Patents Assigned to Zexel Corporation
  • Patent number: 5839347
    Abstract: A guide member of a wobble plate compressor is slidably mounted in an inner wall surface of a housing of the wobble plate compressor. The guide member comprises a guide part having a U-shaped cross-section and defining a linear guide groove therein into which is slidably inserted a rotation-preventing member rigidly mounted on the wobble plate, and a pair of half cylinder shaped sliding parts mounted on opposite sides of the guide part for sliding in the inner wall surface of the housing. The inner surface of the guide member is hardened by surface treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nomura, Kazuo Eitai, Minoru Kanaizuka, Hiroyuki Ishida
  • Patent number: 5832408
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a destination in a vehicle navigation system are described. The vehicle navigation system includes a display and a selection control. A first destination is selected from a primary list of destinations in response to a selection signal generated by the selection control. The first destination is placed on a secondary list of destinations in response to its selection. The secondary list includes previously selected destinations from the primary list. For subsequent destination selections, the primary and secondary lists are presented on the display thereby facilitating selection of destinations from both the primary and secondary lists. A feature by which the system may search for a destination across categories is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Haruhisa Tamai, Hiroshi Nonaka, Masayuki Sekine
  • Patent number: 5826801
    Abstract: A stem of a poppet valve of a fuel injection nozzle has a plurality of first injection ports and a plurality of second injection ports formed in an area in the vicinity of a valve portion of the poppet valve. One open end of the first injection ports are spacedly circumferentially aligned. One open end of the second injection ports are likewise spacedly circumferentially aligned. The one open end of the first injection ports are located downwardly of the one end of the second injection ports. The one open end of the first and second injection ports are axially aligned. When an engine is revolving at a low speed, fuel is injected from only the first injection ports, and when the engine is revolving at a high speed, fuel is injected from the first and second injection ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Kobayashi, Fumitsugu Yoshizu
  • Patent number: 5823868
    Abstract: When the built-in contacts of an actuator for driving a mode switching door malfunction or when a control unit for controlling a stepping motor actuator for driving a mode switching door malfunctions, the actuator is turned to a ventilation mode position or a defrost mode position and then turned reversely from the above position as a starting point to be set to another mode position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Ohkubo, Hideo Machida
  • Patent number: 5820358
    Abstract: A pump for low-viscosity fuel comprises a pump shaft 6 installed in a pump housing 2, 3, 4 and divided into a drive-side shaft 6A and a driven-side shaft 6B, a partition 12 provided between the drive-side shaft and the driven-side shaft of the pump shaft to prevent leakage of fuel from the housing, and a magnetic coupling 13 for transferring torque from the drive-side shaft to the driven-side shaft of the pump shaft through the partition, the magnetic coupling being disposed such that a first clearance C1, D1 between the magnetic coupling and the partition is larger than a second clearance C2, D2 between the magnetic coupling and the pump housing. When wobble occurs in the pump shaft owing to wear of the sliding contact portions thereof, the magnetic coupling makes contact with the pump housing before contacting the partition, thereby enabling the rotation of the pump shaft to be stopped before fuel leakage occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Takeo Kushida, Fujio Aoki, Takayuki Ikeda, Koichiro Futamase, Tomoharu Sato, Hideya Kikuchi, Ken Sato, Nobuo Aoki, Katsuhiko Tsukazaki
  • Patent number: 5819200
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a destination in a vehicle navigation system are described. The vehicle navigation system includes a display and a selection control. A first destination is selected from a primary list of destinations in response to a selection signal generated by the selection control. The first destination is placed on a secondary list of destinations in response to its selection. The secondary list includes previously selected destinations from the primary list. For subsequent destination selections, the primary and secondary lists are presented on the display thereby facilitating selection of destinations from both the primary and secondary lists. A feature by which the system may search for a destination across categories is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Haruhisa Tamai, Hiroshi Nonaka, Masayuki Sekine
  • Patent number: 5806493
    Abstract: In an inner-cam system fuel injection pump, two balance ports that are offset symmetrically relative to a distribution port in a circumferential direction to form a Y-shape are formed at a rotor. The opening ends of the balance ports and the opening end of the distribution port are positioned on the same plane that is perpendicular to the axis of the rotor. The offset angle .theta. by which the balance ports are offset in the circumferential direction relative to the axis of the distribution port, the opening area S.sub.1 of the distribution port and the opening area S.sub.2 of each of the balance ports are set to satisfy a relationship expressed as S.sub.1 =.vertline.2.multidot.S.sub.2 .multidot.cos .theta..vertline.. The phase intervals of the fuel delivery passages and the phase interval of the two balance ports are set equal to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Kubo, Mitsunori Urano, Toru Yokota, Jun Matsubara
