Patents by Inventor Yasuhiro Yokoo

Yasuhiro Yokoo 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: 12215903
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle device includes: a switching valve configured to switch between a battery mode in which refrigerant flows to a battery heat exchanger and a non-battery mode in which the refrigerant bypasses the battery heat exchanger; and a controller controlling a compressor and the switching valve. The controller includes an estimation unit configured to estimate an oil stagnation amount, which is an amount of lubricating oil accumulated in the battery heat exchanger in accordance with execution of the non-battery mode. The controller includes a determination unit configured to determine whether lubricating oil in the battery heat exchanger needs to be recovered on the basis of the oil stagnation amount. The controller includes an execution unit configured to execute an oil recovery mode for recovery of lubricating oil in the battery heat exchanger when the determination unit determines that lubricating oil needs to be recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsurou Kyuto, Yasuhiro Yokoo, Yoshinori Yanagimachi
  • Publication number: 20250018769
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle includes a compressor, a refrigerant radiator, first and second expansion valves configured to decompress refrigerant flowing out of the refrigerant radiator, a first evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant flowing out of the first expansion valve, and a second evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant flowing out of the second expansion valve. A heat medium circuit includes a heat exchange portion and circulates a heat medium while flowing through the heat exchange portion and the second evaporator. The first evaporator exchanges heat between the refrigerant and ventilation air blown to a space to be air conditioned, and the second evaporator exchanges heat between the heat medium and the refrigerant to evaporate the refrigerant and cool the heat medium. The heat exchange portion is made to cool the temperature regulation target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2024
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventors: Kohei Noguchi, Yasuhiro Yokoo, Yoshiki Kato, Yukihisa Ijuin, Hiroaki Kawano, Yoshio Hayashi, Junki Hirayama, Naito Muto
  • Publication number: 20250003508
    Abstract: A housing forms: a first space and a second space; and a third space that is placed on one side relative to the first space and the second space in one direction. A primary partition partitions between the first space and the second space, and secondary partitions partition the first space into a plurality of subspaces. A valve element has: a first communication passage extending through the valve element in the one direction; and a second communication passage recessed on the valve element from another side toward the one side in the one direction. In response to movement of the valve element, the valve element changes a subspace to be communicated with the third space through the first communication passage among the plurality of subspaces and also changes another subspace to be communicated with the second space through the second communication passage among the plurality of subspaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: Naito MUTO, Naoya MAKIMOTO, Yasuhiro YOKOO, Yoshiki KATO, Takuya HAMADA, Akira HIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20240424857
    Abstract: A combined heat exchanger exchanges heat between a refrigerant circulating through a vapor compression type refrigeration cycle, a first heat medium flowing through a first heat medium circuit including a first heat generating element, and a second heat medium flowing through a second heat medium circuit including a second heat generating element. The combined heat exchanger includes a refrigerant flow channel portion through which the refrigerant flows, a first heat medium flow channel portion through which the first heat medium flows, and a second heat medium flow channel portion through which the second heat medium flows. The refrigerant flow channel portion, the first heat medium flow channel portion, and the second heat medium flow channel portion are arranged to transfer heat of the refrigerant to both the first heat medium and the second heat medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Yoshio HAYASHI, Yoshiki KATO, Yukihisa IJUIN, Hiroaki KAWANO, Yasuhiro YOKOO, Junki HIRAYAMA, Naito MUTO, Kohei NOGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20240424864
    Abstract: A first refrigeration cycle includes a first compressor, a first radiator, an air-conditioning expansion valve, an air-conditioning evaporator, a first expansion valve, and a first evaporator. In the first refrigeration cycle, a first refrigerant evaporates in at least one of the air-conditioning evaporator or the first evaporator. A second refrigeration cycle includes a second compressor, a second radiator, a second expansion valve, and a second evaporator. A heat transfer portion switches a heat radiation destination from the first radiator to a second refrigerant in the second evaporator or outside air. In the air-conditioning evaporator, the first refrigerant absorbs heat from ventilation air blown into a space to be air conditioned as the first refrigerant evaporates. In the first evaporator, the first refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air as the first refrigerant evaporates. In the second radiator, the second radiator radiates heat from the second refrigerant to the ventilation air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Yukihisa IJUIN, Toru Okamura, Naoya Makimoto, Yoshio Hayashi, Yoshiki Kato, Hiroaki Kawano, Yasuhiro Yokoo, Junki Hirayama, Naito Muto, Kohei Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20240010045
