Patents Assigned to NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 12098755
    Abstract: Provided is a flexible member that can exhibit excellent load resistance and flexibility while achieving a reduction in size. This flexible member includes: a main body part which has multiple wave washers stacked in an axial direction and joined to each other, and the main body part is able to be bent with respect to the axial direction due to elastic deformation of the wave washers; and a linking member that is elastically deformable, the linking member being provided at an end part of the main body part and being linked to other member. A deformation amount of the linking member is smaller than a deformation amount of the wave washer, when the main body part is bent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Motoyuki Otsuka, Takafumi Hirata, Shimpei Kurokawa, Soichi Nakayama, Masahiro Inaba
  • Publication number: 20240308636
    Abstract: An engine control apparatus includes a lever member, an input shaft, a potentiometer, an output gear, a motor, a shift arm, a reduction gear mechanism, and a force transmission mechanism. The force transmission mechanism includes a damper unit. When the lever member moves in a first direction or a second direction, the motor rotates based on an output of the potentiometer. The rotation of the motor is transmitted to the shift arm via the reduction gear mechanism. This moves the shift arm to a forward-side shift positon or a backward-side shift position. When the lever member is located within a predetermined angle from the neutral position, the damper unit deforms in a state where the output gear stops. This allows the rotation of the input axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sachio OOSHITA
  • Publication number: 20240312484
    Abstract: A flexure includes a body portion including a first metal base, a terminal portion electrically connected to an actuator, and a connection portion connecting the body portion with the terminal portion and not including the first metal base. The wiring portion includes a base insulating layer, a conductor layer provided on the base insulating layer, and a cover insulating layer covering the conductor layer. The cover insulating layer includes a first cover portion provided on the connection portion, and the base insulating layer includes a first base portion provided on the connection portion and having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the first cover portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko NISHIDA, Ryoichi TAZAWA, Shoku TEI
  • Patent number: 12092660
    Abstract: A probe card includes: a plurality of conductive contact probes; a probe head configured to accommodate ends of the plurality of contact probes; a laminated member laminated on the probe head on a side opposite to a side of the probe head; and a fastening member including a screw and a nut configured to fasten the probe head and the laminated member to each other, the screw including a head provided on the side of the probe head in which the contact probes extend outwardly, and a shaft inserted through the probe head and the laminated member, the shaft extending and having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the head. The shaft is fixed to the probe head, is threadedly connected to the nut on an end side opposite to the head side, and is configured to fasten the probe head and the laminated member to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naruhiko Nishiwaki, Masahiro Takahashi, Kazuya Soma, Satoshi Shoji, Shuji Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20240302409
    Abstract: A measurement unit includes: a ground portion forming a part of a line configured to provide continuity for grounding electric potential, the ground portion including a surface forming a plane at one end of the ground portion; a signal portion forming a part of a line configured to provide continuity for a signal for measurement, the signal portion including an end portion configured to come out in a plane that is same as the plane of the ground portion; an insulative dielectric portion provided between the ground portion and the signal portion; an electrically conductive first contact probe configured to expand and contract along a longitudinal axis, the first contact probe coming into contact with the signal portion; and an electrically conductive second contact probe configured to expand and contract along a longitudinal axis, the second contact probe coming into contact with the ground portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Applicant: NHK Spring Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Inuma, Hiroshi Nakayama, Shuji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 12078222
    Abstract: A disc spring which is used by arranging a plurality of the disk springs in an axial direction along a central axis includes an annular body plate portion that has an inner peripheral surface and an other peripheral surface which gradually extend toward one side in the axial direction from an outside toward an inside in a radial direction, and a stopper portion that protrudes from the body plate portion in a direction intersecting the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the body plate portion, in which in a case where an axial compression load is applied to a spring member in which a plurality of the disc springs are arranged in the axial direction, the stopper portion abuts another disk spring adjacent in the axial direction or a support member supporting an axial end portion of the spring member, the body plate portion and the stopper portion are integrally formed, and both axial end edges of the stopper portion are positioned inside both axial end edges of the body plate portion in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yusuke Terada
