Patents by Inventor Kazuhiro Kawachi
Kazuhiro Kawachi 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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Patent number: 9102244Abstract: Provided is an operation apparatus capable of securely preventing an erroneous operation in adjusting a seat and the like from being caused by a passenger. A seat shape image Sg representing an outer profile of a seat, and adjustable item buttons Tb representing names of movable portions, respectively, of the seat are displayed on a display screen. When a position, on a touch panel, corresponding to a position, on the display screen, of one of the adjustable item buttons Tb is touched, adjustment direction arrows Ty indicating directions, respectively, in which one of the movable portions corresponding to the one of the adjustable item buttons Tb is movable are displayed on the display screen.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2008Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazuhiro Kawachi
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Patent number: 8416219Abstract: An annular switch (SW) for detecting contact is provided on an operating lever (R6), and when the annular switch detects contact, an operation screen (104) pre-associated with the annular switch (SW) is displayed on a display (104) screen of a display unit (104). Operation mode images representing functions included in an operation subject are displayed on the display screen of the display unit in association with a rotation direction and a sliding direction of the annular switch (SW). A function is selected by rotating and sliding the annular switch, and the selected function is executed when the annular switch (SW) ceases to detect contact.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2008Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kazuhiro Kawachi
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Patent number: 8408589Abstract: A knee airbag device for a vehicle, configured in such a manner that, when a knee airbag is inflated and expanded with the knees of a vehicle occupant located close to an airbag door, a load to the lower legs is reduced. A first tear section (100) for expanding a first airbag door (108) in the vehicle's top-bottom direction and a second tear section (102) for expanding a second airbag door (112) in the vehicle's lateral direction are formed on the rear surface side of a glove-box-door outer member (24). The first tear section (100) is composed of a left and right pair of vertical tear sections (104) and a first horizontal tear section (106). The second tear section (102) is composed of second lateral tear sections (110).Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2009Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushika KaishaInventors: Osamu Fukawatase, Hitoshi Matsushima, Kazuhiro Kawachi, Yasushi Itou, Tomoko Kurata
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Publication number: 20110272929Abstract: A knee airbag device for a vehicle, configured in such a manner that, when a knee airbag is inflated and expanded with the knees of a vehicle occupant located close to an airbag door, a load to the lower legs is reduced. A first tear section (100) for expanding a first airbag door (108) in the vehicle's top-bottom direction and a second tear section (102) for expanding a second airbag door (112) in the vehicle's lateral direction are formed on the rear surface side of a glove-box-door outer member (24). The first tear section (100) is composed of a left and right pair of vertical tear sections (104) and a first horizontal tear section (106). The second tear section (102) is composed of second lateral tear sections (110).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2009Publication date: November 10, 2011Inventors: Osamu Fukawatase, Hitoshi Matsushima, Kazuhiro Kawachi, Yasushi Itou, Tomoko Kurata
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Patent number: 8013723Abstract: A vehicle meter display system that displays vehicle information including important information includes: a steering wheel that has at least one opening formed between spokes; a meter display unit disposed at a position closer to the front of the vehicle than the steering wheel; a steering angle detection unit that detects the steering angle of the steering wheel; and a meter display control unit that changes the manner in which an important information display area is displayed based on the steering angle detected by the steering angle detection unit so that a diver is able to see the important information through the at least one opening.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2008Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kazuhiro Kawachi
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Publication number: 20100181171Abstract: An annular switch (SW) for detecting contact is provided on an operating lever (R6), and when the annular switch detects contact, an operation screen (104) pre-associated with the annular switch (SW) is displayed on a display (104) screen of a display unit (104). Operation mode images representing functions included in an operation subject are displayed on the display screen of the display unit in association with a rotation direction and a sliding direction of the annular switch (SW). A function is selected by rotating and sliding the annular switch, and the selected function is executed when the annular switch (SW) ceases to detect contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2008Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazuhiro Kawachi
