Patents by Inventor Koji Hiramatsu

Koji Hiramatsu 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: 7975741
    Abstract: A sidewall rubber disposed outside of a carcass layer, reinforcing a portion between beads, in a widthwise direction of the tire is configured from a wide rubber ribbon having a width of 20 to 100 mm wound spirally along a circumferential direction of the tire outward of the tire such that the rubber ribbon is deviated radially outward of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuma Nishitani, Shigeru Ohno, Hiroshi Ikegami, Koji Hiramatsu, Katsuhiro Nakatani
  • Publication number: 20110140503
    Abstract: The disclosed seat belt retractor may include a spool for retracting a seat belt, a torsion bar, a pre-tensioner, and a locking device. The torsion bar may disposed inside the spool, wherein one side of the torsion bar is connected to the spool, and configured to absorb energy of movement of an occupant while being deformed under torsion. The pre-tensioner may be positioned at one side of the spool and configured to generate a rotating drive force for rotating the spool in a retracting direction in a condition of rapid deceleration of a motor vehicle. The locking device may be capable of locking another side of the spool such that a rotation of the spool in a withdrawal direction is suppressed at both an operating time of the pre-tensioner and a non-operating time of the pre-tensioner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Koji HIRAMATSU, Yasushi Kanamori, Masahiro Shiotani, Miwa Morimoto
  • Patent number: 7883044
    Abstract: The disclosed seat belt retractor may include a spool for retracting a seat belt, a torsion bar, a pre-tensioner, and a locking device. The torsion bar may disposed inside the spool, wherein one side of the torsion bar is connected to the spool, and configured to absorb energy of movement of an occupant while being deformed under torsion. The pre-tensioner may be positioned at one side of the spool and configured to generate a rotating drive force for rotating the spool in a retracting direction in a condition of rapid deceleration of a motor vehicle. The locking device may be capable of locking another side of the spool such that a rotation of the spool in a withdrawal direction is suppressed at both an operating time of the pre-tensioner and a non-operating time of the pre-tensioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Hiramatsu, Yasushi Kanamori, Masahiro Shiotani, Miwa Morimoto
  • Patent number: 7874589
    Abstract: To further reduce variation in the maximum limited load by a seat belt load limiting mechanism composed of a torsion bar and a shearing member. When a spool rotates in the belt withdrawing direction relative to the locking base, energy absorbing (EA) mechanism action only by shear deformation of shear pins is first conducted so that the entire EA load is only the EA load by the shear pins. After the EA load by the shear pins becomes the maximum EA load, the seat belt is withdrawn by a predetermined amount and the EA action by torsional deformation of a torsion bar is conducted in addition to the EA action by the shear pins. Since the EA action only by the shear pins is first conducted, it is possible to reduce variation in the maximum limited load during the shear deformation of the shear pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Hiramatsu
  • Publication number: 20100123348
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor for a seat belt includes a spool for winding the seatbelt, a first seat belt load limiting mechanism for limiting load applied on the seat belt in an emergency, a second seat belt load limiting mechanism for limiting the load applied to the seat belt when a predetermined condition based on an emergency situation is satisfied in the emergency, a driving member for actuating the second seat belt load limiting mechanism, and a controller for controlling the driving member. When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the controller sets the second seat belt load limiting mechanism in an operative state by not actuating the driving member. When the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the controller sets the second seat belt load limiting mechanism in an inoperative state by actuating the driving member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: TAKATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Hiramatsu, Takahiro Nohara
  • Publication number: 20100117437
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a cylindrical member, a torsionally deformable shaft arranged inside the cylindrical member and having one end side connected to the cylindrical member, a plate mounting member arranged in the cylindrical member and disposed on an outer periphery of the shaft, a locking mechanism for preventing a rotation of the plate mounting member, and a plate member having one end portion fixed to the plate mounting member and the other end portion engaging an inner periphery of the cylindrical member. The plate member is plastically deformable so that the plate member is wound onto the plate mounting member. The plate mounting member includes a first reducing radius portion having a radius gradually decreasing toward a downstream in a winding direction, and a second reducing radius portion located on the downstream side and having a radius reducing rate greater than that of the first reducing radius portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: TAKATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji HIRAMATSU, Hikaru Kameyoshi, Tadayuki ASAKO, Yasunori FUKUOKA
  • Publication number: 20100096902
    Abstract: A seatbelt retractor for retracting a seatbelt includes a spool for retracting the seatbelt, a locking mechanism having a locking member rotating together with the spool in a normal state and prevented from rotating in a direction of withdrawal of the seatbelt so as to cause a relative rotation with respect to the spool in case of emergency, and an energy absorbing pin provided to the spool and the locking member for limiting a load applied on the seatbelt at a time of the relative rotation between the spool and the locking member. The energy absorbing pin includes a lubricating coating layer formed thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: TAKATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Hiramatsu, Masahiro Shiotani
