Patents by Inventor Minoru Mera

Minoru Mera 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).

  • Publication number: 20050124446
    Abstract: A power transmission mechanism is attached to a housing of a rotary machine for inputting power to a rotary shaft of the rotary machine and includes a rotary body that is rotatably supported by the housing through a rotary body bearing and an electric motor, a stator of which is supported by the housing through a stator bracket. A positioning structure for the power transmission mechanism includes a bearing positioning means and a bracket positioning means. The bearing positioning means positions the rotary body bearing forward and rearward in an axial direction of the rotary shaft relative to the housing and has front and rear positioning surfaces. The bracket positioning means positions the stator bracket forward and rearward in the axial direction and has front and rear positioning surfaces. At least one of the front and rear positioning surfaces of the respective positioning means is shared with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Jiro Iwasa, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Yasuharu Odachi, Minoru Mera, Kazuo Murakami, Taku Adaniya
  • Publication number: 20040178039
    Abstract: There is provided a compact one-way clutch unit that can perform connection and disconnection of power in two systems. An end portion on a side of a deep groove ball bearing portion 65 of a second one-way clutch 2 is disposed in an annular recess 67, which is provided at an end portion in an inner peripheral surface of a first inner ring 7, so that the dimension in an axial direction of a one-way clutch unit is reduced. Further, an outer peripheral diameter on a side of the deep groove ball bearing portion 65 is made smaller than that on the side of a one-way clutch portion 60 of a second outer ring 14 so as to reduce a diameter of the recess 67 and the outer peripheral diameter of the first outer ring 5 of the first one-way clutch 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicants: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Takahiro Ichihara, Hajime Watanabe, Hideki Fujiwara, Minoru Mera, Taku Adaniya, Akinobu Kanai, Naoki Usui, Tomoharu Arai
  • Publication number: 20040180742
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes a first one-way clutch that transmits a rotational power of a pulley to a rotating shaft, and a second one-way clutch that transmits a rotational power of a rotor of a motor to the rotating shaft. The first one-way clutch is of inner cam type in which an engagement cam-surface is formed in an outer periphery of a first inner ring, while the second one-way clutch is of outer cam type in which an engagement cam-surface is formed in an inner periphery of a second outer ring. This arrangement improves engagement performance of the first one-way clutch as well as reducing heat generation of the second one-way clutch, so that the lifetime of grease is prolonged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicants: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Takahiro Ichihara, Hajima Watanabe, Hideki Fujiwara, Minoru Mera, Taku Adaniya, Akinobu Kanai, Naoki Usui, Tomoharu Arai
  • Publication number: 20040178040
    Abstract: There is provided a one-way clutch unit that is simple in structure and compact. An annular recess 67 is provided in an inner periphery of a side of a deep groove ball bearing portion 55 of a first inner ring 7 of a first one-way clutch 1, and an end portion on the side of a deep groove ball bearing portion 65 of a second one-way clutch 2 is disposed in the annular recess 67. Thereby, the dimension in an axial direction of the one-way clutch unit is reduced by a dimension in the axial direction of the second one-way clutch 2 that is disposed in the annular recess 67.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicants: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Takahiro Ichihara, Hajime Watanabe, Hideki Fujiwara, Minoru Mera, Taku Adaniya, Akinobu Kanai, Naoki Usui, Tomoharu Arai
  • Patent number: 6752065
    Abstract: A sliding member comprising at least one sliding layer including a solid lubricant and at least one thermosetting resin with which particles of the solid lubricant are held together, the solid lubricant containing 10-40 vol. % of polytetrafluoroethylene. A sliding device comprising: at least one first sliding member each including at least one sliding layer which includes a solid lubricant and at least one thermosetting resin with which particles of the solid lubricant are held together, the solid lubricant containing 10-40 vol. % of polytetrafluoroethylene; and at least one second sliding member plated with a nickel-based composition; and wherein the at least one first sliding member and the at least one second sliding member slide relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Takahiro Sugioka, Akira Onoda, Minoru Mera, Tomohiro Murakami, Manabu Sugiura
  • Patent number: 6726456
    Abstract: A filter 42 comprises a cylindrical filter body 45 which is disposed in a suction passage 41, a lid portion 47 which closes an opening 45b positioned in a downstream side of the suction passage 41 in the filter body 45, communication holes 48 which penetrate through the filter body 45 and communicate the inside of the filter body 45 with the outside thereof, and filter elements 49, 50 which are disposed downstream of the communication holes 48 and the lid portion 47, in the filter body 45; wherein a gap between an outer circumferential surface 45c of the filter body 45 and an inner circumferential surface 45a of the suction passage 41 is closed upstream of the communication holes 48.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Shiro Hayashi, Minoru Mera, Hideki Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20030211893
