Patents by Inventor Hirokazu Ooba

Hirokazu Ooba 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: 11851123
    Abstract: The steering function-equipped hub unit includes: a turning shaft-equipped hub bearing including an inner ring, an outer ring, and rolling elements in double rows interposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing having a turning shaft extending in a vertical direction; a unit support member rotatably supporting the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing (15) about a turning axis of the turning shaft; and a steering actuator configured to rotationally drive the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing about the turning axis (A). The unit support member and the steering actuator include a flange and an end portion, respectively, to be removably fixed to a knuckle which is a chassis frame component of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu Ooba, Yusuke Ohata
  • Patent number: 11731693
    Abstract: Provided are a steering function-equipped hub unit that has a simple structure, high rigidity and a reduced size, a steering system, as well as a vehicle including the steering function-equipped hub unit. The steering function-equipped hub unit includes: a hub unit main body including a hub bearing supporting a wheel; a unit support member provided to a knuckle of a suspension device and rotatably supporting the hub unit main body about a turning axis extending in a vertical direction; and a steering actuator configured to rotationally drive the hub unit main body about the turning axis. The hub unit main body is supported by the unit support member through a preloaded rolling bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu Ooba, Satoshi Utsunomiya, Norio Ishihara, Yusuke Ohata
  • Patent number: 11565548
    Abstract: Provided is a turning function-equipped having a reduced size and having improved strength to an external shock force and improved reliability. The turning function-equipped hub unit includes: a hub unit main body; a unit support member; and a turning actuator. The unit support member is provided to a chassis frame component. The unit support member includes an abutment part with which a part of the hub unit main body is brought into abutment in a vertical direction during non-normal time, the abutment part being separated from the hub unit main body in the vertical direction during normal time, and the non-normal time in which the abutment is caused, is a time when an impact load equal to or greater than a predetermined value acts on the hub unit main body in the vertical direction due to an external force from the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Utsunomiya, Hirokazu Ooba, Yusuke Ohata
  • Publication number: 20220410969
    Abstract: The steering function-equipped hub unit includes: a turning shaft-equipped hub bearing (15) including an inner ring, an outer ring, and rolling elements in double rows interposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing having a turning shaft extending in a vertical direction; a unit support member (3) rotatably supporting the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing (15) about a turning axis of the turning shaft; and a steering actuator (5) configured to rotationally drive the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing (15) about the turning axis (A). The unit support member (3) and the steering actuator (5) include a flange (3a) and an end portion (25Aa), respectively, to be removably fixed to a knuckle (6) which is a chassis frame component of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu OOBA, Yusuke OHATA
  • Publication number: 20210309285
    Abstract: Provided is a steering function equipped hub unit (1) including: a hub unit body (2); a unit support member (3) configured to be provided to a knuckle (6) and to support the hub unit body (2) such that the hub unit body is rotatable about a turning axis (A) extending in a vertical direction; and a steering actuator (5) configured to rotate the hub unit body (2) about the turning axis (A), wherein the steering actuator (5) includes a motor (26) and a linear motion mechanism (25) configured to convert a rotary output from the motor (26) into a linear motion, the linear motion mechanism (25) includes a feed screw mechanism (33) of a sliding screw type including a nut part (36) and a threaded shaft (36), and a surface hardening layer is provided on at least a threaded surface of one or both of the nut part (35) and the threaded shaft (36).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu OOBA, Satoshi UTSUNOMIYA, Yusuke OHATA
  • Patent number: 11097768
    Abstract: A supplemental turning function-equipped hub unit includes: a hub unit body including a hub bearing; and a unit support member configured to be mounted through a suspension device, the unit support member supporting the hub unit body through rotation-permitting support components at two upper and lower portions of the hub unit body such that the hub unit body is rotatable about a supplemental turning axis. A supplemental turning force receiving part is provided on a side part of the hub unit body, which part is configured to receive a force that causes the hub unit body to rotate about the supplemental turning axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu Ooba, Tomomi Ishikawa, Kentaro Nishikawa, Satoshi Utsunomiya, Yusuke Ohata, Taisuke Igi, Norio Ishihara
  • Publication number: 20210197887
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a steering function-equipped hub unit (1) having a function of steering a rear wheel, the hub unit including: a hub unit body (2) having a hub bearing (15) configured to support the rear wheel (9R); a unit support member (3) rotatably supporting the hub unit body (2) about a turning axis (A) extending in a vertical direction, the unit support member being configured to be provided to a rear-wheel suspension (Rs); and a steering actuator (5) configured to rotate the hub unit body (2) about the turning axis (A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke OHATA, Hirokazu OOBA, Satoshi UTSUNOMIYA
