Patents by Inventor Atsuhiro Emura

Atsuhiro Emura 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: 11958568
    Abstract: A motor unit comprises a torque limiter and a transmitting structure. The torque limiter includes a first member and a second member. The first member and the second member are movable relative to each other in a state where a torque applied to the torque limiter is equal to or higher than a torque threshold. The first member and the second member are movable together with each other in a state where the torque is lower than the torque threshold. The transmitting structure includes a first race, a second race, a first intermediate element at least partially provided between the first race and the second race, and a second intermediate element at least partially provided between the first race and the second race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Shota Suyama, Yuta Mizutani, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 11939027
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal is provided with a pedal shaft, and a body part and an end cap. The pedal shaft has a center axis. The body part is rotatably supported by the pedal shaft around the center axis. The body part has a pedal shaft receiving bore with a first opening and a second opening. The first opening receives the pedal shaft along the center axis. The end cap is adjustably attached to the body part at the second opening to adjust a position of the pedal shaft within the pedal shaft receiving bore in an axial direction with respect to the center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Inoue, Tatsuya Watanabe, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Publication number: 20240092456
    Abstract: A motor unit comprises a torque limiter and a transmitting structure. The torque limiter includes a first member and a second member. The first member and the second member are movable relative to each other in a state where a torque applied to the torque limiter is equal to or higher than a torque threshold. The first member and the second member are movable together with each other in a state where the torque is lower than the torque threshold. The transmitting structure includes a first race, a second race, a first intermediate element at least partially provided between the first race and the second race, and a second intermediate element at least partially provided between the first race and the second race.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Shota SUYAMA, Yuta MIZUTANI, Atsuhiro EMURA
  • Publication number: 20240092458
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur includes a base member, a movable member, a link member, a chain guide, a biasing mechanism and a switching member. The link member movably couples the movable member to the base member. The chain guide is pivotally coupled to the movable member about a pivot axis. The biasing mechanism is operatively disposed between the movable member and the chain guide, and biases the chain guide with respect to the movable member about the pivot axis in a first direction in a biasing state. The switching member is configured to selectively switch the biasing mechanism between the biasing state and a releasing state. The biasing mechanism biases the chain guide less in the releasing state than the biasing state. The switching member is disengaged from the biasing mechanism in the biasing state. The switching member is engaged with the biasing mechanism in the releasing state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Shota SUYAMA, Atsuhiro EMURA, Dai YOKOZAWA
  • Publication number: 20240092455
    Abstract: A lock device comprises a first lock member and a second lock member. The first lock member includes a first axial end, a second axial end, and a first surface. The first axial end is configured to be detachably attached to a sprocket support body of the rear hub assembly in a mounting state where the plurality of rear sprockets is mounted to the rear hub assembly. The second lock member includes a third axial end, a fourth axial end, and a second surface. The third axial end is configured to be attached to the second axial end of the first lock member in an assembled state where a smallest sprocket and the lock device are assembled as one unit. The lock device is configured so that the smallest sprocket is slidable relative to the lock device in the axial direction in the assembled state and before the mounting state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi FUJITA, Atsuhiro EMURA
  • Publication number: 20240076009
    Abstract: A control device for a human-powered vehicle includes an electronic controller. The human-powered vehicle includes a motor that applies a propulsion force to the human-powered vehicle and a transmission that shifts a transmission ratio of the human-powered vehicle between a plurality of shift stages. The electronic controller is configured to control the motor. The electronic controller is configured to decrease an upper limit value of an output of the motor in an up-shift operation. The electronic controller is configured to decrease the upper limit value in a down-shift operation. The electronic controller is configured to control the motor so that the upper limit value in the up-shift operation performed between two predetermined ones of the shift stages that differ in the transmission ratio by one stage differs from the upper limit value in the down-shift operation performed between the two predetermined ones of the shift stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Satoshi SHAHANA, Toru TAKAYANAGI, Takeshi UEDA, Atsuhiro EMURA, Hayato SHIMAZU
  • Patent number: 11858588
