Patents by Inventor Takashi Kambara

Takashi Kambara 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: 10779366
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a control circuit configured to control a power supply circuit such that a measurement value of an output current measured by a current measuring device approaches a target value. The control circuit is configured to execute a control mode alternatively selected from the plurality of control modes to control the power supply circuit. The plurality of control modes of the control circuit includes at least a first control mode and a second control mode. The first control mode is a control mode of adjusting the target value in accordance with a first direct-current voltage. The second control mode is a control mode which includes adjusting the target value regardless of the first direct-current voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiya Moriwaki, Masanobu Murakami, Masahiko Koizeki, Takashi Kambara
  • Publication number: 20200107413
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a step-up converter, at least one step-down converter, and a controller. The step-up converter is configured to step up a voltage of a direct-current power supply to obtain an output voltage having a first voltage value and output the output voltage. The at least one step-down converter is configured to step down the output voltage of the step-up converter to have a second voltage value to output a current having a current value according to the second voltage value to a light source. The controller is configured to acquire information about a specification of the light source, control the step-down converter such that the current value becomes a current value according to the specification, and control the step-up converter such that the first voltage value changes in accordance with the specification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Takashi KAMBARA, Toshiya MORIWAKI, Masanobu MURAKAMI, Masahiko KOIZEKI
  • Publication number: 20200100338
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a control circuit configured to control a power supply circuit such that a measurement value of an output current measured by a current measuring device approaches a target value. The control circuit is configured to execute a control mode alternatively selected from the plurality of control modes to control the power supply circuit. The plurality of control modes of the control circuit includes at least a first control mode and a second control mode. The first control mode is a control mode of adjusting the target value in accordance with a first direct-current voltage. The second control mode is a control mode which includes adjusting the target value regardless of the first direct-current voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Toshiya MORIWAKI, Masanobu MURAKAMI, Masahiko KOIZEKI, Takashi KAMBARA
  • Publication number: 20190044452
    Abstract: A power supply includes a casing including a heat-conducting material and having an inner surface and an outer surface. The casing is a one-piece component having a substantially tubular shape. The power supply also includes a circuit board disposed in the casing. The circuit board has a first surface on which one or more circuit components are mounted and a second surface on an opposing side of the first surface. The power supply also includes a first cover disposed over a first opening at a first end portion of the casing on a tubular axis, and a second cover disposed over a second opening at a second end portion of the casing on the tubular axis. The first surface of the circuit board faces the inner surface of the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kosaku ARITA, Takashi KAMBARA
  • Patent number: 9967948
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a current outputter, a load characteristic obtainer and a controller. The current outputter is configured to supply a current to a light source of at least one light source unit. The load characteristic obtainer is configured to obtain load information from a corresponding load information outputter of the at least one light source unit, by supplying the electric power to the load information outputter. The controller is configured to control the current of the current outputter, which is supplied to the light source, based on the load information. The load characteristic obtainer is configured to supply the electric power to the corresponding load information outputter only during a time period of obtaining the load information, but stop supply of the electric power to the corresponding load information outputter during a time period other than the time period of obtaining the load information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Kambara
  • Publication number: 20180063907
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a current outputter, a load characteristic obtainer and a controller. The current outputter is configured to supply a current to a light source of at least one light source unit. The load characteristic obtainer is configured to obtain load information from a corresponding load information outputter of the at least one light source unit, by supplying the electric power to the load information outputter. The controller is configured to control the current of the current outputter, which is supplied to the light source, based on the load information. The load characteristic obtainer is configured to supply the electric power to the corresponding load information outputter only during a time period of obtaining the load information, but stop supply of the electric power to the corresponding load information outputter during a time period other than the time period of obtaining the load information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Takashi KAMBARA
  • Patent number: 9268322
