Patents by Inventor Hiroyasu Hirukawa

Hiroyasu Hirukawa 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: 10260569
    Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint of a track groove crossing type has track grooves of an inner joint member formed so as to be mirror-image symmetrical with the paired track grooves of an outer joint member with respect to a joint center plane at an operating angle of 0°. The track grooves of both the joint members each have a length corresponding to a maximum operating angle required for a rear-wheel drive shaft. Further, each axial clearance between the inner joint member and the cage is set larger than an axial clearance formed by a ball track clearance between each of balls and each track groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Hirukawa, Teruaki Fujio
  • Patent number: 10208805
    Abstract: Six track grooves formed in a spherical inner peripheral surface of an outer joint member are each formed into an arc shape having a curvature center at a joint center. The track grooves are inclined in a circumferential direction of the outer joint member with respect to a joint axial line, and are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction with their inclination directions opposite to each other. Six track grooves formed in a spherical outer peripheral surface of an inner joint member are formed so as to be mirror-image symmetrical with the track grooves paired therewith of the outer joint member with respect to a joint center plane at an operating angle of 0°. An inclination angle of each of the track grooves of the outer joint member with respect to the joint axial line is set to 8° or more and 16° or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Hirukawa, Teruaki Fujio
  • Patent number: 10066674
    Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint of a track groove crossing type has track grooves of an inner joint member formed to be mirror-image symmetrical with paired track grooves of an outer joint member with respect to a joint center plane at an operating angle of 0°. The track grooves of both the joint members each have a length corresponding to a maximum operating angle (?max) required for a propeller shaft, and surface treatment is performed, for example, on a defined surface of each of the track grooves of the outer joint member so as to reduce frictional resistance (sliding resistance) against balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Hirukawa, Teruaki Fujio
  • Patent number: 9581206
    Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint has an outer joint member including first track groove portions and second track groove portions. Each of the first track groove portions includes an arc part having a curvature center that is not offset in an axial direction with respect to a joint center. The first track groove portions are inclined in a peripheral direction of the outer joint member with respect to a joint axial line and adjacent to each other in the peripheral direction with inclination directions opposite to each other. Each of the second track groove portions has a different shape than the first track groove portions. Each of the first track groove portions and each of the second track groove portions are connected to each other at a position on an opening side with respect to the joint center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kisao Yamazaki, Hiroyasu Hirukawa, Kenta Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9556915
    Abstract: Track grooves of an outer joint member include first and second track groove portions. Each of the first track groove portions is formed into an arc shape having a curvature center at a position offset to an opening side with respect to a joint center. The first track groove portions are inclined in a peripheral direction of the outer joint member with respect to a joint axial line and adjacent to each other in the peripheral direction with their inclination directions opposite to each other. Each of the second track groove portions includes a linear part and is connected to the each of the first track groove portions at a position on the opening side with respect to the joint center. Track grooves of inner and outer joint members are formed to be mirror-image symmetrical with respect to a joint center plane at an operating angle of 0°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Hirukawa, Kenta Yamazaki, Kisao Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9551382
    Abstract: Provided is a fixed type constant velocity universal joint, in which: each of first track groove portions positioned on an interior side of an outer joint member includes an arc part having a curvature center that is positioned without being offset in an axial direction with respect to a joint center; the first track groove portions are inclined in a peripheral direction with respect to a joint axial line (N-N) and adjacent to each other in the peripheral direction with their inclination directions opposite to each other; each of second track groove portions positioned on an opening side is formed into a different shape from a shape of the each of the first track groove portions so as to increase an effective track length at a maximum operating angle; the each of the first track groove portions and the each of the second track groove portions are connected to each other at a position on the opening side with respect to the joint center; each of track grooves of an inner joint member is formed so as to be mirr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Hirukawa, Teruaki Fujio, Kenta Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9464674
    Abstract: In a fixed type constant velocity universal joint, track grooves of an outer joint member include first track groove portions positioned on an interior side and second track groove portions positioned on an opening side. The first track groove portions each have an arc-shaped ball raceway center line having a curvature center that is prevented from being offset in an axial direction of the outer joint member with respect to a joint center. Planes each including at least the ball raceway center line and the joint center are inclined with respect to a joint axial line with their inclination directions alternately opposite to each other in the first track groove portions that are adjacent to each other in a peripheral direction of the outer joint member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kisao Yamazaki, Kenta Yamazaki, Hiroyasu Hirukawa
