Patents by Inventor Chikara Sekiguchi

Chikara Sekiguchi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20250062669
    Abstract: An actuator includes a movable body including: a disk-shaped magnet, a pair of disk-shaped yokes fixed to front and back surfaces of the disk-shaped magnet, a pair of spring retaining parts connected at one ends to the disk-shaped yokes, respectively, and connected at other ends to central portions of circular leaf springs, respectively, and a protruding part protruding in an axial direction of the disk-shaped magnet from the other end of one spring retaining part of the pair of spring retaining parts; and a fixing body including: a coil disposed at an outer circumference of the movable body, and a case including an opening portion through which the protruding part is inserted, the case accommodating the coil and the movable body such that a protruding end side of the protruding part protrudes to an outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Applicant: Minebea Mitsumi Inc.
    Inventors: Yuki TAKAHASHI, Takanori KATO, Yoshihiro GOMI, Chikara SEKIGUCHI, Yasutaka KITAMURA
  • Patent number: 12203467
    Abstract: A pump system contains a pair of pumps each of which contains a vibration actuator vibrated by electromagnetic drive and can discharge fluid due to drive of the vibration actuator. The pump system has a vibration suppression mode in which the pair of the pumps are driven so that vibration of the vibration actuators of the pair of pumps is cancelled each other and a vibration generation mode in which the pair of the pumps are driven so that the vibration of the vibration actuators of the pair of pumps is superimposed with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI INC.
    Inventors: Yuta Yoshii, Chikara Sekiguchi, Shigenori Inamoto, Yuki Takahashi, Daisuke Kodama, Kenta Ueda, Takahiko Irie, Daisuke Kurita
  • Patent number: 12199487
    Abstract: A fixing body configured to house a movable body including a magnet, and including a coil surrounding an outer periphery of the magnet and an outer yoke surrounding an outer periphery of the coil, the fixing body being configured to support the movable body so as to allow the movable body to vibrate back and forth in a vibration direction orthogonal to a radial direction, wherein the outer yoke includes a plurality of openings dispersed in a circumferential direction and provided at the same position in the vibration direction to keep a balance of a magnetic path configured together with the magnet and the coil in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Minebea Mitsumi Inc.
    Inventors: Yuki Ogihara, Shigeyuki Shimomura, Yoshihiro Maeda, Chikara Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 12095331
    Abstract: A vibration actuator includes: a movable body having: a disk-shaped magnet; a pair of magnetic parts fixed to both surfaces of the magnet; and a pair of spring stopper parts connected to the magnetic parts; a pair of elastic support parts connected to the spring stopper parts and configured to support the movable body; a fixing body configured to connect to the elastic support parts with a protection wall portion, a pair of annular coils and a magnetic shield disposed in this order at an outer circumferential side, and accommodate the movable body such that the movable body is capable of reciprocally vibrating in an axial direction; and a cylindrical resin case having, on a circumferential wall portion, an opening portion for wires for supplying power to the coils and configured to close upper and lower faces of the circumferential wall portion and accommodate the fixing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Minebea Mitsumi Inc.
    Inventors: Yuki Takahashi, Chikara Sekiguchi, Shigeyuki Shimomura, Yoshihiro Kumanomido, Daisuke Kodama, Yuta Yoshii, Shigenori Inamoto
  • Publication number: 20240305181
    Abstract: A vibration actuator comprising: a fixing body having a wound coil; a movable body housed in the fixing body, having a magnet and a yoke, and supported such that it vibrates inside the coil; and a pair of end portion members disposed at end portions of the fixing body and configured not to contact the movable body in a normal vibration range of the movable body but to contact the movable body at a time of impact to regulate a movement range of the movable body; wherein, each of the pair of end portion members includes an interference region that abuts against the movable body at the time of impact and restricts the movement range of the movable body, and a vent hole region that is located on an outer peripheral side of the interference region and includes a plurality of vent holes arranged in a circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Applicant: Minebea Mitsumi Inc.
