Patents by Inventor Akihiko Shiina

Akihiko Shiina 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: 10279836
    Abstract: A steering system includes: a steering shaft to which a steering member is coupled; a worm wheel attached to the steering shaft so as to be rotatable integrally with the steering shaft; a housing that houses the worm wheel; an output shaft that is coaxial with the steering shaft and rotatable relative to the steering shaft and coupled to a steering operation mechanism; and a clutch mechanism that enables and disables transmission of power between the steering shaft and the output shaft. The clutch mechanism is housed and disposed in an internal space in the housing. A solenoid in the clutch mechanism is disposed on the opposite side of the worm wheel in an axial direction from a mechanical portion of the clutch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiko Shiina
  • Patent number: 10099717
    Abstract: A steering system includes a two-way clutch, a worm wheel that is rotatable together with an input shaft, and a coil that generates a drive force for the two-way clutch to couple/decouple the input shaft and an output shaft to/from each other. The worm wheel has a center circular plate portion fixed to the input shaft, a radial ring portion that projects forward from a peripheral edge of the center circular plate portion, and a toothed portion that projects outward in the radial direction from the radial ring portion. The two-way clutch is disposed in a space surrounded by the center circular plate portion and the radial ring portion and formed on the front side with respect to the center circular plate portion. The coil surrounds an outer peripheral surface of the radial ring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiko Shiina
  • Patent number: 9988073
    Abstract: A steering system includes: a steering shaft to which a steering member is coupled; a worm wheel attached to the steering shaft so as to be rotatable integrally with the steering shaft; a housing that houses the worm wheel; an output shaft that is coaxial with the steering shaft and rotatable relative to the steering shaft and coupled to a steering operation mechanism; and a clutch mechanism that enables and disables transmission of power between the steering shaft and the output shaft. The clutch mechanism is housed and disposed in an internal space in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiko Shiina
  • Publication number: 20170217475
    Abstract: A steering system includes a two-way clutch, a worm wheel that is rotatable together with an input shaft, and a coil that generates a drive force for the two-way clutch to couple/decouple the input shaft and an output shaft to/from each other. The worm wheel has a center circular plate portion fixed to the input shaft, a radial ring portion that projects forward from a peripheral edge of the center circular plate portion, and a toothed portion that projects outward in the radial direction from the radial ring portion. The two-way clutch is disposed in a space surrounded by the center circular plate portion and the radial ring portion and formed on the front side with respect to the center circular plate portion. The coil surrounds an outer peripheral surface of the radial ring portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiko SHIINA
  • Publication number: 20160368528
    Abstract: A steering system includes: a steering shaft to which a steering member is coupled; a worm wheel attached to the steering shaft so as to be rotatable integrally with the steering shaft; a housing that houses the worm wheel; an output shaft that is coaxial with the steering shaft and rotatable relative to the steering shaft and coupled to a steering operation mechanism; and a clutch mechanism that enables and disables transmission of power between the steering shaft and the output shaft. The clutch mechanism is housed and disposed in an internal space in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiko SHIINA
  • Publication number: 20160368529
    Abstract: A steering system includes: a steering shaft to which a steering member is coupled; a worm wheel attached to the steering shaft so as to be rotatable integrally with the steering shaft; a housing that houses the worm wheel; an output shaft that is coaxial with the steering shaft and rotatable relative to the steering shaft and coupled to a steering operation mechanism; and a clutch mechanism that enables and disables transmission of power between the steering shaft and the output shaft. The clutch mechanism is housed and disposed in an internal space in the housing. A solenoid in the clutch mechanism is disposed on the opposite side of the worm wheel in an axial direction from a mechanical portion of the clutch mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiko SHIINA
  • Patent number: 9038763
    Abstract: A hydraulic power steering system includes: a hydraulic cylinder in which an interior is partitioned into first and second hydraulic chambers by a piston on a steered shaft; a variable displacement electric pump that supplies hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder; a selector valve selectively set in a mode in which the hydraulic fluid is supplied to the first hydraulic chamber and drained from the second hydraulic chamber or in a mode in which the hydraulic fluid is supplied to the second hydraulic chamber and drained from the first hydraulic chamber; a detector that detects torque, steering angle, and/or vehicle speed; and a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryouichi Kubo, Yasuhiro Tomagou, Akihiko Shiina, Masahiko Sakamaki, Tetsuya Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8733493
