Patents by Inventor Michio Tsukamoto

Michio Tsukamoto 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: 11739912
    Abstract: An aircraft lamp includes: a lamp outer housing configured by a lamp housing having an opening and a cover attached to the lamp housing in a state where the opening is closed, wherein an internal space is formed as an arrangement space; a light source unit arranged in the arrangement space and having a light source; and a control unit including a control substrate that controls an ON/OFF of the light source, and a shielding plate that shields noise generated in the control substrate. The lamp housing is provided with a unit accommodation portion having a concave shape and an insertion/removal port. The control substrate is configured to be accommodated in and removed from the unit accommodation portion via the insertion/removal port. At least a part of the insertion/removal port is closed by the shielding plate in a state where the control substrate is accommodated in the unit accommodation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Michio Tsukamoto, Shigeo Sawada
  • Patent number: 11535099
    Abstract: [Technical problem] To provide a power transmission mechanism for a four-wheel drive vehicle in which a prime mover is disposed at a low position to lower the center of gravity of the vehicle while a driving path from a transmission to a front wheel differential mechanism is also shortened. [Solutions] In a power transmission mechanism for a four-wheel drive vehicle, the power of a prime mover is transmitted to a front wheel differential mechanism which is disposed in front of the prime mover, and to a rear wheel differential mechanism which is disposed behind a transmission, through the transmission which is disposed behind the prime mover. The transmission comprises a front and rear wheel drive shaft that extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The transmission is arranged separately from the prime mover and a rear axle drive device. The rear end portion of the front and rear wheel drive shaft is connected to an input shaft of the rear wheel differential mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignees: KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Keisei Shimazaki, Michio Tsukamoto, Ayumi Hamada
  • Patent number: 11427088
    Abstract: A movable structure driving unit is a movable structure driving unit used for a movable structure, including: an electric motor that is electrically connected to a power supply and that drives a front wheel; a rear-side motive power source that drives a rear wheel; a jump detector that detects a jump of the front wheel from ground; and a motor controller that controls driving of the electric motor. The motor controller stops supply of a driving current from the power supply to the electric motor when the jump of the front wheel from the ground is detected in a state in which driving of the front wheel and the rear wheel is instructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kamada, Michio Tsukamoto, Masaru Iida
  • Patent number: 11421782
    Abstract: A parking lock mechanism of the drum-type transmission device comprises a parking gear that is provided on the transmission shaft, a parking operation arm which is selectively operated between a lock position engaging with the parking gear and an unlock position away from the parking gear, a parking release spring for urging the operation arm toward the unlock position, and a parking pushing member which is positioned at a lock position by pushing the operation arm according to the rotation of the drum member from the shift position or the neutral position to the parking position. One end of the transmission operation shaft is located near the operation arm. At one end of the shift operation shaft, there is provided an arm restraining portion that can urge the operation arm toward the unlock position when the drum member is moved from the parking position to the shift position or the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuji Nishimoto, Keisei Shimazaki, Michio Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20220252242
    Abstract: An aircraft lamp includes: a lamp outer housing configured by a lamp housing having an opening and a cover attached to the lamp housing in a state where the opening is closed, wherein an internal space is formed as an arrangement space; a light source unit arranged in the arrangement space and having a light source; and a control unit including a control substrate that controls an ON/OFF of the light source, and a shielding plate that shields noise generated in the control substrate. The lamp housing is provided with a unit accommodation portion having a concave shape and an insertion/removal port. The control substrate is configured to be accommodated in and removed from the unit accommodation portion via the insertion/removal port. At least a part of the insertion/removal port is closed by the shielding plate in a state where the control substrate is accommodated in the unit accommodation portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Michio TSUKAMOTO, Shigeo SAWADA
  • Patent number: 11338671
    Abstract: A hydraulic transaxle of the present invention includes an axle, a hydraulic static transmission (“HST”), a center case that has pair of oil passages for circulating the hydraulic oil between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor, and a gear mechanism that transmits an output of the HST to the axle. A case supports the axle and accommodates the HST while also forming an oil reservoir. A hydraulic motor of the HST includes a motor shaft, a cylinder block with a plurality of cylinders fixed to the motor shaft, a plurality of pistons inserted into the cylinders, a fixed swash plate abutted by the plurality of pistons, and a fixed swash plate holder that supports the fixed swash plate with respect to the case. The motor shaft of the hydraulic motor is supported by the center case and the fixed swash plate holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Tsukamoto, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Daisuke Murashima, Tetsuya Kawatani
  • Publication number: 20220074476
    Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle includes: a casing; a hydraulic continuously variable transmission; and an oil filter that includes a filter body for filtering the hydraulic oil and a filter holding member configured to guide clean oil filtered in the filter body to a suction oil reservoir, in which the filter holding member includes a filter installation portion for installing the filter body, and a suction oil reservoir provided at a position different from the filter installation portion, and the filter installation portion and the suction oil reservoir are configured to be separable from each other and be couplable to each other to freely flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Takehiro OTA, Michio TSUKAMOTO, Koji KIYOOKA, Mai TERADA, Koji IWAKI
