Patents by Inventor Masao TSUCHIHASHI

Masao TSUCHIHASHI 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: 20210104943
    Abstract: Each of holders which holds a coil or a magnet used in a magnetic drive circuit, in a stacked manner in a first direction without causing rattling in an actuator (1), a first coil holder (65) of a first magnetic drive circuit (6), a second coil holder (75) of a second magnetic drive circuit (7), and a third coil holder (85) of a third magnetic drive circuit (8) are arranged in a stacked manner in a Z direction, and the first coil holder, the second coil holder, and the third coil holder are fastened in the Z direction by a restraining member (90). Thus, the first coil holder, the second coil holder, and the third coil holder can be arranged in a stacked manner in the Z direction without causing rattling. The restraining member is constituted by a first member (91) and a second member (92) having the same configuration, including size and shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi KITAHARA, Tadashi TAKEDA, Masao TSUCHIHASHI
  • Patent number: 10971985
    Abstract: An actuator may include a supporting body; a movable body; a first magnetic drive circuit; a second magnetic drive circuit. The first magnetic drive circuit may include a first coil and a first magnet. The second magnetic drive circuit may include a second coil and a second magnet. The actuator may further include a first yoke on a side of the first coil remote from the second coil; a second yoke on a side of the second coil remote from the first coil; and a third yoke between the first coil and the second coil. The first magnet may be held on a face of the first yoke or a face of the third yoke. The second magnet may be held on a face of the second yoke or a face of the third yoke. The third yoke may be thicker than the first and second yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masao Tsuchihashi, Tadashi Takeda, Hiroshi Kitahara
  • Patent number: 10951104
    Abstract: Provided is a linear actuator including a movable element, a stationary element, a magnetic drive mechanism configured to linearly move the movable element in a first direction with respect to the stationary element, and damper member arranged between the movable element and the stationary element. The magnetic drive mechanism includes a coil holder arranged on the stationary element, a coil supported by a coil supporting unit of the coil holder, a first yoke arranged on the movable element, and a first permanent magnet held by the first yoke. The damper member is arranged in a portion where the first yoke and the coil holder face each other in the second direction. As a result, the damper member can be arranged between the stationary element and the movable element without using a case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadashi Takeda, Hiroshi Kitahara, Masao Tsuchihashi
  • Patent number: 10944312
    Abstract: An actuator may include a supporting body; a movable body shiftable relative to the supporting body; a first magnetic drive circuit comprising a first coil and a first magnet; a second magnetic drive circuit comprising a second coil and a second magnet adjacent to each other; a first coil holder supporting the first coil; and a second coil holder holding the second coil and aligned with the first coil holder in the first direction. The first coil holder and the second coil holder each may include a plurality of bottomed holes having openings in regions where the first coil holder and the second coil holder are disposed adjacent to each other. The first coil holder and the second coil holder may be positioned with pins fit to the holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masao Tsuchihashi, Tadashi Takeda, Hiroshi Kitahara
  • Patent number: 10938287
    Abstract: An actuator may include a supporting body; a movable body; a first magnetic drive circuit including a first coil and a first magnet disposed adjacent to each other in a first direction and driving the movable body in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and a second magnetic drive circuit including a second coil and a second magnet disposed adjacent to each other in the first direction and driving the movable body in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and intersecting the second direction. The second coil and the second magnet may be disposed in alignment with the first magnetic drive circuit in the first direction. The supporting body may include a restraining member. A first elastic member may be in contact with both the movable body and the restraining member. A second elastic may be in contact with both the movable body the restraining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masao Tsuchihashi, Tadashi Takeda, Hiroshi Kitahara
  • Publication number: 20200161955
    Abstract: In the actuator, the viscoelastic members are arranged at positions at which the support body and the movable body face each other in the first direction, and the magnetic drive circuit drives the movable body in the second direction which crosses the first direction. The viscoelastic members connect the movable body and the support body together while having the thickness direction thereof in the first direction and extending in the second direction. Therefore, resonance caused when the movable body is vibrated can be restricted. Reproducibility of vibration acceleration corresponding to the input signals can be improved by utilizing the spring elements of the viscoelastic members in the shearing direction, thus enabling the actuator to vibrate with delicate nuances. Further, the viscoelastic members can be prevented from being pressed in the thickness direction and greatly deformed, therefore, preventing the gap between the movable body and the support body from greatly varying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi KITAHARA, Tadashi TAKEDA, Masao TSUCHIHASHI
  • Publication number: 20200161038
