Patent Grant
12031531
The present invention relates to a capacity control valve that variably controls capacity of a working fluid, for example, a capacity control valve that controls a discharge amount of a variable displacement compressor used for an air conditioning system of an automobile in accordance with pressure.
A variable displacement compressor used for an air conditioning system of an automobile, etc. includes a rotating shaft to be driven and rotated by an engine, a swash plate coupled to the rotating shaft in such a manner that a tilt angle is variable, compressing pistons coupled to the swash plate, etc., and by changing the tilt angle of the swash plate, changes a stroke amount of the pistons to control a discharge amount of a fluid. This tilt angle of the swash plate can be continuously changed by appropriately controlling pressure in a control chamber while utilizing suction pressure Ps of a suction chamber that suctions the fluid, discharge pressure Pd of a discharge chamber that discharges the fluid pressurized by the pistons, and control pressure Pc of the control chamber that houses the swash plate, with using a capacity control valve to be driven to open and close by electromagnetic force.
At the time of continuously driving the variable displacement compressor, the capacity control valve performs normal control in which energization is controlled by a control computer, a valve element is moved in the axial direction by electromagnetic force generated in a solenoid, and a CS valve provided between a control port through which a control fluid of the control pressure Pc passes and a suction port through which a suction fluid of the suction pressure Ps passes is opened and closed to adjust the control pressure Pc of the control chamber of the variable displacement compressor.
For example, a capacity control valve shown in Patent Citation 1 mainly includes a valve housing that includes a Pc port through which a control fluid passes and a Ps port through which a suction fluid passes and a CS valve that is able to switch a communication state of the Pc port and the Ps port and adjusts a control pressure Pc by opening and closing the CS valve. The CS valve includes a CS valve element that is axially driven by a solenoid and a CS valve seat that is provided between the Pc port and the Ps port and is able to contact the CS valve element and is configured to increase the control pressure Pc by closing the CS valve and decrease the control pressure Pc by opening the CS valve.
Patent Citation 1: JP 3581598 B2 (PAGE 4, FIG. 8)
However, in the capacity control valve of Patent Citation 1, since the Pc port is disposed in the solenoid driving direction and the control pressure Pc flowing from the Pc port at the time of driving the solenoid is applied as a drag force of the CS valve element, there is a possibility that the responsiveness of the CS valve element decreases.
The present invention is achieved focusing on such a problem, and an object thereof is to provide a capacity control valve capable of immediately operating a CS valve element.
In order to solve the foregoing problem, a capacity control valve according to the present invention is a capacity control valve includes: a valve housing that is provided with a suction port through which a suction fluid of a suction pressure passes and a control port through which a control fluid of a control pressure passes; a CS valve that includes a CS valve element which is axially driven by a solenoid and a CS valve seat which is provided between the suction port and the control port and is brought into contact with and separated from the CS valve element; and biasing member configured to bias the CS valve element in a valve closing direction of the CS valve, wherein a space is formed inside the valve housing in opposition to the solenoid through the CS valve element and the suction fluid flows into the space. According to the aforesaid feature of the present invention, since the suction fluid having a pressure lower than that of the control fluid flows into the space on the side opposite to the solenoid which is on the solenoid driving direction side in relation to the CS valve element, a drag force applied to the CS valve element at the time of driving the solenoid can be decreased and the CS valve element can be immediately operated.
It may be preferable that the biasing member is disposed in the space. According to this preferable configuration, since the biasing member can be disposed by using the space into which the suction fluid flows, the capacity control valve can be configured with a compact size.
It may be preferable that a communication passage for communication between the space and the suction port is provided. According to this preferable configuration, the control fluid can be caused to flow from the suction port formed in the valve housing into the space through the communication passage.
It may be preferable that the communication passage is formed in the CS valve element. According to this preferable configuration, since the communication passage is formed in the CS valve element, the processing is simple compared to a case in which the communication passage is formed in the valve housing.
It may be preferable that the space and the control port are partitioned. According to this preferable configuration, the suction fluid can be easily maintained in the space.
It may be preferable that the space and the control port are partitioned by a bellows. According to this preferable configuration, the space and the control port can be partitioned by a simple configuration.
It may be preferable that the space and the control port are partitioned by the CS valve element and the valve housing is provided with a guide hole having an inner periphery which slides on an outer periphery of the CS valve element to guide the CS valve element. According to this preferable configuration, the space and the control port can be partitioned in a sealed state by the CS valve element even when a member for partitioning the space and the control port is not separately provided.
