Patents by Inventor Mitsuru Umekida

Mitsuru Umekida 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: 8356943
    Abstract: A bearing device for a wheel is capable of suppressing a backlash in a circumferential direction, is excellent in coupling operability of a hub wheel and an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint, and is excellent for maintenance by allowing separation of the hub wheel and the outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint. In the bearing device for a wheel, a hub wheel, a double-row roller bearing, and a constant velocity universal joint are unitized together, and the hub wheel and a shaft section of an outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint are separably coupled with each other through intermediation of a recess-projection fitting structure, the shaft section being inserted in a fitting manner into a hole portion of the hub wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Ozawa, Mitsuru Umekida, Yuichi Asano
  • Publication number: 20120281941
    Abstract: A hub wheel (21) and an outer joint member (3) are coupled to each other through intermediation of a recess-projection fitting structure (M). The recess-projection fitting structure (M) can be separated by being applied with a pulling-out force in an axial direction under a state in which a bolt member (30) is removed, and can be re-formed by re-screwing the bolt member (30) into a bolt hole (5d). The hub wheel (21) comprises a receiving portion (23a) for receiving the bolt member (30). The shaft portion (5) has a small diameter portion (5a) serving as a fit-in portion to be fitted along an inner periphery of the receiving portion (23a) under a state in which the recess-projection fitting structure (M) is formed. The small diameter portion (5a) is used as a part for confirming the accuracy and the state of the recess-projection fitting structure (M).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Mitsuru Umekida, Shin Tomogami, Kiyotake Shibata, Yuichi Asano, Hisaaki Kura
  • Patent number: 8186885
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus with a back-to-back double row tapered roller bearing has an outer member integrally with a body mounting flange and double row outer raceway surfaces tapered open respectively axially inward and outward. An inner member include a wheel hub and an inner ring or an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint. The wheel hub has a wheel mounting flange and one inner raceway surface arranged oppositely to one of the double row outer raceway surfaces and a cylindrical portion. The inner ring or the outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint are press fit onto the cylindrical portion and include the other inner raceway surface arranged opposite to the other raceway surface of the double row outer raceway surfaces. Double row tapered rollers are freely rollably held between the outer and inner raceway surfaces by cages. Seals are arranged in annular openings formed by the outer and inner members. The cages are formed of synthetic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Umekida, Hiroshi Kawamura, Kazunari Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8057314
    Abstract: A joint assembly has a pair of constant velocity universal joints and a connecting drive shaft. A cover unit protects the constant velocity universal joints and prevents hanging down of the joints under their own weight. The unit cover is arranged to cover the outer circumferential surfaces of the pair of constant velocity universal joints and boots. The unit cover is formed from elastomer material by injection molding. The cover unit inner circumferential surface has a configuration corresponding to the outline configurations of the pair of constant velocity universal joints and the boots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Umekida, Shigeaki Fukushima, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa, Hiroshi Kawamura
  • Patent number: 8007366
    Abstract: A wheel bearing device includes a hub ring, a double-row bearing and a constant velocity universal joint which are unitized together. At least one of double-row inner raceways of the bearing and a wheel mounting flange are formed on a hub ring. The hub ring and a stem portion of a joint outer ring of the constant velocity universal joint are fitted through a torque transmission assembly, wherein a pilot member as a separate element having a wheel guide portion and a brake guide portion is fitted to a side-end portion of the wheel mounting flange of the hub ring, and the hub ring and the pilot member are fixed to the joint outer ring by swaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Tajima, Hiroyuki Ogura, Syougo Suzuki, Shigeaki Fukushima, Mitsuru Umekida, Akira Torii, Akira Sera, Hisashi Ohtsuki
  • Publication number: 20110069919
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus with a back-to-back double row tapered roller bearing has an outer member integrally with a body mounting flange and double row outer raceway surfaces tapered open respectively axially inward and outward. An inner member include a wheel hub and an inner ring or an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint. The wheel hub has a wheel mounting flange and one inner raceway surface arranged oppositely to one of the double row outer raceway surfaces and a cylindrical portion. The inner ring or the outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint are press fit onto the cylindrical portion and include the other inner raceway surface arranged opposite to the other raceway surface of the double row outer raceway surfaces. Double row tapered rollers are freely rollably held between the outer and inner raceway surfaces by cages. Seals are arranged in annular openings formed by the outer and inner members. The cages are formed of synthetic resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Umekida, Hiroshi Kawamura, Kazunari Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20110053696
    Abstract: A joint assembly has a pair of constant velocity universal joints and a connecting drive shaft. A cover unit protects the constant velocity universal joints and prevents hanging down of the joints under their own weight. The unit cover is arranged to cover the outer circumferential surfaces of the pair of constant velocity universal joints and boots. The unit cover is formed from elastomer material by injection molding. The cover unit inner circumferential surface has a configuration corresponding to the outline configurations of the pair of constant velocity universal joints and the boots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Umekida, Shigeaki Fukushima, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa, Hiroshi Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20110009199
