Patents by Inventor Kikuo Fukada

Kikuo Fukada 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: 10072710
    Abstract: A bearing device includes a rolling bearing having an outer ring and an inner ring, an outer ring spacer disposed adjacent to the outer ring, and an inner spacer disposed adjacent the inner ring. The outer ring and the outer ring spacer are fitted to a housing, and the inner ring and the inner ring spacer are fitted to a rotary shaft. The outer ring spacer is provided with a nozzle, which is configured to inject a cooling fluid (R) toward an outer circumferential surface of the inner ring, and is inclined so that an injection port thereof is inclined forwardly in a rotation direction of the inner ring. An inclination angle ? of the nozzle with respect to an axial direction is set to a value within a range from 50° to 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masatsugu Mori, Kikuo Fukada, Yohei Yamamoto, Masato Yoshino, Yuushi Onda
  • Patent number: 9797453
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member, at least one inner ring fit onto the inner member. Double row rolling elements are rollably arranged between the outer and inner raceway surfaces, via cages. A seal is mounted on one end of the outer member. The seal has side lips adapted to be in sliding contact with the wheel hub. The seal has three inclined side lips each extending radially outward from the seal body. The lips are adapted to be in sliding contact with the base of the wheel mounting flange. Interference of the side lips against the base of the wheel mounting flange is set so that the radially inner side lip has a smaller interference than that of the radially outer side lips, in order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Norimatsu, Hiroaki Itakura, Hironori Imanaka, Syougo Suzuki, Isao Hirai, Hiroya Kato, Akira Fujimura, Kikuo Fukada
  • Publication number: 20170234368
    Abstract: A bearing device includes a rolling bearing having an outer ring and an inner ring, an outer ring spacer disposed adjacent to the outer ring, and an inner spacer disposed adjacent the inner ring. The outer ring and the outer ring spacer are fitted to a housing, and the inner ring and the inner ring spacer are fitted to a rotary shaft. The outer ring spacer is provided with a nozzle, which is configured to inject a cooling fluid (R) toward an outer circumferential surface of the inner ring, and is inclined so that an injection port thereof is inclined forwardly in a rotation direction of the inner ring. An inclination angle a of the nozzle with respect to an axial direction is set to a value within a range from 50° to 90°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masatsugu MORI, Kikuo Fukada, Yohei Yamamoto, Masato Yoshino, Yuushi Onda
  • Patent number: 9534635
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member, at least one inner ring fit onto the inner member. Double row rolling elements are rollably arranged between the outer and inner raceway surfaces, via cages. A seal is mounted on one end of the outer member. The seal has side lips adapted to be in sliding contact with the wheel hub. The seal has three inclined side lips each extending radially outward from the seal body. The lips are adapted to be in sliding contact with the base of the wheel mounting flange. Interference of the side lips against the base of the wheel mounting flange is set so that the radially inner side lip has a smaller interference than that of the radially outer side lips, in order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Norimatsu, Hiroaki Itakura, Hironori Imanaka, Syougo Suzuki, Isao Hirai, Hiroya Kato, Akira Fujimura, Kikuo Fukada
  • Patent number: 8132967
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus with an incorporated wheel speed detecting apparatus has an outer member with double row outer raceway surfaces formed on its inner circumferential surface. An inner member includes a wheel hub with an integrally formed wheel mounting flange at one end. A cylindrical portion axially extends from the wheel mounting flange. An inner ring is fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub. Double row inner raceway surfaces, opposite to the double row outer raceway surfaces, are formed on the outer circumferential surfaces of the wheel hub and inner ring, respectively. Double row rolling elements are arranged between the outer and inner raceway surfaces. An encoder is mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the inner ring. An annular sensor holder is arranged on the end of the outer member opposite to the encoder. A wheel rotation speed detecting sensor is integrally molded with the sensor holder and arranged opposite to the encoder, via a predetermined radial gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Shigeoka, Syougo Suzuki, Yujiro Ono, Kazuo Komori, Kikuo Fukada
  • Publication number: 20110304197
