Makoto Sugaya

Title: **Innovator Spotlight: Makoto Sugaya**

Introduction

Makoto Sugaya, an esteemed inventor based in Narita, Japan, holds a remarkable portfolio that includes nine patents. His inventions primarily enhance construction machinery and tackle complex engineering challenges. Sugaya's innovative contributions have had a significant impact on the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of machinery components.

Latest Patents

Among his latest creations is a **Sliding Bearing Assembly**, designed specifically for the joints of construction equipment. This assembly effectively reduces production costs by minimizing the amount of copper used, while also incorporating sulfides with high fixability into the matrix. The assembly's construction includes a shaft and a bush made from iron-based sintered material. The bush is composed of 0.1 to 10% copper, 0.2 to 1.2% carbon, 0.03 to 0.9% manganese, 0.36 to 1.68% sulfur, with the remainder being iron and inevitable impurities. This innovative design allows for dispersed pores within a matrix, predominantly featuring a martensite structure filled with sulfide particles, which are present at a volume percentage of 1 to 7.

Another of Sugaya's notable patents is the **Arm for Construction Machine**, specifically a hydraulic excavator. This arm features a box-shaped structural body formed by left and right side plates, an upper plate, a lower plate, and a robust rear plate. The upper end of this thick rear plate is designed to protrude upward from the outer surface of the upper plate, ensuring an increased joint area with the arm cylinder brackets attached to its outer surface. This clever design improves the joint strength, enhancing the overall durability of the hydraulic excavator.

Career Highlights

Makoto Sugaya has a distinguished career that includes significant contributions while working at prominent companies such as Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. and Hitachi Chemical Company, Ltd. His work at these organizations has allowed him to innovate and refine technologies that are essential in modern construction.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Sugaya has worked closely with skilled colleagues, including Tsukasa Toyooka and Tsutomu Udagawa. These collaborations have fostered a creative environment that has led to innovative advancements in construction machinery design and functionality.

Conclusion

With nine patents to his name, Makoto Sugaya stands as a pivotal figure in the world of invention, specifically within the realm of construction machinery. His innovative designs, such as the sliding bearing assembly and the specifically engineered arm for hydraulic excavators, emphasize his commitment to improving industrial efficiency and cost management. Sugaya's contributions not only enhance machinery performance but also inspire future generations of inventors and engineers in the field.