Patents by Inventor Kazuhito Sakai

Kazuhito Sakai 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: 11578648
    Abstract: A crankshaft in which vibrations can be damped effectively without changing a design of a crankcase. The crankshaft comprises a first crank section located at one end of the crankshaft, and a second crank section located at the other end of the crankshaft. In the first crank section, a mass of a first inner balance weight is greater than a mass of a first outer balance weight. In the second crank section, a mass of a second inner balance weight is greater than a mass of a second outer balance weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Taiki Kawate, Kazuhito Sakai
  • Publication number: 20220228528
    Abstract: A crankshaft in which vibrations can be damped effectively without changing a design of a crankcase. The crankshaft comprises a first crank section located at one end of the crankshaft, and a second crank section located at the other end of the crankshaft. In the first crank section, a mass of a first inner balance weight is greater than a mass of a first outer balance weight. In the second crank section, a mass of a second inner balance weight is greater than a mass of a second outer balance weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Taiki KAWATE, Kazuhito SAKAI
  • Patent number: 10806193
    Abstract: In the configuration of a supporter that at least partially includes a tubular cover portion which covers a part of a human body and which elastically expands and contracts, a load addition pattern portion that is adhered to at least a part of a half or more circumference in a circumferential direction on the front surface of the tubular cover portion and that can apply a load of a predetermined magnitude to the part of the human body when the part of the human body to which the tubular cover portion is fitted is moved is continuously formed of an elastic rubber material. Preferably, as the elastic rubber material, a silicone rubber material is used, and a part or the whole of the area of the load addition pattern portion is formed with a mesh-shaped portion and preferably a honeycomb shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: TOSCOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhito Sakai, Shun Kitahara
  • Patent number: 9976495
    Abstract: In the present invention, an internal combustion engine is provided with a variable-compression-ratio mechanism with a variable mechanical compression ratio and the variable-compression-ratio mechanism comprises a drive device for changing the volume of a combustion chamber when a piston reaches top dead center. The drive device comprises a reverse input blocking clutch disposed in a drive power transmission path for transmitting the rotational force of a rotator. A control device estimates the reverse input torque applied to an output shaft of the reverse input blocking clutch and sets a gradient for torque output by the rotator and a continuation duration for continuing the torque increase on the basis of the reverse input torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto Okawa, Kazuhito Sakai
  • Patent number: 9926888
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine includes a supercharger that is arranged in an intake passage; an intercooler that is arranged downstream of the supercharger in a direction of intake air flow, in the intake passage; and a blow-by gas returning apparatus. The blow-by gas returning apparatus includes a bypass passage, an ejector, and a blow-by gas passage. The bypass passage connects a first position that is arranged between the supercharger and the intercooler, and a second position that is arranged downstream of the intercooler of the intake passage together. The ejector is arranged in the bypass passage, and configured to draw in blow-by gas from the crankcase through the blow-by gas passage when air flows through the bypass passage from the first position toward the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto Okawa, Kazuhito Sakai
  • Patent number: 9845724
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a variable compression ratio mechanism that changes the relative position of a cylinder block with respect to a crankcase and a controlling device that controls the variable compression ratio mechanism. The variable compression ratio mechanism contains a driving device that rotates a shaft that includes an eccentric axis, and the drive device includes a clutch that blocks reverse input and is disposed in a drive power transmission route that transmits the rotational power of a motor to the shaft. The control device fixes the mechanical compression ratio to a predetermined low mechanical compression ratio when the amplitude of the rotational power vibration applied to an output shaft of the clutch is less than a predetermined determination value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto Okawa, Kazuhito Sakai
  • Publication number: 20170318872
    Abstract: In the configuration of a supporter that at least partially includes a tubular cover portion which covers a part of a human body and which elastically expands and contracts, a load addition pattern portion that is adhered to at least a part of a half or more circumference in a circumferential direction on the front surface of the tubular cover portion and that can apply a load of a predetermined magnitude to the part of the human body when the part of the human body to which the tubular cover portion is fitted is moved is continuously formed of an elastic rubber material. Preferably, as the elastic rubber material, a silicone rubber material is used, and a part or the whole of the area of the load addition pattern portion is formed with a mesh-shaped portion and preferably a honeycomb shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Applicant: TOSCOM CO.,LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhito SAKAI, Shun KITAHARA
