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).

  • Publication number: 20170051691
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The 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: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji MATSUO, Akira HINO, Hiroki KONDO, Mitsuhiro FUKAO, Daisuke INOUE, Akihide ITO, Atsushi AYABE
  • Patent number: 9568098
    Abstract: A controller for a vehicle transmission is disclosed. The controller may include an electronic control unit configured to carry out a change shift for changing a path of the transmission of power between a first transmission path and a second transmission path by engaging a predetermined clutch mechanism. The electronic control unit may also be configured to set a change speed ratio region that defines a range of a speed ratio of the first transmission mechanism such that a rotation speed difference between engagement members of the clutch mechanism, which are engaged with each other in carrying out the change shift, is smaller than or equal to a predetermined value. When a speed ratio outside the change speed ratio region is set in the first transmission mechanism, the change shift is not carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motonori Kimura, Daisuke Inoue, Atsushi Ayabe, Shuhei Ishikawa, Hiroki Kondo, Akira Hino, Kenji Matsuo, Takuro Shimazu
  • Publication number: 20170037965
    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: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke INOUE, Kunio HATTORI, Hiroki KONDO, Kenji MATSUO, Mitsuhiro FUKAO
  • Publication number: 20170008032
    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: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: KOSUKE WATANABE, Jun Tabota, Kenji Matsuo
  • Patent number: 9540012
    Abstract: A vehicle control system and method is applied to a vehicle including: a continuously variable transmission for changing a speed ratio continuously that is disposed between an input shaft and an output shaft; a geared transmission that is disposed parallel to the continuously variable transmission, and that is adapted to establish a speed ratio that cannot be established by the continuously variable transmission; and a friction clutch that is brought into engagement to switch a torque transmission route from a route including the geared transmission to a route including the continuously variable transmission. The vehicle control system is configured to start a speed change operation of the continuously variable transmission before a commencement of clutch-to-clutch shifting between the friction clutches when switching the torque transmission route from the route including the geared transmission to the route including the continuously variable transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Matsuo, Yusuke Ohgata, Daisuke Inoue, Atsushi Ayabe, Motonori Kimura, Shuhei Ishikawa, Akira Hino, Hiroki Kondo
  • Publication number: 20170001647
    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: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuya SAKAMOTO, Atsushi AYABE, Kenji MATSUO, Hiroki KONDO, Mitsuhiro FUKAO
  • Patent number: 9533671
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle control apparatus which can suppress a shock in a clutch from being generated at a time of starting an engine by a motor in a vehicle having the clutch provided therein between the engine and the motor, thereby improving a drivability of the vehicle. Provided is a vehicle control apparatus, comprising: an engine, a motor generator connected to vehicle wheels of a vehicle, and a clutch that switches a transmission state between a disengaging state and an engaging state, in which the vehicle control apparatus switches the clutch in the engaging state to start the engine by the motor generator. When the engine is started by the motor generator, the vehicle control apparatus constantly keeps the compensation torque of the motor generator smaller than the clutch torque of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji Inoue, Yukihiko Ideshio, Shingo Eto, Yousuke Michikoshi, Kenji Matsuo
  • Publication number: 20160334010
    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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromitsu NITANI, Atsushi AYABE, Kazuya SAKAMOTO, Hiroki KONDO, Mitsuhiro FUKAO, Kenji MATSUO
  • Patent number: 9494204
