Patents by Inventor Takatoshi Tanabe

Takatoshi Tanabe 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: 10668881
    Abstract: In a collision detection device for a vehicle, the bumper absorber includes general parts and holding parts alternately in a lengthwise direction of the groove portion. In each of the general parts, a predetermined clearance is formed between an inner wall surface of the groove portion on at least one side of vehicle up and down sides, and the detection tube member. Each of the holding parts is in contact with a surface of the detection tube member on at least one side of vehicle up and down sides, and vehicle front and rear sides to hold the detection tube member. A holding part ratio, which is a ratio of a part of the detection tube member held by the holding parts to a unit length of the detection tube member, is set to be smaller than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomokazu Yoshida, Takatoshi Tanabe, Daisuke Nakane, Kota Amano, Naoya Higashimachi
  • Patent number: 10661742
    Abstract: A vehicle collision sensor includes a piezoelectric polymer film that includes a piezoelectric element deformed to generate an output voltage, and a pair of electrodes clamping the piezoelectric element from both its surfaces, at least one of the electrodes including divided pieces away from each other in a state where the at least one of the electrodes is joined to the piezoelectric element, and a conductive component that is clamped between the film and a bumper cover, which is provided on a front portion of a vehicle, or that is clamped between a fastening component, which attaches the film to the bumper cover, and the film, in a state where the film is attached to an inner surface of the bumper cover, so that the conductive component connects together the divided pieces from a side of the divided pieces, which is not joined to the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIOn
    Inventors: Asei Wakabayashi, Takatoshi Tanabe, Kazuhisa Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 10493933
    Abstract: A collision detection device for a vehicle includes: a bumper absorber disposed on a front side of a bumper reinforcement in a bumper of the vehicle; a detection tube component mounted in a groove portion defined in the bumper absorber to extend in a width direction of the vehicle, a hollow part being defined in the detection tube component; and a pressure sensor that detects a pressure in the hollow part of the detection tube component, and detects a collision of an object to the bumper based on a pressure detection result by the pressure sensor. The detection tube component is mounted in the groove portion in a state where the detection tube component has at least one or more cove curve portions curved in an up-down direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Nakane, Takatoshi Tanabe, Tomokazu Yoshida, Kouta Amano
  • Publication number: 20190023206
    Abstract: In a collision detection device for a vehicle, the bumper absorber includes general parts and holding parts alternately in a lengthwise direction of the groove portion. In each of the general parts, a predetermined clearance is formed between an inner wall surface of the groove portion on at least one side of vehicle up and down sides, and the detection tube member. Each of the holding parts is in contact with a surface of the detection tube member on at least one side of vehicle up and down sides, and vehicle front and rear sides to hold the detection tube member. A holding part ratio, which is a ratio of a part of the detection tube member held by the holding parts to a unit length of the detection tube member, is set to be smaller than a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomokazu YOSHIDA, Takatoshi TANABE, Daisuke NAKANE, Kota AMANO, Naoya HIGASHIMACHI
  • Publication number: 20180215336
    Abstract: A second-time collision position estimator section estimates a second-time collision position that is a position at which an occupant on a two-wheel mobile object has a second-time collision, based on a relative vector estimated by a relative vector estimator section and a first-time collision position identified by a first-time collision position identifier section. An operation instructor section operates an external protection device, which is determined to be able to protect the occupant on the two-wheel mobile object based on the second-time collision position estimated by the second-time collision position estimator section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Asei Wakabayashi, Takatoshi Tanabe, Kazuhisa Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20180208138
    Abstract: A vehicle collision sensor includes a piezoelectric polymer film that includes a piezoelectric element deformed to generate an output voltage, and a pair of electrodes clamping the piezoelectric element from both its surfaces, at least one of the electrodes including divided pieces away from each other in a state where the at least one of the electrodes is joined to the piezoelectric element, and a conductive component that is clamped between the film and a bumper cover, which is provided on a front portion of a vehicle, or that is clamped between a fastening component, which attaches the film to the bumper cover, and the film, in a state where the film is attached to an inner surface of the bumper cover, so that the conductive component connects together the divided pieces from a side of the divided pieces, which is not joined to the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Asei Wakabayashi, Takatoshi Tanabe, Kazuhisa Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20180079381
    Abstract: A collision detection device for a vehicle includes: a bumper absorber disposed on a front side of a bumper reinforcement in a bumper of the vehicle; a detection tube component mounted in a groove portion defined in the bumper absorber to extend in a width direction of the vehicle, a hollow part being defined in the detection tube component; and a pressure sensor that detects a pressure in the hollow part of the detection tube component, and detects a collision of an object to the bumper based on a pressure detection result by the pressure sensor. The detection tube component is mounted in the groove portion in a state where the detection tube component has at least one or more cove curve portions curved in an up-down direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Daisuke NAKANE, Takatoshi TANABE, Tomokazu YOSHIDA, Kouta AMANO
