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).

  • Publication number: 20150219200
    Abstract: A wave generator (5) for a flat-type strain wave gearing (1) has a first elliptical outer circumferential surface (6S) of a first wave generator portion (5S) defined by a first elliptical curve (C1), and a second elliptical outer circumferential surface (6D) of a second wave generator section (5D) defined by a second elliptical curve (C2). Compared to using a wave generator for which the contour is defined by a single elliptical curve, differences between the ball load distribution of the first wave generator portion (5S) and the ball load distribution of the second wave generator portion (5D) can be suppressed, both ball load distributions can be equalized, and the equivalent ball load can be reduced; therefore, an increase in the lifespan of the wave generator bearing can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Xin Yue Zhang, Yoshihide Kiyosawa
  • Patent number: 8864387
    Abstract: A retainer for a roller bearing holds needle rollers within slit-shaped pockets which are formed separately by means of partitions arranged with a fixed pitch in the circumferential direction. Each partition is equipped with two side faces, which face the sides of the adjacent partitions, and an outer-circumferential-side end face, which faces the outer circumferential side of the retainer, and retaining protrusions are formed at the corner parts where the outer-circumferential-side end faces and each side face intersect. Each retaining protrusion protrudes farther to the outer circumferential side from the outer-circumferential-side end face, and protrudes obliquely in the direction in which the aperture width of the pockets is narrowed. For each pocket the positions where the retaining protrusions are formed in the longitudinal direction of the partitions are set so as not to overlap the adjacent pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kiyosawa, Keiji Ueura, Sohei Beppu
  • Publication number: 20140016892
    Abstract: A retainer for a roller bearing holds needle rollers within slit-shaped pockets which are formed separately by means of partitions arranged with a fixed pitch in the circumferential direction. Each partition is equipped with two side faces, which face the sides of the adjacent partitions, and an outer-circumferential-side end face, which faces the outer circumferential side of the retainer, and retaining protrusions are formed at the corner parts where the outer-circumferential-side end faces and each side face intersect. Each retaining protrusion protrudes farther to the outer circumferential side from the outer-circumferential-side end face, and protrudes obliquely in the direction in which the aperture width of the pockets is narrowed. For each pocket the positions where the retaining protrusions are formed in the longitudinal direction of the partitions are set so as not to overlap the adjacent pockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kiyosawa, Keiji Ueura, Sohei Beppu
  • Patent number: 8136761
    Abstract: In a self-propelled wheel apparatus of an aircraft, a drive mechanism composed of a wave gear drive and a motor is coaxially linked to an axle of a wheel via a one-way clutch, and rotational force in the reverse direction of the aircraft is transmitted to the wheel axle via the one-way clutch. When the aircraft moves forward, the link between the wheel axle and an output shaft of the wave gear drive is cut off by the one-way clutch, and motor rotational force is transmitted to the wheel axle, causing the wheel to rotate, only when the aircraft moves backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshihide Kiyosawa
  • Patent number: 7955005
    Abstract: In a roll rotation mechanism (1) for continuously causing a film-rolling roll to rotate at a constant rate, an Oldham coupling (4) is interposed in a transmission path between a wave gear reduction mechanism (3) and a roll (10). The Oldham coupling (4) forms a connection between a gear rotation output shaft (34) and a roll rotation shaft (11) in a state in which latitude of movement ? is present about a central axis line (4a). When a roll (10) is continuously rotated at a constant rate, the Oldham coupling (4) is held in a state in which no latitude of movement is present in a rotation direction R and latitude of movement ? is present in a direction opposite the rotation direction; and rotation torque is transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive System Inc.
