Patents by Inventor Hiromichi Kimura
Hiromichi Kimura 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).
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Patent number: 9991760Abstract: A vehicular drive system is provided with at least one electric motor and a helical gear portion which are accommodated within a casing formed by a plurality of casing members fixed to each other, wherein: said casing includes a first casing member to which a stator of each of said at least one electric motor is fixed, and a second casing member which is fixed to said first casing member so as to cooperate with said first casing member to form a space accommodating said at least one electric motor and which has a support portion supporting said helical gear portion; and a rotor of said each electric motor is rotatably supported at opposite ends thereof by said first casing member and said second casing member, respectively, while said helical gear portion is rotatably supported by said second casing member through said support portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2011Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tatsuo Obata, Kunio Morisawa, Tsuyoshi Kitahata, Takeshi Kuwahara, Hiromichi Kimura, Masahiro Tanae, Toru Saitou
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Publication number: 20180148064Abstract: A control apparatus (80) for a vehicular drive system (12; 105) having a step-variable transmission portion (20; 110) which is shifted to a selected one of speed positions having respective speed ratio values, with engaging and releasing actions of coupling devices (B, C), and a drive power source portion (39; 103) operatively connected to an input shaft (30) of the step-variable transmission portion, the control apparatus being configured to implement a speed synchronizing control upon a shift-down action of the step-variable transmission portion in a coasting run of a vehicle (10; 100), wherein an input shaft speed of the step-variable transmission portion is raised with an input shaft torque transmitted from the drive power source portion to the input shaft, from a pre-shift-down synchronizing speed to a post-shift-down synchronizing speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2017Publication date: May 31, 2018Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Jun GOTO, Kenta KUMAZAKI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Hiromichi KIMURA, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Takeshi KITAHATA
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Patent number: 9739340Abstract: A damper apparatus according to an embodiment includes a pair of first plates, a second plate, an elastic member, a first friction material and a second friction material. The elastic member is configured to elastically deform in a circumferential direction of a rotation axis by a relative rotation between the pair of first plates and the second plate around the rotation axis. The first friction material is configured to generate a first friction torque in a case where the second plate rotates relative to the pair of first plates in a first direction from an initial state. The second friction material is configured to generate a second friction torque greater than the first friction torque in a case where the second plate rotates relative to the pair of first plates in a second direction which is opposite from the first direction from the initial state.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Satoshi Nakagaito, Tomohiro Saeki, Masaru Ebata, Tsutomu Sekine, Masataka Sugiyama, Ryuji Ibaraki, Hiromichi Kimura, Hiroaki Kimura
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Publication number: 20160033002Abstract: A damper apparatus according to an embodiment includes a pair of first plates, a second plate, an elastic member, a first friction material and a second friction material. The elastic member is configured to elastically deform in a circumferential direction of a rotation axis by a relative rotation between the pair of first plates and the second plate around the rotation axis. The first friction material is configured to generate a first friction torque in a case where the second plate rotates relative to the pair of first plates in a first direction from an initial state. The second friction material is configured to generate a second friction torque greater than the first friction torque in a case where the second plate rotates relative to the pair of first plates in a second direction which is opposite from the first direction from the initial state.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2014Publication date: February 4, 2016Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Satoshi NAKAGAITO, Tomohiro SAEKI, Masaru EBATA, Tsutomu SEKINE, Masataka SUGIYAMA, Ryuji IBARAKI, Hiromichi KIMURA, Hiroaki KIMURA
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Patent number: 9132832Abstract: A vehicle power transmission device is disposed on a hybrid vehicle having an engine and an electric motor, the vehicle power transmission device includes a first member having one of outer circumferential teeth disposed around one axial center or inner circumferential teeth meshing with the outer circumferential teeth and a second member having the other teeth, the inner circumferential teeth and the outer circumferential teeth meshes with each other to limit relative rotation around the one axial center between the first member and the second member, the relative rotation between the first member and the second member is limited to transmit torque of the electric motor to drive wheels.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2011Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akitaka Ichikawa, Yoshimitsu Yokouchi, Masahiro Kojima, Ryuji Ibaraki, Michitaka Tsuchida, Shinichiro Suenaga, Hiromichi Kimura
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Patent number: 9102319Abstract: A vehicle power transmission device is disposed on a hybrid vehicle having an engine and an electric motor, the vehicle power transmission device includes a first member having one of outer circumferential teeth disposed around one axial center or inner circumferential teeth meshing with the outer circumferential teeth and a second member having the other teeth, the inner circumferential teeth and the outer circumferential teeth meshes with each other to limit relative rotation around the one axial center between the first member and the second member, the relative rotation between the first member and the second member is limited to transmit torque of the electric motor to drive wheels.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2011Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akitaka Ichikawa, Yoshimitsu Yokouchi, Masahiro Kojima, Ryuji Ibaraki, Michitaka Tsuchida, Shinichiro Suenaga, Hiromichi Kimura
