Patents by Inventor Sei Kojima

Sei Kojima 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: 9656669
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle with a continuously variable transmission, having an acceleration requirement determining portion determining operator required acceleration, a first restricted accelerator operation amount setting portion setting an accelerating member restricted operation amount that increases with a running speed increase, when the determining portion has determined required vehicle acceleration, and a shift control portion controlling the transmission speed ratio on the restricted amount basis, the control apparatus having: a second restricted accelerator operation amount setting portion decreasing the restricted amount from a value immediately prior to an accelerating member rapid releasing action determination moment, at a rate lower than an accelerating member operation actual amount decrease rate after the rapid releasing action determination moment, and an upper limit stop processing portion to limit the restricted amount after a determination moment that the operator requires vehicl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPE NV/SA
    Inventors: Kyohei Suzumura, Kosuke Kuwada, Naoyuki Sakamoto, Shinya Toyoda, Hiroyuki Sawada, Sei Kojima, Lieven Van Houdt
  • Patent number: 9618114
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a vehicle having a continuously variable transmission in which a torque transmitting capacity thereof is changed hydraulically, and an engagement device which is connected to the continuously variable transmission in series and in which a torque transmitting capacity thereof is changed hydraulically. The hydraulic control system comprises a selecting means that selects a command pattern for setting an engagement pressure of the engagement device out of a plurality of patterns when an initial pressure is lower than a steady pressure for a normal running of the vehicle. The selecting means is configured to select the command pattern in such a manner that the torque transmitting capacity of the engagement device does not exceeds the torque transmitting capacity of the continuously variable transmission, based on at least any of conditions of the initial pressure that is lowered to be lower than the steady pressure, and a rotational speed of the continuously variable transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kyohei Suzumura, Shinya Toyoda, Kazuya Ishiizumi, Akira Hino, Sei Kojima
  • Publication number: 20160312890
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle with a continuously variable transmission, having an acceleration requirement determining portion determining operator required acceleration, a first restricted accelerator operation amount setting portion setting an accelerating member restricted operation amount that increases with a running speed increase, when the determining portion has determined required vehicle acceleration, and a shift control portion controlling the transmission speed ratio on the restricted amount basis, the control apparatus having: a second restricted accelerator operation amount setting portion decreasing the restricted amount from a value immediately prior to an accelerating member rapid releasing action determination moment, at a rate lower than an accelerating member operation actual amount decrease rate after the rapid releasing action determination moment, and an upper limit stop processing portion to limit the restricted amount after a determination moment that the operator requires vehicl
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPE NV/SA
    Inventors: Kyohei SUZUMURA, Kosuke KUWADA, Naoyuki SAKAMOTO, Shinya TOYODA, Hiroyuki SAWADA, Sei KOJIMA, Lieven VAN HOUDT
  • Publication number: 20160017994
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a vehicle having a continuously variable transmission in which a torque transmitting capacity thereof is changed hydraulically, and an engagement device which is connected to the continuously variable transmission in series and in which a torque transmitting capacity thereof is changed hydraulically. The hydraulic control system comprises a selecting means that selects a command pattern for setting an engagement pressure of the engagement device out of a plurality of patterns when an initial pressure is lower than a steady pressure for a normal running of the vehicle. The selecting means is configured to select the command pattern in such a manner that the torque transmitting capacity of the engagement device does not exceeds the torque transmitting capacity of the continuously variable transmission, based on at least any of conditions of the initial pressure that is lowered to be lower than the steady pressure, and a rotational speed of the continuously variable transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kyohei SUZUMURA, Shinya TOYODA, Kazuya ISHIIZUMI, Akira HINO, Sei KOJIMA
  • Patent number: 9180886
    Abstract: In a control device for a vehicle on which is mounted a continuously variable transmission capable of mechanically locking a primary pulley at the time of a maximum gear ratio (maximum Low), an idle rotational speed is not always set high to increase a hydraulic pressure at the time of stopping the vehicle. Instead, at the time of stopping the vehicle, when the gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is the maximum gear ratio, normal idle rotational speed control is performed, and only when the gear ratio is not the maximum gear ratio, idle-up control is performed so that the idle rotational speed is set high, thereby the hydraulic pressure is set high. Thus, by restricting conditions in which the hydraulic pressure is set high by the idle-up control, it is possible to improve fuel efficiency while suppressing generation of a belt slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Wataru Matsubara, Sei Kojima, Akira Hino
  • Patent number: 9033852
