Patents by Inventor Kouichi Itoigawa
Kouichi Itoigawa 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).
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Patent number: 8415948Abstract: A current sensor includes an annular magnetic core that includes a closed magnetic path including a void in a portion thereof, and a magnetic body for focusing flux of a magnetic field generated around a conductor that carries a measured current, and a magnetic detecting portion for detecting flux of a magnetic field generated in the void of the magnetic core. The magnetic core includes a plurality of pairs of stepped portions on a pair of opposing end surfaces that form the void, the stepped portions descending along a direction separating from the conductor.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2010Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki SeisakushoInventors: Hiroshi Ueno, Kouichi Itoigawa
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Publication number: 20100207625Abstract: A current sensor includes an annular magnetic core that includes a closed magnetic path including a void in a portion thereof, and a magnetic body for focusing flux of a magnetic field generated around a conductor that carries a measured current, and a magnetic detecting portion for detecting flux of a magnetic field generated in the void of the magnetic core. The magnetic core includes a plurality of pairs of stepped portions on a pair of opposing end surfaces that form the void, the stepped portions descending along a direction separating from the conductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2010Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHOInventors: Hiroshi UENO, Kouichi ITOIGAWA
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Patent number: 7513631Abstract: A lighting device including an LED, which is located immediately below a first illumination window, for illuminating not only the first illumination window but also a second illumination window. The lighting device includes a light guide plate for transmitting light from the LED. The light guide plate includes first and second recess groups defined at locations corresponding to the first illumination window. The light guide plate further includes a third recess group defined at a location corresponding to the second illumination window.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2007Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki SeisakushoInventors: Hiroshi Ueno, Kouichi Itoigawa
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Patent number: 7455415Abstract: A compact operation device that illuminates illumination windows with a simple structure and has a high level of design freedom. The operation device has an ornamental panel including operation portions and illumination windows. An elastomeric sheet below the ornamental panel is resiliently deformed by the operation portions. Contacts are arranged on the elastomeric sheet. A circuit board is arranged adjacent to the elastomeric sheet. Switches are arranged on the circuit board in correspondence with the contacts. The switches contact the contacts when the elastomeric sheet is deformed. A light guide arranged on the circuit board guides light from a light source arranged on the circuit board to the illumination portions. Openings extend through the circuit board in correspondence with the illumination portions. The light guide includes a reflection structure for reflecting light from the light source toward the openings.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2007Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki SeisakushoInventors: Akihito Miyahawa, Kouichi Itoigawa
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Patent number: 7355113Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion device for securely fixing a junction of a thermocouple to a top plate while ensuring heat transfer between the junction and the top plate. The thermoelectric conversion device includes a substrate having a main surface, a top plate facing the main surface of the substrate, and a plurality of series-connected thermocouples. Each thermocouple has a first end including a first junction and a second end including a second junction. The first junction of each thermocouple is fixed to the main surface of the substrate and the second junction of each thermocouple is provided with a bump for attaching the second junction to the top plate in such a way that the second junction is separated from the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2003Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho, The Ritsumeikan TrustInventors: Kouichi Itoigawa, Hiroshi Ueno, Susumu Sugiyama, Toshiyuki Toriyama
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Publication number: 20080068202Abstract: A compact operation device that illuminates illumination windows with a simple structure and has a high level of design freedom. The operation device has an ornamental panel including operation portions and illumination windows. An elastomeric sheet below the ornamental panel is resiliently deformed by the operation portions. Contacts are arranged on the elastomeric sheet. A circuit board is arranged adjacent to the elastomeric sheet. Switches are arranged on the circuit board in correspondence with the contacts. The switches contact the contacts when the elastomeric sheet is deformed. A light guide arranged on the circuit board guides light from a light source arranged on the circuit board to the illumination portions. Openings extend through the circuit board in correspondence with the illumination portions. The light guide includes a reflection structure for reflecting light from the light source toward the openings.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2007Publication date: March 20, 2008Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHOInventors: Akihito Miyagawa, Kouichi Itoigawa
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Publication number: 20080055882Abstract: A lighting device including an LED, which is located immediately below a first illumination window, for illuminating not only the first illumination window but also a second illumination window. The lighting device includes a light guide plate for transmitting light from the LED. The light guide plate includes first and second recess groups defined at locations corresponding to the first illumination window. The light guide plate further includes a third recess group defined at a location corresponding to the second illumination window.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHOInventors: Hiroshi Ueno, Kouichi Itoigawa
