Relatively Movable About Axis Patents (Class 439/164)
  • Patent number: 12091101
    Abstract: A steering input device for steer-by-wire, according to the present invention, includes a steering shaft that is mechanically separated from a steered wheel, a reaction force motor that applies a steering load to the steering shaft, a lock mechanism that regulates rotation of the steering shaft, a steering amount sensor that detects an operation amount of the steering shaft and outputs an operation amount signal, and a controller. The controller increases the reaction torque generated by the reaction force motor after the starting switch of the vehicle is switched to an OFF state, and after the reaction torque is increased, switches the lock mechanism to a locked state. Thereby, it is possible to suppress an uncomfortable sensation of the driver in steering, while suppressing occurrence of a phase shift between the steering wheel and the steered wheel when the starting switch of the vehicle is switched to the OFF state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhito Nakakuki, Makoto Kimura, Huajun Liu, Atsushi Hirata
  • Patent number: 11552437
    Abstract: A rotary connector device includes a rotation body and a fixed body that engage with each other in a relatively rotatable manner, in an interior thereof, a housing space having a cylindrical shape, and a flat cable housed in the housing space in a wound manner, wherein the rotation body includes: a rotating-side ring plate having an annular shape and an inner-circumferential cylindrical portion having a cylindrical shape; the fixed body includes: a stationary-side ring plate having an annular shape and an outer-circumferential cylindrical portion; the flat cable has a first end coupled to a stationary-side connector; the fixed body includes an insertion portion from the housing space toward an outer side of the fixed body along a rotation axis direction of the rotation body that relatively rotates; and the stationary-side connector is disposed on a main surface of the stationary-side ring plate on an outer side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignees: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Yuya Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 11498498
    Abstract: A steering roll connector assembly includes a roll stator. The assembly also includes a roll rotor telescoped in and rotatably coupled to the roll stator to allow relative rotation between the roll rotor and roll stator. The assembly further includes a lock-pin operatively engaging the roll rotor, and the lock-pin is releasable from the operative engagement with the roll rotor. The assembly yet further includes an arm extending from the lock-pin and operatively engaging the roll stator when the lock-pin couples to the roll rotor to prevent relative rotation between the roll rotor and the roll stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: AMERICAN FURUKAWA, INC.
    Inventors: Jere Wade, Alberto Castro Padilla
  • Patent number: 11196225
    Abstract: A rotary connector device includes a fixed body, a rotation body, and an inhibiting structure. The fixed body includes a first fixed body portion and a second fixed body portion disposed facing each other with a space being defined between the first fixed body portion and the second fixed body portion. The first fixed body portion and the second fixed body portion are coupled at a coupling portion. The rotation body rotatably is assembled to the fixed body. The inhibiting structure is configured to inhibit foreign matter from entering the space through the coupling portion. The coupling portion is exposed to an outer surface of the fixed body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignees: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Kazuki Fujimoto, Satoshi Kitao, Shingo Nambu, Kenji Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 11142155
    Abstract: A horn plate assembly for a vehicle includes: a horn plate having a plurality of fastening holes; and fasteners fastened to a hub of a steering wheel through the fastening holes. Seating grooves having stepped cross-sections to the fastening holes are formed at the fastening holes, and portions of the fasteners are seated in the seating grooves when the fasteners are fastened to the hub of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hyoung Jun Ahn
  • Patent number: 10981525
    Abstract: A rotary connector device capable of reducing the number of components and enhancing assembly workability provided with: a stationary member; a rotary member to be attached to the stationary member to be capable of relative rotation with respect to the stationary member, the rotary member including a steering wheel insertion hole into which an insertion convex portion of a steering wheel is to be inserted; and an intermediate stationary member provided to be movable between a locked position and a lock released position with respect to the rotary member, wherein the intermediate stationary member is provided with a regulating portion, the regulating portion being configured to, at the locked position, regulate relative rotation of the rotary member when the regulating portion is engaged with the stationary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignees: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Kenji Hiroki
  • Patent number: 10651617
