Patents by Inventor Yuta Minami

Yuta Minami 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: 11912225
    Abstract: A side airbag device capable of restricting an occupant from moving to the inner side in the vehicle width direction while restraining the head of the occupant is inflatable and deployable in a space beside an occupant seated in a vehicle seat. The side airbag device includes an inflator configured to generate a gas and a bag-shaped airbag inflatable and deployable in response to the gas upon activation of the inflator to protect a lateral portion of the occupant. The airbag includes a torso protection portion, and a head protection portion configured to be provided above the torso protection portion and inflatable and deployable between an upper portion of a shoulder of the occupant and a lateral portion of a head of the occupant. The head protection portion is bendable at an acute angle relative to the torso protection portion in an inflated and deployed state of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Azuma, Yuta Minami, Yoshitaka Okagami, Kazuya Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20220355756
    Abstract: A side airbag device capable of restricting an occupant from moving to the inner side in the vehicle width direction while restraining the head of the occupant is inflatable and deployable in a space beside an occupant seated in a vehicle seat. The side airbag device includes an inflator configured to generate a gas and a bag-shaped airbag inflatable and deployable in response to the gas upon activation of the inflator to protect a lateral portion of the occupant. The airbag includes a torso protection portion, and a head protection portion configured to be provided above the torso protection portion and inflatable and deployable between an upper portion of a shoulder of the occupant and a lateral portion of a head of the occupant. The head protection portion is bendable at an acute angle relative to the torso protection portion in an inflated and deployed state of the airbag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetaka AZUMA, Yuta MINAMI, Yoshitaka OKAGAMI, Kazuya HASHIMOTO
  • Patent number: 11491946
    Abstract: A side airbag device is to be attached to a side portion of a seat back and includes an inflator and a bag-shaped airbag. The airbag includes a first inflation part at which a gas ejection hole of the inflator is disposed and configured to be inflated and deployed beside a body of an occupant, and a second inflation part communicating with the first inflation part and configured to be inflated and deployed beside a head of the occupant. A portion of the first inflation part is configured to be inflated and deployed above a console box and to come into contact with an upper surface of the console box. In a state where the airbag is folded, the second inflation part is folded to overlap the first inflation part such that the second inflation part is arranged inward of the first inflation part in a vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Azuma, Yuta Minami, Kazuya Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11440499
    Abstract: A side airbag device includes an inflator; and a bag-shaped airbag inflatable and deployable in response to a gas upon activation of the inflator. The airbag includes a torso protection portion inflatable and deployable in a space beside a torso of the occupant, a support portion provided on a console box side of the torso protection portion and configured to be pushed onto a top surface of the console box in an inflated and deployed state, and a hip protection portion inflatable and deployable between a hip of the occupant and a lateral portion of the console box. The support portion and the hip protection portion are defined by a continuous chamber. The inflator is positioned from above to below the support portion in a side view of the vehicle. The airbag is mounted on a lateral portion of the vehicle seat via the inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignees: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION, ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taei Shibahara, Toshihiro Takebayashi, Yuichi Sugimura, Motoharu Hirata, Hidetaka Azuma, Yuta Minami, Yoshitaka Okagami, Kazuya Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11400882
    Abstract: A side airbag device includes an airbag including a first inflation portion fixed to a seat and a second inflation portion inclining toward an occupant with respect to the first inflation portion. The airbag includes an occupant side panel disposed on an occupant side, a non-occupant side panel disposed opposite the occupant side panel, and a strip connection panel connecting a peripheral edge of the occupant side panel and a peripheral edge of the non-occupant side panel. The non-occupant side panel is spaced from the occupant side panel in a vehicle width direction. The connection panel includes a bend portion between a first peripheral edge portion connected to a first part of the peripheral edge of the occupant side panel defining the first inflation portion and a second peripheral edge portion connected to a second part of the peripheral edge of the occupant side panel defining the second inflation portion, or in the second peripheral edge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Azuma, Yuta Minami, Yoshitaka Okagami, Kazuya Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20210339698
    Abstract: A side airbag device is to be attached to a side portion of a seat back and includes an inflator and a bag-shaped airbag. The airbag includes a first inflation part at which a gas ejection hole of the inflator is disposed and configured to be inflated and deployed beside a body of an occupant, and a second inflation part communicating with the first inflation part and configured to be inflated and deployed beside a head of the occupant. A portion of the first inflation part is configured to be inflated and deployed above a console box and to come into contact with an upper surface of the console box. In a state where the airbag is folded, the second inflation part is folded to overlap the first inflation part such that the second inflation part is arranged inward of the first inflation part in a vehicle width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetaka AZUMA, Yuta MINAMI, Kazuya HASHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20210300293
