Patents by Inventor Yoshihiro Kawabe

Yoshihiro Kawabe 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: 8678409
    Abstract: A suspension structure includes lower front and rear links arranged to connect a wheel support member to support a wheel and a vehicle body member swingably, and an upper link located above the lower front link and arranged to connect the wheel support member and the vehicle body swingably. There is further provided a connect bush arranged to connect the lower front link and the lower rear link with each other. The connect bush is located below a connection point between the lower front link and the wheel support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Reo Koide, Keiichi Nakajima, Yoshihiro Kawabe
  • Patent number: 8628101
    Abstract: A bush is adapted to connect a suspension link with a link support member which is one of a wheel support member and a vehicle body member. The bush includes an inner cylinder which extends in a front and rear direction and which is connected with one of the suspension link and the link support member, an outer cylinder which includes an inside circumferential surface confronting an outside circumferential surface of the inner cylinder and which is connected with the other of the suspension link and the link support member, and an elastic member interposed radially between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder is formed with a bulge portion which projects radially outwards from the outside circumferential surface of the inner cylinder at a middle portion of the inner cylinder in an axial direction of the inner cylinder of the link bush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Reo Koide, Keiichi Nakajima, Yoshihiro Kawabe
  • Publication number: 20130341881
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension apparatus includes: a road-wheel-side member that supports a road wheel rotatably; a lower link member that links the road-wheel-side member to a vehicle body such that the road-wheel-side member swings with respect to the vehicle body in a vehicle vertical direction; a vehicle-body-side member of a vehicle body, wherein the lower link member is attached to the vehicle-body-side member; and a shock absorber, wherein a lower end of the shock absorber is connected to one of the road-wheel-side member and the lower link member, and wherein an upper end of the shock absorber is connected to the vehicle body at a position rearward with respect to the lower end in a vehicle longitudinal direction. This serves to improve load support performance in the vehicle longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Reo Koide, Masatoshi Mori, Keiichi Nakajima, Yoshihiro Kawabe
  • Patent number: 8342542
    Abstract: A suspension device includes a wheel supporting member configured to rotatably support a wheel. Two links respectively link the wheel supporting member and a vehicle-body side member and are disposed substantially in parallel in a vehicle width direction. At least one projecting portion extends from at least one of the two links towards the other link, and an elastic linking portion links the projecting portion of one of the links to at least one of the other link and the projecting portion of the other link. A toe angle adjusting device is configured to input a force in a direction oriented backward in the vehicle forward-backward direction to the wheel supporting member to adjust a toe-in angle of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Sagara, Yusuke Kageyama, Yoshihiro Kawabe, Masahiko Nishida, Isao Watanabe, Masaya Kunitomo, Masaki Ohta
  • Publication number: 20120292872
    Abstract: A bush is adapted to connect a suspension link with a link support member which is one of a wheel support member and a vehicle body member. The bush includes an inner cylinder which extends in a front and rear direction and which is connected with one of the suspension link and the link support member, an outer cylinder which includes an inside circumferential surface confronting an outside circumferential surface of the inner cylinder and which is connected with the other of the suspension link and the link support member, and an elastic member interposed radially between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder is formed with a bulge portion which projects radially outwards from the outside circumferential surface of the inner cylinder at a middle portion of the inner cylinder in an axial direction of the inner cylinder of the link bush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Reo KOIDE, Keiichi NAKAJIMA, Yoshihiro KAWABE
  • Publication number: 20120292875
    Abstract: A suspension structure includes lower front and rear links arranged to connect a wheel support member to support a wheel and a vehicle body member swingably, and an upper link located above the lower front link and arranged to connect the wheel support member and the vehicle body swingably. There is further provided a connect bush arranged to connect the lower front link and the lower rear link with each other. The connect bush is located below a connection point between the lower front link and the wheel support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Reo Koide, Keiichi Nakajima, Yoshihiro Kawabe
  • Patent number: 8056912
    Abstract: A wheel suspension device for a vehicle includes a wheel supporting member rotatably supporting a wheel. The wheel supporting member is linked to a vehicle-body side by a first link and a second link, with the second link arranged substantially parallel to the first link in a vehicle width direction. The first link has a projecting portion, and at least one elastic linking portion links the projecting portion to the second link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kawabe, Masahiko Nishida, Isao Watanabe, Kenji Sagara, Kazuo Kondo