    Abstract: A controller for a vehicle transmission in which a continuously variable transmission mechanism able to continuously change its speed ratio and a transmission mechanism having a constant speed ratio are provided in parallel between an input shaft and an output shaft. The transmission includes a friction engagement mechanism and an intermeshing engagement mechanism, the intermeshing engagement mechanism being arranged in series with the friction engagement mechanism, the intermeshing engagement mechanism setting the transmission mechanism to a state where torque is transmittable between the input and output shaft, in changing to a state where the intermeshing engagement mechanism is engaged and the transmission mechanism is able to transmit torque to the output shaft, a torque capacity of the friction engagement mechanism is configured to be increased to a torque capacity to such extent that the transmission mechanism rotates without a delay of start of engagement of the intermeshing engagement mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Matsuo, Hirofumi Nakada, Michio Yoshida, Daisuke Inoue, Atsushi Ayabe, Motonori Kimura, Shuhei Ishikawa, Akira Hino, Hiroki Kondo
  • Publication number: 20160258531
    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: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akihide ITO, Daisuke INOUE, Mitsuhiro FUKAO, Kenji MATSUO, Hiroki KONDO, Motonori KIMURA, Kazuya SAKAMOTO
  • Patent number: 9404563
    Abstract: Power system including differential-mechanism, clutch-mechanism, power-mechanism and dog-clutch disposed between an input rotary member to receive drive-force from a drive power source and output rotary-member to transmit drive-force to drive-wheels, the differential-mechanism including an input rotary element, output rotary element and reaction rotary element; the clutch-mechanism connecting two rotary elements of the input, output and reaction rotary elements of the differential-mechanism, to each other, the power-mechanism having predetermined gear ratio, and dog-clutch selectively placing a power path between the output rotary element and output rotary-member, in power transmitting state and power cutoff state; transmitting drive-force to drive-wheels while the clutch-mechanisms and dog-clutch are placed in engaged states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kozo Yamamoto, Michio Yoshida, Hirofumi Nakada, Kenji Matsuo, Mitsuhiro Fukao, Shuji Moriyama, Yuji Iwatsuru
  • Publication number: 20160131255
    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: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi TANINAKA, Hirofumi NAKADA, Michio YOSHIDA, Hiroki KONDO, Kenji MATSUO, Kazuya ISHIIZUMI, Daisuke INOUE, Kyohei SUZUMURA
  • Publication number: 20160131256
    Abstract: A control device for vehicle is includes: transmission mechanism capable of setting fixed transmission gear ratio; continuously variable transmission provided in parallel with transmission mechanism; and path switching mechanism for selectively blocking torque transmission path that includes transmission mechanism and that is configured to dampen vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro TOYODA, Hirofumi NAKADA, Michio YOSHIDA, Daisuke INOUE, Atsushi AYABE, Motonori KIMURA, Akira HINO, Hiroki KONDO, Kenji MATSUO, Takuro SHIMAZU
  • Publication number: 20160121896
    Abstract: A vehicle control system and method is applied to a vehicle including: a continuously variable transmission for changing a speed ratio continuously that is disposed between an input shaft and an output shaft; a geared transmission that is disposed parallel to the continuously variable transmission, and that is adapted to establish a speed ratio that cannot be established by the continuously variable transmission; and a friction clutch that is brought into engagement to switch a torque transmission route from a route including the geared transmission to a route including the continuously variable transmission. The vehicle control system is configured to start a speed change operation of the continuously variable transmission before a commencement of clutch-to-clutch shifting between the friction clutches when switching the torque transmission route from the route including the geared transmission to the route including the continuously variable transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji MATSUO, Yusuke OHGATA, Daisuke INOUE, Atsushi AYABE, Motonori KIMURA, Shuhei ISHIKAWA, Akira HINO, Hiroki KONDO
  • Publication number: 20160091090
    Abstract: A controller for a vehicle transmission in which a first transmission path including a first transmission mechanism that is able to continuously change its speed ratio and a second transmission path including a second transmission mechanism having a set speed ratio different from that of the first transmission mechanism are provided in parallel with each other between an input shaft to which torque is input from a driving force source of a vehicle and an output shaft that outputs torque to an output member, the vehicle transmission carrying out transmission of power between the input shaft and the output shaft via one of the first transmission path and the second transmission path, includes: performing means for carrying out a change shift for changing a path of the transmission of power between the first transmission path and the second transmission path by engaging a predetermined clutch mechanism; and setting means for setting a change speed ratio region that defines a range of a speed ratio of the first t
