Patents by Inventor Masayasu Higashi

Masayasu Higashi 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: 11396325
    Abstract: Provided is a steering system including a controller that controls an electric motor. The controller has a combined friction torque estimation unit that estimates a combined friction torque combining friction torques occurring in respective transmission devices including a first transmission device. The combined friction torque estimation unit has a slipping speed calculation part that calculates a slipping speed of the first transmission device based on an angular speed of the electric motor, a friction coefficient calculation part that calculates a friction coefficient of the first transmission device based on the slipping speed, a tooth flank normal force calculation part that calculates a normal force acting on a tooth flank of the first transmission device, and a friction torque calculation part that calculates the combined friction torque using the friction coefficient, the tooth flank normal force, and one or more preset correction factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayasu Higashi, Daisuke Miki, Robert Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20200398889
    Abstract: A steering device includes an electric motor and an electronic control unit controls the electric motor. The electronic control unit includes a first friction torque computation circuit, a second friction torque computation circuit, a first load torque-column angle estimation circuit, a pinion angle estimation circuit, a second load torque estimation circuit, and an axial force estimation circuit. The first friction torque computation circuit computes first friction torque. The second friction torque computation circuit computes second friction torque. The first load torque-column angle estimation circuit estimates first load torque and a column angle. The pinion angle estimation circuit estimates an estimated pinion angle value. The second load torque estimation circuit estimates second load torque. The axial force estimation circuit estimates an axial force that acts on a rack shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayasu HIGASHI, Daisuke MIKI, Robert FUCHS
  • Publication number: 20200307688
    Abstract: Provided is a steering system including a controller that controls an electric motor. The controller has a combined friction torque estimation unit that estimates a combined friction torque combining friction torques occurring in respective transmission devices including a first transmission device. The combined friction torque estimation unit has a slipping speed calculation part that calculates a slipping speed of the first transmission device based on an angular speed of the electric motor, a friction coefficient calculation part that calculates a friction coefficient of the first transmission device based on the slipping speed, a tooth flank normal force calculation part that calculates a normal force acting on a tooth flank of the first transmission device, and a friction torque calculation part that calculates the combined friction torque using the friction coefficient, the tooth flank normal force, and one or more preset correction factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayasu HIGASHI, Daisuke MIKI, Robert FUCHS
  • Patent number: 9446790
    Abstract: An electric power steering system includes: an electric motor that generates assist torque; an auxiliary power supply device including a capacitor connected to a main power supply and discharging electric power to the electric motor; and a control device that controls the auxiliary power supply device. There is a plurality of modes of connection between the main power supply and the auxiliary power supply device. The control device switches the mode of connection between the main power supply and the auxiliary power supply device, depending on the situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toyoki Sugiyama, Masayasu Higashi
  • Patent number: 9126620
    Abstract: An electric power steering system includes: an assist motor that generate assist force for assisting steering of a steering member; a motor drive circuit that controls driving of the assist motor; a capacitor that is electrically connected to a main power supply that supplies electric power to the assist motor, the motor drive circuit, and electrical components; and a controller that controls charging and discharging of the capacitor. The controller discharges electricity to the electrical components when an amount of electric charge remaining in the auxiliary power supply is equal to or greater than a first threshold value in an engine start-up period in a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toyoki Sugiyama, Masayasu Higashi
  • Patent number: 9026334
    Abstract: A vehicle attitude control system includes a control unit that calculates a front wheel control amount and a rear wheel control amount on the basis of a front-side slip angle at a front axle of front wheels and a rear-side slip angle at a rear axle of rear wheels, and that controls the front wheels on the basis of the front wheel control amount and controls the rear wheels on the basis of the rear wheel control amount at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Shuuji Kimura, Masayasu Higashi
  • Patent number: 8977434