    Abstract: A rotary connector includes a fixed housing having an outer cylindrical section, a movable housing, having an inner cylindrical section, and rotatably connected to the fixed housing, a main cable accommodated inside an annular space formed between the outer cylindrical section and the inner cylindrical section, a sub cable having one end connected to one end of the main cable and the other end connected to an external terminal, and a lead block. The lead block has a first block, to which the one end of the main cable and the one end of the sub cable are fixed, and a second block, which is fixed at an arrangement angle crossing an angle at which the first block is arranged, and to which the other end of the sub cable and the external terminal are fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kengo Saito, Toshiaki Asakura
  • Patent number: 10611324
    Abstract: Provided is a connection structure body capable of detecting a break with ease and high accuracy and achieving high connection reliability and safety. A connection structure body 2 includes a first FFC (41), a stator side primary molding body (50), and a rotator side primary molding body (60) which are attached to both end portions (41A) and (41B) of the first FFC respectively and are able to make an electrical connection between the first FFC and the outside. The rotator side primary molding body 60 includes busbars (61-1a), (61-1b), (61-1c), and (61-1d) arranged in parallel to each other corresponding to busbars (51-1a to 51-1d), a conductive portion (61-2) that electrically connects a pair of busbars (61-1a) and (61-1d) positioned on both ends respectively in the alignment direction of the busbars (61-1a to 61-1d), and a busbar case (62) for holding the busbars (61-1a to 61-1d) in such a manner that the busbars (61-1a to 61-1d) are partly exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignees: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Utsunomiya, Masashi Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 10468845
    Abstract: A rotary connector includes a rotor, a stator rotatably assembled on the rotor, a main flexible printed circuit having two side edges that are linear and parallel to each other, and wound and coiled within an annular space part formed between the rotor and the stator, a first sub flexible printed circuit mounted on one end part of the main flexible printed circuit, and connecting a connection terminal provided on the one end part and an external connection terminal provided on the rotor, and a second sub flexible printed circuit mounted on another end part of the main flexible printed circuit, and connecting a connection terminal provided on the other end part and an external connection terminal provided on the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Asakura, Rei Kosaka
  • Patent number: 10439348
    Abstract: A rotator, which is configured by an annular top plate and a cylindrically shaped inner peripheral portion, and a stator, which is configured by assembling an annular stator main body and a cylindrically shaped sub stator, are assembled to be relatively rotatable in both a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction. An SRC that houses a flat cable being wound inside of a housing space formed therein is provided with a stator locking portion that enables a frame-shaped locking portion that extends from the stator main body to lock with a protruding locking portion that is formed on the sub stator; and a recess-protrusion fitting portion that suppresses the entry of foreign matter into the housing space. The recess-protrusion fitting portion is disposed on an opposing portion that corresponds to the stator locking portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignees: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Shuji Hirai, Kazutaka Kamiya
  • Patent number: 10199786
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rotary connector device that enables relative rotation between the rotator and the stator to be easily and reliably fixed at a neutral position even when a steering device is disengaged. A rotary connector device (1) according to the present invention is provided with: a self-rotation pin (50) that is self-rotatable with respect to a sleeve (30) and that is provided with a pin-side notch (521) that restricts the self-rotation by coming into contact with an inner circumferential surface of a stator-side inner-circumferential cylindrical portion (23); a stationary-side gear (231) and a self-rotation-side gear (511) that transmit the relative rotation and the self-rotation in an interlocked manner; and a stationary-side switching mechanism (40) and a pin protrusion (52) that switch, in a neutral position, the self-rotation pin (50) from a released state to a restricted state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignees: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Rodrigo Kendy Yamashita, Hirofumi Utsunomiya, Masatoshi Ushiyama, Tomoki Kawamura
  • Patent number: 9847191
    Abstract: An electrical switch (100) includes an insulative housing (110) forming a receiving space therein, a fixed contact set (121, 122) retained in the housing (110), a movable contact set (131, 132) located above the fixed contact set (121, 122), and a cover (140) mounted upon the housing, wherein the moveable contact set (131, 132) further includes at least three outwardly and downwardly extending protrusions (133) on a periphery at equal intervals so as to support up-and-down movement of the moveable contact set (131, 132) during operation with a superior manual feeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yusho Nakase, Liang Sun
  • Patent number: 9557003
