Patents by Inventor Toshiki Ando

Toshiki Ando 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: 11862210
    Abstract: A sag bend portion is formed in a longitudinal part of the load beam and bent in a thickness direction. The load beam includes a first portion and a second portion bordering the sag bend portion. Roots of outrigger portions are secured to the load beam by weld portions. A slit portion is formed around each of the weld portions. The slit portion includes an arc-shaped slit and a pair of extension slits. An outrigger support portion is formed inside the slit portion. The outrigger support portion extends in a direction different from that of the second portion of the load beam with respect to a cross section along the longitudinal direction of the load beam in the thickness direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Takikawa, Toshiki Ando
  • Publication number: 20230290373
    Abstract: A sag bend portion is formed in a longitudinal part of the load beam and bent in a thickness direction. The load beam includes a first portion and a second portion bordering the sag bend portion. Roots of outrigger portions are secured to the load beam by weld portions. A slit portion is formed around each of the weld portions. The slit portion includes an arc-shaped slit and a pair of extension slits. An outrigger support portion is formed inside the slit portion. The outrigger support portion extends in a direction different from that of the second portion of the load beam with respect to a cross section along the longitudinal direction of the load beam in the thickness direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi TAKIKAWA, Toshiki ANDO
  • Publication number: 20230117866
    Abstract: A disk drive suspension according to an embodiment comprises a load beam comprising a dimple, and a flexure overlaid on the load beam. The load beam and the flexure are fixed by a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion closer to a distal end of the load beam than the first fixing portion. The flexure comprises a tongue opposed to the dimple, and an outrigger connected to the tongue. The outrigger is bent in a thickness direction of the load beam at a bent portion located between the dimple and the first fixing portion in a length direction of the load beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko NISHIDA, Toshiki ANDO
  • Patent number: 10438394
    Abstract: A method includes defining a virtual space. The virtual space includes a first avatar object and a second avatar object. The first avatar object being associated with a first user terminal. The first user terminal comprising a first head-mounted device (HMD) associated with a first user. The second avatar object being associated with a second user terminal. The second user terminal comprising a second HMD associated with a second user. The method includes defining a visual field in the virtual space in association with a motion of the second HMD. The method includes generating a visual-field image that corresponds to the visual field. The method includes displaying the visual-field image on the second HMD. The method includes receiving first information indicating that the first user is not wearing the first HMD. The method includes changing the visual-field image on the second HMD in response to the first information being received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: COLOPL, INC.
    Inventors: Atsushi Inomata, Toshiki Ando
  • Publication number: 20190243443
    Abstract: A method includes receiving content. The method further includes identifying a first peripheral device connected to a computer and a first function associated with the first peripheral device. The method further includes identifying a second peripheral device connected to the computer and a second function associated with the second peripheral device. The method further includes instructing a display to display a first option corresponding to the first function and a second option corresponding to the second function. The method further includes receiving an input from a user, wherein the input corresponds to selection of the first option or selection of the second option. The method further includes transmitting information based on the received input. The method further includes receiving instructions for activating the first function or the second function based on the transmitted information. The method includes activating the first function or the second function based on the received instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventor: Toshiki ANDO
  • Publication number: 20180322681
    Abstract: A method includes defining a virtual space. The virtual space includes a first avatar object and a second avatar object. The first avatar object being associated with a first user terminal. The first user terminal comprising a first head-mounted device (HMD) associated with a first user. The second avatar object being associated with a second user terminal. The second user terminal comprising a second HMD associated with a second user. The method includes defining a visual field in the virtual space in association with a motion of the second HMD. The method includes generating a visual-field image that corresponds to the visual field. The method includes displaying the visual-field image on the second HMD. The method includes receiving first information indicating that the first user is not wearing the first HMD. The method includes changing the visual-field image on the second HMD in response to the first information being received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Atsushi INOMATA, Toshiki ANDO
  • Patent number: 9117466
