Patents by Inventor Yoshihide Kiyosawa

Yoshihide Kiyosawa 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: 11946536
    Abstract: A three-dimensional tooth profile of internal teeth in a strain wave gearing is a basic internal-teeth tooth profile at an internal-teeth outer end, and is a reduced tooth profile, in which the basic internal-teeth tooth profile is proportionally reduced only in the lateral direction, at other tooth-trace-direction positions. A three-dimensional tooth profile of external teeth is a basic external-teeth tooth profile at an external-teeth outer end, and is an increased tooth profile, in which the basic external-teeth tooth profile is proportionally increased only in the lateral direction, at other tooth-trace-direction positions. Tooth cutting process becomes easier than when only the external teeth employ a three-dimensional tooth profile. Since the tooth profiles, which are proportionally reduced and increased only in the lateral direction along the tooth trace direction, are employed, it is further easier in tooth cutting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Norio Shirokoshi, Satoshi Kishi, Yoshihide Kiyosawa
  • Publication number: 20230358304
    Abstract: A three-dimensional tooth profile of internal teeth in a strain wave gearing is a basic internal-teeth tooth profile at an internal-teeth outer end, and is a reduced tooth profile, in which the basic internal-teeth tooth profile is proportionally reduced only in the lateral direction, at other tooth-trace-direction positions. A three-dimensional tooth profile of external teeth is a basic external-teeth tooth profile at an external-teeth outer end, and is an increased tooth profile, in which the basic external-teeth tooth profile is proportionally increased only in the lateral direction, at other tooth-trace-direction positions. Tooth cutting process becomes easier than when only the external teeth employ a three-dimensional tooth profile. Since the tooth profiles, which are proportionally reduced and increased only in the lateral direction along the tooth trace direction, are employed, it is further easier in tooth cutting process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Norio SHIROKOSHI, Satoshi KISHI, Yoshihide KIYOSAWA
  • Publication number: 20230035665
    Abstract: A strain wave gearing unit has a unit housing, a strain wave gearing, and a bearing device. Balls of a bearing part of the bearing device are positioned on the diametrically outer side with respect to a cylindrical barrel part of an externally toothed gear. The diameter S of the balls is 0.05 to 0.15 times the pitch diameter D of the externally toothed gear. The centers of the balls are positioned between a point at a distance of 1.2 times the diameter S toward the cylindrical-barrel-part side from an inner-side end surface of a diaphragm along a center axis and a point at a distance of 1 times the diameter S toward a side opposite the cylindrical barrel part from the inner-side end surface. The bearing device can be configured to be used in common for strain wave gearing units having different axial lengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Hiroaki KIMURA, Yoshihide KIYOSAWA, Jun HANDA
  • Patent number: 11320034
    Abstract: A cup-type strain wave gearing having a unit structure and having: a stationary-side part including a unit housing and an internally toothed gear; a driving-side part including an output member and an externally toothed gear; and a sliding bearing supporting the stationary-side part and the driving-side part in the radial direction and the thrust direction in a state in which relative rotation is possible. The sliding bearing has a cylindrical bushing accommodated in a radial gap, and annular bushings accommodated respectively in thrust gaps. Thus, it is possible to provide an advantageous strain wave gearing having a unit structure that is more lightweight and compact than when a rolling bearing is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kiyosawa, Norio Shirokoshi
  • Publication number: 20210404544
    Abstract: A strain wave gearing unit has a unit housing, a strain wave gearing, and a bearing device. Balls of a bearing part of the bearing device are positioned on the diametrically outer side with respect to a cylindrical barrel part of an externally toothed gear. The diameter S of the balls is 0.05 to 0.15 times the pitch diameter D of the externally toothed gear. The centers of the balls are positioned between a point at a distance of 1.2 times the diameter S toward the cylindrical-barrel-part side from an inner-side end surface of a diaphragm along a center axis and a point at a distance of 1 times the diameter S toward a side opposite the cylindrical barrel part from the inner-side end surface. The bearing device can be configured to be used in common for strain wave gearing units having different axial lengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Hiroaki KIMURA, Yoshihide KIYOSAWA, Jun HANDA
  • Patent number: 11168775
    Abstract: In a unit-type strain wave gearing, a rotating-side member, which is constituted by a second internally toothed gear and an output shaft is supported, via a first sliding bearing and a second sliding bearing, on a fixed-side member so as to be capable of relative rotation, the fixed-side member being constituted by a unit housing and a first internally toothed gear. Sliding bearing surfaces of the first sliding bearing and sliding bearing surfaces of the second sliding bearing are defined by a conic surface having a central axis line as a center line. It is possible to realize a unit-type strain wave gearing which is advantageous in making smaller and more compact than when a roller bearing is used. It is also easier to adjust the gap between the sliding bearing surfaces because a radial sliding bearing having no function to adjust the radial gap is obviated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kiyosawa, Norio Shirokoshi