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting an electronic device is provided. The apparatus includes a first body and a second body. The first body is configured to be inserted into an insertion hole of the electronic device. The second body is configured to adjust an angle with respect to the first body, and to support the electronic device at an outside of the electronic device. A supporting angle of the electronic device is adjustable based on the angle between the first body and the second body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Inkyu Choi
  • Patent number: 9337600
    Abstract: An engaging member moved upward by an urging force of a spring member built in a bottom part of a rotatable-side member has a fitting groove for allowing a top end of the spring member to be fit thereto; and engaging parts of the engaging member and engageable parts of a fixed-side member, which are engaged with each other to provisionally fix the rotatable-side member, are formed at one neutral position and at an opposite position opposite thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignees: FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC., FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Utsunomiya, Shuuji Hirai, Yasuharu Kakimoto
  • Patent number: 9227813
    Abstract: A flat harness winding device includes: a case; a rotor rotatably disposed in the case; a shaft of the case inserted into a hole in the center of the rotor; a plurality of harness split rollers rotatably disposed in the rotor; and a plurality of flat harnesses each of which one end is fixed to the shaft, said flat harnesses independently bent along respective harness split rollers and guided out from an opening of the case allowed to be wound. Harness support rollers are rotatably disposed on the rotor in spaces between the harness split rollers. Curve-shaped harness guide ribs are disposed on the rotor close to an out side in a radial direction of each harness split roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Ryo Hamada
  • Patent number: 9146369
    Abstract: A cross axis cable management system comprising a bird cage mechanism, a clock spring mechanism and a rolling loop mechanism positioned about a first axis, second axis and third axis of a gimbal mechanism respectively. Each mechanism provides defined channels and protective elements to prevent cable damage. The mechanisms also have one fixed end, one rotational end, and an optimized amount of slack for repeatable cable motion. The system effectively manages a large number of conventional and fiber optic cables while minimizing the friction or drag associated with the motion about the multiple axes and preventing cable damage and the resultant loss of performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Edward M. Kolvek, Dennis P. Bowler, Barry Lavoie, Gerard A. Esposito
  • Patent number: 9147534
    Abstract: A steering column control module comprises a housing having at least two receptacles. A printed circuit board is mounted in the housing, the printed circuit board carrying first and second electrical connectors. A third electrical connector is mounted in the housing remote from the printed circuit board. A ribbon cable is connected between the second and third electrical connectors. The receptacles are adapted to receive respective switch modules. The first and third electrical connectors are positioned and configures so that, when plugged into respective receptacles, the switch modules connect to respective ones of the first and third electrical connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: KELSEY-HAYES COMPANY
    Inventors: Vivek V. Mohile, Vinod Pramadrao Taware, John Cranick
  • Patent number: 9130331
    Abstract: A rotating connector includes a cable accommodation chamber formed between an outer case and an inner case in their radial direction, a flexible flat cable housed in the cable accommodation chamber, and multiple idlers housed in the cable accommodation chamber. The idlers are rotatably provided in a direction of an annular slidable member. The idlers are rotatable on their own axes. The flat cable is wound on an inner periphery of the outer case and an outer periphery of the inner case by way of a reversed portion of the flat cable. The flat cable is wound thereon in opposite directions. The idlers are pivotally supported by the slidable member so as to change a space between the idlers and the inner case and a space between the idlers and the outer case depending on winding of the flat cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masakazu Umemura, Hideki Adachi, Tomoyoshi Kikkawa, Hiraku Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9070496
    Abstract: The object is to allow rotatable rollers to rotate smoothly. Rotatable rollers axially supported by bearings provided in a retainer so as to be rotatable include legs, each of which has an engaging part engageable with the corresponding bearing. A sliding part of the leg which is slidable against an inner circumferential surface of the bearing has a cross-sectional shape which is contactable with the inner circumferential surface over a width smaller than a width of the leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignees: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Hayato Arakawa
  • Patent number: 8998628