    Abstract: A slider and microactuator elements are arranged on a gimbal portion of a flexure. A conducting member includes tongue conductive circuit portions, and unsupported conductive circuit portions which do not overlap with a metal base. The unsupported conductive circuit portions are disposed between arms of an outrigger portion. Bendable portions for reducing bending stiffness are formed in the unsupported conductive circuit portions, respectively. End portions of the microactuator elements are secured to supporting portions of a tongue, respectively. Each of bridge members is provided between the corresponding supporting portion of the tongue and the corresponding unsupported conductive circuit portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Takikawa, Toshiki Ando
  • Patent number: 9042056
    Abstract: A slider and microactuator elements are disposed on a gimbal portion of a flexure. A tongue of the gimbal portion has a first tongue portion, a second tongue portion, and a hinge portion. A leading-side portion of the slider is movably disposed on the first tongue portion. A trailing-side portion of the slider is secured to the second tongue portion. The hinge portion is formed between the first tongue portion and the second tongue portion. The gimbal portion is provided with a damper member includes a viscoelastic material layer and a constrained plate. The damper member comprises a first damper and a second damper. The hinge portion is exposed between the first damper and the second damper. A dimple on a load beam contacts the hinge portion at a point of contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masao Hanya, Kenichi Takikawa, Toshiki Ando
  • Patent number: 8970990
    Abstract: A slider and microactuator elements are disposed on a gimbal portion of a flexure. A first end portion of each of the elements is secured to a first supporting portion. A second end portion is secured to a second supporting portion. A ground-side conductor is provided on the second supporting portion. A limiter member consists mainly of a resin shared with an insulating layer of a conductive circuit portion. The limiter member comprises a grounding junction, a first bridge portion, and a second bridge portion. The grounding junction is secured to the second supporting portion. The first bridge portion extends in a first direction from the grounding junction. The second bridge portion extends in a second direction from the grounding junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Takikawa, Masao Hanya, Toshiki Ando
  • Publication number: 20150055253
    Abstract: A slider and microactuator elements are arranged on a gimbal portion of a flexure. A conducting member includes tongue conductive circuit portions, and unsupported conductive circuit portions which do not overlap with a metal base. The unsupported conductive circuit portions are disposed between arms of an outrigger portion. Bendable portions for reducing bending stiffness are formed in the unsupported conductive circuit portions, respectively. End portions of the microactuator elements are secured to supporting portions of a tongue, respectively. Each of bridge members is provided between the corresponding supporting portion of the tongue and the corresponding unsupported conductive circuit portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Kenichi TAKIKAWA, Toshiki ANDO
  • Patent number: 8964334
    Abstract: A slider and a pair of microactuator elements are disposed on a gimbal portion of a flexure. The gimbal portion comprises a first tongue portion, a second tongue portion, and a hinge portion. A trailing-side portion of the slider is secured to the second tongue portion. A leading-side portion of the slider is movable relative to the first tongue portion. A conductive circuit portion comprises a conductor connected to an element of the slider and a conductor connected to electrodes of microactuator elements. The conductive circuit portion comprises a first wiring pattern portion disposed inside microactuator elements and a second wiring pattern portion extending rearwardly relative to the gimbal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Takikawa, Masao Hanya, Toshiki Ando
  • Patent number: 8964335
    Abstract: A head suspension 31 has a piezoelectric element 13 that deforms in response to a voltage applied thereto, a base plate 33 having an attaching part to which the piezoelectric element 13 is attached, and a load beam 35 having a flexure 39. A front end of the load beam 35 moves in a sway direction according to the deformation of the piezoelectric element 13. The head suspension 31 includes adhesives that attach the piezoelectric element 13 to the attaching part. The adhesives are applied to and hardened at the attaching part one by one. At least one of the adhesives that is first applied to and hardened at the attaching part is electrically insulative. The head suspension 31 properly maintains electric insulation between the piezoelectric element 13 and the attaching part, sufficiently demonstrates original functions, and secures a rigidity balance and proper vibration characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiki Ando, Hideki Fuchino, Tsutomu Fukuda, Emi Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 8947833
    Abstract: A slider and a microactuator element are disposed on a gimbal portion of a flexure. The gimbal portion comprises a metal base, an electrically insulating resin layer, a conductor disposed on the resin layer, an electrically insulating adhesive block, and an electrically conductive paste. The adhesive block secures an end portion of the microactuator element to the metal base. The conductive paste is provided between the conductor and an electrode of the microactuator element. A first adhesive interface extending along the thickness of the resin layer, a second adhesive interface extending along a surface of the resin layer, and a corner portion are formed between the metal base and the conductive paste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Hanya, Kenichi Takikawa, Toshiki Ando
  • Patent number: 8934203
