Patents by Inventor Tadahiko Kato
Tadahiko Kato 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: 11649894Abstract: A sleeve in the shift control device includes a sleeve main body and a first convex section. The first convex section is annular in shape and protruded radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve main body. The shift fork includes a fork main body, a second convex section, a ring, and a joining member. The fork main body is annular in shape and disposed radially outside the sleeve main body. The second convex section is annular in shape, axially disposed side by side with the first convex section, and protruded radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the fork main body. The first convex section is axially sandwiched between the ring and the second convex section. The joining member is disposed in a space that is formed by a first groove formed in the ring and a second groove formed in the fork main body.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignees: UNIVANCE CORPORATION, IKEYA FORMULA CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshihiro Yamauchi, Tadahiko Kato, Shinji Ikeya, Masao Teraoka
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Patent number: 11598381Abstract: Provided is a clutch that is able to not only transmit torque smoothly even when an input shaft and an output shaft significantly differ in relative speed and phase, but also reduce an energy loss during torque transmission. The clutch (10) includes a dog clutch (40) for transmitting forward or reverse torque from the input shaft (11) to the output shaft (12), and a friction clutch (20) for transmitting torque from the input shaft (11) to the output shaft (12) and disposed in parallel with the dog clutch (40), and selectively transmits or interrupts torque between the input shaft (11) and the output shaft (12).Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2017Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: UNIVANCE CORPORATIONInventors: Tadahiko Kato, Hideya Ooike, Yoshihiro Asada
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Publication number: 20220228662Abstract: A sleeve in the shift control device includes a sleeve main body and a first convex section. The first convex section is annular in shape and protruded radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve main body. The shift fork includes a fork main body, a second convex section, a ring, and a joining member. The fork main body is annular in shape and disposed radially outside the sleeve main body. The second convex section is annular in shape, axially disposed side by side with the first convex section, and protruded radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the fork main body. The first convex section is axially sandwiched between the ring and the second convex section. The joining member is disposed in a space that is formed by a first groove formed in the ring and a second groove formed in the fork main body.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2019Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicants: UNIVANCE CORPORATION, IKEYA FORMULA CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshihiro Yamauchi, Tadahiko Kato, Shinji Ikeya, Masao Teraoka
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Patent number: 10981447Abstract: To provide a transfer (10) capable of reducing its length in the axial direction. The transfer (10) comprises: a first device (51) separably couples a first gear (21) to an input shaft (11) or a first output shaft (12) and a second device (52) separably couples a second gear (22) to the input shaft (11) or the first output shaft (12). The first gear (21) and the second gear (22) are disposed axially between the first device (51) and the second device (52).Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2017Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: UNIVANCE CORPORATIONInventor: Tadahiko Kato
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Publication number: 20200224733Abstract: Provided is a clutch that is able to not only transmit torque smoothly even when an input shaft and an output shaft significantly differ in relative speed and phase, but also reduce an energy loss during torque transmission. The clutch (10) includes a dog clutch (40) for transmitting forward or reverse torque from the input shaft (11) to the output shaft (12), and a friction clutch (20) for transmitting torque from the input shaft (11) to the output shaft (12) and disposed in parallel with the dog clutch (40), and selectively transmits or interrupts torque between the input shaft (11) and the output shaft (12).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2017Publication date: July 16, 2020Applicant: UNIVANCE CORPORATIONInventors: Tadahiko Kato, Hideya Ooike, Yoshihiro Asada
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Publication number: 20200070654Abstract: To provide a transfer (10) capable of reducing its length in the axial direction. The transfer (10) comprises: a first device (51) separably couples a first gear (21) to an input shaft (11) or a first output shaft (12) and a second device (52) separably couples a second gear (22) to the input shaft (11) or the first output shaft (12). The first gear (21) and the second gear (22) are disposed axially between the first device (51) and the second device (52).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2017Publication date: March 5, 2020Applicant: UNIVANCE CORPORATIONInventor: Tadahiko Kato
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Patent number: 9523398Abstract: Provided is a clutch device capable of reliably transmitting predetermined torque. Power is transmitted from an outer ring to a second gear through a first gear. The teeth of the first gear are formed so that the lines of the teeth are non-parallel to the center axis. The direction of axial force generated by the reaction force of the second gear and acting on the first gear is set to be the same as the direction of movement of the outer ring. When rollers engage with raceway surfaces and power is transmitted from the first gear to the second gear, the reaction force of the second gear promotes the movement of the outer ring in the axial direction. Predetermined torque can be reliably transmitted because axial pull-in force between an inner ring and the outer ring increases.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: UNIVANCE CORPORATIONInventor: Tadahiko Kato
