Patents by Inventor Yuzuru KAWANA
Yuzuru KAWANA 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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Publication number: 20240118147Abstract: A detection device provided in an interior of a vehicle door handle including an inner casing includes a base portion, a displaceable member, and a sensor. The base portion has a longitudinal shape extending along a longitudinal direction of the door handle, is disposed fixedly to the inner casing, and is configured to deform in response to a pressure applied to the inner casing. The displaceable member has a longitudinal shape extending along the longitudinal direction of the door handle and is provided to face the base portion. Either or both of one end portion and the other end portion of the displaceable member are connected to the base portion. The displaceable member includes a displaceable portion configured to be displaced relatively to the base portion in accordance with deformation of the base portion. The sensor is configured to detect displacement of the displaceable portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Wataru SATO, Yuzuru KAWANA, Kazuhito OSHITA
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Patent number: 11851919Abstract: A door handle includes a door handle case and an electrostatic sensor provided in the door handle case. The electrostatic sensor includes a detection electrode that is formed of a flat conductor plate, or that is formed on a surface of a flat substrate or within a flat substrate. The detection electrode includes a middle portion in a longitudinal direction of the detection electrode and includes peripheral portions proximal to both end portions of the detection electrode in the longitudinal direction. For a width of the detection electrode in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, each peripheral portion is wider than the middle portion, and the width of the detection electrode gradually increases toward each end portion in the longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2020Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshiki Nakamura, Takashi Sasaki, Yoshiyuki Kikuchi, Yuzuru Kawana, Heishiro Fudo, Yukimitsu Yamada, Hiroshi Shigetaka
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Publication number: 20230409155Abstract: Operation input device with few gesture operation erroneous detections is provided. Operation input device includes substrate; plurality of detecting electrodes provided on substrate surface; detecting unit detecting capacitance occurring between each detecting electrode and operating body upon operating body being brought close to substrate; and determining unit determining whether gesture operation by operating body has been performed. Detecting electrodes include first and second electrodes of which capacitance values decrease/increase to match amount of movement of operating body when operating body is moved in longer direction. Upon sensing of operation of moving operating body after being stopped relative to detecting electrodes, or operation of stopping operating body after being moved relative to detecting electrodes, gesture operation by operating body is determined to have been performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Satoru TAKIZAWA, Takeshi MASAKI, Takashi SASAKI, Kazuhito OSHITA, Yuzuru KAWANA
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Patent number: 11773629Abstract: An operation detection device includes an electrostatic sensor accommodated inside a casing and including a first conductor and a second conductor, and a controller electrically connected to the first conductor and the second conductor, and applies a voltage to each of the first conductor and the second conductor, to measure an electrostatic capacitance of each of the first conductor and the second conductor. The first conductor is arranged in and the second conductor is not arranged in a detection region in which an operating body is detected by the electrostatic sensor. The first conductor and the second conductor are arranged in a non-detection region in which the operating body is not detected.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshiki Nakamura, Daisuke Takai, Takashi Sasaki, Yuzuru Kawana, Yoshiyuki Kikuchi, Heishiro Fudo
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Publication number: 20230079515Abstract: A door handle apparatus to be attached to a door of a vehicle is provided. The door handle apparatus includes a case, a strain body, and an elastic mechanism. The case includes an outer case provided so as to face a vehicle exterior side and an inner case provided so as to face a vehicle interior side. The outer case and the inner case are integrated with each other. The strain body is provided in the case, has a sensor mounted on a middle portion between one end portion and an opposite end portion of the strain body, and the one end portion of the strain body is fixed to a portion on a center side of the inner case. The elastic mechanism uses an elastic force to press the opposite end portion of the strain body against a fixing portion at an end of the inner case.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Wataru SATO, Yuzuru KAWANA, Kazuhito OSHITA, Masaru KOMATSU
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Patent number: 11492823Abstract: A door handle includes door handle case, a first detection electrode and a second detection electrode disposed in the door handle case, and a controller connected to the first detection electrode and the second detection electrode. The controller separately measures a first capacitance between the first detection electrode and an operation body and a second capacitance between the second detection electrode and the operation body, and the controller determines whether a locking operation is performed by the operation body based on one or both of the first capacitance and the second capacitance.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshiki Nakamura, Takashi Sasaki, Yoshiyuki Kikuchi, Yuzuru Kawana, Yukimitsu Yamada, Daisuke Takai, Heishiro Fudo