    Inventors: Manabu Kino, Yoshihide Kiyosawa
  • Patent number: 7905326
    Abstract: A wave reduction gear (5) is disposed inside a device case (2) of a rotating table device (1). Lubrication oil is sprayed from an oil supply channel (22), which is formed in the device case (2), toward an oil supply hole (22) formed in a cup-shaped flexible externally toothed gear (12). A wave bearing (19) disposed in the interior is lubricated via the oil supply hole (21). Lubricating oil that has entered into the flexible externally toothed gear (12) is forcibly suctioned to the exterior via an oil recovery channel (23) that is formed in the device case (2). Accordingly, it will be possible to prevent oil from being suctioned due to the negative pressure state in the interior of the flexible externally toothed gear accompanying the high-speed rotation, and regions of the wave bearing (19) can be reliably lubricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kiyosawa, Hiroki Hanaoka, Hiroshi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7882766
    Abstract: In an automatic torque-switching apparatus (1), a fixed member (12) of a reduction device (8) is attached to an apparatus housing (2) via a one-way clutch (9) so as to not rotate in the direction of torque acting on the fixed member from the load side. A rotational input member (13) of the reduction device (8) and the fixed member (12) of the reduction device are linked via a torque limiter (10) so as to rotate integrally only when the torque acting on the fixed member (12) is less than or equal to a prescribed value. The speed reducing operation is not performed while the torque is less than or equal to the prescribed value, and the rotation of a motor (3) is output directly. When the torque exceeds the prescribed value, the reducing operation is performed, and a switch is automatically made to a rotational output having reduced speed and a large torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshihide Kiyosawa
  • Publication number: 20100065333
    Abstract: The drill bit shaft structure for an excavation apparatus has a thin-walled shaft portion formed on a hollow drill bit shaft. The thin-walled shaft portion has a thinner wall than that of shaft portions of the hollow drill bit shaft adjacent to both ends of the thin-walled shaft portion. A cylindrical body provided with an adjustable joining structure is disposed so as to envelop the thin-walled shaft portion. Both ends of the cylindrical body are connected to the shaft portions of the hollow drill bit shaft adjacent to the both ends of the thin-walled shaft portion. The direction of excavation is controlled by bending the thin-walled shaft portion and the cylindrical body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshihide KIYOSAWA
  • Publication number: 20100065678
    Abstract: In a self-propelled wheel apparatus of an aircraft, a drive mechanism composed of a wave gear drive and a motor is coaxially linked to an axle of a wheel via a one-way clutch, and rotational force in the reverse direction of the aircraft is transmitted to the wheel axle via the one-way clutch. When the aircraft moves forward, the link between the wheel axle and an output shaft of the wave gear drive is cut off by the one-way clutch, and motor rotational force is transmitted to the wheel axle, causing the wheel to rotate, only when the aircraft moves backward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshihide KIYOSAWA
  • Patent number: 7637664
    Abstract: A composite roll bearing (1), comprising an outer ring (2) and an annular inner ring (3) of groove shape in cross section having first, second, and third receiving surfaces (3a, 3b, 3c) facing the both end face inner peripheral portions (2a, 2b) and the circular inner peripheral surface (2c) of the outer ring (2) at specified intervals. A plurality of rollers (4) for thrust bearing are installed between one end face portion (2a) of the outer ring (2) and the first receiving surface (3a) of the inner ring (3) and between the other end face (2b) of the outer ring (2) and the second receiving surface (3b) of the inner ring (3). A plurality of rollers (5) for radial bearing are installed between the circular inner peripheral surface (2c) of the outer ring (2) and the third receiving surface (3c) of the inner ring (3). The rollers (5) are restricted to move in a thrust direction by retainer portions (8a, 8a) formed at the inner ends of retainers (6, 7) for the rollers (4) for thrust bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kiyosawa, Harushige Aoyagi, Hiroki Hanaoka
  • Patent number: 7484436
    Abstract: A wave gear device, wherein, when a wave generator is in a low speed rotating state, a rolling bearing state is formed by a wave bearing and the wave generator and a flexible external gear are held in a relatively rotatable state and when the wave generator is in a high speed rotating state, partition pieces and split side plate pieces forming the retainer of the web bearing are displaced to the outside to stop the rotation of balls in their axes and the revolution thereof. Accordingly, a sliding bearing state is formed by lubricating oil film formed between the wave generator and the flexible external gear and the wave generator and the flexible external gear are held in a relatively rotatable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshihide Kiyosawa
  • Publication number: 20080285905
    Abstract: A composite roll bearing (1), comprising an outer ring (2) and an annular inner ring (3) of groove shape in cross section having first, second, and third receiving surfaces (3a, 3b, 3c) facing the both end face inner peripheral portions (2a, 2b) and the circular inner peripheral surface (2c) of the outer ring (2) at specified intervals. A plurality of rollers (4) for thrust bearing are installed between one end face portion (2a) of the outer ring (2) and the first receiving surface (3a) of the inner ring (3) and between the other end face (2b) of the outer ring (2) and the second receiving surface (3b) of the inner ring (3). A plurality of rollers (5) for radial bearing are installed between the circular inner peripheral surface (2c) of the outer ring (2) and the third receiving surface (3c) of the inner ring (3). The rollers (5) are restricted to move in a thrust direction by retainer portions (8a, 8a) formed at the inner ends of retainers (6, 7) for the rollers (4) for thrust bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kiyosawa, Harushige Aoyagi, Hiroki Hanaoka
  • Publication number: 20080245172
    Abstract: A wave reduction gear (5) is disposed inside a device case (2) of a rotating table device (1). Lubrication oil is sprayed from an oil supply channel (22), which is formed in the device case (2), toward an oil supply hole (22) formed in a cup-shaped flexible externally toothed gear (12). A wave bearing (19) disposed in the interior is lubricated via the oil supply hole (21). Lubricating oil that has entered into the flexible externally toothed gear (12) is forcibly suctioned to the exterior via an oil recovery channel (23) that is formed in the device case (2). Accordingly, it will be possible to prevent oil from being suctioned due to the negative pressure state in the interior of the flexible externally toothed gear accompanying the high-speed rotation, and regions of the wave bearing (19) can be reliably lubricated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kiyosawa, Hiroki Hanaoka, Hiroshi Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20080026901
