Patents by Inventor Yuujirou Imai

Yuujirou Imai 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: 9698514
    Abstract: A connector (10) includes a female housing (20) for accommodating female terminals (24) and a retainer (40) mountable in female housing (20). The retainer (40) includes a retaining portion (41) that retains the female terminals (24) by being inserted into a retainer mounting hole (27) in the female housing (20). Locks (46) are adjacent to the retaining portion (41) in a direction intersecting an inserting direction of the retaining portion (41) while standing up from bases (45) integral to the retaining portion (41). The locks (46) resiliently deform by moving onto partial locking projections (30) and full locking projections (31) formed in the female housing (20), and resiliently restore to engage the partial locking projections (30) and the full locking projections (31). The lock pieces (46) are separated from the retaining portion (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naotaka Tanikawa, Yuujirou Imai
  • Publication number: 20140301780
    Abstract: A connector (10) includes a female housing (20) for accommodating female terminals (24) and a retainer (40) mountable in female housing (20). The retainer (40) includes a retaining portion (41) that retains the female terminals (24) by being inserted into a retainer mounting hole (27) in the female housing (20). Locks (46) are adjacent to the retaining portion (41) in a direction intersecting an inserting direction of the retaining portion (41) while standing up from bases (45) integral to the retaining portion (41). The locks (46) resiliently deform by moving onto partial locking projections (30) and full locking projections (31) formed in the female housing (20), and resiliently restore to engage the partial locking projections (30) and the full locking projections (31). The lock pieces (46) are separated from the retaining portion (41).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd
    Inventors: Naotaka Tanikawa, Yuujirou Imai
  • Patent number: 8356999
    Abstract: A lever-type connector has a female housing (30) that can be connected with and separated from a male housing (10) as a lever (50) is rotated. The lever-type connector has first and second cam pins (32, 33). A first gear (51) is rotated as the lever (50) is rotated and has a first cam groove (54) engageable with the first cam pin (32). A second gear (61) is rotated as the first gear (51) is rotated and has a second cam groove (64) engageable with the second cam pin (33). A width of the first cam groove (54) in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of the first cam pin (32) exceeds the outer diameter of the first cam pin (32) in conformity with a backlash (S) between the two gears (51, 61). A width of the second cam groove (64) in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of the second cam pin (33) is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the second cam pin (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuujirou Imai
  • Patent number: 8137116
    Abstract: The present invention provides a ground joint connector capable of collectively connecting a plurality of grounding wires included in a wire harness for a vehicle, to a given ground site, while occupying a little space. The ground joint connector JC comprises a plurality of wire terminals to be attached to respective terminal ends of the grounding wires, a grounding conductor a connector housing holding the grounding conductor. The grounding conductor includes a plurality of wire-side terminal portions to be fitted to the respective wire terminals in a terminal fitting direction and a ground-side terminal portion to be connected to the ground site while fixed onto the wall surface around the ground site. The wire-side terminal portions aligned in a direction approximately perpendicular to the terminal fitting direction and parallel to the wall surface, and integrally joined to the ground-side terminal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Omori, Hiroki Hirai, Tetsuji Tanaka, Masaaki Tabata, Yuujirou Imai, Teruo Hara
  • Patent number: 8100730
    Abstract: A ground joint connector (JC) has a housing (20) with cavities (21) for receiving female terminals (11). The ground joint connector (JC) also has a joint terminal (50) including a male terminal portion (51) with male terminals (55) to be accommodated in the respective cavities (21). A bracket (52) is connected with the male terminal portion (51) and includes a mounting portion (65) to be mounted on a grounding portion. The bracket (52) extends in an extending direction of the cavities (21) from the rear edge of the male terminal portion (51) and then is bent twice to define a crank shape. Reinforcing flanges (73) and ribs (75) are formed on a flat portion at a base end side of the bracket (52). The housing (20) includes receiving portions (46, 47) for tightly holding back ends of the flanges (73) and the ribs (75).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruo Hara, Yuujirou Imai
  • Publication number: 20110269323
    Abstract: The present invention provides a ground joint connector capable of collectively connecting a plurality of grounding wires included in a wire harness for a vehicle, to a given ground site, while occupying a little space. The ground joint connector JC comprises a plurality of wire terminals to be attached to respective terminal ends of the grounding wires, a grounding conductor a connector housing holding the grounding conductor. The grounding conductor includes a plurality of wire-side terminal portions to be fitted to the respective wire terminals in a terminal fitting direction and a ground-side terminal portion to be connected to the ground site while fixed onto the wall surface around the ground site. The wire-side terminal portions aligned in a direction approximately perpendicular to the terminal fitting direction and parallel to the wall surface, and integrally joined to the ground-side terminal portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicants: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Omori, Hiroki Hirai, Tetsuji Tanaka, Masaaki Tabata, Yuujirou Imai, Teruo Hara
