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).

  • Patent number: 9664278
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle includes a transmission mechanism capable of setting a fixed transmission gear ratio, a continuously variable transmission provided in parallel with the transmission mechanism, and a path switching mechanism for selectively blocking a torque transmission path that includes the transmission mechanism and that is configured to dampen vibration. The control device further includes a clutch mechanism where the continuously variable transmission and the transmission mechanism capable of setting constant transmission gear ratio are arranged in parallel between an input shaft and the output shaft, that selectively connects torque transmission path stretching from an internal combustion engine to drive wheels via transmission mechanism, and one clutch and other clutch are arranged in series, the other clutch is arranged on a relatively downstream side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Toyoda, Hirofumi Nakada, Michio Yoshida, Daisuke Inoue, Atsushi Ayabe, Motonori Kimura, Akira Hino, Hiroki Kondo, Kenji Matsuo, Takuro Shimazu
  • Publication number: 20170138473
    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: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro FUKAO, Kenji MATSUO, Hiroki KONDO, Akira HINO, Daisuke INOUE, Atsushi AYABE, Akihide ITO
  • Publication number: 20170051691
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The 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: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji MATSUO, Akira HINO, Hiroki KONDO, Mitsuhiro FUKAO, Daisuke INOUE, Akihide ITO, Atsushi AYABE
  • Patent number: 9573582
    Abstract: A control device of a continuously variable transmission for a vehicle to which power of a drive force source is input through a transmission path connecting/disconnecting device changes a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission to a lower vehicle speed side during vehicle deceleration when the transmission path connecting/disconnecting device is in a power transmission interrupted state of interrupting power transmission through a power transmission path between the drive force source and the continuously variable transmission, earlier as compared to when the transmission path connecting/disconnecting device is in a power transmittable state enabling the power transmission, and the control device changes a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission earlier to the lower vehicle speed side when vehicle deceleration is larger, when the transmission path connecting/disconnecting device is in the power transmission interrupted state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuhei Ishikawa, Motonori Kimura, Atsushi Ayabe, Shinya Toyoda
  • Patent number: 9568098
    Abstract: A controller for a vehicle transmission is disclosed. The controller may include an electronic control unit configured to carry out a change shift for changing a path of the transmission of power between a first transmission path and a second transmission path by engaging a predetermined clutch mechanism. The electronic control unit may also be configured to set a change speed ratio region that defines a range of a speed ratio of the first transmission mechanism such that a rotation speed difference between engagement members of the clutch mechanism, which are engaged with each other in carrying out the change shift, is smaller than or equal to a predetermined value. When a speed ratio outside the change speed ratio region is set in the first transmission mechanism, the change shift is not carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motonori Kimura, Daisuke Inoue, Atsushi Ayabe, Shuhei Ishikawa, Hiroki Kondo, Akira Hino, Kenji Matsuo, Takuro Shimazu
  • Patent number: 9540012
    Abstract: A vehicle control system and method is applied to a vehicle including: a continuously variable transmission for changing a speed ratio continuously that is disposed between an input shaft and an output shaft; a geared transmission that is disposed parallel to the continuously variable transmission, and that is adapted to establish a speed ratio that cannot be established by the continuously variable transmission; and a friction clutch that is brought into engagement to switch a torque transmission route from a route including the geared transmission to a route including the continuously variable transmission. The vehicle control system is configured to start a speed change operation of the continuously variable transmission before a commencement of clutch-to-clutch shifting between the friction clutches when switching the torque transmission route from the route including the geared transmission to the route including the continuously variable transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Matsuo, Yusuke Ohgata, Daisuke Inoue, Atsushi Ayabe, Motonori Kimura, Shuhei Ishikawa, Akira Hino, Hiroki Kondo
  • Publication number: 20170001647
    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: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuya SAKAMOTO, Atsushi AYABE, Kenji MATSUO, Hiroki KONDO, Mitsuhiro FUKAO
  • Publication number: 20160347317
