Patents by Inventor Nobutada Sugiura

Nobutada Sugiura 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).

  • Publication number: 20090139370
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a case; a speed change mechanism; a torque converter having a lock-up clutch axially arranged and freely slidably toward and away from the input shaft; a thrust bearing interposed between the flange unit and the side face of the sleeve unit on the input shaft side; a ball bearing that includes an outer race, a side face of which contacts the first step portion toward the input shaft side, and a propeller shaft connecting member capable of connecting with a propeller shaft, spline-engaging with the outer periphery of the output shaft, and contacting a side face of an inner race of the ball bearing upon being pressed axially toward the input shaft side by the propeller shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobutada Sugiura, Minoru Todd, Mikio Iwase, Takuya Ishii, Tomohiro Katada, Hirofumi Ota, Kazutoshi Nozaki, Atsushi Honda
  • Patent number: 7422538
    Abstract: A first planetary gear unit PR and a clutch C3 for outputting reduced speed rotation are located on one axial side of a second planetary gear unit PU, and a clutch C1 for connecting and disconnecting an input shaft 2 to/from a sun gear S2 and a clutch C2 for connecting and disconnecting the input shaft 2 input to/from a carrier CR2 are located on the other axial side of the second planetary gear unit PU. An output mechanism is located between the first and second planetary gear units. As compared with a drivetrain wherein the clutch C1 or clutch C2 is located between the two planetary gear units, the two planetary gear units can be located closer together, and a transmitting member that transmits the reduced speed rotation can be made shorter. Further, compared to a drivetrain wherein the clutches C1, C2, C3 are located together on one axial side, the oil supply to the hydraulic servos can be simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumichi Kayama, Nobutada Sugiura, Shundo Yamaguchi, Takeo Arai, Tomochika Inagaki
  • Patent number: 7367915
    Abstract: A planetary gear unit PR and a clutch C3 for outputting reduced speed rotation and a clutch C1 for connecting and disconnecting input of rotation of an input shaft to a sun gear S2 are located on one axial side of a planetary gear unit PU, and a clutch C2 for connecting and disconnecting input of rotation of the input shaft to the carrier CR2 is located on the axially opposite of the planetary gear unit PU. By doing so, as compared to a case wherein, for example, a clutch C1 and clutch C2 are both located between a pair of planetary gear units PR and PU, the planetary gear units PR and PU can be located more closely together, and the member that transmits the reduced speed rotation from planetary gear unit PR to planetary gear unit PU can be made shorter. Further, compared to the case wherein, for example, the clutches C1, C2, C3 are located on one axial side of the planetary gear units, the construction of the oil lines is simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumichi Kayama, Nobutada Sugiura, Shundo Yamaguchi, Kazuhisa Ozaki, Tomochika Inagaki
  • Patent number: 7226380
    Abstract: A second planetary gear unit PR and a clutch C1 for outputting reduced speed rotation are located on one axial side of a first planetary gear unit PU, with an output unit located therebetween. A clutch C2 which connects/disconnects an input shaft 2 to/from a sun gear S2 of the planetary gear unit PU and a clutch C3 connects and disconnects the input shaft to/from a carrier CR2 of the planetary gear unit are on the other axial side of the first planetary gear unit PU. Compared with a transmission wherein a clutch C2 or clutch C3 is located between the second planetary gear unit PR and the planetary gear unit PU, the second planetary gear unit PR and the first planetary gear unit PU can be located closer together, and a member which transmits the reduced speed rotation can be made shorter. Further, compared to the case wherein, for example, the clutches C1, C2, C3 are located together on one axial side, oil supply to their servos is simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumichi Kayama, Nobutada Sugiura, Shundo Yamaguchi, Tatsuya Sugimoto, Tomochika Inagaki
  • Patent number: 7052433
    Abstract: A reduced rotation output unit for outputting a reduced rotation obtained by reducing rotation of an input shaft is arranged at one side of a planetary gear unit in an axial direction, a first clutch and a second clutch interposed between a second rotation element of the planetary gear unit, and a third rotation element and the input shaft are arranged at the other side of the planetary gear unit in the axial direction, and an output member is arranged between the first clutch, the second clutch and the planetary gear unit. Accordingly, it is possible to position the reduced rotation output unit and the planetary gear unit close to each other, and it is possible to make a transmission member that transmits the reduced rotation output from the reduced rotation output unit to the planetary gear unit short.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobutada Sugiura, Takeo Arai, Kazuhisa Ozaki, Kazumasa Tsukamoto, Kazumichi Kayama, Tomochika Inagaki
