Patents by Inventor Norihiko Tanigawa

Norihiko Tanigawa 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: 9853391
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a male housing having at least one coaxial cavity and terminal cavities. At least one female housing is shaped to be disposed in the male housing when in a connected position. The at least one female housing includes a corresponding coaxial cavity relative to the male housing and corresponding terminal cavities relative to the male housing. At least one front loaded male terminal position assurance structure is disposed in the male housing. At least one front loaded female terminal position assurance structure is connected to the at least one female housing. The front loaded male and female terminal position assurance structures lock coaxial connections and terminal connections within the male and female housings when in the connected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin Spencer, Brian Nagy, Joseph Lanzotti, Norihiko Tanigawa
  • Publication number: 20170063003
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a male housing having at least one coaxial cavity and terminal cavities. At least one female housing is shaped to be disposed in the male housing when in a connected position. The at least one female housing includes a corresponding coaxial cavity relative to the male housing and corresponding terminal cavities relative to the male housing. At least one front loaded male terminal position assurance structure is disposed in the male housing. At least one front loaded female terminal position assurance structure is connected to the at least one female housing. The front loaded male and female terminal position assurance structures lock coaxial connections and terminal connections within the male and female housings when in the connected position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Martin Spencer, Brian Nagy, Joseph Lanzotti, Norihiko Tanigawa
  • Patent number: 9543698
    Abstract: A connector has a first housing (21) provided movably in a holder (10) and movements thereof are regulated by locking between resilient locking pieces (15) formed on the holder (10) and locks (23) formed on the first housing (21). In the process of assembling a first device (60) and a second device (70), the first housing (21) and a second housing (40) are connected properly and lock releasing portions (47) resiliently deflect the resilient locking pieces (15) to separate the resilient locking pieces (15) from the locks (23). When locking between the resilient locking pieces (15) and the locks (23) is released, the first housing (21) moves with respect to the holder (10) while being kept properly connected to the second housing (40) as assembly of the first and second devices (60, 70) proceeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Norihiko Tanigawa
  • Patent number: 9520667
    Abstract: A connector (10) includes a main body (11) including terminal accommodating portions (16A, 16B) capable of accommodating terminal fittings (60) and a cover (12) to be mounted on the main body (11) to cover the terminal fittings (60) accommodated in the terminal accommodating portions (16A, 16B). Wire draw-out openings (23) from which wires (90) are drawn out are formed to be open between joint parts of the cover (12) and the main body (11) with the cover (12) mounted on the main body (11). Resilient supporting portions (24) are provided on opening edge parts of the wire draw-out openings (23) for supporting the wires (90) by resiliently contacting outer peripheral surfaces of the wires (90) at a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD
    Inventor: Norihiko Tanigawa
  • Patent number: 9453539
    Abstract: A clutch cover assembly is provided whereby accurate wear compensation can be executed. The present clutch cover assembly includes a clutch cover, a pressure plate, a diaphragm spring, an wear-amount detecting mechanism and an wear tracking mechanism. The wear-amount detecting mechanism includes a detection member for detecting the wear-amount of a friction member and a moving member configured to be movable in accordance with the wear-amount of the friction member. The detection member is engaged with the fulcrum rings and detects the wear-amount through the fulcrum rings, while being engaged with the moving member and being configured to be disengaged from the moving member at a predetermined wear-amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Wakabayashi, Norihiko Tanigawa, Nobuhiko Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9431762
    Abstract: A connector includes a holder (10) having a peripheral wall (11) open on opposite first and second ends. A first housing (21) is assembled in the peripheral wall (11) from the first end of the holder (10), a second housing (40) is connected to the first housing (21) from the second end of the holder (10). Stoppers (20) are formed on the peripheral wall (11) and resilient contact pieces (28) are formed on the first housing (21). The resilient contact pieces (28) are deflected by interference with the stoppers (20) in the process of assembling the first housing (21) into the peripheral wall (11). The resilient contact pieces (28) are locked to the stoppers (20) to regulate detachment of the first housing (21) from the peripheral wall (11) toward the first end in the process of assembling the first and second housings (21, 40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Norihiko Tanigawa
  • Patent number: 9391411