    Abstract: An apparatus that creates, based on shape data of an object to be machined and grinding allowance data for the shape data, a numerically controlled machining program that has the grinding allowance data reflected in the shape data, is configured to include storing means 2 and 4 that store the shape data of the object to be machined and the grinding allowance data; a shape data modification means 5 that modifies the shape data to create, based on the grinding allowance data, shape data having a grinding allowance; and a numerically controlled machining program creation means 6 that creates a numerically controlled machining program for the modified shape data, with the apparatus enabling easy and efficient creation of a numerically controlled machining program having the grinding allowance reflected in the shape data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Matsubara, Kenji Iriguchi, Nobuyuki Takahashi, Mahito Matsuura, Takeshi Tasaka, Takashi Kambara
  • Patent number: 8766540
    Abstract: A lighting device includes: a power conversion unit which converts a direct current (DC) power into a power required by a load; an output current detection unit which detects an output current of the power conversion unit; and a source voltage detection unit which detects a source voltage. Further, the lighting device includes an operation unit which calculates an output current command value so as not to exceed an upper limit of the output current command value set according to a resistance value of an externally connected resistor; and a control unit which controls the power conversion unit such that the output current thereof the power conversion unit becomes the output current command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Hamana, Takashi Kambara
  • Publication number: 20140028187
    Abstract: In a power supply device according to the embodiment, a second capacitor is inserted between a terminal of a capacitor at the high voltage side and an input terminal. Therefore, when earth fault is occurred at an output terminal of the low voltage side, an input side connected to a DC power supply is galvanically separated from an output side connected to a load by the second capacitor. As a result, earth fault current does not flow continually. Accordingly, the power supply device can reduce current leakage flowing through circuit to zero or near zero in the case where electric leakage is occurred, and therefore can prevent problems (the circuit's malfunction or the like) associated with the electric leakage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventor: Takashi KAMBARA
  • Publication number: 20130253693
    Abstract: An apparatus that creates, based on shape data of an object to be machined and grinding allowance data for the shape data, a numerically controlled machining program that has the grinding allowance data reflected in the shape data, is configured to include storing means 2 and 4 that store the shape data of the object to be machined and the grinding allowance data; a shape data modification means 5 that modifies the shape data to create, based on the grinding allowance data, shape data having a grinding allowance; and a numerically controlled machining program creation means 6 that creates a numerically controlled machining program for the modified shape data, with the apparatus enabling easy and efficient creation of a numerically controlled machining program having the grinding allowance reflected in the shape data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Susumu Matsubara, Kenji Iriguchi, Nobuyuki Takahashi, Mahito Matsuura, Takeshi Tasaka, Takashi Kambara
  • Publication number: 20130049586
    Abstract: A lighting device includes: a power conversion unit which converts a direct current (DC) power into a power required by a load; an output current detection unit which detects an output current of the power conversion unit; and a source voltage detection unit which detects a source voltage. Further, the lighting device includes an operation unit which calculates an output current command value so as not to exceed an upper limit of the output current command value set according to a resistance value of an externally connected resistor; and a control unit which controls the power conversion unit such that the output current thereof the power conversion unit becomes the output current command value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuya HAMANA, Takashi KAMBARA
  • Publication number: 20120299477
    Abstract: A power supply device includes a series circuit including a first capacitor and a first and second inductors connected to both terminals of the first capacitor; a switching element having one terminal connected to a node between one terminal of the first inductor and the first capacitor; a rectifier having an anode connected to a node between the first capacitor and one terminal of the second inductor; and a second capacitor connected between the other terminal of the switching element and a cathode of the rectifier. Further, a DC power supply source is connected between the other terminal of the first inductor and the other terminal of the switching element such that the other terminal of the first inductor is connected to a positive electrode side of the DC power supply source. A load is connected between the other terminal of the second inductor and the cathode of the rectifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi KAMBARA
  • Patent number: 8274237
    Abstract: An LED driver circuit is provided for protecting one (or more) LEDs connected in series from over-current damages which may result from a short circuit condition. The driver circuit includes a current control circuit for receiving an input signal from a power source and providing a current output for powering the LED. A voltage sensor detects a voltage across the LED. An LED current restriction circuit such as a switching element restricts a current flow into the LED. A short circuit response circuit controls the LED current restriction circuit dependent on a comparison between the voltage detected by the voltage sensor and a predetermined threshold value. When the detected voltage is less than or equal to the threshold value, the response circuit determines a short circuit, and a signal is sent to the current restriction circuit to restrict current flow into the one or more LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Haruo Nagase, Takashi Kambara
  • Publication number: 20100156324
