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).
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Publication number: 20090069100Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2008Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: NTN CorporationInventors: Mitsuru Umekida, Shigeaki Fukushima, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa, Hiroshi Kawamura
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Publication number: 20090046975Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2008Publication date: February 19, 2009Applicant: NTN CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Kawamura, Shigeaki Fukushima, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa, Mitsuru Umekida
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Patent number: 7465233Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 25, 2007Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Eiji Tajima, Hiroyuki Ogura, Syougo Suzuki, Shigeaki Fukushima, Mitsuru Umekida, Akira Torii, Akira Sera, Hisashi Ohtsuki
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Publication number: 20070219003Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2007Publication date: September 20, 2007Inventors: Eiji Tajima, Hiroyuki Ogura, Syougo Suzuki, Shigeaki Fukushima, Mitsuru Umekida, Akira Torii, Akira Sera, Hisashi Ohtsuki
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Patent number: 7232374Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 5, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Eiji Tajima, Hiroyuki Ogura, Syougo Suzuki, Shigeaki Fukushima, Mitsuru Umekida, Akira Torii, Akira Sera, Hisashi Ohtsuki
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Patent number: 7220183Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 9, 2003Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Shigeaki Fukushima, Noriaki Ida, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa
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Patent number: 6959789Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 7, 2003Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Akira Torii, Shigeaki Fukushima, Eiji Tajima
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Patent number: 6959493Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 25, 2003Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Eiji Tajima, Shigeaki Fukushima, Akira Torii, Kazuhiro Azuma, Naoshi Kinpara, Hisashi Ohtsuki, Kazunari Yamamoto, Motoharu Niki, Masuo Takaki
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Publication number: 20040234182Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventors: Eiji Tajima, Shigeaki Fukushima, Mitsuru Umekida, Hiroyuki Ogura
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Publication number: 20040171428Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2004Publication date: September 2, 2004Applicant: NTN CORPORATIONInventors: Eiji Tajima, Hiroyuki Ogura, Syougo Suzuki, Shigeaki Fukushima, Mitsuru Umekida, Akira Torii, Akira Sera, Hisashi Ohtsuki
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Patent number: 6780114Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 14, 2000Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Koji Sahashi, Kazuhiko Hozumi, Keisuke Sone, Masahiro Ozawa, Akira Torii, Hiroyuki Ogura, Mitsuru Umekida, Shigeaki Fukushima, Eiji Tajima, Hisashi Ohtsuki
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Publication number: 20040121847Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2003Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventors: Shigeaki Fukushima, Noriaki Ida, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa
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Patent number: 6739977Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 20, 2001Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Eiji Tajima, Hiroyuki Ogura, Syougo Suzuki, Shigeaki Fukushima, Mitsuru Umekida, Akira Torii, Akira Sera, Hisashi Ohtsuki
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Publication number: 20040069576Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventors: Akira Torii, Shigeaki Fukushima, Eiji Tajima
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Patent number: 6666303Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 3, 2001Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Akira Torii, Shigeaki Fukushima, Eiji Tajima
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Patent number: 6644858Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 2, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Akira Torii, Shigeaki Fukushima, Akio Sakaguchi
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Publication number: 20030121153Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2003Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventors: Eiji Tajima, Shigeaki Fukushima, Akira Torii, Kazuhiro Azuma, Naoshi Kinpara, Hisashi Ohtsuki, Kazunari Yamamoto, Motoharu Niki, Masuo Takaki
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Patent number: 6575637Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 7, 2000Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Eiji Tajima, Shigeaki Fukushima, Akira Torii, Kazuhiro Azuma, Naoshi Kinpara, Hisashi Ohtsuki, Kazunari Yamamoto, Motoharu Niki, Masuo Takaki
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Publication number: 20030059144Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2002Publication date: March 27, 2003Inventors: Mitsuru Umekida, Kazunari Yamamoto, Eiji Tajima, Hiroyuki Ogura, Shigeaki Fukushima, Mashahiro Ozawa
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Publication number: 20020118899Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2002Publication date: August 29, 2002Applicant: NTN CORPORATIONInventors: Akira Torii, Shigeaki Fukushima, Akio Sakaguchi