Patents by Inventor Nobufusa Kobayashi

Nobufusa Kobayashi 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: 10597021
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle includes a control portion configured to control an input torque to an automatic transmission such that a value representing a rotating state of an input rotary member of the automatic transmission coincides with a target value; a racing determining portion configured to determine whether a rotating speed of an engine is predicted to exceed a predetermined rotating speed when control is provided such that the value representing the rotating state of the input rotary member of the automatic transmission coincides with the target value during a power-on shift-down action of the automatic transmission; and an output limiting portion configured to limit the output torque of the engine to a predetermined torque or less if the rotating speed of the engine is predicted to exceed the predetermined rotating speed during the power-on shift-down action of the automatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro Katsumata, Hiromichi Kimura, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Tooru Matsubara, Takeshi Kitahata, Kenta Kumazaki, Nobufusa Kobayashi, Masato Yoshikawa, Takahiro Kimura, Daisuke Suyama, Kazuomi Okasaka
  • Patent number: 10583825
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle, having an engine, an electric motor, and an automatic transmission which is placed in a selected speed position with engagement of selected at least one of coupling devices, includes: an input torque control portion controlling the electric motor for controlling an input torque transmitted to the automatic transmission during a shifting action of the automatic transmission, based on output torque of the engine and torque transmitted through the coupling devices, such that a value representing a rotating state of an automatic transmission input rotary member coincides with a target value. The input torque control portion controls the input torque to be not smaller than a predetermined lower limit, when a running state of the hybrid vehicle is switched from a power-on state to a power-off state during a shift-down action of the automatic transmission in the power-on state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro Katsumata, Hiromichi Kimura, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Tooru Matsubara, Takeshi Kitahata, Kenta Kumazaki, Nobufusa Kobayashi, Masato Yoshikawa, Takahiro Kimura, Daisuke Suyama, Kazuomi Okasaka
  • Patent number: 10569640
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes a shift control portion is configured, when determining that a shift-down action to establish one of gear positions in a transmission mechanism by release of an engagement device and engagement of a one-way clutch, is to be executed during decelerating run of the vehicle, to initiate execution of the shift-down action to establish the one of the of gear positions after an input torque inputted to the transmission mechanism becomes not lower than a predetermined negative value. The predetermined negative value is a predetermined minimum value that becomes not lower than a certain value at a point of time at which the release of the engagement device is completed in process of the shift-down action. The certain value is a value of the input torque enabling the one-way clutch to be automatically engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masayuki Baba, Nobufusa Kobayashi, Masato Yoshikawa, Kenta Kumazaki, Jun Goto
  • Patent number: 10543831
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle provided with a motor/generator functioning as a drive power source, and a mechanically operated transmission mechanism which constitutes a part of a power transmitting path between the motor/generator and drive wheels, the control apparatus including a motor/generator control portion configured to implement a regenerative torque control of the motor/generator so as to generate a regenerative torque according to a braking operation by an operator of the vehicle in a decelerating run of the vehicle, and a transmission shifting control portion configured to initiate a shift-down action of the mechanically operated transmission mechanism after a rate of change of the regenerative torque has been held within a predetermined range for at least a predetermined length of time, where a determination to implement the shift-down action is made in the process of the regenerative torque control of the motor/generator according to the braking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta Kumazaki, Hiromichi Kimura, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Tooru Matsubara, Takeshi Kitahata, Nobufusa Kobayashi, Masato Yoshikawa, Masayuki Baba, Shun Sato, Takahiro Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 10539231
    Abstract: A shift control apparatus (80) for a vehicle (10; 100) provided with a drive power source (39; MG), and a step-variable transmission portion (20; 110) including a plurality of hydraulically operated coupling devices (CB), the shift control apparatus controlling the step-variable transmission portion to implement a shifting action with an engaging action of the engaging-side coupling device and a releasing action of the releasing-side coupling device, and including a shift control portion (82) to control a shift-down action of the step-variable transmission portion in a predetermined mode of hydraulic control of the engaging-side and releasing-side coupling devices, wherein the shift control portion controls the engaging-side and releasing-side coupling devices in a non-vehicle-driving control mode during the shift-down action of the step-variable transmission portion in a non-driving state of the vehicle, the shift control portion switching the mode of hydraulic control from the non-vehicle-driving control mo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Masato Yoshikawa, Kenta Kumazaki
