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).

  • Publication number: 20180170345
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle provided with an engine and a motor/generator functioning as a drive power source, an automatic transmission which constitutes a part of a power transmitting path between the drive power source and drive wheels and in which a shifting action is performed by selective engagement of a plurality of coupling devices, and an electric storage device giving/receiving electric power to/from the motor/generator, the control apparatus comprising: a hybrid control portion configured to control an input torque to the automatic transmission by the motor/generator during a 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 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 the engine is predicted to exceed a predetermined rotating
    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
  • Publication number: 20180170390
    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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromasa TATSUSHIRO, Hiromichi KIMURA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Takeshi KITAHATA, Shinichi SASADE, Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Takahiro KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20180170166
    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: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: 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: 20180170355
    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: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Masayuki BABA, Takeshi KITAHATA
  • Patent number: 10000206
    Abstract: When an electrical continuously variable transmission malfunctions and the operation of an engine is stopped, an automatic transmission is caused to upshift. Therefore, when the rotation of the engine is stopped as a result of a stop of the operation, an AT input rotation speed is decreased as compared to that before it is determined that there is a malfunction in the electrical continuously variable transmission. Thus, an MG1 rotation speed is decreased in absolute value as compared to when the automatic transmission is not caused to upshift, so an overspeed of a first electric motor is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Masato Yoshikawa, Takaaki Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20180163859
    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: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Koki MINAMIKAWA, Masayuki BABA, Toru MATSUBARA, Munehiro KATSUMATA
  • Publication number: 20180156331
    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: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Kenta KUMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20180148064
    Abstract: A control apparatus (80) for a vehicular drive system (12; 105) having a step-variable transmission portion (20; 110) which is shifted to a selected one of speed positions having respective speed ratio values, with engaging and releasing actions of coupling devices (B, C), and a drive power source portion (39; 103) operatively connected to an input shaft (30) of the step-variable transmission portion, the control apparatus being configured to implement a speed synchronizing control upon a shift-down action of the step-variable transmission portion in a coasting run of a vehicle (10; 100), wherein an input shaft speed of the step-variable transmission portion is raised with an input shaft torque transmitted from the drive power source portion to the input shaft, from a pre-shift-down synchronizing speed to a post-shift-down synchronizing speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun GOTO, Kenta KUMAZAKI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Hiromichi KIMURA, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Takeshi KITAHATA
  • Publication number: 20180148044
    Abstract: A control apparatus (80) for a hybrid vehicle (10; 200) provided with: a drive power source including an engine (14; 202) and a vehicle driving electric motor (MG2; MG); an automatic transmission (20; 210) having hydraulically operated coupling devices (CB); and a hydraulic pressure source for the coupling devices, which includes a mechanically operated oil pump (100) operated by the engine, and an electrically operated oil pump (104) operated by a pump driving electric motor (102), the automatic transmission having speed positions having respective different speed ratio values and established with engaging actions of the selected coupling devices through solenoid-operated valves (SL), the coupling devices being operated by hydraulic pressures generated by the electrically operated oil pump, in a motor drive mode in which the vehicle is driven by the vehicle driving electric motor while the engine is at rest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobufusa KOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20180148042
    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: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Kenta KUMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20170299053
    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: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Takaaki TANAKA, Masato SHIMODA
  • Patent number: 9784367
    Abstract: While a vehicle is traveling in a state where any one of gear positions of a mechanical stepped transmission unit is established, until an estimated input torque that is obtained from the equation of motion for an electrical differential unit changes, a hydraulic pressure of a non-engaged intended hydraulic friction engagement device is increased, and a pack end pressure is learned on the basis of the hydraulic pressure at that time. Therefore, irrespective of feedback control, or the like, over motor generators of the electrical differential unit, it is possible to appropriately learn the pack end pressure, so it is possible to appropriately execute hydraulic control over the hydraulic friction engagement devices, that is, engaging and releasing control, or the like, at the time of shifting, irrespective of individual differences of the portions, aging of friction materials, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takaaki Tanaka, Nobufusa Kobayashi, Masato Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20170184196
