Patents by Inventor Kaoru Sawase

Kaoru Sawase 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: 20090018742
    Abstract: A device operable to control a turning of a vehicle, includes: a motion controller operable to: control a first adjuster so as to increase a drive force applied to at least one of front wheels and rear wheels situated in an inner side of the turning, and control a second adjuster so as to increase the braking force applied to at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels situated in an outer side of the turning; and control the first adjuster so as to increase the drive force applied to at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels situated in an outer side of the turning, and control the second adjuster so as to increase the braking force applied to at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels situated in an inner side of the turning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Takami MIURA, Kaoru Sawase, Takao Matusui, Yuichi Ushiroda, Naoki Takahashi, Keiji Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20090018741
    Abstract: A device operable to control a turning of a vehicle, includes: a motion controller operable to: control a first adjuster so as to increase the drive force applied to at least one of front wheels and rear wheels situated in an inner side of the turning, and control a second adjuster so as to increase the braking force applied to at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels situated in an outer side of the turning; and control the first adjuster so as to increase the drive force applied to at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels situated in an outer side of the turning, and control the second adjuster so as to increase the braking force applied to at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels situated in an inner side of the turning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Takami MIURA, Kaoru Sawase, Takao Matsui, Yuichi Ushiroda, Naoki Takahashi, Keiji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7463964
    Abstract: A driving force distribution and controlling apparatus and method for a vehicle is disclosed by which control interference which may occur between control by a driving force distribution mechanism and control by an antiskid brake system (ABS) is suppressed while the behavior of the vehicle is stabilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Yuichi Ushiroda, Koji Ando, Naoki Takahashi, Keiji Suzuki, Kaoru Sawase, Takeshi Arino, Kazuhiko Aono, Tomohiro Narita, Hisao Arita
  • Publication number: 20080296081
    Abstract: A device operable to distribute driving forces to left and right wheels of a vehicle, includes: a differential mechanism, a driving-force adjuster and a differential limiter. The differential mechanism is operable to distribute a driving force from a drive source of the vehicle to the left and right wheels as distributed driving forces, while allowing a rotation difference between the left and right wheels. The driving-force adjuster is operable to adjust each of the distributed driving forces. The differential limiter is operable to limit rotation difference between the left and right wheels by applying a limiting torque to the differential mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Takuya YAMAMURA, Yuichi Ushiroda, Kaoru Sawase
  • Patent number: 7325640
    Abstract: A power transmission system for a four-wheel drive vehicle comprises a power transmission mechanism provided in a vehicle arranged such that power is always transmitted to one of two pairs of wheels consisting of a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, to transmit power to the other pair of wheels, and a differential gear unit arranged between left and right wheels in the other pair, to distribute the power transmitted from the power transmission mechanism to the other pair, between the left and right wheels. The differential gear unit is a torque-sensitive differential gear unit with a differential limiting function for producing a differential limiting force between the left and right wheels, depending on power transmitted thereto, and a power transmission control means controls the power transmitted from the power transmission mechanism to the differential gear unit according to a driving state of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichi Ushiroda, Kaoru Sawase
  • Publication number: 20070213913
    Abstract: A differential limiting control device for a vehicle calculates a yaw rate correspondence control amount according to deviation between actual yaw rate and target yaw rate when a vehicle turns, and also judges the vehicle's steering characteristic of the moment and magnitude relation between wheel speeds of right and left front wheels. The differential limiting control device then applies compensation toward an increase or decrease side based on a yaw rate correspondence control amount to a base control amount according to a combination of the steering characteristic and the magnitude relation between the wheel speeds, and controls a differential limiting force between the right and left front wheels based upon a final control amount obtained after the compensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Yuichi Ushiroda, Kaoru Sawase, Yusuke Fujii
  • Publication number: 20050121248
