Patents by Inventor Mikihito Nagura

Mikihito Nagura 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: 10391894
    Abstract: A second bracket of a vehicle seat reclining device includes a first pawl restriction portion and a second pawl restriction portion arranged respectively in correspondence with a first pawl and a second pawl to restrict movement of the first pawl and the second pawl in the radial direction. The second pawl restriction portion is located toward the positive direction and a radially inner side from the first pawl restriction portion. Negative direction ends of the first pawl restriction portion and the second pawl restriction portion are arranged to contact positive direction corners of the limitation portions of the first pawl and the second pawl when a rotation angle of the second bracket relative to the first bracket is a specified angle. The first pawl restriction portion allows movement of the second pawl toward the radially outer side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mikihito Nagura, Naoaki Hoshihara, Shinya Isobe
  • Patent number: 10118509
    Abstract: When a first memory member rotates relative to a second rotating member to a predetermined relative rotation position at which a second memory member sliding on a sliding surface is capable of entering an engagement slot, the slide-trailing end of the second memory member, which leaves the sliding surface last, is a corner having no round shape. Further, the boundary between the sliding surface and the engagement slot is also a corner having no round shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Mikihito Nagura, Shinya Isobe
  • Patent number: 9908443
    Abstract: A seat reclining device includes a first bracket, a second bracket, a cam, and pawls moved in a radial direction and engaged with the second bracket. The pawls include outer teeth engageable with the second bracket. The second bracket includes an outer circumferential wall including inner teeth engaged with the outer teeth, and an inner circumferential portion. At least one of the pawls includes a first block and a second block shifted in an axial direction from the first block. The second block is formed integrally with the first block. The first block includes the outer teeth and a cam surface that contacts the cam. The second block includes a restriction surface that contacts the inner circumferential portion when the pawl moves toward the outer side. The cam surface and the restriction surface have the same planar structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mikihito Nagura, Atsushi Abaka
  • Publication number: 20180009340
    Abstract: A second bracket of a vehicle seat reclining device includes a first pawl restriction portion and a second pawl restriction portion arranged respectively in correspondence with a first pawl and a second pawl to restrict movement of the first pawl and the second pawl in the radial direction. The second pawl restriction portion is located toward the positive direction and a radially inner side from the first pawl restriction portion. Negative direction ends of the first pawl restriction portion and the second pawl restriction portion are arranged to contact positive direction corners of the limitation portions of the first pawl and the second pawl when a rotation angle of the second bracket relative to the first bracket is a specified angle. The first pawl restriction portion allows movement of the second pawl toward the radially outer side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mikihito NAGURA, Naoaki HOSHIHARA, Shinya ISOBE
  • Patent number: 9849811
    Abstract: A vehicle seat reclining device is disclosed. An operation mechanism allows a second memory member to engage with and disengage from a first memory member, and locks and unlocks a lock member in conjunction with the engagement and disengagement. When the first memory member is in a predetermined rotational position relative to the second rotating member, the second memory member is inserted into an engagement slot provided in the first memory member, thereby restricting rotation of the first memory member relative to the second rotating member. The operation mechanism includes a link member that is linked to the second memory member inserted into a guide hole provided in a plate-shaped member. In the thickness direction of the plate-shaped member, the link member is arranged on the same side of the plate-shaped member as the first memory member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Mikihito Nagura, Shinya Isobe
  • Patent number: 9701219
    Abstract: A vehicular seat slide device is provided with a lower an upper rail, a lock member, a memory piece, a memory link, a slide member, and a stopper member. The memory piece is engaged with the upper rail and the lower rail. The memory link releases the lock member and the memory piece with urging force of a memory link urging member, and pivots in a releasing direction to press the lock member in a pivot direction and press the memory piece against the urging force of the memory piece urging member. The slide member releases the memory link with urging force of a slider urging member, and presses the memory link in the release direction by moving as a seat back is collapsed forward. After the seatback is collapsed forward and the upper rail is moved in a seat-rearward direction, the stopper member contacts the memory piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mikihito Nagura, Atsushi Abaka, Naoaki Hoshihara, Tateki Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20170158091
    Abstract: When a first memory member rotates relative to a second rotating member to a predetermined relative rotation position at which a second memory member sliding on a sliding surface is capable of entering an engagement slot, the slide-trailing end of the second memory member, which leaves the sliding surface last, is a corner having no round shape. Further, the boundary between the sliding surface and the engagement slot is also a corner having no round shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro KOJIMA, Mikihito NAGURA, Shinya ISOBE
