Patents by Inventor Norihiro Ishii
Norihiro Ishii 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: 7500362Abstract: An axle driving apparatus for being mounted on the body frame of a vehicle and for independently rotating drive wheel members. The axle driving apparatus includes a first axle driving unit (18L) having a housing (40) and a single axle (20L), the single axle (20L) defining a proximal end portion rotatably mounted in the housing (40) and a distal end portion extending outwardly from a first side of tile housing (40). An enlarged region is defined by the housing (40), with the enlarged region extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the single axle (20L). A hydraulic stepless speed change assembly (22) is disposed within the enlarged region. The speed change assembly (22) includes a hydraulic pump (52) having an input shaft (21) projecting from the enlarged region aid includes a hydraulic motor (55) including an output shaft (74) drivingly connected to the single axle (20L).Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2007Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Robert Abend, Norihiro Ishii, Ryota Ohashi
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Patent number: 7493758Abstract: An axle driving apparatus for being mounted on the body frame of a vehicle and for independently rotating drive wheel members. The axle driving apparatus includes a first axle driving unit (18L) having a housing (40) and a single axle (20L), the single axle (20L) defining a proximal end portion rotatably mounted in the housing (40) and a distal end portion extending outwardly from a first side of the housing (40). An enlarged region is defined by the housing (40), with the enlarged region extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the single axle (20L). A hydraulic stepless speed change assembly (22) is disposed within the enlarged region. The speed change assembly (22) includes a hydraulic pump (52) having an input shaft (21) projecting from the enlarged region and includes a hydraulic motor (55) including an output shaft (74) drivingly connected to the single axle (20L).Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Robert Abend, Norihiro Ishii, Ryota Ohashi
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Publication number: 20090045026Abstract: A dual clutch transmission comprises a first clutch to be engaged for setting any one of forward-traveling odd-numbered speeds and a second clutch to be engaged for setting any one of forward-traveling even-numbered speeds. The dual clutch transmission establishes a desired forward-traveling speed by alternately engaging/disengaging the first and second clutches. A backward-traveling drive train is adapted to be driven by engaging one of the first and second clutches. When a reverse mode is established by a mode setting means, the one of the first and second clutches is engaged to drive the backward-traveling drive train by setting a speed change manipulator at a backward-traveling position, and the other of the first and second clutches is engaged to drive a fixed one forward-traveling speed drive train by setting the speed change manipulator at a forward-traveling position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2008Publication date: February 19, 2009Inventors: Norihiro Ishii, Kengo Sasahara, Kazunari Koga, Tomoyuki Ebihara
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Publication number: 20090047151Abstract: A fluid passage member includes a pump mounting surface onto which a hydraulic pump having a rotary axis is mounted; first and second kidney ports opened at the pump mounting surface; a first fluid extraction port outwardly opened and connected to the first kidney port; a motor mounting surface onto which a hydraulic motor having a rotary axis is mounted so that the rotary axis of the hydraulic motor is parallel to the rotary axis of the hydraulic pump; third and fourth kidney ports opened at the motor mounting surface; and a second fluid extraction port outwardly opened and connected to the third kidney port.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2008Publication date: February 19, 2009Inventors: Koji IRIKURA, Norihiro Ishii, Shigenori Sakikawa
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Patent number: 7490692Abstract: An axle driving unit includes an axle, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor having a motor shaft on which an output gear is provided to be drivingly connected to said axle, a center section having a pump mounting surface and a motor mounting surface onto which the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor are mounted respectively so as to be fluidly connected with each other through the center section, a housing constituted by a first housing part and a second housing part joined to each other at a joint surface, a projection integrally formed on the center section so as to be fitted to the housing, thereby fixing a position of the center section relative to the housing, and a fastener fastening the center section to the first housing part. The pump mounting surface and said motor mounting surface may be disposed perpendicular to each other. Said pump mounting surface and said motor mounting surface are disposed perpendicular to each other.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2007Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Robert Abend, Norihiro Ishii, Ryota Ohashi
