Patents Assigned to SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
  • Publication number: 20150159799
    Abstract: A pipe joint has a tube for fluid detachably fitted thereto, and is connected to a hydraulic device such as a cylinder. The pipe joint is provided with a resin body into which the tube for fluid is inserted, and a metal body which can rotate relative to the resin body. The resin body comprises orifices which each have a different opening diameter, and, as a result of the rotation of the resin body relative to the metal body, the orifices can be disposed in a connection part providing a connection path between the tube for fluid and the hydraulic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshimoto Taneya, Taku Tomita, Shuichi Saito
  • Patent number: 9046182
    Abstract: A check valve includes connected first and second bodies respectively disposed on upstream and downstream sides. A valve plug is disposed displaceably in a communication chamber formed in the interior of the first body. A skirt urges a main body portion of the valve plug in a direction for seating the main body portion on a valve seat surface, and is provided on the valve plug such that the main body portion is seated on the valve seat surface by an elastic force of the skirt. By supplying a pressure fluid to the first body, the valve plug is displaced in opposition to the elastic force of the skirt, whereby the interior of the first body and the interior of the second body are placed in communication and the pressure fluid is allowed to flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Tadashi Uchino
  • Publication number: 20150145195
    Abstract: A clamp apparatus is equipped with a body, and a drive unit having a piston displaced under the supply of a pressure fluid. A clamp arm is disposed rotatably on the body. In addition, a piston rod of the drive unit is connected detachably with respect to a displaceable body of a driving force transmission mechanism which is disposed in the interior of the body. Upon detachment of a connector of the piston rod from a connecting recess of the displaceable body, the state of connection between the drive unit and the driving force transmission mechanism is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Chiaki Fukui, Youji Takakuwa
  • Publication number: 20150145249
    Abstract: A pipe joint has a tube for fluid detachably fitted thereto, and is connected to a hydraulic device such as a cylinder. The pipe joint is provided with a body into which the tube for fluid is inserted, and an attachment/detachment mechanism which is provided inside the body and which can attach/detach the tube for fluid. An inner sleeve for connecting the tube for fluid and the hydraulic device is provided in the body, the inner sleeve being interchangeable with orifices having different opening diameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshimoto Taneya, Taku Tomita, Shuichi Saito
  • Patent number: 9038527
    Abstract: In a fluid pressure cylinder, a piston is displaced in an axial direction under the action of a pressure fluid. A circular protrusion, which projects toward the piston along an axial direction of the cylinder tube, is formed on an inner end surface of a collar member constituting part of the fluid pressure cylinder, a concavity, which can be fitted externally over the circular protrusion, is formed on the piston, and an annular groove is formed on an inner circumferential edge of an end plate. By the piston coming into contact with the end plate, a pressure receiving chamber is formed between the piston and the annular groove, together with an opening of a second port on an inner side of the cylinder tube being closed to a maximum of 90%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shun Orihara, Yasunaga Suzuki, Naoki Hoshi, Hiroyuki Asahara
  • Publication number: 20150137440
    Abstract: A clamp apparatus includes a pair of first and second clamp arms. A driving force transmission mechanism transmits a driving force of a drive unit, whereby the first clamp arm is operated to rotate via a link arm, while simultaneously, the second clamp arm is rotated, and after being rotated through a predetermined angle, under moving action of a roller, which is inserted into a cam groove of a link plate, rotation of the second clamp arm is stopped and maintained in advance with respect to the first clamp arm. Consequently, after positioning of a workpiece has been carried out by the second clamp arm, rotation of which is stopped, the first clamp arm continues to be rotated, whereby the workpiece is clamped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Takahashi, Hideki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9027970
    Abstract: In relation to fluid pressure devices, a connection apparatus, by which a filter, a regulator and a lubricator that constitute a fluid pressure unit are mutually connected, is equipped with a base member having a hole therein, a pair of first and second fastening members mounted respectively on one side surface and another side surface of the base member, and first and second holders in which the first and second fastening members are retained. Additionally, the first and second holders engage respectively with engagement projections of the filter, the regulator and the lubricator, and first and second nuts are screw-engaged with the first and second fastening members, whereby the fluid pressure devices are connected together through the first and second holders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Wada, Koji Katsuta
  • Patent number: 9025302
    Abstract: In an ionizer, two output resistors are connected to a needle electrode through a switch unit. DC high voltage generating circuits, respectively, generate DC high voltages continuously during operation of the ionizer. A first switch and a second switch, which constitute the switch unit, are turned ON in mutually different time bands, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomokazu Hariya, Satoshi Kitano, Naoto Sasada
  • Publication number: 20150107704
    Abstract: A flow rate control device is provided with a flow rate adjustment indication device for operating the displacement of a needle valve relative to a flow passage. The flow rate adjustment indication device is provided with a housing, a rotation transmission member which displaces the needle valve by rotational operation, and an annularly shaped indication ring which has a hole through which the rotation transmission member is inserted. The indication ring has graduations which indicate a change in the flow rate of liquid. The engagement of the engagement section of the needle valve displaces the indication ring in the circumferential direction and changes the position of the graduations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji Shishido
  • Patent number: 9010236
    Abstract: A linear actuator includes a cylinder main body, which is provided at one end thereof with a lock mechanism capable of restricting displacement of a slide table. The lock mechanism is equipped with a lock plate and a sub-piston. The lock plate is rotatable toward a side of the slide table by an elastic force of a spring, inserted into an insertion groove, and restricts displacement of the slide table. The sub-piston is displaced by a pressure fluid supplied to a supply port, and releases a displacement restricted state of the slide table by the lock plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichiro Ishibashi, Motohiro Sato, Toshio Sato
  • Patent number: 9004108