Modes for carrying out a capacity control valve according to the present invention will be described below based on embodiments.
A capacity control valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to
A capacity control valve V according to the first embodiment of the present invention is assembled into a variable displacement compressor (not shown) used for an air conditioning system of an automobile, etc. By variably controlling pressure of a working fluid (hereinafter, simply referred to as the “fluid”) serving as a coolant, a discharge amount of the variable displacement compressor is controlled and the air conditioning system is adjusted to have a desired cooling ability.
First, the variable displacement compressor will be described. The variable displacement compressor has a casing including a discharge chamber, a suction chamber, a control chamber, and plural cylinders. A communication passage providing direct communication between the discharge chamber and the control chamber is provided in the variable displacement compressor and a fixed orifice 9 for adjusting and balancing pressure between the discharge chamber and the control chamber is provided in this communication passage (see
The variable displacement compressor also includes a rotating shaft to be driven and rotated by an engine (not shown) installed outside the casing, a swash plate coupled to the rotating shaft in an eccentric state by a hinge mechanism in the control chamber, and plural pistons coupled to the swash plate and fitted reciprocatably in the respective cylinders. With using the capacity control valve V to be driven to open and close by electromagnetic force, a tilt angle of the swash plate is continuously changed by appropriately controlling pressure in the control chamber while utilizing suction pressure Ps of the suction chamber that suctions the fluid, discharge pressure Pd of the discharge chamber that discharges the fluid pressurized by the pistons, and control pressure Pc of the control chamber that houses the swash plate. Thereby, a stroke amount of the pistons is changed to control a discharge amount of the fluid.
As shown in
In the present embodiment, the CS valve 50 includes a CS valve element 51 which is a valve element and a CS valve seat 10a which is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the valve housing 10 and an axially right end 51a of the CS valve element 51 moves to be in contact with and separated from the CS valve seat 10a so that the CS valve 50 is opened and closed.
Next, a structure of the capacity control valve V will be described. As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
A suction fluid supply chamber 13 to which the suction fluid is supplied from the Ps port 11, a control fluid supply chamber 14 to which the control fluid is supplied from the Pc port 12, a valve opening portion 15 which is disposed between the suction fluid supply chamber 13 and the control fluid supply chamber 14 and in which the CS valve seat 10a is formed at the axially left edge portion, a recessed portion 10d which opens to the axially left side and is disposed on the axially left side in relation to the control fluid supply chamber 14, and a guide hole 10b which is provided in the bottom of the recessed portion 10d, that is, the axially right end of the recessed portion 10d and is slidable on the outer peripheral surface of the CS valve element 51 in a substantially sealed state are provided inside the valve housing 10.
An opening portion of the axially left end of the recessed portion 10d is closed by the lid member 16 and a space S defined by the recessed portion 10d, the lid member 16, and the CS valve element 51 is formed inside the valve housing 10. In addition, the inner peripheral surface of the guide hole 10b and the outer peripheral surface of the CS valve element 51 are slightly separated from each other in the radial direction so that a minute gap is formed therebetween, the CS valve element 51 is smoothly relatively movable in the axial direction with respect to the valve housing 10, and the gap functions as a clearance seal that substantially seals the space S and the control fluid supply chamber 14.
The suction fluid supply chamber 13 and the space S communicate with each other by the communication passage 51c formed in the CS valve element 51. That is, the suction fluid supplied into the suction fluid supply chamber 13 flows into the space S through the communication passage 51c. Further, a spring 17 which is bias means biasing the CS valve element 51 rightward in the axial direction is disposed in the space S.
In the valve housing 10, a recessed portion 10c of which an inner radial side of an axially right end is recessed leftward in the axial direction is formed and a flange portion 82d of the center post 82 is inserted and fitted from the axially right side so as to be integrally connected and fixed in a substantially sealed state. In addition, an opening end on the side of the solenoid 80 of the suction fluid supply chamber 13 is formed on the inner radial side of the bottom surface of the recessed portion 10c of the valve housing 10.
As shown in
The casing 81 is provided with a recessed portion 81b which is formed by recessing the inner radial side of the axially left end rightward in the axial direction and the axially right end portion of the valve housing 10 is inserted and fixed to the recessed portion 81b in a substantially sealed state.
