Patents by Inventor Hiroshi Mizukami

Hiroshi Mizukami 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: 6168526
    Abstract: A clutch disk assembly includes axially opposed clutch and retaining plates 102 and 103. A flange 101 having a plurality of circumferentially long recesses is arranged between the clutch and retaining plates. Plate coupling portions 109 extend from the retaining plate 103 through the recesses at the flange and connect the clutch and retaining plates together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Norihisa Uenohara, Hiroshi Mizukami
  • Patent number: 6106400
    Abstract: A lockup damper has a drive plate, a driven plate, first and second coil springs, an intermediate plate and a support clip (40). The lockup damper dampens and absorbs vibrations transmitted to a turbine from a front cover. The first and second coil springs are disposed between the drive plate and the driven plate. The plate-shaped intermediate member has an intermediate support portion (21) disposed between the first and second coil springs. The support clip (40) has a pincher portion and first and second support portions (42) and (43). The pincher portion has a generally U-shape that wraps around a portion of the intermediate support portion, engages and holds the intermediate plate in the direction of the thickness of the intermediate plate. The first support portion (42) supports the end of the first coil spring (7) in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Mizukami
  • Patent number: 6070708
    Abstract: In a twin-clutch, an intermediate plate is configured to be located reliably at a position intermediate a pressure plate and a flywheel. The annular intermediate plate 31 is disposed between first and second frictional coupling portions. A clutch cover assembly includes a clutch cover 4 fixed to the flywheel 1, a pressure plate 30 disposed near the second frictional coupling portion, and a diaphragm spring carried by the clutch cover 4 for biasing the pressure plate 30 toward the flywheel 1. Strap plates 35 couple the flywheel 1 to the intermediate plate 31, and bias the intermediate plate 31 away from the flywheel 1 when the clutch is engaged. Coil spring 42 is arranged in a compressed state between the pressure plate 30 and the intermediate plate 31, and has the substantially same spring constant as the strap plates 35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Fukuda, Koji Kajitani, Hiroshi Mizukami
  • Patent number: 6015035
    Abstract: A clutch pad assembly 10 includes a first friction portion 31, a second friction portion 32 and a cushioning plate 35. The first friction portion 31 has a first core plate 34 and a first friction member 35 fixed to the first core plate 34. The second friction portion 32 has a second core plate 36 spaced in the disk axial direction from the first core plate 34, and a second friction member 37 fixed to the second core plate 36. The cushioning plate 35 has a cushioning portion 40 disposed between the first and second core plates 34 and 36. The second core plate 36 has an engagement portion 47 engaged with the cushioning portion 40. In an alternate embodiment, a clutch pad assembly 10 includes a pair of annular friction members 131 and 132, cushioning plate 133 and a pair of core plates 134 and 136. The cushioning plate 133 has a plurality of cushioning portions 141, 142 arranged between the paired friction members 131 and 132.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Mizukami
  • Patent number: 5984065
    Abstract: A lockup damper has a drive plate 3 and a driven plate 5 and a first coil spring 7 disposed between the plates 3 and 5, a second coil spring 8 disposed between the two plates 3 and 5 and the first coil spring 7, and an intermediate plate 4 having a support portion 21 and first and second intermediate limit portions 22a and 22b. The intermediate support portion 21 is disposed between the two coil springs 7 and 8 for supporting the springs in the circumferential direction. The first and second intermediate limit portions 22a and 22b extend in interiors of the first and second coil springs 7 and 8 from the intermediate support portion 21 for limiting the radially outward movement of the first and second coil springs 7 and 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Teramae, Shinji Fujimoto, Koji Kajitani, Hiroshi Mizukami
  • Patent number: 5967284
    Abstract: A clutch cover assembly for engaging and dis-engaging a clutch disc from a flywheel includes a clutch cover that is attachable to the flywheel. A radially inward portion of the clutch cover is formed with a plurality of bent tabs. A pressure plate is disposed within the clutch cover. A diaphragm spring is supported by the bent tabs. A conical spring is disposed between the diaphragm spring and the clutch cover. The conical spring is formed with a plurality of engagement portions on a radially inward portion thereof. A support plate has a generally annular shape and a portion of the support plate is clamped between the diaphragm spring and the clutch cover. The support plate is formed with a plurality of support portions which engage the conical spring confining axial movement of a portion of the conical spring with respect to the clutch cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Mizukami
  • Patent number: 5941354
    Abstract: A lockup damper of a torque converter 1 includes a retaining plate 14, a driven member 10, first coil springs 13A, second coil springs 13B and an intermediate plate 30. The first coil springs 13A are disposed between the retaining plate 14 and the driven plate 10. The second coil springs 13B are disposed between the retaining plate 14 and the first coil springs 13A. The intermediate plate 30 has spring support portions 32 disposed between the first and second coil springs 13A and 13B for circumferentially supporting the first and second coil springs 13A and 13B, and engagement portions 33a, 33b, 34a and 34b engageable with the retaining plate 14 or the driven member 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotaka Fukushima, Hiroshi Mizukami, Mamoru Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 5935008
    Abstract: The flywheel assembly 1 includes a first flywheel 2, a second flywheel 3, first and second drive plates 21 and 22, coil springs 24 and a frictional coupling mechanism 7. The first and second drive plates 21 and 22 are arranged relatively rotatably between the first and second flywheels 2 and 3. The coil springs 24 circumferentially elastically couple the first and second drive plates 21 and 22 to the second flywheel 3. The frictional coupling mechanism 7 is arranged radially outside the coil springs 24 for transmitting a torque between the first and second drive plates 21 and 22 and the first flywheel 2 and is also operable to cause a slide when it receives a torque larger than a predetermined torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Mizukami
  • Patent number: 5906257