  • Publication number: 20210155283
    Abstract: Provided is a steering function-equipped hub unit for steering a rear wheel configured to be supported by a suspension device including a torsion beam and a pair of trailing arms. The hub unit includes: a turning shaft-equipped hub bearing including a turning shaft extending in a vertical direction and configured to rotatably support the rear wheel; a unit support member supporting the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing such that the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing is rotatable about a turning axis; and a steering actuator separate from the unit support member and configured to rotationally drive the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing. The steering actuator is attached to the suspension device at a position higher than a lowermost surface of the torsion beam and between a rotation support part of the suspension device and the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicants: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyohei SAKAGAMI, Toru YAGASAKI, Yusuke OHATA, Hirokazu OOBA
  • Publication number: 20210009193
    Abstract: Provided is a steering system capable of enhancing traveling stability when a vehicle drives straight and improving small-turn performance. The steering system includes: a first steering device; a second steering device including a mechanical section configured to individually steer each of left and right wheels by driving a steering actuator and a control section configured to control the steering actuator; and a vehicle information detection section configured to detect a velocity of the vehicle and a steering angle. The control section includes a turning angle control module configured to control the steering actuator pursuant to a predetermined rule in accordance with the velocity of the vehicle and the steering angle so as to control turning angles of the left and right wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu OOBA, Norio ISHIHARA, Satoshi UTSUNOMIYA, Yusuke OHATA
  • Publication number: 20210009199
    Abstract: Provided are a steering function-equipped hub unit that has a simple structure, high rigidity and a reduced size, a steering system, as well as a vehicle including the steering function-equipped hub unit. The steering function-equipped hub unit includes: a hub unit main body including a hub bearing supporting a wheel; a unit support member provided to a knuckle of a suspension device and rotatably supporting the hub unit main body about a turning axis extending in a vertical direction; and a steering actuator configured to rotationally drive the hub unit main body about the turning axis. The hub unit main body is supported by the unit support member through a preloaded rolling bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu OOBA, Satoshi UTSUNOMIYA, Norio ISHIHARA, Yusuke OHATA
  • Publication number: 20200282769
    Abstract: Provided is a turning function-equipped having a reduced size and having improved strength to an external shock force and improved reliability. The turning function-equipped hub unit includes: a hub unit main body; a unit support member; and a turning actuator. The unit support member is provided to a chassis frame component. The unit support member includes an abutment part with which a part of the hub unit main body is brought into abutment in a vertical direction during non-normal time, the abutment part being separated from the hub unit main body in the vertical direction during normal time, and the non-normal time in which the abutment is caused, is a time when an impact load equal to or greater than a predetermined value acts on the hub unit main body in the vertical direction due to an external force from the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi UTSUNOMIYA, Hirokazu OOBA, Yusuke OHATA
  • Patent number: 10670121
    Abstract: The retainer is provided so as to be prevented from being rotatable with respect to the rotary shaft, and rotation of the input-side rotary member is reduced in speed and transmitted to the output-side rotary member through intermediation of the balls which engage with both of the ball engagement grooves. A raceway center line of the second ball engagement groove is formed of a wave-shaped curve. When a speed reduction ratio of the speed reducer is represented by “i”, the wave-shaped curve has such a shape that the balls which engage with the first ball engagement groove engage with the second ball engagement groove at a given rotation angle (?) of the input-side rotary member in a state in which the output-side rotary member is at a rotation angle (i?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taisuke Igi, Hirokazu Ooba, Takashi Nozaki
  • Publication number: 20200122771
    Abstract: A supplemental turning function-equipped hub unit includes: a hub unit body including a hub bearing; and a unit support member configured to be mounted through a suspension device, the unit support member supporting the hub unit body through rotation-permitting support components at two upper and lower portions of the hub unit body such that the hub unit body is rotatable about a supplemental turning axis. A supplemental turning force receiving part is provided on a side part of the hub unit body, which part is configured to receive a force that causes the hub unit body to rotate about the supplemental turning axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu OOBA, Tomomi Ishikawa, Kentaro Nishikawa, Satoshi Utsunomiya, Yusuke Ohata, Taisuke Igi, Norio Ishihara