    Abstract: A rear sprocket assembly comprises a first sprocket and a lock device. The lock device includes a first lock member and a second lock member. The first lock member includes a first axial end and a second axial end. The second lock member includes a third axial end and a fourth axial end. The third axial end is configured to be attached to the second axial end of the first lock member in an assembled state where the first sprocket and the lock device are assembled as one unit. The fourth axial end has at least one radial projection configured to abut against a first sprocket in the axial direction in the mounting state. The lock device is configured so that the first sprocket is slidable relative to the lock device in the axial direction in the assembled state and before the mounting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fujita, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 11858587
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal is provided with a pedal shaft and a pedal body. The pedal shaft has a first end portion configured to attach to a bicycle crank, a second end portion on an opposite side of the first end portion in an axial direction with respect to a rotational center axis of the pedal shaft, and a contact portion between the first end portion and the second end portion. The pedal body has a body part rotatably supported by the pedal shaft and a load receiving part at a position corresponding to the contact portion of the pedal shaft. The load receiving part receives a load from the contact portion of the pedal shaft. The load receiving part is at least partly spaced from the contact portion under a no load condition and contacts the contact portion upon a load applied to the pedal body from a rider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Inoue, Tatsuya Watanabe, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 11840312
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle includes a crank axle, a first rotational body, a wheel, a second rotational body, a transmission body that transmits a driving force between the first rotational body and the second rotational body, a derailleur configured to operate the transmission body to change a transmission ratio, a motor configured to drive the transmission body and an electric actuator configured to operate the derailleur. A control device has an electronic controller configured to control electric actuator and the motor. The electronic controller is configured to control the electric actuator and drive the transmission body with the motor so that the transmission ratio is changed in a predetermined shifting range in upon determining the derailleur has been actuated to change the transmission ratio and a predetermined condition related to pedaling is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Hayato Shimazu, Mitsuhiko Kawasaki, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 11840313
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle includes a crank axle, a first rotational body, a wheel, a second rotational body, a transmission body that transmits a driving force between the first rotational body and the second rotational body, a derailleur configured to operate the transmission body to change a transmission ratio, an electric actuator configured to actuate the derailleur, and a motor configured to drive the transmission body. A control device has an electronic controller configured to control the motor and drive the transmission body upon determining the derailleur has been actuated with the electric actuator to change the transmission ratio and a predetermined condition related to pedaling is satisfied. The electronic controller is configured to control the electric actuator so as not to change the transmission ratio until a first condition related to shifting is satisfied in a case where the derailleur is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Hayato Shimazu, Mitsuhiko Kawasaki, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Publication number: 20230373585
    Abstract: A bicycle component includes a base member, a movable member, a link member, an actuator, and a battery holder. The link member movably couples the movable member to the base member. The actuator is operatively coupled to the link member to move the link member. The battery holder is detachably attached to the link member. The battery holder includes a battery holding portion configured to hold a battery and a flexible element electrically connecting the battery holding portion to the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Takeshi UEDA, Satoshi FUJII, Atsuhiro EMURA, Shota SUYAMA, Yuta MIZUTANI, Dai YOKOZAWA
  • Publication number: 20230227121
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle includes a crank axle, a first rotational body, a wheel, a second rotational body, a transmission body that transmits a driving force between the first rotational body and the second rotational body, a derailleur configured to operate the transmission body to change a transmission ratio, and a motor configured to drive the transmission body. A control device has an electronic controller configured to control the motor and drive the transmission body with the motor so as to change at least one of a rotational angle of the motor and an output torque of the motor in correspondence with a state of the human-powered vehicle upon determining the derailleur has been actuated to change the transmission ratio and a predetermined condition related to pedaling is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Satoshi SHAHANA, Hayato SHIMAZU, Mitsuhiko KAWASAKI, Atsuhiro EMURA
  • Publication number: 20230202614
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle includes a crank axle, a first rotational body, a wheel, a second rotational body, a transmission body that transmits a driving force between the first rotational body and the second rotational body, a derailleur configured to operate the transmission body to change a transmission ratio, a motor configured to drive the transmission body and an electric actuator configured to operate the derailleur. A control device has an electronic controller configured to control electric actuator and the motor. The electronic controller is configured to control the electric actuator and drive the transmission body with the motor so that the transmission ratio is changed in a predetermined shifting range in upon determining the derailleur has been actuated to change the transmission ratio and a predetermined condition related to pedaling is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Satoshi SHAHANA, Hayato SHIMAZU, Mitsuhiko KAWASAKI, Atsuhiro EMURA