  • Publication number: 20160252137
    Abstract: Six track grooves formed in a spherical inner peripheral surface of an outer joint member are each formed into an arc shape having a curvature center at a joint center. The track grooves are inclined in a circumferential direction of the outer joint member with respect to a joint axial line, and are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction with their inclination directions opposite to each other. Six track grooves formed in a spherical outer peripheral surface of an inner joint member are formed so as to be mirror-image symmetrical with the track grooves paired therewith of the outer joint member with respect to a joint center plane at an operating angle of 0°. An inclination angle of each of the track grooves of the outer joint member with respect to the joint axial line is set to 8° or more and 16° or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroyasu HIRUKAWA, Teruaki FUJIO
  • Patent number: 9410581
    Abstract: In a fixed type constant velocity universal joint, track grooves of an outer joint member include first and second track groove portions positioned on interior and open sides, respectively. Each of the first track groove portions includes an arc-shaped ball raceway center line having a curvature center prevented from being offset in an axial direction of the outer joint member with respect to a joint center. Planes each including at least the ball raceway center line and the joint center are inclined with respect to a joint axial line with their inclination directions opposite to each other in the first track groove portions, which are adjacent to each other in a peripheral direction of the outer joint member. Each of the second track groove portions includes a ball raceway center line having a straight part when being projected onto corresponding one of the planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Hirukawa, Kenta Yamazaki, Kisao Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20160146260
    Abstract: Provided is a fixed type constant velocity universal joint (1) of a track groove crossing type, in which track grooves (9) of an inner joint member (3) are formed so as to be mirror-image symmetrical with the paired track grooves (7) of an outer joint member (2) with respect to a joint center plane (P) at an operating angle of 0°. The track grooves (7, 9) of both the joint members (2, 3) each have a length corresponding to a maximum operating angle (?max) required for a propeller shaft, and surface treatment is performed, for example, on a defined surface of each of the track grooves (7) of the outer joint member (2) so as to reduce frictional resistance (sliding resistance) against balls (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroyasu HIRUKAWA, Teruaki FUJIO
  • Publication number: 20160138660
    Abstract: Provided is a fixed type constant velocity universal joint (1) of a track groove crossing type, in which track grooves (9) of an inner joint member (3) are formed so as to be mirror-image symmetrical with the paired track grooves (7) of an outer joint member (2) with respect to a joint center plane (P) at an operating angle of 0°. The track grooves (7, 9) of both the joint members (2, 3) each have a length corresponding to a maximum operating angle (?max) required for a rear-wheel drive shaft. Further, each axial clearance (?Sia1, ?Sia2) between the inner joint member (3) and the cage (5) is set larger than an axial clearance (?Tao+?Tai) formed by a ball track clearance (?T) between each of balls (4) and each track groove (7, 9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroyasu HIRUKAWA, Teruaki FUJIO
  • Patent number: 9206855
    Abstract: Track grooves of an outer joint member include first and second track groove portions positioned on interior and opening sides, respectively. Each first track groove portion has an arc shape with a curvature center at a position offset to the opening side with respect to a joint center. The first track groove portions are inclined in a peripheral direction of the outer joint member with respect to a joint axial line and adjacent to each other in the peripheral direction with their inclination directions opposite to each other. Each second track groove portion has a shape that is different than each of the first track groove portions so as to increase an effective track length at a maximum operating angle. The second track groove portions are connected to the first track groove portions at a position on the opening side with respect to the joint center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenta Yamazaki, Hiroyasu Hirukawa
  • Publication number: 20150316108
    Abstract: Provided is a fixed type constant velocity universal joint, in which: each of first track groove portions positioned on an interior side of an outer joint member includes an arc part having a curvature center that is positioned without being offset in an axial direction with respect to a joint center; the first track groove portions are inclined in a peripheral direction with respect to a joint axial line (N-N) and adjacent to each other in the peripheral direction with their inclination directions opposite to each other; each of second track groove portions positioned on an opening side is formed into a different shape from a shape of the each of the first track groove portions so as to increase an effective track length at a maximum operating angle; the each of the first track groove portions and the each of the second track groove portions are connected to each other at a position on the opening side with respect to the joint center; each of track grooves of an inner joint member is formed so as to be mirr
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyasu HIRUKAWA, Teruaki FUJIO, Kenta YAMAZAKI
  • Patent number: 9169877
