Patents by Inventor Akio Muto

Akio Muto 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: 10393231
    Abstract: A dual clutch automatic transmission includes a one-way clutch provided in a driving force transmission path that establishes a certain gear ratio in a first set of gear ratios. A driving transmission direction of the one-way clutch is set such that a rotation inputted from a wheel side to an output member in a predetermined rotational direction is transmitted to the input shaft. The predetermined rotational direction corresponds to a backward movement of a vehicle. On condition that the traveling state of the vehicle reaches a predetermined deceleration state, switching control of setting the gears for the first set to a neutral position can be executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shohei Taka, Akio Muto, Takashi Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 10393229
    Abstract: A dual clutch automatic transmission includes a one-way clutch provided in a driving force transmission path that establishes a certain gear ratio in a first set of gear ratios. A driving transmission direction of the one-way clutch is set such that a rotation inputted from a wheel side to an output member in a predetermined rotational direction is transmitted to the input shaft. The predetermined rotational direction corresponds to a backward movement of a vehicle. On condition that the vehicle has stopped, backward movement prevention control of causing the switching mechanism to engage a transmission gear for another gear ratio in the first set with the input shaft can be executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akio Muto, Shohei Taka, Hiroki Murasawa
  • Patent number: 10330192
    Abstract: A vehicle makes a notification to prompt a driver to perform a predetermined operation in a case in which a predetermined function of the vehicle is lost, and starts a recovery operation of the function on condition that the predetermined operation is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Akio Muto, Shohei Taka, Mitsuhiro Araki
  • Patent number: 10066730
    Abstract: A transmission includes a fork mechanism in which a plurality of fork rods to which a plurality of shift forks are connected are each attached to a pedestal so as to be moveable in an axial direction. An assembly guide portion is disposed on the pedestal and a guide pin is erected on a clutch housing. As a result, even in cases where an input shaft and a main shaft, on which driving and driven gears and synchro devices are assembled, are assembled on the clutch housing in a state that the driving and driven gears are engaged and, thereafter the fork mechanism is assembled on this clutch housing, the assembly of the fork mechanism on the clutch housing can be easily performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignees: Aichi Machine Industry, Co., Ltd., Atsumitec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Hada, Hirofumi Takai, Akio Muto, Toshihiro Nakajima, Yuji Hijiriyama, Kenji Matsuda, Kazufumi Hosoda
  • Patent number: 10018266
    Abstract: Since an oil level of oil in a first space housing a transmission mechanism is lower than an oil level of the oil in a second space housing a differential gear, not only is it possible to lubricate a drive pinion and a ring gear housed in the second space with a sufficient amount of oil while cutting the total amount of oil compared with a case in which the oil levels of the first space and the second space are both high, but it is also possible to reduce the resistance of oil to stirring in the second space by discharging excess oil building up in the second space to the first space via a second oil passage formed along an axial center of a pinion shaft, and to prevent the oil level of the first space from decreasing excessively, thus avoiding aeration of an oil pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akio Muto, Yoshiaki Shutou
  • Publication number: 20170350498
    Abstract: Since an oil level of oil in a first space housing a transmission mechanism is lower than an oil level of the oil in a second space housing a differential gear, not only is it possible to lubricate a drive pinion and a ring gear housed in the second space with a sufficient amount of oil while cutting the total amount of oil compared with a case in which the oil levels of the first space and the second space are both high, but it is also possible to reduce the resistance of oil to stirring in the second space by discharging excess oil building up in the second space to the first space via a second oil passage formed along an axial center of a pinion shaft, and to prevent the oil level of the first space from decreasing excessively, thus avoiding aeration of an oil pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akio Muto, Yoshiaki Shutou
  • Publication number: 20170292600
    Abstract: A transmission includes a fork mechanism in which a plurality of fork rods to which a plurality of shift forks are connected are each attached to a pedestal so as to be moveable in an axial direction. An assembly guide portion is disposed on the pedestal and a guide pin is erected on a clutch housing. As a result, even in cases where an input shaft and a main shaft, on which driving and driven gears and synchro devices are assembled, are assembled on the clutch housing in a state that the driving and driven gears are engaged and, thereafter the fork mechanism is assembled on this clutch housing, the assembly of the fork mechanism on the clutch housing can be easily performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Masatoshi HADA, Hirofumi TAKAI, Akio MUTO, Toshihiro NAKAJIMA, Yuji HIJIRIYAMA, Kenji MATSUDA, Kazufumi HOSODA
