Patents by Inventor Tetsuya Kawahira

Tetsuya Kawahira 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: 11673488
    Abstract: A plurality of pressure-sensitive switches of a sitting sensor (1) has a first pressure-sensitive switch group including a first pressure-sensitive switch (SW11) including a first specific pressure-sensitive switch and a second pressure-sensitive switch (SW21), and a second pressure-sensitive switch group including first pressure-sensitive switches (SW11, SW12) including the first specific pressure-sensitive switch, and a second pressure-sensitive switch (SW22), in which in the first pressure-sensitive switch group, the first pressure-sensitive switch (SW11) and the second pressure-sensitive switch (SW21) are disposed adjacent to each other along a left-right direction of a seat (SE), in the second pressure-sensitive switch group, the first pressure-sensitive switches (SW11, SW12) and the second pressure-sensitive switch (SW22) are disposed adjacent to each other along a front-rear direction of the seat (SE), and turning on the first pressure-sensitive switch and the second pressure-sensitive switch causes a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kawahira, Eriko Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20210170914
    Abstract: A plurality of pressure-sensitive switches of a sitting sensor (1) has a first pressure-sensitive switch group including a first pressure-sensitive switch (SW11) including a first specific pressure-sensitive switch and a second pressure-sensitive switch (SW21), and a second pressure-sensitive switch group including first pressure-sensitive switches (SW11, SW12) including the first specific pressure-sensitive switch, and a second pressure-sensitive switch (SW22), in which in the first pressure-sensitive switch group, the first pressure-sensitive switch (SW11) and the second pressure-sensitive switch (SW21) are disposed adjacent to each other along a left-right direction of a seat (SE), in the second pressure-sensitive switch group, the first pressure-sensitive switches (SW11, SW12) and the second pressure-sensitive switch (SW22) are disposed adjacent to each other along a front-rear direction of the seat (SE), and turning on the first pressure-sensitive switch and the second pressure-sensitive switch causes a
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya KAWAHIRA, Eriko HAYASHI
  • Patent number: 10933769
    Abstract: A load detection sensor unit 1A includes: a load detection sensor 5 that has a sensor sheet 50 having a pair of resinous insulating sheets 56s and 57s, a first electrode 56e provided on a surface of one insulating sheet 56s, and a second electrode 57e forming a pair with the first electrode 56e, and a metal plate 60 provided in at least a portion overlapping with the first electrode 56e and the second electrode 57e on one surface of the sensor sheet 50; and a pressing member 4 that has a pressing portion 46 disposed on the side of the metal plate 60 opposite to the side of the sensor sheet 50 and pressing the metal plate 60. The pressing portion 46 is harder than the seat cushion SC and the sensor sheet 50 and the metal plate 60 are bonded by an adhesive layer 70.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeru Nakazaki, Tetsuya Kawahira, Naohiro Kikukawa, Takashi Kameshima
  • Publication number: 20200290483
    Abstract: A load detection sensor unit 1A includes: a load detection sensor 5 that has a sensor sheet 50 having a pair of resinous insulating sheets 56s and 57s, a first electrode 56e provided on a surface of one insulating sheet 56s, and a second electrode 57e forming a pair with the first electrode 56e, and a metal plate 60 provided in at least a portion overlapping with the first electrode 56e and the second electrode 57e on one surface of the sensor sheet 50; and a pressing member 4 that has a pressing portion 46 disposed on the side of the metal plate 60 opposite to the side of the sensor sheet 50 and pressing the metal plate 60. The pressing portion 46 is harder than the seat cushion SC and the sensor sheet 50 and the metal plate 60 are bonded by an adhesive layer 70.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Nakazaki, Tetsuya Kawahira, Naohiro Kikukawa, Takashi Kameshima
  • Patent number: 10486551
    Abstract: A load-detecting device 1 includes a load detection sensor unit SU and a base 2 on which the load detection sensor unit SU is mounted, and the load detection sensor unit SU includes an upper surface 47S configured to be pressed by a seat cushion SC, a first electrode 52, and a second electrode 62. The upper surface 47S moves with respect to the mount surface 21S such that an angle of the upper surface 47S with respect to the mount surface 21S changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeru Nakazaki, Nobuyoshi Ito, Tetsuya Kawahira
  • Patent number: 10351033
    Abstract: A load detection sensor unit includes: a load detection sensor which includes a pair of electrodes facing each other with a predetermined gap interposed therebetween and a metal plate covering at least a part of one electrode; and a pressing member that includes a pressing portion pressed against a sheet cushion of a seat device and harder than the sheet cushion, and the pair of electrodes contacts each other when the metal plate is bent in a case in which the pressing portion presses a part of the metal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kawahira, Noriyuki Karasawa, Shigeru Nakazaki
  • Patent number: 10322649
    Abstract: The load-detecting device 1 includes a base 2 engaged with a pair of S springs 100, and a load detection sensor unit SU that is mounted on the base 2 and includes a first electrode 52 and a second electrode 62 facing each other and being brought into contact with each other by pressing force of the seat cushion SC when a load is detected, The upper surface 47S of the load detection sensor unit SU that is pressed by the seat cushion SC when a load is detected is located at the same height as or higher than the upper ends 101 of the respective S springs 100, with which the base 2 is engaged, and the contact surface between the first electrode 52 and the second electrode 62 is located lower than the upper ends 101 of the respective S springs 100, with which the base 2 is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeru Nakazaki, Naohiro Kikukawa, Tetsuya Kawahira
