Patents by Inventor Toru Segawa

Toru Segawa 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).

  • Publication number: 20090050400
    Abstract: The vehicle front side end portion of a lower column tube 2 is bent and fixed to the vehicle rear side end of a gear housing 13 by a screw bolt 18. A seal member 20 is press-fitted and fixed at a predetermined position between a radially inner circumference of the vehicle front side portion of the lower column tube 2 and an input shaft 4. The lower column tube 2 is fixedly secured to the gear housing 13, whereby the lower column tube 2 is positioned, and the seal member 20 is fixed between the input shaft 4 and the lower column tube 2. Components for torque sensing disposed in the gear housing 13 are arranged side by side along a radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Toru Segawa
  • Patent number: 7490695
    Abstract: A small gap is formed between a worm shaft 3 and a second bearing 20, so that the worm shaft can be tilted relative to the inner ring 20a of the second bearing 20 without fail when preloaded by a torsion spring 14. An elastic member 41 is provided in at least portion of a circumferential groove 40 in the small gap. The worm shaft 3 and the inner ring 20a of the second bearing 20 are not in contact with each other, and their metallic clank in the small gap can be prevented. By providing a projecting portion(s) 3b on one side or both sides, with respect to the axial direction, of the circumferential groove 40, the small gap between the worm shaft 3 and the inner ring 20a of the second bearing 20 can be made large, and it is possible to enlarge the range over which the worm shaft 3 can swing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Segawa
  • Patent number: 7455148
    Abstract: A torsion coil spring 30 applies an elastic force to a worm shaft 29 in a direction towards a worm wheel, via a pre-load pad 70. The pre-load pad 70 restricts displacement in relation to the widthwise direction, by one side face portion of a holder 61 fixed to a gear housing 22. Due to the elastic deformation of the pre-load pad 70 itself based on the elastic force of the torsion coil spring 30, the side face of the pre-load pad 70 is abutted against the one side face portion of the holder 61, so that a gap between the pre-load pad 70 and the one side face portion is minimized. As a result, the occurrence of a teeth fitting noise in the worm reduction gear 16 is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignees: NSK Ltd., NSK Steering Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Segawa, Kazuo Chikaraishi
  • Patent number: 7455149
    Abstract: A torsion coil spring 30 applies an elastic force to a worm shaft 29 in a direction towards a worm wheel, via a pre-load pad 70. The pre-load pad 70 restricts displacement in relation to the widthwise direction, by one side face portion of a holder 61 fixed to a gear housing 22. Due to the elastic deformation of the pre-load pad 70 itself based on the elastic force of the torsion coil spring 30, the side face of the pre-load pad 70 is abutted against the one side face portion of the holder 61, so that a gap between the pre-load pad 70 and the one side face portion is minimized. As a result, the occurrence of a teeth fitting noise in the worm reduction gear 16 is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignees: NSK Ltd., NSK Steering Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Segawa, Kazuo Chikaraishi
  • Publication number: 20080217097
    Abstract: An assist apparatus for electric-powered power steering apparatus is provided to have a torque sensor, steering shaft, preload pad 70, a torsion coil spring 30, and an electric motor 31. With the preload pad 70 and torsion coil spring 30, an elastic force is applied to the worm shaft 29 in the direction toward the worm wheel 28, whereby noises due to colliding teeth are prevented from occurring in the meshing portion between the worm wheel 28 and worm shaft 29.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Toru SEGAWA
  • Patent number: 7360467
    Abstract: A torsion coil spring 30 applies an elastic force to a worm shaft 29 in a direction towards a worm wheel, via a pre-load pad 70. The pre-load pad 70 restricts displacement in relation to the widthwise direction, by one side face portion of a holder 61 fixed to a gear housing 22. Due to the elastic deformation of the pre-load pad 70 itself based on the elastic force of the torsion coil spring 30, the side face of the pre-load pad 70 is abutted against the one side face portion of the holder 61, so that a gap between the pre-load pad 70 and the one side face portion is minimized. As a result, the occurrence of a teeth fitting noise in the worm reduction gear 16 is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignees: NSK, Ltd., NSK Steering Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Segawa, Kazuo Chikaraishi
  • Publication number: 20080035413
    Abstract: Male splines 21 and 23 formed in both the end parts of a torsion bar 5 are fitted and fixed to female splines 22 and 24 formed in an input shaft 2 and an output shaft 3. Further, the number of irregularities of protruding and recessed shaped stoppers 18 and 19 is the same as the number of irregularities of the male splines 21 and 23 formed on the torsion bar 5. The male splines 21 and 23 of both the end parts of the torsion bar 5 have the same phase. Accordingly, even when the torsion bar 5 and both the shafts 2 and 3 are attached to any phase, an angle regulated by the stoppers 18 and 19 when both the shafts 2 and 3 are distorted is substantially the same angle in right and left with respect to a neutral position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Segawa, Hiroshi Eda
