Patents by Inventor Shin Noumura

Shin Noumura 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: 20140257662
    Abstract: A vehicle control system for adjusting control characteristics governing behaviors of a vehicle in accordance with a driving preference of a driver. The vehicle control system is comprised of a shifting means that shifts a driving mode of the vehicle between a first mode in which a driving force to be generated is moderated and a second mode in which a driving force to be generated is larger than that generated under the first mode, upon exceedance of a predetermined threshold value by an index that is changed according to a change in a behavior of the vehicle resulting from an accelerating or a decelerating operation executed by the driver. The threshold value is set to a limit value of acceleration for human beings to sense a linear change in the acceleration from zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Keisuke Takeuchi, Toshio Tanahashi, Yoshimitsu Agata, Tomohide Kawasaki, Shin Noumura
  • Patent number: 8821345
    Abstract: A vehicle controller includes an F/C control section, a battery voltage detection section, an AT control section, an alternator, and an ECU. The ECU determines the difference between a target deceleration for varying deceleration smoothly and a deceleration attained at each gear stage as a target deceleration which is generated by the alternator. The ECU compensates for the difference between target deceleration and the deceleration by the target deceleration to smooth variations in the deceleration of the whole vehicle, thereby improving drivability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shin Noumura
  • Publication number: 20140207334
    Abstract: A vehicle control system configured to judge a vehicle behavior or a driving preference of a driver based on acceleration of the vehicle including at least longitudinal acceleration. An acceleration value used in the judgment is obtained on the basis of a weighted detection value of the actual longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle, and a weighted parameter which is varied by an operation to increase a driving force of the vehicle executed by the driver. A weight on the parameter is reduced in case a weight on the detection value of the longitudinal acceleration is increased, and the weight on the parameter is increased in case the weight on the detection value of the longitudinal acceleration is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Shin Noumura, Kaiji Itabashi, Toshio Tanahashi, Keisuke Takeuchi, Yoshimitsu Agata, Tomohide Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 8775040
    Abstract: A vehicle control system obtains an index indicating a running condition of a vehicle on the basis of a vehicle parameter indicating a motion of the vehicle and then sets a running characteristic of the vehicle in accordance with the index. The vehicle control system includes a noise reduction unit that is configured to obtain the index on the basis of the vehicle parameter of which a fluctuating component that fluctuates because of a driver's driving operation or the influence of a running road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shin Noumura, Ken Koibuchi, Keisuke Takeuchi, Toshio Tanahashi, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Yoji Takanami, Norimi Asahara, Kaiji Itabashi
  • Patent number: 8521338
    Abstract: A vehicle control system capable of improving drivability by reflecting driving environment and driving preference accurately on driving characteristics. The vehicle control system is configured to change an index for setting driving characteristics of the vehicle. When accelerations Gx and Gy are changed, a sportiness index is changed in a different manner depending on a detail of an operation for changing accelerations Gx and Gy executed by a driver, thereby reflecting the driving preference of the driver appearing on the operation can be reflected on sportiness of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Takeuchi, Toshio Tanahashi, Ken Koibuchi, Kaiji Itabashi, Shin Noumura, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Yoji Takanami, Norimi Asahara
  • Publication number: 20130184934
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes: an acceleration acquisition unit that detects or estimates an acceleration of a vehicle; and a control unit that is configured to change a running characteristic, which includes at least any one of a driving force characteristic, shift characteristic, steering characteristic and suspension characteristic of the vehicle, on the basis of the acceleration, wherein the control unit is configured to relatively delay a change of the running characteristic for decreasing quickness of behavior of the vehicle with respect to a change of the running characteristic for increasing quickness of behavior of the vehicle, and is configured to limit a change of the running characteristic when a jerk, which is a time differential value of the acceleration, is larger than a limit determination threshold as compared with when the jerk is smaller than or equal to the limit determination threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Takeuchi, Yoji Kanehara, Toshio Tanahashi, Yoshimitsu Agata, Tomohide Kawasaki, Shin Noumura
  • Patent number: 8485942
