Patents by Inventor Atsushi Ayabe

Atsushi Ayabe 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).

  • Publication number: 20200116256
    Abstract: A control device for a power transmission mechanism, includes: a continuously variable transmission including a primary pulley, a secondary pulley, an oil pump; and a hydraulic control device to control a primary thrust for moving a primary movable sheave of the primary pulley and a secondary thrust for moving a secondary movable sheave of the secondary pulley, so that in a case where a secondary target pressure for generating the secondary thrust is smaller than an oil pump discharge capacity when a maximum gear ratio is requested, a primary target pressure for generating the primary thrust is made smaller than that in a case where the secondary target pressure is larger than an oil pump discharge capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kunio HATTORI, Atsushi AYABE
  • Publication number: 20200116257
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle drive-force transmitting apparatus which defines a first drive-force transmitting path provided with a first clutch and a two-way clutch and a second drive-force transmitting path provided with a continuously variable transmission and a second clutch. The control apparatus switches the two-way clutch from its lock mode to its one-way mode, when the second drive-force transmitting path is to be established in place of the first drive-force transmitting path. In a case in which, during forward running of a vehicle with the two-way clutch being placed in the lock mode, the two-way clutch is not switched from the lock mode to the one-way mode even with a request for establishing the second drive-force transmitting path in place of the first drive-force transmitting path, the control apparatus causes the second clutch to be engaged and limits the drive force of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi AYABE, Kunio HATTORI, Asami FUJITA, Yusuke OHGATA, Shinji OITA
  • Publication number: 20190276026
    Abstract: A vehicular breaking force control system includes: a plurality of actuators capable of generating a braking force for a vehicle; a coasting state detection unit configured to detect that a coasting state has been established; a target braking force calculation unit configured to calculate a target braking force on the basis of a state of the vehicle when the coasting state detection unit detects that the coasting state has been established; and a braking force distribution control unit configured to determine a distribution braking force that is a braking force to be caused to be generated by each actuator, such that the distribution braking force is equal to or less than a braking force generable by the actuator and a sum of the distribution braking forces is equal to the target braking force, and to perform control of causing each actuator to generate the distribution braking force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masato SHIMIZU, Shun SATO, Katsumi KONO, Atsushi AYABE, Noritake MITSUTANI, Hiroki NAKANO
  • Patent number: 10137899
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism is configured to selectively change between a first power transmission path and a second power transmission path. The first power transmission path is configured to transmit torque to an output shaft via a transmission mechanism. The second power transmission path is configured to transmit the torque to the output shaft via a continuously variable transmission mechanism. An electronic control unit is configured to: (a) selectively change a power transmission path during traveling to one of the first power transmission path and the second power transmission path by controlling the clutch mechanism; and (b) in changing the power transmission path by controlling the clutch mechanism, control an operating point of the internal combustion engine during a change of the power transmission path so that the operating point crosses over an optimum fuel, consumption line of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Fukao, Hiroki Kondo, Akira Hino, Daisuke Inoue, Akihide Ito, Atsushi Ayabe
  • Patent number: 10119580
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a continuously variable transmission, a gear mechanism and a controller. The continuously variable transmission and the gear mechanism are provided in parallel with each other between an input shaft and an output shaft. The controller is configured to i) when the vehicle travels in a state where both a first clutch and a third clutch provided on the gear mechanism side are released, gradually increase a hydraulic pressure of the first clutch such that the first clutch is engaged, ii) calculate a command hydraulic pressure for setting the first clutch to a pressure regulating state on the basis of a command hydraulic pressure of the first clutch at a timing at which the amount of change in an output-side rotation speed of the first clutch becomes larger than a predetermined value, and iii) control the first clutch by using the calculated command hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuya Sakamoto, Atsushi Ayabe, Hiromitsu Nitani, Hiroki Kondo, Kenji Matsuo, Mitsuhiro Fukao
  • Patent number: 10118619
    Abstract: In a control device for a vehicle including: a dog clutch mechanism that is disposed in a power transmission path in which a driving force is transmitted from an engine to a wheel and is operated by a hydraulic actuator; and an electric oil pump that supplies hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic actuator, rotation of the engine is stopped in a state in which the dog clutch mechanism is engaged by the hydraulic pressure supplied from the electric oil pump at a time during an engine stop operation, the rotation of the engine is started in the state in which the dog clutch mechanism is engaged by the hydraulic pressure supplied from the electric oil pump at a time during an engine restart operation, hence occurrence of up-lock of the dog clutch mechanism is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Matsuo, Akira Hino, Hiroki Kondo, Mitsuhiro Fukao, Daisuke Inoue, Atsushi Ayabe, Hiromitsu Nitani, Kazuya Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 10112616
