Patents by Inventor Heiji Kuki

Heiji Kuki 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: 20060120106
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus can enhance brightness of illumination while minimizing the number of dot-like light sources. The illumination apparatus includes a light guide plate having side surfaces and a plurality of LEDs disposed on a substrate to direct light to the side surfaces. Incident lights from the LEDs illuminate a front surface of the light guide plate substantially uniformly. The illumination apparatus further includes a holder disposed between the side surface of the light guide plate and the substrate for surrounding the respective LEDs and their light paths together and filler blocks disposed on the substrate to close gaps between adjacent LEDs. The filler blocks reflect a part of the reflected light at least from the light guide plate or the holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Heiji Kuki, Toshiki Oohira
  • Patent number: 6506066
    Abstract: First and second cables 4 and 5 are housed in a cable housing space 3 formed between a case 1 and a rotor 2 in a state in which a force in a direction touching the inner periphery of the case 1 is given.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Heiji Kuki
  • Publication number: 20020019150
    Abstract: First and second cables 4 and 5 are housed in a cable housing space 3 formed between a case 1 and a rotor 2 in a state in which a force in a direction touching the inner periphery of the case 1 is given.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Applicant: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Heiji Kuki
  • Patent number: 6127800
    Abstract: A C-shaped fixed core is provided at a power receiving portion, and a secondary coil is wound on a vertical portion of the fixed core. A moving core is vertically movable in sliding contact with distal end surfaces of horizontal portions of the fixed core. A primary coil, having an air core portion, is provided at a charging coupler. When the charging coupler is attached to the power receiving portion, the moving core is moved downward to extend through the air core portion of the primary coil, and opposite end portions of the moving core are contacted respectively with the horizontal portions of the fixed core. As a result, a magnetic circuit is formed between the primary and secondary coils. The charging coupler is lightweight since it does not have a core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, LTD
    Inventors: Heiji Kuki, Kunihiko Watanabe, Toshiro Shimada
  • Patent number: 6093033
    Abstract: To prevent increase in stress on a soldered join between a terminal pin and a circuit board in the event of thermal expansion, a support (22) with a larger diameter and a recess (21) with a smaller diameter are formed on a terminal pin (20). An alignment plate (30) is arranged to be movable with respect to a connector housing (11) between a support position in which the support member (22) is a close fit in a position fixing hole (31), and a release position in which the recess (21) is a loose fit. This eliminates the increase in stress on the soldered portion (M) due to differing rates of thermal expansion and contraction of the circuit board (P) and alignment plate (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Heiji Kuki, Kazuhiko Nimura
  • Patent number: 5971774
    Abstract: To prevent increase in stress on a soldered join between a terminal pin and a circuit board in the event of thermal expansion, a support (22) with a larger diameter and a recess (21) with a smaller diameter are formed on a terminal pin (20). An alignment plate (30) is arranged to be movable with respect to a connector housing (11) between a support position in which the support member (22) is a close fit in a position fixing hole (31), and a release position in which the recess (21) is a loose fit. This eliminates the increase in stress on the soldered portion (M) due to differing rates of thermal expansion and contraction of the circuit board (P) and alignment plate (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Heiji Kuki, Kazuhiko Nimura
  • Patent number: 5917307
    Abstract: In a magnetic coupling device for charging an electric vehicle which is used for charging a power storage device of the electric vehicle by means of a charging power source, a primary coil unit is inserted into a receiving unit which is on an electric vehicle and in which a secondary coil unit is disposed. In the device, junction faces of primary and secondary cores are formed in the insertion direction of the primary coil unit, and primary and secondary coils are disposed at positions where, when the primary coil unit 30 is inserted, the primary and secondary coils do not interfere with each other. Wiping members which wipe the junction faces are disposed. The insertion direction of the primary coil unit is in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignees: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Watanabe, Heiji Kuki, Shuji Arisaka, Toshiro Shimada
  • Patent number: 5909100