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member formed with double row outer raceway surfaces on its inner circumferential surface. An inner member includes a wheel hub with a wheel mounting flange integrally formed at one end and a cylindrical portion axially extending from the wheel mounting flange. At least one inner ring is fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub. The inner ring is formed with double row inner raceway surfaces on its outer circumferential surface. The double row inner raceway surfaces are arranged opposite to the double row outer raceway surfaces. Double row rolling elements are rollably arranged between the outer and inner raceway surfaces, via cages. A seal is mounted on one end of the outer member. The seal has integrally formed side lips adapted to be in sliding contact with the wheel hub. The base of the wheel mounting flange is formed to have a curved surface, in cross-section, of a circular arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Norimatsu, Hiroaki Itakura, Hironori Imanaka, Syougo Suzuki, Isao Hirai, Hiroya Kato, Akira Fujimura, Kikuo Fukada
  • Patent number: 8054064
    Abstract: A sensor holder has an encoder and a wheel speed sensor arranged opposite to the encoder, via a predetermined air gap. An annular fitting member is formed by pressing an anti-corrosive steel plate. A holding portion is formed of injection moldable synthetic resin and is integrally formed with the annular fitting member. The annular fitting member includes a cylindrical portion axially extending from an incline portion. A seal is arranged inboard of the sensor and fit between the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion of the annular fitting member and the outer circumference of the inner ring. The wheel speed sensor is embedded in the holding portion. At least a surface of the annular fitting member contacting the holding portion is roughened by shot blasting to have a surface roughness Ra of 0.8 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kikuo Fukada, Hiroshi Kawamura, Takayuki Norimatsu, Yujiro Ono, Syougo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7737682
    Abstract: A wheel speed detecting apparatus incorporated with a wheel bearing apparatus. The wheel speed detecting apparatus has an encoder, and an annular sensor holder arranged opposite to the encoder. The sensor holder has an annular fitting member formed from a steel plate. A holding portion is integrally molded with the annular fitting member. A wheel speed sensor is arranged opposite to the encoder. Several substantially circular arc notches are formed on the outer circumference of the holding portion so that portions of the periphery of the annular fitting member are exposed from the holding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yujiro Ono, Hiroshi Kawamura, Kikuo Fukada
  • Patent number: 7665900
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member with double row outer raceway surfaces on its inner circumferential surface. An inner member includes a wheel hub and at least one inner ring. An outer joint member forms a constant velocity universal joint. The outer joint member has a cup-shaped mouth portion. A shoulder portion forms the bottom of the mouth portion. A shaft portion axially extends from the shoulder portion. The shaft is axially separably and torque transmittably inserted into the wheel hub with the shoulder abutted against the caulked portion to transmit torque. The inner ring is axially secured relative to the wheel hub by a caulked portion. The caulked portion is formed by plastically deforming, radially outwardly, the end portion of the cylindrical portion. The caulked portion has a flat surface formed by a cutting process that is adapted to surface contact the shoulder. The radially outermost end of the flat surface is arranged so that it does not abut against the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Hirai, Takayuki Norimatsu, Hiroya Kato, Akira Fujimura, Kikuo Fukada
  • Patent number: 7635226
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus is formed as a unit and has a wheel hub with a wheel mounting flange at one end. A cylindrical portion extends from the wheel mounting flange, via a shoulder portion. A wheel bearing, formed by a double row rolling bearing, is press fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub. The wheel bearing has an outer member formed with double row outer raceway surfaces on its inner circumferential surface. A pair of inner rings, formed with inner raceway surfaces, is arranged opposite to the double row outer raceway surfaces. The rings are press fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub, via a predetermined interference. One ring abuts the shoulder portion. Double row rolling elements are freely rollably contained between the opposed inner and outer raceway surfaces, via cages. The inner rings are axially immovably secured by a caulked portion. The caulked portion is formed by plastically radially outwardly deforming the end portion of the cylindrical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Norimatsu, Hiroya Kato, Akira Fujimura, Isao Hirai, Kikuo Fukada
  • Patent number: 7618196