  • Patent number: 10202059
    Abstract: A load detection sensor 5 of the invention includes: a first electrode sheet 50 which includes first electrode 52 and a first contact point 53; a second electrode sheet 60 which includes a second electrode 62 and a second contact point 63; a spacer 70 which is disposed between the first electrode sheet and the second electrode sheet; one terminal 5A which is electrically connected to the first electrode 52; and the other terminal 5B which is electrically connected to the first contact point 53. A connection maintaining portion AP in which an electrical connection is maintained even when an external pressure is not applied thereto is formed by the first contact point 53 and the second contact point 63, and odd series of the switches SW electrically connected in series between one terminal 5A and the other terminal 5B are set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kawahira, Shigeru Nakazaki
  • Publication number: 20180086228
    Abstract: The load-detecting device 1 includes a base 2 engaged with a pair of S springs 100, and a load detection sensor unit SU that is mounted on the base 2 and includes a first electrode 52 and a second electrode 62 facing each other and being brought into contact with each other by pressing force of the seat cushion when a load is detected The upper surface 47S of the load detection sensor unit SU that is pressed by the seat cushion when a load is detected is located at the same height as or higher than the upper ends 101 of the respective S springs 100, with which the base 2 is engaged, and the contact surface between the first electrode 52 and the second electrode 62 is located lower than the upper ends 101 of the respective S springs 100, with which the base 2 is engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Nakazaki, Naohiro Kikukawa, Tetsuya Kawahira
  • Publication number: 20180072186
    Abstract: A load-detecting device 1 includes a load detection sensor unit SU and a base 2 on which the load detection sensor unit SU is mounted, and the load detection sensor unit SU includes an upper surface 47S configured to be pressed by a seat cushion SC, a first electrode 52, and a second electrode 62. The upper surface 47S moves with respect to the mount surface 21S such that an angle of the upper surface 47S with respect to the mount surface 21S changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Nakazaki, Nobuyoshi Ito, Tetsuya Kawahira
  • Publication number: 20180025861
    Abstract: A load detection sensor 5 of the invention includes: a first electrode sheet 50 which includes first electrode 52 and a first contact point 53; a second electrode sheet 60 which includes a second electrode 62 and a second contact point 63; a spacer 70 which is disposed between the first electrode sheet and the second electrode sheet; one terminal 5A which is electrically connected to the first electrode 52; and the other terminal 5B which is electrically connected to the first contact point 53. A connection maintaining portion AP in which an electrical connection is maintained even when an external pressure is not applied thereto is formed by the first contact point 53 and the second contact point 63, and odd series of the switches SW electrically connected in series between one terminal 5A and the other terminal 5B are set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kawahira, Shigeru Nakazaki
  • Publication number: 20180022232
    Abstract: A load detection sensor unit includes: a load detection sensor which includes a pair of electrodes facing each other with a predetermined gap interposed therebetween and a metal plate covering at least a part of one electrode; and a pressing member that includes a pressing portion pressed against a sheet cushion of a seat device and harder than the sheet cushion, and the pair of electrodes contacts each other when the metal plate is bent in a case in which the pressing portion presses a part of the metal plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kawahira, Noriyuki Karasawa, Shigeru Nakazaki
  • Patent number: 9630525
    Abstract: A seat device 5 according to the present invention includes a cushion pad 60, a support member 70 for supporting the cushion pad 60, a pressure sensitive switch SW disposed with a spacing from the under face of the cushion pad, and a pressing member 90 disposed below the cushion pad 60 and deformed by a pressure applied from the under face of the cushion pad to press the pressure sensitive switch SW. The deformed amount of the pressing member 90 per unit displacement amount in which the under face of the cushion pad is displaced downwardly is greater in a second stage after the pressure sensitive switch SW is turned on than in a first stage before the pressure sensitive switch SW is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeru Nakazaki, Tetsuya Kawahira
  • Publication number: 20160214505
    Abstract: A seat device 5 according to the present invention includes a cushion pad 60, a support member 70 for supporting the cushion pad 60, a pressure sensitive switch SW disposed with a spacing from the under face of the cushion pad, and a pressing member 90 disposed below the cushion pad 60 and deformed by a pressure applied from the under face of the cushion pad to press the pressure sensitive switch SW. The deformed amount of the pressing member 90 per unit displacement amount in which the under face of the cushion pad is displaced downwardly is greater in a second stage after the pressure sensitive switch SW is turned on than in a first stage before the pressure sensitive switch SW is turned on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeru NAKAZAKI, Tetsuya KAWAHIRA