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Patent number: 7484365Abstract: An axle driving apparatus comprises a housing. The housing contains a hydrostatic transmission, a differential unit driven by the hydrostatic transmission, a pair of axles mutually differentially connected through the differential unit, and a restricting mechanism for selectively restricting differential motion of the axles by manual operation. The differential unit comprises a ring gear serving as an input gear and a pair of bevel gears which can be differentially rotated by rotation of the ring gear. The restricting mechanism engages one of the bevel gears with the ring gear. If a pair of differential side gears fixed on the respective axles serve as the bevel gears, the restricting mechanism engages one of the bevel gear to the ring gear through a claw clutch or a friction clutch.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Norihiro Ishii, Koji Irikura
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Patent number: 7484364Abstract: An axle driving apparatus for being mounted on the body frame of a vehicle and for independently rotating drive wheel members. The axle driving apparatus includes a first axle driving unit (18L) having a housing (40) and a single axle (20L), the single axle (20L) defining a proximal end portion rotatably mounted in the housing (40) and a distal end portion extending outwardly from a first side of the housing (40). An enlarged region is defined by the housing (40), with the enlarged region extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the single axle (20L). A hydraulic stepless speed change assembly (22) is disposed within the enlarged region. The speed change assembly (22) includes a hydraulic pump (52) having an input shaft (21) projecting from the enlarged region and includes a hydraulic motor (55) including an output shaft (74) drivingly connected to the single axle (20L).Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2007Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Robert Abend, Norihiro Ishii, Ryota Ohashi
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Publication number: 20090025997Abstract: A hydraulic drive vehicle comprises a vehicle frame, a bonnet, a prime mover, a hydraulic transaxle, a seat, a reservoir tank, and a cooling fan and a cooling duct. The bonnet is supported on one of front and rear portions of the vehicle frame, and provided therein with a first space. The prime mover is disposed in the first space. The hydraulic transaxle is driven by the prime mover. The seat is supported on the other of the front and rear portions of the vehicle frame, and is provided therebelow with a second space. The reservoir tank is fluidly connected to the hydraulic transaxle. The cooling fan is driven by the prime mover. The cooling duct is disposed in the second space. The cooling fan and the reservoir tank are disposed in the cooling duct so that the cooling fan cools the reservoir tank. A hydraulic pump for driving the hydraulic transaxle is disposed in the cooling duct so as to be cooled by the cooling fan.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2007Publication date: January 29, 2009Inventors: Norihiro Ishii, Koji Iwaki, Fumitoshi Ishino, Toshiyuki Hasegawa, Hiroaki Shimizu
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Publication number: 20090000839Abstract: A riding lawnmower includes left and right wheels, at least one caster wheel, a lawnmower blade or reel, and a control section. The left and right wheels are independently driven by electric rotary machines to travel. The lawnmower blade or reel is driven for mowing. The control section, in response to turn instruction input by a turn operator, controls the left and right wheels according to preset standard setting conditions, or according to deceleration setting conditions which differ from the standard setting conditions, under which at least one of a vehicle movement speed and vehicle turning speed is decelerated more than under standard setting conditions. The riding lawnmower includes a section designating either standard setting conditions or deceleration setting conditions. In a riding lawnmower, left and right wheels are caused to turn around a turn center position corresponding to a turn instruction according to designated setting conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2008Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Norihiro Ishii, Kengo Sasahara, Kazunari Koga, Jun Matsuura, Tomoyuki Ebihara, Katsumoto Mizukawa
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Patent number: 7469537Abstract: A hydraulic transaxle comprises: an axle; a hydraulic pump driven by a prime mover; a hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump so as to drive the axle; a bypass fluid circuit bypassing between suction and delivery ports of the hydraulic motor; a bypass valve provided in the bypass fluid circuit; a bypass operation device for selectively opening or closing the bypass valve; and a reset mechanism for closing the opened bypass valve.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2006Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Michio Tsukamoto, Norihiro Ishii, Hideaki Okada