    Inventors: Yuki TAKAHASHI, Chikara SEKIGUCHI, Shigeyuki SHIMOMURA, Yoshihiro KUMANOMIDO, Daisuke KODAMA, Yuta YOSHII, Shigenori INAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20240275249
    Abstract: A vibration actuator includes: a movable body which includes a stack formed by a magnet, a pair of magnetic cores and a pair of non-magnetic weights, is supported at both upper and lower sides of the movable body by a pair of leaf springs made of a magnetic material connected respectively to the pair of non-magnetic weights, and is operable to move vertically inside of a coil of a fixing body. The fixing body further includes a magnetic cylindrical body which is disposed outside of the coil, and has a length, the length being longer than a distance between upper and lower ends of the pair of magnetic cores and shorter than a distance between the pair of leaf springs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Applicant: Minebea Mitsumi Inc.
    Inventors: Yuki TAKAHASHI, Chikara SEKIGUCHI, Shigeyuki SHIMOMURA, Daisuke KODAMA, Yuta YOSHII, Yasutaka KITAMURA, Shigenori INAMOTO
  • Patent number: 12027934
    Abstract: A vibration actuator includes: a fixing body including a hollow case and a coil, a movable body that includes a magnet, and an elastic supporting part that supports the movable body such that the movable body is freely movable with respect to the fixing body in the hollow case. The hollow case restricts a movement range of the movable body in the case by opposite end surface portions that are disposed to face each other at a distance from each other in the vibration direction of the movable body, the hollow case includes one or more vent holes, and the vent holes are disposed in a portion of at least one end surface portion of the opposite end surface portions, the portion being free from interference by the movable body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Minebea Mitsumi Inc.
    Inventors: Yuki Takahashi, Chikara Sekiguchi, Shigeyuki Shimomura, Yoshihiro Kumanomido, Daisuke Kodama, Yuta Yoshii, Shigenori Inamoto
  • Publication number: 20240213867
    Abstract: A vibration actuator includes: a movable body; a pair of elastic support parts each of which includes a flat-plate-shaped leaf spring connected to the movable body and extending radially and is configured to support the movable body; a fixing body configured to connect to the elastic support parts and accommodate therein the movable body such that the movable body is capable of reciprocally vibrating axially; and a cylindrical resin case having an opening portion on a circumferential wall portion and configured to close upper and lower faces of the circumferential wall portion and accommodate therein the fixing body. A lid portion of the case is disposed at a height such that a moving space as a movable range for the movable body is secured and the movable range is limited by contact of the movable body and the lid portion upon extension of the elastic support parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2024
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: Minebea Mitsumi Inc.
    Inventors: Yuki TAKAHASHI, Chikara SEKIGUCHI, Shigeyuki SHIMOMURA, Yoshihiro KUMANOMIDO, Daisuke KODAMA, Yuta YOSHII, Shigenori INAMOTO
  • Patent number: 12003156
    Abstract: A vibration actuator includes: a movable body including: a disk-shaped magnet; a pair of disk-shaped cores fixed on front and rear surfaces of the disk-shaped magnet and each having an opening at a center thereof; a pair of leaf springs having a substantially circular shape; and a pair of spring stopper weight parts each having one end positioned by joining the opening to be joined with one of the disk-shaped cores and having another end connected to a central part of one of the leaf springs; and a fixing body including an annular coil and configured to support and accommodate therein the movable body such that the disk-shaped magnet, the disk-shaped cores and the spring stopper weight parts are capable of vibrating in an axial direction inside the annular coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Minebea Mitsumi Inc.
