Patents by Inventor Hirohiko Sonoki

Hirohiko Sonoki 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).

  • Patent number: 9621015
    Abstract: A linear vibration actuator for which the positional accuracy of coils in the casing can be easily increased. A linear vibration actuator (1) in which a magnet (13) and a weight (15) are fixed. The magnet (13) and the shaft (20) form a magnetic circuit within a casing (2) causing reciprocating motion of the weight (15) and magnet (13), via a coil (24) within a casing (2). The linear actuator (1) includes a shaft (20) provided within the casing (2) and made from a magnetic material. A coil (24) is supported by the shaft (20) includes first and second coil parts (22, 23) arranged parallel to an axial line L and wound in opposing directions. A ring-like magnet (13) surrounds the coil (24) and the shaft (20). A weight is fixed to the magnet. A plate spring (17) biases the magnet (13) and the weight (15) along the shaft (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: NIDEC COPAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshinori Katada, Hirohiko Sonoki, Daisuke Higashi, Risa Matsumura, Sayaka Ueno, Honami Nakazawa, Yoshihide Tonogai
  • Publication number: 20140232211
    Abstract: A linear vibration actuator for which the positional accuracy of coils in the casing can be easily increased. A linear vibration actuator (1) in which a magnet (13) and a weight (15) are fixed. The magnet (13) and the shaft (20) form a magnetic circuit within a casing (2) causing reciprocating motion of the weight (15) and magnet (13), via a coil (24) within a casing (2). The linear actuator (1) includes a shaft (20) provided within the casing (2) and made from a magnetic material. A coil (24) is supported by the shaft (20) includes first and second coil parts (22, 23) arranged parallel to an axial line L and wound in opposing directions. A ring-like magnet (13) surrounds the coil (24) and the shaft (20). A weight is fixed to the magnet. A plate spring (17) biases the magnet (13) and the weight (15) along the shaft (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori KATADA, Hirohiko SONOKI, Daisuke HIGASHI, Risa MATSUMURA, Sayaka UENO, Honami NAKAZAWA, Yoshihide TONOGAI
  • Patent number: 6784417
    Abstract: In an optical encoder, a rotary disk plate has slits formed along a circumferential direction and rotates to intermittently pass light through the slits such that the passed light has a periodical intensity variation. A stationary mask plate has apertures spatially shifted from each other and splits the passed light into two light fluxes having different phases of the periodical intensity variation due to the spatial shift of the apertures. Two light receiving elements receive the two light fluxes respectively, and generate two electric signals having a same cycle corresponding to the periodical intensity variation of the light fluxes and different electric phases. A light guiding member is provided between the stationary mask plate and the light receiving elements to guide the light fluxes while expanding the spacing between the light fluxes such that the light receiving elements are spaced from each other at a distance greater than the spacing of the light fluxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventor: Hirohiko Sonoki
  • Publication number: 20040113058
    Abstract: In an optical encoder, a rotary disk plate has slits formed along a circumferential direction and rotates to intermittently pass light through the slits such that the passed light has a periodical intensity variation. A stationary mask plate has apertures spatially shifted from each other and splits the passed light into two light fluxes having different phases of the periodical intensity variation due to the spatial shift of the apertures. Two light receiving elements receive the two light fluxes respectively, and generate two electric signals having a same cycle corresponding to the periodical intensity variation of the light fluxes and different electric phases. A light guiding member is provided between the stationary mask plate and the light receiving elements to guide the light fluxes while expanding the spacing between the light fluxes such that the light receiving elements are spaced from each other at a distance greater than the spacing of the light fluxes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventor: Hirohiko Sonoki