Patents by Inventor Soukichi Kikuchi

Soukichi Kikuchi 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: 9868472
    Abstract: A bonnet inner panel includes a central protrusion portion protruding upward in a vehicle elevational view and a rear protrusion portion located in back of the central protrusion portion, which are arranged side by side in a vehicle longitudinal direction, a deep-drawn groove is provided between the both protrusion portions to extend in a vehicle width direction, and a hinge reinforcement is provided to extend from a position beside the rear protrusion portion to a position at a rear end of the central protrusion portion, passing through beside the deep-drawn groove. Thereby, the hinge support rigidity of the rear portion of the bonnet having the central protrusion portion can be increased, so that occurrence of any improper deflection or vibration caused to the bonnet by the traveling vibration, the traveling-air pressure or the like can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kohji Takada, Kozo Ishizuka, Hirokazu Yamauchi, Akira Miyake, Yousuke Inamitsu, Hideaki Fujii, Takashi Hamada, Soukichi Kikuchi, Atsushi Koriyama, Tsuyoshi Nishihara, Izumi Sadanaga
  • Patent number: 9701345
    Abstract: A reinforcement is configured to have a corner portion corresponding to a corner portion of a side sill inner. Herein, the corner portion of the reinforcement forms a reinforcement ridgeline extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The reinforcement is provided such that the reinforcement ridgeline and a side-sill-inner upper ridgeline formed at a corner portion of the side sill inner overlap with each other over a range from a specified area where a wheel outward displaced in a vehicle collision is capable of contacting a side sill to a connection portion where a cross member connects to the side sill inner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahide Kanemori, Nobuyuki Nakayama, Akihiro Kawano, Hideyuki Tsukamoto, Soukichi Kikuchi, Takashi Hamada
  • Patent number: 9643652
    Abstract: A vehicle-body structure of an automotive vehicle comprises a frame which is provided at a side portion of a vehicle body to extend in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and a load absorption portion which is provided at a front face of a tip portion of the frame to protrude forward, wherein the load absorption portion includes an inclination face portion which protrudes outward, in a vehicle width direction, relative to the frame and a tip face of which extends obliquely forward and inward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaya Hiramatsu, Yosuke Sawada, Takashi Hamada, Soukichi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 9623910
    Abstract: There are provided a hinge pillar comprising an outer panel and an inner panel which form a closed cross section extending vertically, a hinge pillar reinforcement provided in the closed cross section, a front door attached to the hinge pillar via a pair of upper-and-lower door hinges, and a hinge bracket attaching the lower door hinge to the hinge pillar reinforcement, the hinge bracket being provided to face a front wheel in a longitudinal direction. Herein, the hinge bracket has a lower strength than a portion of the hinge pillar reinforcement where the hinge bracket is provided. Accordingly, when receiving a collision load from the front wheel, the hinge bracket changes a contact portion of the front wheel to the hinge pillar so as to guide the retreating front wheel outward in a vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Kiyoshita, Masanori Fukuda, Toshiharu Ikeda, Soukichi Kikuchi, Takashi Hamada
  • Publication number: 20160244098
    Abstract: A reinforcement is configured to have a corner portion corresponding to a corner portion of a side sill inner. Herein, the corner portion of the reinforcement forms a reinforcement ridgeline extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The reinforcement is provided such that the reinforcement ridgeline and a side-sill-inner upper ridgeline formed at a corner portion of the side sill inner overlap with each other over a range from a specified area where a wheel outward displaced in a vehicle collision is capable of contacting a side sill to a connection portion where a cross member connects to the side sill inner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahide KANEMORI, Nobuyuki NAKAYAMA, Akihiro KAWANO, Hideyuki TSUKAMOTO, Soukichi KIKUCHI, Takashi HAMADA
  • Publication number: 20160221608
    Abstract: A vehicle-body structure of an automotive vehicle comprises a frame which is provided at a side portion of a vehicle body to extend in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and a load absorption portion which is provided at a front face of a tip portion of the frame to protrude forward, wherein the load absorption portion includes an inclination face portion which protrudes outward, in a vehicle width direction, relative to the frame and a tip face of which extends obliquely forward and inward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaya Hiramatsu, Yosuke Sawada, Takashi Hamada, Soukichi Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20160083019
    Abstract: A bonnet inner panel includes a central protrusion portion protruding upward in a vehicle elevational view and a rear protrusion portion located in back of the central protrusion portion, which are arranged side by side in a vehicle longitudinal direction, a deep-drawn groove is provided between the both protrusion portions to extend in a vehicle width direction, and a hinge reinforcement is provided to extend from a position beside the rear protrusion portion to a position at a rear end of the central protrusion portion, passing through beside the deep-drawn groove. Thereby, the hinge support rigidity of the rear portion of the bonnet having the central protrusion portion can be increased, so that occurrence of any improper deflection or vibration caused to the bonnet by the traveling vibration, the traveling-air pressure or the like can be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kohji TAKADA, Kozo ISHIZUKA, Hirokazu YAMAUCHI, Akira MIYAKE, Yousuke INAMITSU, Hideaki FUJII, Takashi HAMADA, Soukichi KIKUCHI, Atsushi KORIYAMA, Tsuyoshi NISHIHARA, Izumi SADANAGA
