Patents by Inventor Katsuya HIGUCHI

Katsuya HIGUCHI 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: 11865912
    Abstract: A transfer for a four wheel drive vehicle includes first and second distribution mechanisms. The first distribution mechanism includes a first clutch and is configured to distribute a portion of power from a power source to a second transmission mechanism through the first clutch. The second distribution mechanism includes a planetary gear set and a second clutch, and is configured to distribute a portion of power from the power source to a second transmission mechanism through the planetary gear set and the second clutch in order. The first and second clutches are configured to be controlled to a half-engaged state between engagement and disengagement. An input shaft of the first distribution mechanism and an input shaft of the planetary gear set are unitized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Ushiki, Katsuya Higuchi
  • Patent number: 11642959
    Abstract: A transfer for a four wheel drive vehicle includes first and second distribution mechanisms that respectively include first and second clutches configured to be controlled to a half-engaged state. The first and second distribution mechanisms distribute a portion of power outputted from a power source to a second transmission mechanism respectively through the first and second clutches. A first difference is different from a second difference. The first difference is a difference between a gear ratio from an input shaft of the first clutch to a first driving wheel and a gear ratio from an output shaft of the first clutch to a second driving wheel. The second difference is a difference between a gear ratio from an input shaft of the second clutch to the first driving wheel and a gear ratio from an output shaft of the second clutch to the second driving wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Ushiki, Katsuya Higuchi
  • Patent number: 11578788
    Abstract: A power transmission mechanism includes a first pinion gear meshed with a first sun gear coupled to a first output shaft; a second pinion gear meshed with a second sun gear coupled to a second output shaft and meshed with the first pinion gear; a differential case coupled to an input shaft and supporting the first and second pinion gears; an internal gear rotatable about the axes of the first and second output shafts; a motor generator coupled to the internal gear; a first one-way clutch including a first inner ring member configured to move in conjunction with the first pinion gear and a first outer ring member meshed with the internal gear; and a second one-way clutch including a second inner ring member configured to move in conjunction with the second pinion gear and a second outer ring member meshed with the internal gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norio Oowada, Akihiro Nabeshima, Takeshi Yoneda, Hiroshi Tatekawa, Masaki Takami, Katsuya Higuchi, Tatsuhiro Kubo
  • Publication number: 20230019664
    Abstract: A transfer for a four wheel drive vehicle includes first and second distribution mechanisms that respectively include first and second clutches configured to be controlled to a half-engaged state. The first and second distribution mechanisms distribute a portion of power outputted from a power source to a second transmission mechanism respectively through the first and second clutches. A first difference is different from a second difference. The first difference is a difference between a gear ratio from an input shaft of the first clutch to a first driving wheel and a gear ratio from an output shaft of the first clutch to a second driving wheel. The second difference is a difference between a gear ratio from an input shaft of the second clutch to the first driving wheel and a gear ratio from an output shaft of the second clutch to the second driving wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Masayuki USHIKI, Katsuya HIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20230017226
    Abstract: A transfer for a four wheel drive vehicle includes first and second distribution mechanisms. The first distribution mechanism includes a first clutch and is configured to distribute a portion of power from a power source to a second transmission mechanism through the first clutch. The second distribution mechanism includes a planetary gear set and a second clutch, and is configured to distribute a portion of power from the power source to a second transmission mechanism through the planetary gear set and the second clutch in order. The first and second clutches are configured to be controlled to a half-engaged state between engagement and disengagement. An input shaft of the first distribution mechanism and an input shaft of the planetary gear set are unitized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Masayuki USHIKI, Katsuya HIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20230011741
    Abstract: A hybrid all-wheel-drive vehicle includes an engine, first and second motor generators, a first clutch between the second motor generator and a front wheel, a second clutch between the second motor generator and a rear wheel, and a control unit that controls, based on a vehicle traveling state, the engine, the motor generators, and the clutches. The first motor generator is coupled to the engine and the front wheel in a manner capable of transmitting torque. During regeneration, the control unit engages the first clutch and disengages the second clutch. When the all-wheel-drive vehicle shifts from motor traveling to hybrid traveling, the control unit restarts the engine by operating the first motor generator and regulates engagement forces of the clutches and output torque of the second motor generator to compensate driving torque of the front wheel by the second motor generator while maintaining driving torque of the rear wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Hiroshi TATEKAWA, Akihiro NABESHIMA, Norio OOWADA, Takeshi YONEDA, Masaki TAKAMI, Katsuya HIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20220307580
    Abstract: A power transmission mechanism includes a first pinion gear meshed with a first sun gear coupled to a first output shaft; a second pinion gear meshed with a second sun gear coupled to a second output shaft and meshed with the first pinion gear; a differential case coupled to an input shaft and supporting the first and second pinion gears; an internal gear rotatable about the axes of the first and second output shafts; a motor generator coupled to the internal gear; a first one-way clutch including a first inner ring member configured to move in conjunction with the first pinion gear and a first outer ring member meshed with the internal gear; and a second one-way clutch including a second inner ring member configured to move in conjunction with the second pinion gear and a second outer ring member meshed with the internal gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Norio OOWADA, Akihiro NABESHIMA, Takeshi YONEDA, Hiroshi TATEKAWA, Masaki TAKAMI, Katsuya HIGUCHI, Tatsuhiro KUBO