Patents by Inventor Yoshimasa Asano

Yoshimasa Asano 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).

  • Publication number: 20140005896
    Abstract: A grille shutter control device is provided with a control section configured so as to open and close a shutter adapted to be provided in an air introduction path for introducing air ahead of the vehicle into an engine compartment. The grille shutter control device drives and controls first and second drive units. The grille shutter control device is provided with: an abnormality detecting section configured to detect an abnormality in the operation of the shutter on the basis of the condition of the shutter after the start of operation thereof; and an informing section for informing, on the basis of an abnormality in the operation detected by the abnormality detection section, the user of the abnormality in the operation of the shutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi Hirota, Yoshimasa Asano, Hitoshi Takayanagi, Masayuki Nomura, Tatsuya Shimizu, Hironori Kanasaki
  • Publication number: 20140005897
    Abstract: An open/close actuating mechanism control device for a vehicle includes: an actuating mechanism (24, 30) that is exposed to outside air and that opens or closes on the basis of whether a predetermined condition is satisfied; an open/close failure determining unit (32) that determines whether an open/close failure of the actuating mechanism (24, 30), in which the actuating mechanism (24, 30) fails to open or close, has occurred; an outside air temperature detecting unit (36, 32) that detects an outside air temperature; and a determination timing changing unit (32) that changes timing, at which the open/close failure determining unit (32) determines that the open/close failure of the actuating mechanism (24, 30) has occurred, on the basis of the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detecting unit (36, 32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicants: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shunsuke Hayakawa, Toshiro Maeda, Hitoshi Takayanagi, Yoshimasa Asano, Takashi Kawato, Morio Sakai
  • Publication number: 20130248266
    Abstract: Provided is a grill shutter device including a shutter mechanism controlling a flow rate of air flowing into a vehicle body from the grill opening portion of the vehicle body front portion by an opening and closing operation; a frame configured to support the shutter mechanism within the grill opening portion; an actuator that is held in the frame and performs the opening and dosing driving of the shutter mechanism; and a holding structure capable of relatively moving the actuator to the front side of the frame, based on the collision load at the time of the vehicle collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshimasa ASANO, Kenji Maeta, Kenji Hori, Takashi Saito, Yuji Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20130252531
    Abstract: Provided is a grill shutter device that has movable fins rotating around a rotation shaft, and is able to control a flow rate of air flowing into a vehicle body from a grill opening portion, based on opening and closing operation of a shutter mechanism provided in the grill opening portion of a front portion of the vehicle body, in which fin lengths of two directions with a rotation center of the movable fin interposed therebetween are set to unequal lengths so that moment of an opening direction is generated in the movable fin based on the pressure of the air flowing-in from the grill opening portion, and when the movable fin rotates in a closing direction, a wall surface forming a flow path of the air between the wall surface and a leading end is located in a direction that the leading end of the movable fin moves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshimasa ASANO, Kenji Maeta, Kenji Hori, Takashi Saito, Yuji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8258413
    Abstract: A load detection device for a vehicle seat mounted between a floor side mounting mechanism and a seat side mounting mechanism and measuring a load applied by an occupant seated on the vehicle seat, includes a shaft member adapted to be fixed to one of the floor side mounting mechanism and the seat side mounting mechanism, a strain generating member fixed to the shaft member and including a hole into which the shaft member is press-fitted, a strain gauge attached to the strain generating member, the shaft member of which surface hardness is specified to be lower than a surface hardness of the hole and including a scraping projecting portion scraped off by means of the hole in a case where the shaft member is press-fitted to the hole, and an inter space formed between the strain generating member and the shaft member and positioned next to the scraping projecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Ito, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Yoshimasa Asano, Hiroyuki Fujii, Naoka Kawajiri, Takeshi Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 8215189
