Patents by Inventor Toshiaki Horie
Toshiaki Horie 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).
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Patent number: 9778549Abstract: An optical reflecting device includes a mirror part, a pair of joints, a pair of vibration parts, a plurality of driving parts, and a fixed part. Each of the joints has a first end connected to respective one the facing positions to each other on the mirror part and a second end opposite to the first end, and extends along a first axis. Each of the vibration parts has a central portion connected to the second end of respective one of the joints. A plurality of driving parts is disposed in each of the pair of vibration parts, and rotates the mirror part. Both ends of each of the pair of vibration parts are connected to the fixed part. The beam width defined as the length of each of the joints in a direction orthogonal to the first axis is greater than the beam width of each of the pair of vibration parts.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiaki Horie, Soichiro Hiraoka, Shinsuke Nakazono, Kazuki Komaki
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Patent number: 9690094Abstract: An optical device includes: an optical element having an optically functional surface which is pivotable; a base supporting the optical element; and a package housing the optical element and the base, in which the package includes: a wall that surrounds the optical element and the base; a window that closes a first opening defined by the wall, and forms an optical path to the optically functional surface, the window being transmissive to light; and a bottom plate that closes a second opening defined by the wall.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akira Kurozuka, Akihiro Morikawa, Toshiaki Horie, Shinsuke Nakazono
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Patent number: 9523849Abstract: An optical reflecting device includes a mirror part, a pair of joints, a pair of vibration parts, a plurality of driving parts, and a fixed part. Each of the joints has a first end connected to respective one the facing positions to each other on the mirror part and a second end opposite to the first end, and extends along a first axis. Each of the vibration parts has a central portion connected to the second end of respective one of the joints. A plurality of driving parts are disposed in each of the pair of vibration parts, and rotate the mirror part. Both ends of each of the pair of vibration parts are connected to the fixed part. The beam width defined as the length of each of the joints in a direction orthogonal to the first axis is greater than the beam width of each of the pair of vibration parts.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiaki Horie, Soichiro Hiraoka, Shinsuke Nakazono, Kazuki Komaki
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Publication number: 20160356984Abstract: An optical reflecting device includes a mirror part, a pair of joints, a pair of vibration parts, a plurality of driving parts, and a fixed part. Each of the joints has a first end connected to respective one the facing positions to each other on the mirror part and a second end opposite to the first end, and extends along a first axis. Each of the vibration parts has a central portion connected to the second end of respective one of the joints. A plurality of driving parts is disposed in each of the pair of vibration parts, and rotates the mirror part. Both ends of each of the pair of vibration parts are connected to the fixed part. The beam width defined as the length of each of the joints in a direction orthogonal to the first axis is greater than the beam width of each of the pair of vibration parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Toshiaki HORIE, Soichiro HIRAOKA, Shinsuke NAKAZONO, Kazuki KOMAKI
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Publication number: 20160131895Abstract: An optical device includes: an optical element having an optically functional surface which is pivotable; a base supporting the optical element; and a package housing the optical element and the base, in which the package includes: a wall that surrounds the optical element and the base; a window that closes a first opening defined by the wall, and forms an optical path to the optically functional surface, the window being transmissive to light; and a bottom plate that closes a second opening defined by the wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2015Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventors: Akira KUROZUKA, Akihiro MORIKAWA, Toshiaki HORIE, Shinsuke NAKAZONO
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Patent number: 9291815Abstract: An optical reflection element includes a fixed portion having a pair of sides opposite to each other, a pair of first vibration portions having one ends each connected to respective one of the sides of the fixed portion, a pair of connection portions each connected to respective one of another ends of the first vibration portions, a movable frame rotatably supported by another ends of the first vibration portions via the connection portions, a pair of second vibration portions having one ends each connected to respective one of a pair of sides of the movable frame, and a mirror rotatably connected to another ends of the second vibration portions. The second vibration portions are configured to transmit a rotational vibration about a rotation axis to the mirror. The connection portions are connected to the movable frame in a direction of the rotation axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiaki Horie, Soichiro Hiraoka, Shinsuke Nakazono, Kazuki Komaki
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Patent number: 9287488Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator device includes a vibrator and a driver to vibrate the vibrator. The vibrator includes a lower vibration layer configured to vibrate and an upper vibration layer coupled to an upper surface of the lower vibration layer and configured to vibrate together with the lower vibration layer. The driver includes an upper electrode layer on a lower surface of the lower vibration layer, a piezoelectric layer on a lower surface of the upper electrode layer, and a lower electrode layer on a lower surface of the piezoelectric layer. The lower vibration layer of the vibrator is made of organic material. The upper vibration layer is mainly made of inorganic material. The lower vibration layer has a smaller longitudinal elastic modulus than the upper vibration layer. The piezoelectric actuator device has a large resistance to disturbance vibrations and a large warping amount of the vibrator without increasing power consumption.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2013Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Soichiro Hiraoka, Kazuki Komaki, Shinsuke Nakazono, Akira Kurozuka, Toshiaki Horie