    Abstract: In a solenoid valve control device, a plurality of solenoid valve blocks are connected in series with respect to a solenoid valve control unit. A solenoid valve operating circuit of a given solenoid valve block, to which a block selection signal from a block selection line is supplied, operates plural solenoid valves of the same given block, based on the block selection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaya Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8998491
    Abstract: A linear actuator includes a guide mechanism and a retainer. On a guide block of the guide mechanism, a pair of ball-circulating grooves is formed on the lower surface that faces a cylinder body. Multiple balls are loaded in the ball-circulating grooves. Paired cover blocks are respectively mounted on the two ends of the guide block. The retainer has the form of paired ball clips, which are formed as arms to engage with the cover blocks when the clips are inserted in the ball-circulating grooves to hold the balls. Paired cover plates are respectively mounted on the end faces of the cover blocks, and arm-shaped cover clips are mounted so as to hold the cover plates. The cover plates, the cover blocks, and the guide block are thereby integrally linked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichiro Ishibashi, Seiji Takanashi, Motohiro Sato, Toshio Sato
  • Patent number: 8994234
    Abstract: A linear actuator displaces a relative position between a guide rail and a slide table, which is arranged in confronting relation to the guide rail. Projections are formed on opposite end sides of the guide rail, the projections extending along a direction of displacement and projecting toward the slide table. The slide table is disposed between the projections on the opposite end sides of the guide rail, with rigid balls being interposed therebetween. Guide grooves and guide grooves, which rollably support the balls, are provided on the projections on the opposite end sides of the guide rail and on the slide table. The guide grooves and the guide grooves apply, on the balls, a pressure caused by a magnetic attractive force of permanent magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisashi Yajima, Tatsuya Hosaka, Toshio Sato
  • Publication number: 20150083260
    Abstract: In a solenoid valve system, a plurality of first through third solenoid valve units are divided into a plurality of first through third groups. In this case, a safety power source control unit is provided for controlling the first through third solenoid valve units with respect to each of the first through third groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Fumio Morikawa, Noaki Sakamura
  • Patent number: 8978898
    Abstract: A filter including a container and a basket which is contained in the container and has mounted thereto a bag-like filter element and filtering liquid to be processed by allowing the liquid to pass through the filter element. The filter includes an upper tubular section forming the upper part of the basket and having an upper end open, and an annular seal mounted inside the container and held between the upper tubular section and the container. The upper tubular section has a first fitting surface having an outer diameter decreasing downward. The seal has a second fitting surface having an inner diameter which decreases downward and engaging with the first fitting surface. When the seal receives force acting outward radially from the upper tubular section, compressive deformation of the seal is limited to a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigemitsu Sakairi
  • Patent number: 8973453
    Abstract: A feed screw mechanism includes a feed screw shaft connected to a drive source and formed with first screw threads on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and a displacement nut, which is screw-engaged with respect to the feed screw shaft through a plurality of balls. The displacement nut is supported with respect to a slider that makes up an electric actuator by a pair of pins. The pins are inserted and fixed in first pin holes formed in the slider, and distal end portions of the pins are inserted respectively into second pin holes formed in the displacement nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Toru Sugiyama, Masaki Imamura
  • Patent number: 8973452
    Abstract: In a body of an electric actuator, dust collecting pipes are disposed as a pair along an axial direction of a hole portion of the body. The dust collecting pipes are connected respectively to negative pressure supply ports provided in an end block, and include plural first through fifth suction holes separated mutually along an axial direction of the dust collecting pipes. Distances between the first through fifth suction holes are formed so as to become smaller stepwise from one end side of the dust collection pipes, on the side of the negative pressure supply ports, to the other end side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Shoichi Makado, Hiroyuki Shiomi
  • Patent number: 8960074
    Abstract: A pair of penetrating holes are formed along a longitudinal direction in the interior of a cylinder body that constitutes a fluid pressure cylinder. One end of the pair of penetrating holes is sealed by a pair of caps formed in plate-like shapes. The caps, for example, are formed by press molding a plate body made up from a metal material such as aluminum or the like. Outer edge portions of the caps include bent portions, which are inclined at a predetermined angle in a radial outward direction. In addition, the caps are installed by means of the bent portions biting into inner circumferential surfaces of the penetrating holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Hara, Yusuke Saito, Toshio Sato, Hironobu Imamura
  • Patent number: 8960749
    Abstract: A vacuum suction apparatus is equipped with a body having a supply port, and a pad provided on a lower portion of the body to which a workpiece can be attracted under suction. The pad is constituted from a base plate accommodated in a space of the body, a flexible intermediate plate provided on a lower portion of the base plate, and a suction sheet body disposed on a lower portion of the intermediate plate and having a sheet that attracts the workpiece under suction. In addition, the base plate, the intermediate plate and the suction sheet body are stacked along an axial direction of the body. The rigidity of the base plate is highest, whereas the rigidities of the intermediate plate and the suction sheet body are lower in this order, and the flexibilities thereof are greater in this order from the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Shuzo Sakurai, Masahiko Someya
  • Patent number: 8955424
    Abstract: A linear actuator includes a cylinder main body. With respect to the cylinder main body, a slide table is disposed for reciprocal displacement through a guide mechanism, which is disposed on the cylinder main body. A stopper mechanism having a stopper bolt is disposed on one end of the slide table centrally in a widthwise direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the slide table. In addition, when the slide table is displaced along the cylinder main body, an end of the stopper bolt comes into abutment with an end of a cover of the guide mechanism, whereupon the slide table becomes engaged therewith and movement of the slide table is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichiro Ishibashi, Seiji Takanashi, Motohiro Sato, Jiro Mandokoro, Koji Hara, Toshio Sato