Patents by Inventor Kensaku Nakamura
Kensaku Nakamura 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).
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Patent number: 8960035Abstract: A rack shaft supporting device includes a support yoke, a plug, an intermediate component, a torque generation spring, and rolling elements. The plug has a plug end portion and plug cam faces formed in the plug end portion. The intermediate component is arranged between the plug and the support yoke in a state where the intermediate component is rotatable relative to the rack housing and movable relative to the rack housing in a pushing direction. The intermediate component has an intermediate opposed portion opposed to the plug end portion and intermediate cam faces opposed to the plug cam faces. The rolling elements are arranged between the plug cam faces and the intermediate cam faces, and make contact with each of the plug cam faces and the intermediate cam faces.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: JTEKT CorporationInventor: Kensaku Nakamura
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Publication number: 20140020493Abstract: A rack shaft supporting device includes a support yoke, a plug, an intermediate component, a torque generation spring, and rolling elements. The plug has a plug end portion and plug cam faces formed in the plug end portion. The intermediate component is arranged between the plug and the support yoke in a state where the intermediate component is rotatable relative to the rack housing and movable relative to the rack housing in a pushing direction. The intermediate component has an intermediate opposed portion opposed to the plug end portion and intermediate cam faces opposed to the plug cam faces. The rolling elements are arranged between the plug cam faces and the intermediate cam faces, and make contact with each of the plug cam faces and the intermediate cam faces.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Inventor: Kensaku NAKAMURA
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Patent number: 7665378Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a transmission mechanism for transmitting an output from an electric motor for steering assist to a steering mechanism. The transmission mechanism includes a driving gear, an intermediate gear and a driven gear. An eccentric mechanism for eccentrically locating the intermediate gear is provided in order that a center axis of the intermediate gear is moved toward at least one of the axes of the driving gear and the driven gear while maintaining a parallel relation. The eccentric mechanism includes an intermediate-gear support shaft having a center axis. The intermediate-gear support shaft is supported by first and second circle holes in a manner to be rotatable about the center axis thereof for adjustment of a rotational position thereof, the first and second circle holes have their center axes aligned coaxially with each other.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2007Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: JTEKT CorporationInventors: Kensaku Nakamura, Nicolas Plataret, Hiroki Yamahana
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Patent number: 7413052Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a speed reducing mechanism for decelerating the rotation of a rotatable shaft in an electric motor and a converting mechanism for converting the output rotation of the speed reducing mechanism into the axial movement of a steering shaft extending toward the right and left sides of a vehicle. The speed reducing mechanism includes an input pulley driven by the electric motor, an output pulley arranged with the steering shaft enclosed thereby, a belt for connecting the input pulley and the output pulley to each other, and a belt tension adjuster.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2007Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignees: Jtekt Corporation, Gates Unitta Asia CompanyInventors: Hiroto Sasaki, Takehiro Saruwatari, Kensaku Nakamura, Atsuya Miyata, Kazuaki Nagamatsu, Kunihiro Oka, Hiroshi Murataka, Akihiro Hironaka
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Publication number: 20080006471Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a transmission mechanism for transmitting an output from an electric motor for steering assist to a steering mechanism. The transmission mechanism includes a driving gear, an intermediate gear and a driven gear. An eccentric mechanism for eccentrically locating the intermediate gear is provided in order that a center axis of the intermediate gear is moved toward at least one of the axes of the driving gear and the driven gear while maintaining a parallel relation. The eccentric mechanism includes an intermediate-gear support shaft having a center axis. The intermediate-gear support shaft is supported by first and second circle holes in a manner to be rotatable about the center axis thereof for adjustment of a rotational position thereof, the first and second circle holes have their center axes aligned coaxially with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2007Publication date: January 10, 2008Applicant: JTEKT CorporationInventors: Kensaku Nakamura, Nicolas Plataret, Hiroki Yamahana
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Publication number: 20070187169Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a speed reducing mechanism for decelerating the rotation of a rotatable shaft in an electric motor and a converting mechanism for converting the output rotation of the speed reducing mechanism into the axial movement of a steering shaft extending toward the right and left sides of a vehicle. The speed reducing mechanism includes an input pulley driven by the electric motor, an output pulley arranged with the steering shaft enclosed thereby, a belt for connecting the input pulley and the output pulley to each other, and a belt tension adjuster.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2007Publication date: August 16, 2007Inventors: Hiroto Sasaki, Takehiro Saruwatari, Kensaku Nakamura, Atsuya Miyata, Kazuaki Nagamatsu, Kunihiro Oka, Hiroshi Murataka, Akihiro Hironaka
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Patent number: 7237647Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a speed reducing mechanism for decelerating the rotation of a rotatable shaft in an electric motor and a converting mechanism for converting the output rotation of the speed reducing mechanism into the axial movement of a steering shaft extending toward the right and left sides of a vehicle. The speed reducing mechanism includes an input pulley driven by the electric motor, an output pulley arranged with the steering shaft enclosed thereby, a belt for connecting the input pulley and the output pulley to each other, and a belt tension adjuster.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2005Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignees: Jtekt Corporation, Gates Unitta Asia CompanyInventors: Kensaku Nakamura, Kazuaki Nagamatsu, Hiroshi Murataka, Akihiro Hironaka
