Patents by Inventor Noboru Segawa

Noboru Segawa 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: 10651715
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to shorten the dimension in the axial direction to achieve compactness. The present invention has a movable element integrally provided with a magnet portion, weight portions, and shafts; a frame accommodating the movable element and enabling reciprocating motion thereof along a axial direction; a coil secured to the frame and drives the magnet portion along the axial direction; and elastic members exerting, on the movable element, elastic forces repelling the driving forces that act on the magnet portion. The shafts each extend toward a side along the axial direction. Tip ends of the shafts are configured as free ends. Bearings slidably supporting the shafts are secured to the frame. The weight portions have recessed portions that are formed along the axial direction. The shafts and the bearings are disposed in the spaces within the recessed portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Katada, Shin Odajima, Shiori Ishii, Noboru Segawa
  • Patent number: 10560010
    Abstract: A linear vibration motor comprises: a movable element that comprises a magnet portion, a weight portion, and a yoke; a frame for enclosing the movable element; a coil, secured to the frame, for applying a driving force to the magnet portion so as to cause the movable element to undergo reciprocating vibration along the axial direction; and an elastic member for applying, to the movable element, an elastic force that repels the driving force that is applied to the magnet portion, wherein: a magnetic material portion (a magnetic material piece) that extend along the direction of vibration of the movable element is provided on an inner surface of the frame, and the yoke has a raised portion near the magnetic material portion (the magnetic material piece).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Odajima, Yoshinori Katada, Shiori Ishii, Noboru Segawa
  • Patent number: 10376920
    Abstract: This abstract replaces all prior versions of abstract in the application. The linear vibration motor comprises a movable element that is equipped with a magnet portion and a weight portion; a frame that contains the movable element; a coil that is secured to the frame and that drives the magnet portion along an axial direction; an elastic member that is disposed within the frame and that applies, to the movable element, an elastic force that repels the driving force that is applied by the magnet portion; and a guide shaft 8 that is borne on the frame and that guides reciprocating motion of the movable element along the axial direction, wherein: the elastic member rotationally biases the movable element in one direction around the guide shaft 8, and the frame comprises a slide bearing portion (a slide plate) for bearing slidably a portion of the rotationally biased movable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Katada, Shin Odajima, Shiori Ishii, Noboru Segawa
  • Publication number: 20180281020
    Abstract: The linear vibration motor comprises a movable element that is equipped with a magnet portion and a weight portion; a frame that contains the movable element; a coil that is secured to the frame and that drives the magnet portion along an axial direction; an elastic member that is disposed within the frame and that applies, to the movable element, an elastic force that repels the driving force that is applied by the magnet portion; and a guide shaft 8 that is borne on the frame and that guides reciprocating motion of the movable element along the axial direction, wherein: the elastic member rotationally biases the movable element in one direction around the guide shaft 8, and the frame comprises a slide bearing portion (a slide plate) for bearing slidably a portion of the rotationally biased movable element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori KATADA, Shin ODAJIMA, Shiori ISHII, Noboru SEGAWA
  • Publication number: 20180278136
    Abstract: A linear vibration motor comprises: a movable element that comprises a magnet portion, a weight portion, and a yoke; a frame for enclosing the movable element; a coil, secured to the frame, for applying a driving force to the magnet portion so as to cause the movable element to undergo reciprocating vibration along the axial direction; and an elastic member for applying, to the movable element, an elastic force that repels the driving force that is applied to the magnet portion, wherein: a magnetic material portion (a magnetic material piece) that extend along the direction of vibration of the movable element is provided on an inner surface of the frame, and the yoke has a raised portion near the magnetic material portion (the magnetic material piece).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventors: Shin ODAJIMA, Yoshinori KATADA, Shiori ISHII, Noboru SEGAWA
  • Publication number: 20180219465
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to shorten the dimension in the axial direction to achieve compactness. The present invention has a movable element integrally provided with a magnet portion, weight portions, and shafts; a frame accommodating the movable element and enabling reciprocating motion thereof along a axial direction; a coil secured to the frame and drives the magnet portion along the axial direction; and elastic members exerting, on the movable element, elastic forces repelling the driving forces that act on the magnet portion. The shafts each extend toward a side along the axial direction. Tip ends of the shafts are configured as free ends. Bearings slidably supporting the shafts are secured to the frame. The weight portions have recessed portions that are formed along the axial direction. The shafts and the bearings are disposed in the spaces within the recessed portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori KATADA, Shin ODAJIMA, Shiori ISHII, Noboru SEGAWA
