Patents by Inventor Hiroki Hirai

Hiroki Hirai 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).

  • Battery connecting assembly
    Patent number: 8998646
    Abstract: A battery connecting assembly includes: a power line having the outer circumferential portion of a conductor covered with an insulating resin and connected to electrode terminals; and a connecting units including: a connecting member that connects the adjacent electrode terminals to each other; and a wire mounting portion that mounts the power line thereon along the direction of arranging electric cells. The connecting units are coupled to each by mounting the power line on the wire mounting portion of the connecting units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoya Okamoto, Shinichi Takase, Hiroki Hirai, Masakuni Kasugai
  • Terminal fitting
    Patent number: 8992244
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal fitting with improved waterproof property. A terminal fitting (10) includes a box-shaped main portion (21), barrel portions (22, 23) to be crimped and connected to a core (91) at an end portion of a wire (90), a waterproof wall (60) to be mounted between the barrel portions (22, 23) and the main portion (21) to partition between them in a liquid-tight manner, a restricting portion (25) configured to restrict a movement of the waterproof wall (60) toward the main portion (21) by coming into contact with the waterproof wall (60) from the main portion (21) side and a heat shrinkable tube (70) to be held in close contact with the barrel portions (22, 23) and the waterproof wall (60) while surrounding the core (91).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Uchiyama, Satoshi Morikawa, Takuji Ootsuka, Chikamasa Sasaki, Hiroki Hirai, Junichi Ono
  • TERMINAL-WIRE ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20140342621
    Abstract: A wiring harness (1) includes a copper wire (3), an aluminum wire (4) and a ground terminal (2) connected to these wires. The ground terminal (2) includes two wire-side terminal portions (11), (12). A conductor barrel (11b) of the first wire-side terminal portion (11) is crimped to have such a first crimping height (H1) that the conductor barrel (11b) can come into contact with a surface of a conductor (3a) of the copper wire (3). A conductor barrel (12b) of the second wire-side terminal portion (12) is crimped to a conductor (4a) of the aluminum wire (4) to have such a second crimping height (H2) lower than the first crimping height (H1) that the conductor barrel (12b) can come into contact with the conductor (4a) of the aluminum wire (4) through an oxide film (4d) covering a surface of the conductor (4a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Yasuo Omori, Hiroki Hirai, Masaaki Tabata
  • CONNECTOR AND WIRING HARNESS
    Publication number: 20140322978
    Abstract: A connector (20) includes a connecting member (15) with a main body portion (16) for connecting adjacent electrode terminals (12A, 12B) of a plurality of battery cells (11) including positive and negative electrode terminals (12A, 12B) and a first terminal (22) extending from the main body portion (16), a battery-side connector housing (29) accommodating the first terminal (22), a wire-side connector housing (36) to be connected to the battery-side connector housing (29) and an end part of a wire (37, and a fuse (25) arranged in the battery-side connector housing (29) to electrically connect the first terminal (22) and the wire (37).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Ryoya Okamoto, Hiroomi Hiramitsu, Hiroki Hirai
  • JOINT CONNECTOR AND ASSEMBLING METHOD THEREOF
    Publication number: 20140315410
    Abstract: A joint connector and an assembling method are provided for simultaneously achieving waterproofing and double locking. A ground joint connector (1) includes wire-side terminals (20), a ground terminal (30), a connector housing (40), waterproof plugs (5) and a seal ring (6). The housing (40) includes a wire-side housing (41) and a ground-side housing (42). When the wire-side housing (41) is fixed to the ground-side housing (42) at a first position, locking lances (48) are not restricted at a locking position for locking the wire-side terminal (29) by lance locks (49) in the ground-side housing (42). On the other hand, when the wire-side housing (41) is fixed to the ground-side housing (42) at a second position, the locking lances (48) are restricted at the locking position for locking the wire-side terminals (20) by the lance locks (49).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicants: AutoNetworks Technologies, Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Omori, Hiroki Hirai, Masaaki Tabata
  • ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT UNIT CAPABLE OF EXTERNAL CONNECTION
    Publication number: 20140305691