    Abstract: A connector mounting structure includes a first device (60) with a first mounting hole (61) and a first connector (F) to be mounted in the first mounting hole (61). First resilient lock pieces (12) are formed on the first connector (F) and are deflected by interfering with an edge of the first mounting hole (61) in the process of mounting the first connector (F) into the mounting hole (61). First locking projections (14) are formed on the first connector (F) and sandwich the edge of the first mounting hole (61) between the first resilient lock pieces (12) and the first locking projections (14). Second deflection regulating portions (49) are formed on a second connector (M) and regulate separation of the first resilient lock pieces (12) from the edge of the first mounting hole (61) with the second connector (M) connected to the first connector (F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Norihiko Tanigawa
  • Publication number: 20160118740
    Abstract: A connector (10) includes a main body (11) including terminal accommodating portions (16A, 16B) capable of accommodating terminal fittings (60) and a cover (12) to be mounted on the main body (11) to cover the terminal fittings (60) accommodated in the terminal accommodating portions (16A, 16B). Wire draw-out openings (23) from which wires (90) are drawn out are formed to be open between joint parts of the cover (12) and the main body (11) with the cover (12) mounted on the main body (11). Resilient supporting portions (24) are provided on opening edge parts of the wire draw-out openings (23) for supporting the wires (90) by resiliently contacting outer peripheral surfaces of the wires (90) at a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventor: Norihiko Tanigawa
  • Patent number: 9236675
    Abstract: A terminal fitting (10) includes a tubular connecting portion (11) into which a male tab (90) is to be inserted. A plate-shaped resiliently deflectable contact (14) is formed separately from the connecting portion (11) and extends in a front-back direction in the connecting portion (11) for contacting the male tab (90) inserted into the connecting portion (11). The connecting portion (11) includes locks (24) for locking the resilient contact (14) to the connecting portion (11). A support (42) as a deflection supporting point of the resilient contact (14) is provided on a rear end of the resilient contact portion (14). The support (42) is located behind the front ends of receiving portions (41) of the resilient contact (14) to be locked by the locks (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Tsuji, Norihiko Tanigawa, Yutaka Noro, Shohei Mitsui
  • Publication number: 20150380881
    Abstract: A connector mounting structure includes a first device (60) with a first mounting hole (61) and a first connector (F) to be mounted in the first mounting hole (61). First resilient lock pieces (12) are formed on the first connector (F) and are deflected by interfering with an edge of the first mounting hole (61) in the process of mounting the first connector (F) into the mounting hole (61). First locking projections (14) are formed on the first connector (F) and sandwich the edge of the first mounting hole (61) between the first resilient lock pieces (12) and the first locking projections (14). Second deflection regulating portions (49) are formed on a second connector (M) and regulate separation of the first resilient lock pieces (12) from the edge of the first mounting hole (61) with the second connector (M) connected to the first connector (F).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Norihiko Tanigawa
  • Publication number: 20150380866
    Abstract: A connector has a first housing (21) provided movably in a holder (10) and movements thereof are regulated by locking between resilient locking pieces (15) formed on the holder (10) and locks (23) formed on the first housing (21). In the process of assembling a first device (60) and a second device (70), the first housing (21) and a second housing (40) are connected properly and lock releasing portions (47) resiliently deflect the resilient locking pieces (15) to separate the resilient locking pieces (15) from the locks (23). When locking between the resilient locking pieces (15) and the locks (23) is released, the first housing (21) moves with respect to the holder (10) while being kept properly connected to the second housing (40) as assembly of the first and second devices (60, 70) proceeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Norihiko Tanigawa
  • Publication number: 20150380850
    Abstract: A connector includes a holder (10) having a peripheral wall (11) open on opposite first and second ends. A first housing (21) is assembled in the peripheral wall (11) from the first end of the holder (10), a second housing (40) is connected to the first housing (21) from the second end of the holder (10). Stoppers (20) are formed on the peripheral wall (11) and resilient contact pieces (28) are formed on the first housing (21). The resilient contact pieces (28) are deflected by interference with the stoppers (20) in the process of assembling the first housing (21) into the peripheral wall (11). The resilient contact pieces (28) are locked to the stoppers (20) to regulate detachment of the first housing (21) from the peripheral wall (11) toward the first end in the process of assembling the first and second housings (21, 40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Norihiko Tanigawa
  • Patent number: 9184513
    Abstract: A male terminal (90) is inserted into a tubular main body (11) and a resilient contact piece (13) separate from the main body (11) is deflectably arranged in the main body (11). The main body (11) includes crimping pieces (27) to be crimped and fixed to crimping regions (33) of the resilient contact piece (13). Protrusions (28, 36) which bite into mating sides at the time of crimping are provided on crimping surfaces (38, 39) along which the crimping pieces (27) and the crimping regions (33) are crimped to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiko Tanigawa, Takeshi Tsuji
  • Patent number: 9115767
