Patents Assigned to NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20230197109
    Abstract: A suspension includes a load beam, a flexure and a dimple portion. The flexure includes a tongue. The dimple portion swingably supports the tongue at least over a first position and a second position. In the tongue, first pillow portions supporting a slider and an adhesive portion fixing the slider are provided. In the load beam, a second pillow portion protruding towards the slider is provided. The second pillow portion is in contact with the slider when the tongue is located at the first position, and separates from the slider when the tongue has moved to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko NISHIDA, Akira NOJIMA
  • Patent number: 11670328
    Abstract: A disk-drive suspension includes a load beam, a flexure laid on top of the load beam, a first terminal provided on the flexure, and a first bump arranged on a top surface of the first terminal. The first terminal includes a narrow part having a first width in a first direction and including a center of the first terminal, and a wide part having a second width in the first direction greater than the first width. The wide part and the narrow part are arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The first bump has, at the center, a first height from a bottom surface of the first terminal. The first height is greater than the first width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kai Chung Ng, Wen Tao, Zhen Zhou Qi, Jun Zeng
  • Publication number: 20230166322
    Abstract: A manufacturing method includes: conveying a target to a processing unit by using a conveying arm; conveying the target to a correction information acquiring unit provided in a position different from a position of the processing unit; acquiring position information relating to a position of the target conveyed to the correction information acquiring unit in a three-dimensional space; correcting a conveying position of the conveying arm to the processing unit based on the position information; and executing processing for the target conveyed to the corrected conveying position to manufacture a product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Numakunai, Kaoru Nagasawa, Fumitaka Arai, Kiyoaki Tanabe, Yukiya Mori, Katsunori Suzuki, Akira Okubo
  • Publication number: 20230168072
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an inspection method inspects a disk drive suspension including an electronic component having first and second side surfaces in a first direction, a first and second adhesives provided along the side surfaces. The method includes measuring a first height in a first position of the first adhesive, measuring a second height in a second position of the second adhesive, and determining whether at least one of a position of application of the first and second adhesives in the first direction and an amount of application of the first and second adhesives is appropriate based on the first and second heights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichiro NAKANO
  • Publication number: 20230166822
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a helm device comprises a steering shaft extending in a first direction, a housing, a tilt base, a pair of tilt mechanisms which supports the housing to make the housing rotatable with respect to the tilt base about a tilt axis, and a lock mechanism which fixes an angle of the steering shaft. Each of the pair of tilt mechanisms comprises a shaft member projecting from a side portion of the housing, a bracket provided on the tilt base and comprising a hole portion into which the shaft member is inserted rotatably, and a bushing disposed between the shaft member and the hole portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Daisuke IGARASHI
  • Patent number: 11656246
    Abstract: A probe unit includes: a signal probe configured to receive and output a signal from and to a predetermined circuit structure; a power supply probe configured to supply power to the predetermined circuit structure; a grounding probe configured to supply a ground potential to the predetermined circuit structure; and a conductive probe holder including a plurality of hole portions in which the signal probe, the power supply probe, and the grounding probe are insertable, the plurality of hole portions having a same hole shape as one another, wherein the signal probe, the power supply probe, and the grounding probe inserted into the plurality of hole portions are interchangeable with one another to change an arrangement of the signal probe, the power supply probe, and the grounding probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei Hironaka, Kazuya Soma
  • Patent number: 11657839
    Abstract: A flexure includes a metal base, a base insulation layer formed on the metal base, a terminal formed on the base insulation layer, a conductor portion electrically conductive to the terminal and an detouring extending portion formed on the conductor portion. The conductor portion includes a conductor and a cover layer covering the conductor. A conductive adhesive is supplied to the terminal. The detouring extending portion is formed in a longitudinal middle of the conductor portion and extends from the side surface of the conductor portion in a direction intersecting the length direction of the conductor portion along the base insulation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Horiuchi, Takahiro Namura, Yuto Sudo, Yukie Yamada
  • Publication number: 20230154489
    Abstract: A flexure of a disk drive suspension includes a metal base, and a wiring portion provided along the metal base. The wiring portion includes a base insulating layer, a conductor layer overlapping with the base insulating layer, and a cover insulating layer overlapping with the conductor layer, and the metal base includes a pair of first portions having side surfaces opposed to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yukie YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20230154490
    Abstract: A head driving device includes a head supporting portion supporting a head member, a first beam, a second beam, a first piezoelectric unit including a pair of piezoelectric elements, and a second piezoelectric unit including a pair of piezoelectric elements. When voltage is applied to the piezoelectric elements of the first piezoelectric unit, the piezoelectric elements deform, and a distal end of the first beam moves. The piezoelectric elements of the second piezoelectric unit also deform by application of voltage, and moves a distal end of the second beam in a same direction as the distal end of the first beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masao HANYA, Ryo KUWATA
  • Patent number: 11642994
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion frame that structures a frame of a seat cushion and that is configured to support buttocks of a seated vehicle occupant; a seat cushion pad mounted to the seat cushion frame; and a pelvis supporting portion having a push-up portion that is provided at a seat lower side of the seat cushion pad along a seat left-right direction and that, by being displaced toward a seat upper side, pushes a seat rear side portion of the seat cushion pad toward the seat upper side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Katsube, Katsutoshi Imanari, Yuma Terada
