Patents by Inventor Kiyokazu Baba

Kiyokazu Baba 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: 8166791
    Abstract: A die cushion pad 13 is divided into four small pads 15 and a large pad 16. With this arrangement, a load applied to an action point of each of the small pads 15 can be equalized by the large pad 16, and an overturning moment arising between the action point and a reaction force point that equates the center of the small pad 15 can be canceled, thereby preventing flexure of the small pad 15. Accordingly, since flexure of the cushion pin and the like can be prevented, there is no risk that the cushion pin is frictioned against the penetrating hole of a bolster, and the lifting operation can be smoothly performed, whereby a higher-accuracy pressing forming operation can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignees: Komatsu Ltd, Komatsu Industries Corp., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Baba, Hiroaki Honma, Masahide Sunata, Hajime Yoshida, Hirohide Satou
  • Patent number: 7958765
    Abstract: A pressing machine 1 includes: a bed 6 on which a die-cushion device 10 is provided; and a bolster 51 provided on the bed 6. The bed 6 has an inner space 61 in which a die-cushion pad 13 of the die-cushion device 10 is lifted up and down. A supporting portion 63 penetrating the die-cushion pad 13 in a lifting direction and supporting a lower surface of the bolster 51 via a carrier 52 is provided in the inner space 61. With this arrangement, since the bolster 51 is supported by the supporting portion 63, the bolster 51 can be prevented from being flexed during a press forming operation, whereby a highly accurate press forming operation can be realized. In addition, since the supporting portion 63 penetrates the die-cushion pad 13, unlike conventional arrangements, the die-cushion pad 13 does not need to be divided, whereby a complication of the arrangement can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignees: Komatsu Ltd., Komatsu Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Baba, Hiroaki Honma, Masahide Sunata, Hajime Yoshida, Hirohide Satou
  • Patent number: 7832331
    Abstract: A slide position sensor includes: a link supporting member projecting from the slide toward the upright, a dual axis link member whose first end is rotatably supported and hung by the link supporting member, a plate rotatably supported and hung by a second end of the dual axis link member, a rack that is provided to the plate and extends in the hanging direction, a pinion that meshes with the rack and an encoder system that senses the rotation of the pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuhiro Hirotani, Kiyokazu Baba, Eiji Douba
  • Patent number: 7798762
    Abstract: A cable holding device for a work transfer device that transfers a workpiece between mutually adjacent press machines. The cable holding device is used for the work transfer device that is provided with a supporting portion (3) disposed on a support member (2) placed between press machines (P1, P2) and swingably supports a transfer arm (5). The cable holding device (10) comprises a rack arm (11) that is swingably connected to the top end of the transfer arm (5) and holds a part of the cable; a slide supporter (12) that is disposed above the transfer arm, swingably connects the rack arm (11), and vertically moved via the rack arm as the transfer arm moves; and a cable support (13) that has its one end connected to the slide supporter and its other end connected to a cable fixing portion (6) that is disposed in a direction intersecting a transfer direction of the work with respect to the slide supporter, supports a part of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyokazu Baba
  • Patent number: 7516695
    Abstract: A rotary ring (34) formed such that an outer circumference is eccentric with respect to an inner circumference is provided to an outer circumference of an eccentric drum (333) of an eccentric shaft (33). An adjustment ring (41) formed such that an outer circumference is eccentric with respect to an inner circumference is provided to the outer circumference of the rotary ring (34), and a slide (5) is mounted to the outer circumference of the adjustment ring (41). Since the slide (5) and a slide drive unit (30) are arranged to be superposed substantially at the same height, a distance between the slide drive unit (30) and a lower end of the slide (5) can be reduced and the entire height of a servo press (1) can be reduced. In addition, since the height position of the slide (5) can be finely adjusted by rotating the adjustment ring (41), a press working can be performed with high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignees: Komatsu Ltd., Komatsu Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Baba, Seiji Seki, Shouji Watanabe, Yuichi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20080307982
    Abstract: A slide position sensor includes: a link supporting member projecting from the slide toward the upright, a dual axis link member whose first end is rotatably supported and hung by the link supporting member, a plate rotatably supported and hung by a second end of the dual axis link member, a rack that is provided to the plate and extends in the hanging direction, a pinion that meshes with the rack and an encoder system that senses the rotation of the pinion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Ikuhiro HIROTANI, Kiyokazu Baba, Eiji Douba
  • Publication number: 20080178652
