Patents by Inventor Mitsuji Echigo

Mitsuji Echigo 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: 5188574
    Abstract: A power train includes a transmission disposed in a transverse direction of a vehicle, in which an engine crankshaft extends. The power train has a wheel drive shaft, disposed in alignment with a transmission shaft, a front differential, having differential output shafts aligned with the transmission shaft, and a speed reduction gear, disposed between the transmission shaft and differential input shaft. The speed reduction gear has an input gear, having an axis of rotation placed parallel to the transmission shaft. The transmission shaft is one of input shaft and output shaft, having axes of rotation which are placed parallel to the engine crankshaft. The wheel drive shaft and differential output shaft are aligned with the one of the transmission input and output shafts. The speed reduction gear, connected to the one of the transmission input and output shafts, is preferably parallel to both of the transmission input and output shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuji Echigo, Naomune Moriyama, Hideaki Akahoshi, Osamu Kameda, Hitoshi Akutagawa
  • Patent number: 5129476
    Abstract: In the case where a steering shaft and an exhaust pipe are arranged in the longitudinal direction of vehicle body across a front axle in the four-wheel-drive motor vehicle of transversely-disposed engine type, such are arranged by utilizing a dead space between a front differential and a directional change gear. This arrangement can meet the required road clearance and other requirements, while preventing interference with differential, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Reiji Kikuchi, Naomune Moriyama, Mitsuji Echigo, Masaya Watanabe, Hisaaki Katsuka
  • Patent number: 5040634
    Abstract: A motor vehicle with a transversely-disposed engine wherein a differential gear of a power plant is mounted transversely in the forward position of an engine, and a steering member is disposed in the upper position of an output shaft of the engine as well as in the rearward position of the engine. The advantages obtained in this arrangement are a reduced weight loaded on front wheels, a simplified steering system and a facilitated layout of the steering member. Knuckle arms are provided with long arm portions with which tie rods are connected. These tie rods are connected with the steering member at the center thereof. Accordingly, the tie rods can be long enough while necessary steering angle of the front wheels can be obtained. Thus, the toe angle fluctuation can be restrained and the steering rigidity can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Naomune Moriyama, Reiji Kikuchi, Mitsuji Echigo, Masaya Watanabe