute value of a current value applied by the magnetization means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventors: Asuka Koike, Kazunari Takahashi, Misuzu Takahashi, Atsushi Goto, Ryuichiro Yasuhara
  • Publication number: 20210181781
    Abstract: An operating device according to the present invention includes magnetic field generation means. The magnetic field generation means includes a coil generating a magnetic field when energized, and a yoke forming a magnetic path for the magnetic field passing through a rotor. A control unit includes magnetization means and rotational torque control means. The magnetization means supplies a current to energize the coil such that a residual magnetic field in the yoke is held at a predetermined magnitude. The rotational torque control means adjusts a current value applied to the coil in accordance with the magnitude of the residual magnetic field in the yoke. An absolute value of a maximum value of the current value applied to the coil by the rotational torque control means is smaller than an absolute value of a current value applied by the magnetization means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Asuka KOIKE, Kazunari TAKAHASHI, Misuzu TAKAHASHI, Atsushi GOTO, Ryuichiro YASUHARA
  • Patent number: 10845840
    Abstract: An operation feel imparting type input device includes a fixed part, a rotating body rotatably supported by the fixed part, a rotatable operation knob fixed to the rotating body, a rotation angle detection unit configured to detect a rotation angle of the rotating body, a brake application unit configured to apply a braking force to the rotating body, a torque application unit configured to apply a torque to the rotating body, a control unit configured to control the brake application unit and the torque application unit, and an operation torque detection unit configured to detect the magnitude of an operation torque applied to the rotating body. When the rotating body is rotated from an endstop, brake release is performed according to the magnitude of the operation torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Goto, Kazunari Takahashi, Ryuichiro Yasuhara
  • Publication number: 20200326746
    Abstract: An input device includes a fixed unit, a rotary member rotatably supported by the fixed unit, a rotation-detecting unit that detects a rotation angle of the rotary member, a brake-applying unit that applies a braking force to the rotary member, a torque-applying unit that applies a driving torque to the rotary member, and a control unit that controls the brake-applying unit and the torque-applying unit. The brake-applying unit includes magnetorheological fluid, a brake-applying coil that applies a magnetic field to the magnetorheological fluid, a shaft to which braking torque that changes with viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid is applied, and a transmission gear provided on the shaft and that is in mesh with a gear provided on the rotary member. The shaft is positioned on an outer side with respect to the rotary member in a radial direction of the rotary member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Asuka KOIKE, Takeaki MAEHATA, Ryuichiro YASUHARA, Kazunari TAKAHASHI, Atsushi GOTO
  • Publication number: 20200243289
    Abstract: An input device includes a first part and a second part configured to move relative to each other according to an input operation, a magnetic viscous fluid whose viscosity changes according to a magnetic field, and a magnetic-field generator that generates the magnetic field applied to the magnetic viscous fluid. The second part includes a first surface and a second surface that are arranged in a direction orthogonal to a direction of relative movement between the first part and the second part. Gaps are formed between the first surface and the first part and between the second surface and the first part, and the magnetic viscous fluid is present in at least a part of the gaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Hiroshi WAKUDA, Kazunari TAKAHASHI, Atsushi GOTO, Ryuichiro YASUHARA
  • Publication number: 20200243288
    Abstract: An input device includes a first part and a second part configured to move relative to each other according to an input operation, a magnetic viscous fluid whose viscosity changes according to a magnetic field, and a magnetic-field generator that generates the magnetic field applied to the magnetic viscous fluid. The second part includes a first surface and a second surface that are arranged in a direction orthogonal to a direction of relative movement between the first part and the second part. Gaps are formed between the first surface and the first part and between the second surface and the first part, and the magnetic viscous fluid is present in at least a part of the gaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Hiroshi WAKUDA, Kazunari TAKAHASHI, Atsushi GOTO, Ryuichiro YASUHARA
  • Patent number: 10658139
    Abstract: An input device includes a first part and a second part configured to move relative to each other according to an input operation, a magnetic viscous fluid whose viscosity changes according to a magnetic field, and a magnetic-field generator that generates the magnetic field applied to the magnetic viscous fluid. The second part includes a first surface and a second surface that are arranged in a direction orthogonal to a direction of relative movement between the first part and the second part. Gaps are formed between the first surface and the first part and between the second surface and the first part, and the magnetic viscous fluid is present in at least a part of the gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wakuda, Kazunari Takahashi, Atsushi Goto, Ryuichiro Yasuhara
  • Publication number: 20190179356
    Abstract: An operation feel imparting type input device includes a fixed part, a rotating body rotatably supported by the fixed part, a rotatable operation knob fixed to the rotating body, a rotation angle detection unit configured to detect a rotation angle of the rotating body, a brake application unit configured to apply a braking force to the rotating body, a torque application unit configured to apply a torque to the rotating body, a control unit configured to control the brake application unit and the torque application unit, and an operation torque detection unit configured to detect the magnitude of an operation torque applied to the rotating body. When the rotating body is rotated from an endstop, brake release is performed according to the magnitude of the operation torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Atsushi GOTO, Kazunari TAKAHASHI, Ryuichiro YASUHARA
  • Publication number: 20180090289
    Abstract: An input device includes a first part and a second part configured to move relative to each other according to an input operation, a magnetic viscous fluid whose viscosity changes according to a magnetic field, and a magnetic-field generator that generates the magnetic field applied to the magnetic viscous fluid. The second part includes a first surface and a second surface that are arranged in a direction orthogonal to a direction of relative movement between the first part and the second part. Gaps are formed between the first surface and the first part and between the second surface and the first part, and the magnetic viscous fluid is present in at least a part of the gaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Hiroshi WAKUDA, Kazunari TAKAHASHI, Atsushi GOTO, Ryuichiro YASUHARA