    Abstract: Provided is an electronic circuit unit which includes a circuit board, a case for the circuit board and a connector for external connection and can be miniaturized and simplified in structure. This electronic circuit unit includes a circuit board (10) provided with a plurality of conductors for connection (14) on an edge part (12), a case (CS) configured to house the circuit board, and a plurality of terminals (30) provided on ends of a plurality of wires (W). The case (CS) integrally includes a board housing portion (20) and a terminal holding portion (40). The board housing portion (20) holds the circuit board (10) at a specific board holding position. The terminal holding portion (40) holds these terminals (30) in such an arrangement that each terminal (30) comes into contact with each conductor for connection (14) of the circuit board (10) at the board holding position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicants: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Nishio, Hiroki Hirai, Tetsuji Tanaka, Massaki Tabata, Yasuo Omori
  • BATTERY MODULE AND WIRING MODULE
    Publication number: 20140295225
    Abstract: There are provided an electric cell group of a plurality of electric cells 11 with positive and negative electrode terminals, connecting members for connecting adjacent electrode terminals, and a wiring module assembled to the electric cell group. The wiring module includes a plurality of voltage detection terminals connected to the ends of a plurality of electric wires W for detecting the conditions of the electric cells, a plurality of retainer portions retaining the detection terminals, and interval adjusting device provided between a plurality of adjacent retainer portions for adjusting the intervals between the retainer portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Ryoya Okamoto, Hiroomi Hiramitsu, Hiroki Hirai
  • CONNECTOR, CONNECTOR MANUFACTURING METHOD, AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING WIRE HARNESS AND WIRING MATERIALS TO MEMBER TO BE CONNECTED
    Publication number: 20140294349
    Abstract: A connector includes a terminal member including a contact portion that can be brought into contact with a connecting target member, the terminal member being attached to an end of a wiring material, a housing including an insertion recess into which the connecting target member can be inserted, the housing retaining the terminal member such that the contact portion can be brought into contact with the connecting target member inserted into the insertion recess, and a dust protection member that protects the insertion recess against dust by blocking an insertion opening of the insertion recess. The dust protection member is formed such that the dust protection member can be penetrated by the connecting target member when the connecting target member is inserted into the insertion recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicants: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Nishio, Hiroki Hirai, Koichi Matsumoto, Hiroki Shimoda, Yasuo Omori, Xueqing Dong
  • GROUND CONNECTION FITTING AND GROUND CONNECTION DEVICE USING SAME
    Publication number: 20140235078
    Abstract: It is aimed to provide a ground connection fitting capable of enhancing the reliability of connection of a ground wire to ground sections and a ground connection device using the same. A first ground connection fitting (1) connects a ground wire (E1) to a first bolt (B1) and a second bolt (B2), which a plurality of ground sections provided on a wall surface of a vehicle. The first ground connection fitting (1) includes a wire connecting portion formed by a wire-side terminal portion (4) to be mounted on an end of the ground wire (E1), and a ground-side terminal portion (5) formed with a first bolt connection hole (6) connectable to the first bolt (B1) and a second bolt connection hole (7) connectable to the second bolt (B2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Yasuo Omori, Hiroki Hirai, Masaaki Tabata, Takamaru Amano, Takashi Tsuchiya
  • ALUMINUM-BASED TERMINAL FITTING
    Publication number: 20140235116
    Abstract: Provided are an aluminum-based terminal fitting in which a Sn layer has high peel resistance, and a terminal connecting structure of an electric wire provided with the terminal fitting. The aluminum-based terminal fitting includes a wire barrel portion (110) for connection to a conductor (210) constituted by aluminum or an aluminum alloy and provided in an electric wire (200), and a fitting portion (female fitting portion (130) or male fitting portion (140)) provided to extend from the wire barrel portion (110) and electrically connected to a separate terminal fitting. A Sn layer formed directly on a base material constituting the terminal fitting is provided on the contact region in the fitting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicants: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Takuji Otsuka, Hiroki Hirai, Junichi Ono, Kingo Furukawa, Teruyoshi Munekata, Hajime Ota, Yoshihiro Nakai, Taichiro Nishikawa, Tetsuya Kuwabara, Yoshiyuki Takaki, Hiroyuki Kobayashi
  • TERMINAL CONNECTOR, ELECTRIC WIRE WITH TERMINAL CONNECTOR, AND METHOD OF CONNECTING TERMINAL CONNECTOR AND ELECTRIC WIRE
