Patents by Inventor Atsushi Sugimoto

Atsushi Sugimoto 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: 7287887
    Abstract: A movable shade is moved by a shade driving device between a first shade position which is positioned on an optical axis at a rear focal point of a projection lens and a second shade position which is located further downward than the first shade position. Even in the event that there is provided only a single light source, low beam light distribution patterns and high beam light distribution patterns can selectively be formed. In addition, the light source is moved by a light source driving device between a first light source position which is positioned on the optical axis and a second light source position which is positioned further forward than the first light source position. Then, four types of light distribution patterns can be formed through combinations of the positions of the light source and the positions of the movable shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirohiko Ohshio, Atsushi Sugimoto, Naoki Tatara
  • Publication number: 20070195543
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a lamp 110 having shade switching means 140 for providing a desired light distribution pattern by blocking a portion of light emitted from a light source. Light distribution pattern switching controlling means controls the shade switching means 140 in response to receipt of an instruction of switching a light distribution pattern of the lamp. Leveling means 130 controls deflection of an optical axis of the lamp in a vertical direction. The light distribution pattern switching controlling means controls the shade switching means 140 such that a cut line is formed by a height substantially the same as that of a cut line of high beam when an instruction of switching to a light distribution pattern of “remote optically recognizing beam” is received and controls the leveling means 130 such that the cut line is formed by a height of a cut line requested for “middle beam”.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Kiyotaka Mochizuki, Naohisa Tatara
  • Patent number: 7201505
    Abstract: A projector type vehicle headlamp comprises a reflector, a light source, a projection lens, a rotational shade to shield part of light reflected on the reflector so as to be directed towards the projection lens and a motor for driving the rotational shade based on a light distribution switching over operation. In the headlamp, a high beam corresponding light shielding plate and an another beam corresponding light shielding plates are disposed on the rotational shade on both sides of a low beam corresponding light shielding plate, so that the light distributions are attempted to be switched over speedily between the low beam and the another beams and the generation of glare is attempted to be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Hideki Fukuchi
  • Patent number: 7121706
    Abstract: In an actuator of a vehicle headlamp unit for deflecting a direction or a range of illumination, a step-like rib for supporting a printed circuit board is formed at an inner side of a peripheral edge portion of a resin molded casing, and an opposed rib is formed at an outer side of this peripheral edge portion by a generally channel-shaped groove. A gear in a gear mechanism of the actuator is made of a resin having self-lubricating properties. The actuator includes a brushless motor, a yoke molded of a resin having a cylindrical container-shape. A gear is formed integrally on a central portion of an outer end surface of the yoke. A fixing means for fixing the stator coil of the brushless motor to a housing or the board has a positioning structure for positioning the stator coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Takiguchi, Keiichi Tajima, Atsushi Sugimoto, Kazuma Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 7090385
    Abstract: A shade includes a pivot member disposed along a horizontal axis extending in the transverse direction of a vehicle and configured to pivot about the horizontal axis. An indentation section extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle is formed in a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the shade. Two areas on the outer peripheral surface in the circumferential direction thereof are formed as a first distributed light generation section for generating a left low beam light distribution pattern, and a second distributed light generation section for generating a right low beam light distribution pattern. The indentation section is formed as a third distributed light generation section for generating a high beam light distribution pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7036964
    Abstract: A headlamp apparatus for a vehicle includes a left-right deflecting device for deflecting an optical axis of illumination of a projector lamp in a left-and-right direction in correspondence with a steering angle of a vehicle; a vertically deflecting device for deflecting the optical axis of illumination of the projector lamp 30 in a vertical direction; and a deflection controlling device for effecting the operation of setting the optical axis by the left-right deflecting device at a time when the optical axis of illumination is in a state of being oriented in a lower direction than the horizontal direction by the vertically deflecting device. The optical axis position of the projector lamp is oriented in a lower direction than the horizontal direction by the vertically deflecting device until the optical axis position is set to a reference angular position by the left-right deflecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Takii, Masahiro Kusagaya, Atsushi Sugimoto, Junji Baba
  • Publication number: 20060023465
