Patents by Inventor Yoshikazu Fukumura

Yoshikazu Fukumura 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: 8944694
    Abstract: A bearing device for a driving wheel includes an outer race having an inner periphery in which double-row outer raceway surfaces are formed; a hub wheel and an inner race having outer peripheries in which double-row inner raceway surfaces opposed to the outer raceway surfaces are formed; and double-row rolling elements interposed between the outer raceway surfaces and the inner raceway surfaces. A shaft hole of the hub wheel is formed into a cylindrical shape, and a male spline is formed on an outer periphery of a stem section of the outer joint member so that the stem section of the outer joint member is press-fit into the shaft hole of the hub wheel. With this, recesses caused to fit on the male spline with interference are formed in the shaft hole of the hub wheel, whereby the hub wheel and the outer joint member are separably coupled to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Fukumura, Masayuki Kuroda, Hisaaki Kura, Shin Tomogami, Hiroshi Kawamura, Shigeaki Fukushima, Masahiro Ozawa, Yuichi Asano
  • Patent number: 8480306
    Abstract: A bearing unit for driving wheels, and a manufacturing method thereof, includes a hub, a bearing, and a constant velocity universal joint, such that a process for assembling the bearing unit to a knuckle member is simplified. In order to achieve this, a hub (10) and an outer joint member (31) of an out-board side constant velocity universal joint (30) are plastically joined together. An outer peripheral surface (26a) of an outer member (26) is press-fitted into an inner peripheral surface of the knuckle member, and a maximum diameter dimension (D1) of the out-board side constant velocity universal joint (30) is set smaller than a minimum diameter dimension (Dn) of the knuckle member (6). Also, a maximum diameter dimension (D2) of an in-board side constant velocity universal joint (40) is set smaller than the minimum diameter dimension (Dn) of the knuckle member (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Fukumura, Masayuki Kuroda, Hisaaki Kura, Shin Tomogami, Hiroshi Kawamura, Shigeaki Fukushima
  • Patent number: 8382378
    Abstract: A wheel bearing device suppresses backlash in the circumferential direction and has excellent workability in connecting a hub wheel and an outer joint component of a constant velocity universal joint. The wheel bearing device has a stem shaft of an outer joint component of a constant velocity universal joint fitted into a hole section of a hub wheel that is integrated with the hub wheel by a projection and recess mating structure. In the projection and recess mating structure, an overall recess mating area of a projection is in close contact with a corresponding recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Fukumura, Hisaaki Kura, Shin Tomogami, Hiroshi Kawamura, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa, Tohru Nakagawa, Yuichi Asano
  • Patent number: 8132968
    Abstract: A cylindrical pilot portion (72) to be fitted to an inner periphery of a wheel (80) is formed at an inner diameter part of a brake rotor (70). A shape of a hub wheel, in particular, the shape on an outboard side is thus simplified, and the hub wheel can be formed at low cost through cold forging or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Fukumura, Masayuki Kuroda, Hisaaki Kura, Shin Tomogami, Hiroshi Kawamura, Shigeaki Fukushima
  • Patent number: 8128504
    Abstract: An inner joint component and a shaft of a constant velocity universal joint are connected in a configuration it difficult for backlash to occur. An axis hole inner diameter of an inner member of the constant velocity universal joint is unhardened, and a spline serving as a recess and projection section running along a circumferential direction is formed on an axial end outer diameter of the shaft. A hardened layer n is formed on the axial end outer diameter of the shaft. The shaft and the inner member are joined by an axial end of the shaft being pressed into the axis hole inner diameter of the inner member to incuse a shape of said recess and projection section onto the axis hole inner diameter of the inner member 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Fukumura, Hisaaki Kura, Shin Tomogami, Tohru Nakagawa, Yuichi Asano
  • Publication number: 20100119186
    Abstract: A cylindrical pilot portion 72 to be fitted to an inner periphery of a wheel 80 is formed at an inner diameter part of a brake rotor 70. A shape of a hub wheel, in particular, the shape on an outboard side is thus simplified, and the hub wheel can be formed at low cost through cold forging or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Fukumura, Masayuki Kuroda, Hisaaki Kura, Shi Tomogami, Hiroshi Kawamura, Shigeald Fukushima
  • Publication number: 20100092122
    Abstract: Provided is a small-sized, lightweight, low-cost, and highly reliable bearing device for a driving wheel which needs no tapered spline, and eliminates a circumferential backlash in spline fitting portions to thereby prevent unusual noise. The bearing device for a driving wheel comprises an outer race (5) having an inner periphery in which double-row outer raceway surfaces (13, 14) are formed; a hub wheel (1) and an inner race (2) having outer peripheries in which double-row inner raceway surfaces (7, 8) opposed to the outer raceway surfaces (13, 14) are formed; and double-row rolling elements (3, 4) interposed between the outer raceway surfaces (13, 14) of the outer race (5) and the inner raceway surfaces (7, 8) of the hub wheel (1) and the inner race (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Fukumura, Masayuki Kuroda, Hisaaki Kura, Shin Tomogami, Hiroshi Kawamura, Shigeaki Fukushima, Masahiro Ozawa, Yuichi Asano