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Patent number: 9212707Abstract: The invention provides a power transmission device in which the switching mechanism and control operation can be simplified. Different directions are established for the relative rotation in which the first sprag engages the inner race and the outer race, and the relative rotation in which the second sprag engages the inner and outer races, whereby the inner retainer and the outer retainer are caused to move relative to each other about an axial center O by a load imparting device, and either the first sprag or the second sprag can be made to engage the inner race and the outer race. The combined retention of the first sprag and the second sprag by the inner retainer and the outer retainer actuates the load imparting device to allow the power transmission direction to be switched all at once, resulting in a simpler switching mechanism and control operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2010Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Univance CorporationInventors: Tadahiko Kato, Mikinori Matsui, Takehisa Yamada
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Publication number: 20150135874Abstract: Provided is a clutch device capable of reliably transmitting predetermined torque. Power is transmitted from an outer ring to a second gear through a first gear. The teeth of the first gear are formed so that the lines of the teeth are non-parallel to the center axis. The direction of axial force generated by the reaction force of the second gear and acting on the first gear is set to be the same as the direction of movement of the outer ring. When rollers engage with raceway surfaces and power is transmitted from the first gear to the second gear, the reaction force of the second gear promotes the movement of the outer ring in the axial direction. Predetermined torque can be reliably transmitted because axial pull-in force between an inner ring and the outer ring increases.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: UNIVANCE CORPORATIONInventor: Tadahiko Kato
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Patent number: 8801556Abstract: A power transmitting device makes a motor in a hybrid vehicle be smaller and lighter, prevents internal resistance and inertia of the generator motor from becoming driving resistance, and can effectively utilize energy. Via a first clutch, power is transmitted from an input shaft to a transmission shaft but power transmission vice versa is blocked, and power transmission from the input shaft to the transmission shaft can be blocked. Via a second clutch, power is transmitted from the transmission shaft to the input shaft, while power transmission vice versa is blocked. Thus, when driving using only the power of the engine, power transmission from the input shaft to the transmission shaft is blocked, thereby preventing transmission of power to the generator motor. Consequently, the generator motor can be made smaller and lighter, and energy losses can be prevented.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Univance CorporationInventor: Tadahiko Kato
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Patent number: 8753240Abstract: Disclosed is a power transmitting device capable of streamlined structure and control, as well as alleviating energy loss. The device comprises a planetary gear device wherein motive power of an engine and a motor is inputted from a first element and a second element; and a first clutch that transmits, in an interruptible manner, motive power from a second shaft that is linked to the second element, to a first shaft that is linked to a third element and an input shaft, while interrupting motive power from the first shaft or the input shaft to the second shaft. It is possible to switch motive power of the engine and the motor with motive power transmission switching by the first clutch, thus allowing streamlining of structure and control.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2011Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Univance CorporationInventor: Tadahiko Kato
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Publication number: 20130319811Abstract: The invention provides a power transmission device in which the switching mechanism and control operation can be simplified. Different directions are established for the relative rotation in which the first sprag engages the inner race and the outer race, and the relative rotation in which the second sprag engages the inner and outer races, whereby the inner retainer and the outer retainer are caused to move relative to each other about an axial center O by a load imparting device, and either the first sprag or the second sprag can be made to engage the inner race and the outer race. The combined retention of the first sprag and the second sprag by the inner retainer and the outer retainer actuates the load imparting device to allow the power transmission direction to be switched all at once, resulting in a simpler switching mechanism and control operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2010Publication date: December 5, 2013Inventors: Tadahiko Kato, Mikinori Matsui, Takehisa Yamada
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Publication number: 20120309576Abstract: Disclosed is a power transmitting device capable of streamlined structure and control, as well as alleviating energy loss. The device comprises a planetary gear device wherein motive power of an engine and a motor is inputted from a first element and a second element; and a first clutch that transmits, in an interruptible manner, motive power from a second shaft that is linked to the second element, to a first shaft that is linked to a third element and an input shaft, while interrupting motive power from the first shaft or the input shaft to the second shaft. It is possible to switch motive power of the engine and the motor with motive power transmission switching by the first clutch, thus allowing streamlining of structure and control.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Inventor: Tadahiko Kato
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Patent number: 8256593Abstract: A driving force transmitting devices is able to engage a main clutch with a small amount of hydraulic pressure. The driving force transmitting device includes an input shaft and an output shaft, and a main clutch. The device is formed of a primary clutch that intermittently transmits the driving force transmitted from the input shaft, a hydraulic pump that generates a hydraulic pressure, a piston that presses the primary clutch with the hydraulic pressure by the hydraulic pump, and a cam mechanism that presses the main clutch with a press-contact force which is amplified to be larger than the press-contact force of the piston by utilizing the driving force from the input shaft through the primary clutch, so as to engage the main clutch.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2008Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Univance CorporationInventors: Tadahiko Kato, Tatsuya Suzuki, Akira Nakabayashi, Yosuke Masuda, Masahiro Takada, Yoshitaka Onishi