  • Publication number: 20160083015
    Abstract: There are provided a hinge pillar comprising an outer panel and an inner panel which form a closed cross section extending vertically, a hinge pillar reinforcement provided in the closed cross section, a front door attached to the hinge pillar via a pair of upper-and-lower door hinges, and a hinge bracket attaching the lower door hinge to the hinge pillar reinforcement, the hinge bracket being provided to face a front wheel in a longitudinal direction. Herein, the hinge bracket has a lower strength than a portion of the hinge pillar reinforcement where the hinge bracket is provided. Accordingly, when receiving a collision load from the front wheel, the hinge bracket changes a contact portion of the front wheel to the hinge pillar so as to guide the retreating front wheel outward in a vehicle width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke KIYOSHITA, Masanori FUKUDA, Toshiharu IKEDA, Soukichi KIKUCHI, Takashi HAMADA
  • Patent number: 8882150
    Abstract: In a bump stopper (115) attached to a main frame (10) of a chassis frame (9) of a vehicle (1), a stopper body (116) is a panel which is, as viewed in a cross section along a horizontal direction, formed in a bag shape having an opening on an inner side in a vehicle width direction and formed so as to have openings at upper and lower ends. The stopper body (116) is attached to an outer surface of the main frame (10) at front and rear attachment parts (116c, 116d) which are end parts of the panel positioned at sides of the opening on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. A contact member (118) contacting an arm (92) is attached to the stopper body (116) so as to be positioned in the vicinity of a lower opening (116) of the stopper body (116).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hideto Yamada, Hiroyuki Akaki, Soukichi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8807597
    Abstract: In a frontal collision energy absorption structure for a vehicle (1) including a chassis frame (9), an engine mount bracket (27) is attached to a main frame (10) of the chassis frame (9) extending in a vehicle length direction, and is, in the vehicle length direction, apart from a connection part of the main frame (10) and a suspension tower (101), a connection part of the main frame (10) and a second cross-member (12) arranged apart from the suspension tower (101) in front thereof, and a connection part of the main frame (10) and a third cross-member (13) arranged apart from the suspension tower (101) in rear thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Akaki, Hideto Yamada, Soukichi Kikuchi, Osami Ohno
  • Patent number: 8727380
    Abstract: In a suspension tower structure for a vehicle (1) including a chassis frame (9) to which suspension towers (101) are attached, a front leg part (101a) and a rear leg part (101b) branched to be separated from each other in a vehicle length direction are provided in a lower part of the suspension tower (101), and lower parts of the front leg part (101a) and the rear leg part (101b) are attached to a main frame (10) of the chassis frame (9) extending in the vehicle length direction so as to be separated from each other in the vehicle length direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Akaki, Hideto Yamada, Soukichi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8657059
    Abstract: An attachment structure of a propeller shaft to a cross-member in a vehicle includes a pair of main frames (10) extending in a vehicle length direction; the cross-member (15) connecting the main frames (10) together; the propeller shaft (37) arranged between the main frames (10) and including a front shaft (37a) and a rear shaft (37b) connected together through a joint (65); a center bearing (67) fixed to the cross-member (15) and configured to rotatably support the front shaft (37a); a fuel tank (83) arranged between the center bearing (67) and one of the main frames (10); and a flexible connection body (170) configured to connect the center bearing (67) and part of the cross-member (15) on a side opposite to the fuel tank (83) and having a length which is substantially non-extendable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hideto Yamada, Hiroyuki Akaki, Soukichi Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20130011092
    Abstract: An attachment structure of a propeller shaft to a cross-member in a vehicle includes a pair of main frames (10) extending in a vehicle length direction; the cross-member (15) connecting the main frames (10) together; the propeller shaft (37) arranged between the main frames (10) and including a front shaft (37a) and a rear shaft (37b) connected together through a joint (65); a center bearing (67) fixed to the cross-member (15) and configured to rotatably support the front shaft (37a); a fuel tank (83) arranged between the center bearing (67) and one of the main frames (10); and a flexible connection body (170) configured to connect the center bearing (67) and part of the cross-member (15) on a side opposite to the fuel tank (83) and having a length which is substantially non-extendable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicants: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION, FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hideto Yamada, Hiroyuki Akaki, Soukichi Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20120319336