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus is formed as a unit of a wheel hub and a double row taper roller bearing. An outer member is formed with double row tapered outer raceway surfaces, each opened axially outward, on its inner circumference. An inner member, including the wheel hub, has a wheel mounting flange integrally formed at one end of the wheel hub. On its larger outer diameter side, the inner ring has a larger flange portion to guide the tapered rollers. The at least one inner ring is secured on the wheel hub by a caulked portion. A predetermined hardened layer is formed by high frequency induction hardening over a range from the base of the wheel mounting flange to the cylindrical portion. A position of the inner side end of the hardened layer is set within a range from an edge of a chamfered portion at the caulked side of the inner ring to a position corresponding to a root of the larger flange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Hirai, Takayuki Norimatsu, Hiroya Kato, Akira Fujimura, Kikuo Fukada
  • Publication number: 20090256550
    Abstract: A wheel speed detecting apparatus incorporated with a wheel bearing apparatus. The wheel speed detecting apparatus has an encoder, and an annular sensor holder arranged opposite to the encoder. The sensor holder has an annular fitting member formed from a steel plate. A holding portion is integrally molded with the annular fitting member. A wheel speed sensor is arranged opposite to the encoder. Several substantially circular arc notches are formed on the outer circumference of the holding portion so that portions of the periphery of the annular fitting member are exposed from the holding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yujiro Ono, Hiroshi Kawamura, Kikuo Fukada
  • Publication number: 20090251133
    Abstract: A sensor holder has an encoder and a wheel speed sensor arranged opposite to the encoder, via a predetermined air gap. An annular fitting member is formed by pressing an anti-corrosive steel plate. A holding portion is formed of injection moldable synthetic resin and is integrally formed with the annular fitting member. The wheel speed sensor is embedded in the holding portion. At least a surface of the annular fitting member contacting the holding portion is roughened by shot blasting to have a surface roughness Ra of 0.8 or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kikuo Fukada, Hiroshi Kawamura, Takayuki Norimatsu, Yujiro Ono, Syougo Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20090046971
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus is formed as a unit of a wheel hub and a double row taper roller bearing. An outer member is formed with double row tapered outer raceway surfaces, each opened axially outward, on its inner circumference. An inner member, including the wheel hub, has a wheel mounting flange integrally formed at one end of the wheel hub. A cylindrical portion axially extends from the wheel mounting flange. At least one inner ring is fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub via a predetermined interference. Each inner ring is formed with one of the tapered double row inner raceway surfaces on its outer circumference. The inner raceway surfaces are arranged opposite to one of the double row outer raceway surfaces. On its larger outer diameter side, the inner ring has a larger flange portion to guide the tapered rollers. Double row tapered rollers are rollably arranged between the outer and inner raceway surfaces, via cages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Hirai, Takayuki Norimatsu, Hiroya Kato, Akira Fujimura, Kikuo Fukada
  • Publication number: 20090046969
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member with double row outer raceway surfaces on its inner circumferential surface. An inner member includes a wheel hub and at least one inner ring. The wheel hub has a wheel mounting flange formed at one end. A cylindrical portion axially extends from the wheel mounting flange. The inner ring has at least one inner raceway surface arranged opposite to the plurality of outer raceway surfaces. The inner ring is press fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub. Double row rolling elements are freely rollably contained between the outer and inner raceway surfaces. An outer joint member forms a constant velocity universal joint. The outer joint member has a cup-shaped mouth portion. A shoulder portion forms the bottom of the mouth portion. A shaft portion axially extends from the shoulder portion. The shaft is axially separably and torque transmittably inserted into the wheel hub with the shoulder abutted against the caulked portion to transmit torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Hirai, Takayuki Norimatsu, Hiroya Kato, Akira Fujimura, Kikuo Fukada
  • Publication number: 20090028485