  • Publication number: 20050245344
    Abstract: A first planetary gear unit PR and a clutch C3 for outputting reduced speed rotation are located on one axial side of a second planetary gear unit PU, and a clutch C1 for connecting and disconnecting an input shaft 2 to/from a sun gear S2 and a clutch C2 for connecting and disconnecting the input shaft 2 input to/from a carrier CR2 are located on the other axial side of the second planetary gear unit PU. An output mechanism is located between the first and second planetary gear units. As compared with a drivetrain wherein the clutch C1 or clutch C2 is located between the two planetary gear units, the two planetary gear units can be located closer together, and a transmitting member that transmits the reduced speed rotation can be made shorter. Further, compared to a drivetrain wherein the clutches C1, C2, C3 are located together on one axial side, the oil supply to the hydraulic servos can be simplified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2003
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: Kazumichi Kayama, Nobutada Sugiura, Shundo Yamaguchi, Takeo Arai, Tomochika Inagaki
  • Publication number: 20050227804
    Abstract: A second planetary gear unit PR and a clutch C1 for outputting reduced speed rotation are located on one axial side of a first planetary gear unit PU, with an output unit located therebetween. A clutch C2 which connects/disconnects an input shaft 2 to/from a sun gear S2 of the planetary gear unit PU and a clutch C3 connects and disconnects the input shaft to/from a carrier CR2 of the planetary gear unit are on the other axial side of the first planetary gear unit PU. Compared with a transmission wherein a clutch C2 or clutch C3 is located between the second planetary gear unit PR and the planetary gear unit PU, the second planetary gear unit PR and the first planetary gear unit PU can be located closer together, and a member which transmits the reduced speed rotation can be made shorter. Further, compared to the case wherein, for example, the clutches C1, C2, C3 are located together on one axial side, oil supply to their servos is simplified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2003
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventors: Kazumichi Kayama, Nobutada Sugiura, Shundo Yamaguchi, Tatsuya Sugimoto, Tomochika Inagaki
  • Patent number: 6878086
    Abstract: Second and third clutches are axially aligned so that the back side of the second clutch and the front side of the third clutch oppose each other, and a first clutch is positioned radially inward of the second and third clutches. Further, a clutch drum is extended so as to be used in common by the second and third clutches, the second clutch is engaged and disengaged from the axial front side by a second piston of a second oil pressure actuator, and the third clutch is engaged and disengaged from the axial rear side by a third piston of a third oil pressure actuator. The first through third clutches are positioned in a compact manner and can be independently operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignees: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobutada Sugiura, Futomi Hanji, Hiroyuki Tsukamoto, Kazuhisa Ozaki, Youichi Hayakawa, Keizo Kobayashi, Kazutoshi Nozaki, Yoshinobu Nozaki, Yuuji Kashihara
  • Patent number: 6835158
    Abstract: An automatic transmission has a first brake, a third brake and a hydraulic actuator for the third brake substantially axially aligned in sequence from rear to front in a radially outer area of the transmission. In addition, a first planetary gear unit, a first one-way clutch and a second one-way clutch are provided in an axial sequence from rear to front, in a radially inner area of the transmission. In this manner, component members are mounted with good spatial efficiency in both radial and axial dimensions. Furthermore, because a carrier of the first planetary gear is connected to a third brake through the first one-way clutch, the carrier can be reversely rotated by disengaging the third brake, enabling six forward speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignees: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobutada Sugiura, Minoru Todo, Yoshinobu Nozaki, Hideo Tomomatsu
  • Publication number: 20040248684
    Abstract: A reduced rotation output unit for outputting a reduced rotation obtained by reducing rotation of an input shaft is arranged at one side of a planetary gear unit in an axial direction, a first clutch and a second clutch are interposed between a second rotation element of the planetary gear unit, and a third rotation element and the input shaft are arranged at the other side of the planetary gear unit in the axial direction, and an output member is arranged between the first clutch, the second clutch and the planetary gear unit. Accordingly, it is possible to position the reduced rotation output unit and the planetary gear unit close to each other, and it is possible to make a transmission member, that transmits the reduced rotation output from the reduced rotation output unit to the planetary gear unit, short.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Nobutada Sugiura, Takeo Arai, Kazuhisa Ozaki, Kazumasa Tsukamoto, Kazumichi Kayama, Tomochika Inagaki
