Patents by Inventor Katsumi Nakatani

Katsumi Nakatani 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: 7359784
    Abstract: A control apparatus and a control method for an automatic transmission installed in a vehicle, which detect an inclination of a road on which the vehicle is running; calculate actual torque of an engine installed in the vehicle; store reference torque of the engine; correct an inclination threshold value based on the actual torque and the reference torque and make a determination on whether ascending slope control or descending slope control needs to be performed in the vehicle based on the detected inclination of the road and the corrected inclination threshold value; and control the automatic transmission to perform the ascending slope control or the descending slope control based on the result of the determination. Thus, the control apparatus and the control method make an accurate determination on an ascending slope in a highland area, and accurately perform the ascending slope control or the descending slope control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akio Murasugi, Tooru Matsubara, Tadayuki Nagai, Katsumi Nakatani
  • Patent number: 7080724
    Abstract: A start control device is provided for a vehicle that is subjected to neutral control for releasing a coupling element of an automatic transmission when the vehicle is stopped with predetermined conditions satisfied while the automatic transmission is in a forward drive position. The start control device detects a braking operation performed by the driver of the vehicle or a braking condition during the neutral control, and controls the braking force of the vehicle when the vehicle returns from the neutral control, based on the detected braking operation or the braking condition during the neutral control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshio Hasegawa, Akira Hoshino, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Katsumi Nakatani, Tooru Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20040249542
    Abstract: A control apparatus and a control method for an automatic transmission installed in a vehicle, which detect an inclination of a road on which the vehicle is running; calculate actual torque of an engine installed in the vehicle; store reference torque of the engine; correct an inclination threshold value based on the actual torque and the reference torque and make a determination on whether ascending slope control or descending slope control needs to be performed in the vehicle based on the detected inclination of the road and the corrected inclination threshold value; and control the automatic transmission to perform the ascending slope control or the descending slope control based on the result of the determination. Thus, the control apparatus and the control method make an accurate determination on an ascending slope in a highland area, and accurately perform the ascending slope control or the descending slope control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akio Murasugi, Tooru Matsubara, Tadayuki Nagai, Katsumi Nakatani
  • Publication number: 20040231951
    Abstract: A start control device is provided for a vehicle that is subjected to neutral control for releasing a coupling element of an automatic transmission when the vehicle is stopped with predetermined conditions satisfied while the automatic transmission is in a forward drive position. The start control device detects a braking operation performed by the driver of the vehicle or a braking condition during the neutral control, and controls the braking force of the vehicle when the vehicle returns from the neutral control, based on the detected braking operation or the braking condition during the neutral control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshio Hasegawa, Akira Hoshino, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Katsumi Nakatani, Tooru Matsubara
  • Patent number: 6760655
    Abstract: An automatic engine stop/restart-type vehicle and control method determine whether a vehicle is in a non-running range. The vehicle comprises: an engine; a transmission, an oil pump and a controller. The transmission has a coupling element that transmits an output torque of the engine. The oil pump supplies a hydraulic pressure to the transmission. The controller controls an output from the engine; controls the hydraulic pressure supplied to the transmission; and determines whether the engine is in an automatic stop state when a manually set mode of the transmission is shifted from a non-running range to a running range. A hydraulic pressure compensation procedure is performed to conform friction coupling characteristics of the coupling element and input characteristics of the transmission with each other if the controller determines that the engine is in the automatic stop state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tooru Matsubara, Yasuo Hojo, Hideo Tomomatsu, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Tadasu Tomohiro, Katsumi Nakatani
  • Patent number: 6716138
    Abstract: A condition for driving an electric oil pump is set. A turbine speed or an input speed of an automatic transmission is measured. A correction amount for a hydraulic pressure is calculated on the basis of the turbine speed obtained by reference to a relation between the turbine speed and hydraulic pressure, and a correction amount for a drive duty ratio of the electric oil pump which is required for generation of the corrected hydraulic pressure is calculated. The procedure is resumed after the procedure has been performed. The condition for driving the electric oil pump is updated on the basis of the correction amount for the drive duty ratio calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tooru Matsubara, Yasuo Hojo, Hideo Tomomatsu, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Tadasu Tomohiro, Katsumi Nakatani
