Patents by Inventor Takayuki Norimatsu

Takayuki Norimatsu 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: 8303186
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus incorporating a wheel speed detecting apparatus has an outer member and an inner member. A sensor holder with an embedded wheel speed detecting sensor is mounted on an inner side end of the outer member. A pulser ring has an encoder with circumferential characteristics that alternately and equidistantly change. A metal core is press formed from a steel plate and insert-molded into the sensor holder. A sealing member is integrally bonded to the metal core. A connector for electrically connecting the wheel speed detecting sensor to a harness, connected to an electronic circuit, is mounted at a predetermined position on the circumference of the sensor holder. The connector projects radially outward from the circumference at a predetermined inclined. A recess is formed in the connector. The recess is fit onto an inner side end of the outer member in a manner to cover the inner side end, via a predetermined interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Torii, Takayuki Norimatsu
  • Publication number: 20120192636
    Abstract: A sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly, in which detection error is relieved to accurately estimate load is provided. A vehicle body fitting flange of an outer member of the bearing assembly has a front elevational shape of line symmetry or of point symmetry. A sensor unit including a strain generating member having two or more contact fixing segments to be fixed to the outer member and a strain sensor is provided at an arcuately sectioned portion lying from the flange to the outer member, or an outer peripheral surface portion of the outer member adjoining to the outboard side thereof, or a position crossing a line segment passing through a center of a rolling element or a position adjoining thereto. Alternatively, a plurality of sensor units are provided on the outer periphery of the outer member in a fashion spaced circumferentially equidistantly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki NORIMATSU, Makoto Okasaka, Hiroshi Kawamura, Kentarou Nishikawa, Kiyotake Shibata
  • Publication number: 20120114277
    Abstract: A sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly for supporting a vehicle wheel rotatably relative to a vehicle body, including an outer member; an inner member; a plurality of rows of rolling elements interposed between the outer and inner member; a strain sensor unit, made up of a strain generating member and a sensor element fitted to the strain generating member for detecting strains induced in the strain generating member, is fitted to one of the outer and inner members, that serves as a stationary member; and a covering member that covers at least the sensor element sealingly, provided on a mounting surface of the strain generating member of the strain sensor unit, on which the sensor element is mounted, the covering member being made of a resin which is over-molded or an elastomer bonded by vulcanization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki NORIMATSU, Toru Takahashi, Kazuo Komori, Kazuhiro Baba, Kentarou Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20120086440
    Abstract: A rotation detecting device, which is compatible regardless of whether a process control device for processing an output signal of the rotation detecting device is standard one or new one having high input signal resolving power, and, also, a rotation detecting device equipped bearing assembly having such rotation detecting device, are provided. The rotation detecting device includes an encoder provided rotatably and having a plurality of circumferentially equidistantly arranged to-be-detected poles, and a sensor for detecting the to-be-detected poles. The use is made of a multiplying unit for multiplying the phase of the to-be-detected poles from an output of the sensor. The use is also made of a pulse outputting unit for receiving an output of the multiplying unit or both the output of the multiplying unit and an output of the sensor and output pulses having two multiplying powers different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyotake Shibata, Toru Takahashi, Takayuki Norimatsu
  • Patent number: 8147146
    Abstract: An output cable 16c of a magnetic sensor 16a, which extends outward in the tangential direction of an arcuate sensor holding portion 15a formed on an annular core member 15 from a sensor unit mounted in the sensor holding portion 15a, is fixedly molded in a mold resin 17b which is fixed in a through hole 15c formed in the sensor holding portion 15a near the sensor unit 16. As a result, the output cable 16c is prevented, even if tensed, from coming out of the sensor unit 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Norimatsu
  • Patent number: 8123411
    Abstract: To provide a sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly, in which a load sensor can be installed compactly in an automotive vehicle, maintaining a high sensitivity while damage and/or malfunction caused by the external environments and/or the electromagnetic noises are avoided, with low manufacturing cost. This bearing assembly includes outer and inner members having respective rolling surfaces and a plurality of rows of rolling elements interposed between those rolling surfaces. A strain sensor unit including a sensor element is fitted to one of the outer and inner members, which is a stationary member, for example, the outer member. A sensor mounting surface of the strain sensor unit fitted with the sensor element has a covering member made of a resin, which is over-molded, or an elastomer bonded by vulcanization, so as to cover the sensor element sealingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Norimatsu, Toru Takahashi, Kazuo Komori, Kazuhiro Baba, Kentarou Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20120014632
    Abstract: A sensor-equipped wheel support bearing assembly capable of accurately estimating a load acting on a wheel, without the detecting accuracy deteriorated as a result of a long term use and/or a change in environment, is provided. The assembly includes a sensor unit provided in an outer member, which serves as a stationary member. The sensor unit has a strain generator and a sensor for detecting a strain occurring in the generator. A principal load estimator estimates the load acting on the wheel, with the use of an average value of a signal from the sensor, and an amplitude processed load estimator estimates the load, using amplitude of a signal wave outputted from the sensor, resulting from passage of rolling elements. A drift amount estimator estimates a drift amount of an estimated load output utilizing the average value and the amplitude, which is used to correct the estimated load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Kentarou Nishikawa, Toru Takahashi, Takayuki Norimatsu, Kentaro Ikki
