Patents by Inventor Akitoshi Katou

Akitoshi Katou has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9033847
    Abstract: An automatic transmission (11) includes a planetary gear set (PS), first to third clutches (C-1 to C-3), first to third brakes (B-1 to B-3), and a counter gear (100) that outputs shifted rotation. The counter gear (100) is placed axially on one side of the planetary gear set (PS), and the second brake (B-2) is placed axially on the opposite side from of the counter gear (100) from the planetary gear set (PS). The second brake (B-2) that does not make higher speed rotation than other clutches and brakes can thus be separated from the planetary gear set (PS), and other clutches and brakes and the counter gear (100) are arranged near the planetary gear set (PS). Thus, members having a large thickness are reduced in length, whereby the automatic transmission is made compact and reduced in weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Souda, Hiroshi Katou, Akitoshi Katou, Satoru Kasuya
  • Publication number: 20130337964
    Abstract: An automatic transmission (11) includes a planetary gear set (PS), first to third clutches (C-1 to C-3), first to third brakes (B-1 to B-3), and a counter gear (100) that outputs shifted rotation. The counter gear (100) is placed axially on one side of the planetary gear set (PS), and the second brake (B-2) is placed axially on the opposite side from of the counter gear (100) from the planetary gear set (PS). The second brake (B-2) that does not make higher speed rotation than other clutches and brakes can thus be separated from the planetary gear set (PS), and other clutches and brakes and the counter gear (100) are arranged near the planetary gear set (PS). Thus, members having a large thickness are reduced in length, whereby the automatic transmission is made compact and reduced in weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD
    Inventors: Toru Souda, Hiroshi Katou, Akitoshi Katou, Satoru Kasuya
  • Patent number: 8100809
    Abstract: A first element of a duplex planetary gear set is selectively coupled to an input shaft via a third clutch, or is selectively fixed via a first brake. A second element is selectively coupled, via a second clutch, to an intermediate shaft that is directly coupled to a speed-increasing element of a simplex planetary gear set which increases the rotational speed of the input shaft, or is selectively fixed via a second brake. A third element is directly coupled to an output shaft. A fourth element is selectively coupled to the input shaft via a first clutch. Therefore, by increasing the speed of the rotation of the input shaft by the simplex planetary gear set and transferring it to the duplex planetary gear set, it is possible to reduce the torques on individual components of an automatic transmission and therefore to reduce the sizes of the individual components and the capacities of the individual friction engagement elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Taniguchi, Kazumasa Tsukamoto, Masahiro Hayabuchi, Akitoshi Katou, Satoru Kasuya, Naoji Katou, Hiroshi Katou, Masashi Kitou, Hiroaki Sanji, Naoki Takabayashi
  • Publication number: 20090264237
    Abstract: A first element of a duplex planetary gear set is selectively coupled to an input shaft via a third clutch, or is selectively fixed via a first brake. A second element is selectively coupled, via a second clutch, to an intermediate shaft that is directly coupled to a speed-increasing element of a simplex planetary gear set which increases the rotational speed of the input shaft, or is selectively fixed via a second brake. A third element is directly coupled to an output shaft. A fourth element is selectively coupled to the input shaft via a first clutch. Therefore, by increasing the speed of the rotation of the input shaft by the simplex planetary gear set and transferring it to the duplex planetary gear set, it is possible to reduce the torques on individual components of an automatic transmission and therefore to reduce the sizes of the individual components and the capacities of the individual friction engagement elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takao Taniguchi, Kazumasa Tsukamoto, Masahiro Hayabuchi, Akitoshi Katou, Satoru Kasuya, Naoji Katou, Hiroshi Katou, Masashi Kitou, Hiroaki Sanji, Naoki Takabayashi
  • Patent number: 6415685
    Abstract: An automatic transmission disposed in a case with a speed change mechanism disposed around an input shaft, a gear supported to a support wall of the case so as to transmit the output of the speed change mechanism to another shaft extending along the input shaft, and a rear cover portion integrated with the case, thereby eliminating a joint portion with the support wall supporting the gear removably attachable to the case through an opening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Taniguchi, Kazumasa Tsukamoto, Masahiro Hayabuchi, Masaaki Nishida, Satoru Kasuya, Akitoshi Katou
  • Patent number: 6120410
    Abstract: An automatic transmission establishing multiple gear stages includes a reduction planetary gear, at least two clutches transmitting a decelerated rotation transmitted from the reduction planetary gear, and a planetary gear set inputted the decelerated rotation transmitted through the two clutches. The reduction planetary gear and the two clutches are arranged in one side of the planetary gear set. The reduction planetary gear is arranged between the clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Taniguchi, Kazumasa Tsukamoto, Masahiro Hayabuchi, Satoru Kasuya, Hiroshi Katou, Masaaki Nishida, Akitoshi Katou