Patents by Inventor Masuo Matsuki
Masuo Matsuki 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: 11148635Abstract: An inclination controlling mechanism of a seatbelt device is provided with: a pulley that converts an advancing/retracting movement of a cable of the cable advancing/retracting mechanism; a drive gear mounted around a pivot shaft of the pulley and synchronized with rotation of the pulley; and a driven gear mounted around a pivot shaft of a sensor housing so as to move in conjunction with a rotation of the sensor housing. The drive gear and driven gear engage with each other in a condition where a rotational track surface of the drive gear and rotational track surface of the driven gear intersect at a predetermined angle. As a result, an inertial body supporting surface serving as a sensor reference plane can be accurately maintained horizontally even at an arbitrary seatback recline angle, and thus the accuracy of the acceleration sensor can be improved.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2019Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT ABInventors: Katsuhiro Ito, Masuo Matsuki, Ganta Hibata
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Publication number: 20200361411Abstract: An inclination controlling mechanism of a seatbelt device is provided with: a pulley that converts an advancing/retracting movement of a cable of the cable advancing/retracting mechanism; a drive gear mounted around a pivot shaft of the pulley and synchronized with rotation of the pulley; and a driven gear mounted around a pivot shaft of a sensor housing so as to move in conjunction with a rotation of the sensor housing. The drive gear and driven gear engage with each other in a condition where a rotational track surface of the drive gear and rotational track surface of the driven gear intersect at a predetermined angle. As a result, an inertial body supporting surface serving as a sensor reference plane can be accurately maintained horizontally even at an arbitrary seatback recline angle, and thus the accuracy of the acceleration sensor can be improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2019Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Katsuhiro ITO, Masuo MATSUKI, Ganta HIBATA
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Patent number: 10099653Abstract: A seat belt device includes a spindle (11) for retracting a seat belt (13), an electric actuator (55), a pre-tensioner (14) and a power transmission mechanism (20), wherein the power transmission mechanism (20) can reversibly switch the connection and disconnection between the electric actuator (55) and the spindle (11) before the pre-tensioner (14) is activated, while when the pre-tensioner (14) is activated. The power transmission mechanism (20) non-reversibly interrupts the connection between the electric actuator (55) and the spindle (11) via an elastic piece (60) when a torque difference between an actuator-side gear (80) and a spindle-side gear (82) becomes larger than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2016Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT ABInventors: Eiji Maemura, Yukinori Midorikawa, Masuo Matsuki
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Publication number: 20170021797Abstract: A seat belt device includes a spindle (11) for retracting a seat belt (13), an electric actuator (55), a pre-tensioner (14) and a power transmission mechanism (20), wherein the power transmission mechanism (20) can reversibly switch the connection and disconnection between the electric actuator (55) and the spindle (11) before the pre-tensioner (14) is activated, while when the pre-tensioner (14) is activated. The power transmission mechanism (20) non-reversibly interrupts the connection between the electric actuator (55) and the spindle (11) via an elastic piece (60) when a torque difference between an actuator-side gear (80) and a spindle-side gear (82) becomes larger than a predetermined value.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Eiji Maemura, Yukinori Midorikawa, Masuo Matsuki
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Patent number: 9446737Abstract: A seat belt device includes a spindle (11) for retracting a seat belt (13), an electric actuator (55), a pre-tensioner (14) and a power transmission mechanism (20), wherein the power transmission mechanism (20) can reversibly switch the connection and disconnection between the electric actuator (55) and the spindle (11) before the pre-tensioner (14) is activated, while when the pre-tensioner (14) is activated. The power transmission mechanism (20) non-reversibly interrupts the connection between the electric actuator (55) and the spindle (11) via an elastic piece (60) when a torque difference between an actuator-side gear (80) and a spindle-side gear (82) becomes larger than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVLEOPMENT ABInventors: Eiji Maemura, Yukinori Midorikawa, Masuo Matsuki
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Patent number: 9358951Abstract: A counterweight that biases a ratchet lever toward an unlocking side, in addition to a self weight of the ratchet lever, is provided in a mechanism that locks pull-out operation of a seatbelt according to operation of an acceleration sensor. The counterweight is provided with a moment transmission projection that allows the ratchet lever to turn freely as a result of non-engagement between the counterweight and the ratchet lever when a tilt angle of a seat back is less than 60°, and that transmits rotational moment by a self weight of the counterweight (rotational moment in the direction of an arrow R3) to the ratchet lever as a rotary bias force toward the unlocking side as a result of engagement between the counterweight and an engagement wall of the ratchet lever when the tilt angle of the seat back is 60° or more.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2013Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT ABInventors: Masuo Matsuki, Katsuhiro Ito, Takashi Kageyama