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Patent number: 8256559Abstract: A driving force transmission device is for a four-wheel-drive vehicle based on the two-wheel drive of rear wheels or front wheels. In the case of the two-wheel drive of rear wheels, a multi-disc clutch mechanism controls the driving force distribution to a front wheel output shaft, and a disconnection/connection mechanism selectively disconnects and connects a front wheel differential and a left front wheel drive shaft. In the two-wheel drive of the rear wheels, the dragging torque of the multi-disc clutch mechanism is made smaller than the friction torque of a front wheel driving force transmission section, and the front wheel differential and the left front wheel drive shaft are disconnected by the disconnection/connection mechanism, thereby stopping the rotation of the front wheel driving force transmission section.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Univance CorporationInventors: Tadahiko Kato, Satoru Suzuki
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Patent number: 8177672Abstract: A driving-force transmitting device includes a first disengaging mechanism that disengages a driving force from an engine to a driving-force transmitting unit and a second disengaging mechanism having a synchronizing mechanism that disengages the driving force from a driving-force transmitting unit to a right-rear-wheel driving shaft. A change gear ratio between front wheels and rear wheels is constructed so that a driving-force transmitting unit side of the first disengaging mechanism rotates at a speed higher than that of an opposing side at the time of completion of synchronization of the second disengaging mechanism. In switching from a two-wheel drive mode to a four-wheel drive mode, synchronization of the second disengaging mechanism first starts to increase the rotation speed of the driving-force transmitting unit, and next connects the first disengaging mechanism when a rotation speed of the driving-force transmitting unit side of the first disengaging mechanism matches that of an opposing side.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2010Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Univance CorporationInventors: Tadahiko Kato, Toshiyuki Miyachi
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Publication number: 20120071295Abstract: Provided is a power transmitting device that lets a motor in a hybrid vehicle be smaller and lighter, prevents internal resistance and inertia of the generator motor from becoming driving resistance, and can effectively utilize energy. Via a first clutch (10), power is transmitted from an input shaft (2) to a transmission shaft (3) but power transmission from the transmission shaft (3) to the input shaft (2) is blocked, and power transmission from the input shaft (2) to the transmission shaft (3) can be blocked. Via a second clutch (20), power is transmitted from the transmission shaft (3) to the input shaft (2), while power transmission from the input shaft (2) to the transmission shaft (3) is blocked. Thus, when driving using only the power of the engine (111), power transmission from the input shaft (2) to the transmission shaft (3) is blocked, thereby preventing transmission of power to a generator motor (112).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2010Publication date: March 22, 2012Inventor: Tadahiko Kato
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Publication number: 20110082004Abstract: A driving-force transmitting device includes a first disengaging mechanism that disengages a driving force from an engine to a driving-force transmitting unit and a second disengaging mechanism having a synchronizing mechanism that disengages the driving force from a driving-force transmitting unit to a right-rear-wheel driving shaft. A change gear ratio between front wheels and rear wheels is constructed so that a driving-force transmitting unit side of the first disengaging mechanism rotates at a speed higher than that of an opposing side at the time of completion of synchronization of the second disengaging mechanism. In switching from a two-wheel drive mode to a four-wheel drive mode, synchronization of the second disengaging mechanism first starts to increase the rotation speed of the driving-force transmitting unit, and next connects the first disengaging mechanism when a rotation speed of the driving-force transmitting unit side of the first disengaging mechanism matches that of an opposing side.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2010Publication date: April 7, 2011Inventors: Tadahiko KATO, Toshiyuki Miyachi
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Patent number: 7905312Abstract: A driving force transmission device for four-wheel-drive vehicle based on the two-wheel drive of front wheels is provided. In the case of the two-wheel drive of front wheels, a multi-disc clutch mechanism for controlling the driving force distribution to a rear wheel output shaft, and a disconnection/connection mechanism for disconnecting and connecting a rear wheel differential and a right rear wheel drive shaft are provided, and in the two-wheel drive of front wheels, the dragging torque of the multi-disc clutch mechanism is made smaller than the friction torque of a rear wheel driving force transmission section, and the front wheel differential and the right rear wheel drive shaft are disconnected by the disconnection/connection mechanism, thereby the rotation of the rear wheel driving force transmission section is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2009Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Univance CorporationInventors: Tadahiko Kato, Satoru Suzuki
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Publication number: 20090229905Abstract: A driving force transmission device for four-wheel-drive vehicle based on the two-wheel drive of front wheels is provided. In the case of the two-wheel drive of front wheels, a multi-disc clutch mechanism for controlling the driving force distribution to a rear wheel output shaft, and a disconnection/connection mechanism for disconnecting and connecting a rear wheel differential and a right rear wheel drive shaft are provided, and in the two-wheel drive of front wheels, the dragging torque of the multi-disc clutch mechanism is made smaller than the friction torque of a rear wheel driving force transmission section, and the front wheel differential and the right rear wheel drive shaft are disconnected by the disconnection/connection mechanism, thereby the rotation of the rear wheel driving force transmission section is stopped.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2009Publication date: September 17, 2009Inventors: Tadahiko Kato, Satoru Suzuki