Patents by Inventor Tomoharu NAGAOKA

Tomoharu NAGAOKA 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: 11555338
    Abstract: A power unit for a powered cinching mechanism with a favorable level of operational noise is provided. A door latch apparatus includes latch unit and power unit. Latch unit has latch that engages striker, ratchet that engages latch and first cinching lever that displaces latch from a half-latched position to a full-latched position. Latch unit is attached to an end portion of a vehicle door. Power unit includes motor, cable drum, deceleration mechanism and closed-type housing that houses them. Operational noise at 300 mm right above the housing of power unit is 42.2 to 40.9 dB at a supply voltage to the motor of 9V, 47.5 to 43.9 dB at a supply voltage of 12V, and 49.7 to 46.5 dB at a supply voltage of 16 V. Deceleration mechanism includes a worm gear and a helical gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoharu Nagaoka, Hiroaki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 11454051
    Abstract: In a vehicle door latch apparatus, a one-motion operation can be allowed. Switching element is in a double unlocked state when it is in the connected position and is in a double locked state when it is in the disconnected position. The double unlocked state enables a one-motion operation, in which switching element is linked to the release operation of first inside lever in order to switch the locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state and in which the release operation of first inside lever is transmitted to second inside lever in order to open the door, and in the double locked state, switching element is not linked to the release operation of first inside lever, prevents the release operation of first inside lever from being transmitted to second inside lever and prevents the locking mechanism from being switched from the locked state to the unlocked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoharu Nagaoka, Hiroaki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 11391071
    Abstract: In a vehicle door latch device, ingress of rainwater into an outer cable of a Bowden cable is prevented. Vehicle door latch device includes: operation handle provided in a door; door latch mechanism attached in the door; Bowden cable having outer cable that is fixed at one end to the vicinity of operation handle and at the other end to door latch mechanism, and inner cable that is inserted into outer cable while being coupled at one upward end to operation handle and at the other end to release lever of door latch mechanism; and elastic cap provided at one end of the outer cable, having the corresponding one of cover portions in a cylindrical shape, extending in a movement direction of the inner cable extending from the one end of the outer cable, to cover the inner cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoharu Nagaoka, Sayaka Koyama
  • Patent number: 11149473
    Abstract: A door closing apparatus includes a latching mechanism including a latch, a closing mechanism configured to shift the latching mechanism from a half latching state to a fully latching state, and a driving source configured to operate the closing mechanism. The closing mechanism includes a closing lever that is rotated by power of the driving source, a closing arm that is translated in response to a rotation of the closing lever to be linked with the latch and a cancelling lever that rotates in response to an operation of a door opening operation source. The closing lever has a closing lever shaft that is supported by the cancelling lever, and the supporting of the closing lever shaft by the cancelling lever is cancelled by a rotation of the cancelling lever in response to an operation of the door opening operation source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoharu Nagaoka, Hideaki Nozawa
  • Patent number: 11136793
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch apparatus is provided that shortens the time to switch the locking lever between the locked position and the unlocked position. A vehicle door latch apparatus according to the present invention comprises a latch that is engaged with a striker in order to keep a vehicle door in a half-latched state or a full-latched state; a ratchet that is engaged with the latch in order to keep the latch engaged with the striker; an opening link 27 that abuts against the ratchet in order to release the ratchet from the latch when the opening link is moved in a door opening direction in an door opening operation of an outer door opening handle; a locking lever 28 that can be switched between a locked position that prevents the ratchet from being released by the opening link and an unlocked position that allows the ratchet to be released; and a locking actuator 39 that switches the locking lever between the locked position and the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoharu Nagaoka, Hideaki Nozawa
  • Patent number: 11078690
    Abstract: Provide a door latch apparatus with a childproof lock mechanism that is only a projecting portion of the childproof lock mechanism is movable in the release direction interlocked with an opening operation of an inside lever, so that the degree of freedom of arrangement and design of several kinds of parts assembled in a housing can be increased. A release actuating member is supported movably in an elongated guide hole of a childproof lever from a standby position to a release position. When the childproof lever is in a childproof unlocking position and when an inside lever is carried out the opening operation, a projecting portion contacts to the inside lever and moves in the opening direction, so that the release actuating member moves to the release position against a biasing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoharu Nagaoka, Hideaki Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20210079695
    Abstract: In a vehicle door latch device, ingress of rainwater into an outer cable of a Bowden cable is prevented. Vehicle door latch device includes: operation handle provided in a door; door latch mechanism attached in the door; Bowden cable having outer cable that is fixed at one end to the vicinity of operation handle and at the other end to door latch mechanism, and inner cable that is inserted into outer cable while being coupled at one upward end to operation handle and at the other end to release lever of door latch mechanism ; and elastic cap provided at one end of the outer cable, having the corresponding one of cover portions in a cylindrical shape, extending in a movement direction of the inner cable extending from the one end of the outer cable, to cover the inner cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoharu Nagaoka, Sayaka Koyama