  • Patent number: 8092096
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member, and at least one inner ring press fit onto a cylindrical portion of a wheel hub. Double row rolling elements are rollably contained between double row outer raceway surfaces and double row inner raceway surfaces. A constant velocity universal joint torque is inserted into the wheel hub. It is axially separably connected to the wheel hub by a securing nut. A shoulder of an outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint abuts against the inner member. An abutting surface of the inner member that abuts the shoulder of an outer joint member is formed so that it does not include a segment of a mirror finished surface with an area exceeding 0.005 mm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyotake Shibata, Takayuki Norimatsu
  • Publication number: 20110304197
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member formed with double row outer raceway surfaces on its inner circumferential surface. An inner member includes a wheel hub with a wheel mounting flange integrally formed at one end and a cylindrical portion axially extending from the wheel mounting flange. At least one inner ring is fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub. The inner ring is formed with double row inner raceway surfaces on its outer circumferential surface. The double row inner raceway surfaces are arranged opposite to the double row outer raceway surfaces. Double row rolling elements are rollably arranged between the outer and inner raceway surfaces, via cages. A seal is mounted on one end of the outer member. The seal has integrally formed side lips adapted to be in sliding contact with the wheel hub. The base of the wheel mounting flange is formed to have a curved surface, in cross-section, of a circular arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Norimatsu, Hiroaki Itakura, Hironori Imanaka, Syougo Suzuki, Isao Hirai, Hiroya Kato, Akira Fujimura, Kikuo Fukada
  • Patent number: 8054064
    Abstract: A sensor holder has an encoder and a wheel speed sensor arranged opposite to the encoder, via a predetermined air gap. An annular fitting member is formed by pressing an anti-corrosive steel plate. A holding portion is formed of injection moldable synthetic resin and is integrally formed with the annular fitting member. The annular fitting member includes a cylindrical portion axially extending from an incline portion. A seal is arranged inboard of the sensor and fit between the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion of the annular fitting member and the outer circumference of the inner ring. The wheel speed sensor is embedded in the holding portion. At least a surface of the annular fitting member contacting the holding portion is roughened by shot blasting to have a surface roughness Ra of 0.8 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kikuo Fukada, Hiroshi Kawamura, Takayuki Norimatsu, Yujiro Ono, Syougo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8028589
    Abstract: There is provided a sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly with rolling elements interposed between outer and inner members and with a strain sensor fixed to a stationary member served by one of the outer and inner members. The strain sensor includes a strain generating member and a sensor element secured thereto. The strain generating member has first and second contact fixing segments respectively associated with a flanged face provided in the outer member and a peripheral surface of the stationary member. These contact fixing segments have a joint region therebetween having a bent portion convexed toward the outer member. A location in the strain generating member where the sensor element is secured is on the first contact fixing segment side of the bent portion and yet in the vicinity of the bent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Takahashi, Kentarou Nishikawa, Takayuki Norimatsu, Yujiro Ono
  • Publication number: 20110235958
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member, and double row balls contained between the outer and inner raceway surfaces and adapted to be applied a predetermined contact angle. Each inner raceway surface is formed by a first circular arc section, with a first radius of curvature (r), that extends from a position near a contact point contacting the ball at an initial contact angle (?) to the raceway bottom. The second circular arc section, with a second radius of curvature (r1) smaller than the radius of curvature r, extends from an inflection point that the ball contacts at a contact angle (?1) to the radially outer side. The (r) and (r1) are set as 1.05 d<2 r?1.10 d and 1.01 d<2 r1?1.05 d (“d” is a diameter of the ball). ?? is in a range of 2° to 8° when the inflection point of the radii of curvatures r, r1 is positioned at ?1=?+?? (?=30-45°).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Norimatsu
  • Publication number: 20110214513
    Abstract: A sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly, in which the load imposed on the wheel support bearing assembly or a tire tread of a wheel tire can be accurately detected without being affected by the rolling elements, includes rolling elements interposed between plural opposed rolling surfaces defined in outer and inner members. One of the outer and inner members that serves as a stationary member is provided with one or more sensor unit. The sensor unit includes a strain generating member, having two or more contact fixing segments fixed to the stationary member, and a sensor for detecting such strain. The strain generating member in the sensor unit is arranged at a position departing from a line passing through a center of the rolling elements and extending in a direction defined by the rolling element contact angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Ikki, Takayuki Norimatsu, Kentarou Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20110209562