    Abstract: A rotary ring (34) formed such that an outer circumference is eccentric with respect to an inner circumference is provided to an outer circumference of an eccentric drum (333) of an eccentric shaft (33). An adjustment ring (41) formed such that an outer circumference is eccentric with respect to an inner circumference is provided to the outer circumference of the rotary ring (34), and a slide (5) is mounted to the outer circumference of the adjustment ring (41). Since the slide (5) and a slide drive unit (30) are arranged to be superposed substantially at the same height, a distance between the slide drive unit (30) and a lower end of the slide (5) can be reduced and the entire height of a servo press (1) can be reduced. In addition, since the height position of the slide (5) can be finely adjusted by rotating the adjustment ring (41), a press working can be performed with high accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Baba, Seiji Seki, Shouji Watanabe, Yuichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7401488
    Abstract: A cylinder is formed in the lower portion of a cushion pad, and a piston coupled to an upper end of a rod is slidably contained in the cylinder. The rod is coupled to a rotary shaft of a servomotor. An oil pressure chamber is formed of an inner wall surface of the cylinder and a wall surface of the piston. The axial center of the oil pressure chamber is identical with the axial center of the rod. The pressure oil for alleviating an impact is filled in the oil pressure chamber. The pressure oil filled in the oil pressure chamber absorbs a force operating instantaneously at the cushion pad. According to this structure, the impact generated in a press machine can be alleviated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignees: Komatsu Ltd., KOMATSU Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Kiyokazu Baba
  • Publication number: 20080141751
    Abstract: A pressing machine 1 includes: a bed 6 on which a die-cushion device 10 is provided; and a bolster 51 provided on the bed 6. The bed 6 has an inner space 61 in which a die-cushion pad 13 of the die-cushion device 10 is lifted up and down. A supporting portion 63 penetrating the die-cushion pad 13 in a lifting direction and supporting a lower surface of the bolster 51 via a carrier 52 is provided in the inner space 61. With this arrangement, since the bolster 51 is supported by the supporting portion 63, the bolster 51 can be prevented from being flexed during a press forming operation, whereby a highly accurate press forming operation can be realized. In addition, since the supporting portion 63 penetrates the die-cushion pad 13, unlike conventional arrangements, the die-cushion pad 13 does not need to be divided, whereby a complication of the arrangement can be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Baba, Hiroaki Honma, Masahide Sunata, Hajime Yoshida, Hirohide Satou
  • Publication number: 20080127838
    Abstract: A die cushion pad 13 is divided into four small pads 15 and a large pad 16. With this arrangement, a load applied to an action point of each of the small pads 15 can be equalized by the large pad 16, and an overturning moment arising between the action point and a reaction force point that equates the center of the small pad 15 can be canceled, thereby preventing flexure of the small pad 15. Accordingly, since flexure of the cushion pin and the like can be prevented, there is no risk that the cushion pin is frictioned against the penetrating hole of a bolster, and the lifting operation can be smoothly performed, whereby a higher-accuracy pressing forming operation can be realized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Baba, Hiroaki Honma, Masahide Sunata, Hajime Yoshida, Hirohide Satou
  • Publication number: 20080085178
    Abstract: A cable holding device for a work transfer device that transfers a work between mutually adjacent press machines. The cable holding device is used for the work transfer device that is provided with a supporting portion (3) disposed on a support member (2) placed between press machines (P1, P2) and swingably supports a transfer arm (5). The cable holding device (10) comprises a rack arm (11) that is swingably connected to the top end of the transfer arm (5) and holds a part of the cable; a slide supporter (12) that is disposed above the transfer arm, swingably connects the rack arm (11), and vertically moved via the rack arm as the transfer arm moves; and a cable support (13) that has its one end connected to the slide supporter and its other end connected to a cable fixing portion (6) that is disposed in a direction intersecting a transfer direction of the work with respect to the slide supporter, supports a part of the cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventor: Kiyokazu Baba
  • Patent number: 7316149
    Abstract: The present invention provides a work transfer device for transferring a work between adjoining pressing machines including a work holder (30) for holding a work W, a carrier (23) provided between the adjoining pressing machines (10) and capable of being linearly moved in a direction orthogonal to a work transfer direction with a driving mechanism, and a swinging body (71) with a swinging center shaft thereof provided on this carrier (23) and capable of being driven for swinging by a swinging mechanism (84) along the work transfer direction, and the work holder (30) is provided in the swinging body (71). Because of this configuration, it is not necessary to secure a trajectory for swiveling like in a robot arm type of transfer device, not to extend a lift beam up to a position close to a slide like in the feeder type of transfer device, so that it is not necessary to widen a clearance between uprights (12) and a tandem press (1) can be size-reduced as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Baba, Kazuhiko Shiroza, Takashi Moriyasu, Shuuji Mizuguchi
  • Patent number: 7243521