  • Patent number: 5805396
    Abstract: A grounded terminal of a motor driver for controlling an actuator motor is connected to a ground terminal of a control unit through a grounded wire, and therefore connected to a grounded point. Since a ground wire of the stabilized power supply circuit is connected to the ground wire of the control unit, the stabilized power-supply circuit also has its ground connected with the grounded point disposed outside the control unit. A cut-wire avoidance diode is connected between the ground wire of the stabilized power supply circuit and a power transistor unit in a manner such that its cathode is connected to the power transistor unit, which enables the stabilized power-supply circuit to remain grounded even when the control unit is disconnected from the grounded point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Sado, Hiroyo Saitoh
  • Patent number: 5800137
    Abstract: A refrigerant compressor includes a drive shaft, a pulley fixedly fitted on the drive shaft, over which is passed a torque-transmitting member for transmitting torque from an external drive source to the drive shaft, and a compression rotational member mounted on the drive shaft for rotation in unison with the drive shaft to enable compression of a refrigerant gas. The pulley has a rim in the form of a hollow cylinder, over which is passed the torque-transmitting member, a boss which is fixedly fitted on the drive shaft, and a support member connecting the rim and the boss. A breakaway portion is provided in the support member or the drive shaft for breaking to disconnect the torque-transmitting member from the compression rotational member when a load torque larger than a predetermined value is applied to the breakaway portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Eitai, Minoru Kanaizuka, Hiroyuki Ishida, Shuzo Kumagai, Tadashi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5800147
    Abstract: There is provided a swash plate compressor which ensures reduction of pulsation of refrigerant gas during operation thereof and at the same time enhances mechanical efficiency of the compressor. Refrigerant gas delivered from front-side compression chambers is introduced into a front-side discharge chamber, and refrigerant gas delivered from rear-side compression chambers is introduced into a rear-side discharge chamber. At least two refrigerant outlet passages each arranged in a fashion parallel with a plurality of cylinder bores which extend longitudinally through a cylinder block communicate the front-side discharge chamber with the rear-side discharge chamber. A discharge port which is formed in a head secured to a front-side end or rear-side end of the cylinder block permits the refrigerant gas within the front-side and rear-side discharge chambers to be discharged out of the head. One of the at least two refrigerant outlet passages is communicated with the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Arai, Katsutoshi Enomoto, Kiyoshi Yoshii, Hisao Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 5798589
    Abstract: The present invention offers a simple structure that facilitates the mounting of bearings, that maintains lubricating oil at a sufficient level in the bearing portions and that maintains an optimal distance between a rotor and a case housing for preventing freezing, for preventing reduction of the capacity and for preventing noise. Bearing stoppers provided between the bearings of the brushless motor and the bearing holders, which hold the upper end edge of each bearing, are secured at a projection formed at the internal circumferential surface of each bearing holder. A felt, which comes in contact with the lower portion of each bearing stopper and also comes in contact with the bearing at one side is provided, with holes communicating with the felt formed at the lower surface of the bearing stopper. In addition, the lower limit of the distance h between the lower end of the rotor and the upper end surface of the case housing is set at 1.5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Ohi, Fuhito Umegaki, Masami Takemasa, Tatsuo Haraguchi, Yoshihide Gunji, Hiroshi Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 5796223
    Abstract: An apparatus for driving an electromagnetic load by applying a high voltage at the initial driving stage and thereafter applying a constant hold current is provided with a switch for supplying high-voltage energy to the electromagnetic load from a capacitor for storing high-voltage energy and a control circuit responsive to an electric signal for starting electromagnetic load driving and the output voltage of the capacitor. The control circuit turns the switch on at application of the electric signal and keeps it on until the output voltage reaches a prescribed level. The apparatus of this configuration enables optimum timing of changeover from high-voltage application mode operation to hold mold operation with simple circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Masuhiro Ohtsuka, Hiromi Kono, Tsuneo Adachi
  • Patent number: 5785257
    Abstract: A guide hole extending axially, a valve seat and an injection port are coaxially formed on an elongated valve body in this order toward a distal end of the valve body. A pressurized fuel is introduced into a basal end of the guide hole. A valve element is slidably received in the guide hole of the valve body. Inclined passages are formed in one of the valve element and the valve body. When the valve element is lifted, the pressurized fuel flows, as a swirling current, between a valve portion and the valve seat, proceeds toward an exit of the injection port while swirling along an inner peripheral surface of the injection port, and is injected from the injection port. When the valve element is in the fully lifted position, an orifice for restricting an amount of fuel injected from the injection port per unit time is formed between the valve portion and the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Furuya, Kenichi Iino, Hitoshi Okuyama