The center post 82 is formed from a rigid body that is a magnetic material such as iron or silicon steel and includes a cylindrical portion 82b that extends in the axial direction and is provided with an insertion hole 82c into which the rod 52 is inserted and an annular flange portion 82d that extends radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the axially left end portion of the cylindrical portion 82b.
Further, the center post 82 is inserted and fixed to the recessed portion 10c of the valve housing 10 inserted and fixed to the recessed portion 81b of the casing 81 in a substantially sealed state while the axially right end surface of the flange portion 82d comes into contact with the bottom surface of the recessed portion 81b of the casing 81 from the axially left side. That is, the center post 82 is fixed by sandwiching the flange portion 82d between the bottom surface of the recessed portion 81b of the casing 81 and the bottom surface of the recessed portion 10c of the valve housing 10 from both sides in the axial direction.
Next, actions of the capacity control valve V, mainly actions of opening and closing the CS valve 50 will be described.
First, a non-energized state of the capacity control valve V will be described. As shown in
At this time, to the CS valve element 51, the bias force Fsp of the spring 17 and force FP1 by pressure of the fluid to an axially left end surface of the CS valve element 51 are applied to the axially right side and force FP2 by pressure of the fluid to the axially right end surface of the CS valve element 51 is applied to the axially left side. That is, given that the right side is the positive side, force Frod=Fsp+FP1−FP2 is applied to the CS valve element 51.
Specifically, a fluid inside the space S is applied to the axially left end surface of the CS valve element 51 and a fluid inside the suction fluid supply chamber 13 is applied to the axially right end surface of the CS valve element 51. Since the suction fluid supply chamber 13 and the space S communicate with each other by the communication passage 51c formed in the CS valve element 51, the suction fluid supplied from the Ps port 11 flows to the space S and the suction fluid supply chamber 13. Further, the axially left end surface of the CS valve element 51 is formed to have the same diameter as that of the axially right end surface. In other words, an effective pressure receiving area A of the CS valve element 51 where the fluid of the space S is applied is the same as an effective pressure receiving area B of the CS valve element 51 where the fluid inside the suction fluid supply chamber 13 is applied (i.e., A=B).
In this way, since the fluid flowing into the space S and the suction fluid supply chamber 13 is the same as the suction fluid supplied from the Pc port 12 and the effective pressure receiving areas A and B of the CS valve element 51 are the same, the force FP1 by the pressure of the fluid to the axially left end surface of the CS valve element 51 and the force FP2 to the axially right end surface of the CS valve element 51 are the same (i.e., FP1=FP2) and the force FP1 by the pressure of the fluid and the force FP2 by the pressure of the fluid are canceled. That is, given that the right side is the positive side, the force Frod=Fsp is substantially applied to the CS valve element 51.
Next, an energized state of the capacity control valve V will be described. As shown in
At this time, to the CS valve element 51, the electromagnetic force Fsol is applied on the axially left side, and the force Frod is applied on the axially right side. That is, given that the right side is the positive side, force Frod−Fsol is applied to the CS valve element 51.
In this way, the capacity control valve V performs Pc-Ps control by opening and closing the CS valve 50 so that the control fluid of the control pressure Pc supplied from the Pc port 12 is supplied to the suction chamber through the Ps port 11 to decrease the control pressure Pc of the control chamber. In other words, the discharge fluid of the discharge pressure Pd having a high pressure is not directly controlled. Therefore, it is possible to finely change the control pressure Pc in accordance with the valve opening degree of the CS valve 50 adjusted by the balance of the electromagnetic force of the solenoid 80 and the bias force of the spring 17.
As described above, since the space S is formed on the driving direction side of the solenoid 80 in relation to the CS valve element 51, that is, the operation direction side of the CS valve element 51 and the suction fluid having a pressure lower than that of the control fluid flows into this space S, it is possible to decrease a drag force applied to the CS valve element 51 when the CS valve 50 is switched from the closed state to the open state and to immediately operate the CS valve element 51. In particular, since the capacity control valve V is formed in a normally closed type in which the CS valve element 51 is biased by the spring 17 in the valve closing direction of the CS valve 50, it is possible to promptly decrease the control pressure Pc by immediately operating the CS valve element 51 to open the CS valve 50.
Further, since the spring 17 is disposed in the space S into which the suction fluid flows, it is not necessary to ensure a space for disposing the spring 17 on the side of the solenoid 80 and it is possible to configure the capacity control valve V in a compact size. Further, since the spring 17 is disposed on the side opposite to the solenoid 80 in the CS valve element 51, it is possible to stably operate the CS valve element 51.