  • Patent number: 6709362
    Abstract: An electric oil pump capable of suppressing wear of an electric oil pump used as auxiliary to a main oil pump to thereby prolong the life of the pump and avoid any need to provide a larger pump. An electric oil pump (40) is operated only for a predetermined acceptable operation time, and the engine (12) is thereafter activated to cause the mechanical oil pump (36) to supply oil pressure. This arrangement can limit successive operating time for the electric oil pump (40), suppressing wear of the electric oil pump (40) and thus prolonging its life. Provision of a larger electric oil pump (40) can also be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadasu Tomohiro, Yasuo Hojo, Hideo Tomomatsu, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Katsumi Nakatani, Tooru Matsubara, Atsushi Tabata
  • Publication number: 20030148850
    Abstract: An electric oil pump capable of suppressing wear of an electric oil pump used as auxiliary to a main oil pump to thereby prolong the life of the pump and avoid any need to provide a larger pump. An electric oil pump (40) is operated only for a predetermined acceptable operation time, and the engine (12) is thereafter activated to cause the mechanical oil pump (36) to supply oil pressure. This arrangement can limit successive operating time for the electric oil pump (40), suppressing wear of the electric oil pump (40) and thus prolonging its life. Provision of a larger electric oil pump (40) can also be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tadasu Tomohiro, Yasuo Hojo, Hideo Tomomatsu, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Katsumi Nakatani, Tooru Matsubara, Atsushi Tabata
  • Publication number: 20020193930
    Abstract: An automatic engine stop/restart-type vehicle and control method determine whether a vehicle is in a non-running range. The vehicle comprises: an engine; a transmission, an oil pump and a controller. The transmission has a coupling element that transmits an output torque of the engine. The oil pump supplies a hydraulic pressure to the transmission. The controller controls an output from the engine; controls the hydraulic pressure supplied to the transmission; and determines whether the engine is in an automatic stop state when a manually set mode of the transmission is shifted from a non-running range to a running range. A hydraulic pressure compensation procedure is performed to conform friction coupling characteristics of the coupling element and input characteristics of the transmission with each other if the controller determines that the engine is in the automatic stop state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tooru Matsubara, Yasuo Hojo, Hideo Tomomatsu, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Tadasu Tomohiro, Katsumi Nakatani
  • Publication number: 20020193206
    Abstract: A condition for driving an electric oil pump is set. A turbine speed or an input speed of an automatic transmission is measured. A correction amount for a hydraulic pressure is calculated on the basis of the turbine speed obtained by reference to a relation between the turbine speed and hydraulic pressure, and a correction amount for a drive duty ratio of the electric oil pump which is required for generation of the corrected hydraulic pressure is calculated. The procedure is resumed after the procedure has been performed. The condition for driving the electric oil pump is updated on the basis of the correction amount for the drive duty ratio calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tooru Matsubara, Yasuo Hojo, Hideo Tomomatsu, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Tadasu Tomohiro, Katsumi Nakatani
  • Patent number: 6463375
    Abstract: An automatic start controlling apparatus for automatically starting an internal combustion engine. A transmission is coupled to the engine. The transmission has a clutch, which is actuated by an oil pump other than the engine when the engine stops. The transmission has an input shaft and an output shaft. The input shaft is connected to the engine. The automatic start controlling apparatus has a controller. When the engine is automatically started, the controller detects whether the clutch is completely engaged. When the controller judges that the clutch is partially engaged, the controller reduces the output torque of the engine or limits an increase of the output torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tooru Matsubara, Yasuo Hojo, Hideo Tomomatsu, Tadasu Tomohiro, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Katsumi Nakatani
  • Publication number: 20020019691
    Abstract: An automatic start controlling apparatus for automatically starting an internal combustion engine. A transmission is coupled to the engine. The transmission has a clutch, which is actuated by an oil pump other than the engine when the engine stops. The transmission has an input shaft and an output shaft. The input shaft is connected to the engine. The automatic start controlling apparatus has a controller. When the engine is automatically started, the controller detects whether the clutch is completely engaged. When the controller judges that the clutch is partially engaged, the controller reduces the output torque of the engine or limits an increase of the output torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tooru Matsubara, Yasuo Hojo, Hideo Tomomatsu, Tadasu Tomohiro, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Katsumi Nakatani