Patents by Inventor Kengo Sasahara

Kengo Sasahara 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: 11933391
    Abstract: An HST of the present invention includes a main plate and a sub-plate supporting a center section, a pump-side swash plate holder and a motor-side swash plate holder by their inner surfaces facing each other. The main plate is provided with an extended region that extends farther outward in a planar direction of the main plate than an installation space of the center section, the pump-side swash plate holder and the motor-side swash plate holder and than the sub-plate as viewed along a direction in which the main plate and the sub-plate face each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Owada, Koji Iwaki, Kengo Sasahara
  • Publication number: 20230383828
    Abstract: In a transmission structure according to this invention, speed change ratios of input side first and second transmission mechanisms are set so that the rotational speed of a planetary second element is the same when an HST output is set to a second HST speed in either a first transmission state or a second transmission state, and the rotational speed of a planetary first element is the same when the HST output is set to the second HST speed in either the second transmission state or the first transmission state. The speed change ratios of an output side first and second transmission mechanisms are set so that the rotational speed developed in a speed change output shaft when the HST output is set to the second HST speed is the same in either the first or second transmission states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Koji IWAKI, Kazuhiro OWADA, Kengo SASAHARA
  • Patent number: 11767904
    Abstract: In a transmission structure according to this invention, speed change ratios of input side first and second transmission mechanisms are set so that the rotational speed of a planetary second element is the same when an HST output is set to a second HST speed in either a first transmission state or a second transmission state, and the rotational speed of a planetary first element is the same when the HST output is set to the second HST speed in either the second transmission state or the first transmission state. The speed change ratios of an output side first and second transmission mechanisms are set so that the rotational speed developed in a speed change output shaft when the HST output is set to the second HST speed is the same in either the first or second transmission states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Iwaki, Kazuhiro Owada, Kengo Sasahara
  • Publication number: 20230160460
    Abstract: In a transmission structure according to this invention, speed change ratios of input side first and second transmission mechanisms are set so that the rotational speed of a planetary second element is the same when an HST output is set to a second HST speed in either a first transmission state or a second transmission state, and the rotational speed of a planetary first element is the same when the HST output is set to the second HST speed in either the second transmission state or the first transmission state. The speed change ratios of an output side first and second transmission mechanisms are set so that the rotational speed developed in a speed change output shaft when the HST output is set to the second HST speed is the same in either the first or second transmission states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Koji IWAKI, Kazuhiro OWADA, Kengo SASAHARA
  • Patent number: 11572939
    Abstract: In a transmission structure according to this invention, speed change ratios of input side first and second transmission mechanisms are set so that the rotational speed of a planetary second element is the same when an HST output is set to a second HST speed in either a first transmission state or a second transmission state, and the rotational speed of a planetary first element is the same when the HST output is set to the second HST speed in either the second transmission state or the first transmission state. The speed change ratios of an output side first and second transmission mechanisms are set so that the rotational speed developed in a speed change output shaft when the HST output is set to the second HST speed is the same in either the first or second transmission states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Iwaki, Kazuhiro Owada, Kengo Sasahara
  • Publication number: 20220307578
    Abstract: An HST of the present invention includes a main plate and a sub-plate supporting a center section, a pump-side swash plate holder and a motor-side swash plate holder by their inner surfaces facing each other. The main plate is provided with an extended region that extends farther outward in a planar direction of the main plate than an installation space of the center section, the pump-side swash plate holder and the motor-side swash plate holder and than the sub-plate as viewed along a direction in which the main plate and the sub-plate face each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Kazuhiro OWADA, Koji IWAKI, Kengo SASAHARA
  • Publication number: 20220289355
    Abstract: In a marine propulsion apparatus that transmits power of at least one of an internal combustion engine (ICE) and a generator motor (GM) mounted on a ship to a propeller via a forward reverse switching mechanism, the marine propulsion apparatus can be downsized as a whole. The marine propulsion apparatus includes a connection switching mechanism capable of selectively connecting the GM to an upstream side and a downstream side of the power transmission from the ICE in the forward reverse switching mechanism. Then, the forward reverse switching mechanism is interposed between the ICE and the connection switching mechanism, and a large torque from the ICE is not directly transmitted to the connection switching mechanism. As a result, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the connection switching mechanism, and the connection switching mechanism and thus the marine propulsion apparatus can be downsized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Koji KIYOOKA, Tomoyuki EBIHARA, Takashi NISHIZAWA, Koga YAMANE, Kengo SASAHARA, Shigeaki NAKAGAWA, Kazuki YASUI, Toshiaki OKANISHI
  • Patent number: 11293528
