Patents Assigned to Furukawa Automotive Systems Inc.
  • Patent number: 10998108
    Abstract: An electrical contact material (10) having: a conductive substrate (1) formed from copper or a copper alloy; a first intermediate layer (2) provided on the conductive substrate (1); a second intermediate layer (3) provided on the first intermediate layer (2); and an outermost layer (4) formed from tin or a tin alloy and provided on the second intermediate layer (3), wherein the first intermediate layer (2) is constructed as one layer of grains extending from the conductive substrate (1) side to the second intermediate layer (3) side, and wherein, in the first intermediate layer (2), the density of grain boundaries (5b) extending in a direction in which the angle formed by the grain boundary in interest and the interface between the conductive substrate and the first intermediate layer is 45° or greater, is 4 ?m/?m2 or less; a method of producing the same; and a terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignees: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Okuno, Yoshiaki Kobayashi, Tatsuya Nakatsugawa, Kengo Mitose, Akira Tachibana, Shingo Kawata
  • Patent number: 10981525
    Abstract: A rotary connector device capable of reducing the number of components and enhancing assembly workability provided with: a stationary member; a rotary member to be attached to the stationary member to be capable of relative rotation with respect to the stationary member, the rotary member including a steering wheel insertion hole into which an insertion convex portion of a steering wheel is to be inserted; and an intermediate stationary member provided to be movable between a locked position and a lock released position with respect to the rotary member, wherein the intermediate stationary member is provided with a regulating portion, the regulating portion being configured to, at the locked position, regulate relative rotation of the rotary member when the regulating portion is engaged with the stationary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignees: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Kenji Hiroki
  • Publication number: 20210110951
    Abstract: A wire harness manufacturing system including a plurality of processing zones and configured to manufacture a wire harness by using a subassembly including a plurality of electrical lines to each of which a connection component is attached includes a conveyance device provided along the plurality of processing zones and including: work boards in a number at least corresponding to the number of the plurality of processing zones; a circulation conveyer configured to sequentially convey each work board in a horizontal state from an upstream side to a downstream side on a downstream conveyance path along the plurality of processing zones and then return the work board from the downstream side to the upstream side on an upstream conveyance path; and a raiser configured to set the work board to a stand-up state in which one of edge parts extending in a conveyance direction of the work board is positioned on an upper side of the other edge part in the work board, and to set the work board in the stand-up state to th
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicants: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Eiji ARAMAKI, Koji KATO, Mitsuyuki AKAI, Takayuki OKUBO, Nobuyuki MINAMI
  • Publication number: 20210091525
    Abstract: A rotary connector device includes a fixed body and a rotation body. The fixed body includes an internal space. The rotation body is rotatably assembled to the fixed body about a rotational axis with respect to the fixed body. The fixed body includes an inserted portion into which a fixing tool is to be inserted to restrict the fixed body and the rotation body from rotating relative to each other. The inserted portion includes an inner space isolated from the internal space of the fixed body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicants: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Satoshi KITAO, Shingo NAMBU, Kenji YOSHIMURA
  • Publication number: 20210066872
    Abstract: A rotary connector device includes a fixed body, a rotation body, and a connector. The rotation body is rotatable about a rotation axis with respect to the fixed body. The connector includes a cover, a conductor, and a holding member. The cover includes a first wall and a space therein. The first wall extends from the rotation body in an axial direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis. The holding member is attached to the cover in the space and holds the conductor. The holding member includes, in the first wall, an exposed portion exposed to an outside of the space. The cover and the holding member include a restriction structure to restrict foreign matter from entering the space through the exposed portion. The restriction structure includes a first protrusion that protrudes in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first wall and a first recess in which the first protrusion is fitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicants: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Satoshi KITAO, Shingo NAMBU, Kenji YOSHIMURA
  • Patent number: 10928458
    Abstract: A secondary battery state detection device for detecting the state of a secondary battery includes at least one processor and at least one memory that is communicably connected to the at least one processor. The at least one processor reads a set of instructions stored in the at least one memory, and executes detection processing in which a charging voltage is detected, the charging voltage being generated when an alternator that generates an adjustable voltage charges the secondary battery; computation processing in which a charging resistance is computed as an internal resistance of the secondary battery when the alternator charges the secondary battery; and estimation processing in which a state of charge of the secondary battery is estimated on the basis of the charging voltage detected by the detection processing and on the charging resistance computed by the computation processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignees: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Noriyasu Iwane, Atsuhito Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20210033718