  • Patent number: 5783917
    Abstract: In order to enable switching of a direct current brushless motor to sensorless operation in a very short time by a device of simple configuration, the application to a commutator section of external sync signals for accelerating the rotor is stopped upon passage of a fixed time after the start of application. The fixed time is set to one necessary and sufficient for the rotor to reach a speed sufficient for enabling sensorless operation. After the application is stopped, the commutator section is controlled to commutate drive current to the drive windings according to the rotor position by commutation control signals output by a position feedback drive signal generator using sensorless signals from a position detection circuit based on back electromotive force voltages generated in the drive windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventor: Yoriyuki Takekawa
  • Patent number: 5782295
    Abstract: In a heat exchanger which comprises by alternately laminating a plurality of tubes 2, 2 and fins 3, 3, communicatively connecting a header tank 4 to both ends of the laminated tubes, forming slits 11 at required points in the header tanks, and providing partition plates 9 in the slits to flow a heat-exchanging medium; recesses 12 are formed on the inner faces of the header tanks and near the slits where the partition plates 9 are positioned, and the partition plates 9 are provided with projections 15 to correspond with the recesses 12. Walls 4a, which are crushed when the partition plate 9 is inserted, are formed between the recess 12 and the slit 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Soichi Kato, Takashi Sugita
  • Patent number: 5781082
    Abstract: In an R-C filter for preventing a noise signal from entering a power supply system through its output circuit, a circuit component acting as a resistive element for the filter is connected in series with the output circuit and a capacitive element is connected between one portion of the circuit component and ground to form an R-C type filter. A wiring member, a printed wiring foil, a through-hole member, a semiconductor device or other such circuit component can be used, as the circuit component acting as the resistive element for constituting the R-C type filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihide Gunji, Hideaki Matsuzaki, Hiroshi Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 5775304
    Abstract: A high-pressure fuel injection system which has a fuel injection unit including an injector, a fuel pump for supplying a high-pressure fuel to the fuel injection unit, a motor for driving the fuel pump, a PID controller for controlling the operation of the motor, a device for measuring an actual fuel pressure in the fuel injection unit, a device for calculating a deviation of the actual fuel pressure from a predetermined desired fuel pressure and for inputting the deviation to the PID controller as an actuating signal, and a device for calculating a desired fuel injection quantity per injection from input signals indicating an engine speed, an accelerator opening, etc. A manipulated variable which is given as an output from the PID controller is supplied to the motor as an input to control the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromi Kono, Toshiyuki Yoshino, Hiroshi Kanai
  • Patent number: 5768782
    Abstract: A flat tube for use in a parallel flow type heat exchanger is formed by bending a single plate. The plate of a predetermined width is wound in a roll form and the plate is continuously drawn out from the roll. The continuously drawn out plate is provided with a projected portion which is swollen in a direction opposite the bending direction of the plate, the projected portion is pre-formed by a pair of vertically arranged forming rolls before the plate is bent. Thereafter, the plate is gradually bent, with the projected portion being the center, with increased bending angles by bending rolls provided at a plurality of stages, and the ends of the plate are butted to each other. Then, the projected portion is crushed by a mold roll while the ends of the plate are in the butted state, and thus formed tube is cut into a predetermined length thereby the flat tube is manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventor: Soichi Kato
  • Patent number: 5760512
    Abstract: A brushless motor includes features that prevent jolting or shaking of a rotating shaft by urging the rotating shaft in one direction and have a simple construction and can heighten the mechanical strength of a portion holding the rotating shaft in order to lower noise. The brushless motor having a rotor having magnets and a rotating shaft, a stator for generating a rotating magnetic field with respect to the rotor, an exciting coil wound on the stator for receiving electrical power and for generating the magnetic field, and a holding plate including a magnetic member mounted in a position facing permanent magnets of the rotor. Accordingly, jolting or shaking of the rotating shaft can be prevented by urging the rotor and the rotating shaft toward the holding plate in order to attract the holding plate by the magnetic power of the magnets due to mounting the holding plate in a position facing the magnets of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Ohi, Fuhito Umegaki
  • Patent number: D397046
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventor: Hidekazu Oshizawa