Patents by Inventor Tsutomu Takiguchi

Tsutomu Takiguchi 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: 7878694
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp has a lamp unit disposed within a lamp housing, a right-left actuator capable of tilting the lamp unit in a right-left direction, the right-left actuator having a rotational shaft connected to the lamp unit, and an up-down actuator capable of tilting the lamp unit in an up-down direction, the up-down actuator having a retractable shaft connected to a support member that supports the lamp unit. The right-left actuator and the up-down actuator are provided within a single actuator housing. An axial direction of the rotational shaft and an axial direction of the retractable shaft are positioned within an identical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Tajima, Tsutomu Takiguchi, Naoki Takii
  • Patent number: 7690825
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a lamp unit, a bracket which supports the lamp unit such that the lamp unit is swivelable in right and left directions, a lamp body which supports the bracket such that the bracket is tiltable in the right and left directions and in up and down directions with respect to the lamp body, an actuator which is supported by the bracket and swivels the lamp unit, a rotating shaft member which is supported by the bracket, and a joint member which is coupled to the actuator. The lamp unit includes a light source, a reflector, a shade, a projection lens, a rotating shaft attaching portion to which the rotating shaft member is attached, and a joint attaching portion to which the joint member is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sigeru Kuwahara, Shouichirou Yokoi, Tsutomu Takiguchi
  • Patent number: 7621663
    Abstract: A lamp device for vehicles includes a lamp unit for irradiating light in a desired light distribution pattern, a support body configured to support the lamp unit so as to be tiltable up and down, and tiltable right and left, and an actuator for tilting the lamp unit up and down with respect to the support body, and for tilting the lamp unit right and left with respect to the support body. The actuator includes a right-and-left tilting mechanism and an up-and-down tilting mechanism provided in an actuator housing. The right-and-left tilting mechanism includes an output shaft capable of turning in a right-and-left direction coupled to said lamp unit. The up-and-down tilting mechanism includes an output portion capable of moving said actuator housing back and forth with respect to the support body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Tajima, Tsutomu Takiguchi, Naoki Takii
  • Publication number: 20080198614
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp has a lamp unit structured so as to irradiate light forward and provided tiltable rightward, leftward, upward, and downward within a lamp housing; right-left driving means for moving the lamp unit so as to tilt in a right-left direction; and up-down driving means for moving the lamp unit so as to tilt in an up-down direction, wherein the right-left driving means and the up-down driving means are provided within a single actuator housing, with an output portion of the right-left driving means structured as a rotational shaft that rotates rightward and leftward, and an output portion of the up-down driving means structured as a retractable shaft that moves in a front-back direction, and wherein an axial direction of the rotational shaft and an axial direction of the retractable shaft are positioned within an identical plane, with the rotational shaft connected to the lamp unit and the retractable shaft connected to a support member that supports the lamp unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiichi Tajima, Tsutomu Takiguchi, Naoki Takii
  • Patent number: 7387415
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp has a lamp unit with a light source and controls light from the light source to obtain a predetermined light distribution, and an actuator that rotates the lamp unit using an output shaft to change a direction of illumination. A direction for drawing out an external cord that is connected to a connector, which is provided in the actuator for admitting electric power and/or a signal from outside, is set toward the vehicle front or vehicle side in the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Tajima, Tsutomu Takiguchi, Kazuma Mochizuki, Naoki Takii
  • Publication number: 20080112177
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a lamp unit, a bracket which supports the lamp unit such that the lamp unit is swivelable in right and left directions, a lamp body which supports the bracket such that the bracket is tiltable in the right and left directions and in up and down directions with respect to the lamp body, an actuator which is supported by the bracket and swivels the lamp unit, a rotating shaft member which is supported by the bracket, and a joint member which is coupled to the actuator. The lamp unit includes a light source, a reflector, a shade, a projection lens, a rotating shaft attaching portion to which the rotating shaft member is attached, and a joint attaching portion to which the joint member is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sigeru Kuwahara, Shouichirou Yokoi, Tsutomu Takiguchi