    Abstract: In hydraulic control, an electronic control unit controls controlled hydraulic pressure of a control valve in order to control a hydraulic oil amount in a torque converter and a hydraulic oil pressure of a forward-reverse travel switching mechanism, and the electronic control unit increases the controlled hydraulic pressure when the hydraulic oil amount in the torque converter is insufficient at an engine start or immediately after the engine start in comparison with a case where the hydraulic oil amount in the torque converter is sufficient. The hydraulic control device includes: the torque converter; the forward-reverse travel switching mechanism; the control valve configured to change the hydraulic oil amount in the torque converter and the hydraulic oil pressure of the forward-reverse travel switching mechanism by changing the single controlled hydraulic pressure; and electronic control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenta Horiike, Kei Yuasa, Sei Kojima, Hiromitsu Nitani
  • Publication number: 20150134213
    Abstract: In a control device for a vehicle on which is mounted a continuously variable transmission capable of mechanically locking a primary pulley at the time of a maximum gear ratio (maximum Low), an idle rotational speed is not always set high to increase a hydraulic pressure at the time of stopping the vehicle. Instead, at the time of stopping the vehicle, when the gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is the maximum gear ratio, normal idle rotational speed control is performed, and only when the gear ratio is not the maximum gear ratio, idle-up control is performed so that the idle rotational speed is set high, thereby the hydraulic pressure is set high. Thus, by restricting conditions in which the hydraulic pressure is set high by the idle-up control, it is possible to improve fuel efficiency while suppressing generation of a belt slip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Wataru Matsubara, Sei Kojima, Akira Hino
  • Patent number: 8977451
    Abstract: The first setting value showing holding pressure for a metal belt is set for each of a plurality of control modes A to H. The second setting value changing lagging behind the first setting value is calculated based on the first setting value for each of the plurality of control modes A to H. A target value is set to be equal to or more than the greatest second setting value among a plurality of second setting values. A continuously variable transmission is controlled such that the holding pressure for the metal belt is equal to the set target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motonori Kimura, Shuhei Ishikawa, Shinya Toyoda, Akihide Ito, Yasunari Matsui, Sei Kojima
  • Patent number: 8948988
    Abstract: Speed change inhibition control for inhibiting change of the speed ratio of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is executed when an input shaft speed of the CVT is lower than a predetermined ABS-operating-time upper-limit input shaft speed. Therefore, the speed ratio of the CVT can be changed to the largest reduction ratio until it is determined that the input shaft speed of the CVT is lower than the predetermined ABS-operating-time upper-limit input shaft speed. Thus, during ABS operation of an ABS control device before the vehicle is stopped, the speed ratio can be returned to the largest reduction ratio in a condition where engine brake force is not excessively applied, and sufficient driving force of the vehicle or starting response is obtained when the vehicle is re-started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sei Kojima, Kazuya Yoshizawa, Taichi Washio
  • Publication number: 20140302965
    Abstract: In hydraulic control, an electronic control unit controls controlled hydraulic pressure of a control valve in order to control a hydraulic oil amount in a torque converter and a hydraulic oil pressure of a forward-reverse travel switching mechanism, and the electronic control unit increases the controlled hydraulic pressure when the hydraulic oil amount in the torque converter is insufficient at an engine start or immediately after the engine start in comparison with a case where the hydraulic oil amount in the torque converter is sufficient. The hydraulic control device includes: the torque converter; the forward-reverse travel switching mechanism; the control valve configured to change the hydraulic oil amount in the torque converter and the hydraulic oil pressure of the forward-reverse travel switching mechanism by changing the single controlled hydraulic pressure; and electronic control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta Horiike, Kei Yuasa, Sei Kojima, Hiromitsu Nitani
  • Publication number: 20140297142
    Abstract: Speed change inhibition control for inhibiting change of the speed ratio of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is executed when an input shaft speed of the CVT is lower than a predetermined ABS-operating-time upper-limit input shaft speed. Therefore, the speed ratio of the CVT can be changed to the largest reduction ratio until it is determined that the input shaft speed of the CVT is lower than the predetermined ABS-operating-time upper-limit input shaft speed. Thus, during ABS operation of an ABS control device before the vehicle is stopped, the speed ratio can be returned to the largest reduction ratio in a condition where engine brake force is not excessively applied, and sufficient driving force of the vehicle or starting response is obtained when the vehicle is re-started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sei Kojima, Kazuya Yoshizawa, Taichi Washio
  • Publication number: 20130013162
    Abstract: The first setting value showing holding pressure for a metal belt is set for each of a plurality of control modes A to H. The second setting value changing lagging behind the first setting value is calculated based on the first setting value for each of the plurality of control modes A to H. A target value is set to be equal to or more than the greatest second setting value among a plurality of second setting values. A continuously variable transmission is controlled such that the holding pressure for the metal belt is equal to the set target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Motonori Kimura, Shuhei Ishikawa, Shinya Toyoda, Akihide Ito, Yasunari Matsui, Sei Kojima
  • Patent number: 8326503
