Patents by Inventor Kenji Matsuo

Kenji Matsuo 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: 10323745
    Abstract: When a power transmission path of a power transmission system is set to a second power transmission path, a continuously variable transmission is controlled at a speed ratio (?) that provides a higher vehicle speed in the case where an input shaft angular acceleration (d?i/dt) is small than in the case where the input shaft angular acceleration (d?i/dt) is large. Therefore, it is possible to control the speed ratio (?) of the continuously variable transmission to a speed ratio (?) that reflects an inertial loss (Tli) of the continuously variable transmission. The inertial loss (Tli) changes with the input shaft angular acceleration (d?i/dt). Thus, in a vehicle in which the continuously variable transmission and a gear mechanism are provided in parallel with each other between an input shaft and an output shaft, it is possible to appropriately reduce a loss of the idling continuously variable transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke Inoue, Kunio Hattori, Hiroki Kondo, Kenji Matsuo, Mitsuhiro Fukao
  • Patent number: 10272472
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor including a case having a bottom portion, and a piezoelectric element that is bonded to an inner surface of the bottom portion and performs bending vibration together with the bottom portion. The piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric layer having a transmission region and a reception region, a common electrode, a transmission electrode opposing the common electrode with the transmission region interposed therebetween, and a reception electrode opposing the common electrode with the reception region interposed therebetween. The transmission region and the reception region are formed at positions adjacent to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kosuke Watanabe, Jun Tabota, Kenji Matsuo
  • Patent number: 10260575
    Abstract: At the time when a hydraulic actuator is operated to engage a dog clutch, after it is detected that a hydraulic pressure for operating the hydraulic actuator is higher than or equal to a predetermined hydraulic pressure, it is determined whether the dog clutch is not engaged. Therefore, non-engagement determination due to insufficient hydraulic pressure for operating the hydraulic actuator is prevented. Thus, at the time when the hydraulic actuator is operated to engage the dog clutch, it is possible to prevent consumption of time to engage the dog clutch due to unnecessary re-engagement operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Matsuo, Akira Hino, Hiroki Kondo, Mitsuhiro Fukao, Daisuke Inoue, Akihide Ito, Motonori Kimura
  • Patent number: 10119580
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a continuously variable transmission, a gear mechanism and a controller. The continuously variable transmission and the gear mechanism are provided in parallel with each other between an input shaft and an output shaft. The controller is configured to i) when the vehicle travels in a state where both a first clutch and a third clutch provided on the gear mechanism side are released, gradually increase a hydraulic pressure of the first clutch such that the first clutch is engaged, ii) calculate a command hydraulic pressure for setting the first clutch to a pressure regulating state on the basis of a command hydraulic pressure of the first clutch at a timing at which the amount of change in an output-side rotation speed of the first clutch becomes larger than a predetermined value, and iii) control the first clutch by using the calculated command hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuya Sakamoto, Atsushi Ayabe, Hiromitsu Nitani, Hiroki Kondo, Kenji Matsuo, Mitsuhiro Fukao
  • Patent number: 10118619
    Abstract: In a control device for a vehicle including: a dog clutch mechanism that is disposed in a power transmission path in which a driving force is transmitted from an engine to a wheel and is operated by a hydraulic actuator; and an electric oil pump that supplies hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic actuator, rotation of the engine is stopped in a state in which the dog clutch mechanism is engaged by the hydraulic pressure supplied from the electric oil pump at a time during an engine stop operation, the rotation of the engine is started in the state in which the dog clutch mechanism is engaged by the hydraulic pressure supplied from the electric oil pump at a time during an engine restart operation, hence occurrence of up-lock of the dog clutch mechanism is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Matsuo, Akira Hino, Hiroki Kondo, Mitsuhiro Fukao, Daisuke Inoue, Atsushi Ayabe, Hiromitsu Nitani, Kazuya Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 10065648
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Matsuo, Yusuke Ohgata, Daisuke Inoue, Atsushi Ayabe, Motonori Kimura, Shuhei Ishikawa, Akira Hino, Hiroki Kondo
  • Patent number: 10047859
    Abstract: When a line pressure is dominated (determined) by at least one of a primary pressure and a secondary pressure during idling of a continuously variable transmission, the hydraulic pressure that is applied to at least one of pulleys, to which the hydraulic pressure larger than a clutch pressure is applied, is reduced. On the other hand, when the line pressure is dominated by the clutch pressure during idling of the continuously variable transmission, the speed gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is controlled to a lowest speed gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kunio Hattori, Daisuke Inoue, Hiroki Kondo, Kenji Matsuo, Mitsuhiro Fukao
  • Patent number: 9849885
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuya Sakamoto, Atsushi Ayabe, Kenji Matsuo, Hiroki Kondo, Mitsuhiro Fukao
  • Patent number: 9829093
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Nitani, Atsushi Ayabe, Kazuya Sakamoto, Hiroki Kondo, Mitsuhiro Fukao, Kenji Matsuo
  • Patent number: 9829102
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Fukao, Kenji Matsuo, Hiroki Kondo, Akira Hino, Daisuke Inoue, Atsushi Ayabe, Akihide Ito
  • Publication number: 20170314672