    Abstract: A working vehicle of this invention includes a main speed change structure that includes a continuously variable speed change structure such as an HMT structure and a multi-speed speed change structure capable of switching between a first power transmission state with a first gear ratio and a second power transmission state with a second gear ratio providing a higher speed than the first gear ratio. A control device causes the continuously variable speed change structure to be accelerated to a forward travel side in accordance with an accelerating operation of a speed change operation member in a forward travel direction, and causes the multi-speed speed change structure to be changed from a first power transmission state to a second power transmission state when the rotational speed of the speed change output shaft reaches a switching speed set to exceed a work speed range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Iwaki, Kazuhiro Owada, Kengo Sasahara
  • Publication number: 20220074491
    Abstract: In a transmission structure according to this invention, speed change ratios of input side first and second transmission mechanisms are set so that the rotational speed of a planetary second element is the same when an HST output is set to a second HST speed in either a first transmission state or a second transmission state, and the rotational speed of a planetary first element is the same when the HST output is set to the second HST speed in either the second transmission state or the first transmission state. The speed change ratios of an output side first and second transmission mechanisms are set so that the rotational speed developed in a speed change output shaft when the HST output is set to the second HST speed is the same in either the first or second transmission states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Koji IWAKI, Kazuhiro OWADA, Kengo SASAHARA
  • Patent number: 11204097
    Abstract: In a transmission structure according to this invention, speed change ratios of input side first and second transmission mechanisms are set so that the rotational speed of a planetary second element is the same when an HST output is set to a second HST speed in either a first transmission state or a second transmission state, and the rotational speed of a planetary first element is the same when the HST output is set to the second HST speed in either the second transmission state or the first transmission state. The speed change ratios of an output side first and second transmission mechanisms are set so that the rotational speed developed in a speed change output shaft when the HST output is set to the second HST speed is the same in either the first or second transmission states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Iwaki, Kazuhiro Owada, Kengo Sasahara
  • Publication number: 20210076561
    Abstract: A lawn mower includes a traveling driver, a mower motor, and at least one controller. At least one controller is configured to control the traveling driver in accordance with an operation of a user getting on the lawn mower, control the traveling driver to cause the lawn mower to travel autonomously, on a basis of information detected on the lawn mower, and control the mower motor. The lawn mower includes a lawn detection device configured to detect a condition of a portion of lawn on a front side in a traveling direction, and a position acquisition device configured to acquire self-position information. The at least one controller controls the traveling driver in such a manner that the lawn mower preferentially travels on a portion of lawn that needs to be mowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Koji KIYOOKA, Takashi Nishizawa, Hidetaka Yamanami, Shigeaki Nakagawa, Kengo Sasahara, Hikari Morita, Kohei Ogura
  • Patent number: 10641389
    Abstract: An HST control mechanism includes a rotary member, a servo unit, a telescopic member, and a biasing device. The rotary member for controlling a displacement of a hydrostatic transmission (HST) is pivoted outside of a casing incorporating the HST. The servo unit includes a telescopically movable actuator and a valve controlling the telescopic movement of the actuator. The actuator is interlockingly connected to the rotary member. The servo unit is pivotally supported on the casing via a first pivot. The servo unit rotates centered on the first pivot as the rotary member rotates according to the telescopic movement of the actuator hydraulically controlled by the valve. The telescopic member is pivotally supported on the casing via a second pivot. The telescopic member is provided with the biasing device that biases the telescopic member and the rotary member toward a position corresponding to a neutral state of the HST.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Matsuura, Koji Iwaki, Tomoyuki Tsuji, Minoru Kamada, Hideki Kanenobu, Kengo Sasahara
  • Publication number: 20200132169
    Abstract: A working vehicle of this invention includes a main speed change structure that includes a continuously variable speed change structure such as an HMT structure and a multi-speed speed change structure capable of switching between a first power transmission state with a first gear ratio and a second power transmission state with a second gear ratio providing a higher speed than the first gear ratio. A control device causes the continuously variable speed change structure to be accelerated to a forward travel side in accordance with an accelerating operation of a speed change operation member in a forward travel direction, and causes the multi-speed speed change structure to be changed from a first power transmission state to a second power transmission state when the rotational speed of the speed change output shaft reaches a switching speed set to exceed a work speed range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Koji IWAKI, Kazuhiro OWADA, Kengo SASAHARA
  • Publication number: 20200124170
    Abstract: In a transmission structure according to this invention, speed change ratios of input side first and second transmission mechanisms are set so that the rotational speed of a planetary second element is the same when an HST output is set to a second HST speed in either a first transmission state or a second transmission state, and the rotational speed of a planetary first element is the same when the HST output is set to the second HST speed in either the second transmission state or the first transmission state. The speed change ratios of an output side first and second transmission mechanisms are set so that the rotational speed developed in a speed change output shaft when the HST output is set to the second HST speed is the same in either the first or second transmission states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Koji IWAKI, Kazuhiro OWADA, Kengo SASAHARA