    Abstract: A movable shade is moved by a shade driving device between a first shade position which is positioned on an optical axis at a rear focal point of a projection lens and a second shade position which is located further downward than the first shade position. Even in the event that there is provided only a single light source, low beam light distribution patterns and high beam light distribution patterns can selectively be formed. In addition, the light source is moved by a light source driving device between a first light source position which is positioned on the optical axis and a second light source position which is positioned further forward than the first light source position. Then, four types of light distribution patterns can be formed through combinations of the positions of the light source and the positions of the movable shade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventors: Hirohiko Ohshio, Atsushi Sugimoto, Naoki Tatara
  • Patent number: 6984060
    Abstract: Provided is a reference angle position setting means for setting an optical axis at a reference angle position (direction of going straight ahead: 0°) by detecting the maximum deflection angles when swivel lamps 3R and 3L are pivoted in one direction and in the opposite direction and gaining the reference angle position based on both the maximum deflection angles detected. Projector lamps are pivoted in one direction toward the reference angle position so as to set an optical axis position through the steps of detecting a first maximum deflection angle by pivoting each projector 30 lamp in one direction until it is no longer able to pivot in one direction, detecting a second maximum deflection angle by pivoting a headlamp in the opposite direction until it is no longer able to pivot in the opposite direction and computing the reference angle position of the irradiation optical axis from the first and second maximum deflection angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Baba, Atsushi Sugimoto, Naoki Takii, Masahiro Kusagaya
  • Publication number: 20050201117
    Abstract: A projector type vehicle headlamp comprises a reflector, a light source, a projection lens, a rotational shade to shield part of light reflected on the reflector so as to be directed towards the projection lens and a motor for driving the rotational shade based on a light distribution switching over operation. In the headlamp, a high beam corresponding light shielding plate and an another beam corresponding light shielding plates are disposed on the rotational shade on both sides of a low beam corresponding light shielding plate, so that the light distributions are attempted to be switched over speedily between the low beam and the another beams and the generation of glare is attempted to be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Hideki Fukuchi
  • Patent number: 6874918
    Abstract: A headlamp device for a vehicle includes a first light distribution controlling portion moving light irradiated forward from a light source in a lateral direction of the vehicle, and a second light distribution controlling portion moving the light irradiated forward from the light source in a vertical direction of the vehicle. A light distribution is controlled in response to a signal sent from the first light distribution controlling portion to the second light distribution controlling portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Tawa, Masaaki Ishikawaa, Toshihisa Hayami, Atsushi Sugimoto, Hideki Uchida
  • Publication number: 20050024889
    Abstract: A shade includes a pivot member disposed along a horizontal axis extending in the transverse direction of a vehicle and configured to pivot about the horizontal axis. An indentation section extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle is formed in a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the shade. Two areas on the outer peripheral surface in the circumferential direction thereof are formed as a first distributed light generation section for generating a left low beam light distribution pattern, and a second distributed light generation section for generating a right low beam light distribution pattern. The indentation section is formed as a third distributed light generation section for generating a high beam light distribution pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventor: Atsushi Sugimoto
  • Publication number: 20040208017
    Abstract: In an actuator of a vehicle headlamp unit for deflecting a direction or a range of illumination, a step-like rib for supporting a printed circuit board is formed at an inner side of a peripheral edge portion of a resin molded casing, and an opposed rib is formed at an outer side of this peripheral edge portion by a generally channel-shaped groove. A gear in a gear mechanism of the actuator is made of a resin having self-lubricating properties. The actuator includes a brushless motor, a yoke molded of a resin having a cylindrical container-shape. A gear is formed integrally on a central portion of an outer end surface of the yoke. A fixing means for fixing the stator coil of the brushless motor to a housing or the board has a positioning structure for positioning the stator coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Tsutomu Takiguchi, Keiichi Tajima, Atsushi Sugimoto, Kazuma Mochizuki
  • Publication number: 20040057243
    Abstract: A headlamp apparatus for a vehicle includes a left-right deflecting device for deflecting an optical axis of illumination of a projector lamp in a left-and-right direction in correspondence with a steering angle of a vehicle; a vertically deflecting device for deflecting the optical axis of illumination of the projector lamp 30 in a vertical direction; and a deflection controlling device for effecting the operation of setting the optical axis by the left-right deflecting device at a time when the optical axis of illumination is in a state of being oriented in a lower direction than the horizontal direction by the vertically deflecting device. The optical axis position of the projector lamp is oriented in a lower direction than the horizontal direction by the vertically deflecting device until the optical axis position is set to a reference angular position by the left-right deflecting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Naoki Takii, Masahiro Kusagaya, Atsushi Sugimoto, Junji Baba