    Inventors: Yuki Takahashi, Chikara Sekiguchi, Shigeyuki Shimomura, Daisuke Kodama, Yuta Yoshii, Yasutaka Kitamura, Shigenori Inamoto
  • Publication number: 20240084793
    Abstract: A pump system contains a pair of pumps each of which contains a vibration actuator vibrated by electromagnetic drive and can discharge fluid due to drive of the vibration actuator. The pump system has a vibration suppression mode in which the pair of the pumps are driven so that vibration of the vibration actuators of the pair of pumps is cancelled each other and a vibration generation mode in which the pair of the pumps are driven so that the vibration of the vibration actuators of the pair of pumps is superimposed with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Yuta YOSHII, Chikara SEKIGUCHI, Shigenori INAMOTO, Yuki TAKAHASHI, Daisuke KODAMA, Kenta UEDA, Takahiko IRIE, Daisuke KURITA
  • Patent number: 11898547
    Abstract: A pump contains a sealed chamber, a movable wall for changing a volume of the sealed chamber, and a vibration actuator which can be electromagnetically driven for displacing the movable wall to discharge fluid in the sealed chamber to an outside of the sealed chamber. Further, three axes perpendicular to each other are respectively defined as an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis. When a direction along the X axis is defined as an X axis direction, a direction along the Y axis is defined as a Y axis direction, and a direction along the Z axis direction is defined as a Z axis direction, an outer shape of the pump is a concave shape in a planar view from the Y axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI INC.
    Inventors: Yuta Yoshii, Chikara Sekiguchi, Shigenori Inamoto, Yuki Takahashi, Daisuke Kodama, Kenta Ueda, Daisuke Kurita
  • Patent number: 11852130
    Abstract: A pump system contains a pair of pumps each of which contains a vibration actuator vibrated by electromagnetic drive and can discharge fluid due to drive of the vibration actuator. The pump system has a vibration suppression mode in which the pair of the pumps are driven so that vibration of the vibration actuators of the pair of pumps is cancelled each other and a vibration generation mode in which the pair of the pumps are driven so that the vibration of the vibration actuators of the pair of pumps is superimposed with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI INC.
    Inventors: Yuta Yoshii, Chikara Sekiguchi, Shigenori Inamoto, Yuki Takahashi, Daisuke Kodama, Kenta Ueda, Takahiko Irie, Daisuke Kurita
  • Patent number: 11848586
    Abstract: This vibration actuator has: a stationary body having a coil; a movable body having a magnet disposed radially inside the coil; and an elastic support part for supporting the movable body so that the movable body can move relative to the stationary body. The stationary body has a coil holding part. The coil holding part has, on the inner diameter side of the coil, a coil protection wall part. The elastic support part has at least two or more plate springs bridged between the coil holding part and the movable body so as to sandwich the movable body in a vibration direction. In order that the movable body does not come into contact with the coil holding part when not vibrating and when vibrating, the plate springs support the movable body so that the movable body is movable in the vibration direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Minebea Mitsumi Inc.
    Inventors: Yuki Takahashi, Chikara Sekiguchi, Shigeyuki Shimomura, Daisuke Kodama, Yuta Yoshii, Yasutaka Kitamura, Shigenori Inamoto
  • Patent number: 11841012
    Abstract: A pump system contains a vibration actuator which can be electromagnetically driven by applying an alternating-current voltage E thereto, a sealed chamber connected to a suction port and a discharge port, and a movable wall for changing a volume of the sealed chamber. The movable wall is displaced due to drive of the vibration actuator to supply fluid in the sealed chamber into a target object. The pump system controls an effective value of the alternating-current voltage E so that an amplitude Y of the vibration actuator is constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI INC.
    Inventors: Yuta Yoshii, Chikara Sekiguchi, Shigenori Inamoto, Yuki Takahashi, Daisuke Kodama, Daisuke Kurita
  • Publication number: 20230361662
    Abstract: This vibration actuator comprises a fixed body including a coil, a movable body including a magnet, and an elastic support part that supports the movable body so as to be freely moveable with respect to the fixed body. The elastic support part has an outer circumferential part fixed to the fixed body, an inner circumferential part disposed inside in the radial direction of the outer circumferential part and fixed to the movable body, and a deforming arm part disposed between the outer circumferential part and the inner circumferential part and coupling the outer circumferential part and the inner circumferential part, the deforming arm part being elastically deformable. An attenuation part is provided across the outer circumferential part and a portion of the deforming arm part on an outer circumferential part side thereof, the attenuation part attenuating vibrations in the elastic support part when the movable body moves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Minebea Mitsumi Inc.
