Masahiro Shiotani

Title: Masahiro Shiotani: Innovator in Safety Technology

Introduction

Masahiro Shiotani is a prominent inventor based in Tokyo, Japan. He has made significant contributions to the field of safety technology, particularly in the development of seat belt devices. With a total of 14 patents to his name, Shiotani's work has had a lasting impact on automotive safety.

Latest Patents

Shiotani's latest patents include innovative designs for a pretensioner, retractor, and seat belt device. These inventions aim to achieve weight reduction by improving the slidability of the power transmission member used in the pretensioner. The pretensioner features a drive wheel for rotating the spool and a power transmission unit that transmits power to the drive wheel during emergencies. This unit includes a power transmission member, a pipe containing the member, a gas generator for supplying working gas, and a housing that defines a passage for the power transmission member. The housing is equipped with a sliding member that reduces frictional force, enhancing the overall efficiency of the device.

Another notable patent focuses on a seat belt retractor and apparatus. The objective of this invention is to manufacture a retractor at a significantly lower cost by optimizing the pretensioner's operation. This is achieved by minimizing the length of the pipe and easing the shape restrictions of the guide member. The design incorporates a pipe with multiple balls as force transmitting members, which are guided by a specially designed guide member attached to a frame.

Career Highlights

Throughout his career, Masahiro Shiotani has worked with notable companies in the automotive safety industry, including Takata Corporation and Joyson Safety Systems Japan K.K. His experience in these organizations has allowed him to refine his expertise and contribute to advancements in safety technology.

Collaborations

Shiotani has collaborated with esteemed colleagues such as Yasushi Kanamori and Joji Mishina. Their combined efforts have further propelled innovations in the field of automotive safety.

Conclusion

Masahiro Shiotani's contributions to safety technology through his patents and collaborations have significantly enhanced automotive safety standards. His innovative designs continue to influence the industry and improve the safety of vehicle occupants.