Patents by Inventor Akiyoshi Kato

Akiyoshi Kato 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: 11781618
    Abstract: A damper device includes an input element; an intermediate element; art output element; a first elastic body that transmits a torque between the input element and the intermediate element; and a second elastic body that transmits a torque between the intermediate element and the output element. The damper device also includes a rotary inertia mass damper that includes a first mass body rotating in accordance with relative rotation between the input element and the output element and that is arranged between the input element and the output element to be parallel to a torque transmission path including the first elastic body, the intermediate element and the second elastic body. Finally, the damper devices includes a second mass body; and an elastic body arranged to couple the second mass body with the output element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignees: AISIN AW INDUSTRIES CO., LTD, AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Yoshikawa, Aki Ogawa, Ryosuke Otsuka, Akiyoshi Kato, Yoichi Oi, Masaki Wajima
  • Patent number: 11619283
    Abstract: A damper device including an input element and an output element; an elastic body transmitting torque between the input element and the output element; and a rotary inertia mass damper having a mass body. The rotary inertia mass damper includes a sun gear, a carrier rotatably supporting pinion gears, and a ring gear that meshes with the pinion gears and serving as the mass body. A pair of washers is located on both sides of each pinion gear axially. The ring gear includes an annulus gear having internal teeth meshing with the pinion gears and a weight body fixed to the annulus gear such that the weight body is in contact with a side surface of the annulus gear. An inner circumferential surface of the weight body is supported in a radial direction by a tip of the pinion gear or an outer circumferential surface of the washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignees: AISIN CORPORATION, AISIN AW INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Yoshikawa, Tomonori Kinoshita, Tetsuro Taniguchi, Akiyoshi Kato, Yoichi Oi
  • Patent number: 11585406
    Abstract: A damper device includes rotating elements including an input element and an output element, first elastic bodies that each transmit torque between the input element and the output element, a plurality of second elastic bodies that act in parallel with the plurality of first elastic bodies when torque transmitted between the input element and the output element is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and a rotary inertia mass damper. The rotary inertia mass damper includes a sun gear, a carrier that rotatably supports a plurality of pinion gears, and a ring gear that meshes with the plurality of pinion gears and that serves as a mass body. The plurality of second elastic bodies are located at a different position than the plurality of first elastic bodies in a radial direction of the rotating elements and are circumferentially aligned with the plurality of pinion gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Yoshikawa, Tomonori Kinoshita, Tetsuro Taniguchi, Akiyoshi Kato, Yoichi Oi
  • Patent number: 11555527
    Abstract: A damper device includes an input element to which a torque from an engine is transmitted, an output element, an elastic body arranged to transmit a torque between the input element and the output element, and a rotary inertia mass damper that includes a planetary gear that includes a sun gear arranged to rotate integrally with one element of the input element and the output element, a carrier that rotatably supports a plurality of pinion gears and is arranged to rotate integrally with the other element of the input element and the output element, and a ring gear that meshes with the plurality of pinion gears and works as a mass body. The other element includes two plate members that are opposed to each other and coupled with each other by means of a plurality of rivets disposed between the pinion gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Yoshikawa, Aki Ogawa, Akiyoshi Kato, Ryosuke Otsuka, Kazuyoshi Ito, Masaki Wajima, Kazuhiro Itou
  • Publication number: 20220205491
    Abstract: A damper device of the present disclosure includes an input element to which torque from an engine is transmitted, an output element, and an elastic body that transmits torque between the input element and the output element. The input element is formed to enclose the elastic body. The output element includes a clearance portion that allows passage of a tool for attaching and detaching the engine and the input element. A sealing member is disposed between the input element and another member other than components of the damper device so as to restrict an entry of foreign substances into the input element on the outside the clearance portion in a radial direction. As a result, assemblability and maintenability of the damper device can be further improved while restricting the entry of foreign substances into the input element formed to enclose an elastic body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: AISIN AW INDUSTRIES CO., LTD