  • Patent number: 11207978
    Abstract: A transaxle with a brake includes an axle supported by the transaxle casing, a continuously variable transmission disposed in the transaxle casing, a braking device that is disposed in the transaxle casing and locks a rotation of the axle, a speed control arm that is journaled so as not to rotate relatively with respect to the transmission operating shaft of the transmission, controls the transmission, and is capable of changing a rotation of the axle continuously. A brake arm that is journaled with respect to an operating shaft of the braking device and a relay arm that is journaled so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the transmission operating shaft are also included. The relay arm has one end connected to the brake arm via a link mechanism and the other end for lock operation input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Kiyooka, Michio Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 11079014
    Abstract: A traveling hydraulic stepless transmission (“HST”), ensures stopping of a vehicle on a slope under high load conditions, maintains stopping the vehicle on flat ground under low load conditions, and enables smooth starting from a stop. The HST includes a neutral check valve (“NCV”) and an internal damping system (“IDS”). The NCV includes a first orifice that opens a first oil passage to a transaxle case when a pressure in the first oil passage is equal to or less than a predetermined pressure, and that connects the second oil passage to the transaxle case when a pressure in a second oil passage is equal to or less than the predetermined pressure. The IDS includes second orifices that connect a high pressure side of the oil passages to the transaxle case when a discharge rate of the hydraulic pump is equal to or less than a predetermined discharge rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Murashima, Michio Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 11015691
    Abstract: A transaxle includes: an axle housing in which an input gear is rotatably supported; a differential casing that is contained in the axle housing while being rotatably supported relative to the axle housing; first and second side gears as a pair of spur gears that are contained in the differential casing, coaxially arranged, relatively rotatable with each other, and rotatable relative to the differential casing; a group of pinions as spur gears that are rotatably supported, in the differential casing, by rotational shafts that are in parallel with axes of the first and the second side gears in the differential casing, the group of pinions transmitting power between the first side gear and the second side gear; and a final gear having a ring shape that is contained in the axle housing, meshes with the input gear, incorporates the differential casing, and is relatively unrotatably coupled to the differential casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Michio Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20210122236
    Abstract: A transaxle with a brake includes an axle supported by the transaxle casing, a continuously variable transmission disposed in the transaxle casing, a braking device that is disposed in the transaxle casing and locks a rotation of the axle, a speed control arm that is journaled so as not to rotate relatively with respect to the transmission operating shaft of the transmission, controls the transmission, and is capable of changing a rotation of the axle continuously. A brake arm that is journaled with respect to an operating shaft of the braking device and a relay arm that is journaled so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the transmission operating shaft are also included. The relay arm has one end connected to the brake arm via a link mechanism and the other end for lock operation input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Koji KIYOOKA, Michio TSUKAMOTO
  • Patent number: 10871178
    Abstract: A transaxle includes a braking unit disposed in the transaxle casing, the braking unit configured to brake the axle. The braking unit includes an operating shaft projecting from one side of the transaxle casing. A link mechanism of the transaxle is includes a relay arm rotatably pivoted on a shaft provided on the one side of the transaxle casing, a brake arm fixed to the operating shaft, the brake arm being configured to rotate between a braking position and an unbraking position of the braking unit together with the operating shaft, a first link configured to manipulate the relay arm, and a second link configured to join the relay arm to the brake arm. The link mechanism constrains motion of the brake arm through the second link such that an external force on the braking unit cannot cause an unexpected release from the braking state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Matsuura, Michio Tsukamoto, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Masaru Iida, Takehiro Ota
  • Publication number: 20200376957
    Abstract: A hydraulic transaxle of the present invention includes an axle, a hydraulic static transmission (“HST”), a center case that has pair of oil passages for circulating the hydraulic oil between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor, and a gear mechanism that transmits an output of the HST to the axle. A case supports the axle and accommodates the HST while also forming an oil reservoir. A hydraulic motor of the HST includes a motor shaft, a cylinder block with a plurality of cylinders fixed to the motor shaft, a plurality of pistons inserted into the cylinders, a fixed swash plate abutted by the plurality of pistons, and a fixed swash plate holder that supports the fixed swash plate with respect to the case. The motor shaft of the hydraulic motor is supported by the center case and the fixed swash plate holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Michio TSUKAMOTO, Hiroshi SUGIMOTO, Daisuke MURASHIMA, Tetsuya KAWATANI
  • Publication number: 20200325987