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Patent number: 7191866Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a speed reducing mechanism for decelerating the rotation of a rotatable shaft in an electric motor and a converting mechanism for converting the output rotation of the speed reducing mechanism into the axial movement of a steering shaft extending toward the right and left sides of a vehicle. The speed reducing mechanism includes an input pulley driven by the electric motor, an output pulley arranged with the steering shaft enclosed thereby, a belt for connecting the input pulley and the output pulley to each other and a belt tension adjuster.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2005Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignees: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd., Gates Unitta Asia CompanyInventors: Hiroto Sasaki, Takehiro Saruwatari, Kensaku Nakamura, Atsuya Miyata, Kazuaki Nagamatsu, Kunihiro Oka, Hiroshi Murataka, Akihiro Hironaka
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Patent number: 7172051Abstract: A nut member which is rotated by power transmission from a motor in a rack housing is supported by a thrust bearing fitted and fixed in a first housing having an integrally formed fixing section for fastening to a vehicle body so that the nut member cannot move in both directions along an axial direction. Thrust loads applied in both directions to the nut member with the conversion of rotation into movement of a steering shaft in an axial direction are carried by the first housing through the thrust bearing. The structure of the connection section of the first housing and second housing is simplified, and the housing is fixed in a stable manner to prevent deterioration in steering feeling.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuaki Nagamatsu, Kensaku Nakamura, Tetsuya Murakami, Takehiro Saruwatari, Kousuke Yamanaka
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Patent number: 7159690Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus comprises a rack shaft movable in the axial direction. The rack shaft is meshed with a pinion rotated in response to the operation of a steering member. The rotation of the output shaft in an electric motor is decelerated by first and second gears which are meshed with each other. A motion conversion mechanism for converting the rotation of the second gear into the axial movement of the rack shaft comprises a rotating cylinder rotated in synchronization with the second gear and a screw shaft. The screw shaft is integrally provided coaxially with the rack shaft and is screwed into the rotating cylinder through a rolling member. A screw groove in the screw shaft and the teeth in the first gear are twisted in the same direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2004Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuya Murakami, Kousuke Yamanaka, Kensaku Nakamura
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Patent number: 7128183Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus comprises a speed reduction mechanism for decelerating the rotation of an output shaft in an electric motor for steering assist. The speed reduction mechanism comprises a driving gear connected to the output shaft in the electric motor and a driven gear meshed with the driving gear. One of respective tooth sections in the driving gear and the driven gear includes a tooth section formed of a material having a relatively low hardness, and the other tooth section includes a tooth section formed of a material having a relatively high hardness. The profile of the tooth section formed of the material having a relatively low hardness is shifted in the direction in which the thickness at the root of the teeth of the tooth section is increased. The profile of the tooth section formed of the material having a relatively high hardness is shifted in the direction in which the thickness at the root of the teeth of the tooth section is decreased.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takehiro Saruwatari, Tetsuya Murakami, Kensaku Nakamura, Kousuke Yamanaka, Masato Mizuhara, Atsuya Miyata
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Publication number: 20050197224Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus comprises a speed reducing mechanism for decelerating the rotation of a rotatable shaft in an electric motor and a converting mechanism for converting the output rotation of the speed reducing mechanism into the axial movement of a steering shaft extending toward the right and left sides of a vehicle. The speed reducing mechanism comprises an input pulley driven by the electric motor, an output pulley arranged with the steering shaft enclosed thereby, a belt for connecting the input pulley and the output pulley to each other, and means for adjusting the tension of the belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2005Publication date: September 8, 2005Inventors: Hiroto Sasaki, Takehiro Saruwatari, Kensaku Nakamura, Atsuya Miyata, Kazuaki Nagamatsu, Kunihiro Oka
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Patent number: 6938722Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a speed reducing mechanism for decelerating the rotation of a rotatable shaft in an electric motor and a converting mechanism for converting the output rotation of the speed reducing mechanism into the axial movement of a steering shaft extending toward the right and left sides of a vehicle. The speed reducing mechanism includes an input pulley driven by the electric motor, an output pulley arranged with the steering shaft enclosed thereby, a belt for connecting the input pulley and the output pulley to each other, and a belt tension adjuster.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2003Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignees: Gates Unitta Asia Company, Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroto Sasaki, Takehiro Saruwatari, Kensaku Nakamura, Atsuya Miyata, Kazuaki Nagamatsu, Kunihiro Oka, Hiroshi Murataka, Akihiro Hironaka
