Patents by Inventor Shigeaki Fukushima

Shigeaki Fukushima 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: 20090069100
    Abstract: A joint assembly has a pair of constant velocity universal joints and a connecting drive shaft. A cover unit protects the constant velocity universal joints and prevents hanging down of the joints under their own weight. The unit cover is arranged to cover the outer circumferential surfaces of the pair of constant velocity universal joints and boots. The unit cover is formed from elastomer material by injection molding. The cover unit inner circumferential surface has a configuration corresponding to the outline configurations of the pair of constant velocity universal joints and the boots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Umekida, Shigeaki Fukushima, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa, Hiroshi Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20090046975
    Abstract: An axle module with a bearing apparatus has an outer joint member 14 axially secured relative to a wheel hub 1 by a caulked portion 13. The caulked portion 12 is formed by plastically deforming the end portion of a shaft portion 20 of the outer joint member 14 onto the end face 12 of the wheel hub 1. A pitch circle diameter PCDi of the inner side ball group is larger than a pitch circle diameter PCDo of the outer side ball group. The size of all the balls 6a, 6b is the same. The number of balls 6b of the inner side ball group is set larger than the number of balls 6a of the outer side ball group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawamura, Shigeaki Fukushima, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa, Mitsuru Umekida
  • Patent number: 7465233
    Abstract: A wheel bearing device includes a hub ring, a double-row bearing and a constant velocity universal joint which are unitized together. At least one of double-row inner raceways of the bearing and a wheel mounting flange are formed on a hub ring. The hub ring and a stem portion of a joint outer ring of the constant velocity universal joint are fitted through a torque transmission assembly, wherein a pilot member as a separate element having a wheel guide portion and a brake guide portion is fitted to a side-end portion of the wheel mounting flange of the hub ring, and the hub ring and the pilot member are fixed to the joint outer ring by swaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Tajima, Hiroyuki Ogura, Syougo Suzuki, Shigeaki Fukushima, Mitsuru Umekida, Akira Torii, Akira Sera, Hisashi Ohtsuki
  • Publication number: 20070219003
    Abstract: A wheel bearing device includes a hub ring, a double-row bearing and a constant velocity universal joint wherein at least the hub ring and the double-row bearing are unitized together. The hub ring and constant velocity universal joint are fitted through a torque transmission assembly and are joined by a fastener in an axial direction. A clearance in a fit portion of the torque transmission assembly is prevented by a play prevention member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Eiji Tajima, Hiroyuki Ogura, Syougo Suzuki, Shigeaki Fukushima, Mitsuru Umekida, Akira Torii, Akira Sera, Hisashi Ohtsuki
  • Patent number: 7232374
    Abstract: A wheel bearing device having a unitized hub ring, double-row bearing and constant velocity universal joint with one of double-row inner raceways formed on the joint outer ring. An end portion of the joint outer ring is fitted to an outside periphery of the hub ring through serrated portions. The hub ring is plastically deformed and expanded from an inside diameter side toward an outside diameter side by pushing a steel ball into a through hole of the hub ring preventing play in the serrated portions by the diameter expansion. A surface-hardened layer is formed at least on a base portion of the wheel mounting flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Tajima, Hiroyuki Ogura, Syougo Suzuki, Shigeaki Fukushima, Mitsuru Umekida, Akira Torii, Akira Sera, Hisashi Ohtsuki
  • Patent number: 7220183
    Abstract: A bearing apparatus for a driving wheel of a vehicle has a wheel hub (1), a constant velocity universal joint (3) and a double row rolling bearing (2) assembled as a unit. The wheel hub (1) and the outer joint member (14) of the constant velocity universal joint (3) are fitted to each other. At least one of the inner raceway surface (1a) of the double row rolling bearing (2) is formed on the wheel hub. A hardened irregular portion (5) is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the wheel hub (1). The wheel hub 1 and the outer joint member (14) are integrally connected via plastic deformation of a fitting portion (17b) of the outer joint member. The hardened irregular portion (5) bites into the surface of the fitting (17b). A connected portion of the wheel hub and outer joint member has a plastic deformed connection mechanism having an axial pull-out proof force more than 160 kN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeaki Fukushima, Noriaki Ida, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa
  • Patent number: 6959789
    Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly is provided which can suppress brake judder. A film is disposed between the brake rotor-mounting surface of the wheel mounting flange and an abutment surface of a brake rotor to fill a gap therebetween to suppress the deformation of the brake rotor. Also, by concentrating the contact force between the wheel-mounting flange and the brake rotor when a disc wheel of the wheel is tightened to the hub bolts to a portion near the hub bolts, the contact between the wheel-mounting flange and the brake rotor on the surfaces between the hub bolts is suppressed so that undulation of the flat surfaces between the hub bolts will not cause deformation of the brake rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Torii, Shigeaki Fukushima, Eiji Tajima
