Patents by Inventor Hiroaki Suezaki

Hiroaki Suezaki 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: 9784336
    Abstract: In a positive torsion angle region in which a torque is transmitted from an engine side, a small hysteresis torque is generated at all times. Therefore, torsional vibrations of a small amplitude occurring during idle operation can be effectively attenuated by the small hysteresis torque, without switching to a large hysteresis torque, for example, during idle operation of the engine. As a result, the driver can be prevented from feeling uncomfortable due to switching to a large hysteresis torque during idle operation, and drivability can therefore be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masataka Sugiyama, Hiroaki Kimura, Akitaka Ichikawa, Masaru Ebata, Tomohiro Saeki, Tsutomu Sekine, Hiroaki Suezaki
  • Patent number: 9086116
    Abstract: A damper device comprises: a first shaft that outputs rotational power from a power source; a second shaft that transmits rotational power to a gear mechanism and has outer splines; a first rotational member(s) to which the rotational power of the first shaft is transmitted; a second rotational member spline-engaged with the outer splines; a damper unit that absorbs torque fluctuation between the first and second rotational members; and an inertial body having inner splines spline-engaged with the outer splines and having an annular portion. The tooth parts of the inner splines are pressed into contact with the tooth parts of the outer splines in the circumferential direction of the inertial body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Saeki, Satoshi Nakagaito, Hiroaki Suezaki, Yuki Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20150184718
    Abstract: In a positive torsion angle region in which a torque is transmitted from an engine side, a small hysteresis torque is generated at all times. Therefore, torsional vibrations of a small amplitude occurring during idle operation can be effectively attenuated by the small hysteresis torque, without switching to a large hysteresis torque, for example, during idle operation of the engine. As a result, the driver can be prevented from feeling uncomfortable due to switching to a large hysteresis torque during idle operation, and drivability can therefore be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicants: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masataka Sugiyama, Hiroaki Kimura, Akitaka Ichikawa, Masaru Ebata, Tomohiro Saeki, Tsutomu Sekine, Hiroaki Suezaki
  • Patent number: 8795093
    Abstract: A torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus includes a first side plate, a second side plate, a lining plate disposed between the side plates, a connecting member that connects the side plates at a position that is radially inward relative to the lining plate, a pressure plate disposed between the second side plate and the lining plate, and an elastic member that biases the pressure plate toward the lining plate. The lining plate is slidably sandwiched between the first side plate and the pressure plate, and the first and second side plate each includes a reinforcing portion that includes a portion that is axially curved at a location that is radially outward relative to the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Saeki, Hiroshi Kawazoe, Hiroaki Suezaki, Yusaku Nishio, Tsutomu Sekine
  • Patent number: 8758147
    Abstract: A torque fluctuation absorber includes a first plate member being rotatable, a second plate member positioned to be axially separated from the first plate member, the second plate member being rotatable relative to the first plate member, a first friction member arranged between the first plate member and the second plate member and slidably pressed against the first plate member and the second plate member, and a first guide portion restricting the first friction member from moving radially inwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Saeki, Yusaku Nishio, Hiroaki Suezaki, Hiroshi Kawazoe, Tsutomu Sekine
  • Patent number: 8602900
    Abstract: A torque fluctuation absorber includes a first plate member to which power of rotation is transmitted from a first rotational shaft, a second plate member arranged at a preset distance from the first plate member, a third plate member arranged between the first plate member and the second plate member and configured to transmit power of rotation to a second rotational shaft. The torque fluctuation absorber also includes a fourth plate member arranged at a preset distance from the second plate member, and a resilient member arranged between the second plate member and the fourth plate member and configured to bias the second plate member towards the third plate member. The fourth plate member includes a fulcrum point that supports a mid portion of the resilient member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Saeki, Satoshi Nakagaito, Hiroaki Suezaki, Yuki Miyamoto, Masanori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8465372
    Abstract: The torque fluctuation absorber includes a flywheel fixed on a first rotating shaft by a fixation member, a damper unit connected with a second rotating shaft and absorbs fluctuation of torque occurred between the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft by elastic force, and a limiter unit provided on a power transmission path between the flywheel and the damper unit and inducing a slide when the fluctuation of the torque exceeded a predetermined value. A predetermined member rotates with the first rotating shaft on a power transmission path between the first rotating shaft and the limiter unit. The predetermined member has a side plate at the damper unit and a guide portion that prevents movement radially of a hub member, and the guide portion is provided at radially internal side of the fixation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Saeki, Satoshi Nakagaito, Toshiyuki Saburi, Masanori Suzuki, Hiroaki Suezaki
  • Publication number: 20130125700
