Patents by Inventor Shoichiro Yokoi
Shoichiro Yokoi 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: 9470387Abstract: Provided is a vehicular headlamp including a lamp casing configured by a lamp housing having an opening at least at one side thereof and a cover that covers the opening of the lamp housing, and a lamp unit disposed within the lamp casing. The lamp unit includes: a light source unit having a light source; a movable shade configured to be rotatable and change the shielding quantity of light; a solenoid having an output shaft which moves in a left-and-right direction and configured to rotate the movable shade; a rotation shaft configured to function as a rotation fulcrum of the movable shade, the axial direction of the shaft corresponding to the left and right direction; and an orthogonal transformation mechanism configured to convert a movement action of the output shaft to a rotation movement of the movable shade.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2013Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shoichiro Yokoi, Satoru Mikuni
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Patent number: 9221389Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a light source (LED) 2, a solenoid-type actuator 6, and a lamp control device LC. The light source 2 lights up when a current flows therethrough. The actuator 6 controls a light distribution of light that is illuminated from the light source 2. The lamp control device LC controls lighting-up of the light source 2 and driving of the actuator 6. The lamp control device LC includes a current control device 10 and an actuator control device 20. The current control device 10 outputs a constant current. The actuator control device 20 connects the actuator 6 to the light source 2 in series based on a predetermined signal so that the constant current, which is output from the current control device 10, flows through the light source 2 and the actuator 6.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2013Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroki Shibata, Shoichiro Yokoi, Tomokazu Suzuki
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Patent number: 9188303Abstract: An automotive headlamp includes: a light source; a movable shade configured to be movable between a first position shielding a part of light emitted from the light source and a second position having a different light shielding volume; a motor configured to generate a driving force to move the shade from the first position to the second position; and a stopper for high beam to fix the movable shade, which has been moved from the first position to the second position, at the second position. The motor is configured such that a motor phase is lag when the motor moves the movable shade to the second position by the driving force generated by supplied power and fixes the same, and an electric current is applied to the motor when the movable shade is fixed at the second position.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignees: Mabuchi Motor Co., Ltd., Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Yamazaki, Noritaka Minakawa, Shoichiro Yokoi
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Publication number: 20140092617Abstract: Provided is a vehicular headlamp including a lamp casing configured by a lamp housing having an opening at least at one side thereof and a cover that covers the opening of the lamp housing, and a lamp unit disposed within the lamp casing. The lamp unit includes: a light source unit having a light source; a movable shade configured to be rotatable and change the shielding quantity of light; a solenoid having an output shaft which moves in a left-and-right direction and configured to rotate the movable shade; a rotation shaft configured to function as a rotation fulcrum of the movable shade, the axial direction of the shaft corresponding to the left and right direction; and an orthogonal transformation mechanism configured to convert a movement action of the output shaft to a rotation movement of the movable shade.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Shoichiro YOKOI, Satoru MIKUNI
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Publication number: 20140015410Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a light source (LED) 2, a solenoid-type actuator 6, and a lamp control device LC. The light source 2 lights up when a current flows therethrough. The actuator 6 controls a light distribution of light that is illuminated from the light source 2. The lamp control device LC controls lighting-up of the light source 2 and driving of the actuator 6. The lamp control device LC includes a current control device 10 and an actuator control device 20. The current control device 10 outputs a constant current. The actuator control device 20 connects the actuator 6 to the light source 2 in series based on a predetermined signal so that the constant current, which is output from the current control device 10, flows through the light source 2 and the actuator 6.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Inventors: Hiroki SHIBATA, Shoichiro YOKOI, Tomokazu SUZUKI
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Patent number: 8564204Abstract: A vehicle headlamp apparatus is provided. The vehicle headlamp apparatus includes a first lamp configured to selectively produce a first high beam light distribution pattern and an infrared light distribution pattern, a second lamp configured to selectively produce a second high beam light distribution pattern and a low beam light distribution pattern, a vehicle detector which detects a vehicle running ahead, and a condition-dependent selection controller which controls the first and second lamps. The condition-dependent selection controller controls the second lamp to produce the low beam light distribution pattern when the vehicle detector detects a vehicle and to produce the second high beam light distribution pattern when the vehicle detector detects no vehicle. The condition-dependent selection controller controls the first lamp to produce the infrared light distribution pattern, irrespective of whether the vehicle detector detects a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2009Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Hirohisa Deguchi, Shoichiro Yokoi, Yuji Sugiyama