  • Publication number: 20230138105
    Abstract: A probe unit includes: a plurality of first contact probes each coming into contact with an electrode to be contacted on one end side in a longitudinal direction; a second contact probe connected to an external ground; and a probe holder configured to hold the first and second contact probes, the probe holder including a first hollow portion configured to allow the first contact probes to be inserted therethrough and hold the first contact probes, a second hollow portion configured to allow the second contact probe to be inserted therethrough and hold the second contact probe, and a through-hole provided around the first hollow portion, wherein the probe holder includes a conductive portion that constitutes the through-hole and electrically connects the through-hole and the second contact probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Inuma, Shuji Takahashi, Kazuya Soma, Takashi Nidaira, Yuya Hironaka
  • Patent number: 11634048
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided including a base section fixed to a floor of a vehicle, a pair of seat sections that are disposed opposing each other as viewed along a seat width direction, that are each supported by the base section so as to be capable of tilting between a horizontal position and an upright position, and that each include plural cushion sections disposed in series and configured to support the body of an occupant, and a hinge mechanism that attaches the pair of seat sections to the base section such that the seat sections are capable of tilting, and that couples the plural cushion sections together such that the cushion sections are capable of swinging about an axis running along the seat width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Tanaka, Kenichi Katsube, Donghyoun Kim, Takuma Oki
  • Publication number: 20230117866
    Abstract: A disk drive suspension according to an embodiment comprises a load beam comprising a dimple, and a flexure overlaid on the load beam. The load beam and the flexure are fixed by a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion closer to a distal end of the load beam than the first fixing portion. The flexure comprises a tongue opposed to the dimple, and an outrigger connected to the tongue. The outrigger is bent in a thickness direction of the load beam at a bent portion located between the dimple and the first fixing portion in a length direction of the load beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko NISHIDA, Toshiki ANDO
  • Publication number: 20230123177
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a manufacturing method of a disk drive suspension comprises determining a first position on the outrigger at which a bent portion is to be formed by irradiating a first laser beam, calculating predicted values of pitch and roll angles of a tongue in a case where the bent portion is formed at the first position, determining a second position on the outrigger to which a second laser beam is to be irradiated to make the predicted values approximate to predetermined target values, and irradiating the first laser beam to the first position to form the bent portion, and the second laser beam to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro SENDA, Osamu IRIUCHIJIMA, Junji SUMIYOSHI
  • Publication number: 20230108526
    Abstract: A disk drive suspension of the embodiments includes a load beam, and a flexure including a mounting portion on which a slider is mounted and overlapping with the load beam. The load beam includes a tab further extending than the mounting portion longitudinal direction of the load beam. The tab is shaped in an arc such that a central portion in a lateral direction protrudes with respect to both end portions in the lateral direction, in the load beam. Each of the both end portions includes a flat surface parallel to the lateral direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takumi KARASAWA, Naoki IWAMOTO, Sei KAWAO, Tomoharu IMAI
  • Publication number: 20230107255
    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: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naruhiko Nishiwaki, Masahiro Takahashi, Kazuya Soma, Satoshi Shoji, Shuji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11602928
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a disk drive suspension includes applying an adhesive to an actuator mounting portion, increasing viscosity of the adhesive by emitting light to the adhesive applied to the actuator mounting portion, arranging the piezoelectric element on the adhesive having the increased viscosity, detecting a height of the piezoelectric element arranged on the actuator mounting portion, and correcting an irradiation condition of the light in accordance with the detected height of the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichiro Nakano
  • Publication number: 20230054975
    Abstract: A steering handle device includes a housing to be mounted on a hull, a tube member and a steering shaft. The tube member is rotatable in a forward/backward direction around the tilt shaft relative to the housing. The steering shaft is inserted to the tube member. A steering arm is attached to the steering shaft. The steering arm includes an extending portion extending to an outer side of the housing. A joint member is provided on the extending portion. The joint member includes a connection portion to connect to the steering cable and a support portion to support the connection portion. When the steering shaft is in the neutral position in the rotation direction, the connection portion is located in a position corresponding to the tilt shaft as viewing the housing from the lateral direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigeru KUROI
  • Patent number: 11583917
    Abstract: Provided are a forming method for an arc spring, capable of easily and surely locating bearing faces on both end faces of a semi-finished product in predetermined positions, the bearing faces having lengths within permissible ranges in a circumferential direction. For a semi-finished product prior to curving an axis, it is determined whether circumferential lengths of bearing faces on both end faces are respectively within the permissible ranges based on end face image information of the both end faces imaged in an axial direction prior to the curving, a circumferential rotational position of the semi-finished product capable of respectively locating the bearing faces within the predetermined positions is specified using the end face image information, and the semi-finished product is rotated to the specified rotational position, and the wedge part is sequentially driven into inter-wires of the semi-finished product to deform the semi-finished product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Maeda
  • Patent number: 11585372
    Abstract: The ball joint includes a metal ball stud which includes a ball section and a resin housing which rotatably supports the ball section of the ball stud. A limiting member configured to limit molding shrinkage of the housing is embedded in the housing at an interval with respect to an equatorial section of the ball section such that the limiting member is positioned to surround at least the equatorial section of the ball section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigeru Kuroda