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle, includes a seat-side fixing member, a slide rail, a load detecting device disposed between the seat-side fixing member and the slide rail and arranged at an end portion of the slide rail on a rear side of the vehicle, and a bracket arranged at an end portion of the slide rail on a front side of the vehicle, the bracket supporting the seat-side fixing member. The bracket includes a lower attachment portion attached to the slide rail, a supporting portion extending from the lower attachment portion toward an upper side of the vehicle, and an upper attachment portion connected to the supporting portion so as to extend from the supporting portion toward the rear side of the vehicle, thereby being cantilever-supported by the supporting portion, and attached to the seat-side fixing member at a free-end side of the upper attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Maeta, Koji Ito, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Hiroyuki Fujii, Yoshimasa Asano, Naoka Kawajiri, Takeshi Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 8212157
    Abstract: A load detection device for a vehicle seat mounted between a floor side mounting mechanism made of metal and a seat side mounting mechanism made of metal and measuring a load applied by an occupant seated on the vehicle seat includes a strain generating body adapted to be fixed via both end portions to a fitting surface formed at one of the floor side mounting mechanism and the seat side mounting mechanism while having a predetermined clearance from the fitting surface, a strain gauge attached to the strain generating body, a bracket made of metal and including an attachment portion that extends laterally relative to the strain generating body, and an amplifier substrate mounted on the attachment portion while being arranged in parallel to the strain generating body, both surfaces of the amplifier substrate being covered by one of or more of the bracket, the floor side mounting mechanism and the seat side mounting mechanism, the amplifier substrate amplifying a signal output from the strain gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Ito, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Hiroyuki Fujii, Yoshimasa Asano, Naoka Kawajiri, Takeshi Kuwabara, Hajime Shiohara
  • Publication number: 20110232981
    Abstract: A movable grille shutter for a vehicle includes a first fin adapted to be provided at a grille opening portion through which ambient air is taken in, a second fin adapted to be provided at the grille opening portion and be arranged so as to be parallel to the first fin, and an actuating device for actuating the first fin and the second fin so as to open or close the grille opening portion. The actuating device includes a first output shaft arranged on a rotational axis of the first fin, a second output shaft arranged on a rotational axis of the second fin so as to rotate in a direction opposite to a rotation of the first output shaft, a driving source for applying a driving force to the first output shaft and the second output shaft and an actuating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Kenji Hori, Yoshimasa Asano, Masumi Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20110226541
    Abstract: A movable grille shutter for a vehicle includes a fin adapted to be provided at a grille opening portion and being operated so as to freely open or close the grille opening portion through which ambient air is taken in, a drive source for driving the fin, a driving force transmitting mechanism for transmitting a driving force from the drive source to the fin and a flexible member being linked to the driving force transmitting mechanism and being deformed for operating the fin to open the grille opening portion in a case where a load that is equal to or more than a predetermined value is acted thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Kenji Hori, Hiroshi Watanabe, Yoshimasa Asano, Masumi Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 7823459
    Abstract: A load detection device includes a strain generating body having first and second holes at first and second ends of the strain generating body, a strain gauge attached on the strain generating body, first and second fixing members having first and second middle shaft portion press-fitted into the first and second holes, respectively, and having first and second end shaft portions protruding from the first and second middle shaft portions, respectively, a bracket member having first fixing portion including a first fixing hole into which the first end shaft portion is press-fitted, and a second fixing portion, integrally connected to the first fixing portion and including a second fixing hole into which the second end shaft portion is inserted with a clearance therebetween, a press-fit fixing member press-fitted onto the second end shaft portion, and a connecting shaft integrally connected to the strain generating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Ito, Hideki Kawabata, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Hiroyuki Fujii, Yoshimasa Asano, Naoka Kawajiri
  • Publication number: 20100133017
    Abstract: A load detection device for a vehicle seat mounted between a floor side mounting mechanism made of metal and a seat side mounting mechanism made of metal and measuring a load applied by an occupant seated on the vehicle seat includes a strain generating body adapted to be fixed via both end portions to a fitting surface formed at one of the floor side mounting mechanism and the seat side mounting mechanism while having a predetermined clearance from the fitting surface, a strain gauge attached to the strain generating body, a bracket made of metal and including an attachment portion that extends laterally relative to the strain generating body, and an amplifier substrate mounted on the attachment portion while being arranged in parallel to the strain generating body, both surfaces of the amplifier substrate being covered by one of or more of the bracket, the floor side mounting mechanism and the seat side mounting mechanism, the amplifier substrate amplifying a signal output from the strain gauge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji ITO, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Hiroyuki Fujii, Yoshimasa Asano, Naoka Kawajiri, Takeshi Kuwabara, Hajime Shiohara