    Abstract: A hydraulic power steering system includes a rotation angle sensor that detects a rotation angle of a shaft. A rotary valve includes a valve element that rotates together with the shaft of an electric motor and a housing that has an internal space connected to oil passages. A control unit reflects an output from the rotation angle sensor on control of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Shiina, Keisuke Izutani, Masahiko Sakamaki
  • Patent number: 8584791
    Abstract: A hydraulic power steering apparatus assists in steering of a vehicle with a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic power steering apparatus includes a flow control valve, a steering torque sensor, a steering angle sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and an ECU. The flow control valve changes the supply/drainage amount of hydraulic fluid for the hydraulic cylinder. The ECU sets a supply/drainage mode for supplying/draining the hydraulic fluid with respect to the hydraulic cylinder based on detection results from the aforementioned sensors and controls the flow control valve in accordance with the supply/drainage mode of the hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Sakamaki, Yasuhiro Tomagou, Akihiko Shiina, Tetsuya Ozaki, Ryouichi Kubo
  • Patent number: 8381867
    Abstract: A transmission ratio variable mechanism includes an input member and an output member arranged to rotate around a first axis, an intermediate member arranged to connect the input member and the output member so as to be differentially rotatable, and a motor arranged to drive the intermediate member. The motor includes a cylindrical rotor arranged to rotate around the first axis. An inner periphery of the rotor is arranged to support the intermediate member and arranged to rotatably support the input member and the output member via bearings, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Shiina, Motoyasu Yamamori
  • Patent number: 8371977
    Abstract: A transmission ratio variable mechanism is provided with: an input member and an output member capable of rotation about a first axis; an inner race for differentially rotatably coupling to each member; an outer race for rotatably supporting the inner race via a rolling element; and a transmission ratio variable mechanism-use electric motor for rotation-driving the outer race. A second axis which is a center line of the inner race and the outer race is inclined to the first axis. A first concave-convex engaging section for engaging one side end surface of the inner race and a power transmission surface of the input member corresponding to the one end surface are arranged. There is provided a second concave-convex engaging section for engaging the other end surface of the inner race and a power transmission surface of the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Shiina, Masaki Nakaoka, Yasuaki Tsuji, Yasuhiro Saitou, Sunao Tsuchimochi, Hidetaka Otsuki, Tomonari Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 8181734
    Abstract: A motor vehicle steering system includes a transmission ratio variable mechanism capable of changing a transmission ratio, and a steering-assist-force imparting mechanism. The transmission ratio variable mechanism is provided with an input member and an output member capable of rotation about a first axis, a first bearing ring for differentially rotatably coupling to each of the input and output member, a second bearing ring for rotatably supporting the first bearing ring via a rolling element, and an electric motor for rotation-driving the second bearing ring. A second axis that is a center line of the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring is inclined relative to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Shiina, Masaki Nakaoka, Yasuaki Tsuji, Yasuhiro Saitou, Sunao Tsuchimochi, Hidetaka Otsuki, Tomonari Yamakawa
  • Publication number: 20120097472
    Abstract: A hydraulic power steering system includes: a hydraulic cylinder in which an interior is partitioned into first and second hydraulic chambers by a piston on a steered shaft; a variable displacement electric pump that supplies hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder; a selector valve selectively set in a mode in which the hydraulic fluid is supplied to the first hydraulic chamber and drained from the second hydraulic chamber or in a mode in which the hydraulic fluid is supplied to the second hydraulic chamber and drained from the first hydraulic chamber; a detector that detects torque, steering angle, and/or vehicle speed; and a controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryouichi KUBO, Yasuhiro TOMAGOU, Akihiko SHIINA, Masahiko SAKAMAKI, Tetsuya OZAKI
  • Publication number: 20120097471
    Abstract: A hydraulic power steering apparatus assists in steering of a vehicle with a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic power steering apparatus includes a flow control valve, a steering torque sensor, a steering angle sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and an ECU. The flow control valve changes the supply/drainage amount of hydraulic fluid for the hydraulic cylinder. The ECU sets a supply/drainage mode for supplying/draining the hydraulic fluid with respect to the hydraulic cylinder based on detection results from the aforementioned sensors and controls the flow control valve in accordance with the supply/drainage mode of the hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiko SAKAMAKI, Yasuhiro TOMAGOU, Akihiko SHIINA, Tetsuya OZAKI, Ryouichi KUBO