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Publication number: 20080296080Abstract: A hydraulic transaxle comprises a transaxle casing for supporting left and right axles, a pair of hydraulic motors disposed in the transaxle casing so as to drive the respective left and right axles, hydraulic ports provided in the transaxle casing so as to fluidly connect the pair of hydraulic motors in parallel to a common hydraulic pump, and a system for restricting or canceling differential rotation of the pair of hydraulic motors.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2008Publication date: December 4, 2008Inventors: Norihiro ISHII, Koji Irikura, Ryota Ohashi, Shigenori Sakikawa
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Patent number: 7455145Abstract: A steering transaxle comprises: left and right drive shafts drivingly connected to respective steerable wheels; a differential gear unit differentially connecting the drive shafts to each other; a transaxle casing having an opening, the transaxle casing incorporating the differential gear unit and the drive shafts; a cover for covering the opening of the transaxle casing; a variable hydraulic motor having a movable swash plate, the hydraulic motor being provided on the inside of the cover; a motor control mechanism for controlling the movable swash plate, the motor control mechanism being provided on the outside of the cover; and a hydraulic oil port for oil supply and delivery to and from the hydraulic motor, the hydraulic oil port being provided on the outside of the cover.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2006Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Irikura, Norihiro Ishii, Shigenori Sakikawa
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Publication number: 20080283324Abstract: In a hydraulic four-wheel drive vehicle, a rear transaxle incorporates a hydraulic motor for driving rear wheels, a front transaxle incorporates a hydraulic motor for driving front wheels, and hydraulic pressure fluid pipes interposed between the front and rear transaxles are extended along at least one of left and right side plates of a frame of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2008Publication date: November 20, 2008Inventors: Koji IWAKI, Shiro UENO, Norihiro ISHII, Hideaki OKADA, Hiroshi SUGIMOTO, Shinichi HIROSE, Hironori SUMOMOZAWA, Fumitoshi ISHINO
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Patent number: 7448209Abstract: An axle driving apparatus for being mounted on the body frame of a vehicle and for independently rotating drive wheel members. The axle driving apparatus includes a first axle driving unit (18L) leaving a housing (40) and a single axle (20L), the single axle (20L) defining a proximal end portion rotatably mounted in the housing (40) and a distal end portion extending outwardly from a first side of the housing (40). An enlarged region is defined by the housing (40), with the enlarged region extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the single axle (20L). A hydraulic stepless speed change assembly (22) is disposed within the enlarged region. The speed change assembly (22) includes a hydraulic pump (52) having an input shaft (21) projecting from the enlarged region and includes a hydraulic motor (55) including an output shaft (74) drivingly connected to the single axle (20L).Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2007Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Robert Abend, Norihiro Ishii, Ryota Ohashi
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Patent number: 7445077Abstract: An axle driving apparatus for a vehicle includes an axle, a vertical pump shaft, a hydraulic pump having a movable swash plate, a pair of trunnion shafts provided coaxially at respective opposite sides of the movable swash plate, a hydraulic motor having a motor shaft drivingly connected to the axle, and a housing containing the hydraulic pump, the hydraulic motor, and the axle. The housing includes a first housing member and a second housing member separably jointed along a vertical plane perpendicular to a rotary axis of the axle. A rotary axis of the hydraulic pump is substantially parallel to the vertical plane. The hydraulic pump is entirely disposed in the first housing member. A rotary axis of the trunnion shafts is substantially perpendicular to the vertical plane.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2007Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Robert Abend, Norihiro Ishii, Ryota Ohashi
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Publication number: 20080264026Abstract: A riding lawnmower vehicle includes two main drive wheels, at least one caster wheel, an electric traction motor, an internal combustion engine, a generator driven by the internal combustion engine, and a lawnmower. The electric energy generated by the generator can be supplied directly or via an electric accumulator to the electric traction motor. The main drive wheels are independently driven by the electric traction motor, which can operate as a traction power source. When viewed from one end to the other end in the width direction of the vehicle, the internal combustion engine and a secondary battery operable as the electric accumulator overlap each other, and the main drive wheels overlap at least a part of at least one of the internal combustion engine, the generator, the secondary battery, a fuel cell, a capacitor, an inverter, a cooling device, a mower driving motor, and a grass-collecting duct.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2008Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Norihiro Ishii, Kengo Sasahara, Kazunari Koga, Jun Matsuura, Tomoyuki Ebihara, Katsumoto Mizukawa