  • Patent number: 8025538
    Abstract: A joint connector has a housing (20) and cavities (21) penetrate the housing (20) in forward and backward directions. Female terminals (11) connected to ends of wires (10) are insertable into the cavities (21) from behind and locking lances (22) in the respective cavities (21) retain the female terminals (11). Jig insertion grooves (30) are formed in the front surface of the housing (20) and can receive a jig (80) to displace the locking lance (22) in an unlocking direction. A joint terminal (50) to be mounted in the housing (20) and formed such that a bracket (52) to be mounted on a grounding portion is connected with the rear edge of a male terminal (51) in which male terminals (55) insertable into the respective cavities (21) from front are connected side by side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruo Hara, Yuujirou Imai
  • Publication number: 20110111640
    Abstract: A ground joint connector (JC) has a housing (20) with cavities (21) for receiving female terminals (11). The ground joint connector (JC) also has a joint terminal (50) including a male terminal portion (51) with male terminals (55) to be accommodated in the respective cavities (21). A bracket (52) is connected with the male terminal portion (51) and includes a mounting portion (65) to be mounted on a grounding portion. The bracket (52) extends in an extending direction of the cavities (21) from the rear edge of the male terminal portion (51) and then is bent twice to define a crank shape. Reinforcing flanges (73) and ribs (75) are formed on a flat portion at a base end side of the bracket (52). The housing (20) includes receiving portions (46, 47) for tightly holding back ends of the flanges (73) and the ribs (75).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Teruo Hara, Yuujirou Imai
  • Publication number: 20110111639
    Abstract: A joint connector has a housing (20) and cavities (21) penetrate the housing (20) in forward and backward directions. Female terminals (11) connected to ends of wires (10) are insertable into the cavities (21) from behind and locking lances (22) in the respective cavities (21) retain the female terminals (11). Jig insertion grooves (30) are formed in the front surface of the housing (20) and can receive a jig (80) to displace the locking lance (22) in an unlocking direction. A joint terminal (50) to be mounted in the housing (20) and formed such that a bracket (52) to be mounted on a grounding portion is connected with the rear edge of a male terminal (51) in which male terminals (55) insertable into the respective cavities (21) from front are connected side by side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Teruo Hara, Yuujirou Imai
  • Patent number: 7850471
    Abstract: A shorting terminal (40) includes a contact pieces (41) to be respectively brought into contact with a pair of laterally adjacent female terminal fittings (20) out of a plurality of female terminal fittings (20) arranged in vertical and lateral directions in an auxiliary connector (11), thereby shorting the pair of female terminal fittings (20), wherein releasing ribs (35) thrust themselves between the contact pieces (41) and the female terminal fittings (20) held in contact to release the pair of female terminal fittings (20). The both contact pieces (41) are arranged between the pair of laterally adjacent female terminal fittings (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd
    Inventor: Yuujirou Imai
  • Publication number: 20100226716
    Abstract: A lever-type connector has a female housing (30) that can be connected with and separated from a male housing (10) as a lever (50) is rotated. The lever-type connector has first and second cam pins (32, 33). A first gear (51) is rotated as the lever (50) is rotated and has a first cam groove (54) engageable with the first cam pin (32). A second gear (61) is rotated as the first gear (51) is rotated and has a second cam groove (64) engageable with the second cam pin (33). A width of the first cam groove (54) in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of the first cam pin (32) exceeds the outer diameter of the first cam pin (32) in conformity with a backlash (S) between the two gears (51, 61). A width of the second cam groove (64) in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of the second cam pin (33) is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the second cam pin (33).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Yuujirou Imai
  • Patent number: 7645172
    Abstract: A connector has terminal fittings (20) with a touching section (41) to be held in contact with a mating terminal (30) and a housing (10) formed with press-in holes (14, 14A), into which the terminal fittings (20) are pressed. The terminal fittings (20) are pressingly held in the housing (10) after the touching sections (41) pass through the press-in holes (14, 14A). A part of the inner surface of each press-in hole (14, 14A) of the housing (10) corresponding to a passage area of the touching section (41) is shaped to be gradually distanced from the passage area towards an apex (62, 62A) at a widthwise middle part (65) of the passage area. Accordingly, mutual abrasion of the touching section (41) and the inner surface of the press-in hole (14, 14A) can be avoided when the touching section (41) passes through the press-in hole (14, 14A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuujirou Imai
  • Publication number: 20090269975