    Abstract: A parking lock mechanism of the drum-type transmission device comprises a parking gear that is provided on the transmission shaft, a parking operation arm which is selectively operated between a lock position engaging with the parking gear and an unlock position away from the parking gear, a parking release spring for urging the operation arm toward the unlock position, and a parking pushing member which is positioned at a lock position by pushing the operation arm according to the rotation of the drum member from the shift position or the neutral position to the parking position. One end of the transmission operation shaft is located near the operation arm. At one end of the shift operation shaft, there is provided an arm restraining portion that can urge the operation arm toward the unlock position when the drum member is moved from the parking position to the shift position or the neutral position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Shuji NISHIMOTO, Keisei SHIMAZAKI, Michio TSUKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20200215906
    Abstract: [Technical problem] To provide a power transmission mechanism for a four-wheel drive vehicle in which a prime mover is disposed at a low position to lower the center of gravity of the vehicle while a driving path from a transmission to a front wheel differential mechanism is also shortened. [Solutions] In a power transmission mechanism for a four-wheel drive vehicle, the power of a prime mover is transmitted to a front wheel differential mechanism which is disposed in front of the prime mover, and to a rear wheel differential mechanism which is disposed behind a transmission, through the transmission which is disposed behind the prime mover. The transmission comprises a front and rear wheel drive shaft that extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The transmission is arranged separately from the prime mover and a rear axle drive device. The rear end portion of the front and rear wheel drive shaft is connected to an input shaft of the rear wheel differential mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Keisei SHIMAZAKI, Michio TSUKAMOTO, Ayumi HAMADA
  • Patent number: 10690225
    Abstract: A transaxle comprises first and second input shafts coaxial to each other, an output shaft drivingly connected to the second input shaft, a torque limiter interposed between the first and second input shafts, and a housing incorporating the first and second input shafts, the output shaft and the torque limiter. The torque limiter includes first and second sleeves. The first sleeve is fitted to the first input shaft unrotatably relative to the first input shaft. The second sleeve is fitted to the second input shaft unrotatably relative to the second input shaft. The first and second sleeves are layered in a radial direction of the first and second input shafts so as to be pressed against each other with a radial surface pressure to limit a torque transmitted between the first and second sleeves to a limiting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MFG.CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Michio Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20200166112
    Abstract: A transaxle includes: an axle housing in which an input gear is rotatably supported; a differential casing that is contained in the axle housing while being rotatably supported relative to the axle housing; first and second side gears as a pair of spur gears that are contained in the differential casing, coaxially arranged, relatively rotatable with each other, and rotatable relative to the differential casing; a group of pinions as spur gears that are rotatably supported, in the differential casing, by rotational shafts that are in parallel with axes of the first and the second side gears in the differential casing, the group of pinions transmitting power between the first side gear and the second side gear; and a final gear having a ring shape that is contained in the axle housing, meshes with the input gear, incorporates the differential casing, and is relatively unrotatably coupled to the differential casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventor: Michio TSUKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20200103011
    Abstract: A traveling hydraulic stepless transmission (“HST”), ensures stopping of a vehicle on a slope under high load conditions, maintains stopping the vehicle on flat ground under low load conditions, and enables smooth starting from a stop. The HST includes a neutral check valve (“NCV”) and an internal damping system (“IDS”). The NCV includes a first orifice that opens a first oil passage to a transaxle case when a pressure in the first oil passage is equal to or less than a predetermined pressure, and that connects the second oil passage to the transaxle case when a pressure in a second oil passage is equal to or less than the predetermined pressure. The IDS includes second orifices that connect a high pressure side of the oil passages to the transaxle case when a discharge rate of the hydraulic pump is equal to or less than a predetermined discharge rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Daisuke MURASHIMA, Michio TSUKAMOTO
  • Patent number: 10583733
    Abstract: A transaxle includes: an axle housing in which an input gear is rotatably supported; a differential casing that is contained in the axle housing while being rotatably supported relative to the axle housing; first and second side gears as a pair of spur gears that are contained in the differential casing, coaxially arranged, relatively rotatable with each other, and rotatable relative to the differential casing; a group of pinions as spur gears that are rotatably supported, in the differential casing, by rotational shafts that are in parallel with axes of the first and the second side gears in the differential casing, the group of pinions transmitting power between the first side gear and the second side gear; and a final gear having a ring shape that is contained in the axle housing, meshes with the input gear, incorporates the differential casing, and is relatively unrotatably coupled to the differential casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Michio Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20200009969
    Abstract: A movable structure driving unit is a movable structure driving unit used for a movable structure, including: an electric motor that is electrically connected to a power supply and that drives a front wheel; a rear-side motive power source that drives a rear wheel; a jump detector that detects a jump of the front wheel from ground; and a motor controller that controls driving of the electric motor. The motor controller stops supply of a driving current from the power supply to the electric motor when the jump of the front wheel from the ground is detected in a state in which driving of the front wheel and the rear wheel is instructed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Tatsuya KAMADA, Michio TSUKAMOTO, Masaru IIDA