Patents by Inventor Mizuki Imafuku

Mizuki Imafuku 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: 11512614
    Abstract: A transfer for a four-wheel drive vehicle, the four-wheel drive vehicle configured to disconnect a propeller shaft from a power transmission path between an auxiliary drive wheels and a driving power source when the four-wheel drive vehicle travels by two-wheel drive, includes a second output rotating member and an oil pump. The second output rotating member is configured to output a driving power to the propeller shaft. The oil pump is configured to rotationally drive in conjunction with rotation of the second output rotating member via a first one-way clutch. The first one-way clutch is configured such that the oil pump supplies a lubrication oil to a wet clutch when the four-wheel drive vehicle travels forward by the four-wheel drive. The oil pump is configured to stop supplying the lubrication oil to the wet clutch when the four-wheel drive vehicle travels forward by the two-wheel drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mizuki Imafuku
  • Publication number: 20200149445
    Abstract: A transfer for a four-wheel drive vehicle, the four-wheel drive vehicle configured to disconnect a propeller shaft from a power transmission path between an auxiliary drive wheels and a driving power source when the four-wheel drive vehicle travels by two-wheel drive, includes a second output rotating member and an oil pump. The second output rotating member is configured to output a driving power to the propeller shaft. The oil pump is configured to rotationally drive in conjunction with rotation of the second output rotating member via a first one-way clutch. The first one-way clutch is configured such that the oil pump supplies a lubrication oil to a wet clutch when the four-wheel drive vehicle travels forward by the four-wheel drive. The oil pump is configured to stop supplying the lubrication oil to the wet clutch when the four-wheel drive vehicle travels forward by the two-wheel drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mizuki IMAFUKU
  • Patent number: 10525828
    Abstract: A transfer for a vehicle, the transfer includes an input rotating member, a first output rotating member, a second output rotating member, a high-low switching mechanism, a clutch, a motor, a screw mechanism and a transmitting mechanism. The first output rotating member outputs power to first left and right wheels. The second output rotating member outputs power to second left and right wheels. The high-low switching mechanism changes a rate of rotation from the input rotating member and transmits the rotation to the first output rotating member. The clutch adjusts a transfer torque. The transfer torque is transmitted from the first output rotating member to the second output rotating member. The screw mechanism converts rotational motion of the motor to linear motion. The transmitting mechanism transmits linear motion force of the screw mechanism to both the high-low switching mechanism and the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mizuki Imafuku, Akinori Homan, Tomohiro Arakawa
  • Patent number: 10234009
    Abstract: In a differential limiting device for a vehicle, when rotary motion of an electric motor is converted by a screw mechanism into linear motion of a nut member in a direction of a first axis C1 of a side gear shaft, and a piston mounted on the nut member is moved in a direction opposite to a direction to depress frictional engagement elements, the piston and a clutch drum are relatively non-rotatably engaged. Therefore, differential rotation of a pair of side gears is mechanically limited. Thus, rotation of one electric motor makes it possible to generate differential limiting torque for limiting differential rotation of the pair of side gears in a rear-wheel differential device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mizuki Imafuku
  • Publication number: 20180370354
    Abstract: A vehicular power transmission device includes a differential mechanism including a pair of side gears, an inner case, and an outer case, a pair of side gear shafts respectively connected to the side gears and transmitting power to a pair of wheels, a clutch mechanism including a clutch hub, a clutch drum, a friction engagement element, and a piston, and an actuator configured to drive the piston, in which the clutch hub and the clutch drum include meshing teeth, the piston includes first meshing teeth and second meshing teeth, and the clutch hub, the clutch drum, and the piston are configured to switch an operation mode of the vehicular power transmission device to a first mode and a second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mizuki IMAFUKU
  • Patent number: 10145472
    Abstract: A transfer includes: an input shaft; an output shaft; a high-low switching mechanism; an output member whose output destination is different from output destination of the output shaft; a clutch for transmitting a power to the output member; a first transmitting mechanism for transmitting movement of an internally threaded member to the clutch; and a drum cam having a cam groove. The cam groove includes a first inclined section that causes the high-low switching mechanism to be switched between a high-speed gear stage and a low-speed gear stage, and a second inclined section that causes the first transmitting mechanism to be switched between (i) a separated position in which the first transmitting mechanism is separated from the clutch and (ii) a contact position in which the first transmitting mechanism is in contact with the clutch, while the high-speed gear stage is established in the high-low switching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mizuki Imafuku
  • Patent number: 10124669