    Abstract: In the actuator, the first end plate part of the first cover member in the support body is layered on one side in the first direction of the holder and faces the first yoke of the movable body from one side in the first direction. The second end plate part of the second cover member in the support body is layered on the other side in the first direction of the holder and faces the movable body from the other side in the first direction. Thus, the first viscoelastic member interposed between the movable body and the first end plate part in the first direction properly contacts with the movable body and the first end plate part. The second viscoelastic member interposed between the movable body and the second end plate part in the first direction properly contacts with the movable body and the second end plate part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masao TSUCHIHASHI, Tadashi TAKEDA, Hiroshi KITAHARA
  • Publication number: 20200161954
    Abstract: In a magnetic drive circuit of an actuator, a first yoke and a second yoke are disposed on both sides in a first direction across a coil, and a first magnet and a second magnet are fixed to the first yoke and the second yoke. The first yoke includes a first connecting plate part and a second connecting plate part that extend toward the second yoke. Thus, welding of the first connecting plate part and the second yoke and the second connecting plate part and the second yoke can be efficiently performed on a different side in the first direction (a side where the second yoke is located).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masao TSUCHIHASHI, Tadashi TAKEDA, Hiroshi KITAHARA
  • Patent number: 10602279
    Abstract: A linear actuator may include a movable element having a plurality of permanent magnets stacked in a direction of an axis line; a stationary element comprising a plurality of coils surrounding a circumferential section of the permanent magnets, the plurality of coils being placed along the axis line; and viscous elastic members inserted between the movable element and the stationary element. The plurality of permanent magnets are arranged such that, among adjacent permanent magnets of the plurality of permanent magnets, sides of the adjacent permanent magnets facing each other have a same polarity. The viscous elastic members are provided at a plurality of locations being separate in the direction of the axis line, in a space sandwiched in a radial direction by the movable element and the stationary element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadashi Takeda, Hiroshi Kitahara, Masao Tsuchihashi
  • Publication number: 20200059147
    Abstract: An actuator is provided. In the actuator, a first magnetic drive circuit and a third magnetic drive circuit that vibrate a movable body in a second direction with respect to a support are provided respectively on both sides in a first direction. A second magnetic drive circuit that vibrates the movable body in a third direction with respect to the support is provided. The first magnetic drive circuit, the second magnetic drive circuit and the third magnetic drive circuit are arranged to be sequentially stacked from one side to the other side in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi KITAHARA, Tadashi TAKEDA, Masao TSUCHIHASHI
  • Publication number: 20200059148
    Abstract: An actuator (1) is provided A substrate (15) held by a support (2) is provided with a total of six power supply electrodes (153) electrically connected respectively to both ends of a first coil (61) of a first magnetic drive circuit (6) that vibrates a movable body (3) in an X direction, both ends of a second coil (71) of a second magnetic drive circuit (7) that vibrates the movable body (3) in a Y direction, and both ends of a third coil (81) of a third magnetic drive circuit (8) that vibrates the movable body (3) in the X direction. An opening (110) that exposes the six power supply electrodes (153) is formed in a cover (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi KITAHARA, Tadashi TAKEDA, Masao TSUCHIHASHI
  • Publication number: 20200059145
    Abstract: An actuator is provided. In order to reduce the planar area of an actuator, a first magnetic drive circuit and a third magnetic drive circuit that vibrate a movable body in an X direction with respect to a support are provided respectively on both sides, in a Z direction, of a second magnetic drive circuit that vibrates the movable body in a Y direction with respect to the support. The movable ranges, in the X direction and the Y direction, of the movable body with respect to the support are regulated by a stopper mechanism constituted between a first magnet and a first coil holder holding a first coil, a stopper mechanism constituted between a second magnet and a second coil holder holding a second coil, and a stopper mechanism constituted between a third magnet and a third coil holder holding a third coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi KITAHARA, Tadashi TAKEDA, Masao TSUCHIHASHI
  • Publication number: 20200044541
    Abstract: A linear actuator can properly drive a movable body even if a viscoelastic body is provided between the movable body and a fixed body. For example, a linear actuator 1 includes a fixed body 2, a movable body 6, a magnetic drive mechanism 5 configured to linearly drive the movable body 6 with respect to the fixed body 2, and a viscoelastic body 9 made of a silicone gel or the like where the viscoelastic body 9 is arranged between the fixed body 2 and the movable body 6. In a case 3 of the fixed body 2 and a first yoke 7 of the movable body 6, the viscoelastic body 9 is arranged between a fixed body side flat surface unit (such as a first fixed plate 331 and a second fixed plate 332) facing parallel to a first direction and a second direction Y orthogonal to a drive direction Z by the magnetic drive mechanism 5 and a movable body side flat surface unit (such as a first side plate unit 76 and a second side plate unit 77).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: TADASHI TAKEDA, HIROSHI KITAHARA, MASAO TSUCHIHASHI
  • Publication number: 20190305659