  • Publication number: 20080089086
    Abstract: A lamp device for vehicles includes a lamp unit for irradiating light in a desired light distribution pattern, a support body configured to support the lamp unit so as to be tiltable up and down, and tiltable right and left, and an actuator for tilting the lamp unit up and down with respect to the support body, and for tilting the lamp unit right and left with respect to the support body. The actuator includes a right-and-left tilting mechanism and an up-and-down tilting mechanism provided in an actuator housing. The right-and-left tilting mechanism includes an output shaft capable of turning in a right-and-left direction coupled to said lamp unit. The up-and-down tilting mechanism includes an output portion capable of moving said actuator housing back and forth with respect to the support body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiichi Tajima, Tsutomu Takiguchi, Naoki Takii
  • Patent number: 7291951
    Abstract: An actuator has a housing that accommodates a motor, an output shaft for rotating a lamp unit that radiates light, a drive mechanism portion formed from a transmission gear system for transmitting rotation from the motor to the output shaft, and a control circuit portion for controlling the drive of the motor, the drive mechanism portion and the control circuit portion being disposed in a separated state due to an intermediate wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Takiguchi, Keiichi Tajima, Kazuma Mochizuki, Naoki Takii
  • Patent number: 7175319
    Abstract: A lamp body 20 includes a lamp unit 60 whose irradiation direction is changed according to a running state of a vehicle, a horizontal driving mechanism 90 for horizontally changing the irradiation direction, and a vertical driving mechanism 100 for vertically changing the irradiation direction. The horizontal driving mechanism and the vertical driving mechanism are integrated with each other, so that a lighting apparatus 10 can be mounted in a vehicle by using only a small mounting space. Moreover, the lighting apparatus 10 needs only small numbers of components and mounting man-hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Tajima, Tsutomu Takiguchi, Kazuma Mochizuki, Naoki Takii
  • Patent number: 7121706
    Abstract: In an actuator of a vehicle headlamp unit for deflecting a direction or a range of illumination, a step-like rib for supporting a printed circuit board is formed at an inner side of a peripheral edge portion of a resin molded casing, and an opposed rib is formed at an outer side of this peripheral edge portion by a generally channel-shaped groove. A gear in a gear mechanism of the actuator is made of a resin having self-lubricating properties. The actuator includes a brushless motor, a yoke molded of a resin having a cylindrical container-shape. A gear is formed integrally on a central portion of an outer end surface of the yoke. A fixing means for fixing the stator coil of the brushless motor to a housing or the board has a positioning structure for positioning the stator coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Takiguchi, Keiichi Tajima, Atsushi Sugimoto, Kazuma Mochizuki
  • Publication number: 20050213339
    Abstract: An actuator has a housing that accommodates a motor, an output shaft for rotating a lamp unit that radiates light, a drive mechanism portion formed from a transmission gear system for transmitting rotation from the motor to the output shaft, and a control circuit portion for controlling the drive of the motor, the drive mechanism portion and the control circuit portion being disposed in a separated state due to an intermediate wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Tsutomu Takiguchi, Keiichi Tajima, Kazuma Mochizuki, Naoki Takii
  • Publication number: 20050174786
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp has a lamp unit with a light source and controls light from the light source to obtain a predetermined light distribution, and an actuator that rotates the lamp unit using an output shaft to change a direction of illumination. A direction for drawing out an external cord that is connected to a connector, which is provided in the actuator for admitting electric power and/or a signal from outside, is set toward the vehicle front or vehicle side in the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Keiichi Tajima, Tsutomu Takiguchi, Kazuma Mochizuki, Naoki Takii
  • Publication number: 20050141234
    Abstract: A lamp body 20 includes a lamp unit 60 whose irradiation direction is changed according to a running state of a vehicle, a horizontal driving mechanism 90 for horizontally changing the irradiation direction, and a vertical driving mechanism 100 for vertically changing the irradiation direction. The horizontal driving mechanism and the vertical driving mechanism are integrated with each other, so that a lighting apparatus 10 can be mounted in a vehicle by using only a small mounting space. Moreover, the lighting apparatus 10 needs only small numbers of components and mounting man-hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Keiichi Tajima, Tsutomu Takiguchi, Kazuma Mochizuki, Naoki Takii
  • Publication number: 20040208017