    Abstract: A target sideslip angle computing unit calculates a target sideslip angle used when a vehicle makes a turn, based on a steering angle and a vehicle speed. A target sideslip angle correcting unit corrects the target sideslip angle calculated by the target sideslip angle computing unit using a sideslip angle correction amount calculated based on at least one of a steering angular velocity, a depression amount of an accelerator pedal, a depression velocity of the accelerator pedal and a depression amount of a brake pedal. Vehicle attitude control is executed using the target sideslip angle corrected by the target sideslip angle correcting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yoshimoto, Shuuji Kimura, Masayasu Higashi
  • Patent number: 8958952
    Abstract: An auxiliary power supply device includes a capacitor that is connected to a main power source, and that is able to discharge an electric current to an electric motor, the main power source supplying electric power to the electric motor; and a booster circuit that boosts a voltage of the main power source and applies the boosted voltage to the auxiliary power source. An operation of the auxiliary power supply device is controlled by a control device. When supply of the electric power from the main power source to the capacitor is started in a state where a voltage across terminals of the capacitor is equal to or higher than a voltage of the main power source, the control device increases the voltage applied to the capacitor by the booster circuit as the capacitor voltage increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Toyoki Sugiyama, Masayasu Higashi
  • Publication number: 20150008066
    Abstract: An electric power steering system includes: an assist motor that generate assist force for assisting steering of a steering member; a motor drive circuit that controls driving of the assist motor; a capacitor that is electrically connected to a main power supply that supplies electric power to the assist motor, the motor drive circuit, and electrical components; and a controller that controls charging and discharging of the capacitor. The controller discharges electricity to the electrical components when an amount of electric charge remaining in the auxiliary power supply is equal to or greater than a first threshold value in an engine start-up period in a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Toyoki SUGIYAMA, Masayasu HIGASHI
  • Publication number: 20140222294
    Abstract: An auxiliary power supply device includes a capacitor that is connected to a main power source, and that is able to discharge an electric current to an electric motor, the main power source supplying electric power to the electric motor; and a booster circuit that boosts a voltage of the main power source and applies the boosted voltage to the auxiliary power source. An operation of the auxiliary power supply device is controlled by a control device. When supply of the electric power from the main power source to the capacitor is started in a state where a voltage across terminals of the capacitor is equal to or higher than a voltage of the main power source, the control device increases the voltage applied to the capacitor by the booster circuit as the capacitor voltage increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toyoki SUGIYAMA, Masayasu HIGASHI
  • Publication number: 20140136055
    Abstract: An electric power steering system includes: an electric motor that generates assist torque; an auxiliary power supply device including a capacitor connected to a main power supply and discharging electric power to the electric motor; and a control device that controls the auxiliary power supply device. There is a plurality of modes of connection between the main power supply and the auxiliary power supply device. The control device switches the mode of connection between the main power supply and the auxiliary power supply device, depending on the situation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toyoki SUGIYAMA, Masayasu HIGASHI
  • Publication number: 20140117884
    Abstract: An electric power steering system includes: an electric motor that generates assist torque based on steering torque; an auxiliary power supply connected in series with a main power supply that supplies electric power to the electric motor, and capable of discharging electric power to the electric motor; and a control device that controls a voltage to be applied to the electric motor. When the auxiliary power supply starts discharging electric power to the electric motor, the control device gradually increases a duty ratio of a switching element, which is a command signal for commanding the auxiliary power supply to discharge electric power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toyoki SUGIYAMA, Masayasu HIGASHI
  • Patent number: 8662240
    Abstract: A steering system includes: an operation mechanism that includes an operation member used to perform a steering operation; and a steered mechanism that is not mechanically coupled to the operation mechanism, and that steers a wheel based on the steering operation of the operation member. The operation mechanism includes a steering angle sensor that detects a steering angle of the operation member, and steering direction detection unit that detects only a steering direction of the operation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Masayasu Higashi, Takeshi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20130231799