    Abstract: A compressor provided with a torque limiter constructed such that, in view of possible occurrence of accidental locking of the compressor, in the case where a one-way clutch is used in place of an electromagnetic clutch in order to permit a refrigerant compressor for a vehicle air-conditioning system to be driven by an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine, when an excessive torque is to be transmitted by the one-way clutch, rollers ride over wedge surfaces and fall into pocket sections, or sprags are reversed to roll-over.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Motohiko Ueda, Yasuo Tabuchi, Minoru Mera, Taku Adaniya, Tomoharu Arai
  • Publication number: 20030121412
    Abstract: A shoe for a swash plate type compressor disposed between a swash plate and a corresponding one of a plurality of pistons, the shoe being characterized by comprising: a base body formed of an aluminum alloy; and a metal plating film which covers at least a portion of a surface of the base body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Manabu Sugiura, Takahiro Sugioka, Shino Ohkubo, Akira Onoda, Tomohiro Murakami, Minoru Mera
  • Publication number: 20030089223
    Abstract: A sliding member comprising at least one sliding layer including a solid lubricant and at least one thermosetting resin with which particles of the solid lubricant are held together, the solid lubricant containing 10-40 vol. % of polytetrafluoroethylene. A sliding device comprising: at least one first sliding member each including at least one sliding layer which includes a solid lubricant and at least one thermosetting resin with which particles of the solid lubricant are held together, the solid lubricant containing 10-40 vol. % of polytetrafluoroethylene; and at least one second sliding member plated with a nickel-based composition; and wherein the at least one first sliding member and the at least one second sliding member slide relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Takahiro Sugioka, Akira Onoda, Minoru Mera, Tomohiro Murakami, Manabu Sugiura
  • Patent number: 6558133
    Abstract: A variable displacement compressor includes a supply passage for supplying refrigerant gas from a discharge chamber to a crank chamber and a bleed passage for bleeding the refrigerant gas from the crank chamber to a suction chamber. An oil separator is connected to a drive shaft and is located in the bleed passage. The oil separator rotates together with the drive shaft to centrifugally separate lubricant oil from the refrigerant gas that flows in the bleed passage. An oil chamber is formed in a compressor housing for receiving the separated oil. The pressure in the oil chamber is equal to or greater than the pressure in the crank chamber. The lubricant oil rapidly returns to the crank chamber through a return passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Tetsuhiko Fukanuma, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Hiroaki Kayukawa, Hiroshi Uneyama, Minoru Mera
  • Patent number: 6524079
    Abstract: In a variable-capacity swash-plate type compressor, which can vary the outlet capacity by controlling an inclination angle of a swash plate, the swash plate is aligned by contacting a washer (19) with a tapered surface to the swash plate (18). Thus, in a case where a compression operation is not carried out or in a case where a compression operation is carried out at a small outlet capacity regarded as zero substantially, the noises, etc., which generate between the swash plate and a driving shaft (6), are inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kazuya Kimura, Tetsuhiko Fukanuma, Masakazu Murase, Minoru Mera, Atsuyuki Morishita, Shingo Kumazawa
  • Patent number: 6514049
    Abstract: A control valve is used in connection with a variable displacement compressor that varies the discharge capacity by controlling an inclination of a cam plate located in a crank chamber. The inclination of the cam plate is variable based on crank chamber pressure caused by refrigerant in the crank chamber. Monitor pressure is monitored at a predetermined point in a refrigerant circuit for causing a change in the crank chamber pressure and ultimately varying the discharge capacity. The control valve has a housing, an internal control valve mechanism and an external control valve mechanism. The internal control valve mechanism is located inside the valve housing and has a first valve body and a first reacting member. The first reacting member is connected to the first valve body for reacting to the monitor pressure to cause a change in the crank chamber pressure. The external control valve mechanism is located inside the valve housing and has a second valve body and a second reacting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Minoru Mera, Hideki Mizutani, Kazuya Kimura, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Takeshi Imanishi, Hiroaki Kayukawa
  • Publication number: 20020172602