  • Patent number: 7309068
    Abstract: A rubber gasket to be disposed in a compressed state between separators of a fuel cell includes a sealing portion having a sectional shape of a two-projection structure with a first projection having a curved slope of a first curvature radius (D), and a second projection provided on the first projection and having a second curvature radius (H). A pedestal portion extends in a horizontal direction with a predetermined thickness continuously from a foot portion of the curved slope of the first projection and has a flat bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignees: Nichias Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Segawa, Atsushi Omura, Katsuya Kusuno, Tetsuo Ohinata, Chisato Kato, Toshiyuki Suzuki, Naohiro Takeshita, Yasuyuki Asai
  • Publication number: 20070251757
    Abstract: A torsion coil spring 30 applies an elastic force to a worm shaft 29 in a direction towards a worm wheel, via a pre-load pad 70. The pre-load pad 70 restricts displacement in relation to the widthwise direction, by one side face portion of a holder 61 fixed to a gear housing 22. Due to the elastic deformation of the pre-load pad 70 itself based on the elastic force of the torsion coil spring 30, the side face of the pre-load pad 70 is abutted against the one side face portion of the holder 61, so that a gap between the pre-load pad 70 and the one side face portion is minimized. As a result, the occurrence of a teeth fitting noise in the worm reduction gear 16 is suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Segawa, Kazuo Chikaraishi
  • Publication number: 20070251758
    Abstract: A torsion coil spring 30 applies an elastic force to a worm shaft 29 in a direction towards a worm wheel, via a pre-load pad 70. The pre-load pad 70 restricts displacement in relation to the widthwise direction, by one side face portion of a holder 61 fixed to a gear housing 22. Due to the elastic deformation of the pre-load pad 70 itself based on the elastic force of the torsion coil spring 30, the side face of the pre-load pad 70 is abutted against the one side face portion of the holder 61, so that a gap between the pre-load pad 70 and the one side face portion is minimized. As a result, the occurrence of a teeth fitting noise in the worm reduction gear 16 is suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicants: NSK LTD., NSK Steering Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Segawa, Kazuo Chikaraishi
  • Publication number: 20070209864
    Abstract: In an electric power steering apparatus in which steering torque applied on a steering wheel is detected by a torque sensor, and a steering assist torque is generated by an electric motor in accordance with the detected steering torque and transmitted to an output shaft of a steering mechanism with a speed reduced by a worm gear mechanism, the gear meshing position in the worm gear mechanism and the position of the torque sensor are arranged to be substantially coincide with each other with respect to the axial direction of the output shaft. Alternatively, a worm wheel of the worm gear mechanism is directly supported on a housing in a rotatable manner by means of a bearing. A steering shaft and an input shaft of a power assist section are fixedly connected in close contact attained by plastic deformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Toru Segawa, Hiroshi Eda, Kazuo Chikaraishi, Kenji Someya, Toshiyuki Onizuka
  • Patent number: 7188700
    Abstract: Provided is an electric power steering apparatus comprising a housing, a motor attached to this housing and transmitting an auxiliary steering force to a rotary shaft through a motor shaft, a worm formed on or fitted on the rotary shaft and having a gear portion formed of a metal or a resin, rolling bearings provided in the housing, disposed respectively in positions on both sides of the worm and rotatably supporting the rotary shaft, an output shaft transmitting a steering force for steering an axle and rotatably supported in a predetermined position of the housing, and a worm wheel formed on or fitted on the output shaft in a way that meshes with the worm and having a gear portion formed of the resin, wherein a pre-load mechanism for applying a pre-load acting towards the worm wheel is provided at a shaft end portion, distal from the motor, of the rotary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Eda, Toru Segawa
  • Patent number: 7183681
    Abstract: In an electric power steering apparatus that generates an auxiliary steering torque by a brushless motor in response to a steering torque applied on a steering wheel and transmits it to an output shaft of a steering mechanism while reducing it by means of a reduction gear, the apparatus comprises a rotor (10) to which a cylindrical permanent magnet for rotational driving (12) and a member to be detected (13) for detection of a rotational angle of the rotor are attached and a cylindrical stator (30) opposed to the rotor in which a laminated core (16) on which a coil is wound, detection means (17) for detecting the rotational angle of the rotor by the member to be detected and a terminal (19) for providing connection to the coil are integrally formed by resin molding. At least one bearing (8, 9) for rotatably supporting the rotor is disposed radially inside the stator and between the permanent magnet for rotational driving and the member to be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignees: NSK Ltd., NSK Steering Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Segawa, Yushi Momo, Hiroshi Eda, Takayoshi Kanazawa, Masaru Wada