    Abstract: A fixed-side ring plate rotation regulation section is provided at an outer circumferential edge of a fixed-side ring plate, and an outer cylinder rotation regulation section is provided at an outer circumferential edge of an outer cylinder at a position corresponding to the fixed-side ring plate rotation regulation section. The fixed-side ring plate and the outer cylinder formed of different members from each other are fit to each other such that the fixed-side ring plate rotation regulation section and the outer cylinder rotation regulation section are in contact with each other so as not to rotate about a rotation axis thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Furukawa Automotive Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Shuji Hirai
  • Patent number: 8986026
    Abstract: An engaging member moved upward by an urging force of a spring member built in a bottom part of a rotatable-side member has a fitting groove for allowing a top end of the spring member to be fit thereto; and engaging parts of the engaging member and engageable parts of a fixed-side member, which are engaged with each other to provisionally fix the rotatable-side member, are formed at one neutral position and at an opposite position opposite thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignees: Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Furukawa Automotive Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Utsunomiya, Shuuji Hirai, Yasuharu Kakimoto
  • Patent number: 8986018
    Abstract: There is provided a rotary connector device in which a flat cable is wound and accommodated in an annular space between a rotating rotor and a fixed stator. The rotor is provided with a rotor main body made of a PBT resin, and a rotor cover portion made of a polyacetal resin and overlapping the rotor main body to ensure strength of the rotary connector device and reduce sliding noises between the flat cable and the rotor. The rotor cover portion is provided with an opening portion for pulling the flat cable in the annular space out of the rotor main body, and a concave portion is formed in a disc portion of the rotor cover portion for improving work efficiency at the time of assembling the rotor main body and the rotor cover portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Valeo Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Sakurai, Yasumasa Serizawa
  • Patent number: 8974233
    Abstract: In a rotary connector where a moving body turning with the rotation and revolution of planetary gears and flat cables including inverted portions at middle portions thereof are received in a receiving space between outer and inner cylindrical bodies, a bottom plate of a stationary-side housing is provided with an annular protrusion that comes into contact with lower surfaces of the planetary gears and a hollow portion that is positioned outside the annular protrusion in a radial direction, and the hollow portion is positioned directly below in a vertical direction when the stationary-side housing is mounted on an installation portion of a vehicle. Accordingly, a foreign matter entering the receiving space falls down onto the bottom plate and is accumulated in the hollow portion. Therefore, the hindrance to the rotation of the planetary gears, when the planetary gears catch a foreign matter, can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Asakura, Keisuke Aikawa
  • Patent number: 8974234
    Abstract: In a rotary connector where a moving body turning with the rotation and revolution of a planetary gear and a flat cable including an inverted portion at a middle portion thereof are received in an annular space defined between an outer cylindrical body of a stationary-side housing and an inner cylindrical body of a movable-side housing, regulating walls, which extend in a circumferential direction with an opening interposed therebetween, are erected on a moving body formed of a resin molded product and the inverted portion passes through the opening so that the movement of the flat cable in a radial direction is regulated. Further, a plurality of protrusions, which protrude toward the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical body, are repeatedly formed in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surfaces of the regulating walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seishi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8911239
    Abstract: A rotatable connector device includes a rotator and a stator which are fit to each other so as to be rotatable with respect to each other. The rotator and the stator form an accommodation space. In a bottom part of the accommodation space, a retainer for axially supporting a plurality of rotatable rollers and a flat cable are accommodated. A guide unit for allowing a reversed part to be pressed thereon is fit and fixed to the retainer. In a vertical cross-section vertical to a planar surface of the retainer, a guide surface of the guide unit which faces the reversed part has a vertical cross-sectional shape which does not contact a prescribed range of the flat cable in a width direction of the flat cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignees: Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Furukawa Automotive Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Akio Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8888518