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Patent number: 9096218Abstract: It is provided a control device of a vehicle power transmission device including: a torque limiter device blocking transmission of a torque amount exceeding a predetermined torque with operation involving differential rotation between a first rotating member and a second rotating member; and an electric motor coupled to one of the first rotating member and the second rotating member in a power transmittable manner, wherein when a rotation speed difference is generated between the first rotating member and the second rotating member due to the operation of the torque limiter device, the electric motor is operated so as to suppress the rotation speed difference.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2010Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takeshi Kitahata, Tatsuo Obata, Hiromichi Kimura, Takeshi Kuwahara, Toru Saito, Masahiro Tanae
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Patent number: 8905885Abstract: A vehicle drive device configured with reduced axial dimensions, while still having appropriate lubrication. The vehicle drive device is configured with an input shaft coupled to an engine, a rotary electric machine, and an output shaft coupled to wheels. A power transfer mechanism couples input shaft, the rotary electric machine, and the output shaft. A case houses at least the rotary electric machine and the power transfer mechanism. An oil reserving portion capable of reserving oil supplied by rotation of the power transfer mechanism is provided above the rotor shaft inside the case. A communication oil passage is oriented between the oil reserving portion and an inner circumferential space formed inside the rotor shaft. The rotor shaft is disposed to be inserted into the inside housing space, and has a supply communication hole that communicates between the inner circumferential space and the inside housing space.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignees: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshihisa Yamamoto, Masamitsu Seno, Takuya Komatsu, Natsuki Sada, Hirotaka Yata, Tomoo Atarashi, Hiromichi Kimura, Takeshi Kuwahara, Tatsuo Obata, Michitaka Tsuchida, Yoshinori Morita, Shingo Kato
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Publication number: 20140341757Abstract: A plate is interposed between a rear cover and a pump body. The pump chamber is formed between the plate and the pump body.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2012Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicants: AISIN AW CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tatsuo Obata, Hiromichi Kimura, Takeshi Kuwahara, Katsuhide Kitagawa, Kunio Morisawa, Masamitsu Seno, Hirotaka Yata, Tomoo Atarashi
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Publication number: 20140335998Abstract: A vehicle power transmission device is disposed on a hybrid vehicle having an engine and an electric motor, the vehicle power transmission device includes a first member having one of outer circumferential teeth disposed around one axial center or inner circumferential teeth meshing with the outer circumferential teeth and a second member having the other teeth, the inner circumferential teeth and the outer circumferential teeth meshes with each other to limit relative rotation around the one axial center between the first member and the second member, the relative rotation between the first member and the second member is limited to transmit torque of the electric motor to drive wheels.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2011Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akitaka Ichikawa, Yoshimitsu Yokouchi, Masahiro Kojima, Ryuji Ibaraki, Michitaka Tsuchida, Shinichiro Suenaga, Hiromichi Kimura
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Publication number: 20140285045Abstract: A vehicular drive system is provided with at least one electric motor and a bevel gear portion which are accommodated within a casing formed by a plurality of casing members fixed to each other, wherein: said casing includes a first casing member to which a stator of each of said at least one electric motor is fixed, and a second casing member which is fixed to said first casing member so as to cooperate with said first casing member to form a space accommodating said at least one electric motor and which has a support portion supporting said bevel gear portion; and a rotor of said each electric motor is rotatably supported at opposite ends thereof by said first casing member and said second casing member, respectively, while said bevel gear portion is rotatably supported by said second casing member through said support portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2011Publication date: September 25, 2014Inventors: Tatsuo Obata, Kunio Morisawa, Tsuyoshi Kitahata, Takeshi Kuwahara, Hiromichi Kimura, Masahiro Tanae, Toru Saitou
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Patent number: 8840511Abstract: A vehicle drive device configured with an input member coupled to an internal combustion engine, a rotary electric machine, an output member coupled to wheels, and a power transfer mechanism that drivably couples the input member, the rotary electric machine, and the output member. An oil collecting portion is configured to collect oil supplied by rotation of the power transfer mechanism, The collected oil falling passage is configured to cause the oil collected by the oil collecting portion to flow downward to be supplied to a portion of a facing wall surface located above a cylindrical member. A communication oil passage communicates between the gap and the inside housing space is formed at a portion of abutment between the subject support bearing and the support projecting portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2012Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignees: Aisin AW Co., Ltd., Toyota Jiddosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masamitsu Seno, Hirotaka Yata, Natsuki Sada, Takuya Komatsu, Tomoo Atarashi, Michinobu Suzuki, Hiromichi Kimura, Michitaka Tsuchida
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Publication number: 20140245860Abstract: A vehicle drive device includes: a transaxle case including a tubular case opened in at least one end portion and a cover fixed to an opening portion of the tubular case to close an opening of the tubular case, the transaxle case housing a transmission; and a mount device attached between the cover of the transaxle case and a vehicle body to support the transaxle case, the mount device including a support plate member fixedly disposed on the cover, the support plate member being fastened by at least three first fastening members through the cover to the opening portion of the tubular case.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2011Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiromichi Kimura, Takeshi Kuwahara, Taturou Obata, Yoshinori Morita, Shingo Katou, Takeshi Kitahata, Takuya Kodama