  • Patent number: 10449949
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes: a transmission shifting control portion configured to implement a shifting action of a step-variable transmission, by controlling a releasing action of a releasing coupling device and an engaging action of an engaging coupling device; a torque control portion configured, during the shifting action of the step-variable transmission, to implement a feedback control to control an input torque inputted to the step-variable transmission, such that a value representing a state of a rotary motion of an input rotary member of the step-variable transmission coincides with a target value dependent on a degree of progress of the shifting action; and a backup control portion configured, when it is determined that the drive wheels are slipped, to inhibit the feedback control, and to compensate a transmitted torque to be transmitted through an initiative coupling device, such that the shifting action is facilitated by compensation of the transmitted torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Masato Yoshikawa, Masayuki Baba, Takeshi Kitahata
  • Patent number: 10407075
    Abstract: A control apparatus (80; 122) for a vehicle provided with a motor/generator (MG2; MG) functioning as a drive power source, and a step-variable transmission (20; 110) which constitutes a part of a power transmitting path between the drive power source and drive wheels (28; 116) and which is placed in a selected one of a plurality of speed positions with engagement of a selected one or ones of a plurality of coupling devices (CB).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromasa Tatsushiro, Hiromichi Kimura, Tooru Matsubara, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Takeshi Kitahata, Shinichi Sasade, Nobufusa Kobayashi, Masato Yoshikawa, Takahiro Kimura
  • Patent number: 10369983
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle provided with an engine, a differential mechanism having a first rotary element to which the engine is operatively connected, a second rotary element to which a first motor/generator is operatively connected, and a third rotary element to which an intermediate power transmitting member is connected, a second motor/generator operatively connected to the intermediate power transmitting member, and an automatic transmission which constitutes a part of a power transmitting path between the intermediate power transmitting member and drive wheels and in which a shifting action is performed by selective engagement of a plurality of coupling devices, the control apparatus comprising: a hybrid control portion for controlling an output torque of the first motor/generator and an output torque of the second motor/generator during the shifting action of the automatic transmission on the basis of an output torque of the engine and a transmitted torque of the coupling devices, such t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro Katsumata, Hiromichi Kimura, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Tooru Matsubara, Takeshi Kitahata, Kenta Kumazaki, Nobufusa Kobayashi, Masato Yoshikawa, Takahiro Kimura, Daisuke Suyama, Kazuomi Okasaka
  • Patent number: 10369987
    Abstract: Transmission torque of a shift progress side engagement device is set based on engine power, shift progressing power, and battery power such that MG1 torque and MG2 torque are limited due to the limitation of the battery power when shifting a stepped transmission is suppressed. The stepped transmission is shifted with the transmission torque which takes into account the input-output balance of the respective powers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Masato Yoshikawa, Kenta Kumazaki
  • Patent number: 10359110
    Abstract: A controller for a vehicle including a continuously variable transmission mechanism, a mechanical stepped transmission mechanism, and a drive wheel is provided. The controller includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to execute gear change control of the mechanical stepped transmission mechanism so as to establish any simulated gear stage of a plurality of simulated gear stages and to change a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission mechanism stepwise. When determining that the mechanical stepped transmission mechanism has failed, the electronic control unit is configured to fix the mechanical stepped transmission mechanism at a limp-home mode mechanical gear stage, prohibit a stepped gear change of the continuously variable transmission mechanism, and change the gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission mechanism in a stepless manner on the basis of a vehicle state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Koki Minamikawa, Masayuki Baba, Toru Matsubara, Munehiro Katsumata
  • Patent number: 10343508