    Abstract: A vehicle attitude control system includes a control unit that calculates a front wheel control amount and a rear wheel control amount on the basis of a front-side slip angle at a front axle of front wheels and a rear-side slip angle at a rear axle of rear wheels, and that controls the front wheels on the basis of the front wheel control amount and controls the rear wheels on the basis of the rear wheel control amount at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuuji KIMURA, Masayasu HIGASHI
  • Patent number: 7147080
    Abstract: The steering device is constructed by supporting a center portion of a rectangle-plate-shaped operation plate at one end of a supporting shaft projected from the front face of a dashboard so as to freely swing in right and left directions. A steering apparatus for a vehicle having the steering device detects the swing direction and the swing angle of the operation plate with a steering angle sensor provided at a support portion and moves a steering mechanism in the detected direction in accordance with the detected angle so as to steer the vehicle. With this structure, a load in steering can be decreased and tiredness in driving can be reduced. Furthermore, such a steering apparatus can realize a steering device which physically handicapped drivers can operate easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayasu Higashi, Shingo Maeda, Masaya Segawa, Shuuji Kimura, Ryouhei Hayama, Tomoyasu Kada
  • Patent number: 6968262
    Abstract: Steering angle is determined by the combined use of a potentiometer and a rotary encoder, and the correction of the error in the determination of the steering angle based on the time-dependent change of the potentiometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayasu Higashi, Ryouhei Hayama
  • Patent number: 6904346
    Abstract: A Steering system for a motor vehicle is provided. The system is provided with a principal steering actuator for applying a driving force to a steering mechanism; an auxiliary steering actuator capable of applying a driving force to the steering mechanism; a counter force actuator for applying a counter force to an operation member; a principal steering control section; an auxiliary steering control section; a counter force control section; first and second vehicle condition sensors; and a main controller for comprehensively controlling the control sections. An output signal of the first vehicle condition sensor is inputted to the main controller through a first vehicle condition signal line; and an output signal of the second vehicle condition sensor is inputted, through a second vehicle condition signal line, to at least one of the control sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayasu Higashi, Masaya Segawa, Shingo Maeda
  • Patent number: 6763907
    Abstract: In a vehicle steering apparatus, a steering actuator is controlled so that the steering angle varies in accordance with the operation of an operating member. A transmission mechanism connects an operating side rotating member that is mechanically connected to the operating member and a vehicle wheel side rotating member that is mechanically connected to the vehicle wheels so that the mutual transmission of rotation is possible. Furthermore, the rotational transmission ratio between the operating side rotating member and the vehicle wheel side rotating member can be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Ueno, Katsutoshi Nishizaki, Ryouhei Hayama, Naotake Kanda, Shirou Nakano, Takeo Iino, Tomoyasu Kada, Kenji Higashi, Shingo Maeda, Shuuji Kimura, Masaya Segawa, Masayasu Higashi
  • Publication number: 20040094351
    Abstract: The steering angle correction device controls a steering actuator so that the vehicle steering angle varies in accordance with the steering angle from the center point position of a steering member. The current position of the steering member is determined from the reference position obtained by correcting the steering initiation position, which is the absolute position of the steering member at the time of initiation of control action determined from an output of the absolute position detection sensor, by an amount corresponding to the reference error in the preceding control action, a signal corresponding to the variation in the steering angle of the steering member outputted by a position sensor, and the steering direction of the steering member. The position sensor outputs a position specifying signal when the steering member is in a predetermined specified position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayasu Higashi, Ryouhei Hayama
  • Publication number: 20030201136
    Abstract: In a vehicle steering apparatus, a steering actuator is controlled so that the steering angle varies in accordance with the operation of an operating member. A transmission mechanism connects an operating side rotating member that is mechanically connected to the operating member and a vehicle wheel side rotating member that is mechanically connected to the vehicle wheels so that the mutual transmission of rotation is possible. Furthermore, the rotational transmission ratio between the operating side rotating member and the vehicle wheel side rotating member can be varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Ueno, Katsutoshi Nishizaki, Ryouhei Hayama, Naotake Kanda, Shirou Nakano, Takeo Iino, Tomoyasu Kada, Kenji Higashi, Shingo Maeda, Shuuji Kimura, Masaya Segawa, Masayasu Higashi