    Abstract: An outer joint member has first and second track groove portions located respectively on depth and opening sides. The first track groove portions each have a circular-arc ball-raceway center line having a curvature center that is not offset in an axial direction with respect to a joint center. The second track groove portions each have a ball-raceway center line including a straight part to increase an effective track length at a maximum operating angle. Track grooves of an inner joint member each have a ball-raceway center line that is mirror-image symmetrical with a ball-raceway center line of the paired track groove of the outer joint member with respect to a plane passing through the joint center at an operating angle of 0°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Hirukawa, Kenta Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20150275980
    Abstract: Track grooves of an outer joint member include first and second track groove portions. Each of the first track groove portions is formed into an arc shape having a curvature center at a position offset to an opening side with respect to a joint center. The first track groove portions are inclined in a peripheral direction of the outer joint member with respect to a joint axial line and adjacent to each other in the peripheral direction with their inclination directions opposite to each other. Each of the second track groove portions includes a linear part and is connected to the each of the first track groove portions at a position on the opening side with respect to the joint center. Track grooves of inner and outer joint members are formed to be mirror-image symmetrical with respect to a joint center plane at an operating angle of 0°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Hirukawa, Kenta Yamazaki, Kisao Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20150240878
    Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint has an outer joint member including first and second track groove portions. Each of the first track groove portions includes an arc part having a curvature center that is not offset in an axial direction with respect to a joint center. The first track groove portions are inclined in a peripheral direction of the outer joint member with respect to a joint axial line and adjacent to each other in the peripheral direction with their inclination directions opposite to each other. Each of the second track groove portions has a different shape from that of the first track groove portions. The each of the first and second track groove portions are connected to each other at a position on the opening side with respect to the joint center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kisao Yamazaki, Hiroyasu Hirukawa, Kenta Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20140329608
    Abstract: In a fixed type constant velocity universal joint, track grooves of an outer joint member include first track groove portions positioned on an interior side and second track groove portions positioned on an opening side. The first track groove portions each have an arc-shaped ball raceway center line having a curvature center that is prevented from being offset in an axial direction of the outer joint member with respect to a joint center. Planes each including at least the ball raceway center line and the joint center are inclined with respect to a joint axial line with their inclination directions alternately opposite to each other in the first track groove portions that are adjacent to each other in a peripheral direction of the outer joint member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kisao Yamazaki, Kenta Yamazaki, Hiroyasu Hirukawa
  • Publication number: 20140309045
    Abstract: In a fixed type constant velocity universal joint, track grooves of an outer joint member include first and second track groove portions positioned on interior and open sides, respectively. Each of the first track groove portions includes an arc-shaped ball raceway center line having a curvature center prevented from being offset in an axial direction of the outer joint member with respect to a joint center. Planes each including at least the ball raceway center line and the joint center are inclined with respect to a joint axial line with their inclination directions opposite to each other in the first track groove portions, which are adjacent to each other in a peripheral direction of the outer joint member. Each of the second track groove portions includes a ball raceway center line having a straight part when being projected onto corresponding one of the planes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Hirukawa, Kenta Yamazaki, Kisao Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20140243104
    Abstract: Track grooves of an outer joint member include first and second track groove portions positioned on interior and opening sides, respectively. Each first track groove portion has an arc shape with a curvature center at a position offset to the opening side with respect to a joint center. The first track groove portions are inclined in a peripheral direction of the outer joint member with respect to a joint axial line and adjacent to each other in the peripheral direction with their inclination directions opposite to each other. Each second track groove portion has a shape that is different than each of the first track groove portions so as to increase an effective track length at a maximum operating angle. The second track groove portions are connected to the first track groove portions at a position on the opening side with respect to the joint center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenta Yamazaki, Hiroyasu Hirukawa
  • Publication number: 20140080613
    Abstract: An outer joint member has first and second track groove portions located respectively on depth and opening sides. The first track groove portions each have a circular-arc ball-raceway center line having a curvature center that is not offset in an axial direction with respect to a joint center. The second track groove portions each have a ball-raceway center line including a straight part to increase an effective track length at a maximum operating angle. Track grooves of an inner joint member each have a ball-raceway center line that is mirror-image symmetrical with a ball-raceway center line of the paired track groove of the outer joint member with respect to a plane passing through the joint center at an operating angle of 0°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Hirukawa, Kenta Yamazaki