Patents by Inventor Masao Imamura

Masao Imamura 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: 11799258
    Abstract: A rotary electronic component capable of reducing an abrasion and a metal fatigue of a slider and extending a rotation life time compared to the conventional technology. A rotary electronic component is provided with a buffer member between a sliding portion of a slider and a rotor. Thus, the sliding portion is energized toward the annular electrode with a proper elastic force and the sliding portion is held. Because of this, vibration of the sliding portion is suppressed and metal fatigue of the slider can be reduced. Furthermore, since the lubricant is impregnated into the buffer member and a part of the buffer member is in contact with the annular electrode, the lubricant can be applied on the annular electrode. Consequently, the sliding portion slides smoothly and the abrasion of the contact portion can be further reduced. In addition, since the buffer member functions to wipe the surface of the annular electrode, foreign substances such as dust on the annular electrode are collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventor: Masao Imamura
  • Patent number: 11688986
    Abstract: In a slip ring 100, differential signal slip rings 70 are formed using a base substrate 30 where an electrode pattern and a relative permittivity are optimized to transmit a signal by using one differential signal slip ring 70 to one differential signal cable 60a. Consequently, a low voltage differential signal of 0.35V adopted in video signals of 4K resolution can be transmitted while the camera is continuously rotated through 360 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventors: Masao Imamura, Hiroshi Iwata
  • Publication number: 20230187886
    Abstract: A rotary electronic component capable of reducing an abrasion and a metal fatigue of a slider and extending a rotation life time compared to the conventional technology. A rotary electronic component is provided with a buffer member between a sliding portion of a slider and a rotor. Thus, the sliding portion is energized toward the annular electrode with a proper elastic force and the sliding portion is held. Because of this, vibration of the sliding portion is suppressed and metal fatigue of the slider can be reduced. Furthermore, since the lubricant is impregnated into the buffer member and a part of the buffer member is in contact with the annular electrode, the lubricant can be applied on the annular electrode. Consequently, the sliding portion slides smoothly and the abrasion of the contact portion can be further reduced. In addition, since the buffer member functions to wipe the surface of the annular electrode, foreign substances such as dust on the annular electrode are collected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventor: Masao IMAMURA
  • Publication number: 20220302663
    Abstract: In a slip ring 100, differential signal slip rings 70 are formed using a base substrate 30 where an electrode pattern and a relative permittivity are optimized to transmit a signal by using one differential signal slip ring 70 to one differential signal cable 60a. Consequently, a low voltage differential signal of 0.35V adopted in video signals of 4K resolution can be transmitted while the camera is continuously rotated through 360 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Masao IMAMURA, Hiroshi IWATA
  • Patent number: 8011488
    Abstract: Brushes (20, 21) which come into slidable contact with slip rings (23, 24) having power feeding terminals (51, 53) electrically connected to a power feeding side include extending portions (32, 36) extending in the radial direction of a field core (3). These extending portions (32, 36) are bent in a direction away from a coil bobbin (12). The third bent portions (32c, 36c) located at the ends of the extending portions are electrically connected to the terminal portions (10d) of coil terminals. An outer diameter R1 of a mounting recess portion (3a) which stores a power feeding device (5) of the field core (3) is smaller than an inner diameter R2 of the coil bobbin (12). This makes it possible to position the mounting recess portion (3a) at a distance H from the coil bobbin (12) in the field core (3) in the arrow A direction, thereby reducing the size of the rotating coil type electromagnetic clutch (1) in the arrow A-B direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignees: Ogura Clutch Co., Ltd., Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yamaguchi, Masao Imamura, Satoshi Hayashi, Toshihiko Ishida, Tsutomu Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7105755
    Abstract: A two-phase rotary encoder is provided which includes a substrate for the encoder which is double-faced and has a copper-foil-bonded substrate etched thereon, a first ring-shaped electrode pattern and a second ring-shaped electrode pattern formed concentrically around a center hole on the substrate, a smooth, level ring-shaped comb electrode pattern formed on an outermost periphery of the substrate, wiring patterns which cover the electrode patterns through each of external connecting terminals provided on the substrate, and a common external connecting terminal provided on an edge of the substrate, formed on a surface thereof via the center hole or a through hole. The rotary encoder further includes a resin-molded case, a shaft, a gear-shaped rotor, a click mechanism and a tact switch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Tsubame Musen, Inc.
