Patents by Inventor Yoshikazu Higashi

Yoshikazu Higashi 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: 11958385
    Abstract: A seat includes a seat body and a sensor configured to acquired information on an occupant seated on the seat body. The seat includes a coating as a location marker that marks a location of the sensor to render the location visually recognizable from outside the seat body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kaku, Ryuichiro Hirose, Hiroyuki Numajiri, Satoshi Fujita, Takako Miyoshi, Munetaka Kowa, Atsushi Kusano, Yoshikazu Ito, Yousuke Higashi, Satoshi Suzuki, Ryosuke Sato, Kento Uetake, Yasuharu Otsuka, Satoru Kaneda
  • Patent number: 11932147
    Abstract: Disclosed is a seat including: sensors which includes a first cushion sensor provided at a seat cushion in a position corresponding to buttocks of an occupant, a second cushion sensor provided at the seat cushion and located farther frontward than the first cushion sensor, a first back sensor provided at a seat back and located in a lower position thereof, and a second back sensor provided at the seat back and located above the first back sensor; and a controller connected to the sensors and thereby allowed to acquire pressure values from the respective sensors. The controller is configured to identify the motion of the occupant based on outputs of at least two sensors of the first cushion sensor, the second cushion sensor, the first back sensor, and the second back sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kaku, Atsushi Kusano, Hiroyuki Numajiri, Satoshi Fujita, Takako Miyoshi, Munetaka Kowa, Ryuichiro Hirose, Yoshikazu Ito, Yosuke Higashi, Satoshi Suzuki, Ryosuke Sato, Kento Uetake, Yasuharu Otsuka, Satoru Kaneda
  • Patent number: 10022797
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object wherein the warping of the base plate is suitably addressed. The method of the present invention comprises: (i) forming a solidified layer by irradiating a predetermined portion of a powder layer on a base plate with a light beam, thereby allowing sintering of the powder of the predetermined portion or melting and subsequent solidification thereof; and (ii) forming another solidified layer by newly forming a powder layer on the resulting solidified layer, and then irradiating another predetermined portion of the new powder layer with the light beam, the steps (i) and (ii) being repeatedly performed; wherein, prior to or upon the manufacturing of the three-dimensional shaped object, the base plate is subjected to a heat treatment, thereby causing the base plate to be warped, and at least a lower surface of the warped base plate is subjected to a flattening process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Abe, Norio Yoshida, Isao Fuwa, Yoshikazu Higashi, Masataka Takenami, Isamu Matumoto
  • Patent number: 10000021
    Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object. The method of the present invention comprises the repeated steps of: (i) forming a solidified layer by irradiating a predetermined portion of a powder layer with a light beam, thereby allowing a sintering of the powder in the predetermined portion or a melting and subsequent solidification thereof; and (ii) forming another solidified layer by newly forming a powder layer on the resulting solidified layer, followed by the irradiation of a predetermined portion of the powder layer with the light beam; wherein only the surface portion of the solidified layer, to which a force is applied when the three-dimensional shaped object is used, is subjected to a machining process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Abe, Yoshikazu Higashi, Isao Fuwa, Masataka Takenami
  • Patent number: 9724758
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a laminated object, includes a powder layer forming unit for forming a powder layer of a powdery material, a material supply unit for feeding the powdery material to the powder layer forming unit; and a solidified layer forming unit for forming a solidified layer by irradiating a light beam on a specified portion of the powder layer and sintering or melting the specified portion of the powder layer. The apparatus is configured to produce an integrally laminated three-dimensional object by repeating formation of the powder layer and formation of the solidified layer. The material supply unit includes a cartridge unit charged with the powdery material, the cartridge unit being configured to allow the powdery material to drop downwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Abe, Yoshikazu Higashi, Isao Fuwa, Masataka Takenami, Norio Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9687911
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a three-dimensional shaped object is capable of suitably forming a solidified layer by subsequent formation of a powder layer. The manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention is performed by repetition of a powder-layer forming and a solidified-layer forming, the repetition including forming a solidified layer by irradiating a predetermined portion of a powder layer with a light beam, thereby allowing a sintering of the powder in the predetermined portion or a melting and subsequent solidification thereof; and forming another solidified layer by newly forming a powder layer on the resulting solidified layer, followed by the irradiation of a predetermined portion of the powder layer with the light beam, wherein a light-beam condition for an irradiation path with an unirradiated portion on both adjacent sides thereof is different from that for another irradiation path with an irradiated portion at an adjacent region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Abe, Norio Yoshida, Yoshikazu Higashi
  • Patent number: 9592554
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object, comprising: (i) forming a powder layer on a base plate by a sliding movement of a squeegee blade, followed by forming a solidified layer by irradiating a predetermined portion of the powder layer with a light beam, thereby allowing sintering of the powder of the predetermined portion or melting and subsequent solidification thereof; and (ii) forming another solidified layer by newly forming a powder layer on the resulting solidified layer, and then irradiating another predetermined portion of the new powder layer with the light beam, steps (i) and (ii) being repeatedly performed, wherein machining is performed at least once on an outer surface of a shaped object precursor obtained during manufacturing, and after machining, at least one solidified layer is formed, and followed by upper face machining to remove a raised solidified portion generated at a peripheral edge of the solidified layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Abe, Isamu Matsumoto, Masataka Takenami, Isao Fuwa, Yoshikazu Higashi, Yoshiyuki Uchinono, Norio Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20150321256