  • Publication number: 20100127552
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle, includes a seat-side fixing member, a slide rail, a load detecting device disposed between the seat-side fixing member and the slide rail and arranged at an end portion of the slide rail on a rear side of the vehicle, and a bracket arranged at an end portion of the slide rail on a front side of the vehicle, the bracket supporting the seat-side fixing member. The bracket includes a lower attachment portion attached to the slide rail, a supporting portion extending from the lower attachment portion toward an upper side of the vehicle, and an upper attachment portion connected to the supporting portion so as to extend from the supporting portion toward the rear side of the vehicle, thereby being cantilever-supported by the supporting portion, and attached to the seat-side fixing member at a free-end side of the upper attachment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji MAETA, Koji Ito, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Hiroyuki Fujii, Yoshimasa Asano, Naoka Kawajiri, Takeshi Kuwabara
  • Publication number: 20100122854
    Abstract: A load detection device for a vehicle seat mounted between a floor side mounting mechanism and a seat side mounting mechanism and measuring a load applied by an occupant seated on the vehicle seat, includes a shaft member adapted to be fixed to one of the floor side mounting mechanism and the seat side mounting mechanism, a strain generating member fixed to the shaft member and including a hole into which the shaft member is press-fitted, a strain gauge attached to the strain generating member, the shaft member of which surface hardness is specified to be lower than a surface hardness of the hole and including a scraping projecting portion scraped off by means of the hole in a case where the shaft member is press-fitted to the hole, and an inter space formed between the strain generating member and the shaft member and positioned next to the scraping projecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji ITO, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Yoshimasa Asano, Hiroyuki Fujii, Naoka Kawajiri, Takeshi Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 7712374
    Abstract: A load detecting apparatus includes a strain member, a supporting member, a load input member and a strain detecting element. The supporting member is employed for supporting the strain member at a supporting portion thereof. The load input member is supported by the strain member and strains the strain member when an external load is applied thereon. The strain detecting element is provided at at least a surface of the strain member for detecting the strain generated by the load input member. Further, an outer end of the supporting portion located outwardly relative to the load input member is fixed to the strain member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kawabata, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Yoshimasa Asano, Hiroyuki Fujii, Naoka Kawajiri
  • Publication number: 20090126500
    Abstract: A load detection device includes a strain generating body having first and second holes at first and second ends of the strain generating body, a strain gauge attached on the strain generating body, first and second fixing members having first and second middle shaft portion press-fitted into the first and second holes, respectively, and having first and second end shaft portions protruding from the first and second middle shaft portions, respectively, a bracket member having first fixing portion including a first fixing hole into which the first end shaft portion is press-fitted, and a second fixing portion, integrally connected to the first fixing portion and including a second fixing hole into which the second end shaft portion is inserted with a clearance therebetween, a press-fit fixing member press-fitted onto the second end shaft portion, and a connecting shaft integrally connected to the strain generating body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji ITO, Hideki Kawabata, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Hiroyuki Fujii, Yoshimasa Asano, Naoka Kawajiri
  • Publication number: 20090064792
    Abstract: A load detecting apparatus includes a strain member, a supporting member, a load input member and a strain detecting element. The supporting member is employed for supporting the strain member at a supporting portion thereof The load input member is supported by the strain member and strains the strain member when an external load is applied thereon. The strain detecting element is provided at at least a surface of the strain member for detecting the strain generated by the load input member. Further, an outer end of the supporting portion located outwardly relative to the load input member is fixed to the strain member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki Kawabata, Muneto Inayoshi, Kan Ichihara, Yoshimasa Asano, Hiroyuki Fujii, Naoka Kawajiri