Further, the communication passage 51c is formed for communication between the space S and the Ps port 11 and the control fluid can flow from the Ps port 11 formed in the valve housing 10 to the space S through the communication passage 51c. Accordingly, it is not necessary to form, for example, a suction port in the valve housing 10 or the lid member 16 separately from the Ps port 11 and it is possible to simplify the structure of the capacity control valve V.
Further, since the communication passage 51c is formed to penetrate the CS valve element 51 in the axial direction, it is easy to process the communication passage for communication between the space S and the Ps port 11 compared to a case in which the communication passage is formed in the valve housing 10.
Further, since the space S and the Pc port 12 are partitioned by the CS valve element 51, the valve housing 10 is provided with the guide hole 10b which guides the movement of the CS valve element 51, and the space S and the Pc port 12 are partitioned in a substantially sealed state by the clearance seal formed between the inner peripheral surface of the guide hole 10b and the outer peripheral surface of the CS valve element 51, it is possible to suppress the control fluid from flowing into the space S in the closed state of the CS valve 50. In other words, since it is easy to hold the suction fluid inside the space S, it is possible to reliably decrease a drag force applied to the CS valve element 51 when the CS valve 50 is switched from the closed state to the open state. Further, since the space S and the Pc port 12 are partitioned in a substantially sealed state by the clearance seal formed between the inner peripheral surface of the guide hole 10b and the outer peripheral surface of the CS valve element 51, it is not necessary to separately provide a member for partitioning the space S and the Pc port 12 and it is possible to decrease the number of parts and to simplify the structure of the capacity control valve V.
Further, since the valve housing 10 is provided with the guide hole 10b through which the CS valve element 51 is inserted, it is possible to increase the accuracy of the operation of the CS valve element 51 by guiding the CS valve element 51 to the guide hole 10b. Further, since the CS valve seat 10a and the guide hole 10b are integrally formed with each other in the valve housing 10, it is possible to provide a compact capacity control valve V with a small number of parts.
Additionally, in the first embodiment, a case has been described in which the effective pressure receiving area A of the CS valve element 51 where the fluid of the space S is applied is the same as the effective pressure receiving area B of the CS valve element 51 where the fluid inside the suction fluid supply chamber 13 is applied. However, the effective pressure receiving area A may be slightly larger than the effective pressure receiving area B (i.e., A>B) so that the CS valve 50 is reliably maintained in the closed state and the effective pressure receiving area A may be slightly smaller than the effective pressure receiving area B (i.e., A<B) so that the CS valve 50 is easily maintained in the open state.
A capacity control valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to
As shown in
The control fluid supply chamber 14 of the second embodiment communicates with the recessed portion 10d and a bellows 18 which is bias means for biasing the CS valve element 151 to the axially right side, that is, in the valve closing direction of the CS valve 150 is disposed in the control fluid supply chamber 14 instead of the spring 17. In the bellows 18, the axially left end is fixed to a lid member 161 closing the recessed portion 10d in a substantially sealed state and the axially right end is fixed to the axially left end surface of the CS valve element 151 in a substantially sealed state so that a space S1 is formed therein. Further, the suction fluid supply chamber 13 communicates with the space S1 through the communication passage 151c and the suction fluid inside the suction fluid supply chamber 13 flows into the space S1. That is, the bellows 18 partitions the space S1 and the control fluid supply chamber 14 in a sealed state when the CS valve 150 is in the closed state. In addition, a spring for axial biasing may be assembled to the bellows 18. That is, an effective pressure receiving area A′ of the bellows 18 is formed to be slightly larger than an effective pressure receiving area B′ on the axially right side of the CS valve element 151 (i.e., A′>B′).
Next, actions of the capacity control valve V1, mainly actions of opening and closing the CS valve 150 will be described.
First, a non-energized state of the capacity control valve V1 will be described. As shown in
At this time, to the CS valve element 151, the bias force Fbel of the bellows 18 and force FP1 by pressure of the fluid to the axially left end surface of the CS valve element 151 are applied to the axially right side and force FP2 by pressure of the fluid to the axially right surface of the CS valve element 151 is applied to the axially left side. That is, given that the right side is the positive side, force Frod=Fsp+FP1−FP2 is applied to the CS valve element 151.