    Inventors: Takuya YOSHIKAWA, Yu TAKIZAWA, Hiroki TAKAYANAGI, Akiyoshi KATO
  • Publication number: 20220042573
    Abstract: A damper device including an input element to which a torque from an engine is transmitted; an output element; an elastic body to transmit torque between the input element and the output element; and rotary inertia mass damper having a mass body that rotates in accordance with a relative rotation of the input element and the output element. The output element is coupled to a rotor of an electric motor, which is coupled to an input shaft of a transmission. The rotary inertia mass damper includes a planetary gear mechanism having a carrier that supports pinion gears, the carrier is a part of the input element, one of the sun gear and the ring gear is a part of the output element, and the other of the sun gear and the ring gear functions as the mass body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicants: AISIN CORPORATION, AISIN AW INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya YOSHIKAWA, Tomonori KINOSHITA, Akiyoshi KATO, Ryosuke OTSUKA, Yoichi OI, Yu MIZUKAMI, Aki OGAWA
  • Patent number: 11149817
    Abstract: A damper device includes a plurality of rotational elements, a plurality of elastic bodies, a rotary inertia mass damper and a housing that houses the plurality of rotational elements, the plurality of elastic bodies and the rotary inertia mass damper, the housing including a front cover. The rotary inertia mass damper is configured to include a planetary gear that includes a sun gear, a plurality of pinion gears, and a carrier that rotatably supports the plurality of pinion gears. The carrier is centered by either the sun gear or a member that rotates integrally with the sun gear by being radially supported by either the sun gear or the member that rotates integrally with the sun gear. In addition, the carrier is spline-engaged to the front cover when a lockup clutch is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignees: AISIN AW INDUSTRIES CO., LTD., AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Yoshikawa, Aki Ogawa, Yoshihiro Yoshida, Akiyoshi Kato, Ryosuke Otsuka, Kazuyoshi Ito, Masaki Wajima
  • Patent number: 10989271
    Abstract: A drive member of a damper device includes a first input plate member and a second input plate member that rotatably support a plurality of pinion gears of a planetary gear of a rotary inertia mass damper. A driven member includes an outer teeth gear portion that meshes with the pinion gear in an outer circumferential portion thereof and is disposed between the first and the second input plate members in an axial direction so as to work as a sun gear of the planetary gear. A stopper is configured to restrict the relative rotation between the drive member and the driven member and includes a contact portion arranged in the outer circumferential portion of the driven member so as to contact with the first input plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignees: AISIN AW INDUSTRIES CO., LTD, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Yoshikawa, Aki Ogawa, Yoshihiro Yoshida, Akiyoshi Kato, Ryosuke Otsuka, Kazuyoshi Ito, Masaki Wajima
  • Publication number: 20210054914
    Abstract: A damper device includes a plurality of rotational elements including an input element and an output element; an elastic body that transmits a torque between the input and the output elements; and a rotary inertia mass damper with a mass body rotating in accordance with a relative rotation between a first rotational element which is one of the rotational elements and a second rotational element different from the first rotational element. The rotary inertia mass damper includes a sun gear that rotates integrally with the first rotational element, pinion gears rotatably supported by the second rotational element, and a ring gear that meshes with the pinion gears and works as the mass body. The second rotational element includes a plurality of ring gear supporting portions arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction so as to restrict a movement of the ring gear in an axial direction of the damper device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Applicant: AISIN AW INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto YAMAGUCHI, Hiroki TAKAYANAGI, Kouhei SHIMIZU, Akiyoshi KATO, Yoichi OI
  • Publication number: 20200263760
    Abstract: A damper device including an input element and an output element; an elastic body transmitting torque between the input element and the output element; and a rotary inertia mass damper having a mass body. The rotary inertia mass damper includes a sun gear, a carrier rotatably supporting pinion gears, and a ring gear that meshes with the pinion gears and serving as the mass body. A pair of washers is located on both sides of each pinion gear axially. The ring gear includes an annulus gear having internal teeth meshing with the pinion gears and a weight body fixed to the annulus gear such that the weight body is in contact with a side surface of the annulus gear. An inner circumferential surface of the weight body is supported in a radial direction by a tip of the pinion gear or an outer circumferential surface of the washer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicants: AISIN AW CO., LTD., AISIN AW INDUSTRIES CO., LTD