  • Patent number: 8011679
    Abstract: A wheel suspension device for a vehicle includes a wheel supporting member rotatably supporting a wheel. The wheel supporting member is linked to a vehicle-body side by a first link and a second link, with the second link arranged substantially parallel to the first link in a vehicle width direction. The first link has a projecting portion, and at least one elastic linking portion links the projecting portion to the second link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kawabe, Masahiko Nishida, Isao Watanabe, Kenji Sagara, Kazuo Kondo
  • Publication number: 20100201086
    Abstract: A suspension device includes a wheel supporting member configured to rotatably support a wheel. Two links respectively link the wheel supporting member and a vehicle-body side member and are disposed substantially in parallel in a vehicle width direction. At least one projecting portion extends from at least one of the two links towards the other link, and an elastic linking portion links the projecting portion of one of the links to at least one of the other link and the projecting portion of the other link. A toe angle adjusting device is configured to input a force in a direction oriented backward in the vehicle forward-backward direction to the wheel supporting member to adjust a toe-in angle of the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Sagara, Yusuke Kageyama, Yoshihiro Kawabe, Masahiko Nishida, Isao Watanabe, Masaya Kunitomo, Masaki Ohta
  • Publication number: 20100078911
    Abstract: A wheel suspension device for a vehicle includes a wheel supporting member rotatably supporting a wheel. The wheel supporting member is linked to a vehicle-body side by a first link and a second link, with the second link arranged substantially parallel to the first link in a vehicle width direction. The first link has a projecting portion, and at least one elastic linking portion links the projecting portion to the second link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kawabe, Masahiko Nishida, Isao Watanabe, Kenji Sagara, Kazuo Kondo
  • Patent number: 7389998
    Abstract: A vehicle steering system is configured to avoid contact between wheels and wheel housings when the wheels are steered and to enlarge the maximum steering angle. The vehicle steering system has a steering knuckle that supports a wheel for rotation about a wheel axis and a pivotal movement about a steering axis. The steering knuckle is coupled to a first end part of an extension link. A second end part of the extension link is connected to an arm through a control rod. The extension link is pivotally sustained around a steering axis. The arm is connected to a front end of a knuckle arm through a tie rod. When the arm turns, the second end part of the extension link is pulled inside through the control rod, and the steering knuckle situated on rear end of the control rod is pushed outwardly. At the same time, the arm steers the steering knuckle through the tie rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Kondo, Yoshihiro Kawabe, Michihito Hirahara
  • Patent number: 7237779
    Abstract: A vehicle height adjusting apparatus includes a suspension spring supporting a sprung weight of a vehicle, a pivotal unsprung member carrying a road wheel and connected to a lower end of the suspension spring so as to pivot in response to deformation of the suspension spring, and a drive mechanism adapted so as to be free from the sprung weight and capable of moving the unsprung member so as to cause the suspension spring to increase or decrease in length and thereby adjusting a vehicle height at the road wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Kondo, Yoshihiro Kawabe
  • Publication number: 20050133321
    Abstract: An antisway bar extends transversely relative to a vehicle body. The antisway bar includes a pair of arm portions and a torsion portion extending between the arm portions. A pivot member is pivotally connected to a junction portion between the torsion portion and selected one of the arm portions. A link lever extends from the pivot member. A cylinder device includes a cylindrical case and a piston slidably received in the cylindrical case. The cylindrical case is connected to one of the selected arm portion and the link lever, and the piston is connected to the other of the selected arm portion and the link lever. A control system is provided to restrict the movement of the piston in the cylindrical case when actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Shinsuke Fujishima, Yoshihiro Kawabe
  • Publication number: 20050017472
    Abstract: A vehicle steering system is configured to avoid contact between wheels and wheel housings when the wheels are steered and to enlarge the maximum steering angle. The vehicle steering system has a steering knuckle that supports a wheel for rotation about a wheel axis and a pivotal movement about a steering axis. The steering knuckle is coupled to a first end part of an extension link. A second end part of the extension link is connected to an arm through a control rod. The extension link is pivotally sustained around a steering axis. The arm is connected to a front end of a knuckle arm through a tie rod. When the arm turns, the second end part of the extension link is pulled inside through the control rod, and the steering knuckle situated on rear end of the control rod is pushed outwardly. At the same time, the arm steers the steering knuckle through the tie rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Kondo, Yoshihiro Kawabe, Michihito Hirahara
  • Publication number: 20040217561
