Patents by Inventor Koji Irikura
Koji Irikura 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).
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Patent number: 7179188Abstract: A transmission apparatus for a working vehicle comprises a hydrostatic transmission, a sun-and-planetary gearing unit, and an auxiliary speed changing system. The hydrostatic transmission includes a hydraulic pump driven by a prime mover equipped on the working vehicle, a hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump, and a hollow motor shaft serving as an output shaft of the hydraulic motor. The sun-and-planetary gearing unit includes first, second and third elements arranged coaxial to the motor shaft. The first element is drivingly connected to the motor shaft so as to be rotated integrally with the motor shaft. The second element is drivingly connected to front wheels of the working vehicle. The third element is drivingly connected to rear wheels of the working vehicle and differentially connected to the second element through the first element. The auxiliary speed changing system is drivingly interposed between the hollow motor shaft and the first element.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Inventors: Norihiro Ishii, Koji Irikura
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Publication number: 20060213742Abstract: A bidirectional overrunning clutch comprising an input gear, a pair of hubs, and a roller assembly is provided. Each hub is engaged to an end of one of a pair of shaft segments of a primary drive axle. The roller assembly is disposed within the input gear and about at least a portion of each hub. The roller assembly includes rollers disposed within recesses of the roller assembly. The roller assembly also includes a spring extending from the roller assembly to exert frictional forces between the roller assembly and the hubs. In operation, rotation of the input gear causes rotation of the roller assembly. Thereafter, rotation of the roller assembly causes rotation of the hubs via the engagements between the rollers and the hubs.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2006Publication date: September 28, 2006Inventors: Koji Irikura, Donald Wieber
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Publication number: 20060213741Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch comprising an input gear, a pair of hubs, and a roller assembly is provided. Each hub is engaged to an end of one of a pair of shaft segments of a primary drive axle. The roller assembly is disposed within the input gear and about at least a portion of each hub. The roller assembly includes spring pins, extending from the roller assembly, with ball locks adapted to engage detents on the surface of each hub, so as to form spring pin engagements between the roller assembly and the hubs. In operation, rotation of the input gear causes rotation of the roller assembly. Thereafter, rotation of the roller assembly causes rotation of the hubs via the spring pin engagements. The spring pins, however, are generally adapted to disengage the spring pin engagements when one of the hubs rotates faster than the other hub.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2005Publication date: September 28, 2006Inventors: Donald Wieber, Koji Irikura
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Publication number: 20060199693Abstract: A lower cost differential gear assembly capable of inputting driving force through a differential gear, whose teeth have sufficient strength is provided. To achieve the object, the differential gear is constructed by engaging a gear part provided with teeth at equal intervals on one of its perimeter surfaces, and a support part pivotally supported by right and left axles through engagement of a spline. Accordingly, the gear part can be formed from a high strength material and the support part can be formed from a lower cost material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2006Publication date: September 7, 2006Inventor: Koji Irikura
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Publication number: 20060191725Abstract: A vehicle comprises a steering operation device, a pair of running-driving wheels, which differentially drive when the steering operation device is manipulated, a pair of steerable running wheels interlocking with the steering operation device, and a steering mechanism interposed between the steering operation device and the pair of running-driving wheels. The steering mechanism includes a pair of drive gears interlocking with the steering operation device and a pair of follower gears interlocking with the respective steerable running wheels. The drive gears mesh with the respective follower gears so as to control lateral turning of the respective steerable running wheels. A gear radius of the drive gear may be greater than that of the follower gear meshing with it. A gear ratio between the mutually meshing drive and follower gears may be variable.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2006Publication date: August 31, 2006Inventor: Koji Irikura
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Publication number: 20060174615Abstract: An integrated hydraulic transaxle (IHT) comprises a hydrostatic transmission (HST), an axle driven by the HST, and a housing incorporating the HST and the axle. The HST includes a variable displacement hydraulic pump driven by a prime mover, and a hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump has a trunnion type movable swash plate. The internal displacement of the hydraulic motor is larger than the internal displacement of the hydraulic pump so as to increase the hydraulic deceleration activity of the HST. In the IHT, a mechanical deceleration drive train is interposed between the hydraulic motor and the axle. The mechanical deceleration activity of the mechanical deceleration drive train is reduced so far as the increase of the hydraulic deceleration activity of the HST.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2006Publication date: August 10, 2006Inventors: Koji Irikura, Ryota Ohashi, Hiroshi Tottori
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Patent number: 7077778Abstract: A lower cost differential gear assembly capable of inputting driving force through a differential gear, whose teeth have sufficient strength is provided. To achieve the object, the differential gear is constructed by engaging a gear part provided with teeth at equal intervals on one of its perimeter surfaces, and a support part pivotally supported by right and left axles through engagement of a spline. Accordingly, the gear part can be formed from a high strength material and the support part can be formed from a lower cost material.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2003Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Inventor: Koji Irikura