  • Publication number: 20170248199
    Abstract: A dual clutch automatic transmission includes a one-way clutch provided in a driving force transmission path that establishes a certain gear ratio in a first set of gear ratios. A driving transmission direction of the one-way clutch is set such that a rotation inputted from a wheel side to an output member in a predetermined rotational direction is transmitted to the input shaft. The predetermined rotational direction corresponds to a backward movement of a vehicle. On condition that the traveling state of the vehicle reaches a predetermined deceleration state, switching control of setting the gears for the first set to a neutral position can be executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Shohei Taka, Akio Muto, Takashi Horiguchi
  • Publication number: 20170248197
    Abstract: A dual clutch automatic transmission includes a one-way clutch provided in a driving force transmission path that establishes a certain gear ratio in a first set of gear ratios. A driving transmission direction of the one-way clutch is set such that a rotation inputted from a wheel side to an output member in a predetermined rotational direction is transmitted to the input shaft. The predetermined rotational direction corresponds to a backward movement of a vehicle. On condition that the vehicle has stopped, backward movement prevention control of causing the switching mechanism to engage a transmission gear for another gear ratio in the first set with the input shaft can be executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Akio Muto, Shohei Taka, Hiroki Murasawa
  • Publication number: 20170248226
    Abstract: A vehicle makes a notification to prompt a driver to perform a predetermined operation in a case in which a predetermined function of the vehicle is lost, and starts a recovery operation of the function on condition that the predetermined operation is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Akio Muto, Shohei Taka, Mitsuhiro Araki
  • Patent number: 9695928
    Abstract: The system comprises an oil pump driven in conjunction with an output shaft of a transmission, a first oil path for supplying oil discharged from the oil pump to a lubrication system of the transmission, a second oil path arranged in parallel with the first oil path to guide the oil from the oil pump to a heat exchanger, and a valve inserted on an upstream side of the heat exchanger in the second oil path. The valve opens at a first set pressure to conduct the oil from the oil pump to the second oil path. The oil is supplied to the first oil path in a low vehicle speed area below the first set pressure, so that oil supply necessary for the lubrication system can be ensured. The oil is supplied to the second oil path in a high vehicle speed area over the first set pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Ashimori, Yuuichi Hidaka, Akio Muto
  • Patent number: 9581235
    Abstract: A cooling device for cooling lubrication oil which circulates in a vehicle transmission is provided with a first oil circulating circuit through which a clutch oil for lubricating a first and second clutch of the transmission circulates, a second oil circulating circuit through which a gear oil circulates to lubricate mechanisms other than the first and the second clutches, and a cooling water circulating circuit through which a cooling water circulates to cool an engine and a motor. Also provided is a first heat exchanger exchanging heat between the first lubrication oil and the second lubrication oil, and a second heat exchanger exchanging heat between the first lubrication oil and the cooling water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuuichi Hidaka, Akio Muto, Masashi Eto
  • Patent number: 9487207
    Abstract: A system and method of compensating for torque converter slip in a motor vehicle include measuring rotational speeds of an engine crankshaft and mainshaft, as well as measuring operating temperatures of a fluid associated with the motor vehicle. Engine output torque is adjusted as required by controlling some combination of ignition timing, intake air flow, fuel injection, and accessory load. A system and method for deactivating a torque compensation system retrieves a number of times the torque compensation system has been activated over a set period. If the number exceeds a predetermined number of activations, the torque compensation system is deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dan Nagashima, Takahide Mizuno, Hirokazu Toyoshima, Lee O'Donnell, Naomichi Tonokura, Akio Muto, Yutaka Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9340210
    Abstract: A sticking condition of a lock-up clutch is judged by an oil temperature of hydraulic oil and a slip ratio of the LC. An intake air amount of an engine is increased while the LC is judged to be in a sticking condition, and the increase of the intake air amount of the engine is terminated when the judgment to be in the sticking condition is canceled. This enables to effectively prevent a rotation speed of the engine from decelerating in a range (timing) where a sticking of the LC occurs, and further prevent the rotation speed of the engine from rapidly accelerating in a range where a sticking of the LC does not occur. Therefore, decelerations of engine rotation speed due to a sticking of the lock-up clutch and rapid accelerations of engine rotation speed after the sticking has been eliminated can both be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ishikawa, Kazuhiko Imamura, Akio Muto
