Patents by Inventor Masaaki Asada
Masaaki Asada 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: 6142278Abstract: Modular clutch construction in which a clutch cover assembly, concentrically containing a pressure plate actuating a clutch disc assembly, is fixed to the flywheel of an engine as a modular unit. The construction improves the modular connection between the clutch cover peripheral wall and the flywheel; in particular through the use of pins to restrain the cover from whirling relative to the flywheel, and by a taking advantage of a method of starter ring-gear installation in which the gear is shrink-fitted over the flywheel with the clutch cover peripheral wall intervening, such that the circumferential end margin of the clutch cover is simultaneously clamped between the ring gear and the flywheel cylindrical surface. The clutch cover is thus secured onto the flywheel in an assembly stage of reduced steps, by comparison with methods employing bolts or other fasteners as the primary connecting means.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 1998Date of Patent: November 7, 2000Assignee: Daikin Clutch CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Teramae, Masaaki Asada
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Patent number: 6142279Abstract: Modular clutch construction in which a clutch cover assembly, concentrically containing a pressure plate actuating a clutch disc assembly, is fixed to the flywheel of an engine as a modular unit. The construction improves the modular connection between the clutch cover peripheral wall and the flywheel; in particular through the use of pins to restrain the cover from whirling relative to the flywheel, and by a taking advantage of a method of starter ring-gear installation in which the gear is shrink-fitted over the flywheel with the clutch cover peripheral wall intervening, such that the circumferential end margin of the clutch cover is simultaneously clamped between the ring gear and the flywheel cylindrical surface. The clutch cover is thus secured onto the flywheel in an assembly stage of reduced steps, by comparison with methods employing bolts or other fasteners-as the primary connecting means.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1999Date of Patent: November 7, 2000Assignee: Daikin Clutch CorporationInventors: Koji Kajitani, Hiroshi Takeuchi, Yasunobu Fukatani, Hiroshi Teramae, Masaaki Asada
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Patent number: 6062364Abstract: A modular clutch includes a flywheel 2, a clutch cover assembly 3 and a clutch disk assembly 4, which form a single module that in one embodiment is installed directly onto the crankshaft of an engine, and in an alternate embodiment is attached to a flex plate. The modular clutch is configured to be installed and replaced as a unit. The clutch cover assembly 3 has a clutch cover 21, a pressure plate 22 and diaphragm spring 23. The clutch disk assembly 4 has a clutch engagement portion 31 made of a metallic sintered body.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1999Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Assignee: Exedy CorporationInventors: Koji Kajitani, Hiroshi Takeuchi, Yasunobu Fukatani, Hiroshi Teramae, Masaaki Asada, Takeo Shimizu, Hiroyuki Matsubara
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Patent number: 5988339Abstract: Reduced-dimension configuration for retaining a diaphragm spring release-load compensating conical spring in a push-type clutch. The clutch diaphragm spring is retained by a support mechanism that includes axially extending, circularly spaced supports, fixed to the clutch cover, that pass through holes formed at the inter-digital vertices of the diaphragm spring fingers. A diaphragm spring annular pivot is provided on the supports, on the clutch cover side of the diaphragm spring. One edge of the conical spring is supported on an engagement surface of the clutch cover, and the other edge is seated on the diaphragm spring. Engagement tabs project from the edge of the conical spring that is supported on the clutch cover. The engagement tabs are engaged into conical spring engagement holes formed in the clutch cover, or in an alternative embodiment, into inter-digital holes of the diaphragm spring not penetrated by the circularly spaced supports.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1997Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: EXEDY CorporationInventors: Masaaki Asada, Toshiya Kosumi, Hirokazu Wakabayashi
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Patent number: 5979629Abstract: The pull-type clutch 1 basically includes a clutch disc assembly 4, a clutch cover assembly 5, a cylindrical or tubular member 21 and a release mechanism 6. The pull-type clutch 1 is designed to restrain the rotational engagement between the release mechanism 6 and the input shaft 3 of the transmission. The cylindrical member 21 is fixedly coupled to the front cover 7 of the transmission and extends around the input shaft 3 in the radial direction spaced apart. The release mechanism 6 is a mechanism for releasing the biasing force by the diaphragm spring 14 of the clutch cover assembly 5. The release mechanism 6 has a sleeve 23 and a bearing 24. The sleeve 23 is supported on an outer surface of the cylindrical member 21 for axial movement. The bearing 24 is disposed within the clutch cover 11 and is located between the sleeve 23 and the retainer 13.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1998Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: Exedy CorporationInventors: Masaaki Asada, Kozo Uno, Toshiya Kosumi