    Abstract: A transfer for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes an input shaft, an output shaft, a high-low switching mechanism, an output member, a clutch, a locking sleeve, a screw mechanism, a transmitting mechanism, a drum cam, and a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism is configured to selectively switch between an H4L position and an L4L position in conjunction with rotational motion of the electric motor. The H4L position is a position in which a high-low sleeve provided in the high-low switching mechanism is in a position in which a high-speed gear is established in the high-low switching mechanism. The L4L position is a position in which the high-low sleeve provided in the high-low switching mechanism is in a position in which a low-speed gear is established in the high-low switching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mizuki Imafuku
  • Patent number: 9989151
    Abstract: A drum cam is connected to a first annular member in a ball cam provided on a rear wheel-side output shaft. Furthermore, linear motion of a second annular member in the ball cam provided on the rear wheel-side output shaft is transmitted to a front wheel-driving clutch via a first transmission mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mizuki Imafuku
  • Publication number: 20180100569
    Abstract: In a differential limiting device for a vehicle, when rotary motion of an electric motor is converted by a screw mechanism into linear motion of a nut member in a direction of a first axis C1 of a side gear shaft, and a piston mounted on the nut member is moved in a direction opposite to a direction to depress frictional engagement elements, the piston and a clutch drum are relatively non-rotatably engaged. Therefore, differential rotation of a pair of side gears is mechanically limited. Thus, rotation of one electric motor makes it possible to generate differential limiting torque for limiting differential rotation of the pair of side gears in a rear-wheel differential device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mizuki IMAFUKU
  • Patent number: 9937789
    Abstract: In a transfer, a high thrust can be given to a front-wheel driving clutch by a high magnification function of a screw mechanism. Further, a necessary stroke for an operation of a high-low switching mechanism can be obtained by the screw mechanism. Accordingly, with the use of one motor, the screw mechanism, and a transmission mechanism, it is possible to perform a switching operation of the high-low switching mechanism and a torque adjustment of the front-wheel driving clutch by the same system. Hereby, it is possible to perform, with accuracy, the switching operation of the high-low switching mechanism and the torque adjustment of the front-wheel driving clutch, based on a motor rotation angle Am of one motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mizuki Imafuku, Akinori Homan, Tomohiro Arakawa
  • Patent number: 9772035
    Abstract: A vehicle transfer includes an input shaft, an output shaft, an output member, a clutch, a motor, a screw mechanism, a transmitting mechanism, a fork shaft, an amplifying link mechanism, a high-low switching mechanism, and a fork. The fork shaft is configured to move in an axial direction of the fork shaft. The amplifying link mechanism is connected to the nut member and the fork shaft. The amplifying link mechanism is configured to amplify an amount of movement of the nut member in the direction of the common axis and transmit the amplified amount of movement to the fork shaft. The fork is connected to the fork shaft. The fork is configured to transmit moving force of the fork shaft to the high-low switching mechanism such that the high-low switching mechanism switches between the high-speed gear and the low-speed gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mizuki Imafuku, Yuya Maruyama
  • Patent number: 9751404
    Abstract: A transfer includes an input shaft, an output shaft, an output member, a high-low switching mechanism, a clutch, an actuator, a screw mechanism, a first transmitting mechanism, a cam engaging member, a drum cam, and a second transmitting mechanism. The high-low switching mechanism is configured to change a rate of rotation of the input shaft and transmit a resultant rotation to the output shaft. The second transmitting mechanism is configured to transmit a movement of one of the drum cam and the cam engaging member that is connected to a second shaft to the high-low switching mechanism via the second shaft such that the high-low switching mechanism switches between the high-speed gear and the low-speed gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mizuki Imafuku
  • Publication number: 20170152947
    Abstract: A transfer includes: an input shaft; an output shaft; a high-low switching mechanism; an output member whose output destination is different from output destination of the output shaft; a clutch for transmitting a power to the output member; a first transmitting mechanism for transmitting movement of an internally threaded member to the clutch; and a drum cam having a cam groove. The cam groove includes a first inclined section that causes the high-low switching mechanism to be switched between a high-speed gear stage and a low-speed gear stage, and a second inclined section that causes the first transmitting mechanism to be switched between (i) a separated position in which the first transmitting mechanism is separated from the clutch and (ii) a contact position in which the first transmitting mechanism is in contact with the clutch, while the high-speed gear stage is established in the high-low switching mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mizuki IMAFUKU
  • Publication number: 20170130838