  • Publication number: 20030224900
    Abstract: An automatic transmission has a first brake, a third brake and a hydraulic actuator for the third brake substantially axially aligned in sequence from rear to front in a radially outer area of the transmission. In addition, a first planetary gear unit, a first one-way clutch and a second one-way clutch are provided in an axial sequence from rear to front, in a radially inner area of the transmission. In this manner, component members are mounted with good spatial efficiency in both radial and axial dimensions. Furthermore, because a carrier of the first planetary gear is connected to a third brake through the first one-way clutch, the carrier can be reversely rotated by disengaging the third brake, enabling six forward speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Nobutada Sugiura, Minoru Todo, Yoshinobu Nozaki, Hideo Tomomatsu
  • Publication number: 20030139246
    Abstract: Second and third clutches are axially aligned so that the back side of the second clutch and the front side of the third clutch oppose each other, and a first clutch is positioned radially inward of the second and third clutches. Further, a clutch drum is extended so as to be used in common by the second and third clutches, the second clutch is engaged and disengaged from the axial front side by a second piston of a second oil pressure actuator, and the third clutch is engaged and disengaged from the axial rear side by a third piston of a third oil pressure actuator. The first through third clutches are positioned in a compact manner and can be independently operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Nobutada Sugiura, Futomi Hanji, Hiroyuki Tsukamoto, Kazuhisa Ozaki, Youichi Hayakawa, Keizo Kobayashi, Kazutoshi Nozaki, Yoshinobu Nozaki, Yuuji Kashihara
  • Patent number: 6517463
    Abstract: A compact automatic transmission for a vehicle capable of preventing increase in relative rotational speed between shift elements. A planetary gear unit is provided with a sun gear to which rotation of an input shaft is input, a carrier that can be stopped from rotating, and a ring gear for outputting, to a planetary gear set, rotation that is reduced in speed relative to that of the input shaft. A clutch is connected/disconnected, the input shaft and the sun gear are appropriately connected/disconnected, and the carrier is appropriately stopped/unstopped by a brake and a one-way clutch. This prevents relative rotational speed between shift elements of the gear unit that does not participate in a shifting operation from excessively increasing. When the clutch is disposed between the input shaft and the sun gear, the torque capacity of the clutch can be reduced as compared with the case where it is disposed between the gear unit and the gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignees: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobutada Sugiura, Takuya Ishii, Minoru Todo, Kazuhisa Ozaki, Youichi Hayakawa, Hiroshi Ito, Toshiki Kanada, Yasuo Hojo, Yuji Kashihara
  • Publication number: 20010034284
    Abstract: A compact automatic transmission for a vehicle capable of preventing increase in relative rotational speed between shift elements. A planetary gear unit is provided with a sun gear to which rotation of an input shaft is input, a carrier that can be stopped from rotating, and a ring gear for outputting, to a planetary gear set, rotation that is reduced in speed relative to that of the input shaft. A clutch is connected/disconnected, the input shaft and the sun gear are appropriately connected/disconnected, and the carrier is appropriately stopped/unstopped by a brake and a one-way clutch. This prevents relative rotational speed between shift elements of the gear unit that does not participate in a shifting operation from excessively increasing. When the clutch is disposed between the input shaft and the sun gear, the torque capacity of the clutch can be reduced as compared with the case where it is disposed between the gear unit and the gear set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Nobutada Sugiura, Takuya Ishii, Minoru Todo, Kazuhisa Ozaki, Youichi Hayakawa, Hiroshi Ito, Toshiki Kanada, Yasuo Hojo, Yuji Kashihara
  • Patent number: 5931275
    Abstract: To reduce dispersion in an engagement stroke amount caused by error in manufacturing parts and to reduce the stroke amount in a stationary cylinder type clutch device, the clutch device includes a hub, a drum, friction coupling elements connecting thereto such that rotational power can be transmitted, a pressing member and a reaction force member arranged at opposite ends of the clutch device in the axial direction, and a hydraulic servo for engaging and disengaging the friction coupling elements where the hydraulic servo is installed to a fixed member, a servo force is transmitted to the friction coupling elements via the pressing member and the reaction force caused by the engagement is supported by the fixed member via the reaction force member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Kasuya, Nobutada Sugiura