    Inventors: Yuki TAKAHASHI, Chikara SEKIGUCHI, Shigeyuki SHIMOMURA, Yoshihiro KUMANOMIDO, Daisuke KODAMA, Yuta YOSHII, Shigenori INAMOTO
  • Patent number: 11764659
    Abstract: A vibration actuator includes a movable body provided with one of a coil and a magnet that is disposed radially inward of the coil with a gap formed therebetween, a fixing body provided with the other of the coil and the magnet and a shaft portion, and an elastic support portion, the movable body vibrating in a vibration direction by means of cooperation between the coil supplied with power and the magnet. The movable body is provided with a through-hole into which the shaft portion is inserted with a gap formed between the through-hole and an outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion and the elastic support portion supports the movable body such that the movable body does not come into contact with the shaft portion at a time when the movable body does not vibrate and at a time when the movable body vibrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Takahashi, Chikara Sekiguchi, Yuta Yoshii, Daisuke Kodama, Shigenori Inamoto
  • Patent number: 11754066
    Abstract: A pump system contains a vibration actuator which can be electromagnetically driven, a sealed chamber connected to a suction port and a discharge port, and a movable wall for changing a volume of the sealed chamber. The movable wall is displaced due to drive of the vibration actuator to supply fluid in the sealed chamber into a cuff. The pump system detects pressure in the cuff based on a consumption current of the vibration actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI INC.
    Inventors: Yuta Yoshii, Chikara Sekiguchi, Shigenori Inamoto, Yuki Takahashi, Daisuke Kodama, Daisuke Kurita
  • Publication number: 20230151805
    Abstract: A pump contains a pump unit for suctioning and discharging fluid due to electromagnetic drive of a vibration actuator. The vibration actuator includes a fixed body containing one of a coil core portion and a magnet, a movable body containing another one of the coil core portion and the magnet, and a shaft portion for supporting the movable body so that the movable body can perform reciprocating rotation. The pump unit includes a movable wall, and a sealed chamber whose volume can be changed by displacement of the movable wall. The movable body has a pressing portion which can abut against the movable wall to press the movable wall when the movable body performs the reciprocating rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Yuta YOSHII, Shigenori INAMOTO, Yuki TAKAHASHI, Chikara SEKIGUCHI, Daisuke KODAMA, Daisuke KURITA
  • Publication number: 20230147348
    Abstract: A pump control device controls a pump including a vibration actuator for vibrating a vibrating body due to electromagnetic drive caused by electrical current supply to coils, a sealed chamber which includes a movable wall which can be displaced by vibration of the vibrating body so that fluid can be suctioned into an inside of the sealed chamber or discharged from the inside of the sealed chamber, and a discharge portion for communicating the fluid between the sealed chamber and a tank to increase pressure of the fluid. The pump control device contains an obtaining part for obtaining pressure value information, and a control unit for controlling a drive frequency of an electrical current to be supplied to the coils based on the obtained pressure value information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Takahiko IRIE, Shigenori INAMOTO, Yuki TAKAHASHI, Chikara SEKIGUCHI, Yuta YOSHII
  • Publication number: 20230101894
    Abstract: This vibration actuator comprises a fixed body including a coil, a movable body including a magnet, and an elastic support part that supports the movable body so as to be freely moveable with respect to the fixed body, wherein the coil to which power is supplied and the magnet cooperate to cause the movable body to vibrate with respect to the fixed body. The elastic support part has an outer circumferential part bonded to the fixed body, an annular inner circumferential part disposed inside in the radial direction of the outer circumferential part and bonded to the movable body, and a deforming arm part that couples the outer circumferential part and the inner circumferential part and is elastically deformable. The elastic support part has a sealing part provided in a bonding part between the inner circumferential part and the movable body to seal the bonding part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Minebea Mitsumi Inc.
    Inventors: Yuki TAKAHASHI, Chikara SEKIGUCHI, Shigeyuki SHIMOMURA, Yoshihiro KUMANOMIDO, Daisuke KODAMA, Yuta YOSHII, Shigenori INAMOTO