Patents by Inventor Keiichi Tajima

Keiichi Tajima 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: 20050213339
    Abstract: An actuator has a housing that accommodates a motor, an output shaft for rotating a lamp unit that radiates light, a drive mechanism portion formed from a transmission gear system for transmitting rotation from the motor to the output shaft, and a control circuit portion for controlling the drive of the motor, the drive mechanism portion and the control circuit portion being disposed in a separated state due to an intermediate wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Tsutomu Takiguchi, Keiichi Tajima, Kazuma Mochizuki, Naoki Takii
  • Publication number: 20050174786
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp has a lamp unit with a light source and controls light from the light source to obtain a predetermined light distribution, and an actuator that rotates the lamp unit using an output shaft to change a direction of illumination. A direction for drawing out an external cord that is connected to a connector, which is provided in the actuator for admitting electric power and/or a signal from outside, is set toward the vehicle front or vehicle side in the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Keiichi Tajima, Tsutomu Takiguchi, Kazuma Mochizuki, Naoki Takii
  • Publication number: 20050141234
    Abstract: A lamp body 20 includes a lamp unit 60 whose irradiation direction is changed according to a running state of a vehicle, a horizontal driving mechanism 90 for horizontally changing the irradiation direction, and a vertical driving mechanism 100 for vertically changing the irradiation direction. The horizontal driving mechanism and the vertical driving mechanism are integrated with each other, so that a lighting apparatus 10 can be mounted in a vehicle by using only a small mounting space. Moreover, the lighting apparatus 10 needs only small numbers of components and mounting man-hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Keiichi Tajima, Tsutomu Takiguchi, Kazuma Mochizuki, Naoki Takii
  • Publication number: 20040208017
    Abstract: In an actuator of a vehicle headlamp unit for deflecting a direction or a range of illumination, a step-like rib for supporting a printed circuit board is formed at an inner side of a peripheral edge portion of a resin molded casing, and an opposed rib is formed at an outer side of this peripheral edge portion by a generally channel-shaped groove. A gear in a gear mechanism of the actuator is made of a resin having self-lubricating properties. The actuator includes a brushless motor, a yoke molded of a resin having a cylindrical container-shape. A gear is formed integrally on a central portion of an outer end surface of the yoke. A fixing means for fixing the stator coil of the brushless motor to a housing or the board has a positioning structure for positioning the stator coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Tsutomu Takiguchi, Keiichi Tajima, Atsushi Sugimoto, Kazuma Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 6648494
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes an optical means whereof the direction of irradiation is change by rotation, a motor, an output shaft for driving the optical means, and a rotation transmitting mechanism for transmitting rotation from the motor to the output shaft. The motor, the output shaft, and the rotation transmitting mechanism are accommodated in the case body, and a revolving shaft of the motor is supported by the case body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Keiichi Tajima, Kazuma Mochizuki, Tsutomu Takiguchi
  • Patent number: 6646398
    Abstract: A power-window safety device which includes an annular magnet 21 mounted on a rotary shaft (9a) of a drive motor (9) for opening and closing a window glass of an automotive vehicle, and a magnetic flux sensor (20), disposed facing the annular magnet (21), for sensing a change of a magnetic flux developed from the annular magnet (21), which change in flux is caused by rotation of the rotary shaft (9a). The magnetic flux sensor includes Hall ICs (22A and 22B). An operational element (24A, 24B) performs a process of linearly approximating a sinusoidally varying voltage output from a Hall element (23A, 23B) which is provided in association with the operational element, and produces an output voltage (VA, VB) thus processed. Every angular position of the rotary output shaft, or every opening/closing position of the window glass, is detected over the range of one complete rotation on the basis of the output voltages (VA and VB) that are generated through the rotation of the rotary shaft (9a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fusao Fukazawa, Keiichi Tajima
  • Patent number: 6616302
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a drive portion having a drive source, and a lamp body that has a light source and that is supported by a rotary shaft operable to be rotated by the drive portion. A rotary contact is provided around the rotary shaft and rotates together with the lamp body. A fixed contact is provided for the drive portion. The rotary contact and the light source are electrically connected through a power supply cord and electric power is supplied to the fixed contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Keiichi Tajima, Kazuma Mochizuki, Masanori Nishigaya
  • Patent number: 6543924