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Publication number: 20160062109Abstract: An optical scanning device includes: a case including a window; and an optical reflective element mounted in the case. The optical reflective element includes: a movable portion including a reflective surface; a beam having one end connected to the movable portion; and a fixed portion connected to the other end of the beam and fixed to the case. The fixed portion is approximately parallel to the window. The reflective surface is non-parallel to the fixed portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Akihiro MORIKAWA, Toshiaki HORIE, Takehiro KOBAYASHI, Shinsuke NAKAZONO
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Patent number: 9261669Abstract: A vibrating element having a meandering shape includes a vibrating beam and a piezoelectric actuator provided on the vibrating beam. The vibrating beam has a meandering-shape substantially formed into the plurality of continuous turned-down shapes. The vibrating beam includes the plurality of turned-down units and the plurality of coupling units coupled to the turned-down units, and the coupling units and the turned-down units are alternately disposed. The piezoelectric actuator includes a lower electrode provided on the vibrating beam, a piezoelectric film provided on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode provided on the piezoelectric film. A non-existence region where the piezoelectric film does not exist is provided in at least one of a neighborhood of a midpoint of an inner circumference of each of the turned-down units and a neighborhood of a curvature changing point in which a curvature of the inner circumference of each of the turned-down shapes changes.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2012Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiaki Horie, Shinsuke Nakazono, Soichiro Hiraoka, Yuta Yamamoto, Kazuki Komaki
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Publication number: 20150323783Abstract: An optical reflecting device includes a mirror part, a pair of joints, a pair of vibration parts, a plurality of driving parts, and a fixed part. Each of the joints has a first end connected to respective one the facing positions to each other on the mirror part and a second end opposite to the first end, and extends along a first axis. Each of the vibration parts has a central portion connected to the second end of respective one of the joints. A plurality of driving parts are disposed in each of the pair of vibration parts, and rotate the mirror part. Both ends of each of the pair of vibration parts are connected to the fixed part. The beam width defined as the length of each of the joints in a direction orthogonal to the first axis is greater than the beam width of each of the pair of vibration parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2013Publication date: November 12, 2015Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Toshiaki HORIE, Soichiro HIRAOKA, Shinsuke NAKAZONO, Kazuki KOMAKI
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Publication number: 20150270477Abstract: An actuator includes a fixed frame, a pair of first vibrating portions, a movable frame, a pair of second vibrating portions, a movable portion, and a first monitor signal detector. Each of the first vibrating portions faces the inside of the fixed frame; and has a first end connected to the inside of the fixed frame, and a second end connected to the outside of the movable frame. Each of the second vibrating portions faces the inside of the movable frame; and has a first end connected to the inside of the movable frame, and a second end connected to the movable portion. The second vibrating portions extend in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the first vibrating portions extend. The first monitor signal detector capable of detecting displacement of the movable frame is provided on a connection portion between the movable frame and the first vibrating portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2013Publication date: September 24, 2015Inventors: Toshiaki Horie, Shinsuke Nakazono, Soichiro Hiraoka, Kazuki Komaki, Akira Kurozuka, Yuta Yamamoto, Takehiro Kobayashi
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Patent number: 9091856Abstract: An optical reflecting device includes a mirror, a frame connected to the mirror, and a driver beam configured to vibrate to rotate the mirror about a rotation axis. Rigidity of the frame is higher than rigidity of the mirror. The rotation axis is perpendicular to a line that connects a first connecting part to a second connecting part. This optical reflecting device can suppress a dynamic warp of the mirror.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2012Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLCTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Kensuke Mihara, Akira Kurozuka, Shinsuke Nakazono, Soichiro Hiraoka, Yuta Yamamoto, Toshiaki Horie, Kazuki Komaki
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Patent number: 9025228Abstract: An optical reflecting device includes a fixed frame, a pair of first oscillation parts, a movable frame, a pair of second oscillation parts, and a mirror part. One-side ends of the first oscillation parts are connected to the inside of the fixed frame. The movable frame is connected to and held by the other-side ends of the pair of first oscillation parts to be pivotable. One-side ends of the pair of second oscillation parts are connected to the inside of the movable frame and the pair of second oscillation parts are disposed to be substantially perpendicular to the pair of first oscillation parts. The mirror part is connected to and held by the other-side ends of the pair of second oscillation parts to be pivotable. The first oscillation parts have a meandering shape in which a plurality of straight portions and a plurality of folded portions are formed, and a stepped structure portion is provided in part of the folded portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2015Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiaki Horie, Shinsuke Nakazono, Soichiro Hiraoka, Shigeo Furukawa, Yuta Yamamoto, Kazuki Komaki, Masaki Tada