  • Patent number: 6959493
    Abstract: A reliable brake rotor and wheel bearing assembly are proposed which make unnecessary adjustment of runout of brake rotor at the customer's factory. For runout of each of the mounting surface and back of the brake rotor itself, and runout of the side of the wheel mounting flange of the inner member to which is mounted the brake rotor, the maximum difference between the peaks of crests and troughs in each period of surface runout is restricted within a standard value, and the brake rotor is mounted to the wheel mounting flange, thereby eliminating the necessity of mounting of the brake rotor and adjustment of runout after mounting at the customer's factory to provide a reliable automotive wheel bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Tajima, Shigeaki Fukushima, Akira Torii, Kazuhiro Azuma, Naoshi Kinpara, Hisashi Ohtsuki, Kazunari Yamamoto, Motoharu Niki, Masuo Takaki
  • Publication number: 20040234182
    Abstract: A compact bearing device for a drive wheel is provided, which removes backlash within the joint between a wheel hub and a constant velocity universal joint, and increases the rigidity of the bearing device. There is provided a drive wheel bearing device in which a wheel hub and a double-row bearing are integrated into a single unit, and an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint is engaged inside the unit via a serrated section. In this structure, at least one of the inner races of the double-row bearing is formed on a separate inner ring engaged onto the wheel hub, irregularities are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the wheel hub, and radial expansion swaging of the wheel hub is used to cause the irregularities to bite into the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring, thereby fastening the wheel hub and the inner ring together through a plastic deformation section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Eiji Tajima, Shigeaki Fukushima, Mitsuru Umekida, Hiroyuki Ogura
  • Publication number: 20040171428
    Abstract: A wheel bearing device having a unitized hub ring, double-row bearing and constant velocity universal joint with one of double-row inner raceways formed on the joint outer ring. An end portion of the joint outer ring is fitted to an outside periphery of the hub ring through serrated portions. The hub ring is plastically deformed and expanded from an inside diameter side toward an outside diameter side by pushing a steel ball into a through hole of the hub ring preventing play in the serrated portions by the diameter expansion. A surface-hardened layer is formed at least on a base portion of the wheel mounting flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiji Tajima, Hiroyuki Ogura, Syougo Suzuki, Shigeaki Fukushima, Mitsuru Umekida, Akira Torii, Akira Sera, Hisashi Ohtsuki
  • Patent number: 6780114
    Abstract: In a drive wheel bearing assembly, a fixed type constant velocity universal joint is coupled to a wheel bearing, mounted to one end of an intermediate shaft, and a sliding type constant velocity universal joint, is coupled to a differential, mounted to the other end portion of the intermediate shaft. One end portion of a stub shaft is connected to an inner joint ring of the constant velocity universal joint via torque transmission portions; one end portion of the intermediate shaft is connected to the other end portion of the stub shaft via torque transmission portions. A threaded portion is formed on an outer diameter portion of either the intermediate or stub shaft; a nut member threadedly engages the threaded portion; and a keeper ring is fitted into annular grooves formed on the outer diameter portion of the intermediate shaft or the stub shaft and an inner diameter portion of the nut member allowing the nut member to rotate, but not move axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Sahashi, Kazuhiko Hozumi, Keisuke Sone, Masahiro Ozawa, Akira Torii, Hiroyuki Ogura, Mitsuru Umekida, Shigeaki Fukushima, Eiji Tajima, Hisashi Ohtsuki
  • Publication number: 20040121847
    Abstract: A bearing apparatus for a driving wheel of a vehicle has a wheel hub (1), a constant velocity universal joint (3) and a double row rolling bearing (2) assembled as a unit. The wheel hub (1) and the outer joint member (14) of the constant velocity universal joint (3) are fitted to each other. At least one of the inner raceway surface (1a) of the double row rolling bearing (2) is formed on the wheel hub. A hardened irregular portion (5) is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the wheel hub (1). The wheel hub 1 and the outer joint member (14) are integrally connected via plastic deformation of a fitting portion (17b) of the outer joint member. The hardened irregular portion (5) bites into the surface of the fitting (17b). A connected portion of the wheel hub and outer joint member has a plastic deformed connection mechanism having an axial pull-out proof force more than 160 kN.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Shigeaki Fukushima, Noriaki Ida, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa
  • Patent number: 6739977
    Abstract: A wheel bearing device having a unitized hub ring, double-row bearing and constant velocity universal joint with one of double-row inner raceways formed on the joint outer ring. An end portion of the joint outer ring is fitted to an outside periphery of the hub ring through serrated portions. The hub ring is plastically deformed and expanded from an inside diameter side toward an outside diameter side by pushing a steel ball into a through hole of the hub ring preventing play in the serrated portions by the diameter expansion. A surface-hardened layer is formed at least on a base portion of the wheel mounting flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Tajima, Hiroyuki Ogura, Syougo Suzuki, Shigeaki Fukushima, Mitsuru Umekida, Akira Torii, Akira Sera, Hisashi Ohtsuki