    Abstract: A damper device comprises: a first shaft that outputs rotational power from a power source; a second shaft that transmits rotational power to a gear mechanism and has outer splines; a first rotational member(s) to which the rotational power of the first shaft is transmitted; a second rotational member spline-engaged with the outer splines; a damper unit that absorbs torque fluctuation between the first and second rotational members; and an inertial body having inner splines spline-engaged with the outer splines and having an annular portion. The tooth parts of the inner splines are pressed into contact with the tooth parts of the outer splines in the circumferential direction of the inertial body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Saeki, Satoshi Nakagaito, Hiroaki Suezaki, Yuki Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20130029771
    Abstract: A torque fluctuation absorber includes a first plate member being rotatable, a second plate member positioned to be axially separated from the first plate member, the second plate member being rotatable relative to the first plate member, a first friction member arranged between the first plate member and the second plate member and slidably pressed against the first plate member and the second plate member, and a first guide portion restricting the first friction member from moving radially inwardly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Saeki, Yusaku Nishio, Hiroaki Suezaki, Hiroshi Kawazoe, Tsutomu Sekine
  • Patent number: 8357050
    Abstract: A torque fluctuation absorber includes a first plate member to which power of rotation is transmitted from a first rotational shaft, a second plate member arranged at a preset distance from the first plate member, a third plate member arranged between the first plate member and the second plate member and configured to transmit power of rotation to a second rotational shaft. The torque fluctuation absorber also includes a fourth plate member arranged at a preset distance from the second plate member, and a resilient member arranged between the second plate member and the fourth plate member and configured to bias the second plate member towards the third plate member. The resilient member includes a first end abutting against the second plate member in an area where the second plate member faces the third plate member in the axial direction, and a second end abutting against the fourth plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Saeki, Satoshi Nakagaito, Hiroaki Suezaki, Yuki Miyamoto, Masanori Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20120298472
    Abstract: A torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus includes a first side plate, a second side plate, a lining plate disposed between the side plates, a connecting member that connects the side plates at a position that is radially inward relative to the lining plate, a pressure plate disposed between the second side plate and the lining plate, and an elastic member that biases the pressure plate toward the lining plate. The lining plate is slidably sandwiched between the first side plate and the pressure plate, and the first and second side plate each includes a reinforcing portion that includes a portion that is axially curved at a location that is radially outward relative to the connecting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro SAEKI, Hiroshi Kawazoe, Hiroaki Suezaki, Yusaku Nishio, Tsutomu Sekine
  • Publication number: 20120302359
    Abstract: A torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus that includes a first assembly that absorbs a fluctuating torque generated between a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft that are arranged coaxially, a first end of the first assembly being connected to the first rotating shaft from the second rotating shaft side by a first connecting member, a second assembly that absorbs a fluctuating torque generated between the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft, the second assembly being disposed more toward the second rotating shaft side than the first connecting member and a second end thereof being connected to the second rotating shaft, and a second connecting member that connects a second end of the first assembly to a first end of the second assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro SAEKI, Yusaku NISHIO, Hiroshi KAWAZOE, Hiroaki SUEZAKI, Satoshi NAKAGAITO, Tsutomu SEKINE
  • Patent number: 8272966
    Abstract: A damper device includes a damper portion and a limiter portion, and the limiter portion has a first constitutive member formed to cover the damper portion or the limiter portion, a first and second friction materials fixed to a second constitutive member of the damper portion, a cover plate provided so as to be slidable to the first friction material, a support plate arranged so as to be distant from the cover plate at a radially inner portion of the support plate and so as to contact the cover plate at a radially outer portion of the support plate, a pressure plate provided so as to be slidable to the second friction material and a coned disc spring provided between the support plate and the pressure plate, wherein the first constitutive member is at least one of the cover plate and the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Saeki, Makoto Takeuchi, Hiroaki Suezaki, Yoshitaka Inoshita, Atsushi Yamazumi
  • Patent number: 8257183
    Abstract: A torque fluctuation absorber includes a first plate member, ring-shaped second and third plate members, a fourth plate member, a resilient member and a predetermined member. The resilient member absorbs torque fluctuation between the second or third plate member and the fourth plate member. The predetermined member on a power transmission path between at least two of the first, second and third plate members has a stopper section. The stopper section allows relative rotation between the second or third plate member and the fourth plate member within a predetermined distance in the circumferential direction of the second plate member. The stopper section prevents relative rotation between the second or third plate member and the fourth plate member by contacting to the fourth plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Inoshita, Tomohiro Saeki, Satoshi Nakagaito, Hiroaki Suezaki, Toshiyuki Saburi