  • Publication number: 20040057240
    Abstract: Provided is a reference angle position setting means for setting an optical axis at a reference angle position (direction of going straight ahead: 0°) by detecting the maximum deflection angles when swivel lamps 3R and 3L are pivoted in one direction and in the opposite direction and gaining the reference angle position based on both the maximum deflection angles detected. Projector lamps are pivoted in one direction toward the reference angle position so as to set an optical axis position through the steps of detecting a first maximum deflection angle by pivoting each projector 30 lamp in one direction until it is no longer able to pivot in one direction, detecting a second maximum deflection angle by pivoting a headlamp in the opposite direction until it is no longer able to pivot in the opposite direction and computing the reference angle position of the irradiation optical axis from the first and second maximum deflection angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Junji Baba, Atsushi Sugimoto, Naoki Takii, Masahiro Kusagaya
  • Patent number: 6648494
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes an optical means whereof the direction of irradiation is change by rotation, a motor, an output shaft for driving the optical means, and a rotation transmitting mechanism for transmitting rotation from the motor to the output shaft. The motor, the output shaft, and the rotation transmitting mechanism are accommodated in the case body, and a revolving shaft of the motor is supported by the case body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Keiichi Tajima, Kazuma Mochizuki, Tsutomu Takiguchi
  • Patent number: 6616302
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a drive portion having a drive source, and a lamp body that has a light source and that is supported by a rotary shaft operable to be rotated by the drive portion. A rotary contact is provided around the rotary shaft and rotates together with the lamp body. A fixed contact is provided for the drive portion. The rotary contact and the light source are electrically connected through a power supply cord and electric power is supplied to the fixed contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Keiichi Tajima, Kazuma Mochizuki, Masanori Nishigaya
  • Patent number: 6615499
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing cerium oxide comprising rapid heating of cerium salts to a calcining temperature to calcine them, a cerium oxide abrasive containing the cerium oxide produced by the method and pure water, an abrasive containing a slurry in which cerium oxide particles having an intensity ratio of an area of a primary peak appearing at 27 to 30° to that of a secondary peak appearing at 32 to 35° (primary peak/secondary peak) in a powder X-ray diffraction chart of 3.20 or more are dispersed in a medium, an abrasive containing a slurry in which cerium oxide particles whose bulk density is 6.5 g/cm3 or less are dispersed into a medium, an abrasive containing a slurry in which abrasive grains having pores are dispersed into a medium, a method for polishing a substrate comprising polishing a predetermined substrate using the abrasive; and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor comprising the step of polishing by the abrasive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Matsuzawa, Atsushi Sugimoto, Masato Yoshida, Keizou Hirai, Toranosuke Ashizawa, Yuuto Ootsuki
  • Patent number: 6601980
    Abstract: An infrared-ray radiating lamp which is prevented from being mistaken for a tail lamp or a stop lamp by ensuring that not only infrared rays but also visible rays are emanated from a front lens simultaneously. The lamp includes a lighting chamber defined by a lamp body and a front lens, a reflector disposed in the lighting chamber, and infrared-ray radiation means and visible-ray radiation means disposed in front of the reflector in the lighting chamber. The infrared rays radiated from the infrared-ray radiation means and the visible rays radiated from the visible-ray radiation means are emanated from the front lens simultaneously when the lamp is lit. Thus, the rays distributed by the lamp include both red infrared rays and white visible rays, and therefore a red color is not particularly noticeable. Thus, the infrared-ray radiating lamp when lit is not mistaken for a tail lamp or a stop lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Kobayashi, Atsushi Sugimoto, Takashi Inoue
  • Patent number: 6543924
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp including an optical means having a light source to be rotated by the driving unit having a driving source. The driving unit is provided with a rotational position detecting means including a base member and a rotating body being rotatable with respect to the base member for supplying signals corresponding to the rotational position of the rotating body with respect to the base member of the rotating body, and the optical means and rotating body of the rotational position detecting means are connected by clutch means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Keiichi Tajima, Kazuma Mochizuki, Masanori Nishigaya
  • Publication number: 20030039124
    Abstract: A headlamp device for a vehicle includes a first light distribution controlling portion moving light irradiated forward from a light source in a lateral direction of the vehicle, and a second light distribution controlling portion moving the light irradiated forward from the light source in a vertical direction of the vehicle. A light distribution is controlled in response to a signal sent from the first light distribution controlling portion to the second light distribution controlling portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Yuki Tawa, Masaaki Ishikawa, Toshihisa Hayami, Atsushi Sugimoto, Hideki Uchida