Specifically, since the effective pressure receiving area A′ on the axially left side of the CS valve element 151 is slightly larger than the effective pressure receiving area B′ on the axially right side, the force FP1 by the pressure of the fluid to the axially left end surface of the CS valve element 151 is slightly larger than the force FP2 by the pressure of the fluid to the axially right surface of the CS valve element 151 (i.e., FP1>FP2). Accordingly, it is easy to maintain the closed state of the CS valve 150 even when a slight pressure difference is immediately generated between the pressure inside the space S1 and the pressure inside the suction fluid supply chamber 13.
Next, an energized state of the capacity control valve V1 will be described. As shown in
In this way, since the suction fluid flows into the space S1 formed on the operation direction side of the CS valve element 151, it is possible to immediately operate the CS valve element 151 by decreasing a drag force applied to the CS valve element 151 when the CS valve 150 is switched from the closed state to the open state.
Further, since the space S1 and the Pc port 12 are partitioned in a substantially sealed state by the bellows 18, it is possible to prevent the control fluid from flowing into the space S1 in the closed state of the CS valve 150. In other words, since it is possible to hold the suction fluid inside the space S1 in the closed state of the CS valve 150, it is possible to reliably decrease a drag force applied to the CS valve element 151 when the CS valve 150 is switched from the closed state to the open state. Further, since the bellows 18 partitioning the space S1 and the Pc port 12 also serves as bias means, the capacity control valve V1 can have a simple configuration.
Additionally, in the second embodiment, a case has been described in which the bellows 18 has a function of partitioning the space S1 and the Pc port 12 and a function of the bias means, but if the bias means biasing the CS valve element 151 in the valve closing direction is separately provided, the bellows 18 may not have the bias force.
A capacity control valve according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to
As shown in
Further, in the valve housing 210 of the third embodiment, the Ps port 11 is formed on the axially left side in relation to the CS valve seat 210a and the Pc port 12 is formed on the axially right side in relation to the CS valve seat 210a. Further, a space S2 which is partitioned by a recessed portion 210d, a lid member 216, and the CS valve element 251 is formed on the axially left side, that is, the operation direction side of the CS valve element 251 in relation to the CS valve seat 210a of the valve housing 210 and the space S2 functions as the suction fluid supply chamber 13. Further, in the valve housing 210, the CS valve seat 210a is formed between the control fluid supply chamber 14 and the suction fluid supply chamber 13. Further, a spring 217 which is bias means for biasing the CS valve element 251 toward the axially right side, that is, toward the CS valve seat 210a is disposed in the space S2.
Next, actions of the capacity control valve V2, mainly actions of opening and closing the CS valve 250 will be described.
First, a non-energized state of the capacity control valve V2 will be described. As shown in
At this time, to the CS valve element 251, the bias force Fsp of the spring 217 and force FP1 by pressure of the suction fluid to an axially left end surface of the CS valve element 251 are applied to the axially right side and force FP2 by pressure of the control fluid to the axially right surface of the CS valve element 251 is applied to the axially left side. That is, given that the right side is the positive side, force Frod=Fsp+FP1−FP2 is applied to the CS valve element 251.
Next, an energized state of the capacity control valve V will be described. As shown in
In this way, since the suction fluid flows into the space S2 formed on the operation direction side of the CS valve element 251, it is possible to immediately operate the CS valve element 251 by decreasing a drag force applied to the CS valve element 251 when the CS valve 250 is switched from the closed state to the open state. Further, since the control fluid is applied to the axially right surface of the CS valve element 251, it is easy to immediately operate the CS valve element 251 to the axially left side by a pressure difference between the suction fluid and the control fluid applied to the axially left and right surfaces of the CS valve element 251.
The embodiments of the present invention are described above with the drawings. However, specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments but the present invention includes changes and additions within the range not departing from the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiments, a case has been described in which the CS valve element is formed as a member separated from the rod disposed to penetrate the coil 86 of the solenoid 80, but the present invention is not limited to this. The CS valve element and the rod may be integrally formed with each other.
The first embodiment describes that the CS valve seat and the guide hole are integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the valve housing. However, the present invention is not limited to this but a valve housing having a CS valve seat and a valve housing having a guide hole may be separately provided.
A guide portion is not limited to be formed in the valve housing but may be formed in part of the insertion hole 82c of the center post 82, for example.
In the above-described embodiments, a case has been described in which the bias means is disposed inside the space, but the bias means may be disposed in a place other than the space such as the solenoid side.