    Abstract: To detect an object present in the vicinity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicants: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KOBAYASHI, Taishi KAGIMOTO, Tadataka WAKABISHI, Sadao MATSUSHIMA, Hajime NAMIKI, Jun MIURA, Tomoki KAWAMURA, Noriyuki SHOJI
  • Publication number: 20210028562
    Abstract: [Object] The present invention provides a joined conductor and a method for manufacturing a joined conductor that can improve electrical conductivity between conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicants: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Toshihiro NAKAMURA, Tomohiro NAKAYAMA
  • Patent number: 10901078
    Abstract: A monitoring device to monitor traffic behind and on both sides of a vehicle includes a radar detecting a traveling object in a pair of first detection areas that are defined behind and on left and right sides, respectively, of the vehicle and in a pair of second detection areas that are defined behind and on the left and right sides, respectively, of the vehicle, the second detection area having a width in a vehicle width direction narrower than a width of the first detection area; a detector detecting a moving direction in which the vehicle is moving and other moving indicators to find a moving status of the vehicle; and a processor causing the radar to switch to the second detection areas when the detected moving status indicates that the moving direction of the vehicle is straight ahead and at least one other moving indicator satisfies a prescribed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignees: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Yasushi Aoyagi, Nobuyuki Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20210021010
    Abstract: The high-frequency transmission line is configured by stacking conductor layers and an insulating layer, and is provided with: a signal via, which extends in a stacking direction and electrically connects the conductor layers together; an input line, which is arranged in one of the conductor layers and inputs an electrical signal to the signal via; a signal line, which is arranged in another one of the conductor layers and is connected to the input line through the signal via; a ground plane, which is arranged in any one of the conductor layers; a conductor arm arranged within a separation region that separates the signal via and the ground plane; and a conductor connection arranged within the separation region and connecting the conductor arm and the ground plane. The conductor arm and the conductor connection are configured to suppress an electrical signal of a predetermined frequency within an electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicants: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Noritaka MUROFUSHI, Hikaru NAKAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20210021112
    Abstract: A wire exterior body and an exterior-covered wire harness, capable of preventing damage to thereby suppress deterioration in the protective function for electric wires, are provided. A wire exterior body (3) formed of a resin sheet, to be mounted on the outer periphery of the wire harness (2), includes bending portions (20a) to (20d) at which the resin sheet is bent, and a plurality of wall parts (4) formed of the resin sheet bent at the bending portions (20a) to (20d). The wall parts (4) extend along the extending direction of the electric wires and form an accommodating part (5) that accommodates the electric wires. Grooves (21a) to (21d) are formed in the bending portions (20a) to (20d) at positions separated by predetermined spaces (S1) and (S2) from end portions (4a) and (4b), in the extending direction of the electric wires, of the wall parts (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicants: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Takashi OSHINO, Koichi MAENO, Naoyuki KOJIMA, Hideyuki IKEDA, Yoshikazu KAMEI
  • Patent number: 10894557
    Abstract: A steering column structure includes a rotary connector, a steering column cover, and a steering lower cover attached with a gap defined between the steering lower cover and the steering column cover. The steering column cover includes a first side wall portion defining the gap, and a first insertion hole that is disposed in the first side wall portion and into which the rotary connector is inserted. The steering lower cover includes a second side wall portion facing the first side wall portion and defining the gap together with the first side wall portion, and a second insertion hole that is disposed in the second side wall portion and into which the rotary connector is inserted. The first side wall portion includes a first dam portion disposed in a position corresponding to the rotary connector above the rotary connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignees: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Utsunomiya, Masatoshi Ushiyama
  • Publication number: 20210001753
    Abstract: A cable winding device is provided, which is for a flexible flat cable routed to a sliding seat slidably supported allowing for forward and backward movement in a longitudinal direction of a fixed rail; a first side end portion of the cable being fixed to an end of the fixed rail corresponding to a first rail end portion; the device including a winding housing portion inside which a second side end portion of the cable is fixed; the winding portion being fixed to a movable body supporting the seat and configured to slide in a forward and backward direction relative to the fixed rail; in a case where the winding portion moves in a forward (or backward) movement direction toward (or away from) the first rail end portion, the cable is wound in the winding portion (or is fed out along the fixed rail from the winding portion).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicants: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Masahiro OKUMURA, Naoshi SAOYA
  • Publication number: 20210006022
    Abstract: A rotary connector device includes a fixed body, a rotation body, and an inhibiting structure. The fixed body includes a first fixed body portion and a second fixed body portion disposed facing each other with a space being defined between the first fixed body portion and the second fixed body portion. The first fixed body portion and the second fixed body portion are coupled at a coupling portion. The rotation body rotatably is assembled to the fixed body. The inhibiting structure is configured to inhibit foreign matter from entering the space through the coupling portion. The coupling portion is exposed to an outer surface of the fixed body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicants: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Kazuki FUJIMOTO, Satoshi KITAO, Shingo NAMBU, Kenji YOSHIMURA
