Patents by Inventor Mikio Umehara

Mikio Umehara 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: 20200304004
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a vibration generating device includes a protruding part; a base provided with the protruding part and formed of a magnetic body; an annular coil surrounding the protruding part; a plate facing the base and formed of a magnetic body; and an elastic member supporting the plate with respect to the base. The plate and the base constitute magnetic circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Mikio UMEHARA, Yutaka KAMOGI
  • Patent number: 10780457
    Abstract: A vibrator-mounted holder is attached to a casing of a vibration generator which moves a vibrator to generate a vibration when used. The vibrator-mounted holder includes a vibrator, a vibrator retention unit retaining the vibrator, a fixing unit fixed to a casing, and an arm. The vibrator includes a magnet having a plate shape parallel to a horizontal surface and a yoke arranged on the magnet. The arm connects the fixing unit to the vibrator retention unit, and supports the vibrator retention unit in a manner that the vibrator retention unit is displaceable with respect to the fixing unit. The yoke has a projecting portion which is projected downward and fixed to the vibrator retention unit. The arm is connected to a portion, at which the projecting portion is arranged, within the vibrator retention units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI INC.
    Inventor: Mikio Umehara
  • Patent number: 10727726
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device includes a housing, a contact member attached to the housing, and a vibration generating device. The vibration generating device is fixed to the contact member or the housing. A gap is formed between a surface of the vibration generating device facing the housing and a surface of the housing facing the vibration generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI INC.
    Inventors: Mikio Umehara, Yutaka Kamogi
  • Patent number: 10715020
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a vibration generating device includes a protruding part; a base provided with the protruding part and formed of a magnetic body; an annular coil surrounding the protruding part; a plate facing the base and formed of a magnetic body; and an elastic member supporting the plate with respect to the base. The plate and the base constitute magnetic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI INC.
    Inventors: Mikio Umehara, Yutaka Kamogi
  • Publication number: 20190363499
    Abstract: A motor including: a frame having a width of 10 millimeters or less and an inner surface; an annular magnet attached to the inner surface of the frame; a bracket provided at the frame; a columnar brush formed of carbon and having an outer peripheral surface; a commutator contacting with the outer peripheral surface of the brush; and an elastic member supporting the brush to the bracket, in which at least a part of the elastic member is inside the brush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Mikio UMEHARA, Atsushi OMURA, Kazuaki SATO
  • Publication number: 20190308218
    Abstract: A vibrator-mounted holder is attached to a casing of a vibration generator which moves a vibrator to generate a vibration when used. The vibrator-mounted holder includes a vibrator, a vibrator retention unit retaining the vibrator, a fixing unit fixed to a casing, and an arm. The vibrator includes a magnet having a plate shape parallel to a horizontal surface and a yoke arranged on the magnet. The arm connects the fixing unit to the vibrator retention unit, and supports the vibrator retention unit in a manner that the vibrator retention unit is displaceable with respect to the fixing unit. The yoke has a projecting portion which is projected downward and fixed to the vibrator retention unit. The arm is connected to a portion, at which the projecting portion is arranged, within the vibrator retention units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mikio UMEHARA
  • Patent number: 10432074
    Abstract: A vibrator unit capable of being attached to a housing of a vibration generator includes a vibrator including a magnet and a back yoke arranged on or above the magnet, and an elastic member. The elastic member includes a vibrator attachment part attached to the vibrator, a housing attachment part attached to the housing, and an arm part coupling the vibrator attachment part and the housing attachment part, said arm part displaceably supporting the vibrator attachment part at least in a horizontal direction with respect to the housing attachment part. The back yoke includes a planar part arranged on or above the magnet and a holding part bending the planar part toward the frame from the planar part. The vibrator attachment part is held and embraced by the holding part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mikio Umehara, Yutaka Kamogi
  • Patent number: 10350637