  • Publication number: 20150260273
    Abstract: The system comprises an oil pump driven in conjunction with an output shaft of a transmission, a first oil path for supplying oil discharged from the oil pump to a lubrication system of the transmission, a second oil path arranged in parallel with the first oil path to guide the oil from the oil pump to a heat exchanger, and a valve inserted on an upstream side of the heat exchanger in the second oil path. The valve opens at a first set pressure to conduct the oil from the oil pump to the second oil path. The oil is supplied to the first oil path in a low vehicle speed area below the first set pressure, so that oil supply necessary for the lubrication system can be ensured. The oil is supplied to the second oil path in a high vehicle speed area over the first set pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Ashimori, Yuuichi Hidaka, Akio Muto
  • Publication number: 20150191174
    Abstract: A sticking condition of a lock-up clutch is judged by an oil temperature of hydraulic oil and a slip ratio of the LC. An intake air amount of an engine is increased while the LC is judged to be in a sticking condition, and the increase of the intake air amount of the engine is terminated when the judgment to be in the sticking condition is canceled. This enables to effectively prevent an rotation speed of the engine from decelerating in a range (timing) where a sticking of the LC occurs, and further prevent the rotation speed of the engine from rapidly accelerating in a range where a sticking of the LC does not occur. Therefore, decelerations of engine rotation speed due to a sticking of the lock-up clutch and rapid accelerations of engine rotation speed after the sticking has been eliminated can both be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Yutaka Ishikawa, Kazuhiko Imamura, Akio Muto
  • Publication number: 20150176696
    Abstract: A cooling device for cooling lubrication oil which circulates in a vehicle transmission is provided with a first oil circulating circuit through which a clutch oil for lubricating a first and second clutch of the transmission circulates, a second oil circulating circuit through which a gear oil circulates to lubricate mechanisms other than the first and the second clutches, and a cooling water circulating circuit through which a cooling water circulates to cool an engine and a motor. Also provided is a first heat exchanger exchanging heat between the first lubrication oil and the second lubrication oil, and a second heat exchanger exchanging heat between the first lubrication oil and the cooling water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuuichi Hidaka, Akio Muto, Masashi Eto
  • Patent number: 9002607
    Abstract: In a lock-up clutch control device, base hydraulic pressure calculation device calculates base hydraulic pressure Pb for engaging a lock-up clutch based on input torque from an engine, correction factor calculation device calculates correction factor ?, which is greater than 0 but less than 1, for correcting the base hydraulic pressure Pb based on an input rotational speed Ni of a transmission and a cylinder cut-off state of the engine. Commanded hydraulic pressure calculation device calculates a commanded hydraulic pressure Pc from the base hydraulic pressure Pb and the correction factor ? by means of: current value of commanded hydraulic pressure Pc?previous value of commanded hydraulic pressure Pc+(base hydraulic pressure Pb?previous value of commanded hydraulic pressure Pc)×?, and the commanded hydraulic pressure Pc is made to converge to the base hydraulic pressure Pb by repeating this a predetermined number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Egashira, Akio Muto
  • Publication number: 20150006050
    Abstract: In a lock-up clutch control device, base hydraulic pressure calculation device calculates base hydraulic pressure Pb for engaging a lock-up clutch based on input torque from an engine, correction factor calculation device calculates correction factor ?, which is greater than 0 but less than 1, for correcting the base hydraulic pressure Pb based on an input rotational speed Ni of a transmission and a cylinder cut-off state of the engine. Commanded hydraulic pressure calculation device calculates a commanded hydraulic pressure Pc from the base hydraulic pressure Pb and the correction factor ? by means of: current value of commanded hydraulic pressure Pc?previous value of commanded hydraulic pressure Pc+(base hydraulic pressure Pb?previous value of commanded hydraulic pressure Pc)×?, and the commanded hydraulic pressure Pc is made to converge to the base hydraulic pressure Pb by repeating this a predetermined number of times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumio Egashira, Akio Muto
  • Publication number: 20140195130
    Abstract: A system and method of compensating for torque converter slip in a motor vehicle include measuring rotational speeds of an engine crankshaft and mainshaft, as well as measuring operating temperatures of a fluid associated with the motor vehicle. Engine output torque is adjusted as required by controlling some combination of ignition timing, intake air flow, fuel injection, and accessory load. A system and method for deactivating a torque compensation system retrieves a number of times the torque compensation system has been activated over a set period. If the number exceeds a predetermined number of activations, the torque compensation system is deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dan Nagashima, Takahide Mizuno, Hirokazu Toyoshima, Lee O'Donnell, Naomichi Tonokura, Akio Muto, Yutaka Ishikawa