In the first and second embodiments, a case has been described in which the Ps port communicates through the communication passage formed in the CS valve element, but the present invention is not limited to this. The communication passage may be formed in the valve housing. Further, the configuration of the communication passage may be omitted and another Ps port may be formed in the lid member or the valve housing forming the space to communicate with the suction chamber of the variable displacement compressor.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-082964 | Apr 2019 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2020/017168 | 4/21/2020 | WO |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2020/218284 | 10/29/2020 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3765644 | Zeuner | Oct 1973 | A |
| 4291860 | Bauer | Sep 1981 | A |
| 5022629 | Tibbals | Jun 1991 | A |
| 5076538 | Mohr | Dec 1991 | A |
| 5199855 | Nakajima | Apr 1993 | A |
| 5277552 | Higuchi | Jan 1994 | A |
| 5401087 | Goossens | Mar 1995 | A |
| 5503184 | Reinartz | Apr 1996 | A |
| 6142445 | Kawaguchi | Nov 2000 | A |
| 6217292 | Ota | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6234763 | Ota et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6244159 | Kimura et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
| 6250600 | Kumagai | Jun 2001 | B1 |
| 6350106 | Shimizu | Feb 2002 | B1 |
| 6398516 | Kawaguchi et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
| 6443708 | Hirota | Sep 2002 | B1 |
| 6481976 | Kimura | Nov 2002 | B2 |
| 6585494 | Suzuki | Jul 2003 | B1 |
| 6644621 | Ji | Nov 2003 | B2 |
| 6772990 | Sasaki et al. | Aug 2004 | B2 |
| 6893215 | Kuwabara et al. | May 2005 | B2 |
| 6976665 | Seitz | Dec 2005 | B2 |
| 7014427 | Hirota | Mar 2006 | B1 |
| 8418723 | Tsuchiya | Apr 2013 | B2 |
| 8550427 | Yoshida | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 9334978 | Lappan | May 2016 | B2 |
| 9581149 | Ota et al. | Feb 2017 | B2 |
| 9651037 | Sakakibara | May 2017 | B2 |
| 10077849 | Iwa et al. | Sep 2018 | B2 |
| 10316975 | Fangauer | Jun 2019 | B2 |
| 10781804 | Higashidozono | Sep 2020 | B2 |
| 10823162 | Kume et al. | Nov 2020 | B2 |
| 10837431 | Tonegawa et al. | Nov 2020 | B2 |
| 10907624 | Kume et al. | Feb 2021 | B2 |
| 11215293 | Fukuda | Jan 2022 | B2 |
| 11231111 | Hurst | Jan 2022 | B2 |
| 11320061 | Nishimura et al. | May 2022 | B2 |
| 11480166 | Hayama | Oct 2022 | B2 |
| 20020031432 | Ota et al. | Mar 2002 | A1 |
| 20020098091 | Umemura | Jul 2002 | A1 |
| 20030019226 | Hirota | Jan 2003 | A1 |
| 20040060604 | Uemura | Apr 2004 | A1 |
| 20040091368 | Kainuma | May 2004 | A1 |
| 20040118140 | Umemura et al. | Jun 2004 | A1 |
| 20050287014 | Umemura et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
| 20060237552 | Umemura | Oct 2006 | A1 |
| 20070069576 | Suzuki | Mar 2007 | A1 |
| 20070164244 | Kratzer | Jul 2007 | A1 |
| 20070267078 | Collet et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
| 20080175727 | Umemura | Jul 2008 | A1 |
| 20110042605 | Gyger | Feb 2011 | A1 |
| 20110091334 | Taguchi | Apr 2011 | A1 |
| 20120056113 | Tano et al. | Mar 2012 | A1 |
| 20130291963 | Futakuchi et al. | Nov 2013 | A1 |
| 20140369862 | Ota et al. | Dec 2014 | A1 |
| 20150044065 | Ota et al. | Feb 2015 | A1 |
| 20150211502 | Ota et al. | Jul 2015 | A1 |
| 20150345655 | Higashidozono | Dec 2015 | A1 |
| 20160053755 | Taguchi | Feb 2016 | A1 |
| 20160186733 | Sugamura et al. | Jun 2016 | A1 |
| 20170175723 | Kume | Jun 2017 | A1 |
| 20170314700 | Iwanaga et al. | Nov 2017 | A1 |
| 20190331249 | Borja | Oct 2019 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2869383 | Feb 2007 | CN |
| 102384056 | Mar 2012 | CN |
| 103671033 | Mar 2014 | CN |
| 105736308 | Jul 2016 | CN |
| 109416133 | Mar 2019 | CN |
| 0255764 | Jul 1987 | EP |
| 0945617 | Sep 1999 | EP |
| 0945618 | Sep 1999 | EP |
| 0980976 | Feb 2000 | EP |
| 1091125 | Apr 2001 | EP |
| 1098091 | May 2001 | EP |
| 1052124 | Nov 2002 | EP |
| 1279831 | Jan 2003 | EP |
| 1375918 | Jan 2004 | EP |
| 1512871 | Mar 2005 | EP |
| 2952741 | Dec 2015 | EP |
| 2963293 | Jan 2016 | EP |
| 787961 | Dec 1957 | GB |
| 7-27049 | Jan 1995 | JP |
| 2000-87849 | Mar 2000 | JP |
| 2000-161234 | Jun 2000 | JP |
| 3242496 | Oct 2001 | JP |
| 2002-70732 | Mar 2002 | JP |
| 2002-201913 | Jul 2002 | JP |
| 2003-322086 | Nov 2003 | JP |