  • Publication number: 20170158092
    Abstract: A seat reclining device for a vehicle includes a first rotating member, a second rotating member, a locking member, a first memory member, a second memory member, and an operation mechanism. The operation mechanism includes a guide hole. The second memory member includes a shaft portion inserted into the guide hole. The second memory member is configured to engage with and disengage from the first memory member by being supported in a state in which the shaft portion is movable in the longitudinal direction of the guide hole. In the periphery of the guide hole, a support wall is provided that protrudes in the thickness direction of a plate-shaped member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro KOJIMA, Mikihito NAGURA, Shinya ISOBE
  • Publication number: 20170158093
    Abstract: A vehicle seat reclining device is disclosed. An operation mechanism allows a second memory member to engage with and disengage from a first memory member, and locks and unlocks a lock member in conjunction with the engagement and disengagement. When the first memory member is in a predetermined rotational position relative to the second rotating member, the second memory member is inserted into an engagement slot provided in the first memory member, thereby restricting rotation of the first memory member relative to the second rotating member. The operation mechanism includes a link member that is linked to the second memory member inserted into a guide hole provided in a plate-shaped member. In the thickness direction of the plate-shaped member, the link member is arranged on the same side of the plate-shaped member as the first memory member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro KOJIMA, Mikihito NAGURA, Shinya ISOBE
  • Publication number: 20170151893
    Abstract: A seat reclining device includes a first memory member that frictionally engages with the outer surface of a first rotating member, and a second memory member that is capable of engaging with and disengaging from the first memory member. The first memory member has a frictional engagement portion that has an annular shape with a discontinuous section and is fitted to a circumferential wall portion of the first rotating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro KOJIMA, Mikihito NAGURA, Shinya ISOBE
  • Publication number: 20170072818
    Abstract: A seat reclining device includes a first bracket, a second bracket that is rotatable relative to the first bracket, a cam that is rotatable relative to the first bracket, and pawls moved in a radial direction of the first bracket and engaged with the second bracket by rotation of the cam. The first bracket includes a guide, which guides the pawls in the radial direction, and a restriction portion, which is provided in correspondence with at least one of the pawls and which restricts movement of the corresponding pawl in a circumferential direction. The pawl corresponding to the restriction portion includes a contact portion that contacts the restriction portion when the pawl moves. The contact portion is spaced apart by a gap from the restriction portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mikihito NAGURA, Atsushi ABAKA
  • Publication number: 20170066348
    Abstract: A seat reclining device includes a first bracket, a second bracket, a cam, and pawls moved in a radial direction and engaged with the second bracket. The pawls include outer teeth engageable with the second bracket. The second bracket includes an outer circumferential wall including inner teeth engaged with the outer teeth, and an inner circumferential portion. At least one of the pawls includes a first block and a second block shifted in an axial direction from the first block. The second block is formed integrally with the first block. The first block includes the outer teeth and a cam surface that contacts the cam. The second block includes a restriction surface that contacts the inner circumferential portion when the pawl moves toward the outer side. The cam surface and the restriction surface have the same planar structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mikihito NAGURA, Atsushi ABAKA
  • Patent number: 9573493
    Abstract: A seat reclining device includes: a first bracket including an accommodating portion being open to an outer side of a seat in a width direction; a second bracket rotating with respect to the first bracket; a cam rotating with respect to the first bracket; a spring accommodated in the accommodating portion and biasing the cam; a pawl moved in a radial direction of the first bracket based on the rotation of the cam and engaged with the second bracket; and a cover covering the spring, wherein the cover is mounted on the accommodating portion and an outer surface of the cover on the outer side corresponds to an outer surface of the first bracket on the outer side or is positioned inside the outer surface of the first bracket in the width direction of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mikihito Nagura, Atsushi Abaka
  • Publication number: 20170008425
    Abstract: A vehicular seat slide device is provided with a lower rail, an upper rail, a lock member, a memory piece, a memory link, a slide member, and a stopper member. The memory piece is engaged with the upper rail and the lower rail. The memory link releases the lock member and the memory piece with urging force of a memory link urging member, and pivots in a releasing direction to press the lock member in a pivot direction and press the memory piece against the urging force of the memory piece urging member. The slide member releases the memory link with urging force of a slider urging member, and presses the memory link in the release direction by moving as a seat back is collapsed forward. After the seatback is collapsed forward and the upper rail is moved in a seat-rearward direction, the stopper member contacts the memory piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mikihito NAGURA, Atsushi ABAKA, Naoaki HOSHIHARA, Tateki KAWAMURA
