Patents by Inventor Kentaro Ikki

Kentaro Ikki 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: 8596146
    Abstract: A wheel support bearing assembly includes rolling elements interposed between double row rolling surfaces of outer and inner members, which are opposed to each other. Electronic components including a plurality of the sensor units, a signal processing IC for processing respective sensor output signals thereof and a signal cable for transmitting the processed output signal to the outside of the bearing assembly are arranged inwardly of an annular protective covering to provide an annular sensor assembly. The sensor assembly is fitted to a peripheral surface of a stationary member in a fashion coaxial with the stationary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yujiro Ono, Kentarou Nishikawa, Koji Kametaka, Takayuki Norimatsu, Kentaro Ikki, Toru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8578791
    Abstract: A sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly, in which the load imposed on the wheel support bearing assembly or a tire tread of a wheel tire can be accurately detected without being affected by the rolling elements, includes rolling elements interposed between plural opposed rolling surfaces defined in outer and inner members. One of the outer and inner members that serves as a stationary member is provided with one or more sensor unit. The sensor unit includes a strain generating member, having two or more contact fixing segments fixed to the stationary member, and a sensor for detecting such strain. The strain generating member in the sensor unit is arranged at a position departing from a line passing through a center of the rolling elements and extending in a direction defined by the rolling element contact angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Ikki, Takayuki Norimatsu, Kentarou Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8567260
    Abstract: A sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly includes rolling elements interposed between double row rolling surfaces defined respectively in outer and inner members in face-to-face relation with each other. One of the inner and outer members, which serves as a stationary member, has an outer diametric surface provided with three or more sensor units. Each of the sensor units includes a strain generating member having two or more contact fixing segments, fixed to the outer diametric surface of the stationary member in contact with therewith, and one or more strain sensors fitted to the strain generating member for detecting a strain occurring in the strain generating member. A load estimating section is provided for estimating a radial load and an axial load in the wheel support bearing assembly, from respective output signals of the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kentarou Nishikawa, Toru Takahashi, Takayuki Norimatsu, Yujiro Ono, Kentaro Ikki
  • Patent number: 8540431
    Abstract: A sensor-equipped wheel support bearing assembly includes a sensor unit provided in an outer member, which serves as a stationary member. The sensor unit has a strain generator and a sensor for detecting a strain occurring in the generator. A principal load estimator estimates the load acting on the wheel, with the use of an average value of a signal from the sensor, and an amplitude processed load estimator estimates the load, using amplitude of a signal wave outputted from the sensor, resulting from passage of rolling elements. A drift amount estimator estimates a drift amount of an estimated load output utilizing the average value and the amplitude, which is used to correct the estimated load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kentarou Nishikawa, Toru Takahashi, Takayuki Norimatsu, Kentaro Ikki
  • Publication number: 20120014632
    Abstract: A sensor-equipped wheel support bearing assembly capable of accurately estimating a load acting on a wheel, without the detecting accuracy deteriorated as a result of a long term use and/or a change in environment, is provided. The assembly includes a sensor unit provided in an outer member, which serves as a stationary member. The sensor unit has a strain generator and a sensor for detecting a strain occurring in the generator. A principal load estimator estimates the load acting on the wheel, with the use of an average value of a signal from the sensor, and an amplitude processed load estimator estimates the load, using amplitude of a signal wave outputted from the sensor, resulting from passage of rolling elements. A drift amount estimator estimates a drift amount of an estimated load output utilizing the average value and the amplitude, which is used to correct the estimated load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Kentarou Nishikawa, Toru Takahashi, Takayuki Norimatsu, Kentaro Ikki
  • Publication number: 20110214513
    Abstract: A sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly, in which the load imposed on the wheel support bearing assembly or a tire tread of a wheel tire can be accurately detected without being affected by the rolling elements, includes rolling elements interposed between plural opposed rolling surfaces defined in outer and inner members. One of the outer and inner members that serves as a stationary member is provided with one or more sensor unit. The sensor unit includes a strain generating member, having two or more contact fixing segments fixed to the stationary member, and a sensor for detecting such strain. The strain generating member in the sensor unit is arranged at a position departing from a line passing through a center of the rolling elements and extending in a direction defined by the rolling element contact angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Ikki, Takayuki Norimatsu, Kentarou Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20110209562
    Abstract: A wheel support bearing assembly includes rolling elements (5) interposed between double row rolling surfaces (3, 4) of outer and inner members (1, 2), which are opposed to each other. Electronic components including a plurality of the sensor units (20), a signal processing IC (25) for processing respective sensor output signals thereof and a signal cable (26) for transmitting the processed output signal to the outside of the bearing assembly are arranged inwardly of an annular protective covering (27) to provide an annular sensor assembly (28). The sensor assembly (28) is fitted to a peripheral surface of a stationary member in a fashion coaxial with the stationary member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yujiro Ono, Kentarou Nishikawa, Koji Kametaka, Takayuki Norimatsu, Kentaro Ikki, Toru Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20110185823
    Abstract: A sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly includes rolling elements (5) interposed between double row rolling surfaces (3, 4) defined respectively in outer and inner members (1, 2) in face-to-face relation with each other. One of the inner and outer members, which serves as a stationary member, has an outer diametric surface provided with three or more sensor units (20). Each of the sensor units includes a strain generating member (21) having two or more contact fixing segments, fixed to the outer diametric surface of the stationary member in contact with therewith, and one or more strain sensors (22) fitted to the strain generating member for detecting a strain occurring in the strain generating member. A load estimating section (31, 32) is provided for estimating a radial load and an axial load in the wheel support bearing assembly, from respective output signals of the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kentarou Nishikawa, Toru Takahashi, Takayuki Norimatsu, Yujiro Ono, Kentaro Ikki