    Abstract: A clutch cover assembly (1) includes a clutch cover (2), a pressure plate (3), a diaphragm spring (4), stud pins (11), a conical spring (5) and a support plate (10). The conical spring (5) is disposed between the diaphragm spring (4) and a support portion (10a) and biases the diaphragm spring (4) away from engagement with the pressure plate (3). The support plate (10) includes the support potion (10a) and a protruding portion (10b) which supports the diaphragm spring (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Mizukami
  • Patent number: 5878857
    Abstract: A multi-plate clutch 1 includes a flywheel ring 2, a hub flange 6, drive plates 7 driven plates 8, clutch cover assembly 10, and a conical spring 90. The driven plates 8 are contactable with the drive plates 7. The clutch cover assembly 10 presses the plates 7 and 8 so as to be pressed into contact with each other and releases the pressure therebetween. The conical spring 90 has spring reaction force smaller than the pressure load of the diaphragm spring and absorbs the axial deformation of each of the members due to thermal expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Fukuda, Koji Kajitani, Hiroshi Mizukami
  • Patent number: 5868022
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a diaphragm spring where only specific portions of the diaphragm spring are subjected to a shot-peening process. The shot-peening step is performed only to one side of an outer circumferential portion and an inner circumferential portion of the elastic portion (5a) of the diaphragm spring (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Mizukami
  • Patent number: 5848937
    Abstract: A clutch disk assembly includes axially opposed clutch and retaining plates 3 and 4. A flange having a plurality of circumferentially long recesses is arranged between clutch and retaining plates. A plate coupling portion 30 extends through a recess at the flange and connects the clutch and retaining plates 3 and 4 together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Mizukami, Norihisa Uenohara
  • Patent number: 5826691
    Abstract: A clutch cover assembly (1) has release load characteristics which have been smoothed out or flattened by using a secondary conical spring (8) in combination with a diaphragm spring (7). To reduce the overall number of parts in the assembly 1, the pressure plate (6) includes axially extending pins (10) which extend through holes formed in the diaphragm spring (7). The pins (10) are also engaged with a portion of the conical spring (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Asada, Toshiya Kosumi, Hideyuki Imanaka, Hiroshi Mizukami
  • Patent number: 5823880
    Abstract: A first flywheel and a second flywheel in a flywheel assembly are configured to be connected to each other such that they rotate together with generally no relative rotation therebetween in a predetermined low RPM region. The flywheel assembly (1) includes the first flywheel (2), the second flywheel (3), a damper mechanism (5) and a lever mechanism (7). The second flywheel (3) is disposed rotatable relative to the first flywheel (2). The damper mechanism (5) elastically connects the first flywheel (2) and the second flywheel (3) to allow for limited relative rotary displacement therebetween. The lever mechanism (7) is mounted on the first flywheel (2) and pivots about a pivot bolt connected to the first flywheel (2). The lever mechanism (7) pivots between an engaged state and a disengaged state. In the engaged state, the lever mechanism (7) connects the first flywheel (2) and the second flywheel (3) such that the two flywheels may not undergo relative rotary displacement with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Kajitani, Hiroshi Mizukami
  • Patent number: 5816924
    Abstract: A first flywheel and a second flywheel in a flywheel assembly are configured to be connected to each other such that they rotate together with generally no relative rotation therebetween in a predetermined low RPM region. The flywheel assembly (1) includes the first flywheel (2), the second flywheel (3), a damper mechanism (5) and a lever mechanism (7). The second flywheel (3) is disposed rotatably relative to the first flywheel (2). The damper mechanism (5) elastically connects the first flywheel (2) and the second flywheel (3) to allow for limited relative rotary displacement therebetween. The lever mechanism (7) is mounted on the first flywheel (2) and pivots about a pivot bolt connected to the first flywheel (2). The lever mechanism (7) pivots between an engaged state and a disengaged state. In the engaged state, the lever mechanism (7) connects the first flywheel (2) and the second flywheel (3) such that the two flywheels may not undergo relative rotary displacement with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Kajitani, Hiroshi Mizukami
  • Patent number: 5816925
    Abstract: In a clutch disk assembly 1, first and second flange plates 3 and 4 are disposed between first and second sub-plates 5 and 6. First and second retaining plates 7 and 8 are disposed at opposite sides of a group of the first and second retaining plates 7 and 8 and the flange plates 5 and 6, and are fixed together. First coil springs 9 are disposed axially between the first and second retaining plates 7 and 8. Within a first displacement range of relative rotation between plates 3 and 4 and the plates 7 and 8, both the coil springs 9 and 10 are compressed. Within a second displacement range larger than the first displacement range, the plates 3 and 4 are brought into contact with the second coil springs 10, so that only the second coil springs 10 undergo further compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Mizukami
  • Patent number: 5800270
    Abstract: A clutch disc assembly includes a flange having a plurality of window holes formed in a circumferential direction about the flange. A clutch plate and a retaining plate are disposed on either side the flange. The clutch plate and the retaining plate are fixed to each other and include a plurality of window holes corresponding to the window holes of the flange. A plurality of first coil springs are disposed in the window holes of the flange such that each end of the first coil springs are supported in the circumferential direction by the window holes in the retaining plate and the clutch plate. Protrusions are formed on circumferentially opposite ends of the window holes in the flange. The protrusions are configured to engage the first coil spring in response to rotary displacement between the flange and the retaining and clutch plates. Upon engagement between the ends of the first coil spring and the protrusions, the protrusions limit the radial outward movement of the first coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Norihisa Uenohara, Hiroshi Mizukami, Shinichi Noda, Masanobu Tanaka
  • Patent number: D402299
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Mizukami
  • Patent number: D420635
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Norihisa Uenohara, Hiroshi Mizukami
  • Patent number: D423530
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Mizukami