    Abstract: An elastic member is disposed on a load supporting device such as cushion pins and wear plates, which are placed between at least a workpiece and a die cushion pad and transfer a load applied to the work to the die cushion pad, to support the load. The load supporting device is disposed in two or more on the die cushion pad to realize equalization of the load applied to a die cushion. Thus, use of a conventional large-scale hydraulic circuit is eliminated, and the device can be simplified. Also, the press machine can be produced at a low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoji Aoshima, Kiyokazu Baba
  • Publication number: 20070113613
    Abstract: A die cushion apparatus of a press machine which makes possible to manufacture a plurality of types of products of different sizes by one press machine and capable of minimizing a production facility, and which comprises a plurality of die cushion units, each having a cushion pad and a rise and fall drive unit for vertically driving the cushion pad, that are aligned in a direction perpendicular to a work conveying direction, and a control unit capable of individually and independently controlling the plurality of die cushion units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicants: Komatsu Ltd., Komatsu Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Baba, Seiji Seki
  • Publication number: 20060042900
    Abstract: A clutch/brake apparatus which enables a driving shaft to be driven by a main driving source and by a sub-driving source without causing any increase in the external size of the apparatus along the longitudinal direction of the driving shaft. In a brake housing of a combination clutch/brake unit provided on one end of the driving shaft, a power transmitting member extending towards the other end of the driving shaft is provided and the sub-driving source is connected to the power transmitting member through a power transmitting mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Araki, Kiyokazu Baba
  • Publication number: 20060010954
    Abstract: A die cushion apparatus of a press machine which makes possible to manufacture a plurality of types of products of different sizes by one press machine and capable of minimizing a production facility, and which comprises a plurality of die cushion units, each having a cushion pad and a rise and fall drive unit for vertically driving the cushion pad, that are aligned in a direction perpendicular to a work conveying direction, and a control unit capable of individually and independently controlling the plurality of die cushion units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Baba, Seiji Seki
  • Publication number: 20050262915
    Abstract: A cylinder is formed in the lower portion of a cushion pad, and a piston coupled to an upper end of a rod is slidably contained in the cylinder. The rod is coupled to a rotary shaft of a servomotor. An oil pressure chamber is formed of an inner wall surface of the cylinder and a wall surface of the piston. The axial center of the oil pressure chamber is identical with the axial center of the rod. The pressure oil for alleviating an impact is filled in the oil pressure chamber. The pressure oil filled in the oil pressure chamber absorbs a force operating instantaneously at the cushion pad. According to this structure, the impact generated in a press machine can be alleviated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventor: Kiyokazu Baba
  • Publication number: 20050166659
    Abstract: The present invention provides a work transfer device for transferring a work between adjoining pressing machines including a work holder (30) for holding a work W, a carrier (23) provided between the adjoining pressing machines (10) and capable of being linearly moved in a direction orthogonal to a work transfer direction with a driving mechanism, and a swinging body (71) with a swinging center shaft thereof provided on this carrier (23) and capable of being driven for swinging by a swinging mechanism (84) along the work transfer direction, and the work holder (30) is provided in the swinging body (71). Because of this configuration, it is not necessary to secure a trajectory for swiveling like in a robot arm type of transfer device, not to extend a lift beam up to a position close to a slide like in the feeder type of transfer device, so that it is not necessary to widen a clearance between uprights (12) and a tandem press (1) can be size-reduced as a whole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Baba, Kazuhiko Shiroza, Takashi Moriyasu, Shuuji Mizuguchi
  • Publication number: 20040094046
    Abstract: An elastic member is disposed on a load supporting device such as cushion pins and wear plates, which are placed between at least a work and a die cushion pad and transfer a load applied to the work to the die cushion pad, to support the load. The load supporting device is disposed in two or more on the die cushion pad to realize equalization of the load applied to a die cushion. Thus, use of a conventional large-scale hydraulic circuit is eliminated, and the device can be simplified. And, the press machine can be produced at a low cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Kiyoji Aoshima, Kiyokazu Baba
  • Patent number: 5730278
    Abstract: A transfer feeder for a module-type transfer press, wherein the module-type transfer press includes a plurality of slides, a crown having a plurality of crown portions for each of the respective slides, and respective slide drive mechanisms accommodated in each of the crown portions for driving the respective slides. The transfer feeder includes a lift drive mechanism and a feed drive mechanism disposed in an upper portion of the transfer press. The lift drive mechanism is driven by a lift drive source. The feed drive mechanism is accommodated in an upstream one of the crown portions which is disposed on an upstream side of the transfer press, and is driven by power derived from the slide drive mechanism accommodated in the upstream one of the crown portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Baba, Masaaki Ogawa