  • Publication number: 20040069576
    Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly is provided which can suppress brake judder. A film is disposed between the brake rotor-mounting surface of the wheel mounting flange and an abutment surface of a brake rotor to fill a gap therebetween to suppress the deformation of the brake rotor. Also, by concentrating the contact force between the wheel-mounting flange and the brake rotor when a disc wheel of the wheel is tightened to the hub bolts to a portion near the hub bolts, the contact between the wheel-mounting flange and the brake rotor on the surfaces between the hub bolts is suppressed so that undulation of the flat surfaces between the hub bolts will not cause deformation of the brake rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Akira Torii, Shigeaki Fukushima, Eiji Tajima
  • Patent number: 6666303
    Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly is provided which can suppress brake judder. A film is disposed between the brake rotor-mounting surface of the wheel mounting flange and an abutment surface of a brake rotor to fill a gap therebetween to suppress the deformation of the brake rotor. Also, by concentrating the contact force between the wheel-mounting flange and the brake rotor when a disc wheel of the wheel is tightened to the hub bolts to a portion near the hub bolts, the contact between the wheel-mounting flange and the brake rotor on the surfaces between the hub bolts is suppressed so that undulation of the flat surfaces between the hub bolts will not cause deformation of the brake rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Torii, Shigeaki Fukushima, Eiji Tajima
  • Patent number: 6644858
    Abstract: A wheel bearing device comprises a rotor having a double row of raceway surfaces and having a wheel fixed thereto, an outer ring having a double row of raceway surfaces and a flange to be fixed to a knuckle disposed on the car body side, and a double row of rolling bodies interposed between the respective raceway surfaces of the rotor and outer ring. A pulser ring is disposed between the double row of raceway surfaces of the rotor, and a sensor opposed to the pulser ring is held by a holding member held between the flange of the outer ring and the knuckle, whereby the sensor can be disposed in the bearing inner space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Torii, Shigeaki Fukushima, Akio Sakaguchi
  • Publication number: 20030121153
    Abstract: A reliable brake rotor and wheel bearing assembly are proposed which make unnecessary adjustment of runout of brake rotor at the customer's factory. For runout of each of the mounting surface and back of the brake rotor itself, and runout of the side of the wheel mounting flange of the inner member to which is mounted the brake rotor, the maximum difference between the peaks of crests and troughs in each period of surface runout is restricted within a standard value, and the brake rotor is mounted to the wheel mounting flange, thereby eliminating the necessity of mounting of the brake rotor and adjustment of runout after mounting at the customer's factory to provide a reliable automotive wheel bearing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Eiji Tajima, Shigeaki Fukushima, Akira Torii, Kazuhiro Azuma, Naoshi Kinpara, Hisashi Ohtsuki, Kazunari Yamamoto, Motoharu Niki, Masuo Takaki
  • Patent number: 6575637
    Abstract: A reliable brake rotor and wheel bearing assembly are proposed which make unnecessary adjustment of runout of brake rotor at the customer's factory. For runout of each of the mounting surface and back of the brake rotor itself, and runout of the side of the wheel mounting flange of the inner member to which is mounted the brake rotor, the maximum difference between the peaks of crests and troughs in each period of surface runout is restricted within a standard value, and the brake rotor is mounted to the wheel mounting flange, thereby eliminating the necessity of mounting of the brake rotor and adjustment of runout after mounting at the customer's factory to provide a reliable automotive wheel bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Tajima, Shigeaki Fukushima, Akira Torii, Kazuhiro Azuma, Naoshi Kinpara, Hisashi Ohtsuki, Kazunari Yamamoto, Motoharu Niki, Masuo Takaki
  • Publication number: 20030059144
    Abstract: A bearing apparatus for a wheel comprising a rolling bearing for rotatably supporting a wheel relative to a body of vehicle having double row rolling elements (20) arranged between an inner member 1 and an outer member (10); a wheel mounting flange (5) for fastening the wheel on a hub wheel (2); and an annular groove (7) formed on the wheel mounting flange (5) and having a predetermined width including hub bolts (6); characterized in that one side of the wheel mounting flange (5) at a region other than the annular groove (7) is formed as a cut-finished surface cut after the press fit of the hub bolts (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Mitsuru Umekida, Kazunari Yamamoto, Eiji Tajima, Hiroyuki Ogura, Shigeaki Fukushima, Mashahiro Ozawa
  • Publication number: 20020118899
    Abstract: A wheel bearing device comprises a rotor having a double row of raceway surfaces and having a wheel fixed thereto, an outer ring having a double row of raceway surfaces and a flange to be fixed to a knuckle disposed on the car body side, and a double row of rolling bodies interposed between the respective raceway surfaces of the rotor and outer ring. A pulser ring is disposed between the double row of raceway surfaces of the rotor, and a sensor opposed to the pulser ring is held by a holding member held between the flange of the outer ring and the knuckle, whereby the sensor can be disposed in the bearing inner space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Torii, Shigeaki Fukushima, Akio Sakaguchi