Patents by Inventor Hiroyuki Hanamura

Hiroyuki Hanamura 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: 9067604
    Abstract: In a control device for a vehicle that controls a revolution speed of a drive power source or a gear ratio of a transmission coupled to an output side of the drive power source in the vehicle equipped with the drive power source and the transmission, the control device is configured to determine an index that is based on a running state of the vehicle, and to control a required revolution speed of the drive power source or a required gear ratio for the transmission on the basis of the index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shin Noumura, Kaiji Itabashi, Ken Koibuchi, Toshio Tanahashi, Keisuke Takeuchi, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Yoji Takanami, Norimi Asahara
  • Patent number: 8909386
    Abstract: In a vehicle control system, an index used to set a running characteristic of a vehicle is obtained based on a running condition of the vehicle. A change of the index that makes behavior of the vehicle crisper is more likely to occur than a change of the index that makes the behavior of the vehicle milder. When it is determined that the vehicle is in a turning condition, the change of the index or a change of the miming characteristic based on the index is less likely to occur than when it is determined that the vehicle is not in the turning condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Takeuchi, Toshio Tanahashi, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Shin Noumura, Ken Koibuchi, Kaiji Itabashi, Yoji Takanami, Norimi Asahara
  • Patent number: 8903619
    Abstract: In a vehicle control system that obtains an index based on a running condition of a vehicle and changes a running characteristic of the vehicle according to the index, includes index setting means for making a change in the index in response to a change in the running condition in a direction toward crisp running of the vehicle, faster than a change in the index in response to a change in the running condition in such a direction as to reduce crispness with which the vehicle is running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shin Noumura, Ken Koibuchi, Kaiji Itabashi, Toshio Tanahashi, Keisuke Takeuchi, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Yoji Takanami, Norimi Asahara
  • Patent number: 8775040
    Abstract: A vehicle control system obtains an index indicating a running condition of a vehicle on the basis of a vehicle parameter indicating a motion of the vehicle and then sets a running characteristic of the vehicle in accordance with the index. The vehicle control system includes a noise reduction unit that is configured to obtain the index on the basis of the vehicle parameter of which a fluctuating component that fluctuates because of a driver's driving operation or the influence of a running road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shin Noumura, Ken Koibuchi, Keisuke Takeuchi, Toshio Tanahashi, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Yoji Takanami, Norimi Asahara, Kaiji Itabashi
  • Patent number: 8596162
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve the easiness of steadily maintaining the magnitude of treading on a foot-operated operating element while mitigating a feeling of treading on a wall at the time of start of treading on the operating element. A pedal-operated operation device includes a pedal arm, a support housing, a spring for urging the pedal arm in a direction of return, a first shim and a second shim. A frictional engagement portion of the second shim is higher in maximum static friction force than a frictional engagement portion of the first shim. The second shim has a region in which the elastic modulus of the second elastic deformation portion is lower than that of the first shim, in terms of elastic deformation at the time when the pedal arm moves relative to the support housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Nozu, Norihiro Nishiumi, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Toshio Tanahashi
  • Patent number: 8521338
    Abstract: A vehicle control system capable of improving drivability by reflecting driving environment and driving preference accurately on driving characteristics. The vehicle control system is configured to change an index for setting driving characteristics of the vehicle. When accelerations Gx and Gy are changed, a sportiness index is changed in a different manner depending on a detail of an operation for changing accelerations Gx and Gy executed by a driver, thereby reflecting the driving preference of the driver appearing on the operation can be reflected on sportiness of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Takeuchi, Toshio Tanahashi, Ken Koibuchi, Kaiji Itabashi, Shin Noumura, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Yoji Takanami, Norimi Asahara
  • Patent number: 8428845
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle control apparatus which can prevent drivability from being deteriorated. The vehicle control apparatus comprises an ECU adapted to determine whether or not a brake is “off” or the state of the hysteresis width of an accelerator opening degree exceeding a predetermined hysteresis width is continued for a predetermined period of time during the execution of an engine torque reduction control process. When the ECU determines that the brake is “off” or that the state of the hysteresis width of an accelerator opening degree exceeding a predetermined hysteresis width is continued for a predetermined period of time, the ECU performs an engine torque restoration process of the engine. Therefore, the vehicle control apparatus can allow the continued execution and non-execution of the reduction control to be switched therebetween in accordance with the driver's travel intention, thereby making it possible to prevent the drivability from being deteriorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsutomu Miyazaki, Toshiya Oishi, Masashi Takagi, Michihito Shimada, Yuki Minase, Kenichi Okaya, Hiroyuki Hanamura
  • Publication number: 20120259524
    Abstract: For providing a vehicle control apparatus which can prevent the deterioration of the drivability, the ECU (100) of the vehicle control apparatus according to the present invention can determine the speed reduction of the vehicle (10) at the time of the accelerator pedal (212) and the foot brake pedal (213) being depressed together, and can abort the execution of the reduction control due to the control permission condition not being established when the speed reduction is not determined (NO in Step S15), so that the execution or non-execution of the reduction control can be carried out avoiding an unintentional braking of the vehicle, thereby making it possible to prevent the drivability from deteriorating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsutomu Miyazaki, Toshiya Oishi, Masashi Takagi, Michihito Shimada, Yuki Minase, Kenichi Okaya, Hiroyuki Hanamura
  • Publication number: 20120221228