  • Patent number: 9663053
    Abstract: A collision detection device includes a chamber member, a pressure sensor, a collision detection ECU, and a projecting portion. The chamber member is disposed on a vehicle-front side of a bumper reinforcement in a bumper cover and includes a chamber main body having therein a hollow portion. The pressure sensor detects pressure in the hollow portion of the chamber main body. A clearance is formed between the chamber member and a front surface of the bumper reinforcement at least on a part of a rear surface of the chamber main body. The collision detection ECU detects a collision of an object with the bumper cover based on a pressure detection result by the pressure sensor. The projecting portion is provided to project from the rear surface of the chamber main body, and an end of the projecting portion is in contact with the front surface of the bumper reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukihiro Saitoh, Takatoshi Tanabe, Daisuke Nakane
  • Publication number: 20160039379
    Abstract: A collision detection device includes a chamber member, a pressure sensor, a collision detection ECU, and a projecting portion. The chamber member is disposed on a vehicle-front side of a bumper reinforcement in a bumper cover and includes a chamber main body having therein a hollow portion. The pressure sensor detects pressure in the hollow portion of the chamber main body. A clearance is formed between the chamber member and a front surface of the bumper reinforcement at least on a part of a rear surface of the chamber main body. The collision detection ECU detects a collision of an object with the bumper cover based on a pressure detection result by the pressure sensor. The projecting portion is provided to project from the rear surface of the chamber main body, and an end of the projecting portion is in contact with the front surface of the bumper reinforcement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Yukihiro Saitoh, Takatoshi Tanabe, Daisuke Nakane
  • Patent number: 9016142
    Abstract: A collision detection device which can determine in a short time a collision to each portion of a chamber member in the longitudinal direction thereof and which is highly reliable. A collision determination system (10) is provided with: a chamber member (20) which is disposed with the longitudinal direction thereof aligned with the vehicle width direction, has a pressure chamber (22) formed therein, and is provided forward of bumper reinforcement (14); a pair of pressure sensors (24) which is provided to the chamber member (20) at positions spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction thereof and outputs a signal corresponding to a variation in the pressure within the pressure chamber (22); and a collision determination ECU (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takahashi, Takatoshi Tanabe
  • Patent number: 8978486
    Abstract: A collision detecting device and a collision detecting method are provided that enable accurate detection of a collision based on pressure change in a pressure chamber. A collision body discriminating system (10) is provided with: a chamber member (18) elongated in the vehicle width direction, having a pressure chamber (24) therein and provided in front of a bumper reinforcement (14); an absorber (20) elongated in the vehicle width direction and provided in front of the bumper reinforcement (14); a pressure sensor (22) for outputting a signal corresponding to a change in the pressure in the pressure chamber (24); and an ECU (26) for discriminating a collision body on the basis of a signal from the pressure sensor (22). The chamber member (18) and the absorber (20) are arranged in a vertical relationship with a gap (C) therebetween, and this allows the chamber member (18) and the absorber (20) to deform independently of each other when the collision body collides with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takahashi, Sotaro Narita, Takatoshi Tanabe
  • Patent number: 8653958
    Abstract: A collision detector includes a chamber, a pressure sensor, and a bumper absorber. The chamber defines a hollow space, and the pressure sensor detects a pressure in the hollow space. The bumper absorber absorbs impact caused by a collision of an object with a vehicle, and covers an outer periphery of the chamber. The chamber and the bumper absorber are interposed with a gap in an entire width of the vehicle. In case of collision, the chamber is not bound by the bumper absorber deformed by the impact of the collision, thereby enabling an accurate detection of the collision of the vehicle with the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takatoshi Tanabe, Tomoya Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8473188
    Abstract: A collision detecting system includes a bumper reinforcement member, a crush box disposed between the bumper reinforcement member and a fixing member of the vehicle, a strain inducing member fixed to the crush box so as to distort in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle as the crush box is compressed between the reinforcement member and the fixing member and a strain measuring element fixed to the strain inducing member 5. The strain inducing member has a strain measuring portion having such a shape that stress of the strain inducing member concentrates into the strain measuring portion. The strain measuring element is fixed to the strain measuring portion to measure a component of the strain of the strain measuring portion in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The strain measuring portion has an asymmetrical cross-section in a vertical direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takatoshi Tanabe
  • Patent number: 8350685