    Abstract: An actuator may include a movable body; a support body; a connecting body; and a magnetic driving circuit. The magnetic driving circuit may include an air-core coil provided in a first member, and a first permanent magnet provided in a second member so as to face the coil on a first side in a first direction. The magnetic driving circuit may cause the movable body to vibrate with respect to the support body in a second direction which intersects with the first direction. The first member may include a coil holder comprising a plate part in which a coil placement hole is formed, a first plate that overlaps the coil placement hole and the plate part, and an adhesive layer. The coil may face the first permanent magnet via the first plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Hiroshi KITAHARA, Akira MORI, Masao TSUCHIHASHI
  • Publication number: 20190305660
    Abstract: An actuator may include a movable body; a support body; a connecting body arranged where the movable body and the support body face each other to contact both of the movable body and the support body; and a magnetic drive circuit. The magnetic drive circuit may include an air-core coil provided on a first-side member among the movable body and the support body; and a permanent magnet provided on a second-side member among the movable body and the support body to face the coil in a first direction, the magnetic drive circuit being configured to vibrate the movable body with respect to the support body in a second direction crossing the first direction. In the first-side member, the coil may be fixed by an adhesive to a surface of a plate-shaped coil holder on a first side in the first direction while an air-cores is directed in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Masao TSUCHIHASHI, Tadashi TAKEDA, Hiroshi KITAHARA
  • Publication number: 20190238039
    Abstract: An actuator may include a supporting body; a movable body; a first magnetic drive circuit; a second magnetic drive circuit. The first magnetic drive circuit may include a first coil and a first magnet. The second magnetic drive circuit may include a second coil and a second magnet. The actuator may further include a first yoke on a side of the first coil remote from the second coil; a second yoke on a side of the second coil remote from the first coil; and a third yoke between the first coil and the second coil. The first magnet may be held on a face of the first yoke or a face of the third yoke. The second magnet may be held on a face of the second yoke or a face of the third yoke. The third yoke may be thicker than the first and second yoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Masao TSUCHIHASHI, Tadashi TAKEDA, Hiroshi KITAHARA
  • Publication number: 20190238041
    Abstract: An actuator may include a supporting body; a movable body; a first magnetic drive circuit including a first coil and a first magnet disposed adjacent to each other in a first direction and driving the movable body in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and a second magnetic drive circuit including a second coil and a second magnet disposed adjacent to each other in the first direction and driving the movable body in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and intersecting the second direction. The second coil and the second magnet may be disposed in alignment with the first magnetic drive circuit in the first direction. The supporting body may include a restraining member. A first elastic member may be in contact with both the movable body and the restraining member. A second elastic may be in contact with both the movable body the restraining member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Masao TSUCHIHASHI, Tadashi TAKEDA, Hiroshi KITAHARA
  • Publication number: 20190238040
    Abstract: An actuator may include a supporting body; a movable body; a first drive circuit; a second drive circuit; and a wiring board. The first drive circuit may include a first coil and a first magnet. The second drive circuit may include a second coil and a second magnet. The wiring board may include a first portion on a first side of the wiring board; a bent portion bent from the first portion toward a second side of the wiring board; a second portion extending from the bent portion and disposed on a first side of the wiring board; a first terminal disposed on the first portion or the second portion and connected to the first coil. A second terminal disposed the other of the first portion and the second portion and connected to the second coil; and a plurality of third terminals disposed on the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Masao TSUCHIHASHI, Tadashi TAKEDA, Hiroshi KITAHARA
  • Publication number: 20190238042
    Abstract: An actuator may include a supporting body; a movable body shiftable relative to the supporting body; a first magnetic drive circuit comprising a first coil and a first magnet; a second magnetic drive circuit comprising a second coil and a second magnet adjacent to each other; a first coil holder supporting the first coil; and a second coil holder holding the second coil and aligned with the first coil holder in the first direction. The first coil holder and the second coil holder each may include a plurality of bottomed holes having openings in regions where the first coil holder and the second coil holder are disposed adjacent to each other. The first coil holder and the second coil holder may be positioned with pins fit to the holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Masao TSUCHIHASHI, Tadashi TAKEDA, Hiroshi KITAHARA
  • Publication number: 20190212838
    Abstract: A pen-type haptic force delivery device that causes a user to perceive haptic force information may include a case having a shaft portion which the user holds by hand; and a vibration generating device provided inside of the case. The vibration generating device may include a movable body, a support body, an elastic member having either elasticity or viscoelasticity, the elastic member being arranged between the movable body and the support body, and a magnetic drive circuit structured to cause linear vibrations to the movable body to output the haptic force information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Tadashi TAKEDA, Hiroshi KITAHARA, Masao TSUCHIHASHI