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes: a transmission shifting control portion configured to implement a shifting action of a step-variable transmission by controlling a releasing coupling device and an engaging coupling device; a hybrid control portion configured to control an output torque of a first motor/generator and an output torque of a second motor/generator, based on an output torque of an engine and a transmitted torque to be transmitted through an initiative coupling device, such that a rotational acceleration value of the second motor/generator and a rotational acceleration value of the engine are changed along respective target trajectories during the shifting action; and a target-trajectory setting portion configured to set the target trajectories, based on a maximum charging amount of an electric power that is chargeable to an electric power storage device and a maximum discharging amount of the electric power that is dischargeable from the electric power storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Sugiyama, Kenta Kumazaki, Hiromichi Kimura, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Tooru Matsubara, Shinichi Sasade, Takeshi Kitahata, Nobufusa Kobayashi, Masato Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20190047565
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle includes a vehicle driving control portion configured to permit reverse driving of the vehicle in a reverse direction while the automatic transmission is placed in a forward-drive low-speed gear position, with the motor/generator being operated in a negative direction to generate a negative torque, and a transmission shifting control portion configured to implement a control for promotion to establish the forward-drive low-speed gear position, when switching from forward driving of the vehicle to its reverse driving of the vehicle is required in the process of a shifting action of the automatic transmission to the forward-drive low-speed gear position. The transmission shifting control portion implements the control for promotion to establish the forward-drive low-speed gear position, according to a state of control of the engaging-side coupling device to be brought into its engaged state for establishing the forward-drive low-speed gear position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hisashi ISHIHARA, Takahiro KIMURA, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Kenta KUMAZAKI, Kazuomi OKASAKA, Atsushi KAYUKAWA, Daisuke SUYAMA, Mitsuru MAEDA
  • Publication number: 20190048999
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes a shifting delay control portion configured to delay a moment of generation of a shift-down command to implement a power-on shift-down action of the step-variable transmission, with respect to a moment of determination to implement the power-on shift-down action, for thereby reducing a shifting shock of the step-variable transmission in the process of the power-on shift-down action. The shifting delay control portion adjusts a delay time from the moment of determination to implement the power-on shift-down action to the moment of generation of the shift-down command, on the basis of at least one of an output state of the drive power source; an inertia power required in the process of the power-on shift-down action; a consumption power to be consumed by the coupling devices; and a state of a battery to and from which an electric power is respectively supplied from and to the motor/generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shun SATO, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Daisuke SUYAMA, Kazuomi OKASAKA, Atsushi KAYUKAWA, Mitsuru MAEDA
  • Publication number: 20190039450
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes a shift control portion is configured, when determining that a shift-down action to establish one of gear positions in a transmission mechanism by release of an engagement device and engagement of a one-way clutch, is to be executed during decelerating run of the vehicle, to initiate execution of the shift-down action to establish the one of the of gear positions after an input torque inputted to the transmission mechanism becomes not lower than a predetermined negative value. The predetermined negative value is a predetermined minimum value that becomes not lower than a certain value at a point of time at which the release of the engagement device is completed in process of the shift-down action. The certain value is a value of the input torque enabling the one-way clutch to be automatically engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masayuki BABA, Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Kenta KUMAZAKI, Jun GOTO
  • Publication number: 20190032774
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle provided with a step-variable transmission which is disposed between drive wheels and a drive power source including at least an engine, and which is shifted by changing operating states of coupling devices, the control apparatus including an engine stability time estimating portion configured to estimate a length of stability time required for stabilization of an output state of the engine, when a determination to implement a power-on shift-down action of the step-variable transmission is made, and a control portion configured to delay a moment of generation of a shift-down command to implement the power-on shift-down action of the step-variable transmission, with respect to a moment of the determination to implement the power-on shift-down action, where the estimated length of stability time is longer than a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masato YOSHIKAWA, Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Daisuke SUYAMA, Kazuomi OKASAKA, Atsushi KAYUKAWA, Mitsuru MAEDA
  • Patent number: 10166974