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp including an optical means having a light source to be rotated by the driving unit having a driving source. The driving unit is provided with a rotational position detecting means including a base member and a rotating body being rotatable with respect to the base member for supplying signals corresponding to the rotational position of the rotating body with respect to the base member of the rotating body, and the optical means and rotating body of the rotational position detecting means are connected by clutch means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Keiichi Tajima, Kazuma Mochizuki, Masanori Nishigaya
  • Publication number: 20020157313
    Abstract: A safety device for a power window which can perform an appropriate safety control operation even immediately after a battery change. An opening and closing speeds detecting portion 35 detects the opening and closing speeds of a windowpane based on voltages VA, VB outputted from a potensiosensor 20 provided on a driving motor 9 for operating the windowpane to open and close, and further detects a fully opened position of the windowpane based on the opening and closing speeds so detected. Then, a fully closed position of the windowpane 1 is estimated referring to opening and closing strokes of the windowpane, whereby a safety control area is set based on this fully closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Fusao Fukazawa, Keiichi Tajima, Tsutomu Takiguchi
  • Publication number: 20020064054
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp including an optical means having a light source to be rotated by the driving unit having a driving source. The driving unit is provided with a rotational position detecting means including a base member and a rotating body being rotatable with respect to the base member for supplying signals corresponding to the rotational position of the rotating body with respect to the base member of the rotating body, and the optical means and rotating body of the rotational position detecting means are connected by clutch means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Keiichi Tajima, Kazuma Mochizuki, Masanori Nishigaya
  • Publication number: 20020064045
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a drive portion having a drive source, and a lamp body that has a light source and that is supported by a rotary shaft operable to be rotated by the drive portion. A rotary contact is provided around the rotary shaft and rotates together with the lamp body. A fixed contact is provided for the drive portion. The rotary contact and the light source are electrically connected through a power supply cord and electric power is supplied to the fixed contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Keiichi Tajima, Kazuma Mochizuki, Masanori Nishigaya
  • Publication number: 20020064051
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes an optical means whereof the direction of irradiation is change by rotation, a motor, an output shaft for driving the optical means, and a rotation transmitting mechanism for transmitting rotation from the motor to the output shaft. The motor, the output shaft, and the rotation transmitting mechanism are accommodated in the case body, and a revolving shaft of the motor is supported by the case body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Keiichi Tajima, Kazuma Mochizuki, Tsutomu Takiguchi
  • Patent number: 6347482
    Abstract: A safety device for accurately preventing the catching of a hand or neck of a passenger of a vehicle between a windowpane and a window sash uses a potentiosensor 20 for detecting the rotational angular position of an output shaft adapted to rotate at a slower speed by reducing the speed of a rotating shaft of a driving motor 9 for opening and closing a windowpane of a vehicle with a speed reducing mechanism 10. This potentiosensor 20 comprises a resistance track plate 21 on which circular resistance track 25a and conductor tracks 25b, 25c are formed, and a rotating plate 23 having conductive brushes 24a, 24b adapted to slide over the resistance track plate 21. The windowpane position is detected based on a resistance value outputted when the conductive brushes 24a, 24b are rotationally moved on the resistance track 25a in response to the rotating position of the rotating plate 23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Takiguchi, Fusao Fukazawa, Keiichi Tajima
  • Patent number: 6223614
    Abstract: A drive unit, for moving up and down a vehicular window pane, including a drive motor, a worm wheel, a bracket, an elastic body, and a shaft member. The drive motor includes a motor shaft fixed to a worm. The worm wheel is rotated by the driving force of the drive motor rotatably engaged through the worm. The bracket, on which the worm wheel is mounted, includes an engaging portion, bent and raised transmitting leaves pressed by the elastic body, cutout portions, and closure portions closing the respective cutout portions. The elastic body is provided between the worm wheel and the bracket, and is rotated together with the worm. The shaft member engages with the engaging portion of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Takiguchi, Keiichi Tajima
  • Patent number: 6032415
