Patents by Inventor Nobuyuki Mano

Nobuyuki Mano 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: 10623613
    Abstract: A camera module with excellent strength is provided. A camera module includes a housing to which a lens unit is attached and a substrate having a certain positional relationship with the lens unit and supported by the housing, where the housing includes an adhesive agent pool provided to a first main plane of the substrate with a certain opposing space and an open end of an adhesive agent path including the opposing space that is provided to a side of a second main plane of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventors: Taku Akaiwa, Nobuyuki Mano
  • Publication number: 20190007586
    Abstract: A camera module with excellent strength is provided. A camera module includes a housing to which a lens unit is attached and a substrate having a certain positional relationship with the lens unit and supported by the housing, where the housing includes an adhesive agent pool provided to a first main plane of the substrate with a certain opposing space and an open end of an adhesive agent path including the opposing space that is provided to a side of a second main plane of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Taku AKAIWA, Nobuyuki MANO
  • Patent number: 9606352
    Abstract: A camera module is provided which has a simple structure, can be easily assembled, can avoid the adverse effects of dust on imaging, and can promote heat dissipation of an imaging device. In a camera module, which includes a lens unit that has a cylindrical thread portion, a flat plate-shaped imaging device that is mounted on a printed wiring board, and a holder that holds the lens unit and the printed wiring board with maintaining the predetermined positional relationship therebetween, an imaging field of the imaging device is disposed in a space tightly closed by a first spacer that is made into a ring shape made of an elastic material the surface of which is an adhesive surface, and the adhesive surface is exposed at least in an inner peripheral wall of the first spacer. The first spacer may be made of a material that further has favorable thermal conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventors: Masayoshi Kashima, Nobuyuki Mano, Taku Akaiwa
  • Patent number: 9300848
    Abstract: A camera module with internal structural elements housed inside a housing space formed by joining two cases together achieves a sufficient joint strength between both cases even though the thickness of the case walls is reduced to make the outer shape smaller, as well as a size reduction of the camera module is enabled, when the two cases are joined together by ultrasonic welding. The joint surfaces where the two cases are joined together are inclined relative to a plane orthogonal to the optical axis direction of a lens unit housed inside the camera module. Thereby, the area of joint surfaces is increased as compared with the case where the joint surfaces are parallel to the plane orthogonal. Also, since interference between a horn for applying ultrasonic waves during ultrasonic welding and the external connection part is avoided, the camera module can be made smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Mano
  • Publication number: 20160062110
    Abstract: A camera module is provided which has a simple structure, can be easily assembled, can avoid the adverse effects of dust on imaging, and can promote heat dissipation of an imaging device. In a camera module, which includes a lens unit that has a cylindrical thread portion, a flat plate-shaped imaging device that is mounted on a printed wiring board, and a holder that holds the lens unit and the printed wiring board with maintaining the predetermined positional relationship therebetween, an imaging field of the imaging device is disposed in a space tightly closed by a first spacer that is made into a ring shape made of an elastic material the surface of which is an adhesive surface, and the adhesive surface is exposed at least in an inner peripheral wall of the first spacer. The first spacer may be made of a material that further has favorable thermal conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Masayoshi KASHIMA, Nobuyuki MANO, Taku AKAIWA
  • Publication number: 20150281527
    Abstract: A camera module with internal structural elements housed inside a housing space formed by joining two cases together achieves a sufficient joint strength between both cases even though the thickness of the case walls is reduced to make the outer shape smaller, as well as a size reduction of the camera module is enabled, when the two cases are joined together by ultrasonic welding. The joint surfaces where the two cases are joined together are inclined relative to a plane orthogonal to the optical axis direction of a lens unit housed inside the camera module. Thereby, the area of joint surfaces is increased as compared with the case where the joint surfaces are parallel to the plane orthogonal. Also, since interference between a horn for applying ultrasonic waves during ultrasonic welding and the external connection part is avoided, the camera module can be made smaller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventor: Nobuyuki MANO
  • Publication number: 20120175508
    Abstract: A sensor module includes a lens attached on an opening side of a housing and a circuit board with a sensor device mounted thereon attached on the other opening side. A stepped part is formed on the inside of the housing. An adjustment gap for adjusting the position of the circuit board is formed between a vertical face of this stepped part and an outer peripheral face of the circuit board. An adhesive injection groove that varies the width of the adjustment gap is formed by providing a recess and/or a projection on the vertical face of the stepped part and an opposing face of the outer peripheral face of the circuit board in at least one of at least two fixing portions where the circuit board is fixed to the stepped part with an adhesive. Adhesive is applied into the adhesive injection groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: SMK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayoshi Kashima, Nobuyuki Mano
  • Publication number: 20110279675
    Abstract: Manufacture of molded cases of various types is not required even if the molded cases house different numbers of substrates, so that cost of manufacturing camera modules with various functions is reduced. A camera module includes an optical system holder composed of a substrate supporting part in the form of a square box with a down-facing opening, and a cylindrical lens unit fixing part provided integrally with the substrate supporting part and formed at the center of the top of the substrate supporting part. A lens unit is supported in the lens unit fixing part, and an image capturing element holding substrate on which an image capturing element is placed is fixed in the substrate supporting part. A substrate holder is coupled to an end portion of the substrate supporting part of the optical system holder, and a circuit component holding substrate is supported in the substrate holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: SMK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuyuki MANO, Masaki TUCHIYA, Masayoshi KASHIMA
  • Patent number: 7127162