    Abstract: A power transmission system for four-wheel drive vehicle comprises a power transmission mechanism provided in a vehicle arranged such that power is always transmitted to one of two pairs of wheels consisting of a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, to transmit power to the other pair of wheels, and a differential gear unit arranged between left and right wheels in the other pair, to distribute the power transmitted from the power transmission mechanism to the other pair, between the left and right wheels. The differential gear unit is a torque-sensitive differential gear unit with a differential limiting function for producing a differential limiting force between the left and right wheels, depending on power transmitted thereto, and a power transmission control means controls the power transmitted from the power transmission mechanism to the differential gear unit according to a driving state of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Yuichi Ushiroda, Kaoru Sawase
  • Publication number: 20050085988
    Abstract: A driving force distribution and controlling apparatus and method for a vehicle is disclosed by which control interference which may occur between control by a driving force distribution mechanism and control by an antiskid brake system (ABS) is suppressed while the behavior of the vehicle is stabilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichi Ushiroda, Koji Ando, Naoki Takahashi, Keiji Suzuki, Kaoru Sawase, Takeshi Arino, Kazuhiko Aono, Tomohiro Narita, Hisao Arita
  • Patent number: 6681650
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a driving state switching unit with a synchro-mechanism which employs a synchro-mechanism to perform switching of a driving state. The switching unit is equipped with a first gear (32) and a second gear (33) coaxially disposed, a gear connecting member (34) axially movable so that the first gear (32) and the second gear (33) can be connected, and a synchro-mechanism (35) interposed between the first gear (32) and the second gear (33). By moving the gear connecting member (34) by an electric actuator (50), the first gear (32) and the second gear (33) are connected, while they are being synchronized by the synchro-mechanism (35). When this occurs, control means (102) controls a supply current to the electric actuator (50), and judgement means (102) judges synchronization of the synchro-mechanism (35), based on a change in the supply current value to the electric actuator (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadashi Yoshioka, Shigeyuki Yoshida, Kaoru Sawase, Takahisa Niwa, Yoshihiro Ikushima
  • Publication number: 20030045393
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a driving state switching unit with a synchro-mechanism which employs a synchro-mechanism to perform switching of a driving state. The switching unit is equipped with a first gear (32) and a second gear (33) coaxially disposed, a gear connecting member (34) axially movable so that the first gear (32) and the second gear (33) can be connected, and a synchro-mechanism (35) interposed between the first gear (32) and the second gear (33). By moving the gear connecting member (34) by an electric actuator (50), the first gear (32) and the second gear (33) are connected, while they are being synchronized by the synchro-mechanism (35). When this occurs, control means (102) controls a supply current to the electric actuator (50), and judgement means (102) judges synchronization of the synchro-mechanism (35), based on a change in the supply current value to the electric actuator (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadashi Yoshioka, Shigeyuki Yoshida, Kaoru Sawase, Takahisa Niwa, Yoshihiro Ikushima
  • Patent number: 6481304
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a driving state switching unit with a synchro-mechanism which employs a synchro-mechanism to perform switching of a driving state. The switching unit is equipped with a first gear (32) and a second gear (33) coaxially disposed, a gear connecting member (34) axially movable so that the first gear (32) and the second gear (33) can be connected, and a synchro-mechanism (35) interposed between the first gear (32) and the second gear (33). By moving the gear connecting member (34) by an electric actuator (50), the first gear (32) and the second gear (33) are connected, while they are being synchronized by the synchro-mechanism (35). When this occurs, control means (102) controls a supply current to the electric actuator (50), and judgement means (102) judges synchronization of the synchro-mechanism (35), based on a change in the supply current value to the electric actuator (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadashi Yoshioka, Shigeyuki Yoshida, Kaoru Sawase, Takahisa Niwa, Yoshihiro Ikushima
  • Patent number: 6302227
    Abstract: A hybrid powered vehicle is capable of running forward and backward under various conditions (e.g., by a motor) and enables the regeneration of energy during the reduction of speed without increasing the full length, weight, cost and the like of a transmission. The hybrid powered vehicle has a planetary gear unit, which comprises the following three elements: a ring gear, a sun gear, and a carrier pivotally supporting a planetary pinion arranged between the carrier and the sun gear. The planetary gear unit is disposed between an engine and an electric motor. The hybrid powered vehicle also has a forward/backward rotation switching mechanism, which comprises a brake for braking a first element that is one of the above-mentioned three elements and a clutch for connecting and disconnecting two elements among the above-mentioned three elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadashi Takemura, Kaoru Sawase
  • Patent number: 6244368
    Abstract: A hybrid powered vehicle of the present invention reduces the vibrations caused by changes in torque to thereby achieve excellent driving characteristics. The hybrid powered vehicle has an electric motor, an engine and a vehicle driving power source, which outputs a vehicle driving power from at least one of the engine and the electric motor in a plurality of driving modes including an electric motor single driving mode. A starting clutch capable of varying a torque transmission capacity is provided between the vehicle driving power source and drive wheels, and the torque transmission capacity of the starting clutch is controlled according to an output, which a driver requires from the vehicle driving power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Ando, Kaoru Sawase, Yuichi Ushiroda