    Abstract: An LED driver circuit is provided for protecting one (or more) LEDs connected in series from over-current damages which may result from a short circuit condition. The driver circuit includes a current control circuit for receiving an input signal from a power source and providing a current output for powering the LED. A voltage sensor detects a voltage across the LED. An LED current restriction circuit such as a switching element restricts a current flow into the LED. A short circuit response circuit controls the LED current restriction circuit dependent on a comparison between the voltage detected by the voltage sensor and a predetermined threshold value. When the detected voltage is less than or equal to the threshold value, the response circuit determines a short circuit, and a signal is sent to the current restriction circuit to restrict current flow into the one or more LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Haruo Nagase, Takashi Kambara
  • Patent number: 7352136
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter reduces a surge voltage developed across a switching element (30) in making the voltage conversion with the use of a transformer (20) inherently having considerable leakage. A snubber circuit is included to absorb the surge energy and transferring it to a load, or output end of the converter, reducing the surge voltage across the switching element (30). A snubber capacitor (51) is provided to absorb the surge energy developed by the transformer (20) when the switching element (30) is off. Thus absorbed energy is collected in a storage capacitor (53) through a reactor (54) while the switching element (30) is on and off, and is then transferred from the storage capacitor (53) to the load, i.e., the output side of the converter, leaving only a minimum voltage being applied across the switching element (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Kambara
  • Publication number: 20060170374
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter reduces a surge voltage developed across a switching element (30) in making the voltage conversion with the use of a transformer (20) inherently having considerable leakage. A snubber circuit is included to absorb the surge energy and transferring it to a load, or output end of the converter, reducing the surge voltage across the switching element (30). A snubber capacitor (51) is provided to absorb the surge energy developed by the transformer (20) when the switching element (30 ) is off. Thus absorbed energy is collected in a storage capacitor (53) through a reactor (54) while the switching element (30) is on and off, and is then transferred from the storage capacitor (53) to the load, i.e., the output side of the converter, leaving only a minimum voltage being applied across the switching element (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventor: Takashi Kambara
  • Patent number: 7002305
    Abstract: An electronic ballast for a discharge lamp has a controller that increase luminous flux of the lamp to a stabilized level in a constant time irrespective of possible variations in lamp characteristic. The controller utilizes a reference lamp power table and a reference lamp voltage table respectively defining a reference lamp power and a reference voltage varying with time. The controller includes a voltage deviation detector that gives a voltage correction index indicating a voltage deviation between the reference voltage and a monitored lamp voltage. The voltage correction index is processed at an offset provider that gives an offset power. A target power generator is included to correct the reference lamp power in view of the offset power, thereby generating a target lamp power which is constantly updated and is supplied to the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kambara, Toshifumi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6861812
    Abstract: An improved ballast for a discharge lamp includes a DC—DC converter which receives an input DC voltage from a voltage source to provide a pre-starting voltage to make the lamp ready for being ignited or started. The DC—DC converter has a switching element which is driven to turn on and off for generating the pre-starting voltage. A start-accelerating means in included in the ballast in order to vary at least one of the switching frequency and the on-period of the switching element based upon the monitored input DC voltage in a direction of accelerating the increase of the output DC voltage to the pre-starting voltage until the output DC voltage reaches the pre-starting voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kambara, Toshiaki Nakamura, Miki Kotani, Hirofumi Konishi, Toshifumi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20040251852
    Abstract: An electronic ballast for a discharge lamp has a controller that increase luminous flux of the lamp to a stabilized level in a constant time irrespective of possible variations in lamp characteristic. The controller utilizes a reference lamp power table and a reference lamp voltage table respectively defining a reference lamp power and a reference voltage varying with time. The controller includes a voltage deviation detector that gives a voltage correction index indicating a voltage deviation between the reference voltage and a monitored lamp voltage. The voltage correction index is processed at an offset provider that gives an offset power. A target power generator is included to correct the reference lamp power in view of the offset power, thereby generating a target lamp power which is constantly updated and is supplied to the lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Takashi Kambara, Toshifumi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6693393
    Abstract: A ballast for a discharge lamp includes a DC-DC converter which provides a regulated DC output so as to start and keep operating the lamp. A controller is included to give a closed-loop control for regulating the DC output based upon a monitored DC output. The controller also provides an open-loop control which interrupts the closed-loop control for a limited period immediately after the initiation of the lamp discharge in order to supplement a sufficient lamp current which would not expected with the closed-loop control, thereby successfully complementing the lamp start and proceeding to the stable lamp operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Konishi, Toshiaki Nakamura, Takashi Kambara, Miki Kotani, Toshifumi Tanaka