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Publication number: 20050189162Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus comprises a speed reducing mechanism for decelerating the rotation of a rotatable shaft in an electric motor and a converting mechanism for converting the output rotation of the speed reducing mechanism into the axial movement of a steering shaft extending toward the right and left sides of a vehicle. The speed reducing mechanism comprises an input pulley driven by the electric motor, an output pulley arranged with the steering shaft enclosed thereby, a belt for connecting the input pulley and the output pulley to each other, and means for adjusting the tension of the belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2005Publication date: September 1, 2005Inventors: Hiroto Sasaki, Takehiro Saruwatari, Kensaku Nakamura, Atsuya Miyata, Kazuaki Nagamatsu, Kunihiro Oka
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Publication number: 20050192143Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus comprises a speed reducing mechanism for decelerating the rotation of a rotatable shaft in an electric motor and a converting mechanism for converting the output rotation of the speed reducing mechanism into the axial movement of a steering shaft extending toward the right and left sides of a vehicle. The speed reducing mechanism comprises an input pulley driven by the electric motor, an output pulley arranged with the steering shaft enclosed thereby, a belt for connecting the input pulley and the output pulley to each other, and means for adjusting the tension of the belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2005Publication date: September 1, 2005Inventors: Hiroto Sasaki, Takehiro Saruwatari, Kensaku Nakamura, Atsuya Miyata, Kazuaki Nagamatsu, Kanihiro Oka
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Publication number: 20050016790Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus comprises a rack shaft movable in the axial direction. The rack shaft is meshed with a pinion rotated in response to the operation of a steering member. The rotation of the output shaft in an electric motor is decelerated by first and second gears which are meshed with each other. A motion conversion mechanism for converting the rotation of the second gear into the axial movement of the rack shaft comprises a rotating cylinder rotated in synchronization with the second gear and a screw shaft. The screw shaft is integrally provided coaxially with the rack shaft and is screwed into the rotating cylinder through a rolling member. A screw groove in the screw shaft and the teeth in the first gear are twisted in the same direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2004Publication date: January 27, 2005Inventors: Tetsuya Murakami, Kousuke Yamanaka, Kensaku Nakamura
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Publication number: 20040238262Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus comprises a speed reduction mechanism for decelerating the rotation of an output shaft in an electric motor for steering assist. The speed reduction mechanism comprises a driving gear connected to the output shaft in the electric motor and a driven gear meshed with the driving gear. One of respective tooth sections in the driving gear and the driven gear includes a tooth section formed of a material having a relatively low hardness, and the other tooth section includes a tooth section formed of a material having a relatively high hardness. The profile of the tooth section formed of the material having a relatively low hardness is shifted in the direction in which the thickness at the root of the teeth of the tooth section is increased. The profile of the tooth section formed of the material having a relatively high hardness is shifted in the direction in which the thickness at the root of the teeth of the tooth section is decreased.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventors: Takehiro Saruwatari, Tetsuya Murakami, Kensaku Nakamura, Kousuke Yamanaka, Masato Mizuhara, Atsuya Miyata
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Publication number: 20040206199Abstract: A nut member which is rotated by power transmission from a motor in a rack housing is supported by a thrust bearing fitted and fixed in a first housing having an integrally formed fixing section for fastening to a vehicle body so that the nut member cannot move in both directions along an axial direction. Thrust loads applied in both directions to the nut member with the conversion of rotation into movement of a steering shaft in an axial direction are carried by the first housing through the thrust bearing. The structure of the connection section of the first housing and second housing is simplified, and the housing is fixed in a stable manner to prevent deterioration in steering feeling.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2004Publication date: October 21, 2004Applicant: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuaki Nagamatsu, Kensaku Nakamura, Tetsuya Murakami, Takehiro Saruwatari, Kousuke Yamanaka
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Publication number: 20030221896Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus comprises a speed reducing mechanism for decelerating the rotation of a rotatable shaft in an electric motor and a converting mechanism for converting the output rotation of the speed reducing mechanism into the axial movement of a steering shaft extending toward the right and left sides of a vehicle. The speed reducing mechanism comprises an input pulley driven by the electric motor, an output pulley arranged with the steering shaft enclosed thereby, a belt for connecting the input pulley and the output pulley to each other, and means for adjusting the tension of the belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2003Publication date: December 4, 2003Inventors: Hiroto Sasaki, Takehiro Saruwatari, Kensaku Nakamura, Atsuya Miyata, Kazuaki Nagamatsu, Kunihiro Oka, Hiroshi Murataka, Akihiro Hironaka
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Patent number: 6516680Abstract: A power steering apparatus comprises a rotary cylinder supported with its movement in the axial direction restrained and rotated coaxially with the steering shaft by the force a transmitted from the motor for assisting steering, a plurality of feed rings held eccentrically in said rotary cylinder with their axial centers in parallel, and an engaging groove formed spirally around the outer circumference of the steering shaft for engaging with the projections provided circumferentially on the inner surfaces of the respective feed rings. With this arrangement, it becomes possible to convert the rotation of the motor into the movement in the axial direction of the steering shaft. Thus, this power steering apparatus has a low noise power transmission mechanism with a simple structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahide Nakamura, Kensaku Nakamura, Osamu Sano