  • Publication number: 20100021102
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wheel bearing device that can suppress backlash in the circumferential direction and has excellent workability in connecting a hub wheel and a outer joint component of a constant velocity universal joint. The wheel bearing device according to the present invention is that in which a stem shaft 12 of an outer joint component of a constant velocity universal joint 3 fitted into a hole section 22 of a hub wheel 1 is integrated with the hub wheel 1 by a projection and recess mating structure M. In the projection and recess mating structure M, an overall recess mating area 38 of a projection 35 is in close contact with a corresponding recess 36.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Fukumura, Hisaaki Kura, Shin Tomogami, Hiroshi Kawamura, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa, Tohru Nakagawa, Yuichi Asano
  • Publication number: 20090162134
    Abstract: The present invention firmly connects an inner joint component and a shaft of a constant velocity universal joint, making it difficult for backlash to occur. An axis hole inner diameter 26 of an inner member 20 of the constant velocity universal joint is unhardened, and a spline 54 serving as a recess and projection section running along a circumferential direction is formed on an axial end outer diameter 52 of the shaft 50. A hardened layer n is formed on the axial end outer diameter 52 of the shaft 50. The shaft 50 and the inner member 20 are joined by an axial end of the shaft 50 being pressed into the axis hole inner diameter of the inner member 20 to incuse a shape of said recess and projection section onto the axis hole inner diameter 26 of the inner member 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Fukumura, Hisaaki Kura, Shin Tomogami, Tohru Nakagawa, Yuichi Asano
  • Publication number: 20090129715
    Abstract: A process for assembling to a knuckle member a bearing unit for driving wheels including a hub, a bearing, and a constant velocity universal joint is simplified. In order to achieve this, a hub (10) and an outer joint member (31) of an out-board side constant velocity universal joint (30) are plastically joined together. An outer peripheral surface (26a) of an outer member (26) is press-fitted into an inner peripheral surface of the knuckle member, and a maximum diameter dimension (D1) of the out-board side constant velocity universal joint (30) is set smaller than a minimum diameter dimension (Dn) of the knuckle member (6). Also, a maximum diameter dimension (D2) of an in-board side constant velocity universal joint (40) is set smaller than the minimum diameter dimension (Dn) of the knuckle member (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Fukumura, Masayuki Kuroda, Hisaaki Kura, Shin Tomogami, Hiroshi Kawamura, Shigeaki Fukushima
  • Patent number: 7481711
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint structure including an inner joint member, a retaining ring, and a shaft which are configured to prevent the shaft from being withdrawn from the inner joint member when a pulling force is applied to one side of the shaft is disclosed. A retaining ring groove is disposed at an opposite side of the shaft. In a preferred embodiment, the retaining groove has at least two points which contact an inner surface of the retaining ring when the pulling force is applied to prevent the retaining ring from contracting in a radial direction, thereby preventing the shaft from being withdrawn from the inner joint member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Fukumura, Tsuyoshi Ueno, Chikaya Shinba, Takaaki Shibata
  • Publication number: 20060211505
    Abstract: The present invention presents a structure for preventing a shaft of constant velocity joint from coming off which allows changing design of connection between the shaft and an inner joint member to a type for disassembly or anti-disassembly. The anti-disassembly type is realized in such a manner that a wall at an opposite side to a shaft pulling out direction of a retaining ring groove of the shaft is used as a contacting part to a retaining ring, wherein at least two points are formed on the contacting part, one of which is on a perpendicular surface and the other is a corner of the contacting part, these two points are contacted with an inner surface of the retaining ring thereby provides the anti-disassembly type for preventing the ring from being contracted in a radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Fukumura, Tsuyoshi Ueno, Chikaya Shinba, Takaaki Shibata
  • Patent number: 5853328