| 2004162856 | Jun 2004 | JP |
| 3581598 | Jul 2004 | JP |
| 2006-17087 | Jan 2006 | JP |
| 2006-52648 | Feb 2006 | JP |
| 3783434 | Mar 2006 | JP |
| 2007177627 | Jul 2007 | JP |
| 4100161 | Jun 2008 | JP |
| 2011017381 | Jan 2011 | JP |
| 2011-94554 | May 2011 | JP |
| 2014-80927 | May 2014 | JP |
| 2014-126025 | Jul 2014 | JP |
| 2015-1168 | Jan 2015 | JP |
| 2015-34510 | Feb 2015 | JP |
| 201620682 | Feb 2016 | JP |
| 5983539 | Aug 2016 | JP |
| 2017-31834 | Feb 2017 | JP |
| 2018-3884 | Jan 2018 | JP |
| 2018179087 | Nov 2018 | JP |
| 2019143781 | Aug 2019 | JP |
| WO2005095796 | Oct 2005 | WO |
| WO2012077439 | Jun 2012 | WO |
| WO2015093502 | Jun 2015 | WO |
| WO2017057160 | Apr 2017 | WO |
| WO2018061380 | Apr 2018 | WO |
| WO2019102909 | May 2019 | WO |
| WO2013005538 | Jan 2023 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Chinese Official Action issued in related Chinese Application Serial No. 202080026556.1, dated Oct. 9, 2022, 9 pages. |
| Chinese Official Action issued in related Chinese Application Serial No. 202080026542.X, dated Oct. 8, 2022, 9 pages. |
| Chinese Official Action issued in related Chinese Application Serial No. 202080026419.8, dated Sep. 29, 2022, 10 pages. |
| Chinese Official Action issued in related Chinese Application Serial No. 202080026977.4 dated Oct. 21, 2022, 11 pages. |
| European Search Report issued in related European Patent Application Serial No. 20783904.4, dated Oct. 19, 2022, 7 pages. |
| European Search Report issued in related European Patent Application Serial No. 20795975.0, dated Oct. 19, 2022, 7 pages. |
| European Search Report issued in related European Patent Application Serial No. 20795023, dated Dec. 5, 2022, 9 pages. |
| European Search Report issued in related European Patent Application Serial No. 20782343, dated Oct. 18, 2022, 8 pages. |
| European Search Report issued in related European Patent Application Serial No. 20782596, dated Nov. 2, 2022, 9 pages. |
| European Search Report issued in related European Patent Application Serial No. 20785209, dated Oct. 27, 2022, 8 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 17/599,520, filed Sep. 28, 2020, Hayama et al. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 17/600,529, filed Sep. 30, 2020, Hayama et al. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 17/599,474, filed Sep. 28, 2020, Hayama et al. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 17/599,467, filed Sep. 28, 2020, Hayama et al. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 17/603,291, filed Oct. 12, 2021, Fukudome et al. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 17/603,284, filed Oct. 12, 2021, Hayama et al. |
| Official Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 17/599,474, dated Mar. 2, 2023, 11 pages. |
| Official Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 17/599,467, dated Jan. 24, 2023, 11 pages. |
| Official Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 17/599,520, dated Jan. 30, 2023, 8 pages. |
| Chinese Official Action issued in related Chinese Application Serial No. 202080028782.3 dated Dec. 15, 2022, 10 pages. |
| Chinese Official Action issued in related Chinese Application Serial No. 202080028860.X dated Nov. 22, 2022, 12 pages. |
| International Preliminary Report on Patentability issued in PCT International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/JP2020/015177, dated Oct. 14, 2021 with translation (6 pgs). |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in PCT International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/JP2020/015177, dated Jun. 23, 2020 with translation (14 pgs). |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in PCT International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/JP2020/015179, dated Jun. 9, 2020 with translation (11 pgs). |
| International Preliminary Report on Patentability issued in PCT International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/JP2020/015179, dated Oct. 26, 2021 with translation (5 pgs). |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in PCT International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/JP2020/017169, dated Jun. 16, 2020 with translation (12 pgs). |