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Publication number: 20220154498Abstract: A door handle, to be attached to a door, includes an outer case, an inner case integrated with the outer case, and a pressure detector configured to detect pressure applied to the inner case. The inner case includes a recess in proximity to an end portion in a longitudinal direction, and the pressure detector detects a displacement of a first inner wall surface on a center portion side of the inner case in the recess, caused by the pressure applied to the inner case.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2022Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Wataru SATO, Yuzuru KAWANA, Hajime SHIKATA, Kazuhito OSHITA, Takeshi MASAKI, Takashi SASAKI
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Patent number: 10969895Abstract: An input device includes an operation panel, a frame disposed on a back side of the operation panel, a pressure detector disposed between the operation panel and the frame, and an elastic part. The pressure detector includes a lever including a deformation part that warps when a pressing force is applied, a protruding part provided on a first surface of the deformation part, and a surrounding wall provided on a periphery of a second surface of the deformation part; and a pressure detection element that is disposed in a region of the second surface of the deformation part surrounded by the surrounding wall, warps along with the deformation part, and outputs a pressure detection signal corresponding to the pressing force. The elastic part is disposed between the protruding part or the surrounding wall and the frame or the operation panel and applies a pre-pressure to the deformation part.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2020Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.Inventors: Wataru Sato, Daisuke Takai, Hiroshi Shigetaka, Yuzuru Kawana, Hajime Shikata
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Patent number: 10928909Abstract: A tactile sensation presenting device includes: a warmth/coldness presenting element configured to present warm/cold information to a presentation area; a vibrating element configured to present vibration information; and a frame made of a thermally insulating material and having an opening portion. In the tactile sensation presenting device, with respect to the warmth/coldness presenting element, at least part of the presentation area is exposed from the opening portion of the frame such that an operating part is able to contact the presentation area and surroundings of the exposed area are covered by the frame. In the tactile sensation presenting device, the vibration information, which is presented by the vibrating element, is transmitted to the warmth/coldness presenting element, and a tactile sensation, which includes the warm/cold information and the vibration information, is presented to the presentation area.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.Inventors: Kunio Sato, Yuzuru Kawana, Daisuke Takai
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Publication number: 20200392769Abstract: A door handle includes door handle case, a first detection electrode and a second detection electrode disposed in the door handle case, and a controller connected to the first detection electrode and the second detection electrode. The controller separately measures a first capacitance between the first detection electrode and an operation body and a second capacitance between the second detection electrode and the operation body, and the controller determines whether a locking operation is performed by the operation body based on one or both of the first capacitance and the second capacitance.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2020Publication date: December 17, 2020Inventors: Toshiki NAKAMURA, Takashi SASAKI, Yoshiyuki KIKUCHI, Yuzuru KAWANA, Yukimitsu YAMADA, Daisuke TAKAI, Heishiro FUDO
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Publication number: 20200378161Abstract: An operation detection device includes an electrostatic sensor accommodated inside a casing and including a first conductor and a second conductor, and a controller electrically connected to the first conductor and the second conductor, and applies a voltage to each of the first conductor and the second conductor, to measure an electrostatic capacitance of each of the first conductor and the second conductor. The first conductor is arranged in and the second conductor is not arranged in a detection region in which an operating body is detected by the electrostatic sensor. The first conductor and the second conductor are arranged in a non-detection region in which the operating body is not detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Toshiki NAKAMURA, Daisuke TAKAI, Takashi SASAKI, Yuzuru KAWANA, Yoshiyuki KIKUCHI, Heishiro FUDO
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Publication number: 20200331328Abstract: A door handle includes a door handle case and an electrostatic sensor provided in the door handle case. The electrostatic sensor includes a detection electrode that is formed of a flat conductor plate, or that is formed on a surface of a flat substrate or within a flat substrate. The detection electrode includes a middle portion in a longitudinal direction of the detection electrode and includes peripheral portions proximal to both end portions of the detection electrode in the longitudinal direction. For a width of the detection electrode in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, each peripheral portion is wider than the middle portion, and the width of the detection electrode gradually increases toward each end portion in the longitudinal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Toshiki NAKAMURA, Takashi SASAKI, Yoshiyuki KIKUCHI, Yuzuru KAWANA, Heishiro FUDO, Yukimitsu YAMADA, Hiroshi SHIGETAKA
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Patent number: 10748392Abstract: A tactile sensation providing apparatus includes a contact region to be touched by an operating body, a thermal sensation providing element that is disposed in the contact region and provides at least cold sensation information, and a warm sensation providing element that is disposed in the contact region and provides warm sensation information. The warm sensation providing element is disposed at least in regions that sandwich the thermal sensation providing element.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2019Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.Inventors: Kunio Sato, Daisuke Takai, Yuzuru Kawana, Katsunari Sato