    Abstract: In an actuator of a vehicle headlamp unit for deflecting a direction or a range of illumination, a step-like rib for supporting a printed circuit board is formed at an inner side of a peripheral edge portion of a resin molded casing, and an opposed rib is formed at an outer side of this peripheral edge portion by a generally channel-shaped groove. A gear in a gear mechanism of the actuator is made of a resin having self-lubricating properties. The actuator includes a brushless motor, a yoke molded of a resin having a cylindrical container-shape. A gear is formed integrally on a central portion of an outer end surface of the yoke. A fixing means for fixing the stator coil of the brushless motor to a housing or the board has a positioning structure for positioning the stator coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Tsutomu Takiguchi, Keiichi Tajima, Atsushi Sugimoto, Kazuma Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 6648494
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes an optical means whereof the direction of irradiation is change by rotation, a motor, an output shaft for driving the optical means, and a rotation transmitting mechanism for transmitting rotation from the motor to the output shaft. The motor, the output shaft, and the rotation transmitting mechanism are accommodated in the case body, and a revolving shaft of the motor is supported by the case body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Keiichi Tajima, Kazuma Mochizuki, Tsutomu Takiguchi
  • Publication number: 20020157313
    Abstract: A safety device for a power window which can perform an appropriate safety control operation even immediately after a battery change. An opening and closing speeds detecting portion 35 detects the opening and closing speeds of a windowpane based on voltages VA, VB outputted from a potensiosensor 20 provided on a driving motor 9 for operating the windowpane to open and close, and further detects a fully opened position of the windowpane based on the opening and closing speeds so detected. Then, a fully closed position of the windowpane 1 is estimated referring to opening and closing strokes of the windowpane, whereby a safety control area is set based on this fully closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Fusao Fukazawa, Keiichi Tajima, Tsutomu Takiguchi
  • Publication number: 20020064051
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes an optical means whereof the direction of irradiation is change by rotation, a motor, an output shaft for driving the optical means, and a rotation transmitting mechanism for transmitting rotation from the motor to the output shaft. The motor, the output shaft, and the rotation transmitting mechanism are accommodated in the case body, and a revolving shaft of the motor is supported by the case body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Keiichi Tajima, Kazuma Mochizuki, Tsutomu Takiguchi
  • Patent number: 6347482
    Abstract: A safety device for accurately preventing the catching of a hand or neck of a passenger of a vehicle between a windowpane and a window sash uses a potentiosensor 20 for detecting the rotational angular position of an output shaft adapted to rotate at a slower speed by reducing the speed of a rotating shaft of a driving motor 9 for opening and closing a windowpane of a vehicle with a speed reducing mechanism 10. This potentiosensor 20 comprises a resistance track plate 21 on which circular resistance track 25a and conductor tracks 25b, 25c are formed, and a rotating plate 23 having conductive brushes 24a, 24b adapted to slide over the resistance track plate 21. The windowpane position is detected based on a resistance value outputted when the conductive brushes 24a, 24b are rotationally moved on the resistance track 25a in response to the rotating position of the rotating plate 23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Takiguchi, Fusao Fukazawa, Keiichi Tajima
  • Patent number: 6223614
    Abstract: A drive unit, for moving up and down a vehicular window pane, including a drive motor, a worm wheel, a bracket, an elastic body, and a shaft member. The drive motor includes a motor shaft fixed to a worm. The worm wheel is rotated by the driving force of the drive motor rotatably engaged through the worm. The bracket, on which the worm wheel is mounted, includes an engaging portion, bent and raised transmitting leaves pressed by the elastic body, cutout portions, and closure portions closing the respective cutout portions. The elastic body is provided between the worm wheel and the bracket, and is rotated together with the worm. The shaft member engages with the engaging portion of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Takiguchi, Keiichi Tajima
  • Patent number: 5986421
    Abstract: A safety device for a power window in which window glass of a vehicle is made to undergo an opening or closing operation by a driving motor, and which effects safety control against the nipping of a foreign object by detecting the opening and closing positions of the window glass, comprises: a position sensor for detecting the position of an angle of rotation of the driving motor; a detector the opening or closing position of the window glass based on an output of the position sensor; and a controller for effecting safety control against the nipping of the foreign object based on the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fusao Fukazawa, Keiichi Tajima, Tsutomu Takiguchi