Patents by Inventor Kentarou Nishikawa

Kentarou Nishikawa 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: 8528391
    Abstract: A sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly, in which detection error is relieved to accurately estimate load is provided. A vehicle body fitting flange of an outer member of the bearing assembly has a front elevational shape of line symmetry or of point symmetry. A sensor unit including a strain generating member having two or more contact fixing segments to be fixed to the outer member and a strain sensor is provided at an arcuately sectioned portion lying from the flange to the outer member, or an outer peripheral surface portion of the outer member adjoining to the outboard side thereof, or a position crossing a line segment passing through a center of a rolling element or a position adjoining thereto. Alternatively, a plurality of sensor units are provided on the outer periphery of the outer member in a fashion spaced circumferentially equidistantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Norimatsu, Makoto Okasaka, Hiroshi Kawamura, Kentarou Nishikawa, Kiyotake Shibata
  • Publication number: 20130223778
    Abstract: Provided is a sensor-equipped wheel support bearing assembly for rotatably supporting a wheel, including a sensor unit associated with one of outer and inner members that serve as a stationary member. The sensor unit includes a strain generator member that has at least three fixation contact segments fixedly in contact with the stationary member and at least two strain sensors mounted on the strain generator member. A first load estimator is provided to estimate load acting on the bearing assembly, using an average value of output signals of the sensors. A second load estimator is provided to estimate load acting on the bearing assembly, using the average value and an amplitude value of output signals of the sensors. An estimated load provider is provided to sum these outputs from the load estimators in a ratio that depends on wheel rotation speed, for outputting an estimated load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Toru Takahashi, Ayumi Akiyama, Takayuki Norimatsu, Kentarou Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20130177269
    Abstract: A sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly, in which a continuous estimated load can be obtained depending on various inputted load conditions is provided. The sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly includes a sensor unit provided in a stationary member, and a load estimating unit. The load estimating unit includes a load estimation calculating section for calculating the load using an estimation calculating equation, an evaluation value calculation section for calculating an evaluation value, which provides a parameter switching index in the estimation calculating equation, from sensor output signals, and a parameter switching section for switching the parameter based on a comparison result of the evaluation value with a threshold value. The load estimation calculating section includes a calculation correcting block for correcting the calculation result on both sides of the threshold value within a predetermined evaluation value region containing the threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ayumi Akiyama, Toru Takahashi, Kentarou Nishikawa, Takayuki Norimatsu
  • Patent number: 8439568
    Abstract: In a wheel support bearing assembly including double row rolling elements between an outer member and an inner member, a sensor unit is fitted to one of the outer and inner members, which serves as a stationary member. The sensor unit is made up of a sensor mounting member and at least one or more strain sensors fitted to the sensor mounting member. A sensor signal processing circuit to process an output signal from the strain sensor is provided in the sensor mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Ozaki, Tomomi Ishikawa, Kentarou Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20130066517
    Abstract: A sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly having good assemblability with a compact structure and capable of accurately detecting load acting on a bearing of a vehicle wheel is provided. One of an outer member and an inner member that serves as a stationary member has a vehicle body fitting flange to be fitted to a knuckle. One or more load detecting sensor unit is provided on the stationary member and includes a strain generating member having two or more contact fixing segments fixed to the stationary member, and one or more sensors fitted to the strain generating member for detecting a strain occurring in the strain generating member. A circuit fixing stay is provided on a side face of the vehicle body fitting flange and a calculation processing circuit is fitted to this stay for calculating and processing an output signal of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Kentarou Nishikawa, Takayuki Norimatsu, Toru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8393793
    Abstract: A sensor-equipped wheel support bearing assembly capable of accurately detecting load acting on the vehicle wheel by reducing concentration of strain on a cutout portion corner area of a strain generating member in a sensor unit is provided. The wheel support bearing assembly having rolling elements interposed between rolling surfaces in outer and inner members, includes at least one sensor unit provided in a stationary member, which is one of the outer and inner members. The sensor unit includes a strain generating member, having two or more contact fixing segments secured to the stationary member in contact therewith, and a sensor fitted to the strain generating member for detecting a strain in the strain generating member. The strain generating member has a cutout portion between the contact fixing segments, and corner area of such cutout portion is of an arcuately sectioned shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isobe, Kentarou Nishikawa, Toru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8313242
    Abstract: A sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly for supporting a vehicle wheel rotatably relative to a vehicle body, including an outer member; an inner member; a plurality of rows of rolling elements interposed between the outer and inner member; a strain sensor unit, made up of a strain generating member and a sensor element fitted to the strain generating member for detecting strains induced in the strain generating member, is fitted to one of the outer and inner members, that serves as a stationary member; and a covering member that covers at least the sensor element sealingly, provided on a mounting surface of the strain generating member of the strain sensor unit, on which the sensor element is mounted, the covering member being made of a resin which is over-molded or an elastomer bonded by vulcanization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Norimatsu, Toru Takahashi, Kazuo Komori, Kazuhiro Baba, Kentarou Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8258781
    Abstract: A rotation detecting sensor, having excellent sealing capability to prevent water ingress from outside, being so robust that no damage occur in sensor component parts and circuits due to external force and/or thermal strains resulting from self-heating or change in ambient temperature, and inexpensive to manufacture, is provided. The rotation detecting sensor is fixed to a sensor fixing member to be fitted to a wheel support bearing assembly. A sensor unit, including a magnetic sensor element, a cable and a substrate, is fixed to the sensor fixing member through the substrate. A molding segment molded of a molding material bonded with the substrate is provided around the sensor unit. The substrate has a metallic pattern portion formed as a metallic coating on a substrate surface in the vicinity of an electroconductive pattern portion and the molding material is bonded to the metallic pattern portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Takahashi, Kentarou Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20120192636