    Abstract: An engine and an automatic transmission are controlled by any one of automatic gear shift control that controls the engine based on a target engine torque based on a target driving force based on an accelerator open degree and a vehicle speed of a vehicle and controls a gear shift of the automatic transmission based on a gear shift instruction determined based on the target driving force, and manual gear shift control that controls a gear shift of the automatic transmission based on a gear shift instruction in response to an operation of a gear shift operation device performed by a driver as well as controls the engine based on the target engine torque which is determined based on the accelerator open degree and the vehicle speed so that a change of acceleration by the gear shift becomes larger than that at the time of automatic gear shift control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koki Matsushita, Shin Noumura
  • Publication number: 20130166121
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes: a controller that configured to obtain an index on the basis of a running condition of a vehicle and that configured to vary a running characteristic of the vehicle on the basis of the index, wherein the controller is configured to relatively delay a variation in the index in response to a variation in the running condition when the variation in the index decreases quickness of a behavior of the vehicle as compared with when the variation in the index increases the quickness of the behavior of the vehicle, and to correct the running characteristic on the basis of the index so that energy efficiency of a driving force source of the vehicle varies within a predetermined range depending on control over power output from the driving force source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Takeuchi, Toshio Tanahashi, Yoshimitsu Agata, Ken Koibuchi, Kaiji Itabashi, Shin Noumura
  • Publication number: 20130166101
    Abstract: In a vehicle control apparatus that changes the travel characteristic of a vehicle on the basis of a change of the acceleration of the vehicle, when the travel characteristic is to be changed because the acceleration has changed, the amount of change of the travel characteristic to be changed is adjusted on the basis of the pre-change travel characteristic that is present immediately prior to the change of the acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shin Noumura, Ken Koibuchi, Kaiji Itabashi, Toshio Tanahashi, Keisuke Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8473154
    Abstract: A vehicle control system, which is configured to obtain an index on the basis of a running condition of a vehicle and to change at least any one of a driving force control characteristic and a vehicle body support characteristic of a suspension mechanism in response to the index, is configured to acquire information associated with a friction coefficient of a road surface on which the vehicle runs, and to correct the at least any one of the driving force control characteristic and the vehicle body support characteristic, which is changed in response to the index, on the basis of the information associated with the friction coefficient of the road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shin Noumura, Ken Koibuchi, Kaiji Itabashi, Keisuke Takeuchi, Toshio Tanahashi
  • Publication number: 20130151074
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a control portion configured to determine a single parameter based on a running condition of a vehicle, and determine control amounts for a plurality of actuators provided in the vehicle based on the parameter. A relation of the control amount for each of the plurality of actuators to the parameter is predetermined. The control portion is configured to, when the parameter is determined, determine the control amounts for the respective actuators based on the parameter, and control the actuators based on the determined control amounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Takeuchi, Youji Kanehara, Toshio Tanahashi, Yoshimitsu Agata, Tomohide Kawasaki, Ken Koibuchi, Kaiji Itabashi, Shin Noumura
  • Patent number: 8423262
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes: an accessory that adjusts torque that is output from an internal combustion engine, by giving load to the internal combustion engine; an ignition timing control portion that is provided so as to adjust ignition timing of the internal combustion engine, and that adjusts the torque output from the internal combustion engine by performing a retardation control of the ignition timing; an accessory load adjustment portion that adjusts an accessory load that is the load given from the accessory to the internal combustion engine; and a catalyst that purifies exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine. The ignition timing control portion reduces the retardation of the ignition timing with increase in temperature of the catalyst. The accessory load adjustment portion increases the accessory load with increase in the temperature of the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koki Matsushita, Shin Noumura, Ken Koibuchi, Kaoru Ohtsuka, Shinichi Soejima
  • Publication number: 20120316032
    Abstract: An engine and an automatic transmission are controlled by any one of automatic gear shift control that controls the engine based on a target engine torque based on a target driving force based on an accelerator open degree and a vehicle speed of a vehicle and controls a gear shift of the automatic transmission based on a gear shift instruction determined based on the target driving force, and manual gear shift control that controls a gear shift of the automatic transmission based on a gear shift instruction in response to an operation of a gear shift operation device performed by a driver as well as controls the engine based on the target engine torque which is determined based on the accelerator open degree and the vehicle speed so that a change of acceleration by the gear shift becomes larger than that at the time of automatic gear shift control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koki Matsushita, Shin Noumura
  • Publication number: 20120303231
