Patents by Inventor Takehiko Kowatari

Takehiko Kowatari 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: 6912993
    Abstract: To reduce the amount of air leakage from the air cleaner side of the throttle system into the engine side on an occasion where the throttle valve is set to a closed position, a seal material is installed in the air passage that runs from the upstream side of the suction passage, passes through the upstream side of the gap between the shaft and through hole, communicates with the gap formed by the stepped recession, the shaft and the bearing of the throttle body, runs in the circumferential direction of the shaft and through the downstream side of the gap, and reaches the downstream side of the suction passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonaga Oyamada, Yuuichi Yanagase, Takehiko Kowatari, Teruhiko Minegishi, Eisuke Wayama
  • Publication number: 20040251651
    Abstract: A new system of suspension and car body control art in a car of a wheel-in motor system for variably controlling a spring and a damper according to a road state and controlling car body posture, thereby improving comfortableness to ride in.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Yamamoto, Takehiko Kowatari
  • Publication number: 20040237931
    Abstract: To maintain a favorable combustion states, the quantity and quality of a fuel-air mixture to be supplied to cylinders in an internal-combustion engine having multi-cylinder combustors, is where motor-driven fuel spraying mechanisms are provided corresponding to respective cylinders, is controlled with a high response. For this purpose, a mixture supply device has a motor-driven exhaust recirculating mechanism for collecting part of the exhaust generated by combustion in the internal-combustion engine and then remixing the exhaust into the mixture, and an integrated controller for transmitting control signals simultaneously to the above-mentioned three types of mechanisms which are built into a motor-driven multiple-throttle mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Yoshio Okamoto, Tomonaga Oyamada, Makoto Yamakado, Teruhiko Minegishi, Akihiro Munakata, Yuzo Kadomukai, Masami Nagano, Takehiko Kowatari
  • Publication number: 20040195016
    Abstract: To simplify wire harness including power cables and reduce power loss in an engine-motor hybrid vehicle drive train system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisaya Shimizu, Takehiko Kowatari, Kousaku Oono, Tatsuyuki Yamamoto, Toshiyuki Innami
  • Publication number: 20040163860
    Abstract: In a hybrid car, or an electric motor-driven four-wheel-drive vehicle, in which an electric motor is driven directly by an output from a generator, vehicle running performance is enhanced. The output from the generator is controlled so as to maintain a generator torque in a range, in which the vehicle does not stall. Specifically, a driving apparatus for the hybrid car includes a second generator 2 driven by an engine 1 for driving one pair of either front or rear wheels 14, 15, an electric motor 5 driven through directly receiving the output from the second generator 2 and driving the other pair of either the front or rear wheels 14, 15, and a four-wheel-drive control unit 6 controlling driving of the second generator 2 and the electric motor 5. When the engine 1 is in an overloaded condition, the four-wheel-drive control unit 6 limits the output of the second generator 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norikazu Matsuzaki, Masaru Ito, Tatsuyuki Yamamoto, Takehiko Kowatari
  • Publication number: 20040094342
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus for a hybrid car capable of reducing a spin of the wheel driven by the motor, wherein the hybrid car comprises an engine driven wheel driven by an engine and a motor driven wheel to be driven by a motor for driving the wheel not driven by the engine. In an engine 11, a front wheel 12 driven by an engine 11, a generator 15 connected to this engine and driven thereby, an electric motor 13 for driving the rear wheel 14 connected by the generator without being driven by the engine, and a controller 20 mounted on the car to control the output of this electric motor; the controller 20 controls the field currents of the electric motor and generator in such a way that the driving torque of the motor driven engine to be driven by the electric motor is smaller than the driving torque of the engine driven wheel to be driven by the engine, thereby ensuring the traction and the car stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Takehiko Kowatari, Norikazu Matsuzaki, Masaru Ito
  • Publication number: 20040060541
    Abstract: The invention is intended to simplify a default mechanism of a throttle valve opening and closing device for the purpose of improving mountability of the device to a vehicle. When a motor generate no driving forces, a throttle valve is held in a position (1) by a return spring. In this position, gaps are formed between the throttle valve and a wall surface of an intake passage. Spherical recesses are formed in parts of the wall surface of the intake passage. In a position (2) where the throttle valve is opposed to the spherical recesses, the gaps are minimized in an operating range of the throttle valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Soshino, Takehiko Kowatari, Yuzo Kadomukai, Yuki Ejiri, Kenji Ono, Yasuhiro Kamimura, Norihiro Isozaki, Eisuke Wayama, Hitoshi Andoh, Yutaka Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6697743
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring an intake air flow of an internal combustion engine, wherein presence of a backflow is determined from a waveform of the electric signal of flow detecting unit. If a backflow is present, a kurtosis is calculated. A backflow ratio is calculated based on the relation obtained from the kurtosis and the backflow ratio. The mass of the flow obtained by converting electric signals from the flow detecting unit into flows are integrated or averaged. Then, the integrated value or the average value is compensated by the backflow ratio, and accumulate mass of the air flow is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Aono, Takehiko Kowatari, Shinya Igarashi
