Patents by Inventor Tetsu Mitsuo

Tetsu Mitsuo 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: 20100244416
    Abstract: A knee airbag device mounted on a steering column has an inner case in which a folded knee airbag is housed, and an outer case that is placed over the inner case. The outer case is fixed to a lower side of a vehicle-rear-side portion of a steering column that moves relative to a vehicle-front-side portion when a load equal to or greater than a threshold load is applied to the steering column in a direction of the axis of the steering column, and has a rigidity with which the shape of the folded knee airbag is maintained under normal conditions. The outer case has an opening formed in a region where the outer case would interfere with the vehicle-front-side portion when the vehicle-rear-side portion moves relative to the vehicle-front-side portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsu MITSUO, Akiyoshi SANADA, Kazuhiro NAKAYAMA, Kazuaki BITO
  • Patent number: 7758068
    Abstract: A curtain airbag device includes a gas generator and a curtain airbag configured to be deployed downward along an inner side surface of a vehicle cabin. The curtain airbag includes a front portion configured to be fixed to at least two sections of a pillar of a vehicle such that the front portion is disposed along a direction in which the pillar extends. A virtual equilateral triangle having a line connecting the first and second sections as a first side of the equilateral triangle is formed in the front portion of the curtain airbag. A region surrounded by the sides of the equilateral triangle includes a portion of an inflatable chamber that is configured to be inflated by receiving gas from the gas generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Noguchi, Tetsu Mitsuo
  • Publication number: 20100164206
    Abstract: The invention has the object of increasing workability of an attachment operation of a knee airbag module of a column-mounted knee airbag device. When fixing a knee airbag module to a lower portion outer peripheral surface of a steering column, it is possible to perform the fixing from a vehicle upper side and a vehicle rear side of the steering column, using a space between an instrument panel (interior member) at a vehicle upper side of the steering column and a combination switch provided at a rear end side of the steering column. Accordingly, when performing an attachment operation of the knee airbag module to the steering column, an operator does not have to enter from a lower side of the steering column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsu MITSUO, Akiyoshi SANADA
  • Publication number: 20100078924
    Abstract: A passenger seat airbag apparatus includes: an airbag which is housed in a folded state inside an instrument panel, and which inflates toward a passenger with a supply of gas during a frontal collision of a vehicle, and which has a vent hole that can be opened and closed; a tether whose first end is linked to a periphery of the vent hole in the airbag, and which closes the vent hole due to tension that is caused when the airbag inflates; an actuator which has a first hole that a second end of the tether is passed through, and which discontinues a linked state of the tether by cutting the tether if a predetermined condition is satisfied; and a protective member that is attached to the actuator so as to cover at least an edge portion of the first hole, and that is interposed between the edge portion and the tether.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicants: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Tetsu Mitsuo, Akiyoshi Sanada, Naoki Tamura, Hideaki Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20090026742
    Abstract: A curtain airbag device and a guide unit are provided such that a lower rear portion of a curtain airbag can be deployed smoothly. When an inflator is activated, a curtain airbag is deployed in the downward direction. During the deployment, the rear portion of the curtain airbag is guided by a guide rod via a link strap. To fold the curtain airbag, the lower rear portion of the curtain airbag is folded back at an angle along slanted folding lines. Subsequently, the curtain airbag is rolled or folded along lines extending in a horizontal direction of the curtain airbag. This airbag structure allows the lower rear portion of the curtain airbag to be deployed downward and towards the back of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Atsushi Noguchi, Tetsu Mitsuo
  • Patent number: 7434831
    Abstract: A curtain airbag device for holding a vehicle occupant inside a vehicle cabin at a region of the curtain airbag. A front region of the curtain airbag may be provided with non-inflatable portions. Attachment parts may extending from an upper section, a lower section, and an intermediate section of a front edge of the curtain airbag an attach to a front pillar of the vehicle. When the curtain airbag is inflated, high tensions are generated at areas which are rear extensions of the attachment parts, whereby the front region of the curtain airbag forms a hammock-like structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Noguchi, Tetsu Mitsuo
  • Patent number: 7396041
