Patents by Inventor Masami Niimi

Masami Niimi 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: 20120035837
    Abstract: In a system, a starter includes a motor for rotatably driving an output shaft with a pinion and an actuator that shifts the pinion toward a ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. A monitor unit monitors a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. The rotational speed of the internal combustion engine drops after an automatic control for stop of the engine. When an engine restart request occurs with the rotational speed being within a preset range during the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine dropping by the automatic control for stop of the engine, a drive unit drives the actuator to shift the pinion toward the ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. The drive unit rotatably drives the motor with the pinion being engaged with the ring gear to thereby crank the crankshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazushige OKUMOTO, Akira KATO, Takashi SENDA, Mitsuhiro MURATA, Masami NIIMI, Kiyokazu HARUNO
  • Patent number: 8091443
    Abstract: The speed reduction type starter for engines comprises the engaging part 34 arranged in the perimeter of two internal gears 25 and 29 used for a set of speed reducers coaxially, the magnetic coil 35 that drives the engaging part 34 to the direction of the anti-motor side, and the return spring 37 that pushes the engaging part 34 to the direction of the motor side When the magnetic coil 35 is in the OFF state, the engaging part 34 is pushed to the motor side by the return spring 37 to engage with the 1st internal gear 25 mechanically, so that the rotation of the 1st internal gear 25 is regulated and the 1st reduction ratio is selected. On the other hand, when the magnetic coil 35 is in the state of ON, the engaging part 34 is moved to the anti-motor side to engage with the 2nd internal gear 29, so that the rotation of the 2nd internal gear 29 is regulated and the 2nd reduction ratio is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Masami Niimi
  • Patent number: 8079340
    Abstract: In a system for cranking a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, a starter is provided with a motor working to, when energized, rotatably drive an output shaft with a pinion and an actuator working to, when energized, shift the pinion toward the ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. A power supply is electrically connected to the motor and operative to output electrical power. A first mechanical relay is electrically connected between the power supply and the motor, and works to turn on and off a supply of a current based on the electrical power to the motor for rotating the pinion. A switching element is electrically connected across the first mechanical relay, and works to turn on and off the supply of the current to the motor for rotating the pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazushige Okumoto, Akira Kato, Takashi Senda, Mitsuhiro Murata, Masami Niimi, Kiyokazu Haruno
  • Publication number: 20110304947
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switch is provided which includes: a coil generating magnetomotive force; a frame accommodating the coil and generating a flux path; a resin cover covering an opening of the frame; and a current-supply terminal member energizing the coil. The current-supply terminal member includes: a blade-shaped terminal whose end is connected to the coil and whose another end is drawn out of the resin cover in the axial direction of the electromagnetic switch; and a plate-shaped external connection terminal whose end is joined to an end of the blade-shaped terminal and whose another end is drawn out in the direction intersecting the axial direction. A portion between the ends of the external connection terminal is insert-molded in a terminal anchor block provided with the resin cover. A female terminal of a power supply connector provided at an electric supply line is fitted and electrically connected to the external connection terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masami NIIMI, Mitsuhiro MURATA, Kiyokazu HARUNO
  • Patent number: 8069832
    Abstract: In a system, a starter includes a motor for rotatably driving an output shaft with a pinion and an actuator that shifts the pinion toward a ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. A monitor unit monitors a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. The rotational speed of the internal combustion engine drops after an automatic control for stop of the engine. When an engine restart request occurs with the rotational speed being within a preset range during the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine dropping by the automatic control for stop of the engine, a drive unit drives the actuator to shift the pinion toward the ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. The drive unit rotatably drives the motor with the pinion being engaged with the ring gear to thereby crank the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazushige Okumoto, Akira Kato, Takashi Senda, Mitsuhiro Murata, Masami Niimi, Kiyokazu Haruno
  • Publication number: 20110248803
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switch includes an excitation coil that forms an electromagnet by energizing, a movable core driven by a magnetism generated in the excitation coil, a cylindrical frame having a bottom that accommodates the excitation coil and constitutes a part of a magnetic circuit of the excitation coil, an end plate electrically connected with the frame, and diodes electrically connected with the excitation coil in parallel. In addition, at least one of terminals of the diodes is fixed to the end plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masami NIIMI, Yoshinori YAMAGUCHI, Kiyokazu HARUNO
  • Patent number: 8036815