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Patent number: 7434651Abstract: An axle driving apparatus includes a housing for supporting an axle, a hydrostatic transmission including a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor, and a center section. The center section has a pump mounting surface and a motor mounting surface substantially perpendicular to each other. A rotational axis of a motor shaft is disposed lower than a plane located at the pump mounting surface. The center section includes a narrow portion and a wide portion. The narrow portion is defined between a first side and a second side opposite the first side in a direction along the rotational axis of the motor shaft. The wide portion is formed adjacent to the narrow portion. A first extension of the wide portion is defined by a width that extends from the first side in the direction along the rotational axis of the motor shaft and a length that extends in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the motor shaft. A second extension of the wide portion is generally defined by the pump mounting surface formed thereon.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2007Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Robert Abend, Norihiro Ishii, Ryota Ohashi
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Patent number: 7431123Abstract: A vehicle including an integral transaxle apparatus with axles, a driving hydrostatic transmission (HST), a steering HST, and a differential unit. Driving operating means for slanting operation of a first movable swash plate of the variable displacement driving hydraulic pump for switching the travelling direction between forward and backward and for changing the travelling speed, and steering operating means for slanting operation of a second movable swash plate of the variable displacement steering hydraulic pump so as to determine the leftward and rightward cornering angle are provided. The steering hydraulic motor has a third movable swash plate interlocking with the driving operating means so that the slanting direction of the third movable swash plate is changed according to the operation of the driving operating means, whereby the vehicle turns laterally in the same direction in response to the steering operating means whether the vehicle travels forward or backward.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2005Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Irikura, Norihiro Ishii, Ryota Ohashi, Kenichi Takada, Hirohiko Kawada, Robert Abend, Keith J. Andrews, Toshiyuki Hasegawa, Hiroaki Shimizu
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Patent number: 7430862Abstract: An axle driving apparatus for being mounted on the body frame of a vehicle and for independently rotating drive wheel members. The axle driving apparatus includes a first axle driving unit (18L) having a housing (40) and a single axle (20L), the single axle (20L) defining a proximal end portion rotatably mounted in the housing (40) and a distal end portion extending outwardly from a first side of the housing (40). An enlarged region is defined by the housing (40), with the enlarged region extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the single axle (20L). A hydraulic stepless speed change assembly (22) is disposed within the enlarged region. The speed change assembly (22) includes a hydraulic pump (52) having an input shaft (21) projecting from the enlarged region and includes a hydraulic motor (55) including an output shaft (74) drivingly connected to the single axle (20L).Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2006Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Robert Abend, Norihiro Ishii, Ryota Ohashi
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Patent number: 7431122Abstract: A transaxle (1), having a hydraulic drive unit (20) and a pair of left and right wheel support units (2L and 2R), is suspended from a vehicle frame so as to be turnable around a turning-center axis oriented in a fore-and-aft direction of a vehicle. The hydraulic drive unit (20) comprises: a pair of left and right hydraulic motors (23L and 23R) having respective left and right horizontal motor shafts (23b); a center section (22) formed therein with an oil passage for hydraulically connecting at least one of the hydraulic motors to a hydraulic pump, the center section having motor attachment surfaces onto which the hydraulic motors are attached; and a pair of left and right axle casings (2L and 2R) containing the respective hydraulic motors and supporting the respective motor shafts.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2004Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Iwaki, Norihiro Ishii, Shigenori Sakikawa, Katsumoto Mizukawa, Manabu Kawakami, Kentaro Nagata