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Publication number: 20100107121Abstract: Provided is an operation apparatus capable of securely preventing an erroneous operation in adjusting a seat and the like from being caused by a passenger. A seat shape image Sg representing an outer profile of a seat, and adjustable item buttons Tb representing names of movable portions, respectively, of the seat are displayed on a display screen. When a position, on a touch panel, corresponding to a position, on the display screen, of one of the adjustable item buttons Tb is touched, adjustment direction arrows Ty indicating directions, respectively, in which one of the movable portions corresponding to the one of the adjustable item buttons Tb is movable are displayed on the display screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2008Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazuhiro Kawachi
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Patent number: 7540531Abstract: A vehicle airbag system includes a vehicle crash sensor that detects a vehicle impact, and an airbag module that is provided in interior equipment positioned in front of a front-seat occupant and that includes an inflator and an airbag. The vehicle airbag system further includes a reaction-force plate that receives a reaction force of the airbag; a drive unit that moves the reaction-force plate from the storage position to the predetermined operating position; and a stopper that holds the reaction-force plate at the predetermined operating position. In the airbag system, when the airbag is deployed, the reaction-force plate is moved from the storage position to the predetermined operating position by the drive unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2006Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kimio Sakakibara, Kazuhiro Kawachi, Makoto Sekizuka, Osamu Fukawatase
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Publication number: 20090066474Abstract: A vehicle input device includes an operating part arranged within a passenger compartment and a signal processing part that processes signals input through the operating part. The device includes a movable support mechanism that supports the operating part to move between a distant position away from an operator and a nearby position close to the operator, a motor for generating a drive force to displace the operating part, a control part for controlling the motor, and an operation intention detector for detecting an operator's intention to operate the operating part. The control part controls the motor to displace the operating part into the nearby position if the operator's operation intention is detected by the operation intention detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2007Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: GToyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuhiro Kawachi, Hirotake Sano
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Publication number: 20080238874Abstract: A display device is provided in a central position of an instrument panel in a vehicle compartment, and an operation device is provided in a center console. The operation device is formed with a case body having a palm rest, with is provided with a pointing device and four finalizing switches. A menu display window showing an array of multiple function selection items or a list display screen is displayed on a screen of the display device. The user selects a desired function selection item by moving a cursor by operation of an operation knob of the pointing device. In this state, the user ON operates any one of the finalizing switches, thereby performing finalize-designation. A user can thus operate the operation device from any one of multiple directions without uncomfortable feeling.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Norio Yamamoto, Nozomi Kitagawa, Hiroaki Sasaki, Takeshi Haruyama, Motohiro Fukumoto, Hirotake Sano, Haruyuki Kodera, Kenji Mori, Kazuhiro Kawachi
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Publication number: 20080224840Abstract: A vehicle meter display system that displays vehicle information including important information includes: a steering wheel that has at least one opening formed between spokes; a meter display unit disposed at a position closer to the front of the vehicle than the steering wheel; a steering angle detection unit that detects the steering angle of the steering wheel; and a meter display control unit that changes the manner in which an important information display area is displayed based on the steering angle detected by the steering angle detection unit so that a diver is able to see the important information through the at least one opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2008Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazuhiro Kawachi
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Publication number: 20070018493Abstract: Operation switches, which a passenger operates with his/her fingers, are disposed on the front end of the upper portion of a console box, and a palm rest on which the passenger rests his/her palm is set rearward of the operation switches. An operation knob that releases the locked state of the console box is disposed on a lower portion of the palm rest in a range where the passenger can reach the operation knob with his/her fingers. Consequently, when the passenger wishes to adjust the front-rear position of the palm rest, the passenger can move the console box by simply lifting up the operation knob with one hand to release the locked state, and without having to conduct an operation such as opening a lid or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2006Publication date: January 25, 2007Inventors: Kazuhiro Kawachi, Hiroshi Uekitai, Kimio Sakakibara, Masanobu Muto, Naoki Omatsu