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a laminated object, includes a powder layer forming unit for forming a powder layer of a powdery material, a material supply unit for feeding the powdery material to the powder layer forming unit; and a solidified layer forming unit for forming a solidified layer by irradiating a light beam on a specified portion of the powder layer and sintering or melting the specified portion of the powder layer. The apparatus is configured to produce an integrally laminated three-dimensional object by repeating formation of the powder layer and formation of the solidified layer. The material supply unit includes a cartridge unit charged with the powdery material, the cartridge unit being configured to allow the powdery material to drop downwards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Satoshi ABE, Yoshikazu HIGASHI, Isao FUWA, Masataka TAKENAMI, Norio YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 9156056
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a laminated object, includes a powder layer forming unit for forming a powder layer of a powdery material, a material supply unit for feeding the powdery material to the powder layer forming unit; and a solidified layer forming unit for forming a solidified layer by irradiating a light beam on a specified portion of the powder layer and sintering or melting the specified portion of the powder layer. The apparatus is configured to produce an integrally laminated three-dimensional object by repeating formation of the powder layer and formation of the solidified layer. The material supply unit includes a cartridge unit charged with the powdery material, the cartridge unit being configured to allow the powdery material to drop downwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Abe, Yoshikazu Higashi, Isao Fuwa, Masataka Takenami, Norio Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9073264
    Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of: (i) forming a solidified layer by irradiating a predetermined portion of a powder layer with a light beam, thereby allowing sintering of the powder of the predetermined portion or melting and subsequent solidification thereof; and (ii) forming another solidified layer by newly forming a powder layer on the resulting solidified layer, and then irradiating another predetermined portion of the new powder layer with the light beam, the steps (i) and (ii) being repeatedly performed in a chamber; wherein a localized gas flow is provided in the chamber, and at least a part of a fume generated by the irradiation of the light beam is entrained by the localized gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Abe, Norio Yoshida, Isao Fuwa, Yoshikazu Higashi
  • Patent number: 9005513
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to easily eliminate fumes inside a chamber, so as to improve a positional accuracy of irradiation with a light beam and a machining accuracy in a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object. A stacked-layers forming device 1 includes a powder layer forming unit 3, a light beam irradiating unit 4, a base 22 which is fixed and on which a powder layer 32 is formed, a lifting/lowering frame 34 which surrounds the circumference of the base 22 and is freely capable of being lifted and lowered, a cover frame 36 which has a window 36a allowing transmission of light beam in its top surface, and whose bottom surface is opened, and which is disposed on the lifting/lowering frame 34 to form a chamber C, and a gas tank 71 for supplying an ambient gas. The lifting/lowering frame 34 is lowered to reduce the volume of the chamber C, so as to discharge fumes generated inside the cover frame 36, which performs replacement with the ambient gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Abe, Norio Yoshida, Yoshikazu Higashi, Isao Fuwa
  • Publication number: 20150017055
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a three-dimensional shaped object is capable of suitably forming a solidified layer by subsequent formation of a powder layer. The manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention is performed by repetition of a powder-layer forming and a solidified-layer forming, the repetition including forming a solidified layer by irradiating a predetermined portion of a powder layer with a light beam, thereby allowing a sintering of the powder in the predetermined portion or a melting and subsequent solidification thereof; and forming another solidified layer by newly forming a powder layer on the resulting solidified layer, followed by the irradiation of a predetermined portion of the powder layer with the light beam, wherein a light-beam condition for an irradiation path with an unirradiated portion on both adjacent sides thereof is different from that for another irradiation path with an irradiated portion at an adjacent region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Abe, Norio Yoshida, Yoshikazu Higashi
  • Publication number: 20140147328
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object, comprising: (i) forming a powder layer on a base plate by a sliding movement of a squeegee blade, followed by forming a solidified layer by irradiating a predetermined portion of the powder layer with a light beam, thereby allowing sintering of the powder of the predetermined portion or melting and subsequent solidification thereof; and (ii) forming another solidified layer by newly forming a powder layer on the resulting solidified layer, and then irradiating another predetermined portion of the new powder layer with the light beam, steps (i) and (ii) being repeatedly performed, wherein machining is performed at least once on an outer surface of a shaped object precursor obtained during manufacturing, and after machining, at least one solidified layer is formed, and followed by upper face machining to remove a raised solidified portion generated at a peripheral edge of the solidified layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Abe, Isamu Matsumoto, Masataka Takenami, Isao Fuwa, Yoshikazu Higashi, Yoshiyuki Uchinono, Norio Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8738166
    Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object. The method of the present invention comprises the repeated steps of: (i) forming a solidified layer by irradiating a predetermined portion of a powder layer on a base plate with a light beam, thereby allowing a sintering of the powder in the predetermined portion or a melting and subsequent solidification thereof; and (ii) forming another solidified layer by newly forming a powder layer on the resulting solidified layer, followed by the irradiation of a predetermined portion of the powder layer with the light beam; wherein the solidified layers are formed such that they have a high-density portion whose solidified density is 95 to 100% and a low-density portion whose solidified density is 0 to 95% (excluding 95%); and wherein the high-density portion is a portion of the three-dimensional shaped object, to which the force is applied when the three-dimensional shaped object is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Abe, Masataka Takenami, Isao Fuwa, Yoshikazu Higashi, Norio Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8562897
    Abstract: An apparatus for making a three-dimensional object includes a table, a powdery layer-former that forms a powdery layer on the table, and an optical beam-irradiator that irradiates an optical beam on a predetermined region of the powdery layer to sinter the predetermined region of the powdery layer. A chamber for accommodating the table and the powdery layer-former and a lid for opening and closing an opening defined in the chamber at a location immediately above an optical beam-irradiating range are provided. The three-dimensional object is taken out from the chamber through the opening upon completion of the sintering, and the optical beam-irradiator is disposed at a position deviated from immediately above the optical beam-irradiating range to obliquely irradiate the optical beam on the powdery layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Abe, Isao Fuwa, Norio Yoshida, Yoshikazu Higashi, Hirohiko Togeyama, Masataka Takenami, Takashi Shimizu, Shushi Uenaga
  • Patent number: 8550802
    Abstract: There is provided a stacked-layers forming device including a powder layer-forming part for forming a powder layer, an optical device for forming a solidified layer by irradiating a predetermined portion of the powder layer with a light beam and a powder replenishing means for supplying the powder material to above a base on which the powder layer and the solidified layer are stacked or onto an upper surface of a base frame which surrounds the base. The powder replenishing means includes an approximately cylindrical member in which the powder material is charged and a screw member which is installed within the approximately cylindrical member wherein a rotation of the screw member conveys the powder material in the approximately cylindrical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Fuwa, Norio Yoshida, Yoshikazu Higashi, Satoshi Abe, Masataka Takenami
  • Publication number: 20120308781
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object wherein the warping of the base plate is suitably addressed. The method of the present invention comprises: (i) forming a solidified layer by irradiating a predetermined portion of a powder layer on a base plate with a light beam, thereby allowing sintering of the powder of the predetermined portion or melting and subsequent solidification thereof; and (ii) forming another solidified layer by newly forming a powder layer on the resulting solidified layer, and then irradiating another predetermined portion of the new powder layer with the light beam, the steps (i) and (ii) being repeatedly performed; wherein, prior to or upon the manufacturing of the three-dimensional shaped object, the base plate is subjected to a heat treatment, thereby causing the base plate to be warped, and at least a lower surface of the warped base plate is subjected to a flattening process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Abe, Norio Yoshida, Isao Fuwa, Yoshikazu Higashi, Masataka Takenami, Isamu Matumoto
  • Patent number: 8282377
    Abstract: In a method for producing a three-dimensionally shaped object, (i) a solidified layer is formed by irradiating a light beam on a specified portion of a powder layer to sinter or melt the specified portion. Further, (ii) another solidified layer is formed by placing a new powder layer on the solidified layer obtained in step (i), and irradiating the light beam on a specified portion of the new powder layer to sinter or melt the specified portion of the new powder layer. The steps (i) and (ii) are repeated to produce a three-dimensionally shaped object. In the method, a gas is supplied to a mirror used in scanning the light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Higashi, Satoshi Abe, Norio Yoshida, Masataka Takenami
  • Publication number: 20120251378
    Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of: (i) forming a solidified layer by irradiating a predetermined portion of a powder layer with a light beam, thereby allowing sintering of the powder of the predetermined portion or melting and subsequent solidification thereof; and (ii) forming another solidified layer by newly forming a powder layer on the resulting solidified layer, and then irradiating another predetermined portion of the new powder layer with the light beam, the steps (i) and (ii) being repeatedly performed in a chamber; wherein a localized gas flow is provided in the chamber, and at least a part of a fume generated by the irradiation of the light beam is entrained by the localized gas flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Abe, Norio Yoshida, Isao Fuwa, Yoshikazu Higashi
  • Patent number: 8272865
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mold for resin injection molding that can realize rapid heating or cooling. A resin injection molding mold includes a cavity mold and a core mold and is produced on a base plate by metal photofabrication. The cavity mold is provided with a cavity warm water circuit for allowing warm water for heating to flow and a cavity cold water circuit for allowing cold water for cooling to flow. The core mold is also provided with a core warm water circuit and a core cold water circuit. The core mold includes an air blowing passage for feeding warm air or cold air into a resin molding part and a suction passage (36) for sucking a gas within the resin molding part. The resin molding part side of the air blowing passage and the suction passage is formed of a low-density shaping part that has a low metallic powder sintered density and is permeable to gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Higashi, Satoshi Abe, Isao Fuwa, Masataka Takenami, Norio Yoshida