    Inventors: Takuya YOSHIKAWA, Tomonori KINOSHITA, Tetsuro TANIGUCHI, Akiyoshi KATO, Yoichi OI
  • Publication number: 20200263761
    Abstract: A damper device includes rotating elements including an input element and an output element, first elastic bodies that each transmit torque between the input element and the output element, a plurality of second elastic bodies that act in parallel with the plurality of first elastic bodies when torque transmitted between the input element and the output element is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and a rotary inertia mass damper. The rotary inertia mass damper includes a sun gear, a carrier that rotatably supports a plurality of pinion gears, and a ring gear that meshes with the plurality of pinion gears and that serves as a mass body. The plurality of second elastic bodies are located at a different position than the plurality of first elastic bodies in a radial direction of the rotating elements and are circumferentially aligned with the plurality of pinion gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicants: AISIN AW CO., LTD., AISIN AW INDUSTRIES CO., LTD
    Inventors: Takuya YOSHIKAWA, Tomonori KINOSHITA, Tetsuro TANIGUCHI, Akiyoshi KATO, Yoichi OI
  • Patent number: 10746254
    Abstract: An intermediate member includes first and second intermediate members. The first and the second intermediate members are provided with a spring supporting portion that extends along springs and supports the springs from an outer side. An expansion and contraction of the springs enables the intermediate member to be movable in a circumferential direction. Accordingly, sliding distances caused by the expansion and contraction of the first and the second springs become shorter, compared with a configuration where the first and the second spring are supported by the driven member or drive member from the outer side, thereby decreasing an energy loss (hysteresis) caused by the sliding. As a result, a vibration damping performance of the damper device can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignees: AISIN AW INDUSTRIES CO., LTD, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Yoshikawa, Aki Ogawa, Akiyoshi Kato, Ryosuke Otsuka, Kazuyoshi Ito, Masaki Wajima, Kazuhiro Itou
  • Patent number: 10718401
    Abstract: An intermediate member is configured to include first and second intermediate members. Connecting portions that respectively extend outward from the first or the second intermediate plates are coupled with each other at two positions on the same circumference as pinion gears by two rivets (total six rivets at three connecting portions) as viewed in a central axis of the damper device. Such an arrangement enables spaces between the pinion gears to be used effectively, increases spaces for the first spring, the second spring and the inner spring and improves a vibration damping performance of a damper device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignees: AISIN AW INDUSTRIES CO., LTD, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Yoshikawa, Aki Ogawa, Akiyoshi Kato, Ryosuke Otsuka, Kazuyoshi Ito, Masaki Wajima, Kazuhiro Itou
  • Publication number: 20200217395
    Abstract: An intermediate member is configured to include first and second intermediate members. Connecting portions that respectively extend outward from the first or the second intermediate plates are coupled with each other at two positions on the same circumference as pinion gears by two rivets (total six rivets at three connecting portions) as viewed in a central axis of the damper device. Such an arrangement enables spaces between the pinion gears to be used effectively, increases spaces for the first spring, the second spring and the inner spring and improves a vibration damping performance a damper device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Applicants: AISIN AW INDUSTRIES CO., LTD., AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya YOSHIKAWA, Aki OGAWA, Akiyoshi KATO, Ryosuke OTSUKA, Kazuyoshi ITO, Masaki WAJIMA, Kazuhiro ITOU
  • Patent number: 10677313
    Abstract: A rotary inertia mass damper of a damper device is configured to include a planetary gear that includes a driven member with outer teeth, first and second input plate member as a carrier which rotatably supports a plurality of pinion gears, and a ring gear that meshes with the plurality of pinion gears and works as the mass body. The outer teeth of the driven member are arranged to be disposed outside first and second springs in a radial direction of the damper device. The driven member, the plurality of pinion gears and the ring gear are arranged to at least partially overlap with the first and second springs as viewed in the radial direction. A motion of the ring gear in the axial direction is restricted by the plurality of pinion gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignees: AISIN AW INDUSTRIES CO., LTD., AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Yoshikawa, Aki Ogawa, Akiyoshi Kato, Ryosuke Otsuka, Yoshihiro Inoue, Yoshihiro Takikawa, Hiroki Nagai, Masaki Wajima, Takao Sakamoto, Kazuhiro Itou