    Abstract: After a lead block, which is assembled by fitting a required number of pin terminals into an insulating support member, is connected to an end portion of a flat cable, the lead block is mounted on a lower connector holding portion of a rotary connector. The lower connector holding portion is formed of downward protruding portions of an outer cylindrical portion and a lower cover that are snap-fitted to each other. The downward protruding portion includes a receiving recess, and the downward protruding portion includes a holding wall portion. Tip portions of the pin terminals are inserted into insertion holes of the holding wall portion, so that the lead block is mounted. While stopper portions of the pin terminals are interposed between the holding wall portion and an outer wall of the support member, the support member is disposed so as to be positioned the receiving recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seishi Takahashi, Toshiaki Asakura, Hiroyuki Sato, Yasuhisa Osumi
  • Patent number: 8851901
    Abstract: A rotary connector device includes a stator and a rotator, which relatively rotate with respect to each other. An accommodating space for accommodating cables for electrically connecting the rotator and the stator in a state wound in a circle is formed inside the stator and the rotator is formed. A guide protruding piece which protrudes toward the accommodating space above the cables wound in a circle and which guides the cables from above is formed on an upper portion of an outer peripheral tube portion provided in the stator. A lower surface of the guide protruding piece is formed into a shape which is deformed upward gradually toward a tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignees: Furukawa Automotive Systems Inc., Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Hiroki
  • Patent number: 8845348
    Abstract: A relative rotation restriction unit includes a rotation restriction body for restricting a stator and a rotator, which are in engagement with each other coaxially so as to be rotatable with respect to each other, from rotating with respect to each other at a restriction position, and an urging unit for elastically supporting the rotation restriction body toward the restriction position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Furukawa Automotive Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Kosuke Yamawaki
  • Patent number: 8834189
    Abstract: A rotatable connector device includes a fixed-side member which is to be fixed, and a rotatable-side member which is relatively rotatably attached to the fixed-side member. The rotatable-side member receives a rotation input. The rotatable connector device have a fixed-side cable end accommodation section, projecting from an outer circumferential surface of the fixed-side member in a tangential direction thereof, for accommodating and holding a terminal conductor connection section provided at an end of a flat cable accommodated in the rotatable connector device. The flat cable has a bent portion, in a portion thereof on a side of the terminal conductor connection section, for bending the flat cable so as to shift the portion on the side of the terminal conductor connection section in a width direction of the flat cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignees: Furukawa Electronic Co., Ltd., Furukawa Automotive Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Shuji Hirai
  • Publication number: 20140235082
    Abstract: In a rotatable connector device, a plurality of first rotatable rollers are provided on a top surface of the retainer, the plurality of first rotatable rollers being located at a prescribed pitch in a circumferential direction of a phantom circle concentric with the retainer and being axially supported by the retainer so as to be rotatable; and a second rotatable roller is provided to face a part, of one of the plurality of first rotatable rollers, along which the reversed part is wound, the second rotatable roller being located away from the one first rotatable roller by a distance which allows the reversed part to be pressed to, and to be separated from, the one first rotatable roller and being axially supported by the retainer so as to be rotatable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicants: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Ryoichi Adachi
  • Patent number: 8808016
    Abstract: A rotatable connector device includes a steering roll connector that accommodates a flat cable in an accommodation space in the state where the flat cable can be wound and unwound. Also, a plurality of rotatable rollers are located on a top surface of a retainer concentrically with the retainer at an equal interval in a circumferential direction of the retainer. A regulation section on which a reversed part is allowed to be pressed is provided on the top surface of the retainer at a position away from one of the plurality of rotatable rollers, namely, a rotatable roller, on the side of a part of the rotatable roller along which the reversed part can be wound. The regulation section is away from the part of the rotatable roller by a gap which allows the reversed part to contact or detached from the rotatable roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignees: Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Furukawa Automotive Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Adachi, Kazutaka Kamiya
  • Patent number: 8794563
    Abstract: A rotary apparatus comprises a rotary bobbin, a processing component fixedly attached to the bobbin and connectors fixedly connected to the processing component. At least one helical groove is located along the bobbin wherein the connectors are housed. A motor coupled to the processing component is operative to rotate the processing component together with the bobbin in two opposite rotary directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: ASM Assembly Automation Ltd
    Inventors: Kam Kwong Lai, Kin Man Lee, Wai Ho Luoie, Leung Por Chan, Wang Lung Tse
  • Patent number: 8770997
