Tatsuro Kimura

Title: Innovations by Tatsuro Kimura

Introduction

Tatsuro Kimura is a notable inventor based in Saitama, Japan. He has made significant contributions to the field of bicycle technology, holding a total of 4 patents. His work focuses on improving bicycle transmission systems, enhancing their efficiency and reliability.

Latest Patents

One of his latest patents is a bicycle transmission apparatus that includes a one-way clutch and a slide mechanism. This innovative transmission mechanism reduces costs by simplifying the process for guide grooves formed on an inner cylinder of a ball spline mechanism. It regulates the movement of a drive sprocket in an axial direction through a straightforward structure. The one-way clutch transmits torque only when the crankshaft rotates positively to the drive sprocket via the ball spline mechanism. The clutch outer body and the inner slide member of the ball spline mechanism are designed as separate components that are coupled together by coupling pins, allowing them to rotate integrally in overlapping portions in the axial direction. The guide grooves for housing balls of the ball spline mechanism are formed on the inner slide member, opening to the axial direction at both ends. The overlapping portion of the clutch restricts the outer slide member of the ball spline mechanism from moving axially beyond a predetermined range with respect to the inner slide member.

Another significant patent is a gear-shifting apparatus that does not require the position of a chain to be set with high precision. This innovation reduces the risk of the chain coming off an adjacent sprocket during quick gear-shifting operations. The gear-shifting system includes a derailer for changing the chain from one sprocket to another among a series of axially arranged gear-shifting sprockets. The case containing the gear-shifting sprockets and the chain features a protruding part that prevents the chain from moving axially outwardly too close to the case. This design effectively prevents the chain from disengaging from the adjacent sprocket through contact with the protruding part.

Career Highlights

Tatsuro Kimura has worked with prominent companies in the automotive and bicycle industries, including Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha. His experience in these organizations has contributed to his expertise in developing innovative bicycle technologies.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Kimura has collaborated with talented individuals such as Hiroyuki Kaga and Yoshitsugu Gokan.