Patents by Inventor Sota Kusunoki

Sota Kusunoki 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: 11905999
    Abstract: To provide a cam clutch easily switchable from a torque transmitting state to a freewheeling state even during torque transmission between race members. The cam clutch includes a plurality of cams set between a first race member and a second race member. The first race member and second race member are spaced away in the axial direction along the rotation axis of the first race member. The plurality of cams are disposed between the first race member and the second race member in the axial direction, and the first race member and the second race member are configured to be able to move relatively closer to and away from each other in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Sota Kusunoki
  • Patent number: 11802595
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cam clutch that has a simple structure and is capable of preventing the occurrence of cam jamming and that can be reduced in size while realizing improved functionality. The cam clutch according to the present invention includes an operating mode switching mechanism that includes an outer ring-side cage ring provided to be capable of moving in the axial direction and configured to be capable of modifying the attitude of first cams, an inner ring-side cage ring provided to be capable of moving in the axial direction and configured to be capable of modifying the attitude of second cams having different meshing direction from the first cams, and a position regulating cage ring for regulating the freedom of movement of the outer ring-side cage ring and the inner ring-side cage ring in the circumferential direction are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Sota Kusunoki
  • Publication number: 20230341010
    Abstract: To provide a simple-structured cam clutch capable of preventing unwanted jamming of cams, thereby enabling smooth operation including switching operation between operation modes, and offering potential for higher functionality and size reduction. The plurality of cams of the cam clutch include first cams and second cams having different engaging directions. The cam clutch includes an operation mode switching mechanism for switching operation modes, and a switch actuating mechanism. The operation mode switching mechanism includes an outer cage ring, an inner cage ring, and a position-restricting cage ring. The switch actuating mechanism includes an outer guide, an inner guide, and a rotation ring circumferentially movable relative to the outer guide and inner guide and provided for controlling the axial positions of the outer cage ring and inner cage ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Sota Kusunoki
  • Publication number: 20230332652
    Abstract: To provide a cam clutch capable of preventing unwanted jamming of cams and switchable between operation modes with little force, thereby allowing size reduction. The cam clutch includes an inner race, an outer race, a plurality of cams, and a biasing means biasing the plurality of cams. The plurality of cams include first cams and second cams that have different engaging directions. The cam clutch further includes a frictional resistance generating means for generating friction resistance between a component adapted to tilt the first cams or second cams in the engaging direction, and the inner race and/or outer race when the first cams and second cams are simultaneously lifted off and separated from the raceways of the inner race and/or outer race during switching of operation modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Sota Kusunoki
  • Publication number: 20230304547
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cam clutch that has a simple structure and is capable of preventing the occurrence of cam jamming and that can be reduced in size while realizing improved functionality. The cam clutch according to the present invention includes an operating mode switching mechanism that includes an outer ring-side cage ring provided to be capable of moving in the axial direction and configured to be capable of modifying the attitude of first cams, an inner ring-side cage ring provided to be capable of moving in the axial direction and configured to be capable of modifying the attitude of second cams having different meshing direction from the first cams, and a position regulating cage ring for regulating the freedom of movement of the outer ring-side cage ring and the inner ring-side cage ring in the circumferential direction are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Sota Kusunoki
  • Patent number: 11761495
    Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a cam clutch that prevents cams from unwanted wedging and enables smooth operation including the switching between operation modes without involving an increase in size or number of components and with a simple structure. The cam clutch according to the present invention uses first cams and second cams having different engaging directions as sprags for transmitting and interrupting torque between an inner race and an outer race. A cam interlock mechanism tilts the second cams to a disengaging direction with a tilting motion of the first cams toward an engaging direction, to separate engaging surfaces of the second cams from raceways of the inner race and/or the outer race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Sota Kusunoki
  • Publication number: 20230068029
    Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a cam clutch that prevents cams from unwanted wedging and enables smooth operation including the switching between operation modes without involving an increase in size or number of components and with a simple structure. The cam clutch according to the present invention uses first cams and second cams having different engaging directions as sprags for transmitting and interrupting torque between an inner race and an outer race. A cam interlock mechanism tilts the second cams to a disengaging direction with a tilting motion of the first cams toward an engaging direction, to separate engaging surfaces of the second cams from raceways of the inner race and/or the outer race.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Sota Kusunoki
  • Publication number: 20230043024
    Abstract: To provide a cam clutch easily switchable from a torque transmitting state to a freewheeling state even during torque transmission between race members. The cam clutch includes a plurality of cams set between a first race member and a second race member. The first race member and second race member are spaced away in the axial direction along the rotation axis of the first race member. The plurality of cams are disposed between the first race member and the second race member in the axial direction, and the first race member and the second race member are configured to be able to move relatively closer to and away from each other in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Sota Kusunoki