Patents by Inventor Toshikazu Sakurai

Toshikazu Sakurai 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: 20080248665
    Abstract: A connector has a first housing (1) and a second housing (2) with a receptacle (4) for receiving the first housing (1). A slider (3) having a cam groove (24) is mounted in the first housing (1) for movement normal to connecting directions of the housings (1, 2). A cam (8) projects in the receptacle (4), and is movable along the cam groove (24). A mold removal hole (5A) for molding the cam (8) is formed in a back wall (5) of the receptacle (4), and a mold removal space (S) is between the cam (8) and the mold removal hole (5A). The slider (3) includes a deformable portion (25) that slides in contact with a slider insertion hole (11) while being deformed during connection of the housings (1, 2), and is restored resiliently in the mold removal space (S) when the housings (1, 2) are connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Fukatsu, Toshikazu Sakurai, Youjirou Hashimoto, Yasushi Okayasu, Masaya Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 7431596
    Abstract: A connector has a first housing (1) and a second housing (2) with a receptacle (4) for receiving the first housing (1). A slider (3) having a cam groove (24) is mounted in the first housing (1) for movement normal to connecting directions of the housings (1, 2). A cam (8) projects in the receptacle (4), and is movable along the cam groove (24). A mold removal hole (5A) for molding the cam (8) is formed in a back wall (5) of the receptacle (4), and a mold removal space (S) is between the cam (8) and the mold removal hole (5A). The slider (3) includes a deformable portion (25) that slides in contact with a slider insertion hole (11) while being deformed during connection of the housings (1, 2), and is restored resiliently in the mold removal space (S) when the housings (1, 2) are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Fukatsu, Toshikazu Sakurai, Youjirou Hashimoto, Yasushi Okayasu, Masaya Horiuchi
  • Publication number: 20080081498
    Abstract: A female housing (10) has a lever (12) to facilitate connection with a male housing (11). An operable portion (43) of the lever (12) is at a lateral end of the female housing (10) immediately before the housings (10; 11) are connected and is operated along a connecting direction of the male housing (11). An engaging portion (53) is formed at an end of the lever (12) opposite the operable portion (43) and is engageable with a locking projection (52) on the male housing (11) immediately before the housings (10, 11) are connected properly. Thus, the locking projection (52) receives a force acting along the connecting direction of the male housing (11) as the lever (12) is rotated. In this way, the posture of the female housing (10) is corrected, enabling the two housings (10, 11) to be connected in their proper postures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Fukatsu, Toshikazu Sakurai, Masayasu Fujii
  • Patent number: 7300294
    Abstract: A female housing (10) has a lever (12) to facilitate connection with a male housing (11). An operable portion (43) of the lever (12) is at a lateral end of the female housing (10) immediately before the housings (10; 11) are connected and is operated along a connecting direction of the male housing (11). An engaging portion (53) is formed at an end of the lever (12) opposite the operable portion (43) and is engageable with a locking projection (52) on the male housing (11) immediately before the housings (10, 11) are connected properly. Thus, the locking projection (52) receives a force acting along the connecting direction of the male housing (11) as the lever (12) is rotated. In this way, the posture of the female housing (10) is corrected, enabling the two housings (10, 11) to be connected in their proper postures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Fukatsu, Toshikazu Sakurai, Masayasu Fujii
  • Patent number: 7294015
    Abstract: A connector has first and second housings (10, 30) that are connectable with each other. The second housing (30) has second terminal fittings (32), second detecting terminals (39) and short canceling members (37). The first housing (10) has shorting terminals (12) for shorting pairs of the first terminal fittings, a resilient arm (18) that deforms as the housings (10, 30) are connected, and first detecting terminals (11) that deform as the resilient arm (18) is deformed to touch the second detecting terminals (39) for detecting the connected state. The resilient arm (18) is held deformed and the first detecting terminals (11) are held in contact with the second detecting terminals (39) until a connecting operation is completed. The resilient arm (18) resiliently restores to separate the first detecting terminals (11) from the second detecting terminals (32) when the connection is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayasu Fujii, Toshikazu Sakurai
  • Patent number: 7287993
    Abstract: A lever (40) is mounted rotatably on a female housing (10) and includes a cam plate (47) with a cam groove (41). The cam plate (47) is arranged on only one surface of the female housing (10). In addition to an engaged position of a cam groove (41) and a cam pin (88), a position is set between the lever (40) and a male housing (80) to produce forces to pull the housings (10, 80) towards each other. For example, a hook (43) is formed on a posture correcting arm (46) at a position facing the cam plate (47) of the lever (40) and engages a receiving portion (91) in the male housing (80) to pull the housings (10, 80) together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayasu Fujii, Toshikazu Sakurai, Yukihiro Fukatsu, Toshikazu Saba
  • Patent number: 7241168