    Abstract: A vehicle transfer includes an input shaft, an output shaft, an output member, a clutch, a motor, a screw mechanism, a transmitting mechanism, a fork shaft, an amplifying link mechanism, a high-low switching mechanism, and a fork. The fork shaft is configured to move in an axial direction of the fork shaft. The amplifying link mechanism is connected to the nut member and the fork shaft. The amplifying link mechanism is configured to amplify an amount of movement of the nut member in the direction of the common axis and transmit the amplified amount of movement to the fork shaft. The fork is connected to the fork shaft. The fork is configured to transmit moving force of the fork shaft to the high-low switching mechanism such that the high-low switching mechanism switches between the high-speed gear and the low-speed gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mizuki IMAFUKU, Yuya MARUYAMA
  • Publication number: 20170122434
    Abstract: A drum cam is connected to a first annular member in a ball cam provided on a rear wheel-side output shaft. Furthermore, linear motion of a second annular member in the ball cam provided on the rear wheel-side output shaft is transmitted to a front wheel-driving clutch via a first transmission mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mizuki IMAFUKU
  • Publication number: 20170113545
    Abstract: A transfer for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes an input shaft, an output shaft, a high-low switching mechanism, an output member, a clutch, a locking sleeve, a screw mechanism, a transmitting mechanism, a drum cam, and a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism is configured to selectively switch between an H4L position and an L4L position in conjunction with rotational motion of the electric motor. The H4L position is a position in which a high-low sleeve provided in the high-low switching mechanism is in a position in which a high-speed gear is established in the high-low switching mechanism. The L4L position is a position in which the high-low sleeve provided in the high-low switching mechanism is in a position in which a low-speed gear is established in the high-low switching mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mizuki IMAFUKU
  • Publication number: 20170087985
    Abstract: A transfer includes an input shaft, an output shaft, an output member, a high-low switching mechanism, a clutch, an actuator, a screw mechanism, a first transmitting mechanism, a cam engaging member, a drum cam, and a second transmitting mechanism. The high-low switching mechanism is configured to change a rate of rotation of the input shaft and transmit a resultant rotation to the output shaft. The second transmitting mechanism is configured to transmit a movement of one of the drum cam and the cam engaging member that is connected to a second shaft to the high-low switching mechanism via the second shaft such that the high-low switching mechanism switches between the high-speed gear and the low-speed gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mizuki IMAFUKU
  • Publication number: 20170050516
    Abstract: A fork shaft arranged inside a rear-wheel side output shaft is connected to a high-low sleeve of a high-low switching mechanism and a nut member of a screw mechanism that adjusts torque of a front-wheel drive clutch, such that when the nut member moves in an axial direction of the rear-wheel side output shaft, the high-low sleeve moves in the axial direction in conjunction via the fork shaft. Therefore, switching of the high-low switching mechanism and torque adjustment of the front-wheel drive clutch are both able to be executed by the screw mechanism. The fork shaft is arranged inside an axial hole in the rear-wheel side output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: Mizuki Imafuku
  • Publication number: 20170036538
    Abstract: A vehicle transfer includes an input rotating member, a first output rotating member, a second output rotating member, a high-low switching mechanism, a clutch, an oil passage, and a lubricating sleeve. The first output rotating member is configured to output power to first left and right wheels. The second output rotating member is configured to output power to second left and right wheels. The lubricating sleeve is arranged in an axial oil passage of the oil passage. The lubricating sleeve is configured to move inside the axial oil passage in conjunction with a linear motion of a screw mechanism. The lubricating sleeve is configured to switch a communication state of the axial oil passage and a plurality of radial oil passages according to a position of the lubricating sleeve, such that amounts of the lubricating oil supplied to the high-low switching mechanism and the clutch are adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventor: Mizuki Imafuku
  • Patent number: 9500238
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism includes a first and a second rotating members, a clutch hub, a clutch drum, a plurality of friction engagement elements, a piston, a piston driving device and a sleeve. A clutch hub main body of the clutch hub is connected to the first rotating member and does not rotate relative to the first rotating member. An inner hub of the clutch hub rotates relative to the clutch hub main body. The inner hub engages with an inner peripheral side of the friction engagement elements and does not rotate relative to the friction engagement elements. The sleeve does not rotate relative to the inner hub. The sleeve moves relative to the first rotating member. The sleeve moves in conjunction with the piston to a position where the sleeve engages with the clutch hub main body and does not rotate relative to the clutch hub main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mizuki Imafuku, Akinori Homan, Tomohiro Arakawa