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes an acceleration generating device (engine, T/M) that generates an acceleration applied to a vehicle, and a vehicle control device that controls the acceleration generating device, based on an accelerator pedal stroke Pa representing an operation of an accelerator pedal by a driver, and a vehicle speed v of the vehicle. In the vehicle control system or method, the vehicle control device controls the acceleration generating device, based on a required acceleration Gx that is determined based on a relationship between the accelerator pedal stroke Pa and the required acceleration, including, as a condition, an acceleration corresponding to a given accelerator pedal stroke, which is specified by a relationship between the vehicle speed and the acceleration when the accelerator pedal stroke is held at the given value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shin Noumura
  • Publication number: 20120296541
    Abstract: When the operating speed of an accelerator pedal is higher than a given operating speed, a target acceleration as a target output value is multiplied by a gain so that an absolute value of the target acceleration is increased; therefore, a large acceleration requested by the driver can be achieved. The gain by which the target acceleration is multiplied is set to 1 when the target acceleration is about zero, so as to resume a condition where the absolute value of the target acceleration is not increased. Thus, when the control of increasing the absolute value of the target acceleration with the gain is stopped, an elevation change is less likely or unlikely to occur in the actual acceleration. Consequently, a desired acceleration is generated without causing the driver to feel uncomfortable during driving of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koki Matsushita, Shin Noumura, Ken Koibuchi
  • Publication number: 20120221228
    Abstract: In a vehicle control system that obtains an index based on a running condition of a vehicle and changes a running characteristic of the vehicle according to the index, includes index setting means for making a change in the index in response to a change in the running condition in a direction toward crisp running of the vehicle, faster than a change in the index in response to a change in the running condition in such a direction as to reduce crispness with which the vehicle is running.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shin Noumura, Ken Koibuchi, Kaiji Itabashi, Toshio Tanahashi, Keisuke Takeuchi, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Yoji Takanami, Norimi Asahara
  • Publication number: 20120179342
    Abstract: In a control device for a vehicle that controls a revolution speed of a drive power source or a gear ratio of a transmission coupled to an output side of the drive power source in the vehicle equipped with the drive power source and the transmission, the control device is configured to determine an index that is based on a running state of the vehicle, and to control a required revolution speed of the drive power source or a required gear ratio for the transmission on the basis of the index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shin Noumura, Kaiji Itabashi, Ken Koibuchi, Toshio Tanahashi, Keisuke Takeuchi, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Yoji Takanami, Norimi Asahara
  • Publication number: 20120143398
    Abstract: In a vehicle control system, an index used to set a running characteristic of a vehicle is obtained based on a running condition of the vehicle. A change of the index that makes behavior of the vehicle crisper is more likely to occur than a change of the index that makes the behavior of the vehicle milder. When it is determined that the vehicle is in a turning condition, the change of the index or a change of the miming characteristic based on the index is less likely to occur than when it is determined that the vehicle is not in the turning condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Takeuchi, Toshio Tanahashi, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Shin Noumura, Ken Koibuchi, Kaiji Itabashi, Yoji Takanami, Norimi Asahara
  • Publication number: 20120143399
    Abstract: A vehicle control system obtains an index indicating a running condition of a vehicle on the basis of a vehicle parameter indicating a motion of the vehicle and then sets a running characteristic of the vehicle in accordance with the index. The vehicle control system includes a noise reduction unit that is configured to obtain the index on the basis of the vehicle parameter of which a fluctuating component that fluctuates because of a driver's driving operation or the influence of a running road surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shin Noumura, Ken Koibuchi, Keisuke Takeuchi, Toshio Tanahashi, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Yoji Takanami, Norimi Asahara, Kaiji Itabashi
  • Publication number: 20120136506
    Abstract: A vehicle control system capable of improving drivability by reflecting driving environment and driving preference accurately on driving characteristics. The vehicle control system is configured to change an index for setting driving characteristics of the vehicle. When accelerations Gx and Gy are changed, a sportiness index is changed in a different manner depending on a detail of an operation for changing accelerations Gx and Gy executed by a driver, thereby reflecting the driving preference of the driver appearing on the operation can be reflected on sportiness of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Takeuchi, Toshio Tanahashi, Ken Koibuchi, Kaiji Itabashi, Shin Noumura, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Yoji Takanami, Norimi Asahara