  • Publication number: 20210324948
    Abstract: A strain wave gearing has a wave generator provided with a rigid plug and a wave bearing. The wave bearing is of a deep groove bearing type and is mounted on an elliptical outer circumferential surface of the rigid plug, whereby outer race and inner race thereof are flexed into an elliptical shape. Where D is a ball diameter of the balls, Ro is a raceway-surface radius of the outer race, Ri is a raceway-surface radius of the inner race, Ro/D is an outer-race conformity, and Ri/D is an inner-race conformity, the outer-race conformity Ro/D is greater than the inner-race conformity Ri/D. The friction torque of the wave bearing can be reduced while maintaining the practical service life thereof to be the same level as in a conventional one.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Xin Yue Zhang, Yoshihide Kiyosawa
  • Patent number: 11092223
    Abstract: An externally toothed gear of a dual-type strain wave gearing is provided with first and second external teeth having different teeth numbers, and a gap formed between these teeth as a cutter clearance area for tooth cutters. The maximum width L1 of the gap is 0.1 to 0.3 times the width L of the externally toothed gear. The depth from the tooth top land of the first external teeth to the deepest part of the gap is 0.9 to 1.3 times the depth of the first external teeth, and the depth from the tooth top land of the second external teeth to the deepest part of the gap is 0.9 to 1.3 times the depth of the second external teeth. The tooth bottom fatigue strength of the externally toothed gear provided with differing numbers of first and second external teeth is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Jun Handa, Yoshihide Kiyosawa, Noboru Takizawa, Xin Yue Zhang
  • Patent number: 11002348
    Abstract: A rotary actuator has a hollow motor and hollow reduction gears arranged coaxially on either side of the hollow motor. A rotary shaft is arranged so as to pass through a hollow motor shaft of the hollow motor. The hollow reduction gears have hollow input shafts connected to the shaft ends on either sides of the hollow motor shaft. The hollow reduction gears have hollow output shafts connected to sections of the rotary shaft protruding from both ends of the hollow motor shaft. The connection position of the hollow output shaft with respect to the rotary shaft can be adjusted in the rotational direction. A load is rotationally driven by the rotary shaft. By increasing the axial length of the hollow motor, it is possible to obtain a small-diameter rotary actuator having a rotational output with large torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshihide Kiyosawa
  • Patent number: 10823278
    Abstract: A silk hat-type strain wave gear device has a crossed roller bearing for supporting an internal gear and an external gear so as to allow relative rotation. A first gap part between the inner and outer rings of said bearing is sealed by an oil seal and a second gap part thereof is in communication with a gear-side gap part on the outside of the external gear. A bearing seal separates the second gap part from the gear-side gap part. The bearing seal prevents excessive inflow of lubricant from the gear-side gap part into the second gap part. Excess lubricant that has flowed into the bearing can flow back from the second gap part to the gear-side gap part. Excess lubricant in the bearing is prevented from leaking through the oil seal to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Shunichi Tezuka, Yoshihide Kiyosawa, Toshimi Yamagishi
  • Publication number: 20200284333
    Abstract: In a unit-type strain wave gearing, a rotating-side member, which is constituted by a second internally toothed gear and an output shaft is supported, via a first sliding bearing and a second sliding bearing, on a fixed-side member so as to be capable of relative rotation, the fixed-side member being constituted by a unit housing and a first internally toothed gear. Sliding bearing surfaces of the first sliding bearing and sliding bearing surfaces of the second sliding bearing are defined by a conic surface having a central axis line as a center line. It is possible to realize a unit-type strain wave gearing which is advantageous in making smaller and more compact than when a roller bearing is used. It is also easier to adjust the gap between the sliding bearing surfaces because a radial sliding bearing having no function to adjust the radial gap is obviated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Yoshihide KIYOSAWA, Norio SHIROKOSHI
  • Publication number: 20200240500
    Abstract: A cup-type strain wave gearing having a unit structure and having: a stationary-side part including a unit housing and an internally toothed gear; a driving-side part including an output member and an externally toothed gear; and a sliding bearing supporting the stationary-side part and the driving-side part in the radial direction and the thrust direction in a state in which relative rotation is possible. The sliding bearing has a cylindrical bushing accommodated in a radial gap, and annular bushings accommodated respectively in thrust gaps. Thus, it is possible to provide an advantageous strain wave gearing having a unit structure that is more lightweight and compact than when a rolling bearing is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Yoshihide KIYOSAWA, Norio SHIROKOSHI
  • Publication number: 20200072338