  • Patent number: 10502317
    Abstract: A hydraulic system according to the present invention includes a rotational shaft, a hydraulic rotor supported by the rotational shaft so as to be incapable of relative rotation, an output adjuster varying a volume of the hydraulic rotor, a control shaft tilting the output adjuster, a drive motor operating the control shaft around the axis, a drive shaft disposed on a reference axis same as the axis of the control shaft and operably driven around the axis by the drive motor, a deceleration mechanism decelerating rotary power input from the drive shaft and outputs the decelerated rotary power toward the control shaft, and a housing accommodating the hydraulic rotor, the output adjuster, and the deceleration mechanism, wherein the deceleration mechanism has a hypocycloid-type deceleration mechanism disposed on the reference axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kengo Sasahara, Hiroaki Hashima, Hajimu Imanaka, Hiroshi Sugimoto
  • Publication number: 20170307075
    Abstract: An HST control mechanism includes a rotary member, a servo unit, a telescopic member, and a biasing device. The rotary member for controlling a displacement of a hydrostatic transmission (HST) is pivoted outside of a casing incorporating the HST. The servo unit includes a telescopically movable actuator and a valve controlling the telescopic movement of the actuator. The actuator is interlockingly connected to the rotary member. The servo unit is pivotally supported on the casing via a first pivot. The servo unit rotates centered on the first pivot as the rotary member rotates according to the telescopic movement of the actuator hydraulically controlled by the valve. The telescopic member is pivotally supported on the casing via a second pivot. The telescopic member is provided with the biasing device that biases the telescopic member and the rotary member toward a position corresponding to a neutral state of the HST.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Jun MATSUURA, Koji Iwaki, Tomoyuki Tsuji, Minoru Kamada, Hideki Kanenobu, Kengo Sasahara
  • Publication number: 20170234425
    Abstract: A hydraulic system according to the present invention includes a rotational shaft, a hydraulic rotor supported by the rotational shaft so as to be incapable of relative rotation, an output adjuster varying a volume of the hydraulic rotor, a control shaft tilting the output adjuster, a drive motor operating the control shaft around the axis, a drive shaft disposed on a reference axis same as the axis of the control shaft and operably driven around the axis by the drive motor, a deceleration mechanism decelerating rotary power input from the drive shaft and outputs the decelerated rotary power toward the control shaft, and a housing accommodating the hydraulic rotor, the output adjuster, and the deceleration mechanism, wherein the deceleration mechanism has a hypocycloid-type deceleration mechanism disposed on the reference axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Kengo SASAHARA, Hiroaki HASHIMA, Hajimu IMANAKA, Hiroshi SUGIMOTO
  • Patent number: 9420740
    Abstract: A riding lawnmower includes left and right wheels, at least one caster wheel, a lawnmower blade or reel, and a control section. The left and right wheels are independently driven by electric rotary machines to travel. The lawnmower blade or reel is driven for mowing. The control section, in response to turn instruction input by a turn operator, controls the left and right wheels according to preset standard setting conditions, or according to deceleration setting conditions which differ from the standard setting conditions, under which at least one of a vehicle movement speed and vehicle turning speed is decelerated more than under standard setting conditions. The riding lawnmower includes a section designating either standard setting conditions or deceleration setting conditions. In a riding lawnmower, left and right wheels are caused to turn around a turn center position corresponding to a turn instruction according to designated setting conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norihiro Ishii, Kengo Sasahara, Kazunari Koga, Jun Matsuura, Tomoyuki Ebihara, Katsumoto Mizukawa
  • Publication number: 20160040691
    Abstract: An HST control mechanism includes a rotary member, a servo unit, a telescopic member, and a biasing device. The rotary member for controlling a displacement of a hydrostatic transmission (HST) is pivoted outside of a casing incorporating the HST. The servo unit includes a telescopically movable actuator and a valve controlling the telescopic movement of the actuator. The actuator is interlockingly connected to the rotary member. The servo unit is pivotally supported on the casing via a first pivot. The servo unit rotates centered on the first pivot as the rotary member rotates according to the telescopic movement of the actuator hydraulically controlled by the valve. The telescopic member is pivotally supported on the casing via a second pivot. The telescopic member is provided with the biasing device that biases the telescopic member and the rotary member toward a position corresponding to a neutral state of the HST.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Jun Matsuura, Koji Iwaki, Tomoyuki Tsuji, Minoru Kamada, Hideki Kanenobu, Kengo Sasahara
  • Publication number: 20160029555
    Abstract: A control system for an engineless, motor-driven lawnmower vehicle includes electric motors and controllers. At least one of the electric motors is an electric drive motor connected to a drive wheel of the lawnmower vehicle to enable transmission of motive power. At least one other electric motor is a mower-related electric motor connected to a lawnmower rotary tool to enable transmission of motive power. At least one of the controllers is a drive wheel controller which includes a drive wheel driver and which controls operation of the electric drive motor in response to a signal from at least one operator sensor for detecting an operation amount of at least one operator. At least one controller controls to activate or stop the mower-related electric motor. At least one controller is connected to the drive wheel controller and transmits a control signal thereto in response to a signal from the operator sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Norihiro ISHII, Kengo SASAHARA, Kazunari KOGA, Jun MATSUURA, Tomoyuki EBIHARA, Katsumoto MIZUKAWA, Hongkun WANG