    Abstract: A microactuator element is disposed on a gimbal portion of a flexure. A first end of the element is secured to a first supporting portion by a first insulating adhesive. A second end is secured to a second supporting portion by a second insulating adhesive. A first conductor is disposed on the first supporting portion. A second conductor on the ground side is disposed on the second supporting portion. A first electrode is disposed on a first end of the element. A first electrically conductive paste is provided between the first electrode and the first conductor. A second electrode is disposed on a second end of the element. A second electrically conductive paste is provided between the second electrode and the second conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Hanya, Kenichi Takikawa, Toshiki Ando, Masaru Inoue
  • Patent number: 8913347
    Abstract: A gimbal portion of a flexure is provided with first supporting portions to which first end portions of microactuator elements are secured and second supporting portions to which second end portions are secured. A first tongue portion is formed between the pair of first supporting portions. A leading-side portion of a slider is movably disposed on the first tongue portion. A second tongue portion is formed between the pair of second supporting portions. A trailing-side portion of the slider is secured to the second tongue portion. A narrow hinge portion is formed between the first and second tongue portions. The tongue portions are pivotably connected by the hinge portion. The distal end of a dimple contacts the hinge portion at a point of contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Takikawa, Toshiki Ando
  • Patent number: 8794070
    Abstract: A method for accurately and speedy analyzing vibration property of head suspension including a piezoelectric element that moves a head according to voltage application. The method comprises a displacement obtaining step obtaining displacement of each node point of the piezoelectric element by voltage application to the piezoelectric element, a reaction force obtaining step eliminating the voltage application and applying the obtained displacement to each node point, a reaction force applying step eliminating the applied displacement and applying obtained reaction force to each node point, and an analyzing step performing the frequency response analysis by using mode superposition method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Takikawa, Toshiki Ando
  • Publication number: 20140085754
    Abstract: A slider and microactuator elements are disposed on a gimbal portion of a flexure. A tongue of the gimbal portion has a first tongue portion, a second tongue portion, and a hinge portion. A leading-side portion of the slider is movably disposed on the first tongue portion. A trailing-side portion of the slider is secured to the second tongue portion. The hinge portion is formed between the first tongue portion and the second tongue portion. The gimbal portion is provided with a damper member includes a viscoelastic material layer and a constrained plate. The damper member comprises a first damper and a second damper. The hinge portion is exposed between the first damper and the second damper. A dimple on a load beam contacts the hinge portion at a point of contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masao HANYA, Kenichi TAKIKAWA, Toshiki ANDO
  • Publication number: 20140085755
    Abstract: A slider and a microactuator element are disposed on a gimbal portion of a flexure. The gimbal portion comprises a metal base, an electrically insulating resin layer, a conductor disposed on the resin layer, an electrically insulating adhesive block, and an electrically conductive paste. The adhesive block secures an end portion of the microactuator element to the metal base. The conductive paste is provided between the conductor and an electrode of the microactuator element. A first adhesive interface extending along the thickness of the resin layer, a second adhesive interface extending along a surface of the resin layer, and a corner portion are formed between the metal base and the conductive paste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masao HANYA, Kenichi TAKIKAWA, Toshiki ANDO
  • Publication number: 20140055885
    Abstract: A head suspension 31 has a piezoelectric element 13 that deforms in response to a voltage applied thereto, a base plate 33 having an attaching part to which the piezoelectric element 13 is attached, and a load beam 35 having a flexure 39. A front end of the load beam 35 moves in a sway direction according to the deformation of the piezoelectric element 13. The head suspension 31 includes adhesives that attach the piezoelectric element 13 to the attaching part. The adhesives are applied to and hardened at the attaching part one by one. At least one of the adhesives that is first applied to and hardened at the attaching part is electrically insulative. The head suspension 31 properly maintains electric insulation between the piezoelectric element 13 and the attaching part, sufficiently demonstrates original functions, and secures a rigidity balance and proper vibration characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiki ANDO, Hideki FUCHINO, Tsutomu FUKUDA, Emi SUGIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140022675
    Abstract: A microactuator element is disposed on a gimbal portion of a flexure. A first end of the element is secured to a first supporting portion by a first insulating adhesive. A second end is secured to a second supporting portion by a second insulating adhesive. A first conductor is disposed on the first supporting portion. A second conductor on the ground side is disposed on the second supporting portion. A first electrode is disposed on a first end of the element. A first electrically conductive paste is provided between the first electrode and the first conductor. A second electrode is disposed on a second end of the element. A second electrically conductive paste is provided between the second electrode and the second conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Masao HANYA, Kenichi TAKIKAWA, Toshiki ANDO, Masaru INOUE