    Abstract: A curtain airbag includes an inflatable cell below a non-inflatable portion that resists being bent when the curtain airbag is inflated. The curtain airbag has a non-inflatable portion and a plurality of inflatable cells that are disposed in front of, behind, above, and below the non-inflatable portion. The lower-side inflatable cell is formed in a convex shape that projects downwardly. When the curtain airbag is inflated, a tensile force acting to pull up the lower-side inflatable cell is generated in the non-inflatable portion. However, as the inflatable cell is formed in a convex shape that projects downwardly, the inflatable cell resists being pulled up and is, therefore, prevented from being bent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Noguchi, Tetsu Mitsuo
  • Patent number: 7357413
    Abstract: A curtain airbag device and a guiding element that achieve a simplified installation process for attaching a curtain airbag to a vehicle body, and that allow the curtain airbag to be deployed smoothly. When an inflator is activated, a curtain airbag may be deployed downward. A rear portion of the deploying curtain airbag may be guided along a guide rod via a link strap. The curtain airbag may be folded in a zigzag manner along folding lines extending in a horizontal direction. The link strap may protrude from a bottom corner area of the curtain airbag and have a base end which is disposed at a side of the folded curtain airbag proximate a vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Noguchi, Tetsu Mitsuo
  • Publication number: 20080054605
    Abstract: A supplemental inflation part is formed in a portion of an upper-end side inflation section of an airbag, the portion overlapping a B-pillar garnish. The supplemental inflation part has a semicircular shape that forms a push-out part. Folding the push-out part allows the upper-end side inflation section to be inflated largely at the initial stage of deployment of the airbag. Thus, the airbag is pushed toward the passenger compartment with greater force upon its deployment. Therefore, a terminal part of a headliner that covers the folded airbag is largely opened so that the airbag deploys smoothly downward along the side of the vehicle body in the passenger compartment without interference from the top end of the B-pillar garnish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Tetsu Mitsuo, Akihiko Narui, Mitsuo Nogami
  • Publication number: 20080054606
    Abstract: A vertical cell is formed in a forward inflation section of an airbag. The vertical cell extends in a vehicle height direction at the rear of a pillar, and communicates through a bottom end of the vertical cell with a horizontal cell. When the inflation section is deployed, the folded horizontal cell or the lower side part of the airbag is pulled back toward the passenger compartment with respect to the side window opening. Accordingly, the horizontal cell deploys to an area below a bottom edge of the side window opening or a beltline in the passenger compartment on the inner side of a front side door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Tetsu Mitsuo, Akihiko Narui, Mitsuo Nogami
  • Patent number: 7338071
    Abstract: A curtain airbag device and a guide unit for facilitating assembly of a curtain-guide member and a guide element to a vehicle body. When an inflator is activated, a curtain airbag is led by a protruding piece of a curtain-guide member to be deployed along the cabin-side of a pillar garnish. During the deployment, the rear portion of the curtain airbag is guided by a guide rod via a link strap. The link strap starts moving downward along the guide rod when the curtain airbag begins to be deployed. The guide rod and the curtain-guide member are temporarily fixed to each other by a bolt in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Noguchi, Tetsu Mitsuo
  • Patent number: 7325826
    Abstract: A curtain airbag device and a guide unit are provided such that a lower rear portion of a curtain airbag can be deployed smoothly. When an inflator is activated, a curtain airbag is deployed in the downward direction. During the deployment, the rear portion of the curtain airbag is guided by a guide rod via a link strap. To fold the curtain airbag, the lower rear portion of the curtain airbag is folded back at an angle along slanted folding lines. Subsequently, the curtain airbag is rolled or folded along lines extending in a horizontal direction of the curtain airbag. This airbag structure allows the lower rear portion of the curtain airbag to be deployed downward and towards the back of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Noguchi, Tetsu Mitsuo
  • Patent number: 7306258
    Abstract: A curtain airbag device and a guide unit achieve a quick and smooth deployment of a curtain airbag. When an inflator is activated, a curtain airbag is deployed downward along an inner side surface of a pillar garnish facing the interior of a vehicle cabin. During the deployment, the rear portion of the curtain airbag is guided by a guide rod via a link strap and a ring. Before the airbag is deployed, the ring is supported by an upper portion of the guide rod by a holder. When the airbag is deployed and link strap begins to move downward, the ring is released from the holder and moves along the guide rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Noguchi, Tetsu Mitsuo
  • Patent number: 7273228