  • Publication number: 20110108355
    Abstract: A transmission ratio variable mechanism includes an input member and an output member arranged to rotate around a first axis, an intermediate member arranged to connect the input member and the output member so as to be differentially rotatable, and a motor arranged to drive the intermediate member. The motor includes a cylindrical rotor arranged to rotate around the first axis. An inner periphery of the rotor is arranged to support the intermediate member and arranged to rotatably support the input member and the output member via bearings, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiko Shiina, Motoyasu Yamamori
  • Publication number: 20100224436
    Abstract: A motor vehicle steering system includes a transmission ratio variable mechanism capable of changing a transmission ratio, and a steering-assist-force imparting mechanism. The transmission ratio variable mechanism is provided with an input member and an output member capable of rotation about a first axis, a first bearing ring for differentially rotatably coupling to each of the input and output member, a second bearing ring for rotatably supporting the first bearing ring via a rolling element, and an electric motor for rotation-driving the second bearing ring. A second axis that is a center line of the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring is inclined relative to the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Shiina, Masaki Nakaoka, Yasuaki Tsuji, Yasuhiro Saitou, Sunao Tsuchimochi, Hidetaka Otsuki, Tomonari Yamakawa
  • Publication number: 20100218638
    Abstract: A transmission ratio variable mechanism is provided with: an input member and an output member capable of rotation about a first axis; an inner race for differentially rotatably coupling to each member; an outer race for rotatably supporting the inner race via a rolling element; and a transmission ratio variable mechanism-use electric motor for rotation-driving the outer race. A second axis which is a center line of the inner race and the outer race is inclined to the first axis. A first concave-convex engaging section for engaging one side end surface of the inner race and a power transmission surface of the input member corresponding to the one end surface are arranged. There is provided a second concave-convex engaging section for engaging the other end surface of the inner race and a power transmission surface of the output member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Shiina, Masaki Nakaoka, Yasuaki Tsuji, Yasuhiro Saitou, Sunao Tsuchimochi, Hidetaka Otsuki, Tomonari Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 7575090
    Abstract: An electric power steering device provided with two belleville springs for suppressing the axial movement of a worm rotated by a steering-assisting electric motor and having shaft portions at its both end portions, and limiting members for limiting the deflection amounts of the two belleville springs. The limiting members are respectively disposed at portions along the outer circumferences of the shaft portions at both end portions of the worm, the respective inner circumferential portions of the two belleville springs are formed into flat portions, the outer circumferential portions thereof are respectively formed into tapered portions having a taper shape, and the limiting members are made contact with the flat portions, thereby limiting the deflection amounts of the tapered portions. Hence, the limiting members can be provided without increasing the size of the worm serving as a small gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Shiina, Hiroaki Shinto, Mitsuharu Minami, Noritake Okawa, Masayoshi Sakuda
  • Patent number: 7562601
    Abstract: A worm wheel includes an annular metallic core portion and a resin rim portion which is fitted on an outer circumference of the core portion. The rim portion includes an annular main body portion which covers the outer circumference of the core portion and in which a toothed portion is formed on an outer circumference thereof and a pair of annular flanges which are made to extend from the main body portion in a radially inward direction X to thereby cover, respectively, outer edge portions of first and second sides of the core portion. The first annular flange 53 engages with a recess formed in the corresponding side of the core portion. A bottom portion of the recess includes an undercut portion in relation to a radially outward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Jtekt Corporation
    Inventors: Takanori Kurokawa, Hideo Matsubara, Akihiko Shiina
  • Patent number: 7377875
    Abstract: A planetary gear apparatus whose gears are all constituted by continuous shifted gears. A backlash between the input sun gear and each of the input side planetary gears is adjusted by pressing a second carrier plate supporting each integrated pair of the input side planetary gears and the output side planetary gears and moving it in the axial length direction by a ball bearing by a screwing operation of an adjusting nut. A backlash between the output sun gear and each of the output side planetary gears is also adjusted by pressing the output sun gear and moving it in the axial length direction by the ball bearing by the screwing operation of the adjusting nut. Accordingly, the backlash of all meshing portions can be adjusted during or after completion of the assemblage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: JTekt Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Shiina, Hiroaki Sougumo, Shiro Nakano, Kosuke Yamanaka