Patents by Inventor Seiji Esaki

Seiji Esaki 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: 7749128
    Abstract: There is provided an automatic transmission comprising a first shaft capable of receiving torque from an engine, and four planetary gear sets arranged coaxially on the first shaft and in series in an axial direction of the first shaft. Each of the four planetary gear sets has a single sun gear and a single ring gear. Further, the automatic transmission comprises an output wheel arranged coaxially on the first shaft, and capable of outputting torque transmitted from the engine through some of the four planetary gear sets. The output wheel is arranged between two of the four planetary gear sets. Accordingly, the noise or vibration from the planetary gear sets in the automatic transmission may be reduced, while the overall length of the first shaft may be made shorter, and the overall size of the automatic transmission may be made smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Kamada, Takamichi Teraoka, Junichi Doi, Tokimori Saka, Tatsuhiko Iwasaki, Naohiro Sakaue, Tatsutoshi Mizobe, Yoshihiko Fujita, Norio Iwashita, Satoshi Komori, Kazuhiko Ueda, Seiji Esaki
  • Patent number: 7553253
    Abstract: In an automatic transmission (AT) in which an input shaft (Input) and an output gear (Output) are disposed on the same axis and three clutches (C1-C3) and two brakes (B1, B2) are selectively operated to provide six forward speeds, first and second planetary gear sets (GS1, GS2) are configured to consistently reduce the speed of input rotation and output the speed-reduced rotation, thereby enabling downsizing of them. The first and second planetary gear sets (GS1, GS2) are arranged in a transmission case at both the axial ends thereof. Third and fourth planetary gear sets (GS3, GS4) are connected to each other to have four rotation elements in combination, thereby constituting a Simpson planetary gear train. One of the four rotation elements (a fourth carrier (PC4) in an illustrated example) is connected to the output gear (Output).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Kamada, Junichi Doi, Takamichi Teraoka, Tokimori Saka, Tatsutoshi Mizobe, Naohiro Sakaue, Yoshihiko Fujita, Norio Iwashita, Satoshi Komori, Kazuhiko Ueda, Seiji Esaki
  • Patent number: 7485068
    Abstract: In an automatic transmission (AT) in which an input shaft (Input) and an output gear (Output) are disposed on the same axis and three clutches (C1-C3) and two brakes (B1, B2) are selectively operated to provide six forward speeds, first and second planetary gear sets (GS1, GS2) are configured to consistently reduce the speed of input rotation and output the speed-reduced rotation, thereby enabling downsizing of them. The first and second planetary gear sets (GS1, GS2) are arranged in a transmission case at both the axial ends thereof. Third and fourth planetary gear sets (GS3, GS4) are connected to each other to have four rotation elements in combination, thereby constituting a Simpson planetary gear train. One of the four rotation elements (a fourth carrier (PC4) in an illustrated example) is connected to the output gear (Output).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Kamada, Junichi Doi, Takamichi Teraoka, Tokimori Saka, Tatsutoshi Mizobe, Naohiro Sakaue, Yoshihiko Fujita, Norio Iwashita, Satoshi Komori, Kazuhiko Ueda, Seiji Esaki
  • Publication number: 20080243322
    Abstract: There are provided a driving-state determination device to determine a driving state of a hybrid vehicle, and a driving-source selection device to select a driving source from an engine a first motor generator, and a second motor generator based on determination of the driving-state determination device so as to provide the highest driving efficiency as a whole of the vehicle. Herein, the first and second motor generators are configured so that a high-efficiency driving operation area of the first motor generator is set on a higher-speed side relative to a high-efficiency driving operation area of the second motor generator. Accordingly, there can be provided a control device of a hybrid vehicle that can improve the driving efficiency as a whole of the vehicle properly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidetoshi NOBUMOTO, Kiyotaka Mamiya, Seiji Esaki, Taizou Shoya, Takayuki Ueda
  • Publication number: 20070099742
    Abstract: There is provided an automatic transmission comprising a first shaft capable of receiving torque from an engine, and four planetary gear sets arranged coaxially on the first shaft and in series in an axial direction of the first shaft. Each of the four planetary gear sets has a single sun gear and a single ring gear. Further, the automatic transmission comprises an output wheel arranged coaxially on the first shaft, and capable of outputting torque transmitted from the engine through some of the four planetary gear sets. The output wheel is arranged between two of the four planetary gear sets. Accordingly, the noise or vibration from the planetary gear sets in the automatic transmission may be reduced, while the overall length of the first shaft may be made shorter, and the overall size of the automatic transmission may be made smaller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Applicant: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Kamada, Takamichi Teraoka, Junichi Doi, Tokimori Saka, Tatsuhiko Iwasaki, Naohiro Sakaue, Tatsutoshi Mizobe, Yoshihiko Fujita, Norio Iwashita, Satoshi Komori, Kazuhiko Ueda, Seiji Esaki
  • Publication number: 20070060439