    Abstract: A vehicle height adjusting apparatus includes a suspension spring supporting a sprung weight of a vehicle, a pivotal unsprung member carrying a road wheel and connected to a lower end of the suspension spring so as to pivot in response to deformation of the suspension spring, and a drive mechanism adapted so as to be free from the sprung weight and capable of moving the unsprung member so as to cause the suspension spring to increase or decrease in length and thereby adjusting a vehicle height at the road wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuo Kondo, Yoshihiro Kawabe
  • Patent number: 6374693
    Abstract: A variable-ratio steering system includes a steering shaft connected to a manually-operated handle, a ball nut engaging with the steering shaft and a ball-bearing-screw mechanism converting rotary motion of the steering shaft into axial displacement of the ball nut in the axial direction of the steering shaft. Also provided is a second motion converter which generates a rotational displacement of the ball nut about the axis of the steering shaft with the axial displacement of the ball nut. A steering pinion gear block is connected to the ball nut by means of serrations to rotate together with the ball nut. A rack is engaged with the pinion gear block and connected at both ends via knuckle mechanisms to steered wheels for varying a steer angle at the steered wheels depending on the displacement of the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kawabe, Yoshiteru Minagawa
  • Patent number: 6116627
    Abstract: A front suspension for an automotive vehicle includes a wheel supporting member for rotatably supporting a road wheel of the vehicle. A lower link has a first end section rotatably connected to a lower section of the wheel supporting member, and a second end section connected to a vehicle body-side member so as to be swingable generally in a vertical direction of the vehicle. A connection member is rotatably installed to an upper section of the wheel supporting member so as to be rotatable around a first axis which passes through the wheel supporting member and extends generally in the vertical direction of the vehicle. A shock absorber has an upper end section pivotally connected to the vehicle body-side member, and a lower end section swingably connected to the connection member to be rotatable around a second axis which extends generally in a fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. A spring is supported by the shock absorber and has a third axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kawabe, Takuya Murakami, Kenji Kawagoe, Tamiyoshi Kasahara
  • Patent number: 6062580
    Abstract: A steering knuckle has an upper portion and a lower portion. A lower link has an outer end pivotally supporting the lower portion of the steering knuckle and an inner end swingably supported by a vehicle body. A connecting member is mounted to the upper portion of the knuckle and rotatable about a first axis relative to the upper portion. A shock absorber has an upper end pivotally connected to the vehicle body at a first point and a lower portion connected to the connecting member. An upper link is pivotally connected to the connecting member at a second point and pivotally connected to the vehicle body at a third point. A tie rod is connected to the supporting member to rotate the same about the first axis. The first axis intersects a second axis passing through the second and third points and passes through a limited area containing the first point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kawabe, Takuya Murakami, Kenji Kawagoe, Tamiyoshi Kasahara
  • Patent number: 6027130
    Abstract: A steering knuckle has an upper portion and a lower portion. A lower link has an outside end rotatably connected to the lower portion of the steering knuckle and an inside end swingably supported by a vehicle body. A connecting member is rotatably mounted to the upper portion of the steering knuckle. A first axis (Lk) is defined about which the connecting member rotates relative to the upper portion of the steering knuckle. A shock absorber has an upper end pivotally connected to the vehicle body and a lower end connected to the connecting member. An upper link has an inside end pivotally connected to the vehicle body and an outside end pivotally connected to the connecting member. A second axis (Lu) is defined which passes through both the pivoted inside end of the upper link and the pivoted outside end of the same. A tie rod is connected to the steering knuckle to pivot the same about the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kawabe, Tamiyoshi Kasahara
  • Patent number: 5873587
    Abstract: According to a front suspension system, an upper control arm or link is pivoted at an inner end to a suspension member that is connected to a side rail. The upper link extends below the side rail and is connected at an outer end to a rotary joint receiving an upper edge portion of a knuckle. A lower control arm or link is pivotally mounted at two split distance inner ends to the suspension member and extends below the upper link, At an outer end portion, the lower link pivotally supports a lower edge portion of the knuckle. The rotary joint pivotally supports a bracket that holds a lower end portion of a shock absorber of a strut. The rotary joint has a joint axis that has an extension passing through a portion at which the lower edge portion pivots on the lower link. The upper link has a link axis that intersects the joint axis and an intermediate portion spaced along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle from the link axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kawabe, Takuya Murakami, Takao Kuno