    Abstract: A control system of a power transmission system of a vehicle is provided. The power transmission system includes an electric motor for running the vehicle, and a mechanical speed change mechanism. The control system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to: perform regeneration control of the electric motor for running the vehicle during coasting of the vehicle, such that regenerative torque of the electric motor for running the vehicle provides regenerative torque produced according to braking operation; perform shift control of the mechanical speed change mechanism according to a predetermined relationship; determine whether a rate of change of the regenerative torque is within a predetermined range; and when a downshift of the mechanical speed change mechanism is determined during coasting, execute the downshift under a condition that the rate of change of the regenerative torque is within the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta Kumazaki, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Tooru Matsubara, Nobufusa Kobayashi, Masato Yoshikawa, Masayuki Baba, Shun Sato
  • Publication number: 20180354495
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle provided with a motor/generator functioning as a drive power source, and a mechanically operated transmission mechanism which constitutes a part of a power transmitting path between the motor/generator and drive wheels, the control apparatus including a motor/generator control portion configured to implement a regenerative torque control of the motor/generator so as to generate a regenerative torque according to a braking operation by an operator of the vehicle in a decelerating run of the vehicle, and a transmission shifting control portion configured to initiate a shift-down action of the mechanically operated transmission mechanism after a rate of change of the regenerative torque has been held within a predetermined range for at least a predetermined length of time, where a determination to implement the shift-down action is made in the process of the regenerative torque control of the motor/generator according to the braking operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta KUMAZAKI, Hiromichi KIMURA, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Takeshi KITAHATA, Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Masayuki BABA, Shun SATO, Takahiro KAWAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 10100923
    Abstract: In a vehicle including an engine, drive wheels, a power transmission system, and an electronic control unit, during shifting of an automatic transmission, a hydraulic command value of a clutch is set to a higher value as an engine power command value is larger, so that a shift or change of the speed ratio proceeds in an electronic continuously variable transmission and the automatic transmission, in accordance with engine power as a product of the engine speed and engine torque, rather than torque of the engine, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Masato Yoshikawa, Takaaki Tanaka, Masato Shimoda
  • Publication number: 20180178774
    Abstract: A control apparatus (80; 122) for a hybrid vehicle (10; 100) provided with an engine (14; 102) and an electric motor (MG2; MG) which function as a drive power source, and an automatic transmission (20; 110) which is placed in a selected one of speed positions with engagement of selected at least one of coupling devices (CB), the control apparatus including: an input torque control portion (84) to control the electric motor for controlling an input torque (Ti) transmitted to the automatic transmission (20; 110) during a shifting action of the automatic transmission, on the basis of an output torque (Te) of the engine and a torque (Tcb) transmitted through the coupling devices, such that a value representing a rotating state of an input rotary member (30; 124) of the automatic transmission coincides with a target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicants: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro KATSUMATA, Hiromichi KIMURA, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Takeshi KITAHATA, Kenta KUMAZAKI, Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Takahiro KIMURA, Daisuke SUYAMA, Kazuomi OKASAKA
  • Publication number: 20180170346
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle provided with an engine, a differential mechanism having a first rotary element to which the engine is operatively connected, a second rotary element to which a first motor/generator is operatively connected, and a third rotary element to which an intermediate power transmitting member is connected, a second motor/generator operatively connected to the intermediate power transmitting member, and an automatic transmission which constitutes a part of a power transmitting path between the intermediate power transmitting member and drive wheels and in which a shifting action is performed by selective engagement of a plurality of coupling devices, the control apparatus comprising: a hybrid control portion for controlling an output torque of the first motor/generator and an output torque of the second motor/generator during the shifting action of the automatic transmission on the basis of an output torque of the engine and a transmitted torque of the coupling devices, such t
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicants: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro KATSUMATA, Hiromichi KIMURA, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Takeshi KITAHATA, Kenta KUMAZAKI, Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Takahiro KIMURA, Daisuke SUYAMA, Kazuomi OKASAKA