    Abstract: A clutch cover assembly is equipped with a clutch cover that is fixed to a flywheel, a pressure plate, a diaphragm spring, an wear-amount detecting mechanism, and a wear tracking mechanism. The wear-amount detecting mechanism has a contact member, an opposing member, and a wedge member. The contact member is attached to the pressure plate and is in contact with the flywheel. The opposing member is attached to the contact member and opposes the pressure plate. The wedge member fits between the opposing member and the pressure plate and moves in a circumferential direction in accordance with the wear-amount of a friction member. The wear tracking mechanism moves the pressing member to an initial posture side in accordance with the amount of movement of the wedge member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Wakabayashi, Norihiko Tanigawa, Nobuhiko Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9105995
    Abstract: A terminal fitting (10) includes a tubular connecting portion (11) and a resilient contact (14) in the form of a plate that is deflectably arranged in the connecting portion (11) and that resiliently contacts a male tab (90) inserted into the connecting portion (11). A contact (35) is provided in a range from a contact start position (37) with the male tab (90) to a contact end position (38) inside the resilient contact (14) in a plate width direction. Curved portions (31) recessed toward a center in the plate width direction are provided on outer edges of the resilient contact (14) in the plate width direction. Parts of the curved portions (31) most recessed toward the center in the plate width direction are arranged to face the contact start position (37) of the contact (35) in the plate width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Tsuji, Norihiko Tanigawa, Yutaka Noro, Shohei Mitsui
  • Publication number: 20150087192
    Abstract: A male terminal (90) is inserted into a tubular main body (11) and a resilient contact piece (13) separate from the main body (11) is deflectably arranged in the main body (11). The main body (11) includes crimping pieces (27) to be crimped and fixed to crimping regions (33) of the resilient contact piece (13). Protrusions (28, 36) which bite into mating sides at the time of crimping are provided on crimping surfaces (38, 39) along which the crimping pieces (27) and the crimping regions (33) are crimped to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Norihiko Tanigawa, Takeshi Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8967354
    Abstract: In a clutch cover assembly, accurate abrasion compensation is constantly enabled by stabilizing the actuation of an abrasion amount detecting mechanism. The present clutch cover assembly includes a clutch cover fixed to a flywheel, a pressure plate, a diaphragm spring, an abrasion amount detecting mechanism and an abrasion tracking mechanism. The abrasion amount detecting mechanism is a mechanism having a plurality of meshing positions and includes a mobile detecting member configured to release meshing in a first meshing position and move to a second meshing position when the abrasion amount of a friction member reaches a predetermined amount. The abrasion tracking mechanism moves the diaphragm spring to an initial posture side thereof in accordance with the displacement of the mobile detecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Wakabayashi, Norihiko Tanigawa, Nobuhiko Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20140287635
    Abstract: A terminal fitting (10) includes a tubular connecting portion (11) into which a male tab (90) is to be inserted. A plate-shaped resiliently deflectable contact (14) is formed separately from the connecting portion (11) and extends in a front-back direction in the connecting portion (11) for contacting the male tab (90) inserted into the connecting portion (11). The connecting portion (11) includes locks (24) for locking the resilient contact (14) to the connecting portion (11). A support (42) as a deflection supporting point of the resilient contact (14) is provided on a rear end of the resilient contact portion (14). The support (42) is located behind the front ends of receiving portions (41) of the resilient contact (14) to be locked by the locks (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Tsuji, Norihiko Tanigawa, Yutaka Noro, Shohei Mitsui
  • Publication number: 20140287634
    Abstract: A terminal fitting (10) includes a tubular connecting portion (11) and a resilient contact (14) in the form of a plate that is deflectably arranged in the connecting portion (11) and that resiliently contacts a male tab (90) inserted into the connecting portion (11). A contact (35) is provided in a range from a contact start position (37) with the male tab (90) to a contact end position (38) inside the resilient contact (14) in a plate width direction. Curved portions (31) recessed toward a center in the plate width direction are provided on outer edges of the resilient contact (14) in the plate width direction. Parts of the curved portions (31) most recessed toward the center in the plate width direction are arranged to face the contact start position (37) of the contact (35) in the plate width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Tsuji, Norihiko Tanigawa, Yutaka Noro, Shohei Mitsui
  • Publication number: 20130168200
    Abstract: A clutch cover assembly is provided whereby accurate wear compensation can be executed. The present clutch cover assembly includes a clutch cover, a pressure plate, a diaphragm spring, an wear-amount detecting mechanism and an wear tracking mechanism. The wear-amount detecting mechanism includes a detection member for detecting the wear-amount of a friction member and a moving member configured to be movable in accordance with the wear-amount of the friction member. The detection member is engaged with the fulcrum rings and detects the wear-amount through the fulcrum rings, while being engaged with the moving member and being configured to be disengaged from the moving member at a predetermined wear-amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu Wakabayashi, Norihiko Tanigawa, Nobuhiko Matsumoto