    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: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro FUKAO, Hiroki KONDO, Akira HINO, Daisuke INOUE, Akihide ITO, Atsushi AYABE
  • Publication number: 20160334010
    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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromitsu NITANI, Atsushi AYABE, Kazuya SAKAMOTO, Hiroki KONDO, Mitsuhiro FUKAO, Kenji MATSUO
  • Patent number: 9494204
    Abstract: A controller for a vehicle transmission in which a continuously variable transmission mechanism able to continuously change its speed ratio and a transmission mechanism having a constant speed ratio are provided in parallel between an input shaft and an output shaft. The transmission includes a friction engagement mechanism and an intermeshing engagement mechanism, the intermeshing engagement mechanism being arranged in series with the friction engagement mechanism, the intermeshing engagement mechanism setting the transmission mechanism to a state where torque is transmittable between the input and output shaft, in changing to a state where the intermeshing engagement mechanism is engaged and the transmission mechanism is able to transmit torque to the output shaft, a torque capacity of the friction engagement mechanism is configured to be increased to a torque capacity to such extent that the transmission mechanism rotates without a delay of start of engagement of the intermeshing engagement mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Matsuo, Hirofumi Nakada, Michio Yoshida, Daisuke Inoue, Atsushi Ayabe, Motonori Kimura, Shuhei Ishikawa, Akira Hino, Hiroki Kondo
  • Publication number: 20160272212
    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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuhei ISHIKAWA, Motonori KIMURA, Atsushi AYABE
  • Publication number: 20160131256
    Abstract: A control device for vehicle is includes: transmission mechanism capable of setting fixed transmission gear ratio; continuously variable transmission provided in parallel with transmission mechanism; and path switching mechanism for selectively blocking torque transmission path that includes transmission mechanism and that is configured to dampen vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro TOYODA, Hirofumi NAKADA, Michio YOSHIDA, Daisuke INOUE, Atsushi AYABE, Motonori KIMURA, Akira HINO, Hiroki KONDO, Kenji MATSUO, Takuro SHIMAZU
  • Publication number: 20160121896
    Abstract: A vehicle control system and method is applied to a vehicle including: a continuously variable transmission for changing a speed ratio continuously that is disposed between an input shaft and an output shaft; a geared transmission that is disposed parallel to the continuously variable transmission, and that is adapted to establish a speed ratio that cannot be established by the continuously variable transmission; and a friction clutch that is brought into engagement to switch a torque transmission route from a route including the geared transmission to a route including the continuously variable transmission. The vehicle control system is configured to start a speed change operation of the continuously variable transmission before a commencement of clutch-to-clutch shifting between the friction clutches when switching the torque transmission route from the route including the geared transmission to the route including the continuously variable transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji MATSUO, Yusuke OHGATA, Daisuke INOUE, Atsushi AYABE, Motonori KIMURA, Shuhei ISHIKAWA, Akira HINO, Hiroki KONDO
  • Publication number: 20160091090
    Abstract: A controller for a vehicle transmission in which a first transmission path including a first transmission mechanism that is able to continuously change its speed ratio and a second transmission path including a second transmission mechanism having a set speed ratio different from that of the first transmission mechanism are provided in parallel with each other between an input shaft to which torque is input from a driving force source of a vehicle and an output shaft that outputs torque to an output member, the vehicle transmission carrying out transmission of power between the input shaft and the output shaft via one of the first transmission path and the second transmission path, includes: performing means for carrying out a change shift for changing a path of the transmission of power between the first transmission path and the second transmission path by engaging a predetermined clutch mechanism; and setting means for setting a change speed ratio region that defines a range of a speed ratio of the first t
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Motonori KIMURA, Daisuke INOUE, Atsushi AYABE, Shuhei ISHIKAWA, Hiroki KONDO, Akira HINO, Kenji MATSUO, Takuro SHIMAZU
  • Publication number: 20160052522
    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: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji MATSUO, Yusuke OHGATA, Daisuke INOUE, Atsushi AYABE, Motonori KIMURA, Shuhei ISHIKAWA, Akira HINO, Hiroki KONDO
  • Publication number: 20160025161