  • Patent number: 6684850
    Abstract: An electrically-controlled throttle valve apparatus includes a motor, a speed reducing mechanism for reducing rotation speed transmitted from the motor, a throttle valve connected to the speed reducing mechanism, and a force applying device applying force to the throttle valve in the direction of returning the valve to its initial position and adjusting the opening of the throttle valve by driving the motor. Parameters of the motor, the speed reducing mechanism, and the force applying device have values such that the operation time t from the minimum to the maximum throttle valve opening, which is determined by an evaluation equation obtained from equations of throttle valve motion, is less than a prescribed target throttle valve operation time t*. Furthermore, resistance and an induction voltage constant of the motor are determined to satisfy a constraint equation obtained based on Ohm's law.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiko Kowatari, Yuzo Kadomukai, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito, Toshifumi Usui, Masaru Ito
  • Publication number: 20040011327
    Abstract: To reduce the amount of air leakage from the air cleaner side of the throttle system into the engine side on an occasion where the throttle valve is set to a closed position. The seal material 43 is installed in the course of the air passage that runs from the upstream side of the suction passage 3, passes through the upstream side of the gap 35 between the shaft 7 and through hole 25, communicates with the gap 37 surrounded by the stepped recession 29, shaft 7 and bearing 31 of the throttle body 1, runs in the circumferential direction of the shaft and through the downstream side of the gap 35, and reaches the downstream side of the suction passage 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Tomonaga Oyamada, Yuuichi Yanagase, Takehiko Kowatari, Teruhiko Minegishi, Eisuke Wayama
  • Publication number: 20030204334
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring an intake air flow of an internal combustion engine, wherein presence of a backflow is determined from a waveform of the electric signal of flow detecting unit. If a backflow is present, a kurtosis is calculated. A backflow ratio is calculated based on the relation obtained from the kurtosis and the backflow ratio. The mass of the flow obtained by converting electric signals from the flow detecting unit into flows are integrated or averaged. Then, the integrated value or the average value is compensated by the backflow ratio, and accumulate mass of the air flow is calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Toshihiro Aono, Takehiko Kowatari, Shinya Igarashi
  • Publication number: 20030176956
    Abstract: To prevent the revolving speed of an electric-power generator driving engine from abruptly increasing when electric power generation by an electric power generator which supplies electric power to a wheel-driving motor is stopped. A control apparatus 4 for a vehicle-use electric power generator, intended to control the amount of electric power generated by an electric power generator 2 which is connected to, and driven by, an engine 1 for driving a vehicle, wherein a wheel speed detection means 7 is equipped to ensure that when the amount of electric power generated is to be reduced, if the wheels are not slipping, the amount of electric power generation by the electric power generator is slowly reduced in comparison with the case that the wheels are slipping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Takehiko Kowatari, Tatsuyuki Yamamoto, Norikazu Matsuzaki
  • Publication number: 20030136377
    Abstract: An electrically-controlled throttle valve apparatus includes a motor, a speed reducing mechanism for reducing rotation speed transmitted from the motor, a throttle valve connected to the speed reducing mechanism, and a force applying device applying force to the throttle valve in the direction of returning the valve to its initial position and adjusting the opening of the throttle valve by driving the motor. Parameters of the motor, the speed reducing mechanism, and the force applying device have values such that the operation time t from the minimum to the maximum throttle valve opening, which is determined by an evaluation equation obtained from equations of throttle valve motion, is less than a prescribed target throttle valve operation time t*. Furthermore, resistance and an induction voltage constant of the motor are determined to satisfy a constraint equation obtained based on Ohm's law.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Takehiko Kowatari, Yuzo Kadomukai, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito, Toshifumi Usui, Masaru Ito
  • Publication number: 20030075147
    Abstract: There is provided an air flow meter for detecting the flow rate of air, an electronically controlled throttle for opening and closing a throttle valve and a calculating device to which a target engine intake air flow rate, a value detected by the air flow meter, the position of a throttle valve detected by a throttle position sensor, and a value detected by an engine speed sensor are input. The calculating device calculates a time constant of a delay of response of the air flow rate into the engine, and a air flow rate passing through the throttle valve to compensate for the delay of response, and drives the throttle valve such that the flow rate of air passing through the throttle valve agrees with the calculated value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Takehiko Kowatari, Yuzo Kadomukai, Toshihiro Aono, Toshifumi Usui
  • Patent number: 6543412
    Abstract: A main passage mounting a throttle valve and an air bypass flow passage for reducing HC emission by promoting atomization of the fuel spray injected from the assembly pipe fuel injector are integrated