    Abstract: A sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly, in which detection error is relieved to accurately estimate load is provided. A vehicle body fitting flange of an outer member of the bearing assembly has a front elevational shape of line symmetry or of point symmetry. A sensor unit including a strain generating member having two or more contact fixing segments to be fixed to the outer member and a strain sensor is provided at an arcuately sectioned portion lying from the flange to the outer member, or an outer peripheral surface portion of the outer member adjoining to the outboard side thereof, or a position crossing a line segment passing through a center of a rolling element or a position adjoining thereto. Alternatively, a plurality of sensor units are provided on the outer periphery of the outer member in a fashion spaced circumferentially equidistantly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki NORIMATSU, Makoto Okasaka, Hiroshi Kawamura, Kentarou Nishikawa, Kiyotake Shibata
  • Publication number: 20120114277
    Abstract: A sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly for supporting a vehicle wheel rotatably relative to a vehicle body, including an outer member; an inner member; a plurality of rows of rolling elements interposed between the outer and inner member; a strain sensor unit, made up of a strain generating member and a sensor element fitted to the strain generating member for detecting strains induced in the strain generating member, is fitted to one of the outer and inner members, that serves as a stationary member; and a covering member that covers at least the sensor element sealingly, provided on a mounting surface of the strain generating member of the strain sensor unit, on which the sensor element is mounted, the covering member being made of a resin which is over-molded or an elastomer bonded by vulcanization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki NORIMATSU, Toru Takahashi, Kazuo Komori, Kazuhiro Baba, Kentarou Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8167497
    Abstract: A sensor-equipped bearing for a wheel rotatably supporting the wheel relative to a vehicle body includes an outer member (1) provided with a double-row raceway surface (3) on an inner periphery thereof, an inner member (2) provided with raceway surfaces (4) opposing to the raceway surfaces (3) of the outer member (1), one of the outer and inner members serving as a stationary member, double-row rolling elements (5) interposed between the outer and inner raceway surfaces, a sensor fitting member (22) fixed to a peripheral surface of the stationary member, and a plurality of strain sensors (23) attached to the sensor fitting member (22) for measuring a strain thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Ozaki, Tomomi Ishikawa, Kentarou Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8123411
    Abstract: To provide a sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly, in which a load sensor can be installed compactly in an automotive vehicle, maintaining a high sensitivity while damage and/or malfunction caused by the external environments and/or the electromagnetic noises are avoided, with low manufacturing cost. This bearing assembly includes outer and inner members having respective rolling surfaces and a plurality of rows of rolling elements interposed between those rolling surfaces. A strain sensor unit including a sensor element is fitted to one of the outer and inner members, which is a stationary member, for example, the outer member. A sensor mounting surface of the strain sensor unit fitted with the sensor element has a covering member made of a resin, which is over-molded, or an elastomer bonded by vulcanization, so as to cover the sensor element sealingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Norimatsu, Toru Takahashi, Kazuo Komori, Kazuhiro Baba, Kentarou Nishikawa
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8028589
    Abstract: There is provided a sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly with rolling elements interposed between outer and inner members and with a strain sensor fixed to a stationary member served by one of the outer and inner members. The strain sensor includes a strain generating member and a sensor element secured thereto. The strain generating member has first and second contact fixing segments respectively associated with a flanged face provided in the outer member and a peripheral surface of the stationary member. These contact fixing segments have a joint region therebetween having a bent portion convexed toward the outer member. A location in the strain generating member where the sensor element is secured is on the first contact fixing segment side of the bent portion and yet in the vicinity of the bent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Takahashi, Kentarou Nishikawa, Takayuki Norimatsu, Yujiro Ono
  • Patent number: 8021052
    Abstract: In a wheel support bearing assembly having rows of rolling elements interposed between an outer member and an inner member, spacers are interposed between vehicle body fitting holes in the outer member, which is a stationary member, and a knuckle. A sensor unit including a sensor mounting member and a strain sensor is fitted to the outer member. The sensor mounting member has at least two contact fixing portions fixed to the outer member and, also, has at least one recess between the neighboring contact fixing portions, the strain sensor being disposed in this recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Ozaki, Tomomi Ishikawa, Kentarou Nishikawa
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110127995
    Abstract: A rotation sensor fixed to a sensor fixing member with simplified fixing system and excellent in water proofing property and vibration proofing property is provided. The rotation sensor includes a sensor unit having a magnetic sensor element for detecting rotation of a to-be-detected element provided in a rotating ring, a cable for drawing an output signal of the sensor element to the outside, and a substrate with an electroconductive region for electrically connecting the sensor element and a core line of the cable while the sensor element and the cable are fitted to the substrate. The substrate has at least one recess portion or projection portion engageable with a projection portion or recess portion in the sensor fixing member to fix the sensor unit to the sensor fixing member. A molding segment formed by molding is provided for covering the sensor unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Kentarou Nishikawa, Toru Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20110125421
    Abstract: A sensor-equipped wheel support bearing assembly capable of accurately detecting the load acting on the bearing assembly is provided. The sensor-equipped wheel support bearing assembly includes a sensor unit in an outer member that serves as a stationary member. The sensor unit includes a strain generating member, having two or more contact fixing segments to be fixed to the stationary member, and two or more sensors for detecting strain in the strain generating member. The contact fixing segments are spaced from each other in a direction circumferentially of the stationary member at the same axial positions. An estimating section is provided in the bearing assembly for estimating load thereon based on the difference between respective output signals from the sensors by calculating amplitudes of the output signals or values corresponding to such amplitudes from the difference between the respective output signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Takahashi, Hiroshi Isobe, Kentarou Nishikawa