Patents by Inventor Kazutaka Kawata

Kazutaka Kawata 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).

  • Publication number: 20230417294
    Abstract: A system for controlling a clutch is provided with: an action member rotatable about an axis; a motor drivingly connected to the action member to impart a rotational motion about the axis to the action member; a conversion mechanism drivingly connected to the action member to convert the rotational motion about the axis into an axial motion; a clutch member constituting the clutch and drivingly connected to the conversion mechanism so as to be driven by the axial motion, the clutch member being movable axially bidirectionally from a first position where the clutch is disconnected, through a second position, to a third position where the clutch is connected; and a controller configured to measure and compare a rotational angle of the motor with a reference value to determine at which of the first position, the second position, and the third position the clutch member is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Yuu Yaguchi, Takahiro Nagaoka, Ryuya Saito, Kazutaka Kawata
  • Patent number: 11796043
    Abstract: A differential device includes a differential case, a first output gear and a second output gear, and an interrupting mechanism. The differential case is rotatable. A drive force can be input to the differential case. The first output gear and the second output gear are accommodated in the differential case. The first output gear and a second output are rotatable with respect to the differential case and output the drive force received from the differential case. The interrupting mechanism is disposed on a side of the first output gear and connects and disconnects power transmission between the differential case and the first output gear. The first output gear is coupled to an output shaft through an intermediate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Isao Hirota, Kazutaka Kawata
  • Patent number: 11731506
    Abstract: A driving system includes an electric motor, a transmission apparatus, a differential apparatus and a brake. The differential apparatus includes an input portion coupled to an output portion of the transmission apparatus, a pair of output portions, and a differential device that allows differential rotation of the pair of output portions. A brake is provided in a drive path from an output portion of the electric motor to the input portion of the differential apparatus. The differential apparatus includes a clutch member movable between a first position in which a differential rotation of the differential device is allowed and a second position in which the differential rotation of the differential device is stopped, a clutch actuator that moves the clutch member to the first position, and a holding portion that holds the clutch member to the second position when the clutch actuator is in a non-operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Isao Hirota, Kazutaka Kawata
  • Publication number: 20220105801
    Abstract: A driving system includes an electric motor, a transmission apparatus, a differential apparatus and a brake. The differential apparatus includes an input portion coupled to an output portion of the transmission apparatus, a pair of output portions, and a differential device that allows differential rotation of the pair of output portions. A brake is provided in a drive path from an output portion of the electric motor to the input portion of the differential apparatus. The differential apparatus includes a clutch member movable between a first position in which a differential rotation of the differential device is allowed and a second position in which the differential rotation of the differential device is stopped, a clutch actuator that moves the clutch member to the first position, and a holding portion that holds the clutch member to the second position when the clutch actuator is in a non-operating state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Isao Hirota, Kazutaka Kawata
  • Patent number: 10781904
    Abstract: A differential apparatus includes a differential device, and a differential restricting portion configured to restrict a differential operation of the differential device. The differential device includes a differential case which is rotatably disposed, a differential gear which is rotatable while being supported by the differential case and revolves by rotation of the differential case, and a pair of output gears which are meshed with the differential gear and are rotatable relative to each other. The output gears include a gear member provided with a gear portion, and an output member including an output portion configured to output a driving force inputted to the output gears. A cam portion is provided between the gear member and the output member. The differential restricting portion is provided between the differential case and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Hirota, Yousuke Kawai, Noboru Higano, Kazutaka Kawata
  • Publication number: 20190219143
    Abstract: A differential apparatus includes a differential device, and a differential restricting portion configured to restrict a differential operation of the differential device. The differential device includes a differential case which is rotatably disposed, a differential gear which is rotatable while being supported by the differential case and revolves by rotation of the differential case, and a pair of output gears which are meshed with the differential gear and are rotatable relative to each other. The output gears include a gear member provided with a gear portion, and an output member including an output portion configured to output a driving force inputted to the output gears. A cam portion is provided between the gear member and the output member. The differential restricting portion is provided between the differential case and the output member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Isao Hirota, Yousuke Kawai, Noboru Higano, Kazutaka Kawata
  • Patent number: 6413183
    Abstract: An outer rotational member has an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface. An inner rotational member is arranged inside the outer rotational member. Friction-clutch means is provided between the inner rotational member and the outer rotational member and is fastened by a thrust force. An oil lubricates at least the friction-clutch means. An oil space intervenes between the inner rotational member and the outer rotational member. Seal means seals the oil in the oil space. A first oil reservoir is recessed on the inner wall surface of the outer rotational member toward a side of the outer wall surface side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Tochigi Fuji Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Ishikawa, Kazutaka Kawata, Hiroshi Nohara, Toshio Shiba, Naoshi Mogami, Katsumi Tanaka, Norihiko Tashiro, Naoyuki Shioda, Tadashi Oikawa, Akihiro Mashiyama, Osamu Ishikawa, Masayuki Sayama, Shigeyuki Shimada, Hideyuki Inose, Yoshiharu Shouda