    Abstract: In a system, a starter includes a motor for rotatably driving an output shaft with a pinion and an actuator that shifts the pinion toward a ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. A monitor unit monitors a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. The rotational speed of the internal combustion engine drops after an automatic control for stop of the engine. When an engine restart request occurs with the rotational speed being within a preset range during the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine dropping by the automatic control for stop of the engine, a drive unit drives the actuator to shift the pinion toward the ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. The drive unit rotatably drives the motor with the pinion being engaged with the ring gear to thereby crank the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazushige Okumoto, Akira Kato, Takashi Senda, Mitsuhiro Murata, Masami Niimi, Kiyokazu Haruno
  • Patent number: 7948338
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switch is provided which is equipped with a built-in electronic control circuit working to control energization of an exciting coil. The electronic control circuit is disposed within a chamber defined by a magnetic plate to be separate from a contact chamber. In other words, the electronic control circuit is disposed between the magnetic plate and the exciting coil, thereby avoiding the adhesion of conductive dusts, as arising from the wear of contacts, to the surface of the electronic control circuit. This results in decreases in electric insulation and short-circuit of the electronic control circuit and also eliminates the need for additional special parts to electrically insulate and shield the electronic control circuit, thus permitting the electromagnetic switch to be reduced in size and produced at a decreased const.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masami Niimi, Yoshiaki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20110095852
    Abstract: In an electromagnetic switch device, a direction where a first plunger moves at the time a solenoid for pinion extrusion operates and a direction where a second plunger moves at the time a solenoid for motor energization operates are constituted in the same direction. A concave portion having a predetermined depth D is formed in a first fixed iron core used for the solenoid for pinion extrusion and a stopper member that controls a returning position of the second plunger is arranged therein. A part of the second plunger overlaps to the first fixed iron core in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masami NIIMI, Yoshinori YAMAGUCHI, Kiyokazu HARUNO
  • Publication number: 20110084786
    Abstract: A first coil constitutes a first coil unit by placing an iron core plate between the first coil and an auxiliary yokes and engaging stopping parts provided in two holding members to an end surface in an axial direction of the auxiliary yoke. A second coil constitutes a second coil unit by forming magnetic path members by insertion to a resin member provided in a second bobbin unitarily, and fixing two terminals to the resin member. The first and the second coil units are united by connecting one terminal lead line of the first coil taken out from holding members to the first terminal, and connecting another terminal lead line to a surface of the magnetic path member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masami NIIMI, Kiyokazu HARUNO, Tarou OKADA, Hiroaki HIGUCHI
  • Patent number: 7915984
    Abstract: In a solenoid switch according to the invention, a magnetic plate is disposed on one side of a solenoid coil in an axial direction of the solenoid coil. A contact cover is arranged with the magnetic plate interposed between the contact cover and the solenoid coil in the axial direction. First and second fixed contacts are received in the contact cover and respectively electrically connected to first and second terminals that are to be electrically connected to an electric circuit. A resistor is electrically connected between the first and second terminals to limit current flowing through the electric circuit when the first and second fixed contacts are electrically disconnected by a movable contact. The resistor is received in the contact cover and interposed between the magnetic plate and the first and second fixed contacts in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Masami Niimi
  • Publication number: 20110001589
    Abstract: Terminal-bolts and a fixed contact are formed with different kinds of metals, and fixed to a fixing hole formed in the fixed contact by press fitting one end of the terminal-bolts. A plurality of concavo-convex parts is provided on a surface of the fixed contact that faces the movable contact. A plurality of concavo-convex portions is provided on another surface of the fixed contact that faces an anti movable-contact side. The concavo-convex portions are arranged so that positions of concave parts of the concavo-convex portions match positions of convex parts of the concavo-convex portions provided in the opposite surface of the fixed contact. The concavo-convex parts are at least partly curved, and have the same height and project in a height direction from the fixed contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji USAMI, Masami NIIMI, Mitsuhiro MURATA, Mikio SAITOH
  • Publication number: 20100330850
    Abstract: Terminal bolts are inserted in the bottom of contact cover through collars. C-rings are fitted into U-shaped grooves formed in the terminal bolts and constitute locking parts. Circular notch parts are formed on the inner surface at the contact chamber side of the collars and the notch parts are engaged with the C-ring whereby ring terminals receive pressing force of nuts tightened on the terminal bolts. Accordingly, spaces are created at places being closer to the contact chamber side than the C ring side of the terminal bolts are, by interposing O-rings with large thickness in the spaces in elastically compressed states, whereby an airtightness of the contact chamber can be secured without expanding an outer diameter of the contact cover. Thus, an electromagnetic switch can adopt sealing members with sufficient thickness without expanding an outer diameter of the contact cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masami NIIMI
  • Publication number: 20100326389