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Patent number: 5950791Abstract: in a clutch disk assembly, a pair of power output plates (3) and (4) are disposed on either side of a power input plate (2). The power output plates (3) and (4) arc fixed to a flange (27) of a power output hub (5). A torsion spring (6) is disposed between portions of the power input plate (2) and corresponding portions of the power output plates (3) and (4) such that the torsion spring (6) limits relative rotation between the power input plate (2) and power output plates (3) and (4) within a predetermined angular displacement range. A ring-like plate (33) is disposed between a portion of the power input plate (2) and the power output plate (4). The ring-like plate (33) is formed with a connecting part (36) which extends axially outward through a cutout (24) formed in the power output plate (4). A first friction washer (32) is disposed between a portion of the power input plate (2) and the ring-like plate (33). The first friction washer (32) contacts the power input plate (2).Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Exedy CorporationInventors: Masaaki Asada, Toshiya Kosumi
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Patent number: 5927459Abstract: A modular clutch includes a flywheel 2, a clutch cover assembly 3 and a clutch disk assembly 4, which form a single module that in one embodiment is installed directly onto the crankshaft of an engine, and in an alternate embodiment is attached to a flex plate. The modular clutch is configured to be installed and replaced as a unit. The clutch cover assembly 3 has a clutch cover 21, a pressure plate 22 and diaphragm spring 23. The clutch disk assembly 4 has a clutch engagement portion 31 made of a metallic sintered body.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1997Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Exedy CorporationInventors: Koji Kajitani, Hiroshi Takeuchi, Yasunobu Fukatani, Hiroshi Teramae, Masaaki Asada, Takeo Shimizu, Hiroyuki Matsubara
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Patent number: 5842550Abstract: A release device (3) is arranged around a main input shaft of a transmission, is provided for pulling an inner peripheral portion of a diaphragm spring (9) toward a transmission so as to disengage a clutch (2), and includes a second sleeve (12), a first lever plate (16) and a second lever plate (17). The second sleeve (12) is axially movably. The first lever plate (16) is an annular member, which is fixed to an outer periphery of the second sleeve (12) and has a spherical convex surface (16a) opposed to a transmission. The second lever plate (17) is an annular member, which has a spherical concave surface (17a) in slidable contact with the spherical convex surface (16a) and is in contact with an inner peripheral end of the diaphragm spring (9).Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1996Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Assignee: Exedy CorporationInventors: Masaaki Asada, Toshiya Kosumi
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Patent number: 5826691Abstract: A clutch cover assembly (1) has release load characteristics which have been smoothed out or flattened by using a secondary conical spring (8) in combination with a diaphragm spring (7). To reduce the overall number of parts in the assembly 1, the pressure plate (6) includes axially extending pins (10) which extend through holes formed in the diaphragm spring (7). The pins (10) are also engaged with a portion of the conical spring (8).Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1997Date of Patent: October 27, 1998Assignee: EXEDY CorporationInventors: Masaaki Asada, Toshiya Kosumi, Hideyuki Imanaka, Hiroshi Mizukami
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Patent number: 5730266Abstract: Modular clutch construction in which a clutch cover assembly, concentrically containing a pressure plate actuating a clutch disc assembly, is fixed to the flywheel of an engine as a modular unit. The construction improves the modular connection between the clutch cover peripheral wall and the flywheel; in particular through the use of pins to restrain the cover from whirling relative to the flywheel, and by a taking advantage of a method of starter ring-gear installation in which the gear is shrink-fitted over the flywheel with the clutch cover peripheral wall intervening, such that the circumferential end margin of the clutch cover is simultaneously clamped between the ring gear and the flywheel cylindrical surface. The clutch cover is thus secured onto the flywheel in an assembly stage of reduced steps, by comparison with methods employing bolts or other fasteners as the primary connecting means.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1997Date of Patent: March 24, 1998Assignee: Daikin Clutch CorporationInventors: Koji Kajitani, Hiroshi Takeuchi, Yasunobu Fukatani, Hiroshi Teramae, Masaaki Asada
