Patents Assigned to GKN Driveline Japan Ltd.
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Patent number: 10557542Abstract: A final drive mounted on a vehicle is comprised of: a differential gear set; a clutch rotatable about a rotational axis and combined with the differential gear set; a cam mechanism comprising a cam plate fixed from rotation about the rotational axis and so disposed as to move along the rotational axis to exert a fastening force on the clutch and a cam gear rotatable about the rotational axis, the cam mechanism for converting rotation of the cam gear into a pressure force on the cam plate; a gear set so meshed with the cam gear to rotate the cam gear; a casing housing the differential gear set, the clutch, the cam mechanism and the gear set in a single chamber; and a motor so disposed outside and above the casing as to hide behind the casing from a road and combined with the gear set.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2017Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: GKN Driveline Japan Ltd.Inventor: Shungo Numabe
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Patent number: 10480588Abstract: A multi-plate clutch is comprised of: one or more core plates respectively coupled with a first rotary body rotatable about an axis; one or more reaction plates arranged alternately with the core plates and respectively coupled with a second rotary body rotatable about the axis, the reaction plates receiving the pressure force from the driver mechanism to brake the first rotary body relative to the second rotary body; one or more friction members respectively fixed to faces on the respective core plates, the faces to come into contact with the reaction plates, and including a bundle of warp yarns and a bundle of weft yarns mutually weaved perpendicular to each other, the yarns being formed of carbon fibers; and a plurality of bottomed grooves formed on faces on the respective reaction plates, the faces to come into contact with the core plates.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: GKN Driveline Japan LtdInventor: Isao Hirota
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Patent number: 10479199Abstract: A power transfer unit is comprised of: a hollow input shaft rotatable about the first axis; an intermediate shaft rotatable about the first axis; an output shaft in mesh with the intermediate shaft and rotatable about the second axis; a clutch coupling the input shaft with the intermediate shaft; an input member rotatable about the first axis and including an eccentric shaft eccentric from the first axis; a fixed member immovable about the first axis; an intermediate member fitting on the eccentric shaft to make an eccentric motion and meshing with the fixed member to make a rotary motion about the eccentric shaft; an output member engaging with and following the intermediate member; and a cam mechanism interposed between the output member and the clutch and converting the rotary motion of the output member into an axial motion.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: GKN Driveline Japan LtdInventors: Satoshi Niimura, Masashi Aikawa
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Patent number: 10465785Abstract: A differential case is comprised of: an outer peripheral wall cylindrical about a first axis; a first side wall being perpendicular to the first axis and having a flange; a second side wall having an outer side surface perpendicular to the first axis and being opposed to the first side wall; and an opening opened on the outer peripheral wall so as to allow side gears to be brought in the opening, the opening being so shaped that outlines of pinion gears do not touch a periphery of an oval as an outline of the opening in a case where an axis of the pinion gears is aligned with the center of the oval.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: GKN Driveline Japan LtdInventor: Noriyuki Sudou
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Patent number: 10415682Abstract: A case for a differential gear set includes: a rotatable carrier having a cylindrical fitting face and a radially projecting flange having an axially directed butting face; a cover having a brim section so projecting axially as to fit on an outer periphery of the flange and so dimensioned as to align an end face of the brim section with the butting face; a ring gear fitting on the fitting face and having a back face in contact with the butting face; and a weld metal uniting the carrier, the cover and the ring gear together, wherein the butting face of the carrier, the end face of the cover and the back face of the ring gear are so dimensioned as to keep a circular groove exposed outward and reaching an interface between the back face and the butting face and the weld metal fills the groove.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2017Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: GKN Driveline Japan LtdInventors: Isao Hirota, Noboru Higano, Masahiko Asahi
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Patent number: 10385928Abstract: A clutch is comprised of a first clutch member including a plurality of first clutch teeth arranged circumferentially around an axis; and a second clutch member including a plurality of second clutch teeth arranged circumferentially around the axis and engageable with the first clutch teeth, each of the second clutch teeth including an end portion internal or external relative to the axis and a pair of side faces facing each other across the end portion, any of the side faces getting in contact with the first clutch teeth when engaged, each of the pair of side faces including a first face being flat and a second face being continuous to the first face and the end portion and having a slope oblique to the first face, wherein one of the first clutch member and the second clutch member is axially movable relative to the other.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2016Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: GKN Driveline Japan LtdInventors: Yasuo Yamanaka, Hideyuki Inose