    Abstract: A curtain airbag device and a guide unit allow for quick deployment of a curtain airbag by smoothly guiding a link strap that connects a curtain airbag and a guide element into the space between a side edge of a pillar garnish and a vehicle member at the early stage of the deployment of the curtain airbag. When an inflator is activated, a curtain airbag is deployed downward along the cabin-side of a pillar garnish. During the deployment, the rear portion of the curtain airbag is guided by a guide rod via a link strap. The link strap starts moving downward along the guide rod when the curtain airbag begins to be deployed. At this moment the link strap is guided into the space between the pillar garnish and a weather strip by a guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Noguchi, Tetsu Mitsuo, Toshihiko Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 7267364
    Abstract: A curtain airbag device which allows quick deployment of a curtain airbag. When an inflator is activated, a curtain airbag is deployed downward along the cabin-side of a pillar garnish. During the deployment, the rear portion of the curtain airbag is guided by a guide rod via a link strap. The curtain airbag include first vertical chamber extending from the upper end to the lower end of the curtain airbag along the guide rod and having the maximum horizontal sectional area when being inflated. An angle defined by a centerline in the first vertical chamber and a vertical line is within a range of ±20°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Noguchi, Tetsu Mitsuo
  • Publication number: 20050285378
    Abstract: A curtain airbag device and a guiding element that achieve a simplified installation process for attaching a curtain airbag to a vehicle body, and that allow the curtain airbag to be deployed smoothly. When an inflator is activated, a curtain airbag may be deployed downward. A rear portion of the deploying curtain airbag may be guided along a guide rod via a link strap. The curtain airbag may be folded in a zigzag manner along folding lines extending in a horizontal direction. The link strap may protrude from a bottom corner area of the curtain airbag and have a base end which is disposed at a side of the folded curtain airbag proximate a vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: Atsushi Noguchi, Tetsu Mitsuo
  • Publication number: 20050275200
    Abstract: A curtain airbag device for holding a vehicle occupant inside a vehicle cabin at a region of the curtain airbag. A front region of the curtain airbag may be provided with non-inflatable portions. Attachment parts may extending from an upper section, a lower section, and an intermediate section of a front edge of the curtain airbag an attach to a front pillar of the vehicle. When the curtain airbag is inflated, high tensions are generated at areas which are rear extensions of the attachment parts, whereby the front region of the curtain airbag forms a hammock-like structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: Atsushi Noguchi, Tetsu Mitsuo
  • Publication number: 20050156414
    Abstract: A curtain airbag device substantially prevents warping in the rear portion along the lower edge of the curtain airbag during deployment. As inflation occurs the curtain airbag is deployed downwardly. Gas is introduced into an envelope-shaped cell at a rear portion along the lower edge of the curtain airbag. The internal pressure of the envelope-shaped cell rapidly increases because the envelope-shaped cell has a closed end. The envelope-shaped cell becomes highly rigid and extends along the lower edge of the curtain airbag. Thus, warping is substantially prevented. In addition, a tab is positioned at the rear end of the upper edge of the curtain airbag. The area of the rear end portion of the curtain airbag which overhangs behind the tab is extremely small.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: Atsushi Noguchi, Tetsu Mitsuo
  • Publication number: 20050140125
    Abstract: A curtain airbag device and a guide unit are provided such that a lower rear portion of a curtain airbag can be deployed smoothly. When an inflator is activated, a curtain airbag is deployed in the downward direction. During the deployment, the rear portion of the curtain airbag is guided by a guide rod via a link strap. To fold the curtain airbag, the lower rear portion of the curtain airbag is folded back at an angle along slanted folding lines. Subsequently, the curtain airbag is rolled or folded along lines extending in a horizontal direction of the curtain airbag. This airbag structure allows the lower rear portion of the curtain airbag to be deployed downward and towards the back of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Atsushi Noguchi, Tetsu Mitsuo
  • Publication number: 20050140124
    Abstract: A curtain airbag device and a guide unit achieve a quick and smooth deployment of a curtain airbag. When an inflator is activated, a curtain airbag is deployed downward along an inner side surface of a pillar garnish facing the interior of a vehicle cabin. During the deployment, the rear portion of the curtain airbag is guided by a guide rod via a link strap and a ring. Before the airbag is deployed, the ring is supported by an upper portion of the guide rod by a holder. When the airbag is deployed and link strap begins to move downward, the ring is released from the holder and moves along the guide rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Atsushi Noguchi, Tetsu Mitsuo