Patents by Inventor Tomonari Kawaguchi

Tomonari Kawaguchi 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: 10683598
    Abstract: A washing machine, which does not have a narrowed portion on a throw-in and takeout route of washings, so that washings can be thrown in and taken out smoothly. The washing machine of the present invention comprises: an inner tub for accommodating washings; an outer tub for accommodating the inner tub; a housing comprising a housing body that is configured to accommodate the outer tub and is open at the upper end, a fixed lid fixed to the upper end of the housing body, and a movable lid that is movably disposed on the fixed lid, makes the upper end of the housing body selectively open towards the outside, and is capable of forming a lid side opening for making an inner tub side opening formed on the upper end of the inner tub open upwards; and a water supply unit provided on the fixed lid and used for supplying water to the inner tub, wherein the inner circumference of the lid side opening has a shape and size that make the inner tub side opening substantially open upwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., AQUA CO., LTD
    Inventors: Takaaki Yonezawa, Tomonari Kawaguchi, Hiroki Sato, Yoshikazu Bamba, Takashi Onishi, Wataru Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20180371668
    Abstract: Provided is a washing machine including: a housing having a housing body, a fixing lid and a movable lid, arranged for accommodating the tub, having a bottom wall supporting the tub from the lower side, and enables an upper end to be opened, the fixing lid is fixed to the upper end of the housing body, the movable lid is movably arranged on the fixing lid, the upper end of the housing body is selectively opened outwards and a lid side opening which upwards opens a drum side opening formed in the upper end part of a drum can be formed in the fixing lid; a damper vertically arranged from the bottom wall; and a hopper arranged between the drum side opening and the lid side opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicants: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd., Aqua Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaaki Yonezawa, Tomonari Kawaguchi, Hiroki Sato, Yoshikazu Banba, Takashi Onishi, Wataru Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20180363207
    Abstract: A washing machine, which does not have a narrowed portion on a throw-in and takeout route of washings, so that washings can be thrown in and taken out smoothly. The washing machine of the present invention comprises: an inner tub for accommodating washings; an outer tub for accommodating the inner tub; a housing comprising a housing body that is configured to accommodate the outer tub and is open at the upper end, a fixed lid fixed to the upper end of the housing body, and a movable lid that is movably disposed on the fixed lid, makes the upper end of the housing body selectively open towards the outside, and is capable of forming a lid side opening for making an inner tub side opening formed on the upper end of the inner tub open upwards; and a water supply unit provided on the fixed lid and used for supplying water to the inner tub, wherein the inner circumference of the lid side opening has a shape and size that make the inner tub side opening substantially open upwards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Takaaki YONEZAWA, Tomonari KAWAGUCHI, Hiroki SATO, Yoshikazu BAMBA, Takashi ONISHI, Wataru NAKAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20180327958
    Abstract: Provided is a washing machine including: a packing water-sealing part having a packing component arranged between an upper end part of the tub and an upper end part of the drum to inhibit water from leaking outwards from the tub; a labyrinth part adopting a labyrinth structure and for arranging ribs lower than the packing water-sealing part between an tub cover and the upper end part of the drum at an inner side of the packing water-sealing part; and a hopper serving as a heightened drum and arranged integrally with the tub cover for retaining water whose water level is higher than a water level at the upper end of the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Takaaki YONEZAWA, Tomonari KAWAGUCHI, Hiroki SATO, Yoshikazu BAMBA, Takashi ONISHI, Wataru NAKAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20180298538
    Abstract: A washing machine is provided. The washing machine includes: a washing tub having an axis extending longitudinally; a circulation path configured to draw detergent solution mixed with a detergent in the washing tub and return the detergent solution into the washing tub from an upper side; a pump configured to pump the detergent solution in the washing tub into the circulation path and allow the detergent solution to rise in the circulation path; and a controller configured to execute a washing operation. The washing operation includes a circulation-soaking process during which a circulation process and a soaking process are conducted alternately and repeatedly. The detergent solution is circulated between the washing tub and the circulation path by driving the pump and sprayed onto washings in the circulation process. The pump is stopped from being driven and, the washings are soaked with the detergent solution in the washing tub in the soaking process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Naoto NISHIURA, Hiroyuki TANAKA, Tomonari KAWAGUCHI, Masanori YONEDA, Hideyuki ARAI, Katsuji ONISHI
  • Publication number: 20180282930