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus is formed as a unit and has a wheel hub with a wheel mounting flange at one end. A cylindrical portion extends from the wheel mounting flange, via a shoulder portion. A wheel bearing, formed by a double row rolling bearing, is press fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub. The wheel bearing has an outer member formed with double row outer raceway surfaces on its inner circumferential surface. A pair of inner rings, formed with inner raceway surfaces, is arranged opposite to the double row outer raceway surfaces. The rings are press fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub, via a predetermined interference. One ring abuts the shoulder portion. Double row rolling elements are freely rollably contained between the opposed inner and outer raceway surfaces, via cages. The inner rings are axially immovably secured by a caulked portion. The caulked portion is formed by plastically radially outwardly deforming the end portion of the cylindrical portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Norimatsu, Hiroya Kato, Akira Fujimura, Isao Hirai, Kikuo Fukada
  • Patent number: 7456715
    Abstract: There is provided in accordance with the present invention a magnetic encoder (10) including a ring-shaped multipolar magnet (14) having a plurality of opposite magnetic poles alternating with each other in a direction circumferentially thereof, and a core metal (11) for supporting the multipolar magnet (14). The multipolar magnet (14) is prepared from a sintered element that is formed by molding under pressure a powdery mixture of a powdery magnetic material and a binder containing a powdery non-magnetic metallic material to provide a green compact and then sintering the green compact to provide the sintered element. The green compact is molded by the application of a molding force of not lower than 65 tons and the binder has a particle size smaller than 40 ?m. The sintered element has a density preferably not smaller than 6.6 g/cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Kikuo Fukada
  • Publication number: 20070253653
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus with an incorporated wheel speed detecting apparatus has an outer member with double row outer raceway surfaces formed on its inner circumferential surface. An inner member includes a wheel hub with an integrally formed wheel mounting flange at one end. A cylindrical portion axially extends from the wheel mounting flange. An inner ring is fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub. Double row inner raceway surfaces, opposite to the double row outer raceway surfaces, are formed on the outer circumferential surfaces of the wheel hub and inner ring, respectively. Double row rolling elements are arranged between the outer and inner raceway surfaces. An encoder is mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the inner ring. An annular sensor holder is arranged on the end of the outer member opposite to the encoder. A wheel rotation speed detecting sensor is integrally molded with the sensor holder and arranged opposite to the encoder, via a predetermined radial gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Shigeoka, Syougo Suzuki, Yujiro Ono, Kazuo Komori, Kikuo Fukada
  • Publication number: 20070076994
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member formed with double row outer raceway surfaces on its inner circumferential surface. An inner member includes a wheel hub with a wheel mounting flange integrally formed at one end and a cylindrical portion axially extending from the wheel mounting flange. At least one inner ring is fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub. The inner ring is formed with double row inner raceway surfaces on its outer circumferential surface. The double row inner raceway surfaces are arranged opposite to the double row outer raceway surfaces. Double row rolling elements are rollably arranged between the outer and inner raceway surfaces, via cages. A seal is mounted on one end of the outer member. The seal has integrally formed side lips adapted to be in sliding contact with the wheel hub. The base of the wheel mounting flange is formed to have a curved surface, in cross-section, of a circular arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventors: Takayuki Norimatsu, Hiroaki Itakura, Hironori Imanaka, Syougo Suzuki, Isao Hirai, Hiroya Kato, Akira Fujimura, Kikuo Fukada
  • Publication number: 20050254986
    Abstract: There is provided in accordance with the present invention a magnetic encoder (10) including a ring-shaped multipolar magnet (14) having a plurality of opposite magnetic poles alternating with each other in a direction circumferentially thereof, and a core metal (11) for supporting the multipolar magnet (14). The multipolar magnet (14) is prepared from a sintered element that is formed by molding under pressure a powdery mixture of a powdery magnetic material and a binder containing a powdery non-magnetic metallic material to provide a green compact and then sintering the green compact to provide the sintered element. The green compact is molded by the application of a molding force of not lower than 65 tons and the binder has a particle size smaller than 40 ?m. The sintered element has a density preferably not smaller than 6.6 g/cm3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kikuo Fukada