  • Patent number: 5916347
    Abstract: A hydraulic servo device for an automatic transmission is presented with a reduced axial length as a result of the manner in which oil pressure is fed into the cylinder. The hydraulic servo device includes a cylinder, a piston position to slide within the cylinder, a rod connected to the piston, and a cover member for closing the open end of the cylinder. The cover member, in association with the cylinder and the piston, defines an oil chamber in the cylinder. An oil passage for feeding an oil pressure to the oil chamber is formed by an opening in the cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Kasuya, Masahiro Hayabuchi, Nobutada Sugiura
  • Patent number: 5908096
    Abstract: A hydraulic servo unit for a vehicular power transmission system having a helical gear, including a clutch for connecting predetermined rotary elements to each other and a hydraulic servo for applying the clutch, the hydraulic servo including a cylinder, a piston fitted in the cylinder, a push member abutting against the piston through a bearing for transmitting the push force of the piston to the clutch, and a return spring for the piston, one of the rotary elements including a reaction member opposed to the push member for transmitting the push force of the piston to a case, and the cylinder is a stationary cylinder formed in the case. Further, the return spring is arranged between the push member and the reaction member and is loaded to apply a load higher than the thrust force of the helical gear, as acting upon the reaction member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Tsukamoto, Masahiro Hayabuchi, Masaaki Nishida, Akitoshi Kato, Satoru Kasuya, Nobutada Sugiura, Tatsuya Iida
  • Patent number: 5890988
    Abstract: An automatic transmission for a vehicle with a reverse gear brake that includes a case. A predetermined rotational element, having gear teeth and an axis, is disposed within the case. The predetermined rotational element only operates as a rotational element when achieving a reverse gear mode. A brake has a gear member. The gear member is attached to the case so that it cannot rotate relative to the case, but is movable along the axis of the predetermined rotational element so that it can be engaged and disengaged with the teeth of the predetermined rotational element. The predetermined rotational element is fixed to the case so that it cannot rotate relative to the case when the gear teeth engage the gear member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Kasuya, Nobutada Sugiura, Kazumasa Tsukamoto, Masahiro Hayabuchi, Masaaki Nishida
  • Patent number: 5836852
    Abstract: Uncomfortable travel of a vehicle due to engine brake actions during the travel of the vehicle in traffic is prevented without using an one-way clutch within a transmission mechanism. An automatic transmission is composed of rotational elements that are braked at the time of establishing low stages, a brake that brakes the rotational elements, and control systems which control the oil pressure of the hydraulic servo in the brake. A band brake that creates differences in application forces, using self-energizing and deenergizing actions, serves as the brake, which is set to have an area in which the oil pressure during the drive is lower than the oil pressure during the non-drive, by setting the self-energizing direction as a direction of rotation of the rotational element during the drive and the deenergizing direction as an opposite direction of rotation of the rotational element during the non-drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tsutsui, Kazumasa Tsukamoto, Masahiro Hayabuchi, Takayuki Hisano, Nobutada Sugiura
  • Patent number: 5735369
    Abstract: A band brake drum supporting device for an automatic transmission having a band drum to be retained in a case by fastening a band brake which is joined to a rotary element of the automatic transmission and arranged in the case. The drum includes a band engaging portion and a cylindrical drum supporting portion extending radially inward from the band engaging portion while being offset axially with respect to the band engaging portion. The outer circumference of the drum supporting portion is supported through two axially juxtaposed bearings on a stationary support portion which extends radially outward of the drum supporting portion from the case. The stationary support portion includes a cylindrical boss portion disposed coaxially with the drum supporting portion and engaging at its inner circumference with the two bearings and a planar flange portion extending radially outward from the end portion of the boss portion which is located closer to the band brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Tsukamoto, Masahiro Hayabuchi, Masaaki Nishida, Akitoshi Kato, Satoru Kasuya, Nobutada Sugiura, Tatsuya Iida