Patents by Inventor Seiji Itoo

Seiji Itoo 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: 20150300453
    Abstract: A vehicle-use transmission includes: an input shaft into which a driving force from an engine is inputted; a power extraction shaft for transmitting the driving force of the input shaft to front wheels; a transmission mechanism for transmitting the driving force of the input shaft to rear wheels; and a rear-wheel intermediate shaft provided in a power transmission path between the power extraction shaft and the transmission mechanism. The rear-wheel intermediate shaft transmits the driving force through a helical gear attached to the rear-wheel intermediate shaft. Further, the rear-wheel intermediate shaft is supported by tapered roller bearings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji ITOO, Ayumi HAMADA, Taisuke MORITA
  • Patent number: 9057436
    Abstract: The present invention is a shift device for switching a dog clutch mechanism in a transmission, comprising: a shift shaft capable of moving in an axial direction; a shift member capable of moving in the axial direction within a predetermined waiting stroke range; an elastic member holder for a waiting mechanism; and an elastic member provided in outside of the shift shaft in a radial direction so as to be compressed and expanded between the elastic member holder and the shift member, wherein the elastic member biases the shift member toward one side in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji Itoo, Ayumi Hamada, Taisuke Morita
  • Patent number: 9045031
    Abstract: An engine and a transmission are connected to each other via a connecting bracket interposed therebetween in the vehicular lengthwise direction. The engine is provided with a first connector having a first mounting hole substantially parallel to a vehicle lengthwise direction, and a first tightening member to be inserted into the first mounting hole on a side opposite to the engine connects the first end of the connecting bracket to the first connector. The transmission is provided with a second connector having a second mounting hole penetrating in a vehicular widthwise direction, and a second tightening member to be inserted into the second mounting hole connects the second end of the connecting bracket to the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji Kouma, Seiji Itoo, Taisuke Morita, Ayumi Hamada
  • Patent number: 8911312
    Abstract: A belt-type continuously variable transmission is provided. The belt-type continuously variable transmission includes a drive pulley assembly; a driven pulley assembly, a belt wrapped around these pulley assemblies, and a case assembly accommodating them. The case assembly includes a case body joined to a housing of a drive device such as an engine and a cover joined to the case body. Since an air-intake duct and an air discharge duct are attached to the case body, the cover can be configured to be thin, and thus the cover can be detached without providing a wide space in front of the cover in the direction in which the cover is detached. With this construction, the cover can be detached without detaching the air-intake duct and the air discharge duct, and thus maintenance can be performed easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Itoo, Hideaki Kii
  • Patent number: 8875833
    Abstract: A utility vehicle 1 prevents a size increase of a transmission while ensuring a predetermined inter-shaft distance between an output shaft and a rear axle. The utility vehicle 1 is capable of switching a two wheel drive mode for transmitting drive force to rear wheels 3 and a four wheel drive mode for transmitting the drive force to front wheels 2 and the rear wheels 3, a transmission 9 includes an input shaft 92 to which the drive force from an engine 8 is inputted, a front wheel drive output shaft 94 for transmitting the drive force of the input shaft 92 to the front wheels 2, and a rear axle 96 for transmitting the drive force of the input shaft 92 to the rear wheels 3. A rear wheel drive output shaft 95 is provided in a motive power transmission route between the front wheel drive output shaft 94 and the rear axle 96.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Kouma, Taisuke Morita, Ayumi Hamada, Seiji Itoo
  • Patent number: 8870702
    Abstract: A power switching device for vehicle has an engaging mechanism for connecting and disconnecting between a pair of rotating members arranged on a driving force transmission passage, an operating mechanism for switch-operating the engaging mechanism, an electric actuator, and a waiting mechanism having an elastic member. The elastic member is incorporated into the waiting mechanism so that the elastic member can temporarily accumulate the operating power only when the engaging mechanism is switched to the engaged condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki Kii, Seiji Itoo, Ayumi Hamada
  • Patent number: 8834307
    Abstract: A belt-type continuously variable transmission comprises a drive pulley assembly mounted to a drive shaft; a driven pulley assembly mounted to a driven shaft; a belt connecting the two; and a case assembly for accommodating these components. The drive pulley assembly has fins for generating a flow of air moving toward an outer periphery of the drive pulley assembly. When viewed in an axial direction of the drive shaft, an air blocking plate is positioned at a forward side in a rotational direction of the drive pulley assembly relative to an imaginary line segment connecting a center axis of the drive pulley assembly to a center axis of the driven pulley assembly, between the drive pulley assembly and the driven pulley assembly such that the air blocking plate surrounds the outer periphery of the drive pulley assembly over a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Itoo, Hideaki Kii
  • Publication number: 20140187372
    Abstract: An engine and a transmission are connected to each other via a connecting bracket interposed therebetween in the vehicular lengthwise direction, the engine is provided with a first connector having a first mounting hole substantially parallel to a vehicle lengthwise direction, a first tightening member to be inserted into the first mounting hole on a side opposite to the engine connects one end of the connecting bracket to the first connector, the transmission is provided with a second connector having a second mounting hole penetrating in a vehicular widthwise direction, and a second tightening member to be inserted into the second mounting hole connects the other end of the connecting bracket to the second connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji KOUMA, Seiji ITOO, Taisuke MORITA, Ayumi HAMADA
  • Publication number: 20140187366
    Abstract: In a V-belt type continuously variable transmission for utility vehicle, a transmission case assembly covering a drive pulley assembly and a driven pulley assembly is provided, the transmission case assembly includes a transmission case main body, and a transmission cover attached to a cover attachment surface of the transmission case main body, the cover attachment surface is inclined with respect to a vertical plane which is orthogonal to a crankshaft, and the transmission cover is attached to the cover attachment surface by a plurality of bolts removed and inserted in the direction orthogonal to the cover attachment surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji KOUMA, Seiji ITOO, Taisuke MORITA