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Publication number: 20150001329Abstract: A counterweight that biases a ratchet lever toward an unlocking side, in addition to a self weight of the ratchet lever, is provided in a mechanism that locks pull-out operation of a seatbelt according to operation of an acceleration sensor. The counterweight is provided with a moment transmission projection that allows the ratchet lever to turn freely as a result of non-engagement between the counterweight and the ratchet lever when a tilt angle of a seat back is less than 60°, and that transmits rotational moment by a self weight of the counterweight (rotational moment in the direction of an arrow R3) to the ratchet lever as a rotary bias force toward the unlocking side as a result of engagement between the counterweight and an engagement wall of the ratchet lever when the tilt angle of the seat back is 60° or more.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Masuo Matsuki, Katsuhiro Ito, Takashi Kageyama
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Patent number: 8893998Abstract: A spindle (2) of a seat belt retractor is rotationally driven when required by a motor (5) to the webbing take-up direction side through a power transmission mechanism section (6). Further, the spindle (2) is always connected to a take-up spring (7) and is always subjected to rotational power acting to the webbing take-up side. The structure enables a user wearing a seat belt to be restrained even in failure, realizing a safer and more reliable restraining device.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2004Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Yukinori Midorikawa, Hiroshi Yamada, Masuo Matsuki, Kiyoshi Ogawa
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Publication number: 20140319262Abstract: A seat belt device includes a spindle (11) for retracting a seat belt (13), an electric actuator (55), a pre-tensioner (14) and a power transmission mechanism (20), wherein the power transmission mechanism (20) can reversibly switch the connection and disconnection between the electric actuator (55) and the spindle (11) before the pre-tensioner (14) is activated, while when the pre-tensioner (14) is activated. The power transmission mechanism (20) non-reversibly interrupts the connection between the electric actuator (55) and the spindle (11) via an elastic piece (60) when a torque difference between an actuator-side gear (80) and a spindle-side gear (82) becomes larger than a predetermined value.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Eiji Maemura, Yukinori Midorikawa, Masuo Matsuki
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Patent number: 8777147Abstract: A seat belt device includes a spindle 11 for retracting a seat belt 13, an electric actuator 55, a pre-tensioner 14 and a power transmission mechanism 20, wherein the power transmission mechanism 20 can reversibly switch the connection and disconnection between the electric actuator 55 and the spindle 11 before the pre-tensioner 14 is activated, while when the pre-tensioner 14 is activated, the power transmission mechanism 20 non-reversibly interrupts the connection between the electric actuator 55 and the spindle 11.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2006Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Eiji Maemura, Yukinori Midorikawa, Masuo Matsuki
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Patent number: 8286903Abstract: A retractor includes a slide nut that is caused to slide toward a tread head while rotating by a mesh between a first male screw groove and a female screw groove when the tread head is locked and a spindle rotates in a direction for unreeling a webbing, and a slider that is caused to slide toward the slide nut by a mesh between the female screw groove and a second male screw groove. A torsional rigidity of a second shaft part of a torsion bar is larger than that of a first shaft part, and a play is eliminated before a gap such that the slide nut and the slider are integrated.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2010Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Kiyoshi Ogawa, Masuo Matsuki
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Publication number: 20110121120Abstract: A retractor includes a slide nut that is caused to slide toward a tread head while rotating by a mesh between a first male screw groove and a female screw groove when the tread head is locked and a spindle rotates in a direction for unreeling a webbing, and a slider that is caused to slide toward the slide nut by a mesh between the female screw groove and a second male screw groove. A torsional rigidity of a second shaft part of a torsion bar is larger than that of a first shaft part, and a play is eliminated before a gap such that the slide nut and the slider are integrated.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2010Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT ABInventors: Kiyoshi OGAWA, Masuo Matsuki
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Publication number: 20110101145Abstract: A seat belt device includes a spindle 11 for retracting a seat belt 13, an electric actuator 55, a pre-tensioner 14 and a power transmission mechanism 20, wherein the power transmission mechanism 20 can reversibly switch the connection and disconnection between the electric actuator 55 and the spindle 11 before the pre-tensioner 14 is activated, while when the pre-tensioner 14 is activated, the power transmission mechanism 20 non-reversibly interrupts the connection between the electric actuator 55 and the spindle 11.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2006Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Eiji Maemura, Yukinori Midorikawa, Masuo Matsuki
