Patents Assigned to Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
  • Patent number: 11802595
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cam clutch that has a simple structure and is capable of preventing the occurrence of cam jamming and that can be reduced in size while realizing improved functionality. The cam clutch according to the present invention includes an operating mode switching mechanism that includes an outer ring-side cage ring provided to be capable of moving in the axial direction and configured to be capable of modifying the attitude of first cams, an inner ring-side cage ring provided to be capable of moving in the axial direction and configured to be capable of modifying the attitude of second cams having different meshing direction from the first cams, and a position regulating cage ring for regulating the freedom of movement of the outer ring-side cage ring and the inner ring-side cage ring in the circumferential direction are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Sota Kusunoki
  • Publication number: 20230341010
    Abstract: To provide a simple-structured cam clutch capable of preventing unwanted jamming of cams, thereby enabling smooth operation including switching operation between operation modes, and offering potential for higher functionality and size reduction. The plurality of cams of the cam clutch include first cams and second cams having different engaging directions. The cam clutch includes an operation mode switching mechanism for switching operation modes, and a switch actuating mechanism. The operation mode switching mechanism includes an outer cage ring, an inner cage ring, and a position-restricting cage ring. The switch actuating mechanism includes an outer guide, an inner guide, and a rotation ring circumferentially movable relative to the outer guide and inner guide and provided for controlling the axial positions of the outer cage ring and inner cage ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Sota Kusunoki
  • Publication number: 20230332652
    Abstract: To provide a cam clutch capable of preventing unwanted jamming of cams and switchable between operation modes with little force, thereby allowing size reduction. The cam clutch includes an inner race, an outer race, a plurality of cams, and a biasing means biasing the plurality of cams. The plurality of cams include first cams and second cams that have different engaging directions. The cam clutch further includes a frictional resistance generating means for generating friction resistance between a component adapted to tilt the first cams or second cams in the engaging direction, and the inner race and/or outer race when the first cams and second cams are simultaneously lifted off and separated from the raceways of the inner race and/or outer race during switching of operation modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Sota Kusunoki
  • Publication number: 20230318512
    Abstract: Provided are a motor device, a gear motor, a detection method, and a computer readable medium capable of detecting a load fluctuation and performing highly accurate preventive maintenance. The motor device comprises: a motor; a power detection circuit that detects power supplied to the motor; a temperature sensor that measures a temperature of the motor; a storage unit that stores a regression equation expressing a relationship between power detected by the power detection circuit and a temperature measured by the temperature sensor, and a physical quantity used to derive an output shaft torque of the motor; and a processing unit that derives the output shaft torque of the motor from the power detected by the power detection circuit and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor by using the physical quantity obtained by the regression equation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Yokoi, Haruki Teramukai
  • Publication number: 20230313863
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a chain that is easy to assemble, has a longer life and smaller size, and allows larger tolerance for misalignment. The object is achieved by a chain including a plurality of outer links each having a pair of outer plates and pins, and a plurality of inner links each having a pair of inner plates and bushings, alternately and pivotably coupled together in the longitudinal direction of the chain by the pins rotatably inserted into the bushings, with a position restricting part positioned between each pair of the inner plates to restrict inward movement of each pair of inner plates in the chain width direction. The bushings are rotatably inserted in respective bushing holes of each pair of inner plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Yusuke Saito
  • Patent number: 11772217
    Abstract: A conveyance chain comprises a plurality of link plates alternately coupled and conveying plural tool pots each holding a tool. The plurality of link plates include an inner link plate and an outer link plate each including a rotation stop hole that stops a rotation of the tool pot and a rotation permit hole located upstream from the rotation stop hole with respect to a conveyance direction that permits a rotation of the tool pot. The plurality of tool pots includes a first tool pot and a second tool pot, the first tool pot is inserted through a rotation stop hole of the inner link plate and a rotation permit hole of the outer link plate, and adjacent to the first tool pot, the second tool pot is inserted through a rotation permit hole of the inner link plate and a rotation stop hole of the outer link plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kamio, Tomoyuki Koyama
  • Publication number: 20230304565
    Abstract: To provide a chain guide, chain drive device, and transmission system, with which an amount of lubricating oil supplied to guide surfaces is increased. The chain guide includes an upper additional extension formed to extend from an upper end of a sliding guide part in the guide longitudinal direction and having an oil-recovery guide surface positioned opposite and spaced from the chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Sung-Hwan LIM, Munehiro MAEDA, Seigo OHSAWA, Yuji OSHIMA