    Abstract: Provided is a washing machine. The washing machine includes: a washing drum accommodated in an outer drum 3; a motor for rotating the washing drum; a water tank for receiving detergent water containing detergents from the outer drum; a circulating path for taking the detergent water and injecting the detergent water from an upper side into the washing drum; a pump for taking the detergent water in the water tank into the circulating path and lifting the detergent water in the circulating path; and a control part for executing a washing operation including a dewatering washing process. In the dewatering washing process, circulating treatment, impregnation treatment and dewatering treatment are repeatedly conducted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Naoto NISHIURA, Hiroyuki TANAKA, Tomonari KAWAGUCHI, Masanori YONEDA, Hideyuki ARAI, Katsuji ONISHI
  • Patent number: 10023986
    Abstract: A washing machine which enables a user to effectively perform hand washing of washings in a washing and dewatering tank is disclosed. A full-automatic washing machine has: a washing and dewatering tank for performing washing and dewatering of washings; a water supply unit for supplying water into the washing and dewatering tank; a control part for controlling the water supply unit; an auxiliary washing plate which is detachably installed in the washing and dewatering tank and has a shape of concaves and convexes on an upper surface; and a hand washing water supply button which is operated when the auxiliary washing plate installed in the washing and dewatering tank is used for performing hand washing of washings. Here, the control part supplies water to the water supply unit based on a condition already operated on the hand washing water supply button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignees: Haier Asia International Co., Ltd., Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonari Kawaguchi, Katsuji Onishi, Minoru Nakanishi
  • Publication number: 20180187357
    Abstract: The object of the present disclosure is to provide a washing machine capable of detecting that washings in a washing drum are in a state unsuitable for a dewatering process in a phase earlier than the dewatering process. The washing machine includes: a washing drum; a stirring component; a motor; and a microcomputer for controlling water supply and drainage for the washing drum or controlling a voltage applied to the motor to rotate the stirring component. During a washing process, the microcomputer obtains an index which indicates a size of resistance generated by the washings in the washing drum to rotation of the stirring component. When the index exceeds a specified threshold since the resistance in the washing process is less than a specified resistance, the microcomputer judges that the washings in the washing drum are in a state unsuitable for the dewatering process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicants: AQUA CO., LTD., Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomonari Kawaguchi
  • Publication number: 20180155862
    Abstract: A dewatering machine including an electric motor for rotating a dewatering drum and a control part. When the dewatering drum starts to rotate, the control part measures a load of the washings in the dewatering drum. Then, the control part rotates the motor at a first rotating speed by controlling a duty ratio of a voltage applied to the motor and then to rotates the motor at a second rotating speed higher than the first rotating speed. When the motor accelerates to the first rotating speed, the control part acquires a reference duty ratio at timing determined according to the measured load. Next, within a specified period, the control part determines whether the washings in the dewatering drum are biased according to an index indicating the change between the duty ratio and the reference duty ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Tomonari KAWAGUCHI, Hiroki SATO
  • Publication number: 20170321363
    Abstract: A dewatering machine including: a dewatering tank, formed in a cylindrical shape with a central axis extending in a direction inclined relative to an up-down direction; a balancing ring coaxially arranged in the dewatering tank, liquid for achieving rotational balance of the dewatering tank is contained in the balancing ring and flows freely; a control part. The control part causes the dewatering tank to rotate at a rotating speed lower than a lowest rotating speed at which the dewatering tank resonates in a dewatering preparation stage of washings, so as to detect a biased position of the washings, causes the dewatering tank to stop rotating immediately before the washings biased in the dewatering tank are positioned at an opposite side of liquid biased downward in the balancing rings to a lower side, relative to the central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Tomonari KAWAGUCHI, Hiroki SATO
  • Publication number: 20160348293
    Abstract: A washing machine which enables a user to effectively perform hand washing of washings in a washing and dewatering tank is disclosed. A full-automatic washing machine has: a washing and dewatering tank for performing washing and dewatering of washings; a water supply unit for supplying water into the washing and dewatering tank; a control part for controlling the water supply unit; an auxiliary washing plate which is detachably installed in the washing and dewatering tank and has a shape of concaves and convexes on an upper surface; and a hand washing water supply button which is operated when the auxiliary washing plate installed in the washing and dewatering tank is used for performing hand washing of washings. Here, the control part supplies water to the water supply unit based on a condition already operated on the hand washing water supply button.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Tomonari Kawaguchi, Katsuji Onishi, Minoru Nakanishi