    Publication number: 20140224535
    Abstract: An object is to obtain a stable electric connection resistance under a mild crimping condition. The present invention is a terminal connector 12 that includes a crimp portion 30 to be crimped to an electric wire. The crimp portion 30 includes a base material, an aluminum layer or an aluminum alloy layer a surface on the base material, and a hard layer on a surface of the aluminum layer or the aluminum alloy layer. The hard layer is harder than the base material. The present invention may be an electric wire with a terminal connector 10 that includes the above terminal connector 12 and a covered electric wire 40 that includes a core wire 42 made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. The crimp portion 30 of the terminal connector 12 is crimped to the core wire 42.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicants: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Takuji Otsuka, Hiroki Hirai, Junichi Ono, Kingo Furukawa, Teruyoshi Munekata, Hajime Ota, Yoshihiro Nakai, Taichiro Nishikawa, Tetsuya Kuwabara, Yoshiyuki Takaki, Hiroyuki Kobayashi
  • ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT UNIT CAPABLE OF EXTERNAL CONNECTION
    Publication number: 20140226295
    Abstract: An electronic circuit unit includes a circuit board (10) with conductors for connection (14) on an edge (12), a case (20) for housing the circuit board (10) and a connector (C). The case (20) includes an opening (21) that allows the circuit board (10) to be inserted in a board inserting direction and holds the circuit board (10) at a specific board holding position. The connector (C) includes connector terminals (30) to be mounted on ends of wires (W), and a housing (40) for holding the connector terminals (30) so that the connector terminals (30) can simultaneously contact the conductors for connection (14). The housing (40) includes a lid (48) for closing the opening (21). The case (20) locks the housing (40) at a position where the connector terminals (30) contact the conductors for connection (14) of the circuit board (10) at the board holding position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Akihiro Nishio, Hiroki Hirai, Tetsuji Tanaka, Yasuo Omori
  • CONNECTOR
    Publication number: 20140199868
    Abstract: A connector (1) collectively connects terminals (10) of a plurality of devices (11) by being fit to a stacked body (12) in which the plurality of devices are stacked. The connector (1) includes a terminal main portion (2) with a plurality of independent fitting portions (21 to 24) for connection to the respective terminals (10) of the devices (11). The connector (1) also has a terminal holding portion (3) for supporting and uniting the terminal main portion (2). Connecting portions (51 to 53) connect the fitting portions (21 to 24) and the terminal holding portion (3) and are formed as tolerance absorbing portions capable of absorbing a tolerance due to the stacking of the devices by a resilient force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicants: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoya Okamoto, Hiroomi Hiramitsu, Hiroki Hirai, Masakuni Kasugai
  • CONNECTOR AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME
    Publication number: 20140140763
    Abstract: In a connector (10) with a first housing (11) made of resin and including a first terminal portion (42A) connected to a first device and a second housing (25) made of resin and including a second terminal portion (42B) connected to a second device, the first and second housings (11, 25) are coupled and united by a coupling portion (30) made of rubber and formed by insert molding or two-color molding. A method for manufacturing the connector (10) of the present invention includes a uniting step of coupling and uniting the first and second housings (11, 25) by the coupling portion (30) made of rubber by insert molding or two-color molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicants: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD, SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Tsujii, Hiroki Hirai, Tomoyuki Sakata, Hisashi Sawada
  • Method for manufacturing electric wire with terminal
    Patent number: 8726500
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electric wire with a terminal, includes crimping a barrel portion of the terminal onto a core wire constructed of metal wires and creating a crack in a metal oxide layer immediately before the crimping. The metal oxide layer is formed on a metal surface of the core wire. The creating of crack is accomplished by applying a mechanical force to the metal oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Hagi, Hiroki Shimoda, Hiroki Hirai, Junichi Ono, Tetsuji Tanaka, Takuji Otsuka
  • CELL WIRING MODULE
    Publication number: 20140134894