  • Publication number: 20180001348
    Abstract: A vibration actuator having a plate-shaped body made from a magnetic material that has a planar supporting face; a movable element that vibrates in the axial direction along the supporting face, in direct contact, or partial contact through contacts, with a plurality of locations of the supporting face; an elastic member for elastically repelling the vibration of the movable element; and a coil, wherein a winding part is secured to the plate-shaped body, and is perpendicular, in relation to the axial direction, to a gap between the movable element and the plate-shaped body; wherein the movable element has a magnetic flux, which passes through the winding part of the coil, formed between the movable element and the plate-shaped body, and is provided with a magnet for magnetically attracting the movable element toward the supporting face side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventors: Shiori ISHII, Noboru SEGAWA, Yoshinori FUKASAKU
  • Patent number: 8525384
    Abstract: A vibration motor includes: a core pivotally supported on a shaft; a commutator for supplying electric current to a coil; a commutator holder having through holes extending in an axial direction of the shaft; and chip type varistors fitted into the through holes. The commutator is provided with conductors extending in the axial direction of the shaft, and the conductors are inserted into the through holes and press-fixed to end electrodes of the chip type varistors. A first protrusion is provided on a first wall surface forming each through hole, and a second protrusion facing the first protrusion is provided on a second wall surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventor: Noboru Segawa
  • Patent number: 8242642
    Abstract: A vibration actuator includes a coil that extends in a vibration direction and has a flat shape and a magnet that extends in the vibration direction and has a flat shape, so that a case can be made flat or low profile. A weight portion is supported by a shaft, so that, when a drop impact is applied, the weight portion can move along the shaft and the weight portion is not freely moved in the case. A coil spring is disposed between a spring receiving portion and a weight portion. Therefore there is no unnecessary space in the case, so that space can be saved and the vibration actuator can be made compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Odajima, Noboru Segawa, Yoshihide Tonogai, Ryuta Yamawaki, Tomoaki Hoshina
  • Publication number: 20110101796
    Abstract: A vibration actuator includes a coil that extends in a vibration direction and has a flat shape and a magnet that extends in the vibration direction and has a flat shape, so that a case can be made flat or low profile. A weight portion is supported by a shaft, so that, when a drop impact is applied, the weight portion can move along the shaft and the weight portion is not freely moved in the case. A coil spring is disposed between a spring receiving portion and a weight portion. Therefore there is no unnecessary space in the case, so that space can be saved and the vibration actuator can be made compact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: NIDEC COPAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shin ODAJIMA, Noboru SEGAWA, Yoshihide TONOGAI, Ryuta YAMAWAKI, Tomoaki HOSHINA
  • Publication number: 20110001384
    Abstract: A vibration motor includes: a core pivotally supported on a shaft; a commutator for supplying electric current to a coil; a commutator holder having through holes extending in an axial direction of the shaft; and chip type varistors fitted into the through holes. The commutator is provided with conductors extending in the axial direction of the shaft, and the conductors are inserted into the through holes and press-fixed to end electrodes of the chip type varistors. A first protrusion is provided on a first wall surface forming each through hole, and a second protrusion facing the first protrusion is provided on a second wall surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: NIDEC COPAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noboru Segawa
  • Patent number: 7619335
    Abstract: A vibration motor having a tubular case, a shaft protruding from a front end of the case, a weight eccentrically fixed to an end of the shaft, and a metallic holder surrounding the case, the holder being surface-mounted on a wiring board by reflow-soldering, wherein the holder has a planate bottom placed on the wiring board, a pair of forward tilting prevention portions that extends up to a position facing the weight is formed at the bottom, a notch is provided on a center line extending along the bottom between the forward tilting prevention portions, and the notch extends from the front end of the forward tilting prevention portions beyond the position facing the weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Suzuki, Noboru Segawa
  • Publication number: 20070241626