    Abstract: While a vehicle is traveling in a state where any one of gear positions of a mechanical stepped transmission unit is established, until an estimated input torque that is obtained from the equation of motion for an electrical differential unit changes, a hydraulic pressure of a non-engaged intended hydraulic friction engagement device is increased, and a pack end pressure is learned on the basis of the hydraulic pressure at that time. Therefore, irrespective of feedback control, or the like, over motor generators of the electrical differential unit, it is possible to appropriately learn the pack end pressure, so it is possible to appropriately execute hydraulic control over the hydraulic friction engagement devices, that is, engaging and releasing control, or the like, at the time of shifting, irrespective of individual differences of the portions, aging of friction materials, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takaaki TANAKA, Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Masato YOSHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20170166194
    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: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta KUMAZAKI, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Masayuki BABA, Shun SATO
  • Publication number: 20170166184
    Abstract: During an upshift of an mechanical speed change mechanism, electric power generated by a first motor is reduced by a given electric power, from a start point of an inertia phase, such that an absolute value of the first motor torque is reduced, and an AT input rotational speed becomes more likely to be reduced. Thus, the upshift of the mechanical speed change mechanism is made more likely to proceed, and variation of drive torque is suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takaaki TOKURA, Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Takashi INOUE
  • Publication number: 20170166202
    Abstract: When an electrical continuously variable transmission malfunctions and the operation of an engine is stopped, an automatic transmission is caused to upshift. Therefore, when the rotation of the engine is stopped as a result of a stop of the operation, an AT input rotation speed is decreased as compared to that before it is determined that there is a malfunction in the electrical continuously variable transmission. Thus, an MG1 rotation speed is decreased in absolute value as compared to when the automatic transmission is not caused to upshift, so an overspeed of a first electric motor is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Takaaki TANAKA
  • Patent number: 9333973
    Abstract: A speed change control system for reducing shift shocks of clutch-to-clutch shifting is provided. The control system is applied to a vehicle in which a transmission having engagement devices is connected to an output side of a prime mover, and in which a gear stage of the transmission is shifted among a plurality of stages by changing engagement states of the engagement devices. The speed change control system carries out a clutch-to-clutch shifting from a predetermined gear stage to another gear stage by reducing a torque capacity of the predetermined engagement device to be disengaged while increasing a torque capacity of another engagement device to be engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji Masunaga, Yoshio Hasegawa, Seiji Kuwahara, Nobufusa Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9315193
    Abstract: A speed change control system for reducing shift shocks of clutch-to-clutch shifting is provided. The control system is applied to a vehicle in which a transmission having a plurality of engagement devices is connected to an output side of a prime mover, and in which a gear stage of the transmission is shifted among a plurality of stages by changing engagement states of the engagement devices. The speed change control system is configured to carry out a clutch-to-clutch shifting of the gear stage from a predetermined gear stage to another gear stage by gradually reducing a torque capacity of the predetermined engagement device to be disengaged while gradually increasing a torque capacity of another engagement device to be engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji Masunaga, Yoshio Hasegawa, Seiji Kuwahara, Nobufusa Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9296386
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle mounting a torque converter with a lock-up clutch in order to better accomplish good drivability as well as good gasoline mileage than conventional vehicle control apparatuses includes an engine, a motor generator, a torque convertor with the lock-up clutch, and a battery, and expands a lock-up region when the battery is not under a input/output limited state wider than when the battery is under the input/output limited state while the vehicle is being driven at least by the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Toshio Sugimura, Masato Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 9290173
    Abstract: In the present invention, a determination is made as to whether towing travel is under way, in which vehicle weight is increased, and when towing travel is under way, the compensating torque provided by a motor generator is decreased relative to the compensating torque provided during non-towing travel, and the torque of the motor generator is therefore reduced by a commensurate amount and fuel efficiency is enhanced. During towing travel in which the vehicle weight is large, a large drive force is usually necessary and the frequency of use of the motor generator increases; however, the compensating torque during engine start is reduced, and the load on the motor generator is thereby mitigated by a commensurate amount, and overheating and the like are suppressed. Since the inertia of the vehicle is relatively small during non-towing travel, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Toshio Sugimura, Masato Yoshikawa