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Patent number: 10308113Abstract: A differential device is provided with an outer case receiving torque; a differential gear set so geared as to allow differential motion between first and second axles; a clutch including an inner case supporting the differential gear set, and a clutch ring drivingly engaged with the outer case to transmit the torque from the outer case and axially movable to disconnectably connect with the inner case, the clutch ring having an end section led out of the outer case; a first spring creating a repulsive force in a disconnecting direction; a second spring creating a repulsive force in a connecting direction; and an actuator including a plunger so disposed as to exert a thrust force axially on the end section of the clutch ring, and a solenoid driving the plunger in a direction to make the clutch ring disconnect from or connect with the inner case.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: GKN Driveline Japan LtdInventors: Hideyuki Inose, Yasuo Yamanaka, Yasushi Nagamori
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Patent number: 10052949Abstract: A drivetrain system can drive a vehicle by a first motor and a second motor. A drivetrain couples the first motor with a first axle and comprises a propeller shaft transmitting torque from the first motor to a second axle and coupled with the second motor. A first clutch disconnectably connects the first motor with the propeller shaft. A second clutch disconnectably couples the propeller shaft with the second axle. The first and second motors can be activated. The first clutch can be connected to cause both the first and second motors to drive the first axle. The second clutch can be connected or disconnected to control torque transmission from the first motor and the second motor to the second axle, whereby the vehicle is operated in a hybrid mode in which both the first motor and the second motor drive the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2015Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: GKN Driveline Japan Ltd.Inventor: Akira Ibusuki
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Patent number: 9944178Abstract: A power takeoff unit is comprised of: a casing dividable into a first part and a second part; an inner shaft receiving torque from an engine; an outer shaft independently rotatable and coaxial with the inner shaft; a clutch for connecting the inner shaft with the outer shaft; an actuator configured to connect the clutch; an output shaft for outputting torque; and a gear set drivingly coupling the outer shaft with the output shaft, wherein the outer shaft and the output shaft are rotatably supported by the first part, the clutch is rotatably supported by the second part, and the actuator is fixed to the second part, whereby the clutch and the actuator along with the second part are separable from the first part.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: GKN Driveline Japan Ltd.Inventors: Noboru Uchida, Masaki Takahashi
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Patent number: 9797495Abstract: A clutch to be combined with a rotary machine rotating about an axis is comprised of a rotary member including a first face perpendicular to the axis, a first bottom receding in an axial direction from the first face, and plural first clutch teeth being arranged in a circumferential direction and respectively projecting from both the first face and the first bottom; and a clutch member movable in the axial direction relative to the rotary member, the clutch member including a second bottom, plural second clutch teeth being arranged in a circumferential direction and respectively projecting from the second bottom to be respectively engageable with the plural first clutch teeth, and an internal peripheral wall connecting internal ends of the plural second clutch teeth and projecting in the axial direction toward the rotary member.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: GKN Driveline Japan Ltd.Inventors: Hideyuki Inose, Yasuo Yamanaka, Atsushi Maruyama
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Patent number: 9695922Abstract: A clutch device is comprised of: an end wall rotatable about an axis; an extended wall elongated as a unitary body from a first face of the end wall along the axis to define a circular slot; a clutch including a clutch member movable along the axis and capable of resting on a second face of the end wall; and a solenoid configured to drive the clutch member along the axis, the solenoid including a core conducting a magnetic flux, the core including a fitting portion slidably fitting in the circular slot, an abutment portion projecting radially outward from the fitting portion to abut along the axis on the extended wall, and a back portion projecting outward along the axis from the circular slot and retracting radially inward from the contact portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2016Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: GKN Driveline Japan Ltd.Inventors: Yasuo Yamanaka, Atsushi Maruyama
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Patent number: 9534663Abstract: A transmission device is comprised of a clutch disconnectably and drivingly coupling a first rotary member with a second rotary member; a motor including a rotor rotatable about an axis; an input member coupled with the rotor and rotatable about the axis, the input member including an eccentric shaft eccentric relative to the axis; a fixed member immovable about the axis; an intermediate member fitting with the eccentric shaft to make an eccentric motion and meshing with the fixed member to make a rotary motion about the eccentric shaft; an output member rotatable about the axis and fitting with and following the intermediate member; and a cam mechanism intervening between the output member and the clutch to convert a rotary motion of the output member into a motion in a direction along the axis to press the clutch.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2016Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: GKN Driveline Japan Ltd.Inventors: Isao Hirota, Atsushi Tamura, Noboru Uchida, Takahiro Nagaoka, Masashi Aikawa
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Patent number: 9371869Abstract: A power transmission apparatus is provided with a first rotational member, a second rotational member, a clutch device for coupling a power transmission between the first rotational member and the second rotational member, and a ring shape actuator of the clutch device. A rotational axis of one of the first rotational member and the second rotational member penetrates through a radially internal space of the ring shape actuator.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2012Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: GKN Driveline Japan LTD.Inventors: Hiromichi Fukuda, Masaaki Fusegi, Mitsuaki Kakuta, Noriyuki Sudou