  • Patent number: 7100734
    Abstract: An assist apparatus for electric-powered power steering apparatus is provided to have a torque sensor, steering shaft, preload pad 70, a torsion coil spring 30, and an electric motor 31. With the preload pad 70 and torsion coil spring 30, an elastic force is applied to the worm shaft 29 in the direction toward the worm wheel 28, whereby noises due to colliding teeth are prevented from occurring in the meshing portion between the worm wheel 28 and worm shaft 29.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Segawa
  • Publication number: 20060191738
    Abstract: Provided is an electric power steering apparatus comprising a housing, a motor attached to this housing and transmitting an auxiliary steering force to a rotary shaft through a motor shaft, a worm formed on or fitted on the rotary shaft and having a gear portion formed of a metal or a resin, rolling bearings provided in the housing, disposed respectively in positions on both sides of the worm and rotatably supporting the rotary shaft, an output shaft transmitting a steering force for steering an axle and rotatably supported in a predetermined position of the housing, and a worm wheel formed on or fitted on the output shaft in a way that meshes with the worm and having a gear portion formed of the resin, wherein a pre-load mechanism for applying a pre-load acting towards the worm wheel is provided at a shaft end portion, distal from the motor, of the rotary shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Inventors: Hiroshi Eda, Toru Segawa
  • Patent number: 7077235
    Abstract: Provided is an electric power steering apparatus comprising a housing, a motor attached to this housing and transmitting an auxiliary steering force to a rotary shaft through a motor shaft, a worm formed on or fitted on the rotary shaft and having a gear portion formed of a metal or a resin, rolling bearings provided in the housing, disposed respectively in positions on both sides of the worm and rotatably supporting the rotary shaft, an output shaft transmitting a steering force for steering an axle and rotatably supported in a predetermined position of the housing, and a worm wheel formed on or fitted on the output shaft in a way that meshes with the worm and having a gear portion formed of the resin, wherein a pre-load mechanism for applying a pre-load acting towards the worm wheel is provided at a shaft end portion, distal from the motor, of the rotary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Eda, Toru Segawa
  • Publication number: 20060117889
    Abstract: A torsion coil spring 30 applies an elastic force to a worm shaft 29 in a direction towards a worm wheel, via a pre-load pad 70. The pre-load pad 70 restricts displacement in relation to the widthwise direction, by one side face portion of a holder 61 fixed to a gear housing 22. Due to the elastic deformation of the pre-load pad 70 itself based on the elastic force of the torsion coil spring 30, the side face of the pre-load pad 70 is abutted against the one side face portion of the holder 61, so that a gap between the pre-load pad 70 and the one side face portion is minimized. As a result, the occurrence of a teeth fitting noise in the worm reduction gear 16 is suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Applicants: NSK LTD., NSK Steering Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Segawa, Kazuo Chikaraishi
  • Publication number: 20060086559
    Abstract: A steering device comprises an upper steering shaft, a lower steering shaft for transmitting rotations of the upper steering shaft to a steering gear, an engaging projection provided on a fitted-in portion of the upper shaft, an engaging groove provided on a fitted-in portion of the lower shaft for engaging with the engaging projection with a clearance of a rotational direction and a rotational direction biasing member, provided on the fitted-in portion, for giving a biasing force of a rotational direction between the upper and lower steering shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: Toru Segawa, Hiroshi Eda, Kazuo Chikaraishi
  • Publication number: 20060027417
    Abstract: An assist apparatus for electric-powered power steering apparatus is provided to have a torque sensor, steering shaft, preload pad 70, a torsion coil spring 30, and an electric motor 31. With the preload pad 70 and torsion coil spring 30, an elastic force is applied to the worm shaft 29 in the direction toward the worm wheel 28, whereby noises due to colliding teeth are prevented from occurring in the meshing portion between the worm wheel 28 and worm shaft 29.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventor: Toru Segawa
  • Publication number: 20050224278
    Abstract: A small gap is formed between a worm shaft 3 and a second bearing 20, so that the worm shaft can be tilted relative to the inner ring 20a of the second bearing 20 without fail when preloaded by a torsion spring 14. An elastic member 41 is provided in at least portion of a circumferential groove 40 in the small gap. The worm shaft 3 and the inner ring 20a of the second bearing 20 are not in contact with each other, and their metallic clank in the small gap can be prevented. By providing a projecting portion(s) 3b on one side or both sides, with respect to the axial direction, of the circumferential groove 40, the small gap between the worm shaft 3 and the inner ring 20a of the second bearing 20 can be made large, and it is possible to enlarge the range over which the worm shaft 3 can swing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventor: Toru Segawa