    Abstract: A cell wiring module includes: a plurality of coupling units that hold a plurality of connection members for electrically connecting electrode terminals of adjacent single cells; an opening end section positioned on one side of each coupling unit, and has a first engagement hole formed therein; a latching end section positioned on the other side of each coupling unit, and has a latching unit inserted into the first engagement hole of a coupling unit adjacent in the coupling direction, and latches onto the hole edge section of the first engagement hole; and a fluctuating movement restricting piece arranged at one of the opening end section and the latching end section, wherein the fluctuating movement restricting piece is inserted into a second engagement hole provided at the other of the opening end section and the latching end section of an adjacent coupling unit, and restricts fluctuating movements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicants: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuko Kinoshita, Hiroomi Hiramitsu, Hiroki Hirai, Shinichi Takase, Ryoya Okamoto, Osamu Nakayama
  • BATTERY WIRING MODULE
    Publication number: 20140134884
    Abstract: A battery wiring module, which is to be attached to a plurality of electric cells each including a positive terminal and a negative terminal, includes a bus bar that is made of metal and has a pair of terminal through holes to be connected respectively to the positive terminal of one electric cell and the negative terminal of another electric cell, a bus bar case that is made of fire-resistant synthetic resin and in which the bus bar is accommodated, and a case holder that is made of general synthetic resin and by which the bus bar case is held.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicants: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryoya Okamoto, Kensaku Takata, Hiroki Hirai, Hiroomi Hiramitsu
  • BATTERY WIRING MODULE
    Publication number: 20140113494
    Abstract: A battery wiring module is configured to be attached to a battery group including a plurality of batteries each having electrode terminals including a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal and configured to connect the electrode terminals. The battery wiring module includes a plurality of connection units connected to each other in a battery arrangement direction in which the batteries are arranged. Each of the connection units includes a bus bar and a bus bar housing. The bus bar is configured to connect one of the electrode terminals of one of the batteries and one of the electrode terminals of another one of the batteries. The bus bar housing houses the bus bar. The bus bar has a pair of terminal through holes configured to receive the electrode terminals and each of the terminal through holes is formed in a shape elongated in the battery arrangement direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicants: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuko Kinoshita, Hiroomi Hiramitsu, Hiroki Hirai, Katsunori Hamana, Tomofumi Tsuji, Mitsuhiro Akasaka, Tetsuya Nakagawa, Yoshinao Kobayashi, Masaru Shitamichi, Daiki Hirano
  • CONNECTOR
    Publication number: 20140024262
    Abstract: A connector includes a plurality of cavities (12) into which terminal fittings are to be accommodated. The cavities (12) are separate tubular members independent of a connector main body (14) and each of the cavities (12) also is configured as a separate member independent of the other cavities. The connector main body (14) functions as a holder for accommodating the plurality of cavities (12) and the cavities (12) are locked individually in the connector main body (14). Clearances are provided between the individual cavities (12) and the connector main body (14) in these locked parts and the cavities (12) are permitted to move relative to the connector main body (14) due to the clearances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicants: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoya Okamoto, Hiroomi Hiramitsu, Hiroki Hirai, Masakuni Kasugai
  • WIRING MODULE
    Publication number: 20140016294
    Abstract: A wiring module (1) includes a wiring harness (10) including a plurality of wires (11) and connectors (12) fixed to ends of the respective wires (11) and fittable into fitting portions (91) of a stacked device (90). A positioning member (20) is fixed to the wiring harness (10) and capable of being positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the stacked device (90). The positioning member (20) includes connector fixing portions (21) arranged at the same intervals as the fitting portions (91) of the stacked device (90). The connector fixing portion (21) positions each connector (12) of the wiring harness (10) fixedly at a position facing the corresponding fitting portion (91) when the positioning member (20) is positioned at the predetermined position with respect to the stacked device (90).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicants: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoya Okamoto, Hiroomi Hiramitsu, Hiroki Hirai, Masakuni Kasugai