    Abstract: In a power transmission device in which a first power transmission path is formed by engagement of a first clutch and a dog clutch and a second power transmission path is formed by engagement of a second clutch, the first clutch is released from a state where the first clutch and the dog clutch are engaged, and when a front-rear rotation speed difference of the dog clutch becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value after the start of a clutch-to-clutch gear shift for engaging the second clutch, complete release control for releasing the first clutch to lower the torque capacity of the first clutch is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke Inoue, Kazuya Sakamoto, Atsushi Ayabe, Satoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 10066746
    Abstract: In a region in which a rate of change in slip ratio of a transmission belt with respect to a change in input torque exceeds a permissible slip ratio rate of change set in advance, a steep change in the slip ratio is suppressed by limiting the rate of change in the input torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Fukao, Hiroki Kondo, Akira Hino, Atsushi Ayabe, Daisuke Inoue, Akihide Ito
  • Patent number: 10065648
    Abstract: Vehicle control system and method provided to change speed ratio smoothly when switching a power transmission route from a route including a geared transmission to a route including a continuously variable transmission. Vehicle control system applied to a vehicle comprising: continuously variable transmission for changing speed ratio continuously is disposed between input shaft and output shaft; geared transmission is disposed parallel to the continuously variable transmission, and is adapted to establish speed ratio that cannot be established by continuously variable transmission; and friction clutch is brought into engagement to switch torque transmission route from a route including the geared transmission to a route including the continuously variable transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Matsuo, Yusuke Ohgata, Daisuke Inoue, Atsushi Ayabe, Motonori Kimura, Shuhei Ishikawa, Akira Hino, Hiroki Kondo
  • Patent number: 9849885
    Abstract: In engaging (connecting) a dog clutch by operating a synchromesh mechanism, when there occurs an uplock at the time when a first pressing force is caused to act on a hub sleeve, tooth tips of spline teeth of the hub sleeve contact with tooth tips of spline teeth of a synchronizer ring, and these spline teeth cannot be engaged. However, when a second pressing force is caused to act on the hub sleeve, the uplock is easy to be released. In addition, when torque from an engine is caused to act on the hub sleeve, a displacement is caused to occur in a rotation direction between the mutually contacting spline teeth. Thus, the uplock is reliably released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuya Sakamoto, Atsushi Ayabe, Kenji Matsuo, Hiroki Kondo, Mitsuhiro Fukao
  • Patent number: 9829093
    Abstract: A first transmission mechanism provided on a first power transmission path and a second transmission mechanism provided on a second power transmission path are provided in parallel with each other between a driving force source and a drive wheel. A first clutch mechanism transmits power or interrupts transmission of power in the first power transmission path. A dog clutch equipped with a synchromesh mechanism transmits power or interrupts transmission of power in the second power transmission path. An electronic control unit is configured to, when changing from the first transmission path to the second transmission path a state where the vehicle is stopping or is stationary and in a state where power of the driving force source is transmitted via the first transmission mechanism, actuate the first clutch mechanism and the second clutch mechanism such that the first clutch mechanism is released and the second clutch mechanism engages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Nitani, Atsushi Ayabe, Kazuya Sakamoto, Hiroki Kondo, Mitsuhiro Fukao, Kenji Matsuo
  • Patent number: 9829102
    Abstract: In a vehicle in which a continuously variable transmission and a gear mechanism are provided in parallel on a power transmission pathway between an input shaft and an output shaft, (i) an electronic control unit performs CVT shifting, in view of shift characteristics of C to C shifting in which the speed ratio is changed in stages, or (ii) then electronic control unit performs C to C shifting, in view of shift characteristics of CVT shifting in which the speed ratio is steplessly changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Fukao, Kenji Matsuo, Hiroki Kondo, Akira Hino, Daisuke Inoue, Atsushi Ayabe, Akihide Ito
  • Patent number: 9821806
    Abstract: When neutral control is started by placing a CVT drive clutch in a semi-engaged state while a vehicle is decelerating in a state where a second power transmission path is established, a clutch mechanism that is semi-engaged in neutral control while the vehicle is decelerating is changed from the CVT drive clutch to a forward clutch before a stop of the vehicle, so it is possible to continue the neutral control until a stop of the vehicle. At a stop of the vehicle, a power transmission path is already changed to a first power transmission path that establishes a gear ratio (EL) higher than a highest gear ratio (?max) that can be established by the second power transmission path. Thus, right after a stop of the vehicle, it is possible to execute idle stop control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuro Shimazu, Mitsuhiro Fukao, Hiromitsu Nitani, Akira Hino, Hiroki Kondo, Atsushi Ayabe
  • Publication number: 20170305428