    Abstract: The present invention provides a foldable USB connector comprising a first folding part, a second folding part and an elastic strap, facilitates effective use, saves more space to match demand for a compact design currently, and is integrated with other relevant products to create a composite product with diversified functions and advantages such as compact structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Walton Advanced Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Hong-Chi Yu, Mao-Ting Chang
  • Patent number: 8727936
    Abstract: A rotary connector includes a stationary housing that includes an outer cylindrical body, and a movable housing that is disposed coaxially with the stationary housing and includes an inner cylindrical body facing the outer cylindrical body. An annular space portion is formed between the inner and outer cylindrical bodies facing each other and flat cables are wound and received in the annular space portion. An internal gear is provided on the outer cylindrical body of the stationary housing. A sun gear is provided on the inner cylindrical body of the movable housing. A planetary gear, which meshes with both the sun gear and the internal gear and is movable along the inner surface of a bottom plate portion of the stationary housing, is provided between the sun gear and the internal gear. The planetary gear and the sun gear include a plurality of void portions in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Asakura, Seishi Takahashi, Yasuhisa Osumi
  • Patent number: 8721346
    Abstract: A signal transmission module is provided. The signal transmission module includes an electrical connector, a linked unit, a data connector, a sliding block, a link and a lock block. The data connector rotates and expands according to a first shaft and a first elastomer of the linked unit, and electrically connects to the electrical connector. During retraction of the data connector, the data connector pushes the sliding block. Then the sliding block moves against the lock block so that the lock block rotates. The lock block rotates to lock and secure the data connector by the lock piece, while a cam of the link moves to a secure location along an incline plane of a track of the sliding block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Ability Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Fang Lin, Hsien-Ming Lee, Hao-Chung Lien
  • Patent number: 8678835
    Abstract: After a lead block, where a required number of pin terminals are fitted to and assembled with an insulating support member, is connected to an end portion of a flat cable, the lead block is assembled with a lower connector holder of a rotary connector. The lower connector holder includes lower protruding portions of a lower cover and an outer cylindrical portion that are snap-fitted to each other. The lower protruding portion includes a receiving recess and the lower protruding portion includes a holding wall portion. Leading end portions of pin terminals are inserted into insertion holes of the holding wall portion, so that the lead block is assembled. While stopper portions of the pin terminals are interposed between the holding wall portion and the outer wall of the support member, the support member is positioned and held in the receiving recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seishi Takahashi, Hiroyuki Sato, Yasuhisa Osumi
  • Publication number: 20130330946
    Abstract: A rotating connector includes a cable accommodation chamber formed between an outer case and an inner case in their radial direction, a flexible flat cable housed in the cable accommodation chamber, and multiple idlers housed in the cable accommodation chamber. The idlers are rotatably provided in a direction of an annular slidable member. The idlers are rotatable on their own axes. The flat cable is wound on an inner periphery of the outer case and an outer periphery of the inner case by way of a reversed portion of the flat cable. The flat cable is wound thereon in opposite directions. The idlers are pivotally supported by the slidable member so as to change a space between the idlers and the inner case and a space between the idlers and the outer case depending on winding of the flat cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Masakazu UMEMURA, Hideki ADACHI, Tomoyoshi KIKKAWA, Hiraku TANAKA
  • Patent number: 8526196
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for receiving, at least partially, an electric/electronic component in an internal housing area, in particular for commercial vehicles. A first housing component at least partially forms the internal housing area and a cover at least partially surrounds the internal housing area. The cover is designed such that at least one electrically conductive connecting element for electrically coupling the electric/electronic component to at least one additional electric/electronic component provided outside of the internal housing area is fixed by the cover. A method for assembling the apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Eichner, Thomas Uhland
  • Publication number: 20130224976
    Abstract: The present invention provides a foldable USB connector comprising a first folding part, a second folding part and an elastic strap, facilitates effective use, saves more space to match demand for a compact design currently, and is integrated with other relevant products to create a composite product with diversified functions and advantages such as compact structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: WALTON ADVANCED ENGINEERING INC.