    Abstract: In a system, a starter includes a motor for rotatably driving an output shaft with a pinion and an actuator that shifts the pinion toward a ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. A monitor unit monitors a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. The rotational speed of the internal combustion engine drops after an automatic control for stop of the engine. When an engine restart request occurs with the rotational speed being within a preset range during the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine dropping by the automatic control for stop of the engine, a drive unit drives the actuator to shift the pinion toward the ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. The drive unit rotatably drives the motor with the pinion being engaged with the ring gear to thereby crank the crankshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazushige Okumoto, Akira Kato, Takashi Senda, Mitsuhiro Murata, Masami Niimi, Kiyokazu Haruno
  • Publication number: 20100269630
    Abstract: In an engine starting apparatus, together with a one-way clutch, a pinion is pushed toward a ring gear of an engine mounted in a vehicle, The one-way clutch has an idling torque smaller than a torque of the ring gear that tries to turn the pinion when the pinion is pushed to the ring gear. By a control device, a pinion pushing device is enabled to operate when i) the revolution speed of the ring gear is larger than a revolution speed of the pinion and ii) a relative revolution speed between the revolution speed of the ring gear and the revolution speed of the pinion is a desired value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masami NIIMI, Mitsuhiro Murata, Kiyokazu Haruno, Hiroaki Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20100269631
    Abstract: A starter for starting an engine in a vehicle is disclosed. The starter includes a motor and an output shaft that rotates by receiving torque from the motor. The starter also includes a pinion movable body that includes a pinion for transmitting the torque of the motor to a ring gear of the engine. The pinion movable body is provided on an outer circumference of the output shaft integrally with the pinion in a manner allowing movement along an axial direction thereof. The pinion is pushed towards the ring gear by a pinion-pushing means. A motor current-supply means turns ON and OFF energizing current flowing to the motor. A shock absorbing device is disposed on a torque transmitting path transmitting the torque of the motor to the pinion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masami Niimi, Yasuyuki Yoshida, Mitsuhiro Murata, Kiyokazu Haruno
  • Publication number: 20100264765
    Abstract: In a starter for starting an on-vehicle engine, a solenoid is provided to push a pinion gear. The solenoid has an electromagnetic coil composed of a single coil and electrically separated from a motor circuit, a fixed core, and a plunger. Supply of excitation current to the electromagnetic coil allows the fixed core to be magnetized to attract the plunger. Hence, a movement of the plunger results in a push of the movable member toward the ring gear. A switch is provided in the circuit and has a contact, a movable core, and a switch coil functioning as an electromagnet attracting the movable core in response to supply of current to the switch coil. A movement of the movable core results in on/off switching operations of the switch. The switch is allowed to operate independently of the solenoid when both the switch and solenoid are controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyokazu HARUNO, Mitsuhiro Murata, Mikio Saito, Masami Niimi
  • Publication number: 20100264764
    Abstract: A solenoid for pushing out a pinion pushes out a pinion gear to a ring gear side and a switch for motor energization that opens and closes a motor point of contact have a solenoid coil and a switch coil that form an electromagnet by energization, respectively. A fixed iron core used commonly by both coils is arranged between the solenoid coil and the switch coil. A solenoid yoke that covers a perimeter of the solenoid and a switch yoke that covers a perimeter of the switch are formed integrally as a whole yoke in an axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji USAMI, Yasuyuki Yoshida, Mitsuhiro Murata, Masami Niimi
  • Publication number: 20100264670
    Abstract: In a starter for starting an internal combustion engine with a first output shaft to which a ring gear is coupled, a motor has a second output shaft to which a movable pinion member is coupled and is operative to, when energized, rotate the second output shaft. A solenoid device includes a solenoid actuator linked to the movable pinion member. The solenoid actuator is configured to, when activated, shift the movable pinion member toward the ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. The solenoid device includes a solenoid switch configure to, when activated, energize the motor. The solenoid actuator and the solenoid switch are integrated with each other to provide the solenoid device. A controller module is configured to individually control an activation of the solenoid actuator and an activation of the solenoid switch. The controller module is mounted on the solenoid device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Usami, Yasuyuki Yoshida, Mitsuhiro Murata, Masami Niimi, Hideya Notani, Kazushige Okumoto, Akira Kato, Mikio Saito
  • Publication number: 20100257975
    Abstract: The present invention provides a starter, including a motor generating torque; a shaft rotating by the torque; a clutch fitting an outer periphery of the shaft; a pinion gear receiving the torque; a pinion control means configured to allow the pinion gear integrally with the clutch to be pushed out; a motor control means for controlling current supplied to the motor; and an inner tube that is arranged to be extended from the inner and in the direction opposite to the motor, supports the pinion gear so as to inhibit rotation thereof with respect to the periphery of the inner tube, and supports the pinion gear to be slidable; wherein a gear-side face and a tube-side face are formed in the pinion gear and the inner tube, respectively, in which the faces are facing each other, and a cushioning member is disposed between the gear-side face and the tube-side face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masami NIIMI, Mitsuhiro Murata, Kiyokazu Haruno