    Abstract: A power window apparatus for detecting accidental pinching in a power window in accordance with the opened/closed position of the window and a state of rotation of a motor which is structured to improve the accuracy of the operation of a position sensor for detecting a safety-control suspension region for the window. A pair of contacts are disposed on the side surface of a main gear which is rotated by an output shaft of a motor for opening/closing a window. A conductive film opposite to the contacts is provided for a sub-gear engaged to the main gear through an interlocking gear and arranged to be rotated at different speed from that of the main gear. When the relative rotational operation between the main gear and the sub-gear causes the output shaft of the motor to reach a predetermined amount of rotation, so that the window has moved to a predetermined opened/closed position, the contacts and the conductive film are brought into contact with one another so that an electric signal is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiichi Tajima
  • Patent number: 5986421
    Abstract: A safety device for a power window in which window glass of a vehicle is made to undergo an opening or closing operation by a driving motor, and which effects safety control against the nipping of a foreign object by detecting the opening and closing positions of the window glass, comprises: a position sensor for detecting the position of an angle of rotation of the driving motor; a detector the opening or closing position of the window glass based on an output of the position sensor; and a controller for effecting safety control against the nipping of the foreign object based on the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fusao Fukazawa, Keiichi Tajima, Tsutomu Takiguchi
  • Patent number: 5832664
    Abstract: A safety control power window device which reliably detects nipping of a finger by a window and sash and which is little influenced by variations of motor characteristics of the motor used as a drive source of the power window device. The window position and a thrust pressure acting on the rotary shaft of the motor providing the force for opening and closing the window are detected. Reference pressures for detecting nipping are set according to the window position detected. By comparing the detected pressure and the reference pressures, nipping by the window is detected. Since nipping and the window position are not detected using the drive current of the motor, accurate safety control is realized, eliminating influences caused by variations of the characteristics of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Tajima, Hitoshi Takeda, Toru Nakayama
  • Patent number: 5564231
    Abstract: A power window drive device, including a motor, a worm wheel, a drive drum, and the like, whose manufacturing cost is reduced and which has a reduced size. A rotary shaft, driven by a motor, has a flange extending outward and a spline extending from the flange to the end of the rotary shaft. A drive drum, axially coupled to the rotary shaft, has a shaft hole with a spline and resiliently deformable hook pieces. The hook pieces engage the flange of the rotary shaft, thereby making the rotary shaft immovable in the axial direction. By inserting the end of the rotary shaft into the shaft hole of the drive drum, thereby coupling the splines and making the hook pieces engage the flange of the rotary shaft, the rotary shaft is made immovable with respect to the drive drum in both the axial and the circumferential directions. With this construction, there is no need of separate coupling elements, and the work to assemble the device is simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Tajima, Takeshi Toyoshima
  • Patent number: 5459379
    Abstract: A method for operating power window apparatus with a safety device which stops the closing operation of the window in response to the detection of an object-caught state, which prevents the incomplete close of the window, and can accurately detect the object-caught state. The opening/closing position of the window is detected by counting pulses generated as the window moves. A region where a safety control can be carried out is determined on the basis of the detected opening/closing position. When the window reaches a position near a position where the window is fully closed, the count indicative of the opening/closing position detector is reset. The resetting operation is carried out so that a time point where the relative speed of the window is reduced is set at the fully closed position of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Takeda, Keiichi Tajima, Toru Nakayama
  • Patent number: 5422551
    Abstract: A safety device for a power window which, if one's hand or neck is caught between the window glass and the sash, detects such state instantaneously and accurately to perform a safety control operation. Respective detectors detect the absolute and relative speeds of a power window opening or closing operation to determine whether or not a foreign object is caught in the window. When at least one of the detectors detects a foreign object being caught in the window, a safety control operation is carried out, for instance, stopping the movement of the window glass. Since the absolute speed and the relative speed are utilized in combination, a dangerous state can be detected instantaneously and accurately. Also, backlash in the drive mechanism for the window can be detected, and the safety control operation inhibited during such times to prevent erroneously effecting a safety control operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Takeda, Keiichi Tajima, Toru Nakayama