    Abstract: A shorting terminal (40) includes a contact pieces (41) to be respectively brought into contact with a pair of laterally adjacent female terminal fittings (20) out of a plurality of female terminal fittings (20) arranged in vertical and lateral directions in an auxiliary connector (11), thereby shorting the pair of female terminal fittings (20), wherein releasing ribs (35) thrust themselves between the contact pieces (41) and the female terminal fittings (20) held in contact to release the pair of female terminal fittings (20). The both contact pieces (41) are arranged between the pair of laterally adjacent female terminal fittings (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuujirou Imai
  • Patent number: 7553201
    Abstract: A connector (10) is provided with a housing (11) to be mounted on an electrically conductive bracket (B), a plurality of terminal fittings (12) connected with coaxial cables each including an outer conductor as a ground wire and to be mounted in the housing (11), and a plurality of split ground terminals (13) to be mounted in the housing (11) and including circuit-side contact pieces (38) to be brought into contact with outer conductor terminals (14) of the terminal fittings (12) connected with the outer conductors and bracket-side contact pieces (40) to be brought into contact with the bracket (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuujirou Imai
  • Publication number: 20090011661
    Abstract: A connector (10) is provided with a housing (11) to be mounted on an electrically conductive bracket (B), a plurality of terminal fittings (12) connected with coaxial cables each including an outer conductor as a ground wire and to be mounted in the housing (11), and a plurality of split ground terminals (13) to be mounted in the housing (11) and including circuit-side contact pieces (38) to be brought into contact with outer conductor terminals (14) of the terminal fittings (12) connected with the outer conductors and bracket-side contact pieces (40) to be brought into contact with the bracket (B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuujirou Imai
  • Publication number: 20080176454
    Abstract: A connector has terminal fittings (20) with a touching section (41) to be held in contact with a mating terminal (30) and a housing (10) formed with press-in holes (14, 14A), into which the terminal fittings (20) are pressed. The terminal fittings (20) are pressingly held in the housing (10) after the touching sections (41) pass through the press-in holes (14, 14A). A part of the inner surface of each press-in hole (14, 14A) of the housing (10) corresponding to a passage area of the touching section (41) is shaped to be gradually distanced from the passage area towards an apex (62, 62A) at a widthwise middle part (65) of the passage area. Accordingly, mutual abrasion of the touching section (41) and the inner surface of the press-in hole (14, 14A) can be avoided when the touching section (41) passes through the press-in hole (14, 14A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Yuujirou Imai
  • Patent number: 7384286
    Abstract: A connector has female and male housings (10, 60). A cam pin (63) projects from the male housing (60), and a jaw (65) bulges out at the end of the cam pin (63). A lever (30) is mounted to the female housing (10), and has a cam groove (33) for engaging the cam pin (63). A step (38, 39) in the cam groove (33) defines an accommodating portion (42) for the jaw (65). The depth of the accommodation portion (42) is larger near the entrance of the cam groove (33) so that the jaw (65) initially is accommodated loosely. However the depth of the accommodating portion (42) is smaller towards the back of the cam groove (33) to prevent loose movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuujirou Imai, Tetsuya Shinozaki
  • Publication number: 20070207647
    Abstract: A connector has female and male housings (10, 60). A cam pin (63) projects from the male housing (60), and a jaw (65) bulges out at the end of the cam pin (63). A lever (30) is mounted to the female housing (10), and has a cam groove (33) for engaging the cam pin (63). A step (38, 39) in the cam groove (33) defines an accommodating portion (42) for the jaw (65). The depth of the accommodation portion (42) is larger near the entrance of the cam groove (33) so that the jaw (65) initially is accommodated loosely. However the depth of the accommodating portion (42) is smaller towards the back of the cam groove (33) to prevent loose movements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuujirou Imai, Tetsuya Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 6953365
    Abstract: A female terminal fitting (20) is provided with a pair of fastening pieces (26) extending from the opposite side edges of a bottom plate (24), and the fastening pieces (26) are bent inward toward each other, thereby wrapping around the outer circumferential surface of a sealing member (30) fitted on a wire (10) to fasten the sealing member (30) together with the wire (10). Sealing-member protecting portions (27) are formed on side edges of the inner surfaces of the fastening pieces (26) and are aligned at obtuse angles to contact surfaces (29). Therefore, the bite in the sealing member (30) can be hindered over a wide range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Tabata, Yuujirou Imai
  • Publication number: 20040171304
    Abstract: A female terminal fitting (20) is provided with a pair of fastening pieces (26) extending from the opposite side edges of a bottom plate (24), and the fastening pieces (26) are bent inward toward each other, thereby wrapping around the outer circumferential surface of a sealing member (30) fitted on a wire (10) to fasten the sealing member (30) together with the wire (10). Sealing-member protecting portions (27) are formed on side edges of the inner surfaces of the fastening pieces (26) and are aligned at obtuse angles to contact surfaces (29). Therefore, the bite in the sealing member (30) can be hindered over a wide range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Tabata, Yuujirou Imai