    Inventor: Masao Imamura
  • Patent number: 7082669
    Abstract: A two-phase rotary encoder is provided which includes a substrate for the encoder which is double-faced and has a copper-foil-bonded substrate etched thereon, a first ring-shaped electrode pattern and a second ring-shaped electrode pattern formed concentrically around a center hole on the substrate, a smooth, level ring-shaped comb electrode pattern formed on an outermost periphery of the substrate, wiring patterns which cover the electrode patterns through each of external connecting terminals provided on the substrate, and a common external connecting terminal provided on an edge of the substrate, formed on a surface thereof via the center hole or a through hole. The rotary encoder further includes a resin-molded case, a shaft, a gear-shaped rotor, a click mechanism and a tact switch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Tsubame Musen, Inc.
    Inventor: Masao Imamura
  • Publication number: 20060060454
    Abstract: A two-phase rotary encoder is provided which includes a substrate for the encoder which is double-faced and has a copper-foil-bonded substrate etched thereon, a first ring-shaped electrode pattern and a second ring-shaped electrode pattern formed concentrically around a center hole on the substrate, a smooth, level ring-shaped comb electrode pattern formed on an outermost periphery of the substrate, wiring patterns which cover the electrode patterns through each of external connecting terminals provided on the substrate, and a common external connecting terminal provided on an edge of the substrate, formed on a surface thereof via the center hole or a through hole. The rotary encoder further includes a resin-molded case, a shaft, a gear-shaped rotor, a click mechanism and a tact switch mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventor: Masao Imamura
  • Publication number: 20040041086
    Abstract: A two-phase rotary encoder is provided which includes a substrate for the encoder which is double-faced and has a copper-foil-bonded substrate etched thereon, a first ring-shaped electrode pattern and a second ring-shaped electrode pattern formed concentrically around a center hole on the substrate, a smooth, level ring-shaped comb electrode pattern formed on an outermost periphery of the substrate, wiring patterns which cover the electrode patterns through each of external connecting terminals provided on the substrate, and a common external connecting terminal provided on an edge of the substrate, formed on a surface thereof via the center hole or a through hole. The rotary encoder further includes a resin-molded case, a shaft, a gear-shaped rotor, a click mechanism and a tact switch mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Tsubame Musen, Inc.
    Inventor: Masao Imamura
  • Patent number: 5939973
    Abstract: A rotary variable resistor with switch having a switch mechanism, in particular, a rotary variable resistor with switch corresponding to an ultrathin rotary variable resistor. Such a rotary variable resistor having a switch mechanism has dimensions, especially thickness, which are only slightly larger than that of a conventional ultrathin rotary variable resistor. Moreover, such a rotary variable resistor is easy to assembly due to the small number of parts, is reliable, and generates a fairly loud and easily recognizable clicking sound each time the switch is turned on or off, which can be both easily felt and heard by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Tubame Musen, Inc.
    Inventor: Masao Imamura
  • Patent number: 5673015
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sliding type variable resistor in which the shaking of a knob portion is prevented, and in which the slider is able to slide smoothly. A sliding type variable resistor is provided having a structure comprising a resin substrate having a carbon film resistor printed on the surface in a straight line and lead terminals for external lines, a slider having a main body portion provided with a sliding shoe which slides in abutment against the carbon film resistor and a knob portion, and a frame body which holds the slider main body portion and the resin substrate inside and in which only the knob portion of the slider protrudes outside. A guide rail is provided in parallel to the sliding direction of the slider on the side surface of the frame body and a depressed part which is to be engaged with the above-mentioned guide rail is provided on the side surface of the slider main body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Tubame Musen Inc.
    Inventors: Masao Imamura, Satoshi Hayasi
  • Patent number: 5011798
    Abstract: A chromium additive of the formula: Cr.sub.x C.sub.y O.sub.z where 0.04.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.35, and 0.03.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.30 for x=1, said additive having an X ray diffraction peak at d=3.32 .ANG. (2.theta.=26.8.degree.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Tosoh Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Sasabe, Masao Imamura, Yasunobu Yoshida, Shinya Andoh, Hiroshi Miyake
  • Patent number: 4045765
    Abstract: A sliding resistor comprises a case bored with a groove in which a slider is slidably received, the slider having a sliding element formed of a leaf spring provided on the bottom plane for abutment against resistance elements mounted on a base plate. The case and slider are both molded, for example, from plastic material. The inner wall of the groove of the case has a cross section formed of a curved plane including a fractional circular portion or a polygonal plane except for the rectangular plane. The peripheral surface of the slider contacting with the inner wall of the groove has substantially the same form as that of the cross section of the inner wall of the groove of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Inventor: Masao Imamura