  • Publication number: 20230304547
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cam clutch that has a simple structure and is capable of preventing the occurrence of cam jamming and that can be reduced in size while realizing improved functionality. The cam clutch according to the present invention includes an operating mode switching mechanism that includes an outer ring-side cage ring provided to be capable of moving in the axial direction and configured to be capable of modifying the attitude of first cams, an inner ring-side cage ring provided to be capable of moving in the axial direction and configured to be capable of modifying the attitude of second cams having different meshing direction from the first cams, and a position regulating cage ring for regulating the freedom of movement of the outer ring-side cage ring and the inner ring-side cage ring in the circumferential direction are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Sota Kusunoki
  • Patent number: 11767891
    Abstract: To provide a cam clutch unit that reduces the number of machining steps and level of difficulty of cam clutch production and reduces rotation resistance caused by rollers. The cam clutch unit includes: a plurality of cams and a plurality of rollers circumferentially arranged between an inner race and an outer race that are coaxial and rotatable relative to each other; a cage ring having a plurality of pocket portions that restrict circumferential relative movements of the cams and the rollers; and an annular spring that biases the cams. The cams each have, on one axial end face, an engagement step that can engage with the spring. The cage ring has a plurality of hook portions that restrict axial movements of the annular spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Akihiro Fukuda, Hirokazu Tsuneda, Yuji Kurematsu
  • Publication number: 20230296144
    Abstract: To provide a simple-structured cam clutch that does not require precise control, uses a smaller drive force, provides improved clutch operation stability and high responsiveness, and offers more mode switch options. The cam clutch includes a plurality of cams circumferentially arranged between an inner race and an outer race. The cams are arranged in a plurality of rows adjacent each other in a direction of rotation axis. The cam clutch has a selector that allows a rotation angle thereof to be controlled relative to the inner race or the outer race. The selector has a cam orientation control surface capable of changing the orientation of at least one row of cams by making contact with a cam surface. The cam orientation control surface includes a cam release portion radially protruded toward the cams more than a cam actuator portion and moving the cams to a non-operating orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Yuji Kurematsu, Tsubasa Sugiya, Eiichi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 11761496
    Abstract: To provide a simple-structured cam clutch that does not require precise control, uses a smaller drive force for forcibly changing cam postures, and provides improved clutch operation stability and high responsiveness. The cam clutch includes a plurality of cams circumferentially arranged between an inner race and an outer race and supported by a cage member, and a selector allowing a rotation angle thereof to be controlled relatively to the inner race or the outer race to which the cage member is fixed. The selector has a cam posture control surface in contact with cam surfaces of the cams and capable of causing the cams to change posture thereof. The cam posture control surface includes a cam release portion radially protruded toward the cams more than a cam actuator portion and causing the cams to change posture thereof to a non-operating posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Yuji Kurematsu, Tsubasa Sugiya, Eiichi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 11761495
    Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a cam clutch that prevents cams from unwanted wedging and enables smooth operation including the switching between operation modes without involving an increase in size or number of components and with a simple structure. The cam clutch according to the present invention uses first cams and second cams having different engaging directions as sprags for transmitting and interrupting torque between an inner race and an outer race. A cam interlock mechanism tilts the second cams to a disengaging direction with a tilting motion of the first cams toward an engaging direction, to separate engaging surfaces of the second cams from raceways of the inner race and/or the outer race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Sota Kusunoki
  • Publication number: 20230287963
    Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a chain with excellent wear resistance, which minimizes chain elongation, reduces vibration and noise, and improves drive efficiency. The chain according to the present invention includes at least a plurality of link plates and a plurality of pins as chain components. The pins and mutually sliding chain components sliding against the pins are formed with a hardened surface layer containing one of Cr carbide, Ti carbide, V carbide, Nb carbide, Cr nitride, Ti nitride, V nitride, and Nb nitride on part or all of respective sliding surfaces. In the case where the chain includes bushings as chain components and the bushings are the mutually sliding chain components, the bushings are formed with the hardened surface layer on part or all of their sliding surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Yuhi Hirata, Kazuyuki Ebinuma
  • Publication number: 20230271781