    Abstract: In a bump stopper (115) attached to a main frame (10) of a chassis frame (9) of a vehicle (1), a stopper body (116) is a panel which is, as viewed in a cross section along a horizontal direction, formed in a bag shape having an opening on an inner side in a vehicle width direction and formed so as to have openings at upper and lower ends. The stopper body (116) is attached to an outer surface of the main frame (10) at front and rear attachment parts (116c, 116d) which are end parts of the panel positioned at sides of the opening on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. A contact member (118) contacting an arm (92) is attached to the stopper body (116) so as to be positioned in the vicinity of a lower opening (116) of the stopper body (116).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicants: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION, FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hideto Yamada, Hiroyuki Akaki, Soukichi Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20120313360
    Abstract: In a frontal collision energy absorption structure for a vehicle (1) including a chassis frame (9), an engine mount bracket (27) is attached to a main frame (10) of the chassis frame (9) extending in a vehicle length direction, and is, in the vehicle length direction, apart from a connection part of the main frame (10) and a suspension tower (101), a connection part of the main frame (10) and a second cross-member (12) arranged apart from the suspension tower (101) in front thereof, and a connection part of the main frame (10) and a third cross-member (13) arranged apart from the suspension tower (101) in rear thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicants: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION, FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Akaki, Hideto Yamada, Soukichi Kikuchi, Osami Ohno
  • Publication number: 20120306234
    Abstract: In a suspension tower structure for a vehicle (1) including a chassis frame (9) to which suspension towers (101) are attached, a front leg part (101a) and a rear leg part (101b) branched to be separated from each other in a vehicle length direction are provided in a lower part of the suspension tower (101), and lower parts of the front leg part (101a) and the rear leg part (101b) are attached to a main frame (10) of the chassis frame (9) extending in the vehicle length direction so as to be separated from each other in the vehicle length direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicants: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION, FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Akaki, Hideto Yamada, Soukichi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8141904
    Abstract: A frontal collision energy absorbing structure includes a pair of left and right main frames. A front cross member and a rear cross member each connect the left and right main frames. A suspension tower and an engine mount bracket may each be attached to each main frame. Each front suspension tower is spaced out from the joint between the front cross member and the main frame. Each rear suspension tower is spaced out from the joint between the rear cross member and the main frame. Each of engine mount bracket is longitudinally spaced apart from the following joints: the front cross member and the main frame; the rear cross member and the main frame, and the suspension tower and the main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Akaki, Hideto Yamada, Soukichi Kikuchi, Osami Ohno
  • Publication number: 20100194145
    Abstract: A frontal collision energy absorbing structure includes a pair of left and right main frames. A front cross member and a rear cross member each connect the left and right main frames. A suspension tower and an engine mount bracket may each be attached to each main frame. Each front suspension tower is spaced out from the joint between the front cross member and the main frame. Each rear suspension tower is spaced out from the joint between the rear cross member and the main frame. Each of engine mount bracket is longitudinally spaced apart from the following joints: the front cross member and the main frame; the rear cross member and the main frame, and the suspension tower and the main frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Akaki, Hideto Yamada, Soukichi Kikuchi, Osami Ohno
  • Patent number: 7488016
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle front structure, which comprises a synthetic resin shroud 3 formed to support a heat exchanger and mounted to a vehicle body in a front of an engine compartment, a bumper fascia disposed in a front end of the vehicle body, a plate member 20 which has a front end located adjacent to a rear surface of the bumper fascia and a rear end attached to a lower shroud section 5, and a connection member 30 which connects a lower end region of a lateral surface of a side shroud section 6 to a non-abutted portion 13c formed in a flange 13 of a bumper reinforcement 10. The vehicle front structure of the present invention can suppress displacement of the shroud during a frontal impact with a pedestrian or an obstacle such as a curb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Nakamae, Toshio Sakamoto, Yasunori Kageyama, Naoaki Yamamoto, Soukichi Kikuchi, Hiroshi Sogabe
  • Publication number: 20080012363
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle front structure, which comprises a synthetic resin shroud 3 formed to support a heat exchanger and mounted to a vehicle body in a front of an engine compartment, a bumper fascia disposed in a front end of the vehicle body, a plate member 20 which has a front end located adjacent to a rear surface of the bumper fascia and a rear end attached to a lower shroud section 5, and a connection member 30 which connects a lower end region of a lateral surface of a side shroud section 6 to a non-abutted portion 13c formed in a flange 13 of a bumper reinforcement 10. The vehicle front structure of the present invention can suppress displacement of the shroud during a frontal impact with a pedestrian or an obstacle such as a curb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki Nakamae, Toshio Sakamoto, Yasunori Kageyama, Naoaki Yamamoto, Soukichi Kikuchi, Hiroshi Sogabe