    Abstract: A vibrator-mounted holder is attached to a casing of a vibration generator which moves a vibrator to generate a vibration when used. The vibrator-mounted holder includes a vibrator, a vibrator retention unit retaining the vibrator, a fixing unit fixed to a casing, and an arm. The vibrator includes a magnet having a plate shape parallel to a horizontal surface and a yoke arranged on the magnet. The arm connects the fixing unit to the vibrator retention unit, and supports the vibrator retention unit in a manner that the vibrator retention unit is displaceable with respect to the fixing unit. The yoke has a projecting portion which is projected downward and fixed to the vibrator retention unit. The arm is connected to a portion, at which the projecting portion is arranged, within the vibrator retention units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mikio Umehara
  • Patent number: 9989437
    Abstract: A vibrator-mounted holder is attached to a casing of a vibration generator which moves a vibrator to generate a vibration when used. The vibrator-mounted holder includes a vibrator, a vibrator retention unit retaining the vibrator, a fixing unit fixed to a casing, and an arm. The vibrator includes a magnet having a plate shape parallel to a horizontal surface and a yoke arranged on the magnet. The arm connects the fixing unit to the vibrator retention unit, and supports the vibrator retention unit in a manner that the vibrator retention unit is displaceable with respect to the fixing unit. The yoke has a projecting portion which is projected downward and fixed to the vibrator retention unit. The arm is connected to a portion, at which the projecting portion is arranged, within the vibrator retention units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mikio Umehara
  • Publication number: 20180152090
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device includes a housing, a contact member attached to the housing, and a vibration generating device. The vibration generating device is fixed to the contact member or the housing. A gap is formed between a surface of the vibration generating device facing the housing and a surface of the housing facing the vibration generating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Mikio UMEHARA, Yutaka KAMOGI
  • Publication number: 20180152089
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a vibration generating device includes a protruding part; a base provided with the protruding part and formed of a magnetic body; an annular coil surrounding the protruding part; a plate facing the base and formed of a magnetic body; and an elastic member supporting the plate with respect to the base. The plate and the base constitute magnetic circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Mikio UMEHARA, Yutaka KAMOGI
  • Publication number: 20170173633
    Abstract: A vibrator-mounted holder is attached to a casing of a vibration generator which moves a vibrator to generate a vibration when used. The vibrator-mounted holder includes a vibrator, a vibrator retention unit retaining the vibrator, a fixing unit fixed to a casing, and an arm. The vibrator includes a magnet having a plate shape parallel to a horizontal surface and a yoke arranged on the magnet. The arm connects the fixing unit to the vibrator retention unit, and supports the vibrator retention unit in a manner that the vibrator retention unit is displaceable with respect to the fixing unit. The yoke has a projecting portion which is projected downward and fixed to the vibrator retention unit. The arm is connected to a portion, at which the projecting portion is arranged, within the vibrator retention units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventor: Mikio UMEHARA
  • Publication number: 20170104401
    Abstract: A vibrator unit capable of being attached to a housing of a vibration generator includes a vibrator including a magnet and a back yoke arranged on or above the magnet, and an elastic member. The elastic member includes a vibrator attachment part attached to the vibrator, a housing attachment part attached to the housing, and an arm part coupling the vibrator attachment part and the housing attachment part, said arm part displaceably supporting the vibrator attachment part at least in a horizontal direction with respect to the housing attachment part. The back yoke includes a planar part arranged on or above the magnet and a holding part bending the planar part toward the frame from the planar part. The vibrator attachment part is held and embraced by the holding part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mikio UMEHARA, Yutaka KAMOGI
  • Patent number: 9525379
    Abstract: A control method for a vibration generator is provided. The vibration generator includes a fixed part around which a coil is wound, a movable part having a magnet, a bridge part movably supporting the movable part, and a power supply unit which applies an alternating current of a predetermined frequency to the coil. The power supply unit starts at the time of startup by the alternating current with a starting frequency which differs from a resonance frequency of the movable part, and the power supply unit changes the frequency of the applied alternating current to the resonance frequency of the movable part when the amount of vibration at the starting frequency reaches a predetermined ratio with respect to a saturation vibration amount of the resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Umehara, Yutaka Kamogi