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Publication number: 20060108155Abstract: A vehicle comprises a vehicle frame, a prime mover mounted on the vehicle frame, a laterally turnable wheel disposed at one side of the vehicle frame, a pair of drive wheels disposed at the other side of the vehicle frame, a steering operation device, a traveling operation device for setting the traveling speed and direction of the vehicle, and a pair of transmissions for controlling the rotary speed and direction of the respective drive wheels. The transmissions are operationally connected with the steering operation device so as to create a difference of rotary speed between the drive wheels according to operation of the steering operation device. The transmissions are operationally connected with the traveling operation device so as to drive the drive wheels in a common rotary direction from their stationary state according to operation of the traveling operation device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2006Publication date: May 25, 2006Inventor: Koji Irikura
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Patent number: 7044244Abstract: A vehicle comprises a steering operation device, a pair of running-driving wheels, which differentially drive when the steering operation device is manipulated, a pair of steerable running wheels interlocking with the steering operation device, and a steering mechanism interposed between the steering operation device and the pair of running-driving wheels. The steering mechanism includes a pair of drive gears interlocking with the steering operation device and a pair of follower gears interlocking with the respective steerable running wheels. The drive gears mesh with the respective follower gears so as to control lateral turning of the respective steerable running wheels. A gear radius of the drive gear may be greater than that of the follower gear meshing with it. A gear ratio between the mutually meshing drive and follower gears may be variable.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2005Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Inventor: Koji Irikura
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Patent number: 7043908Abstract: An integrated hydraulic transaxle (IHT) comprises a hydrostatic transmission (HST), an axle driven by the HST, and a housing incorporating the HST and the axle. The HST includes a variable displacement hydraulic pump driven by a prime mover, and a hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump has a trunnion type movable swash plate. The internal displacement of the hydraulic motor is larger than the internal displacement of the hydraulic pump so as to increase the hydraulic deceleration activity of the HST. In the IHT, a mechanical deceleration drive train is interposed between the hydraulic motor and the axle. The mechanical deceleration activity of the mechanical deceleration drive train is reduced so far as the increase of the hydraulic deceleration activity of the HST.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2004Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Inventors: Koji Irikura, Ryota Ohashi, Hiroshi Tottori
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Patent number: 7021053Abstract: An operation mechanism for a variable displacement hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump is disposed in a housing filled with fluid. A capacity regulating member is provided on the hydraulic pump in the housing for changing the discharge amount of the hydraulic pump. An operation member is operationally connected to the capacity regulating member. The operation member is to be manipulated outside the housing. A resistive device is interposed between the operation member and the capacity regulating member for making the motion of the capacity regulating member slow. The resistive device is an assembly unit comprising a casing, a piston slidably disposed in the casing, and fluid filled in the casing. The casing is fitted into the hole provided in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2005Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Inventors: Hideaki Okada, Koji Irikura
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Publication number: 20060048975Abstract: A vehicle comprises a steering operation device, a pair of running-driving wheels, which differentially drive when the steering operation device is manipulated, a pair of steerable running wheels interlocking with the steering operation device, and a steering mechanism interposed between the steering operation device and the pair of running-driving wheels. The steering mechanism includes a pair of drive gears interlocking with the steering operation device and a pair of follower gears interlocking with the respective steerable running wheels. The drive gears mesh with the respective follower gears so as to control lateral turning of the respective steerable running wheels. A gear radius of the drive gear may be greater than that of the follower gear meshing with it. A gear ratio between the mutually meshing drive and follower gears may be variable.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2005Publication date: March 9, 2006Inventor: Koji Irikura
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Patent number: 7004268Abstract: A vehicle comprises a vehicle frame, a prime mover mounted on the vehicle frame, a laterally turnable wheel disposed at one side of the vehicle frame, a pair of drive wheels disposed at the other side of the vehicle frame, a steering operation device, a traveling operation device for setting the traveling speed and direction of the vehicle, and a pair of transmissions for controlling the rotary speed and direction of the respective drive wheels. The transmissions are operationally connected with the steering operation device so as to create a difference of rotary speed between the drive wheels according to operation of the steering operation device. The transmissions are operationally connected with the traveling operation device so as to drive the drive wheels in a common rotary direction from their stationary state according to operation of the traveling operation device.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Inventor: Koji Irikura
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Publication number: 20060005539Abstract: An integrated hydraulic transaxle (IHT) comprises a hydrostatic transmission (HST), an axle driven by the HST, and a housing incorporating the HST and the axle. The HST includes a variable displacement hydraulic pump driven by a prime mover, and a hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump has a trunnion type movable swash plate. The internal displacement of the hydraulic motor is larger than the internal displacement of the hydraulic pump so as to increase the hydraulic deceleration activity of the HST. In the IHT, a mechanical deceleration drive train is interposed between the hydraulic motor and the axle. The mechanical deceleration activity of the mechanical deceleration drive train is reduced so far as the increase of the hydraulic deceleration activity of the HST.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2004Publication date: January 12, 2006Inventors: Koji Irikura, Ryota Ohashi, Hiroshi Tottori