    Abstract: A side airbag device includes an inflator; and a bag-shaped airbag inflatable and deployable in response to a gas upon activation of the inflator. The airbag includes a torso protection portion inflatable and deployable in a space beside a torso of the occupant, a support portion provided on a console box side of the torso protection portion and configured to be pushed onto a top surface of the console box in an inflated and deployed state, and a hip protection portion inflatable and deployable between a hip of the occupant and a lateral portion of the console box. The support portion and the hip protection portion are defined by a continuous chamber. The inflator is positioned from above to below the support portion in a side view of the vehicle. The airbag is mounted on a lateral portion of the vehicle seat via the inflator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicants: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION, ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taei SHIBAHARA, Toshihiro TAKEBAYASHI, Yuichi SUGIMURA, Motoharu HIRATA, Hidetaka AZUMA, Yuta MINAMI, Yoshitaka OKAGAMI, Kazuya HASHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20210300294
    Abstract: A side airbag device includes an airbag including a first inflation portion fixed to a seat and a second inflation portion inclining toward an occupant with respect to the first inflation portion. The airbag includes an occupant side panel disposed on an occupant side, a non-occupant side panel disposed opposite the occupant side panel, and a strip connection panel connecting a peripheral edge of the occupant side panel and a peripheral edge of the non-occupant side panel. The non-occupant side panel is spaced from the occupant side panel in a vehicle width direction. The connection panel includes a bend portion between a first peripheral edge portion connected to a first part of the peripheral edge of the occupant side panel defining the first inflation portion and a second peripheral edge portion connected to a second part of the peripheral edge of the occupant side panel defining the second inflation portion, or in the second peripheral edge portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetaka AZUMA, Yuta MINAMI, Yoshitaka OKAGAMI, Kazuya HASHIMOTO
  • Patent number: 11063551
    Abstract: A solar cell module includes a solar cell section and a step forming plate. The solar cell section includes a front side transparent plate, a back surface member, and a solar cell sealed therebetween. The step forming plate is disposed on a front side of the front side transparent plate, overlapping partly with the front side transparent plate and forming a step between the solar cell section and the step forming plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stefan Friedrich, Yuta Minami, Thomas J. Moran, Fumihiro Tanikawa
  • Patent number: 10875564
    Abstract: A steering wheel structure includes: a guide member (30) that is formed into a tubular shape, and attached to a mounting hole (12a) formed in a mounting plate (12) of an airbag module (10); a hook member (2) that is formed in a steering wheel (1), and is inserted into the guide member (30); a damper rubber (20) that is interposed between an edge portion of the mounting hole (12a) in the mounting plate (12), and the guide member (30); and a lock spring (40) that is attached to the guide member (30). The lock spring (40) is engaged with the hook member (2) inserted into the guide member (30) so as to prevent the hook member (2) from coming-off from the guide member (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignees: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD., MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuta Minami, Hidenori Higo, Kenichi Yukumatsu, Hideharu Kaeriyama
  • Publication number: 20200331511
    Abstract: A steering wheel structure includes: a guide member (30) that is formed into a tubular shape, and attached to a mounting hole (12a) formed in a mounting plate (12) of an airbag module (10); a hook member (2) that is formed in a steering wheel (1), and is inserted into the guide member (30); a damper rubber (20) that is interposed between an edge portion of the mounting hole (12a) in the mounting plate (12), and the guide member (30); and a lock spring (40) that is attached to the guide member (30). The lock spring (40) is engaged with the hook member (2) inserted into the guide member (30) so as to prevent the hook member (2) from coming-off from the guide member (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicants: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD., MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuta MINAMI, Hidenori HIGO, Kenichi YUKUMATSU, Hideharu KAERIYAMA
  • Patent number: 10173630
    Abstract: Provided is an airbag device that is to be mounted in a vehicle, and includes: an inflator configured to generate a gas; an airbag configured to be inflated with the gas generated by the inflator; a holding member housing the airbag in a folded state and being provided with an opening which allows inflation and deployment of the airbag therethrough; and a flap configured to restrict inflation and deployment of the airbag through the opening, the airbag including a roll folded portion being roll-folded and disposed on an occupant side, and two flip folded portions each being accordion-folded or tucked inside and disposed on a vehicle front side, the flap including a first restricting portion covering the roll folded portion and being held between the roll folded portion and the holding member, and a second restricting portion being secured to the airbag between the two flip folded portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuta Minami, Daijiro Katayama, Satoshi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20180294765
    Abstract: A solar cell module includes a solar cell section and a step forming plate. The solar cell section includes a front side transparent plate, a back surface member, and a solar cell sealed therebetween. The step forming plate is disposed on a front side of the front side transparent plate, overlapping partly with the front side transparent plate and forming a step between the solar cell section and the step forming plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: Kaneka Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Friedrich, Yuta Minami, Thomas J. Moran, Fumihiro Tanikawa
  • Patent number: 10027275