    Abstract: A silk hat-type strain wave gear device has a crossed roller bearing for supporting an internal gear and an external gear so as to allow relative rotation. A first gap part between the inner and outer rings of said bearing is sealed by an oil seal and a second gap part thereof is in communication with a gear-side gap part on the outside of the external gear. A bearing seal separates the second gap part from the gear-side gap part. The bearing seal prevents excessive inflow of lubricant from the gear-side gap part into the second gap part. Excess lubricant that has flowed into the bearing can flow back from the second gap part to the gear-side gap part. Excess lubricant in the bearing is prevented from leaking through the oil seal to the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Applicant: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Shunichi TEZUKA, Yoshihide KIYOSAWA, Toshimi YAMAGISHI
  • Publication number: 20200049237
    Abstract: A rotary actuator has a hollow motor and hollow reduction gears arranged coaxially on either side of the hollow motor. A rotary shaft is arranged so as to pass through a hollow motor shaft of the hollow motor. The hollow reduction gears have hollow input shafts connected to the shaft ends on either sides of the hollow motor shaft. The hollow reduction gears have hollow output shafts connected to sections of the rotary shaft protruding from both ends of the hollow motor shaft. The connection position of the hollow output shaft with respect to the rotary shaft can be adjusted in the rotational direction. A load is rotationally driven by the rotary shaft. By increasing the axial length of the hollow motor, it is possible to obtain a small-diameter rotary actuator having a rotational output with large torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Yoshihide KIYOSAWA
  • Patent number: 10400667
    Abstract: A variable compression ratio mechanism for an internal combustion engine includes a gear reducer that varies an engine compression ratio. The gear reducer includes an input-side member connected to a rotation shaft of an actuator; an output-side member that transmits a reduced rotation of the actuator to the control shaft; a fixed member fixed to a housing of the actuator; and an intermediate member that transmits torque from the input-side member to the output-side member and the fixed member, and has a first gear portion engaged with the fixed member and a second gear portion engaged with the output-side member. A ratio of a number of teeth of the fixed gear portion to a number of teeth of the first gear portion is lower than a ratio of a number of teeth of the output-side gear portion to a number of teeth of the second gear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignees: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD., HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC., HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Hiyoshi, Yoshiaki Tanaka, Yoshihide Kiyosawa, Jun Handa, Kishiro Nagai, Junichiro Onigata, Yoshihiko Yamada
  • Patent number: 10400666
    Abstract: A variable compression ratio mechanism for an internal combustion engine includes a gear reducer that varies an engine compression ratio. The gear reducer includes an input-side member connected to a rotation shaft of the actuator; an output-side member that transmits a reduced rotation of the actuator to the control shaft; a fixed member fixed to a housing of the actuator; and an intermediate member that transmits torque from the input-side member to the output-side member and the fixed member, and has a first gear portion engaged with the fixed member and a second gear portion engaged with the output-side member. A ratio of a number of teeth of the fixed gear portion to a number of teeth of the first gear portion is higher than a ratio of a number of teeth of the output-side gear portion to a number of teeth of the second gear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignees: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD., HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC., HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Hiyoshi, Yoshiaki Tanaka, Yoshihide Kiyosawa, Jun Handa, Kishiro Nagai, Junichiro Onigata, Yoshihiko Yamada
  • Patent number: 10393227
    Abstract: A relieving portion is formed between a first external tooth portion and a second external tooth portion in the external teeth of a flexible externally toothed gear of a flat strain wave gearing. The length L1 of the relieving portion in the tooth trace direction is within the range of 0.1 to 0.5 of the tooth width L of the external teeth. The maximum relieving amount t from the tooth top land of an external tooth in the relieving portion is 3.3×10?4<t/PCD<6.3×10?4 where the PCT is defined as the pitch circle diameter of the external teeth. The tooth face load distribution of the external tooth in the tooth trace direction can be equalized, and a flat strain wave gearing having a high transmitted-load capacity can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Handa, Yoshihide Kiyosawa, Noboru Takizawa, Xin Yue Zhang
  • Publication number: 20190203819
    Abstract: An externally toothed gear of a dual-type strain wave gearing is provided with first and second external teeth having different teeth numbers, and a gap formed between these teeth as a cutter clearance area for tooth cutters. The maximum width L1 of the gap is 0.1 to 0.3 times the width L of the externally toothed gear. The depth from the tooth top land of the first external teeth to the deepest part of the gap is 0.9 to 1.3 times the depth of the first external teeth, and the depth from the tooth top land of the second external teeth to the deepest part of the gap is 0.9 to 1.3 times the depth of the second external teeth. The tooth bottom fatigue strength of the externally toothed gear provided with differing numbers of first and second external teeth is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2015
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Jun HANDA, Yoshihide KIYOSAWA, Noboru TAKIZAWA, Xin Yue ZHANG
  • Patent number: D937332
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kimura, Jun Handa, Yoshihide Kiyosawa
  • Patent number: D971978
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kimura, Yoshihide Kiyosawa, Jun Handa