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Publication number: 20130258695Abstract: An automotive headlamp includes: a light source; a movable shade configured to be movable between a first position shielding a part of light emitted from the light source and a second position having a different light shielding volume; a motor configured to generate a driving force to move the shade from the first position to the second position; and a stopper for high beam to fix the movable shade, which has been moved from the first position to the second position, at the second position. The motor is configured such that a motor phase is lag when the motor moves the movable shade to the second position by the driving force generated by supplied power and fixes the same, and an electric current is applied to the motor when the movable shade is fixed at the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicants: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd., MABUCHI MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroshi Yamazaki, Noritaka Minakawa, Shoichiro Yokoi
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Publication number: 20100060169Abstract: A vehicle headlamp apparatus is provided. The vehicle headlamp apparatus includes a first lamp configured to selectively produce a first high beam light distribution pattern and an infrared light distribution pattern, a second lamp configured to selectively produce a second high beam light distribution pattern and a low beam light distribution pattern, a vehicle detector which detects a vehicle running ahead, and a condition-dependent selection controller which controls the first and second lamps. The condition-dependent selection controller controls the second lamp to produce the low beam light distribution pattern when the vehicle detector detects a vehicle and to produce the second high beam light distribution pattern when the vehicle detector detects no vehicle. The condition-dependent selection controller controls the first lamp to produce the infrared light distribution pattern, irrespective of whether the vehicle detector detects a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2009Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Atsushi SUGIMOTO, Hirohisa DEGUCHI, Shoichiro YOKOI, Yuji SUGIYAMA
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Patent number: 7618170Abstract: An infrared light irradiating lamp for a vehicle includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a light source bulb disposed behind a rear focal point of the projection lens, a reflector for reflecting light emitted from the light source bulb in a forward direction close to the optical axis by setting the light source bulb as a first focal point of the reflector, a filter driving unit disposed between the projection lens and the light source bulb, the filter driving unit having a movable shaft to be driven in a vertical direction, a bracket having a tip portion and a base end, the tip portion holding an infrared light transmitting filter, and a rotating shaft disposed between the movable shaft to the base end of the bracket for linking the movable shaft to the base end.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2007Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuji Sugiyama, Shigeyuki Watanabe, Shoichiro Yokoi, Atsushi Sugimoto, Hideki Fukuchi
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Publication number: 20080037269Abstract: An infrared light irradiating lamp for a vehicle includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a light source bulb disposed behind a rear focal point of the projection lens such that a longitudinal direction of a filament is substantially orthogonal to the optical axis; a reflector for reflecting light emitted from the light source bulb in a forward direction close to the optical axis by setting the light source bulb as a first focal point of the reflector; and a filter driving unit disposed between the projection lens and the light source bulb. The filter driving unit comprising a movable shaft to be driven in a vertical direction. The infrared light irradiating lamp also includes a bracket comprising a tip portion and a base end; and a rotating shaft linking the movable shaft to the base end of the bracket, wherein a distance from the rotating shaft to the base end is less than a distance from the rotating shaft to the tip portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yuji Sugiyama, Shigeyuki Watanabe, Shoichiro Yokoi, Atsushi Sugimoto, Hideki Fukuchi
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Patent number: 6998784Abstract: A vehicular headlamp including a beam radiation unit that has a discharge bulb as a light source and is rotatably supported in a lamp body, an illumination circuit unit that illuminates the discharge bulb, and a cord that connects the illumination circuit unit and the discharge bulb, the cord being held at its middle portion so as to be prevented from being moved around with respect to the lamp body.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2003Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shoichiro Yokoi, Kazuki Okui
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Patent number: 6857768Abstract: In a projector-type lamp unit, a shade is pivotally supported on a holder provided between a reflector and a projection lens. This support is provided at a plurality of regions disposed on an axis Ax1 of pivotal movement of the shade. This support at the plurality of regions is effected through a single shaft extending in a direction of the pivotal movement axis.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2003Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigeyuki Watanabe, Shoichiro Yokoi
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Patent number: 6796692Abstract: A vehicle headlamp structure for engagement between a plunger of a solenoid and a shade leg of a movable shade, wherein the solenoid moves the movable shade to vary the light distribution of a lamp fixture. A moveable shade 22 is pivoted between two positions by a solenoid 34 having a longitudinally extending plunger 36. The plunger 36 has a notch (U-shaped recess) 36a formed in its peripheral surface at a position near the tip thereof. A shade leg 22B of the movable shade 22 has an engaging portion 22Ba for engaging with the notch 36a. Since the engaging portion 22Ba abuts on a front end face 36a1 and a rear end face 36a2 of the notch 36a, reciprocating movement if the plunger 36 is converted into pivoting movement of the movable shade 22.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsumi Nakada, Shoichiro Yokoi, Shigeyuki Watanabe