    Abstract: In an automatic transmission (AT) in which an input shaft (Input) and an output gear (Output) are disposed on the same axis and three clutches (C1-C3) and two brakes (B1, B2) are selectively operated to provide six forward speeds, first and second planetary gear sets (GS1, GS2) are configured to consistently reduce the speed of input rotation and output the speed-reduced rotation, thereby enabling downsizing of them. The first and second planetary gear sets (GS1, GS2) are arranged in a transmission case at both the axial ends thereof. Third and fourth planetary gear sets (GS3, GS4) are connected to each other to have four rotation elements in combination, thereby constituting a Simpson planetary gear train. One of the four rotation elements (a fourth carrier (PC4) in an illustrated example) is connected to the output gear (Output).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinya Kamada, Junichi Doi, Takamichi Teraoka, Tokimori Saka, Tatsutoshi Mizobe, Naohiro Sakaue, Yoshihiko Fujita, Norio Iwashita, Satoshi Komori, Kazuhiko Ueda, Seiji Esaki
  • Patent number: 6656083
    Abstract: A hybrid drive system comprises an oil pump for forcing an operating oil to a transmission, an engine operationally connected to the oil-operated transmission through a first clutch, a battery-operated traction motor operationally connected to the transmission, a battery-operated auxiliary motor operationally connected to the engine through a second clutch so as to start the engine, an oil pump for forcing an operating oil to at least the transmission, and alteration means for selectively operationally connecting the oil pump to either one of the traction motor and the auxiliary motor which rotates at a speed of rotation higher than the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Esaki
  • Publication number: 20020084118
    Abstract: A hybrid drive system comprises an oil pump for forcing an operating oil to a transmission, an engine operationally connected to the oil-operated transmission through a first clutch, a battery-operated traction motor operationally connected to the transmission, a battery-operated auxiliary motor operationally connected to the engine through a second clutch so as to start the engine, an oil pump for forcing an operating oil to at least the transmission, and alteration means for selectively operationally connecting the oil pump to either one of the traction motor and the auxiliary motor which rotates at a speed of rotation higher than the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Seiji Esaki
  • Patent number: 5238460
    Abstract: A power transmission system for a vehicle has a first power transmission path having a forward-reverse shift mechanism and a reduction gear, a second power transmission path having an infinitely variable gear, and a path switching mechanism which switches the power transmission path between the first and second power transmission paths according to the running condition of the vehicle. The infinitely variable gear is a toroidal speed change mechanism having an output disk fixed to the output shaft of the power transmission system, an input disk which can be displaced in the axial direction of the output shaft and a roller which is in contact with both the input and output disks to rotate about an axis in response to rotation of the input disk and transmit rotation of the input disk to the output disk, the transmission ratio of the toroidal speed change mechanism being changed by changing the inclination of the axis about which the roller rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Esaki, Kazuhiko Ueda, Osamu Sado, Seiji Terauchi
  • Patent number: 5213011
    Abstract: A power transmission device for a vehicle comprises a first power transmitting path for transmitting engine output to a wheel side via a reduction gear, a second power transmitting path for transmitting engine output to the wheel side via a stepless speed change gear mechanism, a path switching clutch for switching between the paths to transmit by one of the paths, a switch-over control part for controlling switch-over operation of the clutch according to a driving condition of the vehicle, and a rotational condition abrupt change restraining part for restraining an abrupt change of a rotational condition of an engine output shaft at switch-over between the paths. The restraining part adjusts to conform rotating speeds of the input and output sides of the clutch to each other at switch-over of the clutch, or conform output torque to the wheel side between before and after switch-over of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Nobumoto, Seiji Esaki, Seiji Terauchi, Osamu Sado, Kazuhiko Ueda
  • Patent number: 5194052
    Abstract: A hydraulically operated stepless transmission has a first power flow path established so as to include a torque converter and a reverse and reduction gear and a second power flow path established so as to include a stepless transmission gear. The first and second flow paths are selectively available. A hydraulic control circuit, including at least one oil pump, causes a decrease in quantity of a lubrication oil delivered to the stepless transmission gear while the first power flow path is established, and causes a decrease in quantity of a working oil delivered to the torque converter while the second power flow path is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Ueda, Seiji Esaki, Osamu Sado
  • Patent number: 5137496
    Abstract: A restriction flange formed integrally on one end of each cylindrical holder in a sliding universal joint abuts the bottom surface of the respective transmitting groove to prevent inclination of the holder relative to a center axis of the outer member of the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Sasaki, Seiji Esaki, Yasushi Hashimoto, Shigeo Kurita