  • Patent number: 9784191
    Abstract: A variable compression ratio mechanism of an internal combustion engine includes an operation element, an input actuator, and a reverse input torque cutoff clutch. The reverse input torque cutoff clutch includes a fixed member, a movable member, clearance, a wedge member, and a moving device. A peripheral surface of the fixed member is formed such that the clearance is formed with: a rotation prevention area that prevents the movable member from rotating in a reverse input torque acting direction. When the movable member moves in the direction to change a mechanical compression ratio, the moving device moves the wedge member from the rotation prevention area to the rotation allowable area in an opposite direction and holds the wedge member in the rotation allowable area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuhito Sakai
  • Publication number: 20170211488
    Abstract: In the present invention, an internal combustion engine is provided with a variable-compression-ratio mechanism with a variable mechanical compression ratio and the variable-compression-ratio mechanism comprises a drive device for changing the volume of a combustion chamber when a piston reaches top dead center. The drive device comprises a reverse input blocking clutch disposed in a drive power transmission path for transmitting the rotational force of a rotator. A control device estimates the reverse input torque applied to an output shaft of the reverse input blocking clutch and sets a gradient for torque output by the rotator and a continuation duration for continuing the torque increase on the basis of the reverse input torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto OKAWA, Kazuhito SAKAI
  • Patent number: 9688114
    Abstract: An electrically driven vehicle includes: a vehicle body provided with the vehicle interior, a battery which is mounted to the vehicle body and is able to be used for running, an electric heater which executes an air-conditioning operation which uses an electrical power of the battery when air-conditioning vehicle interior, a power generation device which is at least partly removably mounted to the vehicle body and executes another air-conditioning operation other than the air-conditioning operation which uses the electrical power of the battery when air-conditioning the vehicle interior, and an air conditioning change unit which changes the use state of at least one of the electric heater and the power generation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuhito Sakai
  • Patent number: 9533378
    Abstract: A cylinder block (10) includes an inter-bore flow passage (14) between adjacent bores (12). Each inter-bore flow passage (14) is formed by closing an opening-side groove portion (15) continuous from a cylinder block deck face and a bottom-side groove portion (16) with the use of a lid member (20) made of copper, and the lid member (20 is laser-welded to a groove wall face of the opening-side groove portion (15). Before the laser-welding, the lid member (20) has recesses (26) that are interspersed in a direction, in which a laser beam travels, at any one of connected portions at which the lid member (20 is connected to the groove wall face of the opening-side groove portion (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Minoru Kawasaki, Kazuhito Sakai, Shintaro Utsumi
  • Publication number: 20160341154
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine includes a supercharger that is arranged in an intake passage; an intercooler that is arranged downstream of the supercharger in a direction of intake air flow, in the intake passage; and a blow-by gas returning apparatus. The blow-by gas returning apparatus includes a bypass passage, an ejector, and a blow-by gas passage. The bypass passage connects a first position that is arranged between the supercharger and the intercooler, and a second position that is arranged downstream of the intercooler of the intake passage together. The ejector is arranged in the bypass passage, and configured to draw in blow-by gas from the crankcase through the blow-by gas passage when air flows through the bypass passage from the first position toward the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto OKAWA, Kazuhito SAKAI
  • Publication number: 20160319736
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a variable compression ratio mechanism that changes the relative position of a cylinder block with respect to a crankcase and a controlling device that controls the variable compression ratio mechanism. The variable compression ratio mechanism contains a driving device that rotates a shaft that includes an eccentric axis, and the drive device includes a clutch that blocks reverse input and is disposed in a drive power transmission route that transmits the rotational power of a motor to the shaft. The control device fixes the mechanical compression ratio to a predetermined low mechanical compression ratio when the amplitude of the rotational power vibration applied to an output shaft of the clutch is less than a predetermined determination value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto OKAWA, Kazuhito SAKAI
  • Publication number: 20150260110
    Abstract: A variable compression ratio mechanism of an internal combustion engine includes an operation element, an input actuator, and a reverse input torque cutoff clutch. The reverse input torque cutoff clutch includes a fixed member, a movable member, clearance, a wedge member, and a moving device. A peripheral surface of the fixed member is formed such that the clearance is formed with: a rotation prevention area that prevents the movable member from rotating in a reverse input torque acting direction. When the movable member moves in the direction to change a mechanical compression ratio, the moving device moves the wedge member from the rotation prevention area to the rotation allowable area in an opposite direction and holds the wedge member in the rotation allowable area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuhito SAKAI