    Abstract: A wheel support bearing assembly includes rolling elements (5) interposed between double row rolling surfaces (3, 4) of outer and inner members (1, 2), which are opposed to each other. Electronic components including a plurality of the sensor units (20), a signal processing IC (25) for processing respective sensor output signals thereof and a signal cable (26) for transmitting the processed output signal to the outside of the bearing assembly are arranged inwardly of an annular protective covering (27) to provide an annular sensor assembly (28). The sensor assembly (28) is fitted to a peripheral surface of a stationary member in a fashion coaxial with the stationary member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yujiro Ono, Kentarou Nishikawa, Koji Kametaka, Takayuki Norimatsu, Kentaro Ikki, Toru Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20110185823
    Abstract: A sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly includes rolling elements (5) interposed between double row rolling surfaces (3, 4) defined respectively in outer and inner members (1, 2) in face-to-face relation with each other. One of the inner and outer members, which serves as a stationary member, has an outer diametric surface provided with three or more sensor units (20). Each of the sensor units includes a strain generating member (21) having two or more contact fixing segments, fixed to the outer diametric surface of the stationary member in contact with therewith, and one or more strain sensors (22) fitted to the strain generating member for detecting a strain occurring in the strain generating member. A load estimating section (31, 32) is provided for estimating a radial load and an axial load in the wheel support bearing assembly, from respective output signals of the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kentarou Nishikawa, Toru Takahashi, Takayuki Norimatsu, Yujiro Ono, Kentaro Ikki
  • Patent number: 7950858
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member formed with a body mounting flange on its outer circumferential surface. The body mounting flange is to be mounted on a knuckle of the vehicle. The outer member inner circumference includes double row outer raceway surfaces. An inner member includes a wheel hub with a wheel mounting flange formed on one end. A cylindrical portion extends from the wheel mounting flange. At least one inner ring is press-fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub. The inner ring outer circumference is formed with an inner raceway surface arranged opposite to the double row outer raceway surfaces. Double row rolling elements are freely rollably contained between the outer raceway surfaces and inner raceway surfaces of the outer member and the inner members. Seals are mounted within annular openings formed between the outer member and the inner member. The inner ring is axially secured relative to the wheel hub by a caulked portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Norimatsu, Akira Fujimura, Isao Hirai, Shinji Morita
  • Patent number: 7942584
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member, double row rolling elements, and seals. At least one seal has a slinger and an annular sealing plate. The sealing plate has a metal core, press fit into the outer member, and a sealing member, integrally vulcanized adhered to the metal core. The sealing member has first and second side lips, formed with an inclination extending radially outward, and a cylindrical inner end portion, surrounding the inner circumferential edge and a portion of the back surface of the metal core. Each tip of the first and second side lips is in sliding contact with the slinger, with a predetermined interference. The cylindrical inner end portion is arranged opposite to the slinger with a slight radial gap therebetween to form a labyrinth seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Norimatsu, Kenrou Adachi, Isao Hirai
  • Patent number: 7922395
    Abstract: A wheel bearing device, in which a swaged portion of a wheel hub abuts against a shoulder portion of a joint outer ring, is provided to positively prevent a stick slip noise from being generated at the time of the vehicle being pulled away from a parked position. The wheel bearing device includes an outer ring having double rows of race surfaces formed on its inner circumference; a wheel hub having one of the double rows of race surfaces formed on its outer circumference; an inner ring press-fitted over a reduced diameter step portion of the wheel hub and having the other of the race surfaces formed on its outer circumference; and double rows of rollers interposed on the respective race surfaces between the outer ring and the wheel hub and between the outer ring and the inner ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Terada, Takayuki Norimatsu
  • Publication number: 20100329598
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member, double row rolling elements, and a constant velocity universal joint connected to a wheel hub of the inner member. A cap, formed as a low friction member, is interposed between a caulked portion and a shoulder portion of the constant velocity joint. The cap has a disc shaped abutting portion, a cylindrical portion and an anchoring portion. The disc shaped abutting portion is adapted to abut against the caulked portion and the shoulder portion. The cylindrical portion extends axially from the radially outermost portion of the abutting portion. The anchoring portion extends radially inward from a free end of the cylindrical portion. The radially inner diameter of the anchoring portion is formed slightly smaller than the radially outer diameter of the caulked portion so that the cap can be mounted on the caulked portion in a snap-fitting manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Norimatsu
  • Patent number: 7856893
    Abstract: To provide a sensor incorporated wheel support bearing assembly, in which a load sensor can be compactly installed in an automotive vehicle, the load acting on the vehicle wheel can be detected with high sensitivity and the manufacturing cost can be reduced, the bearing assembly having a plurality of rows of rolling elements interposed between an outer member and an inner member includes a sensor unit fitted to one of the outer member and the inner member, which serves as a stationary member. The sensor unit includes a sensor mounting member and a strain sensor fitted thereto. The sensor mounting member has two contact fixing portions fixed to the outer member and a first contact fixing portion is fixed to a flange surface of the outer member and a second contact fixing portion is fixed to a peripheral surface of the outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Ozaki, Tomomi Ishikawa, Kentarou Nishikawa, Toru Takahashi, Yujiro Ono, Takayuki Norimatsu