  • Publication number: 20210001789
    Abstract: A rotary connector device is provided, which includes a moving member on a stator side in an insertion direction of a steering shaft, the moving member including a first recessed portion recessed in the insertion direction and located in a first direction (X) orthogonal to a center axis (Cx) of the stator, and a second recessed portion recessed in a direction opposite to the first recessed portion and located in a second direction (Y); a rotator including a first guide portion configured to loosely fit together with and guide the first recessed portion; a rotating portion provided in the stator and configured to rotate about the center axis (Cx) includes a second guide portion configured to loosely fit together with and guide the second recessed portion; and the first recessed portion and the second recessed portion are capable of movement in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicants: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Hirofumi UTSUNOMIYA
  • Publication number: 20200358270
    Abstract: Provided herein is an example outer cover body for electrical wires formed by bending a resin sheet and attached to an outer periphery of an electrical wire. The outer cover body includes a plurality of wall parts extending along an extending direction of the electrical wire and forming an accommodating part for accommodating the electrical wire. At least one of the plurality of wall parts includes a wall surface overlapping part. The wall surface overlapping part includes an outer side wall surface having a first notch and an inner side wall surface overlapping the outer side wall surface and having a second notch. When the first notch and the second notch overlap each other, a branch line through-hole is formed in the wall parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicants: Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Furukawa Automotive Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi OSHINO, Koichi MAENO, Naoyuki KOJIMA, Hideyuki IKEDA, Yoshikazu KAMEI
  • Patent number: 10833466
    Abstract: Provided is a rotary connector device capable of improving the reliability of electric connection. A rotary connector device (1) includes a stator (11), a rotator (12) rotatably attached to the stator (11), and a flexible flat cable group (13) housed capably of being wound and rewound in an annular space (S1) formed between the stator (11) and the rotator (12) around an axis line (x). The FFC group (13) includes a first FFC (41) wound on the inner peripheral side of the annular space (S1), and a second FFC (42) wound on the outer peripheral side with respect to the first FFC (41), having a length in the annular space (S1) longer than that of the first FFC (41). The second FFC (42) includes both conductors (42-1b to 42-1e) constituting an airbag circuit and a conductor (42-1f) constituting a horn circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignees: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Kendy Rodrigo Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10826249
    Abstract: A rotary connector apparatus includes: a ring-shaped fixed member; a ring-shaped rotating member rotatably fitted to the fixed member; a flexible flat cable housed in a housing space formed by the fixed member and the rotating member, the flexible flat cable having a plurality of wires, one end of the flexible flat cable being fixed to the fixed member and another end thereof being fixed to the rotating member, wherein a first connector housing attached to the fixed member accommodates a plurality of electrically conductive paths that respectively connect a plurality of first terminals to the plurality of wires at said one end of the flexible flat cable, and at least one of the plurality of electrically conductive paths is configured to removably receive a protection device so as to protect the path from overcurrent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignees: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Utsunomiya, Kenji Hiroki, Masashi Kanazawa
  • Publication number: 20200343708
    Abstract: A wire exterior body and an exterior-covered wire harness in which damage by an attaching member is prevented are provided. A wire exterior body (3) to be mounted on the outer periphery of an electric wire (wire harness) (2), the wire exterior body being formed of a resin sheet that is bent, includes a plurality of wall parts (4) extending along an extending direction of the electric wire and forming an accommodating part (5) that accommodates the electric wire. Among the plurality of the wall parts (4), at least one wall part (upper lid wall part (45)) has a through-hole (47), penetrating in a thickness direction of the resin sheet, into which an attaching member (61) attachable to a vehicle body is inserted, and a groove (a lower surface groove (48) or an upper surface groove (49)) in which a thickness of the resin sheet is reduced is formed on a part around the through-hole (47) on at least one surface of an upper surface (45c) and a lower surface (45d) facing the thickness direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicants: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu KAMEI, Takashi OSHINO, Hideyuki IKEDA, Naoyuki KOJIMA, Koichi MAENO
  • Publication number: 20200326378
    Abstract: A chargeable battery abnormality detection apparatus configured to detect an abnormality of a chargeable battery includes a processor; and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor, wherein the processor performs the following when executing instructions: calculating a value of an internal resistance of the chargeable battery; determining whether the chargeable battery is being charged or being discharged; determining that an abnormality has occurred in the chargeable battery if either one of the following occurs: the calculated value of the internal resistance decreases while the chargeable battery is being discharged; and the calculated value of the internal resistance increases while the chargeable battery is being charged; and outputting a determination result of the abnormality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Applicants: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Akira OONO, Kimiko FUJISAWA