| International Preliminary Report on Patentability issued in PCT International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/JP2020/017169, dated Nov. 4, 2021 with translation (5 pgs). |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in PCT International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/JP2020/017168, dated Jun. 16, 2020 with translation (14 pgs). |
| International Preliminary Report on Patentability issued in PCT International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/JP2020/017168, dated Nov. 4, 2021 with translation (6 pgs). |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in PCT International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/JP2020/015176, dated Jun. 23, 2020 with translation (12 pgs). |
| International Preliminary Report on Patentability issued in PCT International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/JP2020/015176, dated Oct. 14, 2021 with translation (5 pgs). |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in PCT International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/JP2020/015180, dated Jun. 9, 2020 with translation (11 pgs). |
| International Preliminary Report on Patentability issued in PCT International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/JP2020/015180, dated Oct. 14, 2021 with translation (5 pgs). |
| Chinese Official Action issued in related application serial No. 202080026977.4, dated Apr. 20, 2023, 12 pages with translation. |
| Korean Official Action issued in related application serial No. 10-2021-7036305, dated Mar. 15, 2023, 8 pages with translation. |
| Official Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 17/603,284, dated May 3, 2023, 10 pages. |
| Official Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 17/599,467, dated May 10, 2023, 12 pages. |
| Chinese Official Action issued in related application serial No. 202080026419.8, dated May 24, 2023, 10 pages with translation. |
| Chinese Official Action issued in related application serial No. 202080026542.X, dated Mar. 16, 2023, 11 pages with translation. |
| Chinese Official Action issued in related application serial No. 202080026542.X, dated Aug. 29, 2023, 13 pages with translation. |
| Chinese Official Action issued in related application serial No. 202080026977.4, dated Aug. 25, 2023, 17 pages with translation. |
| Official Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 17/599,474, dated Jun. 27, 2023, 12 pages. |
| Official Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 17/603,284, dated Aug. 21, 2023, 13 pages. |
| Notice of Allowance issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 17/599,467, dated Aug. 8, 2023, 19 pages. |
| European Search Report issued in related application serial No. 23174587.8, dated Sep. 12, 2023, 14 pages. |
| European Search Report issued in related application serial No. 23180732.2, dated Oct. 18, 2023, 7 pages. |
| Official Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 17/599,474, dated Sep. 29, 2023, 12 pages. |
| Chinese Official Action issued in related Application No. 202080026977.4, dated Nov. 16, 2023 with translation, 18 pages. |
| Chinese Official Action issued in related Application No. 2020080026419.8, dated Dec. 1, 2023 with translation, 17 pages. |
| Japanese Official Action issued in related Application No. 2021-516128, dated Dec. 5, 2023 with translation, 8 pages. |
| Official Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 17/599,474, dated Dec. 14, 2023, 12 pages. |
| European Official Action issued in related Application No. 20795023.9, dated Jan. 30, 2024, 6 pages. |
| European Official Action issued in related Application No. 21792462.0, dated Feb. 15, 2024, 7 pages. |
| European Official Action issued in related Application No. 20785209.6, dated Mar. 15, 2024, 6 pages. |
| European Official Action issued in related Application No. 20868996.8, dated Oct. 2, 2023, 8 pages. |
| Korean Official Action issued in related Application No. 10-2021-7034329, dated Jan. 2, 2024 with translation, 12 pages. |
| Official Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 17/603,291, dated Feb. 20, 2024, 10 pages. |
| Official Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 17/255,085, dated Mar. 28, 2024, 8 pages. |
| Official Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 17/600,529, dated Jan. 24, 2024, 15 pages. |
| Official Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 17/919,731, dated Nov. 9, 2023, 7 pages. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220213878 A1 | Jul 2022 | US |
