Yukinori Midorikawa

Yukinori Midorikawa, a prolific inventor based in Fujisawa, Japan, has made significant contributions to the field of automotive safety through his numerous patents. With an impressive portfolio of 33 patents, Midorikawa's latest inventions focus on vehicular airbag devices and seatbelt retractors.

One of his inventions, the vehicular airbag device, incorporates an occupant information sensing system within a vehicle's steering wheel. This system includes multiple insulated heater electrodes that generate heat through conduction. Powered by electrical circuit elements, these electrodes serve various functions such as occupant biological condition monitoring, gripping detection, and electrical stimulation. Midorikawa's innovative design allows these functions to be achieved through the use of filtering and time division multiplexing, all while maintaining a common electrical connection.

Another notable invention by Midorikawa is the seatbelt retractor, which features a power transmission mechanism. This mechanism efficiently transfers power from a motor to a spindle using a clutch housing, pawl, gear wheel, outer gear cover, and a friction ring. The friction ring provides a secure connection between the pawl and the outer gear cover, ensuring smooth and reliable functionality. This design incorporates contact pieces that maintain radial pressure on the outer gear cover, facilitating its easy coupling with the friction ring.

Throughout his career, Yukinori Midorikawa has collaborated with esteemed colleagues in the industry, such as Masuo Matsuki and Osamu Kawai. He has worked with renowned companies like Autoliv Development AB (now known as Veoneer) in his pursuit of creating innovative automotive solutions.

Midorikawa's dedication to advancing automotive safety through his patented inventions has solidified his reputation as a notable inventor in the field. His contributions play a significant role in enhancing occupant protection and overall vehicle safety.