  • Publication number: 20190285152
    Abstract: The retainer is provided so as to be prevented from being rotatable with respect to the rotary shaft, and rotation of the input-side rotary member is reduced in speed and transmitted to the output-side rotary member through intermediation of the balls which engage with both of the ball engagement grooves. A raceway center line of the second ball engagement groove is formed of a wave-shaped curve. When a speed reduction ratio of the speed reducer is represented by “i”, the wave-shaped curve has such a shape that the balls which engage with the first ball engagement groove engage with the second ball engagement groove at a given rotation angle (?) of the input-side rotary member in a state in which the output-side rotary member is at a rotation angle (i?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Taisuke IGI, Hirokazu OOBA, Takashi NOZAKI
  • Patent number: 10118479
    Abstract: An in-wheel motor drive device is provided including a brake caliper which can be easily mounted in position and dismounted. The in-wheel motor drive device includes a hub to which the wheel body of a vehicle wheel is mounted, an electric motor arranged inside of the hub in the width direction of the vehicle so as to be coaxial with the hub, a motor housing in which are received the electric motor, and the brake caliper, which is arranged to clamp a brake disk through a pair of brake pads disposed on both sides of the brake disk. The brake caliper is fixed to the outer periphery of the motor housing by driving bolts radially inwardly, from radially outside, of the motor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taisuke Igi, Hirokazu Ooba
  • Patent number: 9856906
    Abstract: A hollow shaft, which is usable with a constant velocity universal joint, has an increased static torsional strength and torsional fatigue strength of a small diameter portion (small diameter portion having a smooth outer peripheral surface) formed near a spline at an end portion of the hollow shaft, and has a reduced manufacturing cost. The hollow shaft is molded by plastic working from a tubular blank, and subjected to quench hardening treatment. The quench hardening treatment includes carburizing and quenching treatment. The hollow shaft includes a softened section formed in a part of the hollow shaft by local heating treatment after carrying out the carburizing and quenching treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Yoshida, Hiroki Mukai, Hirokazu Ooba
  • Patent number: 9746037
    Abstract: A link actuating device includes input side and output side link hubs, and two sets of link mechanisms. Each of the link mechanisms is a three-link-chain link mechanism including four revolute pairs, and includes input side and output side end links rotatably connected to the input side and output side link hubs and an intermediate links rotatably connected to input side and output side end links. The link mechanism have a positional relationship in which the revolute pair axes between the link hubs and the end links are located on the same plane and cross each other. At least one of the two sets of link mechanisms is provided with interlocking unit that interlocks the input side end link and the output side end link to each other so as to be rotationally displaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Sone, Hirokazu Ooba, Arito Matsui, Hiroki Mukai
  • Publication number: 20160214474
    Abstract: An in-wheel motor drive device is provided including a brake caliper which can be easily mounted in position and dismounted. The in-wheel motor drive device includes a hub to which the wheel body of a vehicle wheel is mounted, an electric motor arranged inside of the hub in the width direction of the vehicle so as to be coaxial with the hub, a motor housing in which are received the electric motor, and the brake caliper, which is arranged to clamp a brake disk through a pair of brake pads disposed on both sides of the brake disk. The brake caliper is fixed to the outer periphery of the motor housing by driving bolts radially inwardly, from radially outside, of the motor housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Taisuke IGI, Hirokazu OOBA
  • Publication number: 20160167698
    Abstract: A steering device including tie rods connected to right and left wheels, and configured to steer the wheels, and rack bars connected to the respective tie rods, and, is capable of simultaneously steering the right and left wheels to the right or left of the vehicle, by moving the rack bars to the right or left. A rack bar moving arrangement is provided which is capable of moving the rack bars in opposite directions by the same distance, and rack teeth are arranged along the opposite directions. The rack bar moving arrangement includes a synchronizing gear in mesh with the rack bars, and configured to convert the movement of one of the rack bars in one of the opposite directions to the movement of the other rack bars in the other opposite directions, thereby steering the wheels in opposite directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Hirokazu OOBA, Tomomi ISHIKAWA, Taisuke IGI, Yuya YAMAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8998729
    Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint has pairs of track grooves, each pair forming a wedge angle (?). The wedge angle (?) includes a wedge angle (?0) formed, when an operating angle is 0°, with respect to each of torque transmitting balls arranged in a joint center plane, and opening to the same side in an axial direction for all pairs of track grooves. Further, the pairs of track grooves are mirror-image symmetrical with each other when the operating angle is 0°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Hirokazu Ooba