  • Publication number: 20200224461
    Abstract: In a vehicle door latch apparatus, a one-motion operation can be allowed. Switching element is in a double unlocked state when it is in the connected position and is in a double locked state when it is in the disconnected position. The double unlocked state enables a one-motion operation, in which switching element is linked to the release operation of first inside lever in order to switch the locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state and in which the release operation of first inside lever is transmitted to second inside lever in order to open the door, and in the double locked state, switching element is not linked to the release operation of first inside lever, prevents the release operation of first inside lever from being transmitted to second inside lever and prevents the locking mechanism from being switched from the locked state to the unlocked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoharu Nagaoka, Hiroaki Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20200224465
    Abstract: A power unit for a powered cinching mechanism with a favorable level of operational noise is provided. A door latch apparatus includes latch unit and power unit. Latch unit has latch that engages striker, ratchet that engages latch and first cinching lever that displaces latch from a half-latched position to a full-latched position. Latch unit is attached to an end portion of a vehicle door. Power unit includes motor, cable drum, deceleration mechanism and closed-type housing that houses them. Operational noise at 300 mm right above the housing of power unit is 42.2 to 40.9 dB at a supply voltage to the motor of 9V, 47.5 to 43.9 dB at a supply voltage of 12V, and 49.7 to 46.5 dB at a supply voltage of 16 V. Deceleration mechanism includes a worm gear and a helical gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoharu Nagaoka, Hiroaki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 10612276
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch device includes: an interlocking unit assembly including an interlocking mechanism; and an operating unit assembly including an operating mechanism. The interlocking unit assembly includes a latch configured to be rotatable to a latched position from an open position via a half closed door position by interlocking with the striker. The operating unit assembly includes: a casing, in which the interlocking unit assembly is fitted, and in which the operating mechanism is installed; and a switch plate, on which a half closed door detection switch and an electric wiring connected to the half closed door detection switch are installed, and which is integrally installed in the casing, the half closed door detection switch having a switch pin configured to abut against the latch. A plane of rotation of the latch and a plate surface of the switch plate intersect each other orthogonally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Nozawa, Tomoharu Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 10472868
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch device includes: an interlocking unit assembly including an interlocking mechanism configured to hold the door in a closed position by engaging with a striker; and an operating unit assembly including an operating mechanism configured to switch over the door between a locked state and an unlocked state. The interlocking unit assembly includes a body having a striker advancing groove. The operating unit assembly includes: a casing, in which the interlocking unit assembly is fitted, and in which the operating mechanism is installed; a lock lever configured to move the door to a locked position where the door is in the locked state and an unlocked position where the door is in the unlocked state; an emergency operating member turnably supported by the body of the interlocking unit assembly about an axis; and a slide lever slidably installed in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideaki Nozawa, Tomoharu Nagaoka
  • Publication number: 20190136588
    Abstract: A door closing apparatus includes a latching mechanism including a latch, a closing mechanism configured to shift the latching mechanism from a half latching state to a fully latching state, and a driving source configured to operate the closing mechanism. The closing mechanism includes a closing lever that is rotated by power of the driving source, a closing arm that is translated in response to a rotation of the closing lever to be linked with the latch and a cancelling lever that rotates in response to an operation of a door opening operation source. The closing lever has a closing lever shaft that is supported by the cancelling lever, and the supporting of the closing lever shaft by the cancelling lever is cancelled by a rotation of the cancelling lever in response to an operation of the door opening operation source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoharu NAGAOKA, Hideaki NOZAWA
  • Patent number: 10280660
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch device includes: a body includes a striker advancing groove into which a striker advances along with closing movement of the door; a latch configured to interlock with the advanced striker so as to be rotatable from an open position to a latched position; a pawl configured to be biased to rotate, in a direction towards an engaged position where the pawl is engageable with the latch in the latched position from a released position where engagement with the latch is canceled, and restrain the door in a closed position by rotating from the engaged position to the released position in conjunction with rotation of the latch, rotating from the released position to the engaged position by biasing force, and engaging with the latch; and a buffer that is made of an elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Nozawa, Tomoharu Nagaoka
  • Publication number: 20190128026