  • Patent number: 8197347
    Abstract: A damper device includes a first plate member rotated when the rotational force is inputted from an input side, a second plate member rotatable relative to the first plate member and outputting the rotational force to an output side when rotated in response to rotation of the first plate member, a damper portion for absorbing relative rotation between the first plate member and the second plate member, and a hysteresis portion for absorbing the relative rotation by a friction force. The hysteresis portion includes an intermediate member between the first plate member and the second plate member, and the intermediate member is pressed against one of the first plate member and the second plate member by the other one of the first plate member and the second plate member when the first plate member and the second plate member rotate relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Saeki, Satoshi Nakagaito, Yoshitaka Inoshita, Masanori Suzuki, Hiroaki Suezaki
  • Publication number: 20110098120
    Abstract: A damper device includes a first side plate connected to a flywheel, to which a rotational force from a power source is transmitted, at an outer circumferential portion of the flywheel, a second side plate arranged at a position displaced in an axial direction relative to the first side plate and connected to the first side plate, a center plate member provided between the first side plate and the second side plate and outputting the rotational force towards a gear mechanism, and a spring member absorbing a torque fluctuation generated between the first side plate and the second side plate on the one hand and the center plate member on the other hand, wherein the center plate member is formed so that an outer diameter thereof is set to be greater than an outer diameter of each of the first side plate and the second side plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi NAKAGAITO, Tomohiro SAEKI, Hiroaki SUEZAKI, Yoshitaka INOSHITA, Atsushi YAMAZUMI, Yoshihiro MIYAMACHI
  • Publication number: 20100243399
    Abstract: The torque fluctuation absorber includes a flywheel fixed on a first rotating shaft by a fixation member, a damper unit connected with a second rotating shaft and absorbs fluctuation of torque occurred between the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft by elastic force, and a limiter unit provided on a power transmission path between the flywheel and the damper unit and inducing a slide when the fluctuation of the torque exceeded a predetermined value. A predetermined member rotates with the first rotating shaft on a power transmission path between the first rotating shaft and the limiter unit. The predetermined member has a side plate at the damper unit and a guide portion that prevents movement radially of a hub member, and the guide portion is provided at radially internal side of the fixation member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro SAEKI, Satoshi NAKAGAITO, Toshiyuki SABURI, Masanori SUZUKI, Hiroaki SUEZAKI
  • Publication number: 20100248846
    Abstract: A torque fluctuation absorber includes a first plate member to which power of rotation is transmitted from a first rotational shaft, a second plate member arranged at a preset distance from the first plate member, a third plate member arranged between the first plate member and the second plate member and configured to transmit power of rotation to a second rotational shaft. The torque fluctuation absorber also includes a fourth plate member arranged at a preset distance from the second plate member, and a resilient member arranged between the second plate member and the fourth plate member and configured to bias the second plate member towards the third plate member. The fourth plate member includes a fulcrum point that supports a mid portion of the resilient member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro SAEKI, Satoshi Nakagaito, Hiroaki Suezaki, Yuki Miyamoto, Masanori Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20100243400
    Abstract: A torque fluctuation absorber includes a first plate member, ring-shaped second and third plate members, a fourth plate member, a resilient member and a predetermined member. The resilient member absorbs torque fluctuation between the second or third plate member and the fourth plate member. The predetermined member on a power transmission path between at least two of the first, second and third plate members has a stopper section. The stopper section allows relative rotation between the second or third plate member and the fourth plate member within a predetermined distance in the circumferential direction of the second plate member. The stopper section prevents relative rotation between the second or third plate member and the fourth plate member by contacting to the fourth plate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Inoshita, Tomohiro Saeki, Satoshi Nakagaito, Hiroaki Suezaki, Toshiyuki Saburi
  • Publication number: 20100224459
    Abstract: A torque fluctuation absorber includes a first plate member, a second plate member biased towards the first plate member and rotatable relative to the first plate member, and a friction material arranged between the first and second plate members and pressed on the second plate member slidably along a direction of rotation of the second plate member. The friction material is engaged with the first plate member to prevent relative movement to the first plate member or to be movable relative movement to the first plate member a preset distance but to prevent further movement than the preset distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Saeki, Hiroaki Suezaki, Satoshi Nakagaito, Yuki Miyamoto