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Patent number: 5645150Abstract: Modular clutch construction in which a clutch cover assembly, concentrically containing a pressure plate actuating a clutch disc assembly, is fixed to the flywheel of an engine as a modular unit. The construction improves the modular connection between the clutch cover peripheral wall and the flywheel; in particular through the use of pins to restrain the cover from whirling relative to the flywheel, and by a taking advantage of a method of starter ring-gear installation in which the gear is shrink-fitted over the flywheel with the clutch cover peripheral wall intervening, such that the circumferential end margin of the clutch cover is simultaneously clamped between the ring gear and the flywheel cylindrical surface. The clutch cover is thus secured onto the flywheel in an assembly stage of reduced steps, by comparison with methods employing bolts or other fasteners as the primary connecting means.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1995Date of Patent: July 8, 1997Assignee: Daikin Clutch CorporationInventors: Koji Kajitani, Hiroshi Takeuchi, Yasunobu Fukatani, Hiroshi Teramae, Masaaki Asada
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Patent number: 5593015Abstract: A clutch cover assembly 5 includes a clutch cover 14, a main pressure plate 15, a retaining collar 20, a diaphragm spring 21, a cone spring 16, and an intermediary lever 26. The diaphragm spring 21 presses the retaining collar 20 toward the flywheel 2. The cone spring 16 is placed between the main pressure plate 15 and the retaining collar 20 so as to be compressed axially. The intermadiary lever 26 multiplies the impelling force of the diaphragm spring 21 on the retaining collar 20 in transmitting the force to the main pressure plate 15, according to a predetermined lever ratio.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1995Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Assignee: Exedy CorporationInventors: Toshiya Kosumi, Masaaki Asada
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Patent number: 5412623Abstract: A multivibrator waveform monitoring system uses a plurality of seismic energy sources for giving vibrations to strata and a prospector, connected to a geophone, for measuring reflected vibrations. Each of the plurality of seismic energy sources includes a vibrator, a communication unit and a control unit for controlling the starting of the vibrator based on phase difference cancellation information and an operation starting instruction from the prospector. The prospector includes a communication unit and a synchronization control unit for controlling the synchronization of each of the seismic energy sources.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1994Date of Patent: May 2, 1995Assignee: Japex Geoscience Institute, Inc.Inventors: Masaaki Asada, Kazuo Nakai
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Patent number: 5392888Abstract: Modular clutch construction in which a clutch cover assembly, concentrically containing a pressure plate actuating a clutch disc assembly, is fixed to the flywheel of an engine as a modular unit. The construction improves the modular connection between the clutch cover peripheral wall and the flywheel; in particular through the use of pins to restrain the cover from whirling relative to the flywheel, and by a taking advantage of a method of starter ring-gear installation in which the gear is shrink-fitted over the flywheel with the clutch cover peripheral wall intervening, such that the circumferential end margin of the clutch cover is simultaneously clamped between the ring gear and the flywheel cylindrical surface. The clutch cover is thus secured onto the flywheel in an assembly stage of reduced steps, by comparison with methods employing bolts or other fasteners as the primary connecting means.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1993Date of Patent: February 28, 1995Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daikin SeisakushoInventors: Koji Kajitani, Hiroshi Takeuchi, Yasunobu Fukatani, Hiroshi Teramae, Masaaki Asada
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Patent number: 5327399Abstract: A multivibrator waveform monitoring system uses a plurality of seismic energy sources for giving vibrations to strata and a prospector, connected to a geophone, for measuring reflected vibrations. Each of the plurality of seismic energy sources includes a vibrator, a communication unit and a control unit for controlling the starting of the vibrator based on phase difference cancellation information and an operation starting instruction from the prospector. The prospector includes a communication unit and a synchronization control unit for controlling the synchronization of each of the seismic energy sources.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1991Date of Patent: July 5, 1994Assignee: Japex Geoscience Institute, Inc.Inventors: Masaaki Asada, Kazuo Nakai