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Patent number: 6895643Abstract: A buckle device including: a device main body into which is inserted a tongue plate provided at a webbing belt; a locking mechanism having a latch which is provided within the device main body so as to be engageable with the tongue plate when the tongue plate is inserted in the device main body, the locking mechanism restricting pulling-out of the tongue plate; a first detecting mechanism detecting the tongue plate which has been inserted in the device main body, and outputting a first detection signal; a second detecting mechanism detecting a position of the latch, and outputting a second detection signal; and a judging mechanism connected to the first detecting mechanism and the second detecting mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2003Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-SeisakushoInventors: Kouichi Itoigawa, Masakata Kanbe, Tetsushi Muromachi
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Patent number: 6889408Abstract: A buckle apparatus in which a permanent magnet and GMR element are provided. The polar axis of the permanent magnet is transverse to the direction a tongue plate is inserted. A shielding member is provided to an ejector of the buckle apparatus via a lever. When an inserted tongue plate of a vehicle seat belt pushes and moves the ejector as far as a position at which an engaging piece can engage with a through-hole, the shielding member is interposed between the permanent magnet and the GMR element, and the shielding member shields lines of magnetic force from the permanent magnet toward the GMR element. As a result, magnetic forces lines penetrating the GMR element are greatly reduced, and an electrical resistance value of the GMR element is suddenly and greatly changed. Thus, a buckle apparatus is provided which includes a detection mechanism that can reliably detect when the tongue plate has been inserted into the apparatus main body.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2002Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-SeisakushoInventors: Kouichi Itoigawa, Hitoshi Muraki
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Patent number: 6797899Abstract: An acceleration switch that operates even when acceleration is applied to the acceleration switch from a direction other than a predetermined detection direction. The acceleration switch includes a movable portion, which has a movable electrode, and a fixed electrode. The movable portion includes an inertial weight moved in accordance with the application of acceleration, a beam portion for pivotably supporting the inertial weight, and a plurality of flexible plates that are arranged in the inertial weight and each have a distal end in which the movable electrode is located and are flexed separately from one another. The flexible plates separately move to contact the fixed portion when acceleration is applied from a direction other than a predetermined direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki SeisakushoInventors: Kouichi Itoigawa, Hitoshi Muraki
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Publication number: 20040139998Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion device that eliminates differences in the distance between two adjacent junctions. The thermoelectric conversion device includes an insulative core. A thermocouple assembly is formed spirally around the insulative core contacting the circumferential surface and includes a plurality of series-connected thermocouples. Each of the thermocouples defines a single loop of the spiral and has a first metal body, which is formed in half of the loop, and a second metal body, which is formed in the remaining half of the loop from a metal differing from the first metal body. A plurality of junctions are formed between the first metal body and the second metal body of each thermocouple. The junctions are formed at 180° intervals along the spiral thermocouple assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2003Publication date: July 22, 2004Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO, THE RITSUMEIKAN TRUSTInventors: Kouichi Itoigawa, Hiroshi Ueno, Susumu Sugiyama, Toshiyuki Toriyama
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Publication number: 20040134530Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion device for securely fixing a junction of a thermocouple to a top plate while ensuring heat transfer between the junction and the top plate. The thermoelectric conversion device includes a substrate having a main surface, a top plate facing the main surface of the substrate, and a plurality of series-connected thermocouples. Each thermocouple has a first end including a first junction and a second end including a second junction. The first junction of each thermocouple is fixed to the main surface of the substrate and the second junction of each thermocouple is provided with a bump for attaching the second junction to the top plate in such a way that the second junction is separated from the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO, THE RITSUMEIKAN TRUSTInventors: Kouichi Itoigawa, Hiroshi Ueno, Susumu Sugiyama, Toshiyuki Toriyama
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Publication number: 20040111846Abstract: A buckle device including: a device main body into which is inserted a tongue plate provided at a webbing belt; a locking mechanism having a latch which is provided within the device main body so as to be engageable with the tongue plate when the tongue plate is inserted in the device main body, the locking mechanism restricting pulling-out of the tongue plate; a first detecting mechanism detecting the tongue plate which has been inserted in the device main body, and outputting a first detection signal; a second detecting mechanism detecting a position of the latch, and outputting a second detection signal; and a judging mechanism connected to the first detecting mechanism and the second detecting mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHOInventors: Kouichi Itoigawa, Masakata Kanbe, Tetsushi Muromachi
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Patent number: 6746048Abstract: A plate spring urges a base of a buckle device toward an anchor insertion opening side with respect to an anchor plate. Provided that urging force of the plate spring exceeds urging force of a spiral spring, the base is held, by the urging force of the plate spring, at a position at which a rivet contacts an insertion direction side end portion of a long hole. However, when the urging force of the spiral spring exceeds the urging force of the plate spring due to, in order to attach a child seat, pulling out of a webbing belt more than at a time when a body is to be restrained, the base moves against the urging force of the plate spring, and the plate spring pushes a transfer rod. Due to this pushing force being detected by a semiconductor diffusion strain gauge, it can be detected that the child seat is attached on a seat.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-SeisakushoInventors: Masaya Tajima, Takayuki Hara, Tetsushi Muromachi, Teruhiko Koide, Hitoshi Muraki, Kouichi Itoigawa, Masakata Kanbe