    Abstract: When deceleration lock-up differential pressure learning control is entered and a difference between this deceleration lock-up differential pressure instruction value and a disengagement initial pressure of lock-up smooth off control becomes smaller than prior to deceleration lock-up differential pressure learning control, the disengagement initial pressure PS of lock-up smooth off control is corrected to a low side in accordance with a difference between that deceleration lock-up differential pressure instruction value and the disengagement initial pressure. Furthermore, by changing the sweep gradient of lock-up smooth off control to a small side, and in addition, correcting the disengagement initial pressure PS of lock-up smooth off control to a low side in consideration of disengagement delay of the lock-up clutch pursuant to that sweep gradient change, the actual disengagement time during lock-up smooth off control can be matched with a target disengagement time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sei Kojima
  • Patent number: 8298121
    Abstract: In one embodiment, when a condition (specifically, brake ON) of rising of a source pressure (line pressure) of a lock-up control valve is satisfied during deceleration lock-up control, a lock-up differential pressure instruction value is corrected to a low side with that source-pressure rising amount taken into consideration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sei Kojima, Daisuke Inoue
  • Patent number: 8296023
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program including the steps of: learning a differential pressure of a lock-up clutch; determining whether or not learning has been completed when a vehicle is in a coasting state and a brake is applied; lowering the lock-up differential pressure such that the lock-up clutch can be disengaged immediately and prohibiting or suppressing control for increasing transmission gain when learning has been completed; and increasing a lower limit guard value for the lock-up differential pressure and performing control for increasing the transmission gain when learning has not been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sei Kojima, Satoshi Kamijo, Shinya Toyoda, Susumu Moritomo
  • Publication number: 20100210412
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program including the steps of: learning a differential pressure of a lock-up clutch; determining whether or not learning has been completed when a vehicle is in a coasting state and a brake is applied; lowering the lock-up differential pressure such that the lock-up clutch can be disengaged immediately and prohibiting or suppressing control for increasing transmission gain when learning has been completed; and increasing a lower limit guard value for the lock-up differential pressure and performing control for increasing the transmission gain when learning has not been completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sei Kojima, Satoshi Kamijo, Shinya Toyoda, Susumu Moritomo
  • Publication number: 20100145584
    Abstract: When deceleration lock-up differential pressure learning control is entered and a difference between this deceleration lock-up differential pressure instruction value and a disengagement initial pressure of lock-up smooth off control becomes smaller than prior to deceleration lock-up differential pressure learning control, the disengagement initial pressure PS of lock-up smooth off control is corrected to a low side in accordance with a difference between that deceleration lock-up differential pressure instruction value and the disengagement initial pressure. Furthermore, by changing the sweep gradient of lock-up smooth off control to a small side, and in addition, correcting the disengagement initial pressure PS of lock-up smooth off control to a low side in consideration of disengagement delay of the lock-up clutch pursuant to that sweep gradient change, the actual disengagement time during lock-up smooth off control can be matched with a target disengagement time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sei Kojima
  • Publication number: 20100137100
    Abstract: In one embodiment, when a condition (specifically, brake ON) of rising of a source pressure (line pressure) of a lock-up control valve is satisfied during deceleration lock-up control, a lock-up differential pressure instruction value is corrected to a low side with that source-pressure rising amount taken into consideration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sei Kojima, Daisuke Inoue
  • Patent number: 7044890
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic transmission, which executes a neutral control by which an input clutch that transmits driving force from a driving source to the automatic transmission is released when conditions, being i) a shift lever is in a position corresponding to a forward speed range, ii) an accelerator operation is not being performed, iii) a brake operation is being performed, and iv) a vehicle speed is equal to, or less than, a predetermined vehicle speed, are fulfilled, is provided a controller which detects a road gradient and outputs a command to release the input clutch when i) the detected road gradient is equal to, or less than, a predetermined value, and ii) the conditions are fulfilled. After the command has been output, the controller compares the detected road gradient and the predetermined value and cancels the output of the command if the road gradient is greater than the predetermined value. Accordingly, fuel efficiency is able to be further improved during the neutral control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sei Kojima, Ryoji Habuchi, Hiroji Taniguchi, Shinya Toyoda
  • Publication number: 20040110601
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic transmission, which executes a neutral control by which an input clutch that transmits driving force from a driving source to the automatic transmission is released when conditions, being i) a shift lever is in a position corresponding to a forward speed range, ii) an accelerator operation is not being performed, iii) a brake operation is being performed, and iv) a vehicle speed is equal to, or less than, a predetermined vehicle speed, are fulfilled, is provided a controller which detects a road gradient and outputs a command to release the input clutch when i) the detected road gradient is equal to, or less than, a predetermined value, and ii) the conditions are fulfilled. After the command has been output, the controller compares the detected road gradient and the predetermined value and cancels the output of the command if the road gradient is greater than the predetermined value. Accordingly, fuel efficiency is able to be further improved during the neutral control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sei Kojima, Ryoji Habuchi, Hiroji Taniguchi, Shinya Toyoda