  • Publication number: 20110107798
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine which is capable of substantially preventing vibrations of an outer tub occurring due to rotation of a rotary drum thereof from being transmitted from a base to a frame thereof. A lower edge portion (106A) of a left side face plate (106), a lower edge portion (107A) of a right side face plate (107) and a lower edge portion (108A) of a rear face plate (108) of a frame (101) surrounding an outer tub (4) are fixed to a base (102) by screws. On the other hand, a front portion (more specifically, a front left portion (111), a front right portion (112) and a second connection plate (110)) of the frame (101) and a control box (12) fixed to the front portion of the frame (101) by screws are not fixed to the base (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Tomonari Kawaguchi, Yuji Hirasawa
  • Patent number: 7490490
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drum type washing machine capable of adequately distributing the laundry articles along the inner circumferential wall of the drum at the start-up of the dehydrating operation with high probability, thereby reducing the start-up time of the dehydration. In an embodiment of the present invention, the drum is controlled to rotate at a constant speed 50 r.p.m. to agitate the laundry articles (Step S12), and the drum speed is almost continuously monitored. If the change in the speed does not exceed 1.5 r.p.m. for 0.5 second (Steps S13 through S16), the laundry articles are loosened and easy to distribute. Therefore, the drum speed is raised to 80 r.p.m. (Steps S17 and S18). If the eccentric load detected at this speed does not exceed a predetermined value (Steps S19 and S20), the laundry articles are adequately distributed along and pressed onto the inner circumferential wall of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Hirasawa, Tomonari Kawaguchi
  • Publication number: 20050268670
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drum type washing machine capable of adequately distributing the laundry articles along the inner circumferential wall of the drum at the start-up of the dehydrating operation with high probability, thereby reducing the start-up time of the dehydration. In an embodiment of the present invention, the drum is controlled to rotate at a constant speed 50 r.p.m. to agitate the laundry articles (Step S12), and the drum speed is almost continuously monitored. If the change in the speed does not exceed 1.5 r.p.m. for 0.5 second (Steps S13 through S16), the laundry articles are loosened and easy to distribute. Therefore, the drum speed is raised to 80 r.p.m. (Steps S17 and S18). If the eccentric load detected at this speed does not exceed a predetermined value (Steps S19 and S20), the laundry articles are adequately distributed along and pressed onto the inner circumferential wall of the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Applicant: Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Hirasawa, Tomonari Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 6029300
    Abstract: In an inventive spin extractor, a speed controller applies a constant voltage to a motor for starting a rotation of a drum. Since the torque on the drum is constant, the drum rotates at a low speed when the laundry is in the form of a large mass and the load on the drum is accordingly large. Every time part or all of the laundry falls beyond the baffles provided on the inner peripheral wall of the drum, the laundry is loosened and scattered, so that the load on the drum decreases. When the laundry is scattered adequately, the torque by the motor overcomes the load of the laundry, and the drum speed rapidly rises. When the speed exceeds the equilibrium speed where the centrifugal force acting on the laundry is equal to gravity, the scattered laundry starts rotating in the state of being pressed on the inner peripheral wall of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonari Kawaguchi, Kiyoyuki Suo
  • Patent number: 5768746
    Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner comprising a floor nozzle connected to a lower part of a main body of the electric vacuum cleaner and having a suction opening opened on a lower surface of the floor nozzle, a rotary brush disposed in the suction opening, a driving source, a power transmission system which transmits power from the driving source to the rotary brush, and a changeover unit which connects or disconnects power transmission of the power transmission system, wherein the changeover unit is provided with an operation pedal, which is manipulated to connect or disconnect the power, on a rear portion of the floor nozzle. It is possible for an operator to instantaneously turn on and off the driving of the rotary brush only by stepping down or lifting up the pedal while gripping the handle at rear side of the main body of the cleaner without stopping the movement of the cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Kamatani, Sadao Fukushima, Kazuyoshi Yoshimi, Shuzo Ueyama, Tomonari Kawaguchi, Isao Yoneda, Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 5056341
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a washing tub elastically supported in a body of the washing machine; a sound insulation member covering the bottom surface of the body; the sound insulation member being formed with an opening for inserting packing to prevent the washing tub from moving when the washing machine should be packed; and a lid for opening and closing the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Mori, Tomonari Kawaguchi