    Abstract: A joint connector has a housing (10) with insertion spaces (11) for receiving terminal fittings (20). A joint terminal (30) is mounted in the housing (10) at a first position where the joint terminal (30) is retracted from the insertion spaces (11). The terminal fittings (20) then are inserted into the insertion spaces (11) of the housing (10). The joint terminal (30) then is displaced to a full locking position for contacting and shorting the terminal fittings (20). As a result, the joint terminal (30) does not hinder insertion of the terminal fittings (20). Furthermore, the joint terminal (30) is mounted directly in the housing (10) and does not require a separate holder. Thus, the number of parts is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Sakurai, Atsushi Sakatani
  • Publication number: 20070149041
    Abstract: A connector has first and second housings (10, 30) that are connectable with each other. The second housing (30) has second terminal fittings (32), second detecting terminals (39) and short canceling members (37). The first housing (10) has shorting terminals (12) for shorting pairs of the first terminal fittings, a resilient arm (18) that deforms as the housings (10, 30) are connected, and first detecting terminals (11) that deform as the resilient arm (18) is deformed to touch the second detecting terminals (39) for detecting the connected state. The resilient arm (18) is held deformed and the first detecting terminals (11) are held in contact with the second detecting terminals (39) until a connecting operation is completed. The resilient arm (18) resiliently restores to separate the first detecting terminals (11) from the second detecting terminals (32) when the connection is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayasu Fujii, Toshikazu Sakurai
  • Publication number: 20070134994
    Abstract: A connector has a first housing (1) and a second housing (2) with a receptacle (4) for receiving the first housing (1). A slider (3) having a cam groove (24) is mounted in the first housing (1) for movement normal to connecting directions of the housings (1, 2). A cam (8) projects in the receptacle (4), and is movable along the cam groove (24). A mold removal hole (5A) for molding the cam (8) is formed in a back wall (5) of the receptacle (4), and a mold removal space (S) is between the cam (8) and the mold removal hole (5A). The slider (3) includes a deformable portion (25) that slides in contact with a slider insertion hole (11) while being deformed during connection of the housings (1, 2), and is restored resiliently in the mold removal space (S) when the housings (1, 2) are connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Fukatsu, Toshikazu Sakurai, Youjirou Hashimoto, Yasushi Okayasu, Masaya Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 7207848
    Abstract: A connector assembly has first and second housings (150, 10). Terminal fittings (112) are inserted into cavities (11) of the second housing (10) and are locked partially by locks formed in the second housing (10). A slider (30) is mounted in second housing (10) and engages a cam (43) in the first housing (150) to generate a cam action that helps to connect the housings (10, 150). The slider (30) has at least one retaining portion (136) that secondarily locks properly inserted terminal fittings (112) in the second housing (10). An inability to move the slider (30) provides an indication that at least one terminal fitting (112) is not inserted properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Fukatsu, Masaya Horiuchi, Toshikazu Sakurai, Masayasu Fujii, Youjirou Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7208329
    Abstract: In a side plate (52) of a retainer (50), a jig insertion groove (70) is cut at an upper end portion of its front edge. A releasing jig (J) is insertable into a gap between the bottom surface of the jig insertion groove (70) and a vertical front edge of a recessed surface (27) of a female housing (20). If the releasing jig (J) is rotated so as to be pried, the retainer (50) is pushed back diagonally downward along a guide groove (60) and reaches a temporary retaining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignees: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Fukatsu, Toshikazu Sakurai, Satoshi Suda, Yoshiaki Kida, Masaru Shinmura
  • Publication number: 20070082549
    Abstract: A lever (40) is mounted rotatably on a female housing (10) and includes a cam plate (47) with a cam groove (41). The cam plate (47) is arranged on only one surface of the female housing (10). In addition to an engaged position of a cam groove (41) and a cam pin (88), a position is set between the lever (40) and a male housing (80) to produce forces to pull the housings (10, 80) towards each other. For example, a hook (43) is formed on a posture correcting arm (46) at a position facing the cam plate (47) of the lever (40) and engages a receiving portion (91) in the male housing (80) to pull the housings (10, 80) together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayasu Fujii, Toshikazu Sakurai, Yukihiro Fukatsu, Toshikazu Saba
  • Publication number: 20070072482
    Abstract: A lever (40) formed with a cam groove (41) is rotatably mounted and a detecting terminal (60) is mounted in a female housing (10). The detecting terminal (60) contacts contact terminals (98) in the female housing (10) to close a detecting circuit only when the housings (10, 80) are connected properly. A pressing portion (44) projects from part of a cam plate (47) of the lever (40) facing the detecting terminal (60), and keeps pressing the detecting terminal (60) to deform the detecting terminal 60 to a position where the detecting terminal (60) is separated from the contact terminals (98) while the lever (40) is rotated until the housings (10, 80) are connected properly. The pressed state is canceled to enable the detecting terminal (60) to contact the contact terminals (98) when the lever 40 is rotated to a position where the housings (10, 80) are connected properly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayasu Fujii, Toshikazu Sakurai, Atsushi Sakatani