    Abstract: In an air conditioner, a heat medium circuit includes: a first branch part, a first merging part, a second branch part, and a second merging part. A first flow rate adjusting unit is disposed in the heat medium circuit between the first branch part and an outside-air heat exchanger or between the outside-air heat exchanger and the first merging part, and a second flow rate adjusting unit is disposed in the heat medium circuit between the first branch part and the first heater core or between the first heater core and the first merging part. At least one of the first flow rate adjusting unit or the second flow rate adjusting unit is configured to optionally adjust the flow rate of the heat medium, and a controller controls the at least one of the first flow rate adjusting unit or the second flow rate adjusting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Naito MUTO, Yoshiki KATOH, Hiroaki KAWANO, Yukihisa IJUIN, Yoshinori ICHISHI, Yoshio HAYASHI, Junki HIRAYAMA, Yasuhiro YOKOO
  • Publication number: 20230019047
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle device includes: a switching valve configured to switch between a battery mode in which refrigerant flows to a battery heat exchanger and a non-battery mode in which the refrigerant bypasses the battery heat exchanger; and a controller controlling a compressor and the switching valve. The controller includes an estimation unit configured to estimate an oil stagnation amount, which is an amount of lubricating oil accumulated in the battery heat exchanger in accordance with execution of the non-battery mode. The controller includes a determination unit configured to determine whether lubricating oil in the battery heat exchanger needs to be recovered on the basis of the oil stagnation amount. The controller includes an execution unit configured to execute an oil recovery mode for recovery of lubricating oil in the battery heat exchanger when the determination unit determines that lubricating oil needs to be recovered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Tatsurou KYUTO, Yasuhiro YOKOO, Yoshinori YANAGIMACHI
  • Patent number: 10137758
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner includes a heat pump cycle and a refrigerant-circuit controller. The heat pump cycle includes an inside heat exchanger and a refrigerant-circuit switching device. The inside heat exchanger performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and a blown air that is to be blown into a vehicle compartment. The refrigerant-circuit switching device switches between a refrigerant circuit of a cooling mode and a refrigerant circuit of a non-cooling mode. The refrigerant-circuit controller selects the cooling mode or the non-cooling mode based on an air-conditioning load, the refrigerant-circuit controller controlling an operation of the refrigerant-circuit switching device. Upon selecting the non-cooling mode, the refrigerant-circuit controller starts performing a cooling-mode unallowable control in which the refrigerant circuit of the cooling mode is prohibited from being selected regardless of the air-conditioning load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yokoo, Terukazu Higuchi, Yoshinori Yanagimachi
  • Patent number: 10131197
    Abstract: When a battery control unit allows use of the electric compressor, an air conditioning control unit performs air-conditioning of a cabin in such a manner that the air conditioning control unit controls the electric compressor to be operated. When the battery control unit prevents use of the electric compressor, the air conditioning control unit controls the electric compressor to be stopped. In addition, the air conditioning control unit heats a windshield in such a manner that the air conditioning control unit controls a window heater to be operated. Accordingly, even when the electric compressor is stopped, fogging of the windshield is suppressed. The air conditioning control unit does not give an excessive feeling of discomfort or unease to a user, because the air conditioning control unit continuously performs a normal air-conditioning control. Fogging of the windshield can be suppressed in a state where power consumption relative to a battery is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Terukazu Higuchi, Yoshinori Yanagimachi, Yasuhiro Yokoo
  • Patent number: 9719707
    Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle includes a cycle switching device. The cycle switching device switches a refrigerant cycle between a heating circuit, in which refrigerant flows through a heating heat exchanger, and a cooling circuit, in which refrigerant flows through a cooling heat exchanger. The air conditioner further includes an air conditioning controller, which controls the cycle switching device and includes a defroster control portion. The defroster control portion increases a temperature of air blown into the vehicle compartment through a defroster air outlet by a predetermined degree while keeping the refrigerant cycle at a state of the heating circuit for a predetermined time, when a defrosting operation is commanded to be performed during the heating circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yokoo, Terukazu Higuchi, Yoshinori Yanagimachi, Akira Umehara
  • Publication number: 20150246594