    Abstract: A vibration motor having a tubular case, a shaft protruding from a front end of the case, a weight eccentrically fixed to an end of the shaft, and a metallic holder surrounding the case, the holder being surface-mounted on a wiring board by reflow-soldering, wherein the holder has a planate bottom placed on the wiring board, a pair of forward tilting prevention portions that extends up to a position facing the weight is formed at the bottom, a notch is provided on a center line extending along the bottom between the forward tilting prevention portions, and the notch extends from the front end of the forward tilting prevention portions beyond the position facing the weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Suzuki, Noboru Segawa
  • Patent number: 7129607
    Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a motor which can stably be mounted on a circuit board when being assembled into an instrument in particular. The motor 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises a motor body A, an output shaft 3 projecting from a front end of the motor body A, and a voltage-supplying terminal 8 provided in the motor body A, the terminal 8 having an elastic force in a direction substantially orthogonal to the output shaft 3 and also having a grounding portion 14 disposed near a rear end of the motor body A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventor: Noboru Segawa
  • Patent number: 7056476
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a deodorizer disposed in a cold air circulation path for deodorizing an atmosphere in the refrigerator. The deodorizer includes discharging means for producing ozone and ultraviolet rays by means of high-voltage discharge and a photocatalyst module for decomposing an odor component and injurious matter contained in the atmosphere by means of photocatalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Daishin Okada, Noboru Segawa, Naohiko Shimura, Takeshi Imamura, Takao Hattori, Takumi Oikawa
  • Publication number: 20060006750
    Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a motor which can stably be mounted on a circuit board when being assembled into an instrument in particular. The motor 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises a motor body A, an output shaft 3 projecting from a front end of the motor body A, and a voltage-supplying terminal 8 provided in the motor body A, the terminal 8 having an elastic force in a direction substantially orthogonal to the output shaft 3 and also having a grounding portion 14 disposed near a rear end of the motor body A.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Inventor: Noboru Segawa
  • Patent number: 6954015
    Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a motor which can stably be mounted on a circuit board when being assembled into an instrument in particular. The motor 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises a motor body A, an output shaft 3 projecting from a front end of the motor body A, and a voltage-supplying terminal 8 provided in the motor body A, the terminal 8 having an elastic force in a direction substantially orthogonal to the output shaft 3 and also having a grounding portion 14 disposed near a rear end of the motor body A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventor: Noboru Segawa
  • Patent number: 6866828
    Abstract: A photocatalysis apparatus has at least one unit structure (2). The unit structure has a photocatalyst module (6) and a pair of discharge electrodes (5) sandwiching the photocatalyst module. The photocatalyst module includes a photocatalyst and a three-dimensional ceramic mesh base carrying the photocatalyst. At least one of the discharge electrodes is a three-dimensional discharge electrode having an electrode body (3) and a conductive frame (4). The electrode body consists of cells made of a conductive foil and has front, back, and side faces. The front and back faces are separated from each other by a predetermined distance and have a shape selected from a group including a honeycomb, a lattice, and a mesh. The side faces of the electrode body is covered with the conductive frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Noboru Segawa, Yutaka Uchida, Takeshi Imamura, Naohiko Shimura
  • Publication number: 20040175318
    Abstract: An odor component in an air is deodorized by an ozone generating member in an ozone an ozone generating area formed in a path through which the air flows, the generated ozone is decomposed by an ozone decomposing member in an ozone decomposing area, and a carbon monoxide, generated in, for example, through incomplete combustion, a CO adsorbing area in the path is adsorbed and carried by a CO adsorbing member. The ozone decomposing area and the CO adsorbing area are formed in a common oxidizing reaction area in which the carbon monoxide is oxidized by using active oxygen generated through the ozone decomposing step in the oxidizing reaction area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Noboru Segawa, Kuniyuki Araki
  • Publication number: 20040169426
    Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a motor which can stably be mounted on a circuit board when being assembled into an instrument in particular. The motor 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises a motor body A, an output shaft 3 projecting from a front end of the motor body A, and a voltage-supplying terminal 8 provided in the motor body A, the terminal 8 having an elastic force in a direction substantially orthogonal to the output shaft 3 and also having a grounding portion 14 disposed near a rear end of the motor body A.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: NIDEC COPAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noboru Segawa