    Abstract: Groups of magnets are respectively provided on the joint surfaces of a vehicle-side connector and a power-supply-side connector in such a way that the N and S poles of a plurality of permanent magnets are alternately arranged in a circle. When charging is carried out, the magnetic attraction generated by placing the heteropolar magnets in both groups of magnets opposite to one another is utilized for bringing the vehicle-side connector and the power-supply-side connector into engagement with each other. After the charging, the group of magnets of the power-supply-side connector are turned by one pitch to place the homopolar magnets in both groups of magnets opposite to one another, whereby both connectors are easily separated from each other because of the magnetic repulsive force generated therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignees: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Watanabe, Heiji Kuki, Shuji Arisaka, Toshiro Shimada
  • Patent number: 5909099
    Abstract: A charging system for use with an electric vehicle in that a primary coil 32 is structured in such a manner that a conductive pipe 34 is wound around a primary core 33. Cooling water is allowed to circulate through the conductive pipe 34, while the cooling water is cooled by a radiator device provided on the charging unit side. To the two ends of the conductive pipe 34, there are connected the core wires of a charging power cable 40 through energizing terminals 37, so that the primary coil 32 can be excited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignees: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Watanabe, Heiji Kuki, Shuji Arisaka, Toshiro Shimada
  • Patent number: 5907231
    Abstract: A magnetic coupling device for charging an electric vehicle includes: a primary unit having a primary core and a primary coil wound on the primary core; and a secondary unit having a secondary core and a secondary coil wound on the secondary core, the secondary unit disposed on the electric vehicle and coupled with the primary unit, so that the primary and secondary cores constitute a closed loop-like magnetic circuit; each of the primary and secondary cores having a junction face which contacts with each other under the coupling, wherein the junction faces of the primary and secondary cores have a mutually opposing relationship in which the junction faces intersect with an attaching direction of the primary unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electriic Industries, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Watanabe, Heiji Kuki, Shuji Arisaka, Toshiro Shimada
  • Patent number: 5850135
    Abstract: To facilitate the charging of an electric automotive vehicle, a primary coil 31 connected with a charging power source is so provided as to project from a wall surface W of a parking space. An electric automotive vehicle E is advanced toward the wall surface W and parked in a position where the primary coil 31 is accommodated in a receptacle 11 provided below a front bumper B of the vehicle E. Then, a pressure switch 40 provided in a shock absorbing material 39 operates to detect the presence of the vehicle E, and the primary coil 31 is excited. A secondary coil 14 is provided above the receptacle 11. A voltage is generated in the secondary coil 14 by action of electromagnetic induction, thereby charging a battery 19.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Heiji Kuki, Sho Miyazaki, Tsutomu Tanaka, Kunihiko Watanabe, Shuichi Kanagawa, Tomohiro Keishi, Hiroshige Deguchi, Shuji Arisaka
  • Patent number: 5847338
    Abstract: A slidable element is provided for easy positioning in a guide slot when a handle is withdrawn. A handle 40 is inclinably provided on a mount body 35 bearing a movable electrode 31 by a support shaft 45. The support shaft 45 is loosely movable with respect to the mount body 35 by being fixed to the handle 40 and being inserted through oblong holes 42 formed in bearing portions 41 of the mount body 35. In order to withdraw the handle 40, it is necessary to position slidable projections 70 at the bottom ends of linear portions 75 of guide slots 74 while the handle 40 is pulled up. Since the support shaft 45 is movable upward within the oblong holes 42, the handle 40 can singly be pulled up while the movable electrode 31 is still engaged with the fixed electrodes 11a, 11b. During this time, the slidable projections 70 can be positioned and passed through the linear portions 75 of the guide slots 74 with a small force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Heiji Kuki, Kazumoto Konda, Tsutomu Tanaka, Kunihiko Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5842560