    Inventor: WALTON ADVANCED ENGINEERING INC.
  • Publication number: 20130095680
    Abstract: A rotatable connector device includes a fixed-side member which is to be fixed, and a rotatable-side member which is relatively rotatably attached to the fixed-side member. The rotatable-side member receives a rotation input. The rotatable connector device have a fixed-side cable end accommodation section, projecting from an outer circumferential surface of the fixed-side member in a tangential direction thereof, for accommodating and holding a terminal conductor connection section provided at an end of a flat cable accommodated in the rotatable connector device. The flat cable has a bent portion, in a portion thereof on a side of the terminal conductor connection section, for bending the flat cable so as to shift the portion on the side of the terminal conductor connection section in a width direction of the flat cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventor: Shuji Hirai
  • Patent number: 8414303
    Abstract: A wiring unit is provided for robots having a rotary joint. This unit includes a wiring case, a slide aid contained in the wiring case, and a flexible printed wiring board for electric wiring. The wiring case includes a cylindrical housing and a reel with a cylindrical core member. The reel is relatively rotatable to the housing. The reel and housing are linked with robot's two members requiring the rotary joint. In the slide aid, an annular rotary plate surrounds the core member and is rotatable about the core member. Plural rollers are provided on the rotary plate and self-rotatable. The wiring board has electrical wires and is connected to the core member and housing and is wound and unwound in radially inside and outside spaces of the rollers via the vacant space by moving on and along the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Wave Incorporated
    Inventors: Satoru Nakamura, Kazuyoshi Yanagihara, Naoki Shichida
  • Patent number: 8399271
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a substrate; a first insulating layer formed on the substrate and having an upper surface including a concavo-convex area including one or more concave features and one or more convex features; a first storage electrode overlaying the upper surface and a side surface of the first insulating layer and having an upper surface including a concavo-convex area including one or more concave features and one or more convex features, each concave feature of the first storage electrode overlying at least one respective concave feature of the first insulating layer, each convex feature of the first storage electrode overlying at least one respective convex feature of the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer formed on the first storage electrode; and a second storage electrode formed on the second insulating layer which separates the second storage electrode from the underlying first storage electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Jin Park, Kyu-Young Kim, Hyung Il Jeon, Ju-Han Bae
  • Publication number: 20130065413
    Abstract: A rotatable connector device includes a steering roll connector that accommodates a flat cable in an accommodation space in the state where the flat cable can be wound and unwound. Also, a plurality of rotatable rollers are located on a top surface of a retainer concentrically with the retainer at an equal interval in a circumferential direction of the retainer. A regulation section on which a reversed part is allowed to be pressed is provided on the top surface of the retainer at a position away from one of the plurality of rotatable rollers, namely, a rotatable roller, on the side of a part of the rotatable roller along which the reversed part can be wound. The regulation section is away from the part of the rotatable roller by a gap which allows the reversed part to contact or detached from the rotatable roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Ryoichi Adachi, Kazutaka Kamiya
  • Patent number: 8382500
    Abstract: A rotary connector device includes a stator, a rotator rotatable relative to the stator, a base ring arranged between the stator and the rotator, a flexible flat cable (14), and a rotating roller. The flexible flat cable (14) has a conductor part (14a), and is configured to electrically connect the stator side and the rotator side to each other. The rotating roller is rotatably supported on the base ring, and brings an outer circumferential surface thereof into contact with the flexible flat cable (14), thereby guiding it. The rotating roller is molded by using a die. When a plane including a parting line that is formed at the outer circumferential surface of the rotating roller at a time of the molding is defined as an imaginary plane (90), the imaginary plane (90) is perpendicular to an axis of the rotating roller and does not overlap the conductor part (14a) of the flexible flat cable (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignees: Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Furukawa Automotive Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Ryoichi Adachi