  • Patent number: 5127888
    Abstract: A differential gear is to be interposed between an input shaft and first and second output shafts in an automotive vehicle. The differential gear includes a carrier rotatable together with the input shaft, a pair of first and second pinions disposed on one side of the carrier and rotatably supported on the carrier, a pair of third and fourth pinions disposed on the other side of the carrier and rotatably supported on the carrier, a first internal gear rotatable together with the first output shaft and having common rotational axis with the carrier, and a second internal gear rotatable together with the second output shaft and having a common rotational axis with the carrier. The first and second pinions are placed symmetrically with respect to the rotational axis of the carrier. Likewise, the third and fourth pinions are placed symmetrically with respect to the rotational axis of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Esaki
  • Patent number: 5107068
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel polyurethane resin, a foam prepared from the resin, a preparation process of the foam, and preparation process of a rigid polyurethane foam composite having a face material. The primary object of the present invention is to provide a rigid polyurethane foam and a rigid polyurethane foam composite fitted with a face material which are prepared by using a hydrochlorofluorocarbon foaming agent having very low public hazards such as ozone layer destruction and green house phenomenon of the earth.The above object can be achieved by using a combination of a polyether polyol initiated from a phenol resin with an alkanolamine or an aliphatic polyhydroxy compound in the production of rigid polyurethane foams.Foams thus obtained have equivalent properties to those of foams obtained by using chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) which are conventional foaming agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Ozaki, Tsukuru Izukawa, Haruhiko Kawakami, Takayoshi Masuda, Seiji Esaki, Masayuki Kimura, Toshio Nozawa
  • Patent number: 5078661
    Abstract: A differential for use in a car includes a case rotatable around an axis, an input gear fixed to the case, coaxial with the axis of the case, a pair of output shafts which are rotatably supported by the case coaxially with the axis of the case and protrude from opposite ends of the case, a pair of intermeshing first gears disposed in the case at opposite sides of the axis of the case and rotatably supported by the case, a pair of second gears disposed in the case, a pair of third gears disposed in the case coaxially with the axis of the case, and at least one gear pump defined by at least one of the pairs of intermeshing gears. The differential restricts a flow of an operation oil of the gear pump so as to generate a load on the gear pump. One of the second gears is located at one side of and coaxial with one of the first gears and rotates integrally with this first gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Esaki
  • Patent number: 4954119
    Abstract: A restriction flange is provided on the inner end of each cylindrical holder in a sliding universal joint to keep the pair of cutouts which are provided for installation of the inner roller aligned with the longitudinal direction of the transmitting groove. The flange can be rectangular having appropriate side lengths to restrict any rotational motion of the cylindrical about it's center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Sasaki, Seiji Esaki, Yasushi Hashimoto, Shigeo Kurita
  • Patent number: 4904227
    Abstract: A stopper is slidably mounted on a bearing surface on the end wall of the inner member accommodating chamber of the outer member of a sliding-type universal joint. The bearing surface can be provided on a raised portion of the end wall larger in diameter than the diameter of a flange provided on the base of the stopper. The bearing surface is perpendicular to the axis of the outer member. A retainer in the form of a cylindrical member can be fitted to the outer periphery of the raised portion and can have an engagement portion to engage the flange of the stopper while allowing radial play of the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Sasaki, Seiji Esaki, Yasushi Hashimoto, Shigeo Kurita
  • Patent number: 4891035
    Abstract: In a slide type universal joint mounted between two transmission shafts between which power is transmitted, to connect both the shafts in a pivotable manner, a plurality of axially extending transmission grooves are provided in an inner peripheral surface of a hollow cylindrical outer member connected to one of the transmission shafts, while radial trunnions are mounted on an inner member connected to the other transmission shaft to project into the corresponding transmission grooves of the outer member. An inner roller is slidably fitted on the outer periphery of the trunnion and in turn, a holder is fitted on the outer periphery of the inner roller for rotatable support of an outer roller which is rollable within the transmission grooves. A regulating mechanism is provided between the holder and the outer member for preventing inclination of the holder with respect to the transmission groove while permitting smooth rolling movement of the outer roller within the transmission groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Sasaki, Seiji Esaki, Shigeo Kurita, Masahiro Shimizu