    Abstract: Provided are a low-cost wheel bearing device and axle module which are manufactured by small work man-hours and assemblyman-hours and at lower component replacement cost for maintenance and repairing. A recess-projection fitting structure is configured by providing projections extending in an axial direction on any one of an outer diameter surface of a shaft section of an outer joint member and an inner diameter surface of a hole of a hub wheel, press-fitting the projections in another of the outer diameter surface and the inner diameter surface along the axial direction, and forming recesses brought into close contact and fitted with respect to the projections by this press fitting in the another of the outer diameter surface and the inner diameter surface, the projections and the recesses being held in close contact with each other through intermediation of entire fitting contact regions. An outer member is fitted in a hole of a knuckle of a vehicle with a predetermined fit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa, Mitsuru Umekida
  • Publication number: 20100331093
    Abstract: Provided is a bearing device for a wheel capable of suppressing a backlash in a circumferential direction, excellent in coupling workability of a hub wheel and an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint, and excellent in strength owing to stable fitting between the hub wheel and the outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint. An axle module using such bearing device for a wheel is also provided. Projecting portions extending in an axial direction are provided on one of an outer surface of a shaft section of the outer joint member and an inner surface of a hole portion of the hub wheel. The projecting portions are press-fitted into the other along the axial direction, and recessed portions are formed in the other through press-fitting of the projecting portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Masahiro Ozawa, Yuichi Asano, Masayuki Kuroda, Tohru Nakagawa, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Mitsuru Umekida
  • Patent number: 7857521
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus with a back-to-back double row tapered roller bearing has an outer member integrally with a body mounting flange and double row outer raceway surfaces tapered open respectively axially inward and outward. An inner member include a wheel hub and an inner ring or an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint. The wheel hub has a wheel mounting flange and one inner raceway surface arranged oppositely to one of the double row outer raceway surfaces and a cylindrical portion. The inner ring or the outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint are press fit onto the cylindrical portion and include the other inner raceway surface arranged opposite to the other raceway surface of the double row outer raceway surfaces. Double row tapered rollers are freely rollably held between the outer and inner raceway surfaces by cages. Seals are arranged in annular openings formed by the outer and inner members. The cages are formed of synthetic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Umekida, Hiroshi Kawamura, Kazunari Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7832939
    Abstract: A bearing apparatus for a wheel comprising a rolling bearing for rotatably supporting a wheel relative to a body of vehicle having double row rolling elements (20) arranged between an inner member 1 and an outer member (10); a wheel mounting flange (5) for fastening the wheel on a hub wheel (2); and an annular groove (7) formed on the wheel mounting flange (5) and having a predetermined width including hub bolts (6); characterized in that one side of the wheel mounting flange (5) at a region other than the annular groove (7) is formed as a cut-finished surface cut after the press fit of the hub bolts (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Umekida, Kazunari Yamamoto, Eiji Tajima, Hiroyuki Ogura, Shigeaki Fukushima, Masahiro Ozawa
  • Publication number: 20100215302
    Abstract: Provided is a bearing device for a wheel that can realize prevention of a backlash in a circumferential direction and is excellent in workability of connection of a hub wheel and an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint. Further, provided is a bearing device for a wheel that can prevent deterioration in NVH characteristics, which is caused by the backlash occurring in a joint section between the hub wheel and the constant velocity universal joint or between an outer member and a knuckle, and can perform rotation torque transmission with high accuracy. The bearing device includes a recess-projection fitting structure (M) in which the hub wheel (1) and a shaft section (12), which is fitted in a hole (22) of the hub wheel (1) of the outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint (3) are unitized together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Akira Torii, Hiroshi Kawamura, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa, Tohru Nakagawa, Yuichi Asano, Mitsuru Umekida, Hisaaki Kura, Shin Tomogami
  • Publication number: 20100209035
    Abstract: Provided is a bearing device for a wheel capable of suppressing a backlash in a circumferential direction, excellent in coupling operability of a hub wheel and an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint, and excellent in maintenance property by allowing separation of the hub wheel and the outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint from each other. In the bearing device for a wheel, a hub wheel (1), a double-row roller bearing (2), and a constant velocity universal joint (3) are unitized together, and the hub wheel (1) and a shaft section (12) of an outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint (3) are separably coupled with each other through intermediation of a recess-projection fitting structure (M), the shaft section (12) being inserted in a fitting manner into a hole portion (22) of the hub wheel (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Masahiro Ozawa, Mitsuru Umekida, Yuichi Asano
  • Patent number: 7753801