  • Patent number: 7661712
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor including a spool for winding up a seat belt, a locking mechanism having a locking member that is prevented from rotating in a belt withdrawing direction in the event of an emergency, and a seat belt load limiting mechanism for limiting load applied to the seat belt when the spool rotates relative to the locking member. The load limiting mechanism comprises a torsion bar that rotationally connects the spool and the locking member and is torsionally deformable when the spool rotates relative to the locking member, and a shearing member that is disposed to extend both in the spool and the locking member, the shearing member being shear-deformable when the spool rotates relative to the locking member. At least a portion of the area of the shearing member positioned in the spool is fixed to the spool in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 7631831
    Abstract: A seat belt device is provided where a pretensioner moves a ball train to the distal end side of a ball guide pipe by means of gas discharged from a gas generating device, and the movement rotates the spool for winding the seat belt in a belt winding direction so as to eliminate slack of the seat belt, while imparting necessary tension to the seat belt by loading rotational resistance on the spool in a belt withdrawing direction with gas pressure exerted on the ball train. The ball stopper stops movement of the ball train before all the balls in the ball train are ejected from the ball guide pipe in a state where the ball train functions to rotate the spool in the belt winding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Hiramatsu
  • Publication number: 20090096201
    Abstract: To ensure stable EA operation without being affected by action of a pretensioner. A seat belt retractor comprises a torsion bar 7 of which one end in the axial direction is connected to a spool 4 and which is torsionally deformable because of relative displacement between the one end side and the other end side in the axial direction, a pretensioner 11 which is disposed on the other end side in the axial direction of the spool 4 and which rotates the spool 4 in a direction 10. of winding a seat belt 3 when the vehicle rapidly decelerates, a main pawl 12 which is disposed on one end side in the axial direction of the spool 4, and a sub pawl 13 which is disposed on the other end side in the axial direction of the torsion bar 7. During the normal operation, the main pawl 12 is actuated to lock the spool 4 to prevent the spool 4 from rotating in the direction of withdrawing the seat belt 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Koji Hiramatsu, Yasushi Kanamori, Miwa Morimoto
  • Publication number: 20090057470
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor including a spool for winding up the seat belt, and a locking mechanism that prevents rotation of the spool. A belt withdrawal sensor actuates when the seat belt is withdrawn at a speed higher than a normal speed. The locking mechanism is actuated based on the actuation of the belt withdrawal sensor. A lock gear rotates with the spool when the locking mechanism is not in operation and rotates relative to the spool when the lock actuation mechanism is in operation. The lock gear actuates the locking mechanism by relative rotation between the lock gear and the spool. The belt withdrawal sensor is disposed on the lock gear allowing the belt withdrawal sensor to oscillate between an inoperative position and an operative position. An oscillation preventive member prevents the oscillation of the belt withdrawal sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Koji Hiramatsu, Yasushi Kanamori, Masao Hisaki
  • Publication number: 20090057471
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a seat belt, a spool, and an emergency locking mechanism for preventing the spool from rotating in a belt withdrawal direction. The emergency locking mechanism allows rotation of the spool not in operation and prevents the rotation of the spool in the belt withdrawal direction when in operation. A lock gear includes ratchet teeth on an outer periphery of the emergency locking mechanism arranged in an annular shape. The lock gear rotates with the spool when the emergency locking mechanism is not in operation and actuates the locking mechanism when the emergency locking mechanism is in operation. A vehicle sensor includes an engaging claw and detects a vehicle deceleration larger than a predetermined deceleration. The engaging claw engages with one of the ratchet teeth to prevent rotation of the lock gear in the belt withdrawal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Koji Hiramatsu, Yasushi Kanamori, Masao Hisaki
  • Patent number: 7492098
    Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp comprising: an airtight container bulb made of a transparent material and enclosing a discharge gas; and a coupler (coil assembly body), contained in a cavity formed in the bulb, for generating a high frequency electromagnetic field by conducting a high frequency current in a coil to excite the discharge gas so as to emit light, wherein the coupler comprises: a pipe-shaped cylinder formed of a thermal conductor for heat release; a skeleton-shaped bobbin mounted on an outer surface of the cylinder along an axial direction of the cylinder; a core made of a soft magnetic material provided at an opening formed by the skeleton of the bobbin and being in substantial surface contact with the cylinder; and a coil wound around a surface of the skeleton-shaped bobbin and the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidenori Kakehashi, Shohei Yamamoto, Koji Hiramatsu, Shinji Hizuma, Keisuke Harada, Yoshinobu Shibata
  • Publication number: 20080246267