    Abstract: In a control device for a vehicle including: a dog clutch mechanism that is disposed in a power transmission path in which a driving force is transmitted from an engine to a wheel and is operated by a hydraulic actuator; and an electric oil pump that supplies hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic actuator, rotation of the engine is stopped in a state in which the dog clutch mechanism is engaged by the hydraulic pressure supplied from the electric oil pump at a time during an engine stop operation, the rotation of the engine is started in the state in which the dog clutch mechanism is engaged by the hydraulic pressure supplied from the electric oil pump at a time during an engine restart operation, hence occurrence of up-lock of the dog clutch mechanism is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji MATSUO, Akira HINO, Hiroki KONDO, Mitsuhiro FUKAO, Daisuke INOUE, Atsushi AYABE, Hiromitsu NITANI, Kazuya SAKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20170267249
    Abstract: In a power transmission device in which a first power transmission path is formed by engagement of a first clutch and a dog clutch and a second power transmission path is formed by engagement of a second clutch, the first clutch is released from a state where the first clutch and the dog clutch are engaged, and when a front-rear rotation speed difference of the dog clutch becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value after the start of a clutch-to-clutch gear shift for engaging the second clutch, complete release control for releasing the first clutch to lower the torque capacity of the first clutch is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke INOUE, Kazuya SAKAMOTO, Atsushi AYABE, Satoshi KATO
  • Patent number: 9695766
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle includes an engine, a dog clutch and a friction clutch. The dog clutch is configured to transmit power or interrupt transmission of power in a power transmission path that transmits power of the engine to a drive wheel. The dog clutch includes a synchromesh mechanism. The friction clutch is configured to transmit power or interrupt transmission of power in the power transmission path between the engine and the dog clutch. The control apparatus includes: an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to, when the synchromesh mechanism is operated in order to engage the dog clutch in a state where the vehicle is stopped and the friction clutch is released, increase a rotation speed of the engine as compared to when the synchromesh mechanism is not operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Matsuo, Akira Hino, Hiroki Kondo, Mitsuhiro Fukao, Daisuke Inoue, Akihide Ito, Atsushi Ayabe
  • Publication number: 20170159814
    Abstract: In a region in which a rate of change in slip ratio of a transmission belt with respect to a change in input torque exceeds a permissible slip ratio rate of change set in advance, a steep change in the slip ratio is suppressed by limiting the rate of change in the input torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro FUKAO, Hiroki KONDO, Akira HINO, Atsushi AYABE, Daisuke INOUE, Akihide ITO
  • Publication number: 20170159729
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a continuously variable transmission, a gear mechanism and a controller. The continuously variable transmission and the gear mechanism are provided in parallel with each other between an input shaft and an output shaft. The controller is configured to i) when the vehicle travels in a state where both a first clutch and a third clutch provided on the gear mechanism side are released, gradually increase a hydraulic pressure of the first clutch such that the first clutch is engaged, ii) calculate a command hydraulic pressure for setting the first clutch to a pressure regulating state on the basis of a command hydraulic pressure of the first clutch at a timing at which the amount of change in an output-side rotation speed of the first clutch becomes larger than a predetermined value, and iii) control the first clutch by using the calculated command hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuya SAKAMOTO, Atsushi AYABE, Hiromitsu NITANI, Hiroki KONDO, Kenji MATSUO, Mitsuhiro FUKAO
  • Publication number: 20170151949
    Abstract: When neutral control is started by placing a CVT drive clutch in a semi-engaged state while a vehicle is decelerating in a state where a second power transmission path is established, a clutch mechanism that is semi-engaged in neutral control while the vehicle is decelerating is changed from the CVT drive clutch to a forward clutch before a stop of the vehicle, so it is possible to continue the neutral control until a stop of the vehicle. At a stop of the vehicle, a power transmission path is already changed to a first power transmission path that establishes a gear ratio (EL) higher than a highest gear ratio (?max) that can be established by the second power transmission path. Thus, right after a stop of the vehicle, it is possible to execute idle stop control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuro SHIMAZU, Mitsuhiro FUKAO, Hiromitsu NITANI, Akira HINO, Hiroki KONDO, Atsushi AYABE
  • Patent number: 9663110
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission has a continuously variable speed change mechanism provided between an input shaft to which a torque output by a driving force source is transmitted and an output shaft from which a torque is output to a driving wheel. The transmission is able to selectively block torque transmission between the mechanism and the output shaft. The mechanism is rotated by the driving force source with torque transmission between the mechanism and the output shaft blocked. A control apparatus limits a shifting speed of the mechanism to or below an upper-limit speed determined in advance in a case where a speed ratio of the mechanism is changed with the mechanism rotated by the driving force source that is subjected to idling rotational speed control, while the mechanism is blocked from the output shaft such that no torque is transmitted between the mechanism and the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuhei Ishikawa, Motonori Kimura, Atsushi Ayabe