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Publication number: 20060284400Abstract: A vehicle airbag system includes a vehicle crash sensor that detects a vehicle impact, and an airbag module that is provided in interior equipment positioned in front of a front-seat occupant and that includes an inflator and an airbag. The vehicle airbag system further includes a reaction-force plate that receives a reaction force of the airbag; a drive unit that moves the reaction-force plate from the storage position to the predetermined operating position; and a stopper that holds the reaction-force plate at the predetermined operating position. In the airbag system, when the airbag is deployed, the reaction-force plate is moved from the storage position to the predetermined operating position by the drive unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2006Publication date: December 21, 2006Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kimio Sakakibara, Kazuhiro Kawachi, Makoto Sekizuka, Osamu Fukawatase
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Patent number: 6720671Abstract: A wire harness for a vehicle seat is disposed in the vehicle seat and electrically connects electric parts to one another. The wire harness includes a flat circuit branch and a flat circuit body. The flat circuit body has one end connected to the circuit branch while the other end is connected to various electrical parts. The circuit branch also includes a sheet of branch seat or several sheets of branch seats that are selectively laminated to one another so that an electronic circuit corresponding to the specification or grade of the vehicle seat can be constituted.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2001Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignees: Yazaki Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masayuki Kondo, Kazuhiro Kawachi
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Patent number: 6659810Abstract: In a multi-pole connector formed by combining a plurality of connector housings together, a bolt and a bolt receiving tube are provided at first connector housing, and a frame portion is formed on the second connector housing. The connector housings are combined together, with the frame portion and the bolt receiving tube superimposed together coaxially with each other, so that a bolt guide, formed on a mating multi-pole connector for connection to the multi-pole connector, can be inserted into the frame portion and the bolt receiving tube.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Toshiaki Okabe, Tetsuya Yamashita, Kazuhiro Kawachi
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Publication number: 20020182941Abstract: In a multi-pole connector (1) formed by combining a plurality of connector housings (3, 5) together, a bolt (15) and a bolt receiving tube (11) are provided at first connector housing (3), and a frame portion (23) is formed on the second connector housing (5). The connector housings (3, 5) are combined together, with the frame portion (23) and the bolt receiving tube (11) superposed together coaxially with each other, so that a bolt guide (9), formed on a mating multi-pole connector (7) for connection to the multi-pole connector (1), can be inserted into the frame portion (23) and the bolt receiving tube (11).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATIONInventors: Toshiaki Okabe, Tetsuya Yamashita, Kazuhiro Kawachi
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Publication number: 20020050730Abstract: A wire harness 20 for a vehicle seat 10 disposed in the vehicle seat 10 for electrically connecting electric parts to one another, comprises flat circuit branch 21, and a flat circuit body 22 whose one end is connected to the circuit branch 21 and whose other end is connected to the electric parts M1 to M5, SW1 to SW3 and 17, the circuit branch 21 comprises a sheet of branch seat or a plurality of sheets of branch seats selectively laminated on one another so that an electronic circuit corresponding to specification or grade of the vehicle seat 10 can be constituted.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2001Publication date: May 2, 2002Inventors: Masayuki Kondo, Kazuhiro Kawachi
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Patent number: 5856909Abstract: A heat-radiation structure of an electronic-unit box in which an air layer is formed between a primary peripheral wall of the electronic-unit box and a secondary peripheral wall located inside the primary peripheral wall, and an electronic unit is received inside the secondary peripheral wall, an air intake and an air outlet are provided in a box body so as to communicate with the air layer, and air interrupting walls are provided in a shorter peripheral-distance-side flow path of the air layer between the air intake and the air outlet so that cooling air passes through a longer peripheral-distance-side flow path of the air layer from the air intake to the air outlet. Preferably, an electric fan is provided at the air outlet.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1997Date of Patent: January 5, 1999Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Hiroaki Kamo, Kazuhiro Kawachi
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Patent number: 4997386Abstract: An electrical connector including a pin contact housing having a plurality of recesses and socket contact housings to be received in the corresponding recesses. The socket contact housing is provided with a resilient finger with an opening which can be engaged with a ridge projected from the inner wall of each of recesses. The pin contact housing is provided with a lock bar having first latch members which can be lowered down and engaged with the corresponding second latch members arranged to the socket contact housing when the socket contact housing is completely received in the recess in the pin contact housing to prevent separation of the pin contact housing and the socket contact housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1990Date of Patent: March 5, 1991Assignees: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Ltd., Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhiro Kawachi, Kunihiko Muraoka