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Patent number: 7500632Abstract: A seat belt device has a gas generator for generating a high pressure gas when the vehicle is in emergency, a cylinder for conducting the high pressure gas from the gas generator, a piston received movably within the cylinder and pressed and moved by the high pressure gas, and a drive unit for rotating a winding shaft of a seat belt retractor in a direction of removing the slack of a belt, using the movement of the piston, wherein the pretensioner is employed with the energy absorbing mechanism, for reversely rotating the winding shaft if a tension acting on the belt exceeds a predetermined value after removing the slack of the belt.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2002Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: NSK Autoliv Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsuyasu Ono, Sadanori Ohsumi, Masuo Matsuki, Kiyoshi Ogawa
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Publication number: 20070095963Abstract: A spindle (2) of a seat belt retractor is rotationally driven when required by a motor (5) to the webbing take-up direction side through a power transmission mechanism section (6). Further, the spindle (2) is always connected to a take-up spring (7) and is always subjected to rotational power acting to the webbing take-up side. The structure enables a user wearing a seat belt to be restrained even in failure, realizing a safer and more reliable restraining device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2004Publication date: May 3, 2007Inventors: Midorikawa Yukinori, Hiroshi Yamada, Masuo Matsuki, Kiyoshi Ogawa
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Patent number: 6729650Abstract: An automotive passenger restraint and protection apparatus prevents damage to a seatbelt. An electric retractor having a motor for retracting and protracting the seatbelt includes the automotive passenger restraint and protection apparatus. The motor is controlled by a CPU. The CPU detects whether the seatbelt is attached to, or disconnected from, the occupant, and whether the seatbelt has been retracted to a limit thereof. The motor is controlled by the CPU such that when the CPU detects that the seatbelt is retracted and when the CPU subsequently detects that the seatbelt has been fully retracted to the limit thereof, the seatbelt is prevented from being further retracted.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: NSK Autoliv Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yukinori Midorikawa, Osamu Kawai, Kiyoshi Ogawa, Masuo Matsuki
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Patent number: 6726141Abstract: There is provided a seat belt apparatus which not only can reduce the possibility that an end lock phenomenon can occur when removing the mounting of a webbing but also, even in case where the end lock phenomenon occurs, can remove the end lock phenomenon easily. That is, in a seat belt apparatus including a seat belt retractor having a lock mechanism structured such that, when the acceleration of a vehicle body or the pay-out acceleration of a webbing is a predetermined value or more, a pawl member (15) is engaged with a pawl wheel (13) to lock the rotation of a bobbin (2) with the webbing wound thereon in the webbing pay-out direction, the pawl wheel (13) is structured such that two or more kinds of ratchet teeth (T1) and (T2) differing in addendum circle diameter are mixedly arranged in the peripheral direction of the pawl wheel according to a predetermined manner, thereby being able to lower the probability of the webbing end lock occurring.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: NSK Autoliv Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shu Ichikawa, Masuo Matsuki
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Patent number: 6554092Abstract: Provided is a seatbelt device capable of realizing a comfortable seatbelt-wearing environment as well as appropriately securing and protecting a passenger. The seatbelt device is further capable of realizing an immediate escape or rescue of a passenger after a vehicle accident, thereby providing extra safety and a swift escape by protracting the webbing in accordance with the state of the vehicle accident. This seatbelt device is provided with a retractor which uses a motor for retracting and protracting the webbing that secures a passenger to his/her seat, and a controller for rotating the motor and at least retracting the webbing. The controller is capable of altering the protraction mode of the webbing in accordance with the state of the webbing fastened by the passenger.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: NSK Autoliv Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yukinori Midorikawa, Katsuyasu Ono, Masuo Matsuki
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Publication number: 20030015864Abstract: An automotive passenger restraint and protection apparatus for an automotive vehicle has a seatbelt and operates to restrain an occupant of the automotive vehicle by the seatbelt to protect the occupant. An electric retractor has a DC motor for retracting and protracting the seatbelt. An MPU controls the DC motor. Protraction of the seatbelt by the occupant is detected. When the protraction of said belt is detected, the MPU controls the DC motor so as to protract the seatbelt.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2002Publication date: January 23, 2003Applicant: NSK AUTOLIV CO., LTD.Inventors: Yukinori Midorikawa, Osamu Kawai, Kiyoshi Ogawa, Masuo Matsuki
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Patent number: 6485057Abstract: An automotive passenger restraint and protection apparatus for an automotive vehicle has a seatbelt and operates to restrain an occupant of the automotive vehicle by the seatbelt to protect the occupant. An electric retractor has a DC motor for retracting and protracting the seatbelt. An MPU controls the DC motor. Protraction of the seatbelt by the occupant is detected. When the protraction of said belt is detected, the MPU controls the DC motor so as to protract the seatbelt.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2000Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: NSK Autoliv Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yukinori Midorikawa, Osamu Kawai, Kiyoshi Ogawa, Masuo Matsuki