  • Publication number: 20240291184
    Abstract: A first bent portion and a second bent portion are provided in a first circuit member. The first bent potion includes a vertical portion and a lateral portion. The second bent portion is bent on a side opposite to the first bent potion. A first terminal is provided in the first bent potion. A second terminal is provided in the second bent potion. A protrusion portion is inserted into an opening. A first board side terminal is provided on a first surface of the second circuit member. A second board side terminal is provided on a second surface. The first terminal and the first board side terminal are connected to each other by a first conductive member. The second terminal and the second board side terminal are connected to each other by a second conductive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mikio ARAI
  • Publication number: 20240286174
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a cleaning method for cleaning a workpiece including a first vibrating body includes electrically connecting the first vibrating body with a controller, immersing the workpiece in a cleaning solution, and cleaning the workpiece by causing the first vibrating body to vibrate by the controller after immersing the workpiece in the cleaning solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Eijiro FURUTA
  • Patent number: 12074486
    Abstract: A rotor includes a rotor core configured by laminated steel plates and a magnet insertion hole extending along an axial direction of the rotor core, with a resin interposed between a permanent magnet placed in the magnet insertion hole and an inner wall face of the magnet insertion hole. In a manufacturing method for this rotor, in a first process, the permanent magnet and the resin are integrated together to manufacture a resin-coated permanent magnet. Next, in a second process, the resin-coated permanent magnet is press-fitted into the magnet insertion hole. Next, in a third process, the post-second-process rotor core is heated to a temperature that is at least the temperature at which the resin softens. Next, in a fourth process, the post-third process rotor core is cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yohei Kameda, Yu Yoda
  • Publication number: 20240272201
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a contact probe includes: forming external shapes of a plurality of main body part base materials on a plate material, each of the plurality of main body part base materials being connected to a base part via a connection part and used for forming a main body part of a pipe member; forming a plurality of protrusions on each of the plurality of main body part base materials; forming the pipe member by bending each of the plurality of main body part base materials into a C-shape such that the protrusions protrude toward an inner side of the pipe member; assembling the contact probe by inserting first and second plungers and a coil spring into the pipe member connected to the connection part; and cutting the pipe member from the connection part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Applicant: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Yamada, Shuji Takahashi, Jun Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20240268235
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric body having a first main surface and a second main surface located on a side opposite to the first main surface, a first electrode provided on the first main surface, and a second electrode provided on the second main surface. The first electrode includes a first peripheral edge and a first slit extending from the first peripheral edge. An end portion of the first slit is separated from the first peripheral edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mikio ARAI, Ryosuke YONEKURA
  • Publication number: 20240264200
    Abstract: A contact probe includes: a first plunger including a tip end configured to be contact with one of electrode, and a flange that is continuous to the tip end; and a coil spring configured to be joined to the first plunger. The tip end includes: a tip contact including a tip configured to be contact with the one of the electrode; a columnar first base portion provided to a base end side of the tip contact, and including a lateral side surface extending along a longitudinal axis of the first plunger; and a second base portion provided to an end of the first base portion, the end being on a side opposite to the tip contact, the second base portion including an inclined lateral side inclined in a manner approaching the longitudinal axis of the first plunger, as the inclined lateral side extends toward the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Applicant: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Soma, Hajime Arai
  • Patent number: 12054080
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat frame, a connection member that connects left and right links together in a seat left-right direction is disposed below a rear portion of a cushion pan included in a seat cushion frame. A sloped surface sloped with a downward gradient toward a seat rear side is formed at a lower surface of the rear portion of the cushion pan. The sloped surface of the cushion pan slides in a seat rearward and diagonally downward direction relative to the connection member when the cushion pan deforms in a seat downward direction under load from the occupant during a head-on collision of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignees: NHK SPRING CO., LTD., SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Syunichirou Osa, Hiroki Matsuda, Jun Shirai, Masafumi Takano, Kenji Nagumo, Fumito Kitanaka, Suguru Ishikawa, Naoki Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20240253251