    Abstract: In a controller for a vehicle transmission in which a continuously variable transmission mechanism that is able to continuously change its speed ratio and a transmission mechanism having a constant speed ratio are provided in parallel with each other between an input shaft to which torque is transmitted from a driving force source and an output shaft that outputs torque to a drive wheel, the vehicle transmission including a friction engagement mechanism and an intermeshing engagement mechanism, the friction engagement mechanism selectively transmitting torque from the input shaft to the transmission mechanism, the intermeshing engagement mechanism arranged in series with the friction engagement mechanism on a downstream side of the friction engagement mechanism in a torque transmission direction from the input shaft toward the output shaft, the intermeshing engagement mechanism setting the transmission mechanism to a state where torque is transmittable between the input shaft and the output shaft, in changing
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji MATSUO, Hirofumi NAKADA, Michio YOSHIDA, Daisuke INOUE, Atsushi AYABE, Motonori KIMURA, Shuhei ISHIKAWA, Akira HINO, Hiroki KONDO
  • Patent number: 8924112
    Abstract: A start control device and a start control method of a vehicular power transmission system including a lock-up clutch and a start clutch are provided in which start-time lock-up slip control is performed, and neutral control is performed. When the start-time lock-up slip control is additionally executed during cancellation of the neutral control, the gradient of an output rotational speed of the hydraulic power transmission which is changed, through engagement of the start clutch, toward an input rotational speed of the automatic transmission at the time of completion of engagement of the start clutch is controlled, using at least one of a start clutch pressure that is increased so as to engage the start clutch, and a lock-up clutch pressure that is increased so as to bring the lock-up clutch into slip engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Ayabe, Tomohiro Asami, Hidenori Saito
  • Patent number: 8914206
    Abstract: A control device of a continuously variable transmission for a vehicle having a pair of variable pulleys with variable effective diameters of an input-side variable pulley and an output-side variable pulley and a transmission belt wound around between the pair of the variable pulleys, the continuously variable transmission respectively controlling an input-side thrust force in the input-side variable pulley and an output-side thrust force in the output-side variable pulley to set an actual gear ratio to a target gear ratio while preventing a slip of the transmission belt, the continuously variable transmission includes: a hydraulic control circuit capable of accurately controlling one of the input-side variable pulley and the output-side variable pulley in terms of thrust force as compared to the other, in the case that a target thrust force on the one side for assuring belt slip prevention of the both pulleys on the one side is set, based on a target thrust force on the one side, a target thrust force on the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunio Hattori, Shinya Toyoda, Atsushi Ayabe
  • Publication number: 20140357448
    Abstract: A control device of a continuously variable transmission for a vehicle to which power of a drive force source is input through a transmission path connecting/disconnecting device changes a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission to a lower vehicle speed side during vehicle deceleration when the transmission path connecting/disconnecting device is in a power transmission interrupted state of interrupting power transmission through a power transmission path between the drive force source and the continuously variable transmission, earlier as compared to when the transmission path connecting/disconnecting device is in a power transmittable state enabling the power transmission, and the control device changes a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission earlier to the lower vehicle speed side when vehicle deceleration is larger, when the transmission path connecting/disconnecting device is in the power transmission interrupted state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuhei Ishikawa, Motonori Kimura, Atsushi Ayabe, Shinya Toyoda
  • Patent number: 8798877
    Abstract: A control device of a continuously variable transmission for a vehicle has a pair of variable pulleys and a transmission belt, and the control device respectively controls input-side and output-side thrust forces of input-side and output-side variable pulleys to set an actual gear ratio to a target gear ratio, prevents a slip of the transmission belt, and determines a lowest-speed-side gear ratio. When it is determined that a detection value of a rotation speed for calculating the actual gear ratio does not reflect an actual rotation speed, target input-side and output-side thrust forces are set to be target thrust forces for maintaining the lowest-speed-side gear ratio and preventing the slip of the transmission belt, and based on whether the actual gear ratio is already the lowest-speed-side gear ratio, values of the input-side and output-side thrust forces are changed for obtaining the target thrust forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Ayabe, Shinya Toyoda, Kunio Hattori