    Abstract: A joint assembly has a pair of constant velocity universal joints and a connecting drive shaft. A cover unit protects the constant velocity universal joints and prevents hanging down of the joints under their own weight. The unit cover is arranged to cover the outer circumferential surfaces of the pair of constant velocity universal joints and boots. The unit cover is formed from elastomer material by injection molding. The cover unit inner circumferential surface has a configuration corresponding to the outline configurations of the pair of constant velocity universal joints and the boots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Umekida, Shigeaki Fukushima, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa, Hiroshi Kawamura
  • Patent number: 7686517
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus for a driving wheel is formed as a unit of a wheel hub, a double row rolling bearing and a constant velocity universal joint. The double row rolling bearing has an outer member with a body mounting flange mounted on a knuckle and double row outer raceway surfaces. An inner member includes the wheel hub and an outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint. The wheel hub has an inner raceway surface corresponding to one of the double row outer raceway surfaces. The outer joint member has another inner raceway surface corresponding to the other of the double row outer raceway surfaces. Double row rolling elements are rollably arranged between the outer and inner raceway surfaces. Seals are mounted in an annular space opening formed between the outer member and the inner member. A sensor is fit into a mounting aperture formed in the knuckle. A pulser ring is mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the outer joint member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawamura, Shigeaki Fukushima, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa, Mitsuru Umekida
  • Publication number: 20090136168
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus for a driving wheel is formed as a unit of a wheel hub, a double row rolling bearing and a constant velocity universal joint. The double row rolling bearing has an outer member with a body mounting flange mounted on a knuckle and double row outer raceway surfaces. An inner member includes the wheel hub and an outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint. The wheel hub has an inner raceway surface corresponding to one of the double row outer raceway surfaces. The outer joint member has another inner raceway surface corresponding to the other of the double row outer raceway surfaces. Double row rolling elements are rollably arranged between the outer and inner raceway surfaces. Seals are mounted in an annular space opening formed between the outer member and the inner member. A sensor is fit into a mounting aperture formed in the knuckle. A pulser ring is mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the outer joint member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawamura, Shigeaki Fukushima, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa, Mitsuru Umekida
  • Publication number: 20090074342
    Abstract: A wheel bearing device includes a hub ring, a double-row bearing and a constant velocity universal joint which are unitized together. At least one of double-row inner raceways of the bearing and a wheel mounting flange are formed on a hub ring. The hub ring and a stem portion of a joint outer ring of the constant velocity universal joint are fitted through a torque transmission assembly, wherein a pilot member as a separate element having a wheel guide portion and a brake guide portion is fitted to a side-end portion of the wheel mounting flange of the hub ring, and the hub ring and the pilot member are fixed to the joint outer ring by swaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiji TAJIMA, Hiroyuki Ogura, Syougo Suzuki, Shigeaki Fukushima, Mitsuru umekida, Akira Torii, Akira Sera, Hisashi Ohtsuki
  • Publication number: 20090069100
    Abstract: A joint assembly has a pair of constant velocity universal joints and a connecting drive shaft. A cover unit protects the constant velocity universal joints and prevents hanging down of the joints under their own weight. The unit cover is arranged to cover the outer circumferential surfaces of the pair of constant velocity universal joints and boots. The unit cover is formed from elastomer material by injection molding. The cover unit inner circumferential surface has a configuration corresponding to the outline configurations of the pair of constant velocity universal joints and the boots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Umekida, Shigeaki Fukushima, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa, Hiroshi Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20090046972
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus with a back-to-back double row tapered roller bearing has an outer member integrally with a body mounting flange and double row outer raceway surfaces tapered open respectively axially inward and outward. An inner member include a wheel hub and an inner ring or an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint. The wheel hub has a wheel mounting flange and one inner raceway surface arranged oppositely to one of the double row outer raceway surfaces and a cylindrical portion. The inner ring or the outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint are press fit onto the cylindrical portion and include the other inner raceway surface arranged opposite to the other raceway surface of the double row outer raceway surfaces. Double row tapered rollers are freely rollably held between the outer and inner raceway surfaces by cages. Seals are arranged in annular openings formed by the outer and inner members. The cages are formed of synthetic resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Umekida, Hiroshi Kawamura, Kazunari Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20090046975
    Abstract: An axle module with a bearing apparatus has an outer joint member 14 axially secured relative to a wheel hub 1 by a caulked portion 13. The caulked portion 12 is formed by plastically deforming the end portion of a shaft portion 20 of the outer joint member 14 onto the end face 12 of the wheel hub 1. A pitch circle diameter PCDi of the inner side ball group is larger than a pitch circle diameter PCDo of the outer side ball group. The size of all the balls 6a, 6b is the same. The number of balls 6b of the inner side ball group is set larger than the number of balls 6a of the outer side ball group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawamura, Shigeaki Fukushima, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa, Mitsuru Umekida