  • Patent number: 8226442
    Abstract: An electronic module adapted to be removably, operably connected to an electronic device. The electronic module includes a housing; at least one electronic component in the housing; and a plurality of electrical contact areas. The housing has a general electronic card shape with relatively large top and bottom sides and relatively thin side edges between the top and bottom sides. The plurality of electrical contact areas are located on a first one of the side edges. The electrical contact areas are connected to the at least one electronic component such that, when the electronic module is operably connected to the electronic device, the electrical contact areas on the first side edge are adapted to electrically couple the at least one electronic component to the electronic device along the first side edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Matti Uusimaki, Timo T. Laitinen
  • Patent number: 8197196
    Abstract: A bushing assembly for a turbine vane includes a bushing, housing, and a flexible conductor. The bushing includes a bore for receiving a trunnion of the vane and a first conductor extending from the bushing. The first conductor is adapted to be connected to a heater element disposed on the vane. The housing is positioned over the bushing, and the bushing is rotatable relative to the housing. The housing includes a second conductor extending from the housing for connection to an electrical power source. The flexible conductor is electrically connected between the first conductor and the second conductor, such that an electric current is transmitted from the second conductor to the first conductor to provide an electric current to the heater element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian Michael Davis, Billy T. Wood, Gregory William Reimels, Louis Bruno Lorenzi
  • Patent number: 8177567
    Abstract: Apparatus for signal and current transmission between end points capable of moving relative to one another having a flat ribbon line arranged in between. The ribbon has at least two conductors, embedded in an insulating sheath. The ribbon is subdivided into winding areas, connected by a U-shaped reversal point and is accommodated in a cassette, having a rotor and stator. The rotor and stator enclose between them an annular winding area for the ribbon. A strip of insulating material is arranged in the winding area of the cassette and has at least two sections which are offset with respect to one another in the circumferential direction of the cassette and have reversal points and associated winding areas. The strip is placed around turning points, fitted to the stator. The strip supports the ribbon such that turns of the ribbon do not fall on one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Nexans
    Inventor: Frank Schröer
  • Patent number: 8167633
    Abstract: An intelligent multifunctional transmission and charging device includes a casing, a power conversion module, a reel device, at least one cable, and a plurality of openings and connectors to provide functions of charging mobile devices and extending service lives thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Sung-Chiang Wu
  • Patent number: 8083525
    Abstract: An electrical device such as a steering column module for a vehicle includes a connector, a movable element, and a transport securing element movable to a position in which the transport securing element blocks the movable element from moving. When the transport securing element is in the position blocking the movable element from moving the transport securing element also blocks the connector from connecting with an external connection element. The transport securing element is movable to a position in which the transport securing element does not block the movable element from moving. When the transport securing element is in the position not blocking the movable element from moving the transport securing element also does not block the connector from connecting with an external connection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Lukas Fiala, Alexander Trinn, Knut Moldenhauer
  • Patent number: 8072103
    Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine includes a stator in which a winding system is positioned, and at least a multi-part plug housing with a pivot joint between housing parts of the plug housing. The plug housing has at least one plug-type connector with at least two plugging elements. At least one housing part of the plug housing is made of electrically conductive material and connected to at least one plugging element by a flexible electric line. The electrically conductive housing part of the plug housing faces the dynamoelectric machine and is connected in an electrically conductive fashion to an electrically conductive surface of a motor housing of the dynamoelectric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Eckert, Dirk Grosse-Benne