  • Patent number: 6001041
    Abstract: A power transfer apparatus is provided with a rack/pinion type electric shift actuator for changing a traveling mode of a vehicle between high speed mode and low speed mode, and among full-time 4WD mode, 2WD mode, high direct-coupling 4WD mode and low direct-coupling mode. The apparatus further has a hydraulic multiple disc clutch for restricting a differential motion of a center differential gear when the traveling mode is in full-time 4WD mode and the traveling mode is changed over, and a hydraulic pump connected to a counter shaft, for supplying hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic multiple disc clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Sawase, Takahisa Niwa, Yoshihiro Ikushima, Yuichi Ushiroda
  • Patent number: 5456641
    Abstract: Between an input shaft and each of left-wheel and right-wheel axles, a speed change mechanism and a multi-plate clutch mechanism are interposed so that a rotational speed of the axle is changed (for example, increased) by a speed change mechanism and is transmitted to a hollow axle. The multi-plate clutch mechanism is interposed between the hollow axle and a differential case. By coupling the multi-plate clutch mechanism, drive torque is fed from one of the differential case and the hollow axle, said one member rotating at a higher speed, to the other member rotating at a lower speed. When the ratio .alpha. of a rotational speed of the left wheel to that of the right wheel becomes greater than the predetermined value .alpha..sub.0 and transfer of torque in a desired direction is no longer feasible. The multi-plate clutch mechanisms are hence made free. The multi-plate clutch mechanisms are controlled by a control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kaoru Sawase
  • Patent number: 5454762
    Abstract: Described is a hydraulic circuit construction of a vehicular left/right drive force adjusting apparatus suitable for use in adjusting drive force to left and right wheels in an automotive vehicle or the like. The vehicular left/right drive force adjusting apparatus is provided with a drive force transmission control mechanism which performs adjustment of drive force. The drive force transmitting apparatus is equipped with a left-wheel-controlling, hydraulically-driven clutch mechanism for transferring drive force to a left-wheel axle or from the left-wheel axle, a right-wheel-controlling, hydraulically-driven clutch mechanism for transferring drive force to a right-wheel axle or from the right-wheel axle, and a hydraulic circuit for driving these clutch mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Sawase, Masayoshi Nishimori
  • Patent number: 5415598
    Abstract: A speed increasing/decreasing mechanism is interposed between a left-wheel axle and a right-wheel axle. The mechanism is constructed integrally of a speed increasing mechanism and a speed decreasing mechanism. The speed increasing mechanism is adapted to increase a rotational speed of the left-wheel axle and then to output the thus-increased rotational speed to a first intermediate axle. The speed decreasing mechanism, on the other hand, is adapted to decrease a rotational speed of the left-wheel axle and then to output the thus-decreased rotational speed to a second intermediate axle. A first coupling of the variable transmitted torque capacity type is interposed between the first intermediate axle and the right-wheel axle to transmit drive torque therebetween. A second coupling of the variable transmitted torque capacity type is interposed between the second intermediate axle and the right-wheel axle to transmit drive torque therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Sawase, Takahisa Niwa
  • Patent number: 5370588
    Abstract: Described is a drive power distribution control system for a vehicle, which is suitable for use in distributing drive power to a left and right drive wheels or to front or rear drive wheels or in distributing drive power by transfer of drive power between a left and right non-drive wheels. The system is provided, between a first output shaft and a second output shaft, with a differential casing to which drive power is inputted, a differential mechanism for transmitting the drive power to the shafts, and a drive power transmission control mechanism capable of controlling the distribution of the drive power to the respective shafts. The mechanism is interposed between the shafts and the casing and is constructed of a speed change mechanism capable of changing and outputting rotational speeds of the shafts and a drive power transmission mechanism capable of transmitting drive force between the casing and a second sun gear of the speed change mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Sawase, Keiji Isoda
  • Patent number: 5270930
    Abstract: A four wheel driving vehicle includes a center differential gear wherein a differential operation limit is achieved by a wet hydraulic multiple disk clutch and is improved in running performance, turning performance, acceleration performance and so forth. An engaging force of the clutch and hence a hydraulic pressure to be supplied to the clutch are controlled in accordance with a steering angle, a vehicle speed, an advancing direction acceleration, an engine output torque, a differential operation speed difference between front and rear wheels and so forth to obtain a desired torque distribution suitable for a current running condition of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayoshi Ito, Kaoru Sawase, Kenichiro Shinada, Yoshihito Ito, Keiji Suzuki, Shunzo Tanaka