  • Publication number: 20140187365
    Abstract: A V-belt type continuously variable transmission includes a drive shaft, a drive pulley assembly, a driven shaft, a driven pulley assembly, a V belt, and a transmission case assembly, the drive shaft is formed as a separate body from the crankshaft, one axial end of the drive shaft is spline-fitted to a shaft coupling portion provided in an end of the crankshaft, freely move in the axial direction within a predetermined distance, and be permitted to fall slightly, and the other axial end of the drive shaft is supported in the transmission case assembly or via a front bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji KOUMA, Taisuke MORITA, Seiji ITOO
  • Patent number: 8596406
    Abstract: A utility vehicle is provided. The utility vehicle may include a transmission including a transmission mechanism and a transmission case assembly for accommodating the transmission mechanism; and an air discharge duct coupled to the transmission case assembly, to discharge air from inside the transmission case assembly; wherein the air discharge duct includes an upward extending portion extending substantially upward from the transmission case assembly, and a downward extending portion which is bent back at an upper end portion of the upward extending portion, and then extends substantially downward; and the upward extending portion and the downward extending portion partially overlap with each other in at least either a forward and rearward direction or a rightward and leftward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Itoo, Hideaki Kii
  • Patent number: 8556015
    Abstract: A utility vehicle is provided. The utility vehicle may comprise a vehicle body frame; a dash panel having a first duct port in a substantially center portion widthwise; a hood located in front of the dash panel; a driving power source mounted to a substantially center portion of the vehicle body frame widthwise and positioned behind the dash panel; a transmission joined to the driving power source; and a first air-intake duct provided in a substantially center portion of the vehicle body frame widthwise such that it extends in a substantially forward and rearward direction and passes through the first duct port. Further, an outlet provided at a downstream end portion of the first air-intake duct is coupled to the transmission; and an inlet provided at an upstream end portion of the first air-intake duct is positioned in an upper rear portion of the space above the first duct port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Itoo, Hideaki Kii
  • Publication number: 20130167681
    Abstract: A power switching device for vehicle has an engaging mechanism for connecting and disconnecting between a pair of rotating members arranged on a driving force transmission passage, an operating mechanism for switch-operating the engaging mechanism, an electric actuator, and a waiting mechanism having an elastic member, wherein the elastic member is incorporated to the waiting mechanism so that the elastic member can temporarily accumulate the operating power only when the engaging mechanism is switched to the engaged condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Hideaki KII, Seiji Itoo, Ayumi Hamada
  • Publication number: 20130090199
    Abstract: A belt-type continuously variable transmission comprises a drive pulley assembly mounted to a drive shaft; a driven pulley assembly mounted to a driven shaft; a belt connecting the two; and a case assembly for accommodating these components. The drive pulley assembly has fins for generating a flow of air moving toward an outer periphery of the drive pulley assembly. When viewed in an axial direction of the drive shaft, an air blocking plate is positioned at a forward side in a rotational direction of the drive pulley assembly relative to an imaginary line segment connecting a center axis of the drive pulley assembly to a center axis of the driven pulley assembly, between the drive pulley assembly and the driven pulley assembly such that the air blocking plate surrounds the outer periphery of the drive pulley assembly over a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Itoo, Hideaki Kii
  • Publication number: 20130090198
    Abstract: A belt-type continuously variable transmission is provided. The belt-type continuously variable transmission includes a drive pulley assembly; a driven pulley assembly, a belt wrapped around these pulley assemblies, and a case assembly accommodating them. The case assembly includes a case body joined to a housing of a drive device such as an engine and a cover joined to the case body. Since an air-intake duct and an air discharge duct are attached to the case body, the cover can be configured to be thin, and thus the cover can be detached without providing a wide space in front of the cover in the direction in which the cover is detached. With this construction, the cover can be detached without detaching the air-intake duct and the air discharge duct, and thus maintenance can be performed easily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Itoo, Hideaki Kii
  • Publication number: 20130087403
    Abstract: A utility vehicle is provided. The utility vehicle may include a transmission including a transmission mechanism and a transmission case assembly for accommodating the transmission mechanism; and an air discharge duct coupled to the transmission case assembly, to discharge air from inside the transmission case assembly; wherein the air discharge duct includes an upward extending portion extending substantially upward from the transmission case assembly, and a downward extending portion which is bent back at an upper end portion of the upward extending portion, and then extends substantially downward; and the upward extending portion and the downward extending portion partially overlap with each other in at least either a forward and rearward direction or a rightward and leftward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji Itoo, Hideaki Kii
  • Publication number: 20130087396
    Abstract: A utility vehicle is provided. The utility vehicle may comprise a vehicle body frame; a dash panel having a first duct port in a substantially center portion widthwise; a hood located in front of the dash panel; a driving power source mounted to a substantially center portion of the vehicle body frame widthwise and positioned behind the dash panel; a transmission joined to the driving power source; and a first air-intake duct provided in a substantially center portion of the vehicle body frame widthwise such that it extends in a substantially forward and rearward direction and passes through the first duct port. Further, an outlet provided at a downstream end portion of the first air-intake duct is coupled to the transmission; and an inlet provided at an upstream end portion of the first air-intake duct is positioned in an upper rear portion of the space above the first duct port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji Itoo, Hideaki Kii