  • Publication number: 20230202615
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle includes a crank axle, a first rotational body, a wheel, a second rotational body, a transmission body that transmits a driving force between the first rotational body and the second rotational body, a derailleur configured to operate the transmission body to change a transmission ratio, an electric actuator configured to actuate the derailleur, and a motor configured to drive the transmission body. A control device has an electronic controller configured to control the motor and drive the transmission body upon determining the derailleur has been actuated with the electric actuator to change the transmission ratio and a predetermined condition related to pedaling is satisfied. The electronic controller is configured to control the electric actuator so as not to change the transmission ratio until a first condition related to shifting is satisfied in a case where the derailleur is actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Satoshi SHAHANA, Hayato SHIMAZU, Mitsuhiko KAWASAKI, Atsuhiro EMURA
  • Publication number: 20230166812
    Abstract: A bracket apparatus for mounting a derailleur to a frame of a human-powered vehicle comprises a bracket body and one of a restriction member and a restriction opening. The bracket body includes a frame attachment portion configured to be attached to the frame of the human-powered vehicle and a derailleur attachment portion to which the derailleur is to be attached. The restriction member is configured to be at least partly provided in the restriction opening to restrict a rotation of the bracket body relative to the frame of the human-powered vehicle in a bracket mounting state where the bracket apparatus is mounted to the frame of the human-powered vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi FUJITA, Atsuhiro EMURA, Shota SUYAMA, Yusuke ODA
  • Publication number: 20230166813
    Abstract: A bracket apparatus for mounting a derailleur to a frame of a human-powered vehicle comprises a frame attachment portion, a derailleur attachment portion spaced apart from the frame attachment portion, and a component attachment portion spaced apart from the frame attachment portion and the derailleur attachment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi FUJITA, Atsuhiro EMURA, Shota SUYAMA, Dai YOKOZAWA, Yusuke ODA
  • Publication number: 20230166814
    Abstract: A bracket apparatus for mounting a derailleur to a frame of a human-powered vehicle comprises a bracket body. The bracket body includes a frame attachment portion configured to be attached to the frame of the human-powered vehicle, a derailleur attachment portion to which the derailleur is to be attached, and a cable groove in which a cable is to be at least partly provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi FUJITA, Atsuhiro EMURA, Yuki SAKAGAWA, Dai YOKOZAWA
  • Patent number: 11655003
    Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket assembly comprises a plurality of sprockets and a sprocket carrier. The sprocket carrier includes at least ten internal spline teeth and a circumferentially extending non-splined portion. The at least ten internal spline teeth extend in an axial direction with respect to a rotational center axis of the bicycle rear sprocket assembly. The at least ten internal spline teeth includes a plurality of internal-spline driving surfaces. The plurality of internal-spline driving surfaces each includes a radially outermost edge, a radially innermost edge, and a radial length. The total of the radial lengths ranges from 11 mm to 14 mm. The circumferentially extending non-splined portion is disposed to be adjacent to the at least ten internal spline teeth in the axial direction and recessed from the at least ten internal spline teeth in a radial direction with respect to the rotational center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Hiroshi Fujita, Fumiaki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11623713
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle includes a crank axle, a first rotational body, a wheel, a second rotational body, a transmission body that transmits a driving force between the first rotational body and the second rotational body, a derailleur configured to operate the transmission body to change a transmission ratio, and a motor configured to drive the transmission body. A control device has an electronic controller configured to control the motor and drive the transmission body with the motor upon determining the derailleur has been actuated to change the transmission ratio and a predetermined condition related to pedaling is satisfied, and control the motor to increase a rotational speed of the motor as a difference of a first rotational speed, which is calculated in correspondence with a rotational speed of the wheel and the transmission ratio, and a predetermined rotational speed or a rotational speed in a predetermined range increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Hayato Shimazu, Mitsuhiko Kawasaki, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 11603166
    Abstract: A rear sprocket assembly comprises a first sprocket, a second sprocket, and at least one tooth-position maintaining member. The at least one tooth-position maintaining member is configured to maintain a relative position between a plurality of first sprocket teeth and a plurality of second sprocket teeth in a circumferential direction with respect to a rotational center axis. The at least one tooth-position maintaining member includes a fixed portion and at least one guide portion. The fixed portion is configured to be fixed to one of the first sprocket and the second sprocket. The at least one guide portion is configured to engage with the other of the first sprocket and the second sprocket such that the other of the first sprocket and the second sprocket is slidable relative to the one of the first sprocket and the second sprocket in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fujita, Atsuhiro Emura