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Patent number: 8779972Abstract: An information processing terminal, including a request reception unit that receives a function request. A GPS signals reception unit that receives a GPS signal, and a current position measuring unit that determines the latitude and longitude of the current position of the information processing terminal based upon the GPS signal. A defining information recording unit in which defining information related to the functions that can be engaged at the information processing terminal is recorded. A function decision-making unit that makes a decision as to whether or not a function can be engaged based upon the defining information and the latitude and longitude of the current position having been measured by the current position measuring unit and a data read/write unit that reads/writes data from/into a data area among a plurality of data areas based upon the results of the decision made by the function decision-making unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Felica Networks, Inc.Inventors: Hiromichi Kimura, Taro Kurita, Mitsugi Iwahashi
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Patent number: 8753242Abstract: Providing a vehicular power transmitting system which includes a torque limiter device and which is configured to reduce deterioration of durability of a rotary member disposed between an engine and the torque limiter device. An inertia moment of a first rotary portion of a torque limiter device about its axis (first axis RC1) is smaller than an inertia moment of a second rotary portion about its axis (first axis RC1), so that an inertia moment of rotary members between an input shaft and the first rotary portion can be reduced as compared with that where the above-indicated inertia moment is larger than the inertia moment.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2010Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akira Hibino, Michitaka Tsuchida, Hiromichi Kimura
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Publication number: 20140155214Abstract: A lubricating oil supply apparatus arranged in a transaxle case includes a differential ring gear, a catch tank that stores lubricating oil picked up by the differential ring gear, a first flow path arranged higher than a highest position of an outer diameter of the differential ring gear, a gear with a higher center position than the differential ring gear, and a second flow path that guides the lubricating oil picked up by the gear to the catch tank. The first flow path guides the lubricating oil picked up by the differential ring gear to the catch tank. The gear is in mesh with the differential ring gear, and picks up the lubricating oil picked up by the differential ring gear. The second flow path is arranged lower than a highest position of an outer diameter of the gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiromichi KIMURA, Tatsuo OBATA, Shingo KATO, Yuya AOKI
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Patent number: 8720660Abstract: Disclosed is a parking lock mechanism of a power transmission apparatus which can stably supply lubrication oil to the sliding surface of a parking cam to decrease the sliding resistance of the parking cam. The parking lock mechanism 52 includes a support portion 73 for positioning a sleeve 71 with respect to an extension housing 6, and a first guide rib 74 provided on the support portion 73 for catching oil circulating in a transaxle case 4 to supply the oil to the support portion 73. The sleeve 71 has an upper portion formed with a notch 71c for allowing a parking pawl 62 to be held in abutment with a parking cam 61. The oil caught by the first guide rib 74 is supplied through the support portion 73 and the notch 71c of the sleeve 71 to the sliding surface of the parking cam 61, viz., the sliding surface between the parking pawl 62 and the parking cam 61 and the sliding surface between the parking cam 61 and the sleeve 71.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiromichi Kimura, Michitaka Tsuchida, Takeshi Kitahata, Tatsuo Obata, Yosuke Suzuki, Takeshi Kuwahara
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Patent number: 8668612Abstract: In a lubrication structure of a differential gear unit, a case has a guide rib that extends over a certain area with respect to a rotation path of a head of a bolt when a ring gear rotates, and that protrudes out from the case toward the head of the bolt. Also, a through-hole that extends in a vertical direction is formed in an upper portion of a hollow supporting portion, and the guide rib has an oil reservoir that curves toward an upper end opening of the through-hole.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2011Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiromichi Kimura, Takeshi Kuwahara, Takeshi Kitahata, Tatsuo Obata, Masahiro Tanae
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Patent number: 8636621Abstract: A control device of a vehicle includes: power dividing mechanism that has a plurality of rotating elements rotated by torque output and transmitted from an engine and a first motor/generator and switches a transmission mode according to the engaging states of the respective rotating elements; and a clutch that has a first engaging member and a second engaging member having a backlash between them in a rotating direction thereof, and that sets a transmission mode to a fixed transmission ratio mode by engaging the first engaging member connected to one of the rotating elements with the second engaging member, and sets the transmission mode to a continuously variable transmission ratio mode by releasing the engagement. In the control device of a vehicle, the magnitude of the reversed rotating torque is reduced when the direction of rotating torque acting between the first and seconds engaging members.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2009Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiromichi Kimura, Yukihiko Ideshio, Hiroaki Ebuchi, Tomohito Ono, Hirotatsu Kitabatake, Hideki Sano
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Patent number: 8626370Abstract: A control apparatus is applied to a vehicle that has shift modes including the continuously variable shift mode, in which a ratio of the rotational speed of a power source to the rotational speed of a drive shaft is continuously adjusted, and the stepped shift mode, in which the ratio is fixed. The control apparatus includes a control unit that controls the torque that is output from the power source to make the time that is required to bring the drive torque of the drive shaft from a predetermined value to a target value in the stepped shift mode equal to the time that is required to bring the drive torque of the drive shaft from the predetermined value to the target value in the continuously variable shift mode. In this way, the difference in drivability between the continuously variable shift mode and the stepped shift mode is minimized.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2009Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroaki Ebuchi, Kouji Kawashima, Hiromichi Kimura, Tomoyuki Honda