    Abstract: An engagement operation of a dog clutch is carried out while an engagement operation of a second clutch is being carried out, that is, during a situation that an uplock is hard to occur because of a phase shift generated between meshing counterpart members of the dog clutch. Thus, the dog clutch is easily engaged, and it is possible to facilitate preparation for transmission of power through a first power transmission path. If the dog clutch is not engaged, the second clutch is engaged and a second power transmission path is established, so it is possible to start moving a vehicle by transmitting power through the second power transmission path. Thus, when the dog clutch is in a non-engaged state at the time of an N-to-D shift during a stop of the vehicle, it is possible to ensure the startability of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke INOUE, Akihide ITO, Kazuya SAKAMOTO, Hiroki KONDO, Mitsuhiro FUKAO, Kenji MATSUO
  • Publication number: 20170305428
    Abstract: In a control device for a vehicle including: a dog clutch mechanism that is disposed in a power transmission path in which a driving force is transmitted from an engine to a wheel and is operated by a hydraulic actuator; and an electric oil pump that supplies hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic actuator, rotation of the engine is stopped in a state in which the dog clutch mechanism is engaged by the hydraulic pressure supplied from the electric oil pump at a time during an engine stop operation, the rotation of the engine is started in the state in which the dog clutch mechanism is engaged by the hydraulic pressure supplied from the electric oil pump at a time during an engine restart operation, hence occurrence of up-lock of the dog clutch mechanism is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji MATSUO, Akira HINO, Hiroki KONDO, Mitsuhiro FUKAO, Daisuke INOUE, Atsushi AYABE, Hiromitsu NITANI, Kazuya SAKAMOTO
  • Patent number: 9765886
    Abstract: A control system and a control method for a vehicle, the vehicle includes an engine, an input shaft, an output shaft, a continuously variable transmission section, a stepped transmission section and a clutch mechanism, and a control device. The continuously variable transmission section and the stepped transmission section are provided between the input shaft and the output shaft. The clutch mechanism is provided in a torque transmission path between the stepped transmission section and drive wheels. The control device is configured to disengage the clutch mechanism in a case where a vehicle speed is at least equal to a specified value and the engine is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Taninaka, Hirofumi Nakada, Michio Yoshida, Hiroki Kondo, Kenji Matsuo, Kazuya Ishiizumi, Daisuke Inoue, Kyohei Suzumura
  • Publication number: 20170241492
    Abstract: At the time when a hydraulic actuator is operated to engage a dog clutch, after it is detected that a hydraulic pressure for operating the hydraulic actuator is higher than or equal to a predetermined hydraulic pressure, it is determined whether the dog clutch is not engaged. Therefore, non-engagement determination due to insufficient hydraulic pressure for operating the hydraulic actuator is prevented. Thus, at the time when the hydraulic actuator is operated to engage the dog clutch, it is possible to prevent consumption of time to engage the dog clutch due to unnecessary re-engagement operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji MATSUO, Akira HINO, Hiroki KONDO, Mitsuhiro FUKAO, Daisuke INOUE, Akihide ITO, Motonori KIMURA
  • Patent number: 9695766
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a 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: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Matsuo, Akira Hino, Hiroki Kondo, Mitsuhiro Fukao, Daisuke Inoue, Akihide Ito, Atsushi Ayabe
  • Patent number: 9689491
    Abstract: When there is a failure in a speed ratio control linear solenoid valve, or the like, a controller for a vehicle power transmission system establishes a state where torque is transmitted via a gear mechanism, and, in this state, determines whether the speed ratio control linear solenoid valve, or the like, has returned to a normal state by comparing a target speed ratio and actual speed ratio of a continuously variable transmission with each other. It is determined whether the speed ratio control linear solenoid valve, or the like, has returned to the normal state by changing the target speed ratio of the belt-type continuously variable transmission and then comparing the target speed ratio with the actual speed ratio. Thus, when the speed ratio control linear solenoid valve, or the like, has returned from a fail-safe state to the normal state, a feeling of strangeness of a driver is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akihide Ito, Daisuke Inoue, Mitsuhiro Fukao, Kenji Matsuo, Hiroki Kondo, Motonori Kimura, Kazuya Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20170159729
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a continuously variable transmission, a gear mechanism and a controller. The continuously variable transmission and the gear mechanism are provided in parallel with each other between an input shaft and an output shaft. The controller is configured to i) when the vehicle travels in a state where both a first clutch and a third clutch provided on the gear mechanism side are released, gradually increase a hydraulic pressure of the first clutch such that the first clutch is engaged, ii) calculate a command hydraulic pressure for setting the first clutch to a pressure regulating state on the basis of a command hydraulic pressure of the first clutch at a timing at which the amount of change in an output-side rotation speed of the first clutch becomes larger than a predetermined value, and iii) control the first clutch by using the calculated command hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuya SAKAMOTO, Atsushi AYABE, Hiromitsu NITANI, Hiroki KONDO, Kenji MATSUO, Mitsuhiro FUKAO
  • 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: 20170114895
    Abstract: When a line pressure is dominated (determined) by at least one of a primary pressure and a secondary pressure during idling of a continuously variable transmission, the hydraulic pressure that is applied to at least one of pulleys, to which the hydraulic pressure larger than a clutch pressure is applied, is reduced. On the other hand, when the line pressure is dominated by the clutch pressure during idling of the continuously variable transmission, the speed gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is controlled to a lowest speed gear ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kunio HATTORI, Daisuke INOUE, Hiroki KONDO, Kenji MATSUO, Mitsuhiro FUKAO