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).

  • Patent number: 11649894
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignees: UNIVANCE CORPORATION, IKEYA FORMULA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Yamauchi, Tadahiko Kato, Shinji Ikeya, Masao Teraoka
  • Patent number: 11598381
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: UNIVANCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadahiko Kato, Hideya Ooike, Yoshihiro Asada
  • Publication number: 20220228662
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicants: UNIVANCE CORPORATION, IKEYA FORMULA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Yamauchi, Tadahiko Kato, Shinji Ikeya, Masao Teraoka
  • Patent number: 10981447
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: UNIVANCE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tadahiko Kato
  • Publication number: 20200224733
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: UNIVANCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadahiko Kato, Hideya Ooike, Yoshihiro Asada
  • Publication number: 20200070654
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Applicant: UNIVANCE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tadahiko Kato
  • Patent number: 9523398
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: UNIVANCE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tadahiko Kato
  • Patent number: 9212707
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Univance Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiko Kato, Mikinori Matsui, Takehisa Yamada
  • Publication number: 20150135874
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: UNIVANCE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tadahiko Kato
  • Patent number: 8801556
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Univance Corporation
    Inventor: Tadahiko Kato
  • Patent number: 8753240
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Univance Corporation
    Inventor: Tadahiko Kato
  • Publication number: 20130319811
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Tadahiko Kato, Mikinori Matsui, Takehisa Yamada
  • Publication number: 20120309576
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Tadahiko Kato
  • Patent number: 8256593
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Univance Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiko Kato, Tatsuya Suzuki, Akira Nakabayashi, Yosuke Masuda, Masahiro Takada, Yoshitaka Onishi
  • Patent number: 8256559
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Univance Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiko Kato, Satoru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8177672
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Univance Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiko Kato, Toshiyuki Miyachi
  • Publication number: 20120071295
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Tadahiko Kato
  • Publication number: 20110082004
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Tadahiko KATO, Toshiyuki Miyachi
  • Patent number: 7905312
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Univance Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiko Kato, Satoru Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20090229905
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Tadahiko Kato, Satoru Suzuki