Patents Assigned to SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
  • SERVO MOTOR
    Publication number: 20090121590
    Abstract: A servo motor is equipped with a rotary shaft, a rotor rotated integrally with the rotary shaft, a stator that is separated a predetermined distance from and disposed in confronting relation to the rotor, and an angle detecting device that detects an angle of rotation of the rotary shaft. On a counter-load side end, which is opposite to a load side end of the rotary shaft, an operating member is provided, which enables the rotary shaft to be rotated manually from an exterior location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiro FUKANO, Shoichi Makado
  • PIPE JOINT
    Publication number: 20090108227
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a pipe joint, which includes a socket, and a plug arranged in confronting relation to the socket. A holder is disposed on one end of the socket. Further, a packing is retained between the socket and the holder. In addition, the packing is constructed from a body sealing portion disposed on an outer circumferential side thereof, a plug sealing portion disposed on an inner circumferential side thereof that abuts against an outer circumferential surface of the plug, and a valve sealing portion provided with a seating surface upon which a valve, which is disposed displaceably inside of the socket, can be seated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji KATSUTA, Masayuki Okitsu
  • CLAMP APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20090108513
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a clamp apparatus equipped with a cylinder mechanism having a piston. A driving force of the cylinder mechanism is transmitted to a clamp arm, which is retained on a housing through a block body and a link pin that make up a driving force transmitting mechanism, the clamp arm being rotated through a predetermined angle. The block body includes a rotatably supported roller. The block body is guided along an axial direction by displacement of the roller, while the roller is rotated along a guide member of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji HARA, Kouichirou Kanda
  • Actuator
    Patent number: 7520191
    Abstract: A guide mechanism, which guides a slider along an inner wall surface of a frame, includes a plurality of resin sliding members retained by the slider. The plurality of resin sliding members include a pair of first resin sliding members that make sliding movement along first sliding grooves formed in a bottom wall section of the frame, a pair of second resin sliding members that make sliding movement along second sliding grooves formed in side wall sections of the frame, and a pair of third resin sliding members that make sliding movement along third sliding grooves formed in the side wall sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigekazu Nagai, Akio Saitoh, Masaki Imamura
  • LAMINATED STRUCTURE FOR A FLUID
    Publication number: 20090098407
    Abstract: A laminated structure is formed by stacking a first block member, an intermediate member, and a second block member together in this order, and then mutually joining each of the members. Further, by setting the elastic constant of the intermediate member to be greater than the elastic constants of the first block member and the second block member, deformation of grooves, which are formed in the first block member, is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiichi MINEGISHI, Yasunori YOSHIDA, Kouji WADA, Youichi KAWAMURA
  • Automatic speed reducing ratio-switching apparatus
    Patent number: 7510495
    Abstract: Helical gears, which are provided for a sun gear, planet gears, and an internal gear, have helix angles ? of not less than 25 degrees and not more than 45 degrees. Pawls provided for lock sections and internal gear lock receiving sections of the internal gear have rising angles ?, respectively, that satisfy the relational expression, 0 ?tan ?<(?·di)/{dp·tan(90??)}, wherein ? is the helix angle of the sun gear, ? is the screw efficiency of the sun gear as a sliding screw, dp is the pitch circle diameter of the sun gear, and di is an outer diameter of the internal gear defining a center of application of torque of the pawls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigekazu Nagai, Akio Saitoh, Ryuichi Masui, Masaki Imamura
  • FLUID FLOW PASSSAGE STRUCTURE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF
    Publication number: 20090078329
    Abstract: A fluid flow passage structure and a manufacturing method therefor are provided, in which fluid flow passages can be easily produced employing a simple structure and process, while also being suitable for reducing the weight thereof. Wire members having a predetermined pattern are disposed between a first block member and a second block member. Airtight and fluidtight hermetic fluid flow passages are formed between such members, by forming the first block member, the second block member, and the wire members together as an integral structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiichi Minegishi, Yasunori Yoshida, Kouji Wada, Youichi Kawamura
