Yukiko Takekawa

Title: Innovations by Yukiko Takekawa in Electric Vehicle Technology

Introduction

Yukiko Takekawa is a prominent inventor based in Iwata, Japan, known for her significant contributions to electric vehicle technology. With a total of two patents to her name, she has made strides in improving the efficiency and performance of drive devices for electric vehicles.

Latest Patents

Her latest patents focus on innovative drive devices for electric vehicles. The first patent describes a structure that eliminates the need for a knuckle on the vehicle body side, enhancing the rotational accuracy of the input shaft in a speed reduction unit. This design increases the durability of bearings and reduces rotation noise by improving the supporting structure of the input shaft. The drive device includes a speed reduction unit with an input shaft driven by an electric motor, a hub unit driven by the output member of the speed reduction unit, and a housing that accommodates both the electric motor and the speed reduction unit. The input shaft is supported by bearings at two axial locations, both supported by the output member, with a housing featuring a suspension joining portion.

The second patent also addresses the drive device for electric vehicles, focusing on improving the supporting structure of the input shaft in a speed reduction unit. This innovation enhances the bearing stiffness of the hub bearing, while also improving the rotational accuracy and durability of the input shaft. The design includes a speed reduction unit with an input shaft driven by an electric motor, a hub unit rotationally driven by the speed reduction unit, and a housing. Similar to her first patent, the input shaft is supported by bearings at two axial locations, with the inboard-side hub bearing's pitch circle diameter (PCD) being larger than that of the outboard-side hub bearing.

Career Highlights

Yukiko Takekawa has established herself as a key figure in the field of electric vehicle technology through her innovative patents. Her work at NTN Corporation has allowed her to collaborate with other talented engineers and contribute to advancements in the automotive industry.

Collaborations

She has worked alongside notable colleagues such as Minoru Suzuki and Tomoaki Makino, further enhancing her contributions to the field.

Conclusion

Yukiko Takekawa's innovative work in electric vehicle technology showcases her dedication to improving vehicle performance and efficiency. Her patents reflect a commitment to advancing the automotive industry through thoughtful engineering solutions.