    Abstract: A camera module having a lens unit; an intermediate part a hollow part of which the lens unit is affixed to; and a base unit which is opened in one direction and is equipped with a mounting part to which the intermediate part is mounted in such a way as to be able to rotate freely; wherein a latching protrusion that latches with the base unit is provided on an outer periphery of the intermediate part; a sliding hole having a movable step is provided on a mounting part side of the base unit; and the intermediate part moves in a direction perpendicular to the rotating direction, as the latching protrusion of the intermediate part rotates along the sliding hole of the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Mano
  • Publication number: 20050220453
    Abstract: A camera module having a lens unit; an intermediate part a hollow part of which the lens unit is affixed to; and a base unit which is opened in one direction and is equipped with a mounting part to which the intermediate part is mounted in such a way as to be able to rotate freely; wherein a latching protrusion that latches with the base unit is provided on an outer periphery of the intermediate part; a sliding hole having a movable step is provided on a mounting part side of the base unit; and the intermediate part moves in a direction perpendicular to the rotating direction, as the latching protrusion of the intermediate part rotates along the sliding hole of the base unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: SMK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Mano
  • Patent number: 6712649
    Abstract: A versatile plug which prevents signal and ground wires in pairs from being connected in reversed polarity; prevents short circuits occurring in adjacent lead wires; facilitates lead wire connecting operation; and which allows connection of lead wires of different types, has a pair of plug-side contact terminals contacted by a pair of apparatus-side terminals; a plug housing having an asymmetrical profile in conformity with a configuration of an apparatus-side connection recess; and a clamp detachably attached to each of the lead wires. By inserting the plug into the connection recess, the paired lead wires can be electrically connected to the paired apparatus-side terminals. Since the plug housing has an asymmetrical configuration, no reversed polarity connection occurs. A lead wire of any given thickness can be connected to the plug-side contact terminal by clamping with the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Mano, Takeshi Matsuda, Fumio Nozaki
  • Publication number: 20030124916
    Abstract: A versatile plug which prevents signal and ground wires in pairs from being connected in reversed polarity; prevents short circuits occurring in adjacent lead wires; facilitates lead wire connecting operation; and which allows connection of lead wires of different types, has a pair of plug-side contact terminals contacted by a pair of apparatus-side terminals; a plug housing having an asymmetrical profile in conformity with a configuration of an apparatus-side connection recess; and a clamp detachably attached to each of the lead wires. By inserting the plug into the connection recess, the paired lead wires can be electrically connected to the paired apparatus-side terminals. Since the plug housing has an asymmetrical configuration, no reversed polarity connection occurs. A lead wire of any given thickness can be connected to the plug-side contact terminal by clamping with the clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Mano, Takeshi Matsuda, Fumio Nozaki
  • Patent number: 6450842
    Abstract: A forged terminal body receives a resin knob assembled without pre-positioning. Anti-slip projections on the terminal body penetrate the knob during assembly to resist torque during connection. The anti-slip projections have asymmetric triangular cross sections with a steeper side of the triangle facing in the tightening direction. In one embodiment of the invention, the anti-slip projections are prismatic projections radially arranged on a collar. In a second embodiment of the invention, the anti-slip projections extend from the collar along a terminal body upon which the resin knob is press fitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Matsuda, Nobuyuki Mano
  • Patent number: 6443759
    Abstract: A terminal connector includes a knob at its outer end. A knob cover snaps into the knob to enable rotation of the knob. The knob cover has resiliently urged lock tabs which snap over lock steps on the knob and into grooves beyond the lock steps. The sides of the lock tabs engage sides of the grooves to transmit torque to the knob. The knob covers are color coded so that a selected color can be installed on a selected knob to indicate its function. An insertion prevention lid is integrally molded over a plug insertion opening of the knob cover to prevent insertion of a connector plug therein. A frangible perimeter of the insertion prevention lid permits its removal to enable insertion of a connector plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Matsuda, Nobuyuki Mano
  • Patent number: 6379197
    Abstract: An insulative circuit board receives a forged terminal and a simplified terminal plate, inserted through a through hole and guided by insertion slots, to form a complete terminal connector. The terminal plate firmly fixes to the insulative circuit board by locking into integrally formed locking steps. The terminal is retained by the snap-in terminal plate. and preventive elements formed integrally with the circuit board. Preventive elements prevent unexpected disassembly when the terminal and the terminal plate loose threaded engagement and eliminates the need for after-integration processing. A guiding element, integral with the terminal, guides the terminal into threaded engagement with the terminal plate. The guiding element also prevents damage to a terminal plate screw hole and speeds assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Matsuda, Nobuyuki Mano
  • Patent number: 6354889
    Abstract: A body plate receives a knob, retained in the body plate by a simplified terminal, to form a complete multiple-threaded terminal device. Each terminal firmly fixes into the body plate by locking into integrally formed stage portions. Each knob is retained by the snap-in terminal and preventative elements formed integrally in both the body plate and the rotating control. In a second embodiment, a body plate receives a knob and a terminal, each retained in the body plate by a rear cover, to form a complete multiple-threaded terminal device. Each rear cover firmly fixes into the body plate by locking in an integrally formed peripheral frame. Each knob is retained by the snap-in rear cover and preventative elements formed integrally with both the body plate and the rotating control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Matsuda, Nobuyuki Mano, Masamitsu Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20010005658
    Abstract: An insulative circuit board receives a forged terminal and a simplified terminal plate, inserted through a through hole and guided by insertion slots, to form a complete terminal connector. The terminal plate firmly fixes to the insulative circuit board by locking into integrally formed locking steps. The terminal is retained by the snap-in terminal plate and preventive elements formed integrally with the circuit board. Preventive elements prevent unexpected disassembly when the terminal and the terminal plate loose threaded engagement and eliminates the need for after-integration processing. A guiding element, integral with the terminal, guides the terminal into threaded engagement with the terminal plate. The guiding element also prevents damage to a terminal plate screw hole and speeds assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: June 28, 2001
    Inventors: Takashi Matsuda, Nobuyuki Mano