    Abstract: In an automatic torque-switching apparatus (1), a fixed member (12) of a reduction device (8) is attached to an apparatus housing (2) via a one-way clutch (9) so as to not rotate in the direction of torque acting on the fixed member from the load side. A rotational input member (13) of the reduction device (8) and the fixed member (12) of the reduction device are linked via a torque limiter (10) so as to rotate integrally only when the torque acting on the fixed member (12) is less than or equal to a prescribed value. The speed reducing operation is not performed while the torque is less than or equal to the prescribed value, and the rotation of a motor (3) is output directly. When the torque exceeds the prescribed value, the reducing operation is performed, and a switch is automatically made to a rotational output having reduced speed and a large torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Yoshihide Kiyosawa
  • Publication number: 20070265102
    Abstract: In a roll rotation mechanism (1) for continuously causing a film-rolling roll to rotate at a constant rate, an Oldham coupling (4) is interposed in a transmission path between a wave gear reduction mechanism (3) and a roll (10). The Oldham coupling (4) forms a connection between a gear rotation output shaft (34) and a roll rotation shaft (11) in a state in which latitude of movement ? is present about a central axis line (4a). When a roll (10) is continuously rotated at a constant rate, the Oldham coupling (4) is held in a state in which no latitude of movement is present in a rotation direction R and latitude of movement ? is present in a direction opposite the rotation direction; and rotation torque is transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Manabu Kino, Yoshihide Kiyosawa
  • Patent number: 7249536
    Abstract: A diaphragm of a cup-shaped flexible external gear of a cup-shaped wave gear device having a high reduction ratio of 100 or higher is given a thickness t in a position of a radius r of the diaphragm whereby the thickness t is a value that satisfies the expression A/r2 when A is a constant. The constant A is preferably a value that satisfies the expression 0.0014 D3<A<0.0026 D3, where D is a pitch diameter of the flexible external gear, and the range of the radius r whereby the thickness t is defined as described above in the diaphragm is preferably set to satisfy the expression 0.6 d<r<0.4 D, where d is a diameter of a discoid rigid boss made continuous with an internal peripheral end of the diaphragm. Stress concentration can be alleviated, and it is possible for the allowable transmission torque to be increased compared to the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kiyosawa, Noboru Takizawa
  • Publication number: 20070157760
    Abstract: A wave gear device (1), wherein when a wave generator (4) is in a low speed rotating state, a rolling bearing state is formed by a wave bearing (43) and the wave generator (4) and a flexible external gear (3) are held in a relatively rotatable state and when the wave generator (4) is in a high speed rotating state, partition pieces (7) and split side plate pieces (8) forming the retainer (47) of the web bearing (43) are displaced to the outside to stop the rotation of balls (46) in their axes and the revolution thereof. Accordingly, a sliding bearing state is formed by lubricating oil film (9) formed between the wave generator (4) and the flexible external gear (3) and the wave generator and the flexible external gear are held in a relatively rotatable state. When the wave generator (4) returns to the low speed state, the constraint of the wave bearing (43) is released by the elastic return force of the elastic ring (5) of the retainer (47) and the wave bearing (43) returns to the rolling bearing state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Yoshihide Kiyosawa
  • Publication number: 20060037430
    Abstract: A diaphragm of a cup-shaped flexible external gear of a cup-shaped wave gear device having a high reduction ratio of 100 or higher is given a thickness t in a position of a radius r of the diaphragm whereby the thickness t is a value that satisfies the expression A/r2 when A is a constant. The constant A is preferably a value that satisfies the expression 0.0014D3<A<0.0026D3, where D is a pitch diameter of the flexible external gear, and the range of the radius r whereby the thickness t is defined as described above in the diaphragm is preferably set to satisfy the expression 0.6d<r<0.4D, where d is a diameter of a discoid rigid boss made continuous with an internal peripheral end of the diaphragm. Stress concentration can be alleviated, and it is possible for the allowable transmission torque to be increased compared to the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Applicant: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kiyosawa, Noboru Takizawa
  • Publication number: 20050066769
    Abstract: A wave gear device has a rigid internal gear, a flexible external gear, and a wave generator. The tooth profiles of both gears are initially defined by a basic rack tooth profile shape. The lower parts of the dedendum portions of these tooth profiles are modified by curves C2 and C3 having pressure angles ?2 and ?3 that are less than the standard pressure angle ?1 of the basic rack tooth profile shape C1. An increase in thickness of the tooth bottom side can be minimized even if the tooth depth is increased and the tooth thickness/tooth space ratio changed to increase the tooth thickness. Hence, the ratcheting torque of a wave gear device having a high reduction gear ratio can be increased without reducing the service life and strength of a pinion cutter for the rigid internal gear, or the fatigue strength of the flexible external gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Applicant: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshihide Kiyosawa
  • Patent number: 6732435
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lightweight bearing in which raceway surface parts are formed of iron-based material and body members are formed of a lightweight material that is lighter than the iron-based material. Bearing rings are manufactured by producing first and second split body members whose shapes are identical to those obtained by dividing the body members transversely along a plane perpendicular to the center axis, producing split raceway surface members whose shapes are identical to those obtained by similarly dividing the raceway surface formation members, and bonding together split raceway surface members and split body members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshihide Kiyosawa