  • Patent number: 9371015
    Abstract: A reclining device includes an operating shaft that is inserted through the reclining device in its axial direction to be mounted, and is adapted to release the reclining device from a locked position, and a torsion spring mounted between an outer end portion of the operating shaft which protrudes from the reclining device outward in a width direction of the seat, and a frame portion that is located outside the reclining device in the seat width direction. The operating shaft is constantly biased by the torsion spring in a rotational direction for locking the reclining device. The torsion spring is mounted onto the outer end portion of the operating shaft in the axial direction from an outer side of the seat, and has an inner end portion which is engaged with the operating shaft, and an outer end portion which is engaged with the frame portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignees: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hayato Matsui, Mikihito Nagura, Shinya Isobe
  • Patent number: 9248761
    Abstract: A vehicle seat reclining device includes first and second brackets, which are rotational relative to each other, two guide portions provided on the first bracket and forming a guide groove, a pawl, and a protruding portion. The pawl has outer teeth, which can engage with and disengage from inner teeth of the second bracket, and is guided by the guide groove to move radially. The protruding portion protrudes circumferentially at least at the tip end portion of the guide portion. A fulcrum of inclination of the pawl with respect to the guide part may occur at the time when the outer teeth and the inner teeth are disengaged from each other. The fulcrum located at a position closer to the inner teeth than an intersection point between the guide portion and a normal to a surface where the outer teeth and the inner teeth are engaged with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mikihito Nagura, Naoaki Hoshihara, Shinya Isobe
  • Patent number: 9227528
    Abstract: A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes a tower rail, an upper rail, a memory base arranged above a bottom wall portion of the lower rail, a restriction piece holding the memory base so that the memory base is restricted from moving, a memory pin attached to the memory base in a manner that advance and retract of the memory pin relative to the memory base is allowed, the memory pin engages with the lower rail in a protruding state, the memory pin disengages in a retracted state, an interlocking mechanism pushing a lock member and the memory pin in a forward-folded state of a seatback, and a holding member holding the protruding state of the memory pin and allowing the memory base to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Naoki Goto, Mikihito Nagura
  • Patent number: 9205767
    Abstract: A vehicle seat reclining device is provided with a first bracket having internal teeth, a plurality of pawls each having external teeth capable of engaging with and disengaging from the internal teeth, a second bracket having a guide portion that movably holds the pawls in a radial direction, and a cam mechanism, which moves each pawl in the radial direction. Among the external teeth in each pawl, at least one external tooth including an end tooth located at one end in the circumferential direction of the pawl is displaced inward in the radial direction with respect to a reference position corresponding to the pitch circle of the internal teeth along a center line that divides the external tooth into two parts in the circumferential direction without changing the shape of an effective engagement portion for the internal tooth and the pitch circle radius of the external tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mikihito Nagura, Naoaki Hoshihara, Shinya Isobe
  • Patent number: 9162590
    Abstract: A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes a second unlock mechanism rotating an unlock lever in a direction that unlocks a lock mechanism by pushing the unlock lever in accordance with a predetermined seat operation, an unlocked state retaining lever retaining the lock mechanism in an unlocked state cooperating with the second unlock mechanism by operating in conjunction with the second unlock mechanism, a first unlocked state release mechanism moving the unlocked state retaining lever to a position where the lock mechanism is released from the unlocked state by making contact with an operation body in accordance with movement of an upper rail relative to an lower rail, and a second unlocked state release mechanism moving the unlocked state retaining lever to a position where the lock mechanism is released from the unlocked state by pushing the unlocked state retaining lever in accordance with the operational input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mikihito Nagura, Naoaki Hoshihara, Shinya Isobe
  • Publication number: 20150239371
    Abstract: A seat reclining device includes: a first bracket including an accommodating portion being open to an outer side of a seat in a width direction; a second bracket rotating with respect to the first bracket; a cam rotating with respect to the first bracket; a spring accommodated in the accommodating portion and biasing the cam; a pole moved in a radial direction of the first bracket based on the rotation of the cam and engaged with the second bracket; and a cover covering the spring, wherein the cover is mounted on the accommodating portion and an outer surface of the cover on the outer side corresponds to an outer surface of the first bracket on the outer side or is positioned inside the outer surface of the first bracket in the width direction of the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mikihito NAGURA, Atsushi ABAKA