    Abstract: To further reduce variation in the maximum limited load by a seat belt load limiting mechanism composed of a torsion bar and a shearing member. When a spool rotates in the belt withdrawing direction relative to the locking base, energy absorbing (EA) mechanism action only by shear deformation of shear pins is first conducted so that the entire EA load is only the EA load by the shear pins. After the EA load by the shear pins becomes the maximum EA load, the seat belt is withdrawn by a predetermined amount and the EA action by torsional deformation of a torsion bar is conducted in addition to the EA action by the shear pins. Since the EA action only by the shear pins is first conducted, it is possible to reduce variation in the maximum limited load during the shear deformation of the shear pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Koji Hiramatsu
  • Publication number: 20080246268
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor including a spool for winding up a seat belt, a locking mechanism having a locking member that is prevented from rotating in a belt withdrawing direction in the event of an emergency, and a seat belt load limiting mechanism for limiting load applied to the seat belt when the spool rotates relative to the locking member. The load limiting mechanism comprises a torsion bar that rotationally connects the spool and the locking member and is torsionally deformable when the spool rotates relative to the locking member, and a shearing member that is disposed to extend both in the spool and the locking member, the shearing member being shear-deformable when the spool rotates relative to the locking member. At least a portion of the area of the shearing member positioned in the spool is fixed to the spool in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Koji Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 7392957
    Abstract: A seatbelt retractor system allowing optimization of energy absorbing characteristics, includes a spool for retracting a seatbelt; a torsion bar made of a twistable material; a locking mechanism for stopping the rotation of the spool at least in a seatbelt withdrawing direction; a substantially disk shaped ring disposed in the inner periphery of an axial end of the spool; and a plastically deformable energy absorbing member. The energy absorbing member may have a substantially circular cross section. A first end of the energy absorbing member may be fixed to an outer periphery of the substantially disc-shaped ring, while a second end of the energy absorbing member may be detachably engaged with an inner periphery of the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 7370822
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor including a compact brake system configured so that when a drive member of the brake system is inoperative, an operation control member is held in an inoperative position. In this state, rotation stop portions of the operation control member are held in positions opposed to the flat surfaces of an energy-absorbing-member support member, and the energy-absorbing-member support member is braked by the operation control member, whereby the rotation is stopped. When the drive member is activated, the operation control member is moved downward, so that the rotation allowable portion of the operation control member is located on the cylinder of the energy-absorbing-member support member. Then the brake applied to the energy-absorbing-member support member can be released to allow the rotation of the energy-absorbing-member support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Hiramatsu
  • Publication number: 20080099594
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a spool for winding a seat belt, and a locking device having a locking member. A first seat belt load limiting mechanism is attached to the spool to transmit a load applied to the seat belt to the locking member in the normal state and limit the load when the spool rotates is locked by the locking member. A second seat belt load limiting mechanism is provided coaxially with the spool for changing the load of the seat belt in the emergency. A control unit sets the second seat belt load limiting mechanism to anon-operational state when a predetermined condition is not satisfied regardless of an emergency, and sets the second seat belt load limiting mechanism to an operational state when the predetermined condition is satisfied in the emergency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: TAKATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 7354014
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a spool for winding a seat belt; a lock mechanism having a locking member for rotation with the spool in a normal state and for stop-rotation in a seat belt withdrawal direction in an emergency state; a torsion bar disposed between the spool and the locking member for absorbing energy of a passenger when the spool rotates in the seat belt withdrawal direction relative to the locking member in the emergency state; a stopper screwed in a shaft of the locking member to be movable in an axial direction along the shaft of the locking member when the spool rotates relative to the locking member; and an energy-absorption member disposed on one of the stopper and the locking member for deforming in a shear mode when the stopper moves in the axial direction along the shaft of the locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 7350735
    Abstract: A seat belt system includes a retractor and a seat belt. The retractor includes a motor that drives a pressure rod into a seat belt such that the seat belt is nipped between the pressure rod and belt receiving portions. The driving force of the motor that controls the movement of the pressure rod is set based on the situation at the time of a collision. Thus, the load limit to be exerted on the seat belt is set flexibly and widely according to the situation in an emergency. Further, the motor and the pressure piston rod can be activated repeatedly and, therefore, can be reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Hiramatsu, Kenji Kitazawa