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch apparatus is provided that shortens the time to switch the locking lever between the locked position and the unlocked position. A vehicle door latch apparatus according to the present invention comprises a latch that is engaged with a striker in order to keep a vehicle door in a half-latched state or a full-latched state; a ratchet that is engaged with the latch in order to keep the latch engaged with the striker; an opening link 27 that abuts against the ratchet in order to release the ratchet from the latch when the opening link is moved in a door opening direction in an door opening operation of an outer door opening handle; a locking lever 28 that can be switched between a locked position that prevents the ratchet from being released by the opening link and an unlocked position that allows the ratchet to be released; and a locking actuator 39 that switches the locking lever between the locked position and the unlocked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Tomoharu Nagaoka, Hideaki Nozawa
  • Patent number: 10196838
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch device which efficiently performs connecting a motion-transmitting member to an operating lever and attaching an auxiliary cover to a housing simultaneously from one direction is provided. The auxiliary cover comprises a holding portion which is capable of holding the motion-transmitting members to the side facing a coupling area; and positioning mechanism which can position coupling portions of the motion-transmitting member. Without fixing the auxiliary cover to the coupling area, the motion-transmitting members are held by the holding portion. The coupling portions are positioned by the positioning mechanism. By fixing the auxiliary cover to the coupling area, the coupling portions can be coupled to coupled portions of the operating levers which are stationary at a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoharu Nagaoka, Hideaki Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20180245378
    Abstract: Provide a door latch apparatus with a childproof lock mechanism that is only a projecting portion of the childproof lock mechanism is movable in the release direction interlocked with an opening operation of an inside lever, so that the degree of freedom of arrangement and design of several kinds of parts assembled in a housing can be increased. A release actuating member is supported movably in an elongated guide hole of a childproof lever from a standby position to a release position. When the childproof lever is in a childproof unlocking position and when an inside lever is carried out the opening operation, a projecting portion contacts to the inside lever and moves in the opening direction, so that the release actuating member moves to the release position against a biasing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Tomoharu NAGAOKA, Hideaki NOZAWA
  • Publication number: 20180187457
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle door latching device that can be assembled in a door more easily. A hole to be engaged is provided in a portion of a housing that faces an inner panel to which a cover plate is fixed, wherein the hole to be engaged allows an engaging unit and an operating unit to be suspended in a door by way of engaging with an engaging part of the inner panel in a state in which the engaging unit is not anchored to the inner panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: Mitsui Kinzoku Act Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoharu Nagaoka, Hideaki Nozawa
  • Patent number: 9976323
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch device includes: a body which is provided in one of a door of a vehicle or a vehicle body, a striker advancing groove being formed on one surface of the body; a latch configured to be meshed with the advanced striker to hold the door at a closed position; a cover plate installed on the surface of the body on which the striker advancing groove is formed; and a back plate fixed to the cover plate with the body placed therebetween. One of the cover plate or the back plate includes a projected part which is projected in an inside-outside direction of the vehicle. Other one of the cover plate or the back plate includes an engagement hole into which the projected part advances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideaki Nozawa, Tomoharu Nagaoka
  • Publication number: 20170314300
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch device includes: an interlocking unit assembly including an interlocking mechanism; and an operating unit assembly including an operating mechanism. The interlocking unit assembly includes a latch configured to be rotatable to a latched position from an open position via a half closed door position by interlocking with the striker. The operating unit assembly includes: a casing, in which the interlocking unit assembly is fitted, and in which the operating mechanism is installed; and a switch plate, on which a half closed door detection switch and an electric wiring connected to the half closed door detection switch are installed, and which is integrally installed in the casing, the half closed door detection switch having a switch pin configured to abut against the latch. A plane of rotation of the latch and a plate surface of the switch plate intersect each other orthogonally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Hideaki NOZAWA, Tomoharu NAGAOKA
  • Patent number: 9752355
    Abstract: In a vehicle door latch device, a first outside lever is pivotally mounted via a pivot shaft, and second outside lever is connected to an outside handle on an outer panel of a door via a motion-transmitting member to move toward the inside of a vehicle. Usually, turning of the second outside lever for disengaging a latch from a striker is transmitted to the first outside lever. If the second outside lever is impacted by an external force, the outer panel is deformed to move the second outside lever inward of the vehicle with respect to the first outside lever. But release turning of the second outside lever cannot be transmitted to the first outside lever. Even if the door is deformed by the external force, the door is still closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoharu Nagaoka, Hideaki Nozawa