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Patent number: 9352647Abstract: A drivetrain transmits a first drive force from a transmission including a motor to a first axle and a second axle. This drivetrain is comprised of: a first drivetrain section drivingly coupled with the first axle to steadily transmit the first drive force to the first axle; a second drivetrain section drivingly coupled with the second axle; an intermediate train section interposed between the first drivetrain section and the second drive section, the intermediate train section being capable of transmitting a part of the first drive force to the second drive section; an electric motor drivingly coupled with the intermediate train section to give a second drive force to the intermediate train section; a first clutch disconnectably connecting the first drivetrain section with the intermediate train section; and a second clutch disconnectably connecting the intermediate train section with the second drivetrain section.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: GKN Driveline Japan Ltd.Inventor: Akira Ibusuki
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Patent number: 9222570Abstract: A power transmission apparatus includes a case having a first member and a second member. A first shaft extending in a first direction and a second shaft extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction are accommodated in the case. A fastener for fastening the first member and the second member to each other is inserted through a hole formed in the first member. A bearing support part for supporting the second shaft is formed in the first member. In a third direction perpendicular to both of the first direction and the second direction, a whole of the hole is positioned in one side in the third direction than an inner peripheral end of the bearing support part in the one side in the third direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: GKN DRIVELINE JAPAN LTD.Inventors: Hiromichi Fukuda, Atsushi Kawano
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Patent number: 9188213Abstract: A differential apparatus is provided with a case; a pinion gear; a pair of side gears meshing with the pinion gear; a spherically depressed pinion gear supporting surface portion formed on an inner surface of the case to support a spherically projecting back side portion of the pinion gear; and spherically depressed side gear supporting surface portions formed on the inner surface of the case to respectively support spherically projecting back side portions of the side gears. The projecting back side portions of the side gears which are slidable on the depressed side gear supporting surface portions are formed on tooth portions of the side gears.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2011Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: GKN Driveline Japan LTD.Inventors: Satoshi Aiba, Akihisa Shimada
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Patent number: 9169916Abstract: A power takeoff unit for an automobile combined with a transmission is comprised of a first rotatable shaft including a first gear; a second rotatable shaft including a second gear, the second shaft being so disposed as to have the second gear engaged with the first gear and intersecting with, or being not parallel and not intersecting with, the first shaft to establish driving link between the first shaft and the second shaft; a casing including an attachment portion having a first internal face having a first internal diameter and an end portion and a second internal face being disposed inward than the first internal face relative to the casing and having a second internal diameter; and a seal member interposed between the first shaft and the second internal face.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2012Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: GKN Driveline Japan Ltd.Inventor: Satoshi Niimura
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Patent number: 9005069Abstract: A power interrupting apparatus is provided with: a first rotating member, a second rotating member, a clutch device adapted to interrupt a coupling between the first rotating member and the second rotating member, and an actuator adapted to actuate the clutch device. The actuator is disposed on a radially outer periphery of a part of one of the first rotating member and the second rotating member.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: GKN Driveline Japan Ltd.Inventors: Masaaki Fusegi, Hiroyasu Furukawa
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Patent number: 8926471Abstract: A differential device is comprised of a casing with a first end wall and a side wall forming a corner with the first end wall; a differential gear set including an input gear and first and second side gears that are so meshed with the input gear to allow differential motion between the first and second side gears; and a clutch member being housed in and axially movable in the casing from a first position where the clutch member engages with the first side gear to limit the differential motion to a second position where the clutch member rests on the first end wall and frees the first side gear, the clutch member slidably fitting on the first side gear so as to keep the clutch member concentric with the first side gear.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: GKN Driveline Japan LtdInventors: Yasuo Yamanaka, Atsushi Maruyama
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Patent number: 8858384Abstract: A bevel gear used in a differential device for a vehicle is comprised of: a body having an axis, a conical pitch surface around the axis, an opposite surface opposed to the conical pitch surface, and a side surface around the axis; gear teeth formed on the pitch surface, each of the gear teeth having a top land projecting from the pitch surface; and clutch teeth formed on the opposite surface, each of the clutch teeth having a bottom land standing back from the opposite surface, each of the bottom lands of the clutch teeth being aligned with any of the top lands of the gear teeth in a line parallel to the axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2013Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: GKN Driveline Japan LtdInventors: Masaaki Fusegi, Yasuo Yamanaka