    Abstract: To provide a low-temperature storage system that can reduce unusable idle spaces to improve space efficiency for storing storage objects and to prevent a drop in cooling efficiency with simple structure. The low-temperature storage system includes a low-temperature storage chamber accommodating a rotary storage shelf, a moving mechanism having a holding part to carry a storage rack thereon for loading and unloading a storage object in the storage rack, and a picking stage. The holding part is located such that its center axis along a direction of its back and forth movement does not intersect a rotating shaft of the rotary storage shelf. The rotary storage shelf stores the storage rack such that the storage rack, when brought to a removal position, is oriented in a same direction as that of a storage rack placed on the picking stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Koichi ISHIKAWA
  • Patent number: 11732783
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a chain guide that can reduce vibration and noise while maintaining necessary strength, rigidity, and durability. The chain guide has a support wall extending forward from a boss part, which constitutes a circumferential wall of a pivot shaft, along a plane perpendicular to a pivot axis line. The support wall includes a base part that is provided with a running surface-side rib, and a connecting portion with a cross-sectional area thereof reducing toward the boss part. The running surface-side rib is not in contact with the boss part. The chain guide does not include a connecting portion that has a larger width than the thickness of the support wall and extends in a pivoting direction on a back side of the running surface-side rib in a region at a pivot shaft side end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Namie, Takahiro Matsushita
  • Patent number: 11732784
    Abstract: To provide a simple-structured tensioner lever capable of consistently exerting a correct reaction force to various fluctuations of tension accompanying varying chain behaviors, whereby vibration and noise when the chain runs can be reduced. The tensioner lever of the present invention includes a lever body having a shoe surface that slidably guides a chain; a first pressing spring configured to have a first pressing arm extending from one end of a first helical part, with a distal end portion contacting the lever body to form a first loading point, and a first support arm extending from the other end of the first helical part, with a distal end portion contacting and being supported by a first support part provided to an attachment surface to form a first support point; and a second pressing spring supported on the lever body at a different position from that of the first pressing spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Kazushi Noro
  • Patent number: 11732785
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a chain guide mechanism that can readily integrate all the components in a simple structure and enhance work efficiency during assembly or maintenance. The chain guide mechanism of the present invention is configured to be able to integrally support, on a frame, components including a plurality of sprockets, a chain, a fixed chain guide, and a pivoting chain guide. The frame includes a pivoting chain guide holding part that holds a mounting boss of the pivoting chain guide in a state of a loose fit. The pivoting chain guide holding part is configured to allow the mounting boss to be fitted therethrough from one side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Volkmar Nyga, Seigo Ohsawa, Munehiro Maeda, Yuji Oshima
  • Publication number: 20230250855
    Abstract: To provide a simple-structured cam clutch that does not require precise control, uses a smaller drive force for forcibly changing cam postures, and provides improved clutch operation stability and high responsiveness. The cam clutch includes a plurality of cams circumferentially arranged between an inner race and an outer race and supported by a cage member, and a selector allowing a rotation angle thereof to be controlled relatively to the inner race or the outer race to which the cage member is fixed. The selector has a cam posture control surface in contact with cam surfaces of the cams and capable of causing the cams to change posture thereof. The cam posture control surface includes a cam release portion radially protruded toward the cams more than a cam actuator portion and causing the cams to change posture thereof to a non-operating posture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Yuji Kurematsu, Tsubasa Sugiya, Eiichi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 11708881
    Abstract: To provide a tensioner capable of preventing slipping between a rack portion and ratchet pawls and securing a large backlash with a simple structure. The tensioner includes a ratchet rotatably mounted on a housing and having a front pawl and a rear pawl spaced apart in a front and rear direction on a side face positioned opposite the rack portion. The ratchet includes an additional pawl formed between the front pawl and the rear pawl in the front and rear direction on the side face positioned opposite the rack portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Haruhisa Ohta, Osamu Yoshida, Yuichiro Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20230228302
    Abstract: To provide a cam clutch unit that reduces the number of machining steps and level of difficulty of cam clutch production and reduces rotation resistance caused by rollers. The cam clutch unit includes: a plurality of cams and a plurality of rollers circumferentially arranged between an inner race and an outer race that are coaxial and rotatable relative to each other; a cage ring having a plurality of pocket portions that restrict circumferential relative movements of the cams and the rollers; and an annular spring that biases the cams. The cams each have, on one axial end face, an engagement step that can engage with the spring. The cage ring has a plurality of hook portions that restrict axial movements of the annular spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Akihiro Fukuda, Hirokazu Tsuneda, Yuji Kurematsu