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Publication number: 20040114389Abstract: A vehicular headlamp including a beam radiation unit that has a discharge bulb as a light source and is rotatably supported in a lamp body, an illumination circuit unit that illuminates the discharge bulb, and a cord that connects the illumination circuit unit and the discharge bulb, the cord being held at its middle portion so as to be prevented from being moved around with respect to the lamp body.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Applicant: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shoichiro Yokoi, Kazuki Okui
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Patent number: 6641291Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a moveable shade. The front end of the shade body of the movable shade is formed into a substantially semispherical shape. The maximum radius of the pivotal locus of the shade body is smaller than conventional shades that have a front end portion formed into a cylindrical shape. Further, a slot is found in the front end portion that extends along the pivotal face of the movable shade. Therefore, the shade body and the discharge bulb do not interfere with each other even when the movable shade is caused to pivot, and the maximum radius of the pivotal locus of the shade body is further reduced. Thus, the shade body of a fixed shade can be smaller in size so that a greater space can be secured for use in disposing the fixed shade within an allowable range that refrains from unnecessarily shading the light reflected from a reflector.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2002Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shoichiro Yokoi, Michihiko Hayakawa
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Publication number: 20030165066Abstract: In a projector-type lamp unit, a shade is pivotally supported on a holder provided between a reflector and a projection lens. This support is provided at a plurality of regions disposed on an axis Ax1 of pivotal movement of the shade. This support at the plurality of regions is effected through a single shaft extending in a direction of the pivotal movement axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2003Publication date: September 4, 2003Inventors: Shigeyuki Watanabe, Shoichiro Yokoi
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Publication number: 20030053319Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a moveable shade. The front end of the shade body of the movable shade is formed into a substantially semispherical shape. The maximum radius of the pivotal locus of the shade body is smaller than conventional shades that have a front end portion formed into a cylindrical shape. Further, a slot is found in the front end portion that extends along the pivotal face of the movable shade. Therefore, the shade body and the discharge bulb do not interfere with each other even when the movable shade is caused to pivot, and the maximum radius of the pivotal locus of the shade body is further reduced. Thus, the shade body of a fixed shade can be smaller in size so that a greater space can be secured for use in disposing the fixed shade within an allowable range that refrains from unnecessarily shading the light reflected from a reflector.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2002Publication date: March 20, 2003Inventors: Shoichiro Yokoi, Michihiko Hayakawa
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Publication number: 20020191411Abstract: A vehicle headlamp structure for engagement between a plunger of a solenoid and a shade leg of a movable shade, wherein the solenoid moves the movable shade to vary the light distribution of a lamp fixture. A movable shade 22 is pivoted between two positions by a solenoid 34 having a longitudinally extending plunger 36. The plunger 36 has a notch (U-shaped recess) 36a formed in its peripheral surface at a position near the tip thereof. A shade leg 22B of the movable shade 22 has an engaging portion 22Ba for engaging with the notch 36a. Since the engaging portion 22Ba abuts on a front end face 36a1 and a rear end face 36a2 of the notch 36a, reciprocating movement of the plunger 36 is converted into pivoting movement of the movable shade 22.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventors: Katsumi Nakada, Shoichiro Yokoi
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Publication number: 20010010634Abstract: A bulb supporting base fixed to a reflector of a vehicle headlamp is provided with a deviation-preventing member having first and second upper and lower resilient strips. The strips resiliently abut against a projection formed on a leg of a movable shade that shades light from the bulb when the movable shade is at either a low beam position or a high beam position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2001Publication date: August 2, 2001Inventor: Shoichiro Yokoi
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Patent number: 6094868Abstract: A handle unit of a manual window apparatus including a base plate 110 that has a brake drum part 111, a handle shaft 120 that penetrates the base plate 110, a brake spring 140 that is mounted inside the brake drum part 111, a spring hanger 160 that is fitted on the handle shaft 120 and that is joined with the handle shaft 120 in a circumferential direction via the brake spring 140, a volute balance spring 170 that is laid over a surface of the base plate 110 in an outer circumferential area of the spring hanger 160 and that is mounted between the spring hanger 160 and the base plate 110, a wire drum 180 that is fitted on the handle shaft 120 so as to form a single body with the spring hanger 160 in a circumferential direction and that is wound around on the circumferential surface thereof with a wire for opening-closing actions of a window glass, and a cover that has a container part 191 that covers the wire drum and that is secured to the base plate 110.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1999Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Otaka, Shoichiro Yokoi