    Abstract: When a detection temperature detected by a refrigerant temperature sensor-is lower than a threshold value, it is determined to be YES at a frosting determining section as an exterior heat exchanger is frosted, an electric control unit reduces an air volume to be blown by an electric blower at an air-volume controlling section. Accordingly, an air volume blown from openings through the heating heat exchanger is reduced. In the result, an air volume passing through the heating heat exchanger can be reduced in a state where the heating heat exchanger heats an inside air using high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant when the exterior heat exchanger is frosted. Accordingly, a temperature of air after passing through the heating heat exchanger can be prevented from decreasing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2013
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Endoh, Yasuhiro Yokoo, Terukazu Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20150239322
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner includes: a heat pump cycle including an inside heat exchanger performing heat exchange between a refrigerant and a blown air that is to be blown into a vehicle compartment, and a refrigerant-circuit switching device that switches between a refrigerant circuit of a cooling mode in which the blown air is cooled in the inside heat exchanger and a refrigerant circuit of a non-cooling mode in which the blown air is not cooled in the inside heat exchanger; and a refrigerant-circuit controller that controls an operation of the refrigerant-circuit switching device. The refrigerant-circuit controller performs a cooling-mode unallowable control in which the refrigerant circuit of the cooling mode is prohibited from being selected after the non-cooling mode is selected during a predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yokoo, Terukazu Higuchi, Yoshinori Yanagimachi
  • Publication number: 20150183291
    Abstract: When a battery control unit allows use of the electric compressor, an air conditioning control unit performs air-conditioning of a cabin in such a manner that the air conditioning control unit controls the electric compressor to be operated. When the battery control unit prevents use of the electric compressor, the air conditioning control unit controls the electric compressor to be stopped. In addition, the air conditioning control unit heats a windshield in such a manner that the air conditioning control unit controls a window heater to be operated. Accordingly, even when the electric compressor is stopped, fogging of the windshield is suppressed. The air conditioning control unit does not give an excessive feeling of discomfort or unease to a user, because the air conditioning control unit continuously performs a normal air-conditioning control. Fogging of the windshield can be suppressed in a state where power consumption relative to a battery is suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Terukazu Higuchi, Yoshinori Yanagimachi, Yasuhiro Yokoo
  • Publication number: 20150122472
    Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning device includes a blower which blows air to a vehicle cabin through blowout openings, a refrigeration circuit through which refrigerant is circulated by an electric compressor, an interior heat exchanger disposed in the refrigeration circuit and exchanging heat between the refrigerant and a blown air, which is air that is blown by the blower, an interior/exterior air adjustment device adjusting a ratio of interior air and exterior air contained in the blown air, and a first blowing control portion controlling the electric compressor to stop, controlling the blower to operate, and controlling the interior/exterior air adjustment device such that air that is blown into the vehicle cabin includes at least exterior air, when a temperature difference between a target temperature Tao of air that is blown through the blowout opening and an exterior air temperature Tam is less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Terukazu Higuchi, Yoshinori Yanagimachi, Yasuhiro Yokoo
  • Publication number: 20130055746
    Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle includes a cycle switching device. The cycle switching device switches a refrigerant cycle between a heating circuit, in which refrigerant flows through a heating heat exchanger, and a cooling circuit, in which refrigerant flows through a cooling heat exchanger. The air conditioner further includes an air conditioning controller, which controls the cycle switching device and includes a defroster control portion. The defroster control portion increases a temperature of air blown into the vehicle compartment through a defroster air outlet by a predetermined degree while keeping the refrigerant cycle at a state of the heating circuit for a predetermined time, when a defrosting operation is commanded to be performed during the heating circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yokoo, Terukazu Higuchi, Yoshinori Yanagimachi, Akira Umehara
  • Publication number: 20120227428
    Abstract: An air-conditioner includes a heat pump cycle having an outdoor heat exchanger; a frost state calculator that calculates a degree of frost formed in the outdoor heat exchanger; an output portion that outputs an information of the frost; and a controller that instructs a defrosting operation for melting the frost by controlling the heat pump cycle. The controller controls the output portion to output the degree of frost when the defrosting operation is not performed, and controls the output portion to output a defrosting information representing that the defrosting operation is being performed when the defrosting operation is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yokoo, Terukazu Higuchi, Akira Umehara, Yoshinori Yanagimachi