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Publication number: 20030136654Abstract: An acceleration switch that operates even when acceleration is applied to the acceleration switch from a direction other than a predetermined detection direction. The acceleration switch (1) includes a movable portion (M1), which has a movable electrode (12), and a fixed electrode (14). The movable portion includes an inertial weight (8) moved in accordance with the application of acceleration, a beam portion (10) for pivotably supporting the inertial weight, and a plurality flexible plates (11) that are arranged in the inertial weight and each have a distal end in which the movable electrode is located and are flexed separately from one another. The flexible plates separately move to contact the fixed portion when acceleration is applied from a direction other than a predetermined direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2002Publication date: July 24, 2003Inventors: Kouichi Itoigawa, Hitoshi Muraki
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Patent number: 6586691Abstract: An acceleration switch that improves detection sensitivity without being enlarged. The acceleration switch includes a switch body, a fixed electrode arranged in the switch body, and a movable weight arranged in the switch body. The movable weight is displaced when subjected to acceleration. The movable weight includes a movable electrode that contacts the fixed electrode when the movable weight is displaced, and a pair of beams connecting the movable weight and the switch body. The beams pivotally support the movable weight and extend into recesses formed in the movable weight.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: K.K. Tokai Rika Denki SeisakushoInventors: Kouichi Itoigawa, Hitoshi Muraki, Makoto Murate
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Publication number: 20030111836Abstract: A plate spring urges a base of a buckle device toward an anchor insertion opening side with respect to an anchor plate. Provided that urging force of the plate spring exceeds urging force of a spiral spring, the base is held, by the urging force of the plate spring, at a position at which a rivet contacts an insertion direction side end portion of a long hole. However, when the urging force of the spiral spring exceeds the urging force of the plate spring due to, in order to attach a child seat, pulling out of a webbing belt more than at a time when a body is to be restrained, the base moves against the urging force of the plate spring, and the plate spring pushes a transfer rod. Due to this pushing force being detected by a semiconductor diffusion strain gauge, it can be detected that the child seat is attached on a seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2002Publication date: June 19, 2003Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHOInventors: Masaya Tajima, Takayuki Hara, Tetsushi Muromachi, Teruhiko Koide, Hitoshi Muraki, Kouichi Itoigawa, Masakata Kanbe
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Publication number: 20030101553Abstract: A buckle apparatus in which a permanent magnet and a GMR element are provided. A shielding member is provided to an ejector of the buckle apparatus via a lever. When an inserted tongue plate of a vehicle seat belt pushes and moves the ejector as far as a position at which an engaging piece can engage with a through-hole, the shielding member is interposed between the permanent magnet and the GMR element, and the shielding member shields lines of magnetic force from the permanent magnet toward the GMR element. As a result, magnetic forces lines penetrating the GMR element are greatly reduced, and an electrical resistance value of the GMR element is suddenly and greatly changed. Thus, a buckle apparatus is provided which includes a detection mechanism that can reliably detect when the tongue plate has been inserted into the apparatus main body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2002Publication date: June 5, 2003Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-SeisakushoInventors: Kouichi Itoigawa, Hitoshi Muraki
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Publication number: 20020000363Abstract: An acceleration switch that improves detection sensitivity without being enlarged. The acceleration switch includes a switch body, a fixed electrode arranged in the switch body, and a movable weight arranged in the switch body. The movable weight is displaced when subjected to acceleration. The movable weight includes a movable electrode that contacts the fixed electrode when the movable weight is displaced, and a pair of beams connecting the movable weight and the switch body. The beams pivotally support the movable weight and extend into recesses formed in the movable weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2001Publication date: January 3, 2002Inventors: Kouichi Itoigawa, Hitoshi Muraki, Makoto Murate
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Patent number: 6019729Abstract: A sensor mechanism-equipped catheter is easy to produce, suitable for a diameter reduction, and achieves a high sensing precision. In a catheter, a sensor assembly has a pressure-receiving piston, a pressure-transmitting silicon gel or oil and a pressure sensor chip, and is fitted to a distal end of a catheter tube. The sensor assembly detects a pressure change. The sensor assembly further has an outer tube that carries the piston at a distal end side thereof, and an inner tube carrying the sensor chip an end side thereof. A space formed in the outer tube, between the piston and the sensor chip, is filled with the silicone gel or oil. A pressure barrier wall is provided for blocking flow of the silicone gel toward the catheter tube. The sensor chip is fixed in the sensor assembly by a joining member which divides an interior space of the sensor assembly into a distal end-side region and a base end-side region. The joining member may also serve as the pressure barrier wall.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1997Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-SeisakushoInventors: Kouichi Itoigawa, Hitoshi Iwata