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Patent number: 5240097Abstract: A pull-type clutch having an inner peripheral part of a diaphragm spring sandwiched between a lever plate and a retainer plate both being installed at an outer periphery of a release bearing. The lever plate has a cylindrical body and a radial outer flange at an axial forward side of the cylindrical body and the retainer plate has a disc-like annular body and a plurality of claws extending in radial inward direction and a plurality of projections extending in radial inward and axial forward directions, at an inner periphery of the disc-like annular body with spaces left therebetween. A groove is formed on an outer periphery of the cylindrical body of the lever plate and the tip ends of the claws fit in the grooves so as to secure the retainer plate to the outer periphery of the cylindrical body. The inner peripheral part of the diaphragm spring is sandwiched between the flange and the disc-like annular body radially outside of the projections.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1992Date of Patent: August 31, 1993Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daikin SeisakoshoInventors: Koji Kajitani, Masaaki Asada, Yoshinari Yoshimura
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Patent number: 5090536Abstract: In a push-type clutch, a facing wear adjustment nearly annular adjust ring with which an outer peripheral part of a diaphragm spring contacts from a side opposite to a flywheel is screwed into an inside face of a pressure plate so as to be movable in a clutch axial direction, so that a worm wheel is rotated by a bracket moving in a clutch axial direction to rotate the adjust ring when a facing is worn out. The adjust ring position can thus be adjusted automatically to a diaphragm spring side by a wear amount of the facing.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1991Date of Patent: February 25, 1992Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daikin SeisakushoInventor: Masaaki Asada
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Patent number: 5058718Abstract: A pressure plate for pressing the friction facing of a clutch disc to the flywheel is connected to an operating part through a mechanical link mechanism. A part to be detected which moves by the extent corresponding to the shift of the pressure plate in the clutch axial direction is disposed in the link mechanism. A contact-free sensor for detecting the part to be detected is disposed in the stationary part of the clutch, and when the clutch is connected with the abrasing facing worn to a specific limit, the sensor is designed to detect the part to be detected. There is a control part for receiving the detection signal from the sensor, and a display part is provided to tell that the control part has received the detection signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 1990Date of Patent: October 22, 1991Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daikin SeisakushoInventors: Hiromi Tojima, Masaaki Asada
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Patent number: 5029687Abstract: A pull-type clutch including a pressing force transmission lever, an inner peripheral end of which is in contact with a retainer connected to a release bearing, and an approximately annular adjusting ring for adjusting clearances produced by wear of the clutch facing and which is in contact with a radial outside end of the lever and screwed into an inner peripheral surface of the clutch cover. An adjuster is provided on an inner surface side of the adjusting ring and causes the adjusting ring to rotate by means of rotation of the adjuster so that the adjusting ring can move axially toward a pressure side. A rotation drive is provided which is driven by the retainer moved in the clutch axial direction by clutch engaging and releasing operations, when the clutch facings are worn, so as to adjust the adjuster.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1990Date of Patent: July 9, 1991Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daikin SeisakushoInventors: Masaaki Asada, Hiromi Tojima
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Patent number: 4944380Abstract: A diaphragm spring device comprising a diaphragm spring including a plurality of tongues having radially inner ends adapted to be pushed in an axially foward direction by a release bearing, an annular lever plate seated on the rear surfaces of the ends of the tongues and having a portion through which the radially inner ends of the tongues are pushed by the release bearing, an annular fixing bushing fixed to the inner periphery of the lever plate, and having a spring seat flange at the forward end, which is located in front of the tongues and projects radially outwardly beyond the adjacent end of the lever plate, and a conical spring interposed between the flange and the tongues.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1988Date of Patent: July 31, 1990Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daikin SeisakushoInventors: Seiichi Kitano, Masaaki Asada, Michitomo Masaki