Patents Assigned to Harmonic AD, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8020299
    Abstract: In a fastening method of press-fitting and fixing an axial end section of a second-stage pinion (1) into a circular opening (21) of a first-stage planetary carrier (2), first press-fitting external teeth (13a), which have an addendum circle larger than an addendum circle of the other pinion part and has a sharp tooth top, are generated through manufacturing of tooth-cutting at an outer circumferential section of the axial end portion of the second-stage pinion (1). Then, a press-fit bore (22) that has a smaller diameter than the addendum circle of the press-fitting external teeth (13a), is formed at the circular opening (21) of the first-stage planetary carrier (2). The press-fitting external teeth (13a) are then press-fitted into the press-fit bore (22) so that tooth tops thereof cut into an inner circumference surface of the press-fit bore (22) to secure fastening strength between the second-stage pinion (1) and the first-stage planetary carrier (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Harmonic AD, Inc.
    Inventor: Norio Shirokoshi
  • Publication number: 20100179022
    Abstract: A switchable rotation drive device has a switching mechanism wherein a first connecting sleeve that always rotates integrally with a motor hollow rotor, and a second connecting sleeve that always rotates integrally with a planetary carrier of a planetary gear reduction mechanism are connected via a bearing in a relatively rotatable state, and the first connecting sleeve is formed with a sun gear. By sliding the switching mechanism, the output shaft can be switched between high-speed rotation and low-speed rotation. In comparison to a case in which the entirety of the planetary gear reduction mechanism is made to slide, the sliding region may be smaller, and the required space needed to allow sliding may also be smaller. Therefore, it is advantageous to reduce the size of the device and make it more compact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: HARMONIC AD, INC.
    Inventor: Norio Shirokoshi
  • Patent number: 7686141
    Abstract: A brake-equipped retracting device (3) returns a liquid crystal display device (1) from a deployed position (1B) to a stored position (1A) using an elastic returning force of a spiral spring (18) that is wound up when the liquid crystal display device (1) is opened by the rotational force of a motor. A braking force for preventing the liquid crystal display device (1) from returning with too much force is applied to an input shaft (17a) of a reducer by having a rope (21) whose tensile force increases and decreases in relation to the opening and closing of the liquid crystal display device (1) be wound around a slip clutch (15) that is connected to the input shaft (17a). In emergency situations such as when the rope (21) breaks, a centrifugal grip (53) of a rotation-restraining mechanism (50) strikes an engagement notch surface (56b) on a fixed side, and the rotation of the input shaft (17a) is forcibly halted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignees: Harmonic Ad, Inc., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Shirokoshi, Satoru Kimura
  • Patent number: 7293632
    Abstract: In a brake-equipped retracting mechanism, rotational force of a motor is used to open a liquid crystal display device from a retracted position to an open position, a power spring is wound up in conjunction with this opening operation, and elastic restoring force thereof is used to return the liquid crystal display device from the open position to the retracted position. A rope for developing a greater or smaller tensile force in conjunction with opening and closing of the liquid crystal display device is wound around a slip clutch linked to a reducer input shaft, whereby braking force for preventing the liquid crystal display device from an abrupt return is applied to the reducer input shaft. The braking force gradually decreases as the liquid crystal display device returns to the retracted position, and the liquid crystal display device can therefore be returned at a substantially constant speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Harmonic AD, Inc.
    Inventors: Norio Shirokoshi, Naomi Shirasawa