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Patent number: 10732717Abstract: A tactile sensation presenting device includes a vibrating element configured to present vibration information, a heater configured to present heat information, and a first heat insulating member disposed between the vibrating element and the heater. The heater is provided above the vibrating element and is provided at a contacting region which can be touched by an operating body.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2019Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.Inventors: Kunio Sato, Daisuke Takai, Yuzuru Kawana, Katsunari Sato
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Publication number: 20200233557Abstract: An input device includes an operation panel, a flame disposed on a back side of the operation panel, a pressure detector disposed between the operation panel and the flame, and an elastic part. The pressure detector includes a lever including a deformation part that warps when a pressing force is applied, a protruding part provided on a first surface of the deformation part, and a surrounding wall provided on a periphery of a second surface of the deformation part; and a pressure detection element that is disposed in a region of the second surface of the deformation part surrounded by the surrounding wall, warps along with the deformation part, and outputs a pressure detection signal corresponding to the pressing force. The elastic part is disposed between the protruding part or the surrounding wall and the flame or the operation panel and applies a pre-pressure to the deformation part.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: Wataru SATO, Daisuke TAKAI, Hiroshi SHIGETAKA, Yuzuru KAWANA, Hajime SHIKATA
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Patent number: 10698494Abstract: A tactile sensation presenting device includes: a pressure sensation generating unit configured to present pressure information; and a tactile sensation generating unit arranged on the pressure sensation generating unit. The tactile sensation generating unit includes a vibrating element configured to present vibration information; a warmth/coldness presenting element provided above the vibrating element and configured to present warm/cold information. The vibration information, the warm/cold information, and the pressure information are presented to an operating part in contact with a tactile sensation presentation surface of the tactile sensation generating unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2019Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.Inventors: Kunio Sato, Daisuke Takai, Yuzuru Kawana
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Publication number: 20190339783Abstract: A tactile sensation presenting device includes: a vibrating element configured to present vibration information; a warmth/coldness presenting element provided above the vibrating element and configured to present warm/cold information to a tactile sensation presentation surface; a pressure detecting unit configured to detect a pressure corresponding to a contact state of an operating part with respect to the tactile sensation presentation surface; and an adjusting unit configured to adjust a presentation condition based on a detection result by the pressure detecting unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2019Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Kunio SATO, Daisuke TAKAI, Yuzuru KAWANA
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Publication number: 20190339782Abstract: A tactile sensation presenting device includes: a pressure sensation generating unit configured to present pressure information; and a tactile sensation generating unit arranged on the pressure sensation generating unit. The tactile sensation generating unit includes a vibrating element configured to present vibration information; a warmth/coldness presenting element provided above the vibrating element and configured to present warm/cold information. The vibration information, the warm/cold information, and the pressure information are presented to an operating part in contact with a tactile sensation presentation surface of the tactile sensation generating unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2019Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Kunio SATO, Daisuke TAKAI, Yuzuru KAWANA
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Publication number: 20190296207Abstract: A tactile device includes a contact surface touchable by a tactile subject, a thermoelectric transducer which generates cold or warmth transferred to the contact surface, and a temperature sensor which detects the contact surface temperature. The thermoelectric transducer includes first and second heat transfer members, and a thermoelectric element which generates a temperature difference between the first and second heat transfer members based power supplied thereto. The contact surface is formed on a surface of the first heat transfer member, or on a surface of a third heat transfer member contacting the surface of the first heat transfer member. The temperature sensor is arranged on an outer side of a region where the contact surface is formed on the surface of the first heat transfer member, or on an outer side of a region contacting the third heat transfer member at the surface of the first heat transfer member.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: Yuzuru KAWANA, Kunio SATO, Hajime SHIKATA
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Publication number: 20190279473Abstract: A tactile sensation providing apparatus includes a contact region to be touched by an operating body, a thermal sensation providing element that is disposed in the contact region and provides at least cold sensation information, and a warm sensation providing element that is disposed in the contact region and provides warm sensation information. The warm sensation providing element is disposed at least in regions that sandwich the thermal sensation providing element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Kunio SATO, Daisuke TAKAI, Yuzuru KAWANA, Katsunari SATO