  • CONNECTING STRUCTURE FOR JOINT MEMBER
    Publication number: 20090079188
    Abstract: A connecting structure for a joint member is constituted by a joint member formed from a metal material and having a hexagonal shape in cross section, which is inserted into a first port of a valve body made from a resin material. A U-shaped clip is inserted into a clip hole that confronts the first port and engages with a pin groove, which is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the joint member. In accordance therewith, axial displacement of the joint member accommodated within the first port is regulated. Further, rotational displacement of the joint member with respect to the first port, which also is formed with a hexagonal shape in cross section, is regulated while the joint member is connected with respect to the first port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaichiro Mitsui, Kazuo Ogawa
  • Guide mechanism for cylinder apparatus
    Patent number: 7490991
    Abstract: A slider is displaceable in an axial direction on guide sections of a cylinder tube through a guide mechanism. A first elastic member is interposed between a first bearing support member of the guide mechanism and one retaining section of the slider. A bearing installed in the first bearing support member, is pressed continuously toward the guide section. A second bearing support member is installed via a second elastic member between the guide section and another retaining section of the slider. A bearing provided on the second bearing support member is pressed toward the guide section by means of a resilient force of the second elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Naruse, Kazuhiro Iida
  • Workpiece-gripping chuck and method for controlling the same
    Patent number: 7488020
    Abstract: A workpiece-gripping chuck includes a converting mechanism provided in a body, which converts a driving force from a rotary driving source into a displacement in the axial direction. First and second pistons of the converting mechanism are displaced in the axial direction under a rotary action of a pinion gear. Further, the first and second pistons are displaced in the axial direction, respectively, by supplying a pressure fluid from a first or second port formed in the body. A workpiece may be positioned by means of a pair of gripping members under the driving action of the rotary driving source, and the workpiece is further gripped by the gripping members by applying a pressing force of the pressure fluid in addition to the driving force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motohiro Sotome, Yuji Tsuda
  • VACUUM GENERATING UNIT
    Publication number: 20090032125
    Abstract: An ejector functioning as a vacuum generating mechanism is disposed in a main body constituting a vacuum generating unit, and an atmospheric air introducing valve is disposed between the ejector and a vacuum port. The atmospheric air introducing valve is brought into a valve closed state at times when a negative pressure is generated by the ejector under a condition in which a workpiece is held by the negative pressure generated by the ejector, whereby communication between the vacuum port and the atmosphere is blocked. On the other hand, at times when the vacuum is broken, in which the negative pressure state of the vacuum port is released, the atmospheric air introducing valve is brought into a valve open state, whereby the vacuum port communicates with the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Masayuki Oshima
  • Stopper cylinder
    Patent number: 7484615
    Abstract: A lever, provided with rollers, is rotatably supported with respect to a lever holder. A lock pin disposed on the lever engages with a lock pawl of a lock mechanism. Accordingly, rotary action of the lever is regulated so as to stop a workpiece that is transported in a predetermined direction. On the other hand, when the workpiece is transported in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, a second bracket having the lock pawl is rotated due to a pressing action of the lock pin. Accordingly, the lever is released from its rotation-regulated state effected by the lock pin, whereupon the lever is rotated and displaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuo Miyamoto
  • MOUNTING MECHANISM FOR A POSITION-DETECTING SENSOR
    Publication number: 20090025551
    Abstract: A position-detecting sensor to which a mounting mechanism for a position-detecting sensor is applied is equipped with a holder capable of accommodating a sensor element in which a magnetic sensor or the like is disposed, and includes a flange on a lower end of the holder, which is inserted through a sensor mounting groove of a cylinder apparatus. The flange is formed in a plate shape, having a narrow portion and a widened portion that differ in width dimension. After insertion thereof through the sensor mounting groove such that side surfaces of the narrow portion are made parallel with the sensor mounting groove, the holder is turned, whereby the widened portion engages within and is retained respectively by a pair of recess portions in the sensor mounting groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi TERASAKI