    Abstract: An object is to provide a technique capable of making the appearance of the entire roof on which a solar cell module is laid more beautiful. In a solar cell module that includes a front side transparent plate, a rear face sealing plate made of glass, and a solar cell sealed between the front side transparent plate and the rear face sealing plate, the area of the rear face sealing plate is made larger than the light receiving area of the solar cell and the area of the front side transparent plate. That is, the glass plate that seals the rear side of the solar cell expands to the outer side with respect to the front side transparent plate located on the front face of the solar cell module. A surplus region in which neither the solar cell nor the front side transparent plate is present is formed on the front side of the rear face sealing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stefan Friedrich, Yuta Minami, Thomas J Moran, Fumihiro Tanikawa
  • Publication number: 20180037185
    Abstract: Provided is an airbag device that is to be mounted in a vehicle, and includes: an inflator configured to generate a gas; an airbag configured to be inflated with the gas generated by the inflator; a holding member housing the airbag in a folded state and being provided with an opening which allows inflation and deployment of the airbag therethrough; and a flap configured to restrict inflation and deployment of the airbag through the opening, the airbag including a roll folded portion being roll-folded and disposed on an occupant side, and two flip folded portions each being accordion-folded or tucked inside and disposed on a vehicle front side, the flap including a first restricting portion covering the roll folded portion and being held between the roll folded portion and the holding member, and a second restricting portion being secured to the airbag between the two flip folded portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Yuta MINAMI, Daijiro KATAYAMA, Satoshi YAMASHITA
  • Patent number: 9849858
    Abstract: There is provided an airbag device with a reduced risk of injury to an occupant in the initial inflation and deployment of an airbag. The airbag has a roll folded portion in the rear side of a vehicle thereof, and a flip folded portion in the front side of the vehicle thereof, and is surrounded by a holding member. The holding member permits inflation and deployment of the airbag only from an opening. The flap has a first restricting portion, a second restricting portion and a third restricting portion joined together in a Y shape, and restricts the inflation and deployment of the airbag. The first restricting portion covers a portion of the roll folded portion of the opening side, and is disposed between the roll folded portion and the holding member. A tip of the second restricting portion is secured to the flip folded portion. The third restricting portion is folded into the flip folded portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Inazumi, Satoshi Yamashita, Yuta Minami
  • Publication number: 20170126170
    Abstract: An object is to provide a technique capable of making the appearance of the entire roof on which a solar cell module is laid more beautiful. In a solar cell module that includes a front side transparent plate, a rear face sealing plate made of glass, and a solar cell sealed between the front side transparent plate and the rear face sealing plate, the area of the rear face sealing plate is made larger than the light receiving area of the solar cell and the area of the front side transparent plate. That is, the glass plate that seals the rear side of the solar cell expands to the outer side with respect to the front side transparent plate located on the front face of the solar cell module. A surplus region in which neither the solar cell nor the front side transparent plate is present is formed on the front side of the rear face sealing plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: KANAEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stefan FRIEDRICH, Yuta MINAMI, Thomas J MORAN, Fumihiro TANIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20170080891
    Abstract: There is provided an airbag device with a reduced risk of injury to an occupant in the initial inflation and deployment of an airbag. The airbag has a roll folded portion in the rear side of a vehicle thereof, and a flip folded portion in the front side of the vehicle thereof, and is surrounded by a holding member. The holding member permits inflation and deployment of the airbag only from an opening. The flap has a first restricting portion, a second restricting portion and a third restricting portion joined together in a Y shape, and restricts the inflation and deployment of the airbag. The first restricting portion covers a portion of the roll folded portion of the opening side, and is disposed between the roll folded portion and the holding member. A tip of the second restricting portion is secured to the flip folded portion. The third restricting portion is folded into the flip folded portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi INAZUMI, Satoshi YAMASHITA, Yuta MINAMI
  • Patent number: 9027954
    Abstract: An airbag device (1), having an airbag (10), is installed in a side wall (91) inside a vehicle cabin. The airbag (10) includes an inflatable section (30) configured to be inflated with gas and is disposed in an upper portion of the side wall (91). An inflator (2) supplies gas to the inflatable section (30), inflating and deploying the airbag (10) downward. A connecting member (50) connects the airbag (10) and the vehicle body (99) and is pulled between the vehicle body (99) and the airbag (10) that is being inflated and deployed. When the airbag (10) is inflated and deployed, a support portion (51) of the connecting member (50) supports the inflatable section (30) from the side wall (91) side of the airbag and pushes it toward the inner side of the vehicle cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuhei Konishi, Tomoki Hashizume, Yuta Minami
  • Publication number: 20140217707
    Abstract: An airbag device (1), having an airbag (10), is installed in a side wall (91) inside a vehicle cabin. The airbag (10) includes an inflatable section (30) configured to be inflated with gas and is disposed in an upper portion of the side wall (91). An inflator (2) supplies gas to the inflatable section (30), inflating and deploying the airbag (10) downward. A connecting member (50) connects the airbag (10) and the vehicle body (99) and is pulled between the vehicle body (99) and the airbag (10) that is being inflated and deployed. When the airbag (10) is inflated and deployed, a support portion (51) of the connecting member (50) supports the inflatable section (30) from the side wall (91) side of the airbag and pushes it toward the inner side of the vehicle cabin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuhei Konishi, Tomoki Hashizume, Yuta Minami