  • Patent number: 10487909
    Abstract: Six through holes are formed in pinion gear supporting portions of two input plate members working as a carrier that supports pinion gears of a rotary inertia mass damper. The two input plate members are opposed to each other in such a manner that the through holes are aligned with each other. The through holes support the pinion gear. The input plate members are coupled with each other by means of rivets passing through the through holes located on both sides of the through holes. This configuration ensures strength (rigidity) of the carrier, suppresses deformation of a planetary gear, and improves meshing accuracy of gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignees: AISIN AW INDUSTRIES CO., LTD, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Yoshikawa, Aki Ogawa, Akiyoshi Kato, Ryosuke Otsuka, Kazuyoshi Ito, Masaki Wajima, Kazuhiro Itou
  • Publication number: 20190301563
    Abstract: A rotary inertia mass damper of a damper device is configured to include a planetary gear that includes a driven member with outer teeth, first and second input plate member as a carrier which rotatably supports a plurality of pinion gears, and a ring gear that meshes with the plurality of pinion gears and works as the mass body. The outer teeth of the driven member are arranged to be disposed outside first and second springs in a radial direction of the damper device. The driven member, the plurality of pinion gears and the ring gear are arranged to at least partially overlap with the first and second springs as viewed in the radial direction. A motion of the ring gear in the axial direction is restricted by the plurality of pinion gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicants: AISIN AW INDUSTRIES CO., LTD, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya YOSHIKAWA, Aki OGAWA, Akiyoshi KATO, Ryosuke OTSUKA, Yoshihiro INOUE, Yoshihiro TAKIKAWA, Hiroki NAGAI, Masaki WAJIMA, Takao SAKAMOTO, Kazuhiro ITOU
  • Publication number: 20190301562
    Abstract: A drive member of a damper device includes a first input plate member and a second input plate member that rotatably support a plurality of pinion gears of a planetary gear of a rotary inertia mass damper. A driven member includes an outer teeth gear portion that meshes with the pinion gear in an outer circumferential portion thereof and is disposed between the first and the second input plate members in an axial direction so as to work as a sun gear of the planetary gear. A stopper is configured to restrict the relative rotation between the drive member and the driven member and includes a contact portion arranged in the outer circumferential portion of the driven member so as to contact with the first input plate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicants: AISIN AW INDUSTRIES CO., LTD, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya YOSHIKAWA, Aki OGAWA, Yoshihiro YOSHIDA, Akiyoshi KATO, Ryosuke OTSUKA, Kazuyoshi ITO, Masaki WAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20190264773
    Abstract: A damper device includes an input element to which a torque from an engine is transmitted; an intermediate element; an output element; a first elastic body arranged to transmit a torque between the input element and the intermediate element; a second elastic body arranged to transmit a torque between the intermediate element and the output element; a rotary inertia mass damper that includes a mass body rotating in accordance with relative rotation between the input element and the output element and that is arranged between the input element and the output element to be parallel to a torque transmission path including the first elastic body, the intermediate element and the second elastic body; and an attenuation mechanism configured to attenuate resonance of the intermediate element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicants: AISIN AW INDUSTRIES CO., LTD, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya YOSHIKAWA, Aki OGAWA, Ryosuke OTSUKA, Akiyoshi KATO, Yoichi OI, Masaki WAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20190203800
    Abstract: A damper device includes an input element to which a torque from an engine is transmitted; an intermediate element; an output element; a first elastic body that transmits a torque between the input element and the intermediate element; a second elastic body that transmits a torque between the intermediate element and the output element; a rotary inertia mass damper that includes a first mass body rotating in accordance with relative rotation between the input element and the output element and that is arranged between the input element and the output element to be parallel to a torque transmission path including the first elastic body, the intermediate element and the second elastic body; a second mass body; and an elastic body arranged to couple the second mass body with the output element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicants: AISIN AW INDUSTRIES CO., LTD, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya YOSHIKAWA, Aki OGAWA, Ryosuke OTSUKA, Akiyoshi KATO, Yoichi OI, Masaki WAJIMA