    Abstract: In a vehicle control system that obtains an index based on a running condition of a vehicle and changes a running characteristic of the vehicle according to the index, includes index setting means for making a change in the index in response to a change in the running condition in a direction toward crisp running of the vehicle, faster than a change in the index in response to a change in the running condition in such a direction as to reduce crispness with which the vehicle is running.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shin Noumura, Ken Koibuchi, Kaiji Itabashi, Toshio Tanahashi, Keisuke Takeuchi, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Yoji Takanami, Norimi Asahara
  • Publication number: 20120179342
    Abstract: In a control device for a vehicle that controls a revolution speed of a drive power source or a gear ratio of a transmission coupled to an output side of the drive power source in the vehicle equipped with the drive power source and the transmission, the control device is configured to determine an index that is based on a running state of the vehicle, and to control a required revolution speed of the drive power source or a required gear ratio for the transmission on the basis of the index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shin Noumura, Kaiji Itabashi, Ken Koibuchi, Toshio Tanahashi, Keisuke Takeuchi, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Yoji Takanami, Norimi Asahara
  • Publication number: 20120143398
    Abstract: In a vehicle control system, an index used to set a running characteristic of a vehicle is obtained based on a running condition of the vehicle. A change of the index that makes behavior of the vehicle crisper is more likely to occur than a change of the index that makes the behavior of the vehicle milder. When it is determined that the vehicle is in a turning condition, the change of the index or a change of the miming characteristic based on the index is less likely to occur than when it is determined that the vehicle is not in the turning condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Takeuchi, Toshio Tanahashi, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Shin Noumura, Ken Koibuchi, Kaiji Itabashi, Yoji Takanami, Norimi Asahara
  • Publication number: 20120143399
    Abstract: A vehicle control system obtains an index indicating a running condition of a vehicle on the basis of a vehicle parameter indicating a motion of the vehicle and then sets a running characteristic of the vehicle in accordance with the index. The vehicle control system includes a noise reduction unit that is configured to obtain the index on the basis of the vehicle parameter of which a fluctuating component that fluctuates because of a driver's driving operation or the influence of a running road surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shin Noumura, Ken Koibuchi, Keisuke Takeuchi, Toshio Tanahashi, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Yoji Takanami, Norimi Asahara, Kaiji Itabashi
  • Publication number: 20120136506
    Abstract: A vehicle control system capable of improving drivability by reflecting driving environment and driving preference accurately on driving characteristics. The vehicle control system is configured to change an index for setting driving characteristics of the vehicle. When accelerations Gx and Gy are changed, a sportiness index is changed in a different manner depending on a detail of an operation for changing accelerations Gx and Gy executed by a driver, thereby reflecting the driving preference of the driver appearing on the operation can be reflected on sportiness of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Takeuchi, Toshio Tanahashi, Ken Koibuchi, Kaiji Itabashi, Shin Noumura, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Yoji Takanami, Norimi Asahara
  • Publication number: 20120116650
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle control apparatus which can prevent drivability from being deteriorated. The vehicle control apparatus comprises an ECU adapted to determine whether or not a brake is “off” or the state of the hysteresis width of an accelerator opening degree exceeding a predetermined hysteresis width is continued for a predetermined period of time during the execution of an engine torque reduction control process. When the ECU determines that the brake is “off” or that the state of the hysteresis width of an accelerator opening degree exceeding a predetermined hysteresis width is continued for a predetermined period of time, the ECU performs an engine torque restoration process of the engine. Therefore, the vehicle control apparatus can allow the continued execution and non-execution of the reduction control to be switched therebetween in accordance with the driver's travel intention, thereby making it possible to prevent the drivability from being deteriorated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsutomu Miyazaki, Toshiya Oishi, Masashi Takagi, Michihito Shimada, Yuki Minase, Kenichi Okaya, Hiroyuki Hanamura
  • Publication number: 20100175497
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve the easiness of steadily maintaining the magnitude of treading on a foot-operated operating element, such as an accelerator pedal, while mitigating a feeling of treading on a wall at the time of start of treading on the operating element and an odd feeling at the time of easing off the operating element. A pedal-operated operation device includes a pedal arm, a support housing, a spring for urging the pedal arm in a direction of return, and a first shim and a second shim for generating a first resistance force and a second resistance force, respectively, against the relative pivotal movement of the pedal arm. A frictional engagement portion of the second shim is higher in maximum static friction force than a frictional engagement portion of the first shim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuo Nozu, Norihiro Nishiumi, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Toshio Tanahashi
  • Patent number: 7500467
    Abstract: During a process of increasing the throttle opening when the accelerator pedal is depressed while the vehicle is in a decelerating condition, first throttle opening holding control for holding the throttle opening substantially constant is performed. During the process of increasing the throttle opening after the first throttle opening holding control is finished, second throttle opening holding control for holding the throttle opening substantially constant again is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hanamura
  • Publication number: 20080060614
    Abstract: During a process of increasing the throttle opening when the accelerator pedal is depressed while the vehicle is in a decelerating condition, first throttle opening holding control for holding the throttle opening substantially constant is performed. During the process of increasing the throttle opening after the first throttle opening holding control is finished, second throttle opening holding control for holding the throttle opening substantially constant again is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hanamura