    Abstract: A double offset type constant velocity universal joint for use in a power transmission system of an automobile comprises an inner member, an outer member, and a plurality of balls for transmitting torque between the Inner and outer members, the balls being retained by means of a cage also interposed between the inner and outer members, the cage being so designed as to allow the inner and outer members to move axially relatively to each other by an effective amount to absorb not only slight vibrations of an engine but also a greater movement of the engine caused by starting acceleration of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Masazumi Kobayashi, Takeshi Kohara, Haruo Nagatani, Yoshikazu Fukumura
  • Patent number: 5692962
    Abstract: To reduce the cost in a resin boot attaching construction, a groove depth a and groove width b of engaging groove 21 and the height c and width d of ridges 22 are set within the following dimensional ranges:a=0.5-1.5 mmb=3.0-5.0 mmand b/a.gtoreq.3c=0.1-0.5 mmd=1.0-0. mm (where d=0, the ridges 22 become edges.) The width of the boot band is wider than the width of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Fukumura, Kenji Terada, Takeshi Ikeda, Shin Tomogami, Toshiyuki Oki
  • Patent number: 5672113
    Abstract: A boot fixing portion (12) has an annular convex portion (17) integrally formed on the outer periphery thereof and an annular projection (19) integrally formed on the inner periphery thereof in opposed relation to the convex portion (17), the annular projection (19) being adapted to engage an engaging groove (18) formed in the outer periphery of the outer member (14) of a constant velocity joint (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Tomogami, Masuo Takaki, Yoshikazu Fukumura, Takeshi Ikeda, Kenji Terada
  • Patent number: 5632683
    Abstract: A cross-groove type homokinetic joint which requires no boot adaptor and is thus less expensive and which is provided with an arrangement for preventing the balls from dropping out while keeping a large working angle of the shaft. The cross-grooved homokinetic joint has an inner ring having grooves in its outer surface, balls received in the grooves of the inner ring, a cage retaining the balls, and an outer ring having grooves in its inner surface. The balls are guided by the grooves of the outer ring. This joint has no boot adaptor. The boot is directly fixed to the outer ring. A circlip is fitted on the inner surface of the outer ring near its open end to prevent the balls from dropping out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Fukumura, Shin Tomogami, Yutaka Tanigaki, Hiroyuki Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 5607241
    Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly can be assembled easily while maintaining a high reliability of connection between the outer ring and the hub. A hub is fitted into or onto a shaft portion of an outer ring of a homokinetic joint. Ball raceways are formed on the outer ring and the hub at their opposite ends. Balls are arranged in two rows so as to roll along the respective raceways. A bearing outer ring around the outer ring and the hub is supported by the balls. The shaft portion of the outer ring and the hub are press-fitted together with a predetermined interference. They are welded together at one end of their joint area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Fukumura
  • Patent number: 5556210
    Abstract: A bearing assembly for a vehicle wheel having a wheel driving ring having a flange for coupling a vehicle wheel at one end, a cylindrical knuckle supporting the wheel driving ring, a pair of counterbored outer rings mounted in the knuckle with their thicker ends facing each other, balls received in two rows of ball raceways formed on the counterbored outer rings and two rows of ball raceways formed in the outer periphery of the wheel driving ring, two diametrically divided spacers inserted between the pair of counterbored outer rings for keeping the balls preloaded, the knuckle having a flange provided on its inner periphery at one end thereof to prevent axial movement of the counterbored outer rings. A retaining ring is pressed against the inner periphery of the knuckle at the other end and at the same time pressed against the thinner end of one of the counterbored outer rings to axially urge the one of the counterbored rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Fukumura
  • Patent number: 5207936
    Abstract: A grease composition for constant velocity joint is a particular combination of a urea grease composed of a lubricating oil and a urea base thickener with (A) molybdenum sulfide dialkyldithiocarbamate, (B) molybdenum disulfide, (C) zinc dithiophosphate and (D) an oiliness agent of at least one vegetable oils and fats and can attain not only reduction of induced thrust but also improvement of flaking resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Anzai, Kiyoshi Takeuchi, Yoshikazu Fukumura, Yukio Hasegawa
  • Patent number: RE34341
    Abstract: A structure for mounting a boot for a homokinetic joint. The boot is mounted between an outer ring of the joint and a shaft with both ends thereof engaging the outer peripheries of the outer ring and the shaft. Fastening bands are put on the engaging portions. Further, rubber rings are fitted on the outer peripheries of the outer ring and the shaft. The boot is formed in both end portions thereof with a predetermined number of slits axially extending from its ends inwardly. The rubber rings are provided with protrusions adapted to engage both ends of the boot, which is engaged in a groove formed in the outer ring and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Fukumura, Toshiyuki Ohki