  • Publication number: 20150101551
    Abstract: A cylinder block (10) includes an inter-bore flow passage (14) between adjacent bores (12). Each inter-bore flow passage (14) is formed by closing an opening-side groove portion (15) continuous from a cylinder block deck face and a bottom-side groove portion (16) with the use of a lid member (20) made of copper, and the lid member (20 is laser-welded to a groove wall face of the opening-side groove portion (15). Before the laser-welding, the lid member (20) has recesses (26) that are interspersed in a direction, in which a laser beam travels, at any one of connected portions at which the lid member (20 is connected to the groove wall face of the opening-side groove portion (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Minoru Kawasaki, Kazuhito Sakai, Shintaro Utsumi
  • Patent number: 8720621
    Abstract: An electrically driven vehicle equipped with a battery usable for running in which a power generation unit of engine driven type that charges the battery is detachably mounted on a vehicle body, includes including a first connection part that brings a high-voltage system in which the battery and the power generation unit are electrically connected together into a connected state in a state in which the power generation unit is mounted in a mounting position and brings the high-voltage system into a disconnected state in a state in which the power generation unit is dismounted from the mounting position, whereby the first connection part switches a connection state of the high-voltage system in accordance with installation or removal of the power generation unit. The first connection part includes a connector on the vehicle side and a connector on the power generation unit side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuhisa Jingu, Shintaro Utsumi, Satoko Tofukuji, Kazuhito Sakai, Hirotsugu Ojima, Atsunori Kumagai, Hiroki Murata, Takanobu Arai
  • Publication number: 20130247847
    Abstract: A cooling device 1A includes an engine 50A provided with W/Js 501, 502, and 503A, and a first control valve 31. The W/J 501 is provided at an intake side in a cylinder block 51A. The W/J 502 is provided at an exhaust side in the cylinder block 51A. The W/J 503A diverges from a given position of the W/J 501. Also, the W/J 503A is provided toward the exhaust side through the intake side of the cylinder head 52A. The first control valve 31 makes the coolant flowing state changeable between a state where the coolant is caused to flow in the W/J 501 and a state where the coolant is caused to flow in the W/Js 501 and 503A.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Shinichiro Nogawa, Kazuhito Sakai
  • Patent number: 8479599
    Abstract: A starter for an internal combustion engine includes a power transmission mechanism. The power transmission mechanism has an outer race plate fastened to a crankshaft, and a ring gear coupled to a rotational shaft of an electric motor for starting the engine. The power transmission mechanism further has a one-way clutch for permitting torque transmission only from the ring gear to the outer race plate, and two sealing members. Lubricant is supplied from the cylinder block to the interior of the power transmission mechanism for lubricating the power transmission mechanism. The outer race plate has a groove on its contact surface of a contact portion between the crankshaft and the outer race plate. The groove extends in the entire circumferential direction of the crankshaft. This maintains the coupling strength between the outer race plate and the crankshaft, while enhancing the sealing performance of the power transmission mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshimitsu Shiba, Toshiaki Asada, Makoto Ishikawa, Tomoaki Suzuki, Kazuhito Sakai
  • Patent number: 8434448
    Abstract: The lubricant-return holes are provided in the intermediate portion of the ring gear. Thus, the lubricant stagnating above the first oil sealing member can be easily discharged to the oil pan side via the lubricant-return holes even when the ring gear has stopped rotating in response to the starter motor being turned off after completion of the start of the internal combustion engine. As such, the level of the surface of lubricant stagnating between the ring gear and the outer race member does not rise, and therefore the lubricant surface virtually does not reach the outer race and the one-way clutch that are rotating while the internal combustion engine is running. Thus, bubbling of lubricant and production of sludge, which may otherwise be caused by agitation of the lubricant surface, can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoaki Suzuki, Toshiaki Asada, Makoto Ishikawa, Toshimitsu Shiba, Kazuhito Sakai
  • Patent number: 8413628
    Abstract: A ring gear is formed by joining a race side-region formed body, a gear side-region formed body and an intermediate region formed body. Accordingly, it is possible to perform processing of an inner race portion of the race side-region formed body with none of the gear side-region formed body and the intermediate region formed body present. By causing the gear side-region formed body and the intermediate region formed body to absorb changes in design depending on the type of internal combustion engine, it is possible to standardize the size and the shape of the race side-region formed body for various engine types. Because the inner race portion, as well as a disposition surface and a contact surface for the seal rings are formed on the same race side-region formed body, it is possible to finish the surfaces with precise positional relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoaki Suzuki, Toshiaki Asada, Makoto Ishikawa, Toshimitsu Shiba, Kazuhito Sakai