  • SOLENOID VALVE DRIVING CIRCUIT AND SOLENOID VALVE
    Publication number: 20090015979
    Abstract: A current detection circuit generates a pulse signal Sd based on a voltage Vd corresponding to a current I flowing through a solenoid coil, and feeds the pulse signal Sd back to a PWM circuit of a switch controller. The PWM circuit generates a pulse signal Sr having a predetermined duty ratio, based on a comparison between the fed back pulse signal Sd and a voltage value corresponding to a first current value or a second current value, and supplies the pulse signal Sr to a pulse supplying unit. The pulse supplying unit supplies the pulse signal Sr as a first pulse signal S1 and/or a second pulse signal S2 to a gate terminal G of a MOSFET.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro FUKANO, Masami Yoshida, Yoshitada Doi, Shigeharu Oide
  • SOLENOID VALVE DRIVING CIRCUIT AND SOLENOID VALVE
    Publication number: 20090015980
    Abstract: A current detection circuit generates a pulse signal Sd based on a voltage Vd corresponding to a current I flowing through a solenoid coil, and feeds the pulse signal Sd back to a PWM circuit of a switch controller. The PWM circuit generates a pulse signal Sr having a predetermined duty ratio, based on a comparison between the fed back pulse signal Sd and a voltage value corresponding to a first current value or a second current value, and supplies the pulse signal Sr to a pulse supplying unit. The pulse supplying unit supplies the pulse signal Sr as a first pulse signal S1 and/or a second pulse signal S2 to a gate terminal G of a MOSFET.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro FUKANO, Masami Yoshida, Yoshitada Doi, Shigeharu Oide
  • Tube joint
    Patent number: 7475913
    Abstract: An installation groove is formed on an outer circumferential surface of a tube joint body, into which a fluid tube is inserted. An annular fixing ring is installed through interaction with the installation groove. A cylindrical guide member is arranged inside of the body. A chuck is provided that engages with an outer circumferential surface of the fluid tube, thereby retaining the fluid tube. When a fastening pawl of the chuck bites into the outer circumferential surface of the fluid tube, the guide member is pressed radially outwardly by the chuck, with the tube joint body being interposed between the guide member and the fixing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Muto
  • SOLENOID VALVE
    Publication number: 20080308758
    Abstract: A movable iron core unit includes a movable iron core, which is attracted toward a fixed iron core under excitation of a coil, and a guide member made from a resin material and mounted on an outer circumferential side of the movable iron core. The guide member is constructed from a pair of ring members and connecting members that interconnect the ring members. The ring members and the connecting members are mounted in mounting grooves, which are formed on an outer circumferential surface of the movable iron core, and project only slightly from the outer circumferential surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro FUKANO, Masami YOSHIDA, Hideaki YASHIRO
  • Pressure Switch
    Publication number: 20080291035
    Abstract: In a pressure switch, a joint coupling holder is mounted via an opening in a case constituting a housing. A plurality of engagement pawls that make up the joint coupling holder engages with a bottom of the case. Further, by inserting a cap into a recess of the joint coupling holder, the engaged state of the engagement pawls is maintained, whereby the housing, which is made from a resin material, and the joint coupling holder are strongly and rigidly connected together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawakami, Kazuhiro Kurahara
  • Lock mechanism for use with fluid pressure-operated apparatus
    Patent number: 7451688
    Abstract: A lock mechanism is provided in a head cover of a cylinder tube. The lock mechanism comprises a holder, which is installed in the head cover, a plurality of balls that are retained displaceably in a radial direction with respect to the holder, and a displacement member that displaces the balls under a resilient action of an elastic member. The balls engage with a ball groove of a lock pin. The balls are retained by a resilient force of the elastic member, in order to restrict displacement of the lock pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Takahashi, Atsushi Tamai
  • Input apparatus of electrical actuator
    Patent number: D585387
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Takanori Kochi