  • Patent number: 9018546
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a seating sensor 100. the base table 10 includes a first part 11 provided with the sensor portion 1 and a second part 12 provided with the connector portion 2, and the second part 12 is arranged within a minimum rectangular area S1 containing the first part 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignees: Fujikura Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kawahira, Takashi Furukawa
  • Patent number: 8258417
    Abstract: A thin, film-form seating switch able to detect whether an occupant sits on the seat or not, wherein, with a spacer (5) in-between, a film-form substrate (3) is disposed on one surface of the spacer and a film-form member (7) on the other surface, a first conductor (13) equipped with a first terminal (9) and a first electrode (11A) conductive with this and a second conductor (19) equipped with a second terminal (15) and a second electrode (17A) conductive with this are fixed to one surface of the film-form substrate, and a third conductor (21A) for letting the first electrode conduct with the second electrode when an occupant is seated is fixed to the film-form member (7). The above arrangement solves a conventional problem that it is troublesome to connect the connection terminals of wires or the like provided on a wiring harness or the like to respective terminals that are separately provided on a film-form substrate and a film-form member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: Fujikura Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kawahira, Takahiro Ishii, Mikihito Kojima, Toyohiko Shindo, Naotaka Kumakiri, Masashi Yoshifuku, Takashi Furukawa, Nobuhiro Koyota, Tsutomu Terasaki
  • Publication number: 20120125698
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a seating sensor 100.the base table 10 includes a first part 11 provided with the sensor portion 1 and a second part 12 provided with the connector portion 2, and the second part 12 is arranged within a minimum rectangular area S1 containing the first part 11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicants: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD, FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kawahira, Takashi Furukawa
  • Patent number: 8053692
    Abstract: A thin, film-form seating switch able to detect whether an occupant sits on the seat or not, wherein, with a spacer (5) in-between, a film-form substrate (3) is disposed on one surface of the spacer and a film-form member (7) on the other surface, a first conductor (13) equipped with a first terminal (9) and a first electrode (11A) conductive with this and a second conductor (19) equipped with a second terminal (15) and a second electrode (17A) conductive with this are fixed to one surface of the film-form substrate, and a third conductor (21A) for letting the first electrode conduct with the second electrode when an occupant is seated is fixed to the film-form member (7). The above arrangement solves a conventional problem that it is troublesome to connect the connection terminals of wires or the like provided on a wiring harness or the like to respective terminals that are separately provided on a film-form substrate and a film-form member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignees: Fujikura Ltd., Honda Mortor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kawahira, Takahiro Ishii, Mikihito Kojima, Toyohiko Shindo, Naotaka Kumakiri, Masashi Yoshifuku, Takashi Furukawa, Nobuhiro Koyota, Tsutomu Terasaki
  • Patent number: 8044311
    Abstract: A thin, film-form seating switch able to detect whether an occupant sits on the seat or not, wherein, with a spacer (5) in-between, a film-form substrate (3) is disposed on one surface of the spacer and a film-form member (7) on the other surface, a first conductor (13) equipped with a first terminal (9) and a first electrode (11A) conductive with this and a second conductor (19) equipped with a second terminal (15) and a second electrode (17A) conductive with this are fixed to one surface of the film-form substrate, and a third conductor (21A) for letting the first electrode conduct with the second electrode when an occupant is seated is fixed to the film-form member (7). The above arrangement solves a conventional problem that it is troublesome to connect the connection terminals of wires or the like provided on a wiring harness or the like to respective terminals that are separately provided on a film-form substrate and a film-form member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignees: Fujikura Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kawahira, Takahiro Ishii, Mikihito Kojima, Toyohiko Shindo, Naotaka Kumakiri, Masashi Yoshifuku, Takashi Furukawa, Nobuhiro Koyota, Tsutomu Terasaki
  • Patent number: 8013264
    Abstract: A thin, film-form seating switch able to detect whether an occupant sits on the seat or not, wherein, with a spacer (5) in-between, a film-form substrate (3) is disposed on one surface of the spacer and a film-form member (7) on the other surface, a first conductor (13) equipped with a first terminal (9) and a first electrode (11A) conductive with this and a second conductor (19) equipped with a second terminal (15) and a second electrode (17A) conductive with this are fixed to one surface of the film-form substrate, and a third conductor (21A) for letting the first electrode conduct with the second electrode when an occupant is seated is fixed to the film-form member (7). The above arrangement solves a conventional problem that it is troublesome to connect the connection terminals of wires or the like provided on a wiring harness or the like to respective terminals that are separately provided on a film-form substrate and a film-form member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignees: Fujikura Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kawahira, Takahiro Ishii, Mikihito Kojima, Toyohiko Shindo, Naotaka Kumakiri, Masashi Yoshifuku, Takashi Furukawa, Nobuhiro Koyota, Tsutomu Terasaki