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Publication number: 20150116803Abstract: An optical reflecting device includes a fixed frame, a pair of first oscillation parts, a movable frame, a pair of second oscillation parts, and a mirror part. One-side ends of the first oscillation parts are connected to the inside of the fixed frame. The movable frame is connected to and held by the other-side ends of the pair of first oscillation parts to be pivotable. One-side ends of the pair of second oscillation parts are connected to the inside of the movable frame and the pair of second oscillation parts are disposed to be substantially perpendicular to the pair of first oscillation parts. The mirror part is connected to and held by the other-side ends of the pair of second oscillation parts to be pivotable. The first oscillation parts have a meandering shape in which a plurality of straight portions and a plurality of folded portions are formed, and a stepped structure portion is provided in part of the folded portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2015Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: TOSHIAKI HORIE, SHINSUKE NAKAZONO, SOICHIRO HIRAOKA, SHIGEO FURUKAWA, YUTA YAMAMOTO, KAZUKI KOMAKI, MASAKI TADA
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Patent number: 8964273Abstract: An optical reflection element according to the present invention includes a fixed frame, a pair of first oscillation parts, a movable frame, a pair of second oscillation parts, and a mirror part. One-side ends of the first oscillation parts are connected to the inside of the fixed frame. The movable frame is connected to and held by the other-side ends of the pair of first oscillation parts to be pivotable. One-side ends of the pair of second oscillation parts are connected to the inside of the movable frame and the pair of second oscillation parts are disposed to be substantially perpendicular to the pair of first oscillation parts. The mirror part is connected to and held by the other-side ends of the pair of second oscillation parts to be pivotable. The second oscillation parts have a meandering shape in which a plurality of straight portions and a plurality of folded portions are formed, and a stepped structure portion is provided in part of the folded portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2011Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiaki Horie, Shinsuke Nakazono, Soichiro Hiraoka, Yuta Yamamoto, Kazuki Komaki, Masaki Tada, Kiyomi Furukawa
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Publication number: 20150036201Abstract: An optical reflection element includes a fixed portion having a pair of sides opposite to each other, a pair of first vibration portions having one ends each connected to respective one of the sides of the fixed portion, a pair of connection portions each connected to respective one of another ends of the first vibration portions, a movable frame rotatably supported by another ends of the first vibration portions via the connection portions, a pair of second vibration portions having one ends each connected to respective one of a pair of sides of the movable frame, and a mirror rotatably connected to another ends of the second vibration portions. The second vibration portions are configured to transmit a rotational vibration about a rotation axis to the mirror. The connection portions are connected to the movable frame in a direction of the rotation axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Toshiaki Horie, Soichiro Hiraoka, Shinsuke Nakazono, Kazuki Komaki
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Publication number: 20140368087Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator device includes a vibrator and a driver to vibrate the vibrator. The vibrator includes a lower vibration layer configured to vibrate and an upper vibration layer coupled to an upper surface of the lower vibration layer and configured to vibrate together with the lower vibration layer. The driver includes an upper electrode layer on a lower surface of the lower vibration layer, a piezoelectric layer on a lower surface of the upper electrode layer, and a lower electrode layer on a lower surface of the piezoelectric layer. The lower vibration layer of the vibrator is made of organic material. The upper vibration layer is mainly made of inorganic material. The lower vibration layer has a smaller longitudinal elastic modulus than the upper vibration layer. The piezoelectric actuator device has a large resistance to disturbance vibrations and a large warping amount of the vibrator without increasing power consumption.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2013Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Soichiro Hiraoka, Kazuki Komaki, Shinsuke Nakazono, Akira Kurozuka, Toshiaki Horie
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Publication number: 20140226194Abstract: An optical reflecting device includes a mirror, a frame connected to the mirror, and a driver beam configured to vibrate to rotate the mirror about a rotation axis. Rigidity of the frame is higher than rigidity of the mirror. The rotation axis is perpendicular to a line that connects a first connecting part to a second connecting part.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2012Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Kensuke Mihara, Akira Kurozuka, Shinsuke Nakazono, Soichiro Hiraoka, Yuta Yamamoto, Toshiaki Horie, Kazuki Komaki
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Patent number: 8792151Abstract: An optical reflection element includes a frame, a meandrous vibrating part having an outer end connected with an inside of the frame, and a mirror part supported by an inner end of the meandrous vibrating part. The meandrous vibrating part has a meandrous shape that includes curved portions and vibrating beams alternately connected with the curved portions. A curvature of respective one of the curved portions is smaller than a curvature of at least one of the curved portions which is located closer to the inner end than the respective one of the curved portions. This optical reflection element has a large deflection angle of the mirror part.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Shinsuke Nakazono, Toshiaki Horie, Soichiro Hiraoka, Yuta Yamamoto, Masaki Tada, Kazuki Komaki, Kiyomi Furukawa
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Patent number: 8681407Abstract: An optical reflection element has a frame, a pair of meandering-shaped vibration elements, a mirror having a reflection surface, and a pair of protective beams. The vibration elements have their respective outer ends supported by confronting portions of an inside of the frame. The vibration elements support the mirror with respective inner ends thereof. The protective beams extend from the respective confronting portions of the inside of the frame toward the mirror with a predetermined space from the vibration elements and in parallel with a vibration axis of the vibration elements.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Soichiro Hiraoka, Kazuki Komaki, Masaki Tada, Shigeo Furukawa, Kiyomi Furukawa, Shinsuke Nakazono, Yuta Yamamoto, Toshiaki Horie