    Abstract: A breaker device is provided to prevent an insufficient engagement of electrodes. The device, according to the invention, is excellent in safety because of its construction in which a conductive path is located inside the casing 1 and is allowed to have a compact configuration of particularly low height because a handle 40 can be inclined to its resting position. When the handle 40 is inclined to the resting position while a movable electrode 31 is insufficiently engaged, engaging portions 77 come into contact with receiving portions 75 and a lever action works with the contact positions of the engaging portions 77 and the receiving portions 75 as a fulcrum. As a result, a rotating force applied to an operable portion 40A is translated into a downward acting engaging force applied to the movable electrode 31 via rotation center shafts 45 and a mount body 35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Heiji Kuki, Kazumoto Konda, Tsutomu Tanaka, Kunihiko Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5831228
    Abstract: A compact breaker device includes a pair of fixed electrodes 11a, 11b are placed upright at one side of the casing 1, and a fuse 12 is accommodated at the other side thereof. A movable electrode 31 including a pair of fittable terminals 32a, 32b connected with each other is mounted on a mount body 35. By engaging and disengaging the fittable terminals 32a, 32b with and from the fixed electrodes 11a, 11b through the ceiling wall of the casing 1, a breaker switch for connect and disconnect the fixed electrodes 11a, 11b is formed. The fuse 12 is connected in series with the breaker switch. A handle 40 is inclinably mounted on the upper surface of the mount body 35. The handle 40 is firmly held in a standing position and a resting position by a spring member 47 provided between it and the mount body 35. The handle 40 is inclined to the resting position when the breaker device is used, while being held upright when the breaker switch is turned on and off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Heiji Kuki, Kazumoto Konda, Tsutomu Tanaka, Kunihiko Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5821731
    Abstract: A connection system and connection method for easily charging an electric automotive vehicle are provided. A secondary coil 20 connected with a battery 21 is provided at the bottom of a body of an electric automotive vehicle E. On the other hand, a recess A is formed in the ground of a parking lot, and a coil moving device 30 for movably supporting a primary coil 10 is installed in the recess A. Three magnetic sensors 50 are provided on a body 40 of the coil moving device 30. Further, power supply circuits 13a to 13e provided in an external power supply equipment 11 at the back of the parking lot and a main controller 12 supply power to the primary coil 10, magnetic sensors 50 and coil moving device 30 and control them. In order to charge the battery 21, the vehicle E is parked, straddling the recess A, and the secondary coil 20 is excited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Heiji Kuki, Sho Miyazaki, Tsutomu Tanaka, Kunihiko Watanabe, Shuichi Kanagawa, Tomohiro Keishi, Hiroshige Deguchi, Shuji Arisaka
  • Patent number: 5679009
    Abstract: A connector for a printed circuit board which minimizes the deformation of the positioning member for aligning terminals. The engaging members are located at the outside of guide surfaces formed on the outer surfaces of the housing of the connector. The spacing between the engaging members is longer than if they were located inwardly of the guide walls projecting from the front surface of the housing. Accordingly, the deformation per unit length of the positioning member is small. Such a small deformation of the positioning member minimizes the misalignment of the holes into which the terminals are to enter. Thus, the terminals can be aligned with great accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Okumura, Koichiro Tokuwa, Heiji Kuki
  • Patent number: 5614808
    Abstract: An electric vehicle charging connector used for charging a power battery of an electric vehicle includes connector holder and a display section mounted in an upper portion of the connector holder. The display section includes red and green light-emitting diodes and a seven-segment two-digit numeric display including light-emitting diodes. The red light-emitting diode is turned on while the power battery is being charged. The green light-emitting diode is turned on instead of the red light-emitting diode when charging has been completed. Either the time elapsed after the charging operation has been initiated or the remaining capacity of the power battery is displayed by the numeric display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Konoya, Heiji Kuki
  • Patent number: 4922380
    Abstract: In a junction box containing a printed circuit board with electrodes having first end portions soldered to the printed circuit board, an electrode containing member is secured to the printed circuit board on the side of the first end portions of the electrodes, and the electrodes are U-shaped and contained in the electrode containing member in such a manner that the other end portions thereof are extended in a connector inserting hole formed in the junction box, whereby the electrodes are prevented from being adversely affected by external force when the junction box is engaged with the mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignees: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Heiji Kuki, Naoya Kurimoto