  • Patent number: 7175489
    Abstract: Joint terminals (20c) and a housing (10) are united by a press-in operation instead of being united by insert molding. Thus, there is no likelihood that an injection pressure will deform the joint terminals (20c). The joint terminal (20c) has a coupling (21) bent so that upper and lower supports (26, 27) are formed at the opposite sides of an intermediate portion (28). A high dimensional precision can be obtained even when an automatic mounting machine is used for pressing the joint terminals (20c) into the housing (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayasu Fujii, Toshikazu Sakurai
  • Publication number: 20070004288
    Abstract: A connector assembly has first and second housings (150, 10). Terminal fittings (112) are inserted into cavities (11) of the second housing (10) and are locked partially by locks formed in the second housing (10). A slider (30) is mounted in second housing (10) and engages a cam (43) in the first housing (150) to generate a cam action that helps to connect the housings (10, 150). The slider (30) has at least one retaining portion (136) that secondarily locks properly inserted terminal fittings (112) in the second housing (10). An inability to move the slider (30) provides an indication that at least one terminal fitting (112) is not inserted properly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Fukatsu, Masaya Horiuchi, Toshikazu Sakurai, Masayasu Fujii, Youjirou Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20060286834
    Abstract: A female housing (10) has a lever (12) to facilitate connection with a male housing (11). An operable portion (43) of the lever (12) is at a lateral end of the female housing (10) immediately before the housings (10; 11) are connected and is operated along a connecting direction of the male housing (11). An engaging portion (53) is formed at an end of the lever (12) opposite the operable portion (43) and is engageable with a locking projection (52) on the male housing (11) immediately before the housings (10, 11) are connected properly. Thus, the locking projection (52) receives a force acting along the connecting direction of the male housing (11) as the lever (12) is rotated. In this way, the posture of the female housing (10) is corrected, enabling the two housings (10, 11) to be connected in their proper postures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Fukatsu, Toshikazu Sakurai, Masayasu Fujii
  • Patent number: 7125292
    Abstract: A connector has a retainer (6) with a housing lock (4) engageable with a housing (3) and a terminal lock (5) cantilevers forward from a bottom side of the housing lock (4) to lock female terminal fittings (1). Restricting portions (7) are formed on a surface of the terminal lock (5) to face the housing (3). The restricting portions (7) can contact bottom end surfaces (3A) of the opposite side walls of the housing (3) along the width direction, thus preventing the terminal lock (5) from entering cavities (2) to hinder the insertion of the female terminal fittings (1) when the female terminal fittings (1) are inserted into the cavities (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignees: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Horiuchi, Toshikazu Sakurai, Satoshi Suda
  • Publication number: 20060205270
    Abstract: A joint connector has a housing (10) with insertion spaces (11) for receiving terminal fittings (20). A joint terminal (30) is mounted in the housing (10) at a first position where the joint terminal (30) is retracted from the insertion spaces (11). The terminal fittings (20) then are inserted into the insertion spaces (11) of the housing (10). The joint terminal (30) then is displaced to a full locking position for contacting and shorting the terminal fittings (20). As a result, the joint terminal (30) does not hinder insertion of the terminal fittings (20). Furthermore, the joint terminal (30) is mounted directly in the housing (10) and does not require a separate holder. Thus, the number of parts is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Sakurai, Atsushi Sakatani
  • Patent number: 7063577
    Abstract: A male connector (M) has male housings (20A, 20B, 20C) and is connectable with a female connector (F) with female housings (40A, 40B, 40C). Error connection preventing projections (28A, 28B) of the male housings (20A, 20B) are received in receiving portions (47A, 47B) of the female housings (40A, 40B) to connect the two connectors (M, F) properly if the combination of the housings in the male and female connectors (M, F) is correct. However, the error connection preventing projections (28A, 28B) on the male housings (20A, 20B) interfere with opposed the female housings (40B, 40C) and hinder connection of the two connectors (M, F) if the combination of housings is incorrect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Fujita, Toshikazu Sakurai, Hitoshi Okumura
  • Patent number: 7056159
    Abstract: A male housing (20) is provided with cavities (23) for inserting male terminal metal pieces (10) in two upper and lower stages and a retainer mounting hole (27) opening the respective cavities (23) in a lower direction and in two side directions. The retainer (40) is mounted movably and skewedly to a direction of inserting and drawing the male terminal metal piece (10) between a full locking position permitting to insert and draw the male terminal metal piece (10) and a regular locking position locked to the male terminal metal piece (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignees: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Fukatsu, Toshikazu Sakurai, Satoshi Suda, Yoshiaki Kida, Masaru Shinmura