    Abstract: A flexible structure with a multi-joint function is formed by connecting flexing parts in which wave washers are stacked and welded to each other. The flexible structure includes a first flexing part, a second flexing part, and a connection part. The first flexing part and the second flexing part are capable of flexing and extending. The connection part is welded in an axial direction between the first flexing part and the second flexing part and has a rigidity higher than the first flexing part and the second flexing part. The first flexing part and the second flexing part each include wave washers stacked in the axial direction and welded to each other. The connection part has a circulating shape in which an inner circumference and an outer circumference are each continuous in a circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takafumi HIRATA, Yuki HOTODA, Yuki HAYAKAWA
  • Patent number: 12051449
    Abstract: A flexure of a suspension for a disk drive includes a metal base and a wiring portion provided along the metal base and including a base insulation layer, a conductor layer overlaid on the base insulation layer, and a cover insulation layer overlaid on the conductor layer. The flexure includes a first area on which an electronic component is mounted and a second area aligned alongside the first area, and the first area includes a thin-walled portion which overlaps the electronic component and having a thickness less than a thickness of the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yukie Yamada
  • Patent number: 12038060
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible member having excellent load resistance and flexibility while achieving a reduction in size. This flexible member is provided with: a main body part which includes multiple wave washers that are stacked in an axial direction and are joined to one another by multiple joint parts, and which is capable of bending relative to the axial direction by elastic deformation of the wave washers; and easily deformable parts formed between the joint parts that are adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction in each wave washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Kawai, Shimpei Kurokawa, Yuki Hayakawa
  • Publication number: 20240237158
    Abstract: An induction heating device according to one embodiment includes a first coil portion and a second coil portion. A bar-shaped workpiece is placed between the first coil portion and the second coil portion. The first coil portion includes a pair of first narrow pitch portions formed in respective end portions thereof, a first wide pitch portion formed between the first narrow pitch portions, and a first medium pitch portion formed in the center. The second coil portion includes a pair of second narrow pitch portions formed in respective end portions, a second wide pitch portion formed between the second narrow pitch portions, and a second medium pitch portion formed in the center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsuki YOSHIDA, Yuichiro YAMAUCHI, Hidetoshi MIZUTA
  • Publication number: 20240229884
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a coil spring is formed of a wire which is helically wound, and includes an end turn portion and an effective portion, and a surface of the wire in the end turn portion includes an area which is softer than a surface of the wire in the effective portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2023
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki OKADA, Yuichiro YAMAUCHI, Ryo TANAKA, Takeshi SUZUKI, Kosuke SHIBAIRI
  • Publication number: 20240207988
    Abstract: A workpiece holding device includes a suction chuck unit which includes an adsorption member, a chuck mechanism and a drive mechanism. When a drive member of the drive mechanism moves to a lower side, the chuck mechanism moves to an open position, and an adsorption portion is located at the position of a first height. After the adsorption portion adsorbs a cap member the drive member moves to a second height which is higher than the first height. When the drive member has moved to the second height, the cap member rises relative to a pin member. In this state, the chuck mechanism is closed. When the chuck mechanism is closed, of the pin member, a portion which is not covered with the cap member is sandwiched by the chuck mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichiro NAKANO
  • Patent number: 12018704
    Abstract: A shell member 10 constituting an accumulator 100 including a cover member 30, a shell member 10 having a cylindrical portion 11, an opening portion 13 formed at one end of the cylindrical portion 11 and welded to the cover member 30, and a closed portion 12 formed at another end of the cylindrical portion 11, and an accumulation part 70 accommodated in the shell member 10. The cylindrical portion 11 includes an upper end portion 11a, and a protruding portion 11c having the opening portion 13. The protruding portion 11c is thicker than the upper end portion 11a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Mizukami, Naohito Nakano, Mieko Yanagida