    Abstract: A variable displacement compressor includes a supply passage for supplying refrigerant gas from a discharge chamber to a crank chamber and a bleed passage for bleeding the refrigerant gas from the crank chamber to a suction chamber. An oil separator is connected to a drive shaft and is located in the bleed passage. The oil separator rotates together with the drive shaft to centrifugally separate lubricant oil from the refrigerant gas that flows in the bleed passage. An oil chamber is formed in a compressor housing for receiving the separated oil. The pressure in the oil chamber is equal to or greater than the pressure in the crank chamber. The lubricant oil rapidly returns to the crank chamber through a return passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Tetsuhiko Fukanuma, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Hiroaki Kayukawa, Hiroshi Uneyama, Minoru Mera
  • Publication number: 20020131876
    Abstract: A filter 42 comprises a cylindrical filter body 45 which is disposed in a suction passage 41, a lid portion 47 which closes an opening 45b positioned in a downstream side of the suction passage 41 in the filter body 45, communication holes 48 which penetrate through the filter body 45 and communicate the inside of the filter body 45 with the outside thereof, and filter elements 49, 50 which are disposed downstream of the communication holes 48 and the lid portion 47, in the filter body 45; wherein a gap between an outer circumferential surface 45c of the filter body 45 and an inner circumferential surface 45a of the suction passage 41 is closed upstream of the communication holes 48.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Shiro Hayashi, Minoru Mera, Hideki Mizutani
  • Patent number: 6425741
    Abstract: A variable capacity type compressor has a swash plate which can incline with respect to the drive shaft. An angle decreasing spring urges the swash plate to decrease the inclination angle and a return spring urges the swash plate to increase the inclination angle from the minimum inclination angle beyond the limit angle. The minimum inclination angle is smaller than a limit angle at which the swash plate can be assuredly returned in the direction to increase the inclination angle by a reaction force of the discharge pressure, and the angle decreasing spring balances with the return spring at an angle greater than the limit angle. A minimum spring load (F0) of the return spring is greater than 20N. A maximum spring load (F100) of the angle decreasing spring is F100(N)=(180±30)−4×(VD−120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Minoru Mera, Kazuya Kimura, Hiroshi Uneyama
  • Publication number: 20020018723
    Abstract: A control valve is used in connection with a variable displacement compressor that varies the discharge capacity by controlling an inclination of a cam plate located in a crank chamber. The inclination of the cam plate is variable based on crank chamber pressure caused by refrigerant in the crank chamber. Monitor pressure is monitored at a predetermined point in a refrigerant circuit for causing a change in the crank chamber pressure and ultimately varying the discharge capacity. The control valve has a housing, an internal control valve mechanism and an external control valve mechanism. The internal control valve mechanism is located inside the valve housing and has a first valve body and a first reacting member. The first reacting member is connected to the first valve body for reacting to the monitor pressure to cause a change in the crank chamber pressure. The external control valve mechanism is located inside the valve housing and has a second valve body and a second reacting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Minoru Mera, Hideki Mizutani, Kazuya Kimura, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Takeshi Imanishi, Hiroaki Kayukawa
  • Patent number: 6206648
    Abstract: A compressor having a crank chamber in which a large amount of lubricating oil is constantly maintained. The compressor includes a pressurizing passage through which refrigerant gas flows from a discharge chamber to the crank chamber. A displacement control valve varies the displacement of the compressor by adjusting the flow in the pressurizing passage thereby changing the pressure in the crank chamber and altering the inclination of a swash plate. The compressor further includes a bleeding passage. An oil separator is arranged in the bleeding passage to separate lubricating oil from the refrigerant gas flowing through the bleeding passage. The oil separator and the crank chamber are connected to each other by a recovery passage, through which the separated lubricating oil is returned to the crank chamber, and a pressurizing passage. A venturi tube is employed to help transfer oil from the oil separator to the crank chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kazuya Kimura, Minoru Mera
  • Patent number: 5988223
    Abstract: A removable sealing plug device for protecting the interior of a refrigerant compressor from dust, dirt, and corrosion during storage and/or transport of the compressor before it is assembled into a refrigerating system, including a plug element made of a rubber material and having a body portion adapted to being sealingly fitted in an inlet and/or outlet port of the compressor and a columnar head portion formed in an upper face of the body portion, and a base plate element having a through-bore in which the columnar head of the plug element is fitted with an interference fit, the base plate being secured to the outer circumference of the compressor, by using an existing threaded hole and a screw bolt, to hold the plug element between the base plate element and the outer circumference of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Shigeki Kanzaki, Takahiro Hoshida, Minoru Mera