    Abstract: A collision detecting device includes a chamber member providing a chamber, a pressure sensor connected to the chamber member, and a bumper absorber absorbing an impact generated by collision of an object with the vehicle. The bumper absorber has a region, which has a thickness in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. The thickness of the region is equal to or smaller than a predetermined thickness. The region is in contact with at least a portion of the chamber member. The collision is detected based on the pressure of the chamber detected by the pressure sensor. Hereby, a collision detecting device in which the bumper absorber has sufficient rigidity, and the chamber has sufficient deformability in case of collision can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takatoshi Tanabe
  • Patent number: 8157046
    Abstract: A collision detection apparatus includes (i) a bumper reinforcement, (ii) a side supporting member as a side member or a crash box, (iii) a deforming body, and (iv) a strain detecting device. In this collision detection apparatus, frictional force exerted on the interface between the deforming body and the bumper reinforcement or the side supporting member is increased. In the collision detection apparatus, degradation in the detection accuracy of a strain detecting device is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takatoshi Tanabe
  • Patent number: 8128140
    Abstract: A collision detecting device includes a chamber member providing a space, a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure inside the space, a determination means, a bumper absorber for absorbing an impact generated by collision and a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the chamber member. Hardness of the chamber member changes with temperature. Thus, the deformation degree of the chamber member is different depending on temperature. However, the determination means corrects the pressure detected by the pressure sensor based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, and determines collision based on the corrected pressure. Therefore, a collision detecting device which can determine collision of an object with a vehicle accurately without being affected by the change of temperature can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takatoshi Tanabe
  • Publication number: 20110239789
    Abstract: A collision detection device which can determine in a short time a collision to each portion of a chamber member in the longitudinal direction thereof and which is highly reliable. A collision determination system (10) is provided with: a chamber member (20) which is disposed with the longitudinal direction thereof aligned with the vehicle width direction, has a pressure chamber (22) formed therein, and is provided forward of bumper reinforcement (14); a pair of pressure sensors (24) which is provided to the chamber member (20) at positions spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction thereof and outputs a signal corresponding to a variation in the pressure within the pressure chamber (22); and a collision determination ECU (26).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takahashi, Takatoshi Tanabe
  • Publication number: 20110232396
    Abstract: A collision detecting device and a collision detecting method are provided that enable accurate detection of a collision based on pressure change in a pressure chamber. A collision body discriminating system (10) is provided with: a chamber member (18) elongated in the vehicle width direction, having a pressure chamber (24) therein and provided in front of a bumper reinforcement (14); an absorber (20) elongated in the vehicle width direction and provided in front of the bumper reinforcement (14); a pressure sensor (22) for outputting a signal corresponding to a change in the pressure in the pressure chamber (24); and an ECU (26) for discriminating a collision body on the basis of a signal from the pressure sensor (22). The chamber member (18) and the absorber (20) are arranged in a vertical relationship with a gap (C) therebetween, and this allows the chamber member (18) and the absorber (20) to deform independently of each other when the collision body collides with the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takahashi, Sotaro Narita, Takatoshi Tanabe
  • Patent number: 7911331
    Abstract: A walker collision detector includes a chamber member and a pressure sensor. The chamber member defines a chamber. On a back side of the chamber member, a concave portion for housing the pressure sensor is formed. The pressure sensor is connected to the chamber member for detecting the pressure in the chamber. The pressure sensor in a housed condition in the concave portion is connected to the chamber member, and is fixed on a front face of a bumper reinforcement. Therefore, a pressure sensor arrangement space conventionally required for installing the pressure sensor is not required, and cutting work or the like of the bumper reinforcement is not required. As a result, the walker collision detector has an improved installability on a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takatoshi Tanabe
  • Patent number: 7854453
    Abstract: A system for detecting objects colliding with an automotive vehicle includes a bumper-reinforcing member disposed behind a front bumper, a supporting member disposed behind the bumper-reinforcing member, forming a small gap therebetween, and a load sensor disposed between the bumper-reinforcing member and the supporting member in an overlapped manner. A load caused by a collision and detected by the load sensor is fed to an electronic controller that determines whether the object colliding with the vehicle is a pedestrian or other objects. Since the load sensor is mounted in a manner overlapping with the bumper-reinforcing member and the supporting member, an increase in a longitudinal length of a bumper structure by installing the load sensor is minimized. The load sensor may include plural detecting plates, each having a strain gage mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takatoshi Tanabe