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Motonori KIMURA, Daisuke INOUE, Atsushi AYABE, Shuhei ISHIKAWA, Hiroki KONDO, Akira HINO, Kenji MATSUO, Takuro SHIMAZU
  • Publication number: 20160052522
    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: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji MATSUO, Yusuke OHGATA, Daisuke INOUE, Atsushi AYABE, Motonori KIMURA, Shuhei ISHIKAWA, Akira HINO, Hiroki KONDO
  • Publication number: 20160025161
    Abstract: In a controller for a vehicle transmission in which a continuously variable transmission mechanism that is able to continuously change its speed ratio and a transmission mechanism having a constant speed ratio are provided in parallel with each other between an input shaft to which torque is transmitted from a driving force source and an output shaft that outputs torque to a drive wheel, the vehicle transmission including a friction engagement mechanism and an intermeshing engagement mechanism, the friction engagement mechanism selectively transmitting torque from the input shaft to the transmission mechanism, the intermeshing engagement mechanism arranged in series with the friction engagement mechanism on a downstream side of the friction engagement mechanism in a torque transmission direction from the input shaft toward the output shaft, the intermeshing engagement mechanism setting the transmission mechanism to a state where torque is transmittable between the input shaft and the output shaft, in changing
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji MATSUO, Hirofumi NAKADA, Michio YOSHIDA, Daisuke INOUE, Atsushi AYABE, Motonori KIMURA, Shuhei ISHIKAWA, Akira HINO, Hiroki KONDO
  • Publication number: 20150354682
    Abstract: Power system including differential-mechanism, clutch-mechanism, power-mechanism and dog-clutch disposed between an input rotary member to receive drive-force from a drive power source and output rotary-member to transmit drive-force to drive-wheels, the differential-mechanism including an input rotary element, output rotary element and reaction rotary element; the clutch-mechanism connecting two rotary elements of the input, output and reaction rotary elements of the differential-mechanism, to each other, the power-mechanism having predetermined gear ratio, and dog-clutch selectively placing a power path between the output rotary element and output rotary-member, in power transmitting state and power cutoff state; transmitting drive-force to drive-wheels while the clutch-mechanisms and dog-clutch are placed in engaged states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Kozo YAMAMOTO, Michio YOSHIDA, Hirofumi NAKADA, Kenji MATSUO, Mitsuhiro FUKAO, Shuji MORIYAMA, Yuji IWATSURU
  • Patent number: 8943818
    Abstract: A hydraulic device includes a switch-over valve 1140 provided at a section of a sub-passage 1105 located downstream of a location where a first bypass passage 1117 is connected and located upstream of a primary regulator 1110. The switch-over valve 1140 is switched between a blocked state, where supply of hydraulic oil to a section of the sub-passage 1105 located downstream of the switch-over valve 1140 is blocked, and a communication state, where supply of hydraulic oil to the section of the sub-passage 1105 located downstream of the switch-over valve 1140 is permitted. In the hydraulic device, when the switch-over valve 1140 is switched to the communication state, as a discharge performance of a main pump 1102 increases, a first check valve 1118 closes. Supply paths for hydraulic oil discharged from the sub-pump 1103 are automatically switched in accordance with the discharge performance of the main pump 1102.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Ogata, Koichi Tanaka, Nobuaki Takahashi, Kenji Matsuo, Naofumi Nishida
  • Patent number: 8904989
    Abstract: In a hybrid type vehicle power unit including a first oil pump interlockingly connected to a crankshaft so as to supply at least a lubricating oil to an engine and a transmission, and a second oil pump for supplying the lubricating oil to the transmission, it is not necessary for an electric motor to be exclusively used for the second oil pump. Thus, a reduction in the number of component parts and a reduction in the cost of manufacturing are achieved. The second oil pump is interlockingly connected to an electric motor capable of transmitting a driving torque to an output shaft through the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Matsuo, Kenichi Nakano