  • Publication number: 20150357958
    Abstract: A control method for a vibration generator is provided. The vibration generator includes a fixed part around which a coil is wound, a movable part having a magnet, a bridge part movably supporting the movable part, and a power supply unit which applies an alternating current of a predetermined frequency to the coil. The power supply unit starts at the time of startup by the alternating current with a starting frequency which differs from a resonance frequency of the movable part, and the power supply unit changes the frequency of the applied alternating current to the resonance frequency of the movable part when the amount of vibration at the starting frequency reaches a predetermined ratio with respect to a saturation vibration amount of the resonance frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Mikio Umehara, Yutaka Kamogi
  • Publication number: 20140202252
    Abstract: A vibrator-mounted holder is attached to a casing of a vibration generator which moves a vibrator to generate a vibration when used. The vibrator-mounted holder includes a vibrator, a vibrator retention unit retaining the vibrator, a fixing unit fixed to a casing, and an arm. The vibrator includes a magnet having a plate shape parallel to a horizontal surface and a yoke arranged on the magnet. The arm connects the fixing unit to the vibrator retention unit, and supports the vibrator retention unit in a manner that the vibrator retention unit is displaceable with respect to the fixing unit. The yoke has a projecting portion which is projected downward and fixed to the vibrator retention unit. The arm is connected to a portion, at which the projecting portion is arranged, within the vibrator retention units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mikio UMEHARA
  • Patent number: 8222783
    Abstract: There is provided a holding structure to hold a vibration motor on a circuit board with a sufficient holding strength using an inexpensive and simple means such as caulking and bonding and a vibration motor held on a circuit board using the holding structure. The holding structure having a holder clamps a vibration motor body having an eccentric weight at an end of the rotation shaft around the outer periphery from the outside and supports the vibration motor at the lower part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Minebea Motor Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Mikio Umehara, Kazuaki Sato, Daichi Kadowaki
  • Patent number: 8137778
    Abstract: A weight for a vibration motor, the weight including: a resin part including: a semi-cylindrical portion having a shaft hole in which a rotary shaft is fitted and expanding radially from the shaft hole at a given center angle so as to be eccentrically weighted with respect to the shaft hole; and a pair of locking projections respectively disposed at both axial end areas of an outer circumferential surface of the semi-cylindrical portion so as to extend radially outwardly therefrom; and a metal part attached to the resin part so as to sit on the outer circumferential surface of the semi-cylindrical portion, the metal part including: a pair of locking recesses positioned and configured to correspond respectively to the locking projections of the resin portion, wherein an elevated portion formed between the pair of locking recesses makes contact with the pair of locking projections of the resin portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Minebea Motor Manufacturing Corportion
    Inventors: Masatoshi Kawano, Mikio Umehara, Daichi Kadowaki
  • Publication number: 20110285228
    Abstract: There is provided a holding structure to hold a vibration motor on a circuit board with a sufficient holding strength using an inexpensive and simple means such as caulking and bonding and a vibration motor held on a circuit board using the holding structure. The holding structure having a holder clamps a vibration motor body having an eccentric weight at an end of the rotation shaft around the outer periphery from the outside and supports the vibration motor at the lower part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Minebea Motor Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Mikio UMEHARA, Kazuaki SATO, Daichi KADOWAKI
  • Patent number: 8013486
    Abstract: There is provided a holding structure to hold a vibration motor on a circuit board with a sufficient holding strength using an inexpensive and simple means such as caulking and bonding and a vibration motor held on a circuit board using the holding structure. The holding structure having a holder clamps a vibration motor body having an eccentric weight at an end of the rotation shaft around the outer periphery from the outside and supports the vibration motor at the lower part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Minebea Motor Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Mikio Umehara, Kazuaki Sato, Daichi Kadowaki