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Patent number: 6968686Abstract: An operation mechanism for a variable displacement hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump is disposed in a housing filled with fluid. A capacity regulating member is provided on the hydraulic pump in the housing for changing the discharge amount of the hydraulic pump. An operation member is operationally connected to the capacity regulating member. The operation member is to be manipulated outside the housing. A resistive device is interposed between the operation member and the capacity regulating member for making the motion of the capacity regulating member slow. The resistive device is an assembly unit comprising a casing, a piston slidably disposed in the casing, and fluid filled in the casing. The casing is fitted into the hole provided in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2003Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Inventors: Hideaki Okada, Koji Irikura
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Publication number: 20050257983Abstract: A vehicle is installed with an integral transaxle apparatus constructed so that a single housing contains left and right axles, a driving hydrostatic transmission (HST) having a variable displacement first hydraulic pump and a first hydraulic motor fluidly connected with each other, a steering HST having a variable displacement second hydraulic pump and a variable displacement second hydraulic motor fluidly connected with each other, and a differential unit differentially connecting the axles with each other so as to be driven regularly or reversely by the output of the driving HST and to differentially drive the axles while receiving the output of the steering HST, wherein the first hydraulic pump receives power of a prime mover and has a first movable swash plate, and the second hydraulic pump receives power of the prime mover independently of the first hydraulic pump and has a second movable swash plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2005Publication date: November 24, 2005Inventors: Koji Irikura, Norihiro Ishii, Ryota Ohashi, Kenichi Takada, Hirohiko Kawada, Robert Abend, Keith Andrews, Toshiyuki Hasegawa, Hiroaki Shimizu
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Publication number: 20050235639Abstract: An operation mechanism for a variable displacement hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump is disposed in a housing filled with fluid. A capacity regulating member is provided on the hydraulic pump in the housing for changing the discharge amount of the hydraulic pump. An operation member is operationally connected to the capacity regulating member. The operation member is to be manipulated outside the housing. A resistive device is interposed between the operation member and the capacity regulating member for making the motion of the capacity regulating member slow. The resistive device is an assembly unit comprising a casing, a piston slidably disposed in the casing, and fluid filled in the casing. The casing is fitted into the hole provided in the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2005Publication date: October 27, 2005Inventors: Hideaki Okada, Koji Irikura
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Publication number: 20050217262Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission comprising a housing formed with a fluid sump, a center section disposed within the fluid sump, a hydraulic pump mounted on the center section, and a hydraulic motor mounted on the center section. A fluid passage is formed in the center section for hydraulically connecting the hydraulic pump with the hydraulic motor. A bore is open at an outer surface of the center section in communication with the fluid passage. An output operation device is provided for controlling discharged fluid of the hydraulic pump. The output operation device is moved to an operational position from a neutral position. A piston having an outer surface is reciprocally inserted into the bore so as to be allowed to project outward from the center section. A valve is disposed within the bore for opening and closing the bore to and from the fluid passage. The valve is biased to be closed by a spring disposed between the valve and the piston.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2005Publication date: October 6, 2005Inventors: Kenichi Takada, Koji Irikura
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Patent number: 6951259Abstract: A vehicle comprises a steering operation device, a pair of running-driving wheels, which differentially drive when the steering operation device is manipulated, a pair of steerable running wheels interlocking with the steering operation device, and a steering mechanism interposed between the steering operation device and the pair of running-driving wheels. The steering mechanism includes a pair of drive gears interlocking with the steering operation device and a pair of follower gears interlocking with the respective steerable running wheels. The drive gears mesh with the respective follower gears so as to control lateral turning of the respective steerable running wheels. A gear radius of the drive gear may be greater than that of the follower gear meshing with it. A gear ratio between the mutually meshing drive and follower gears may be variable.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Inventor: Koji Irikura
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Patent number: 6926111Abstract: A vehicle, comprising a prime mover, a steering operation device, a first transaxle apparatus disposed at one of front and rear portions of the vehicle, and a second transaxle apparatus disposed at the other of front and rear portions of the vehicle. The first transaxle apparatus supports a pair of right and left first axles, and a pair of right and left first wheels are attached to outermost ends of the respective first axles so as to be turned laterally according to manipulation of the steering operation device. A first differential gear unit of the first transaxle apparatus differentially connects the first axles to each other. The first transaxle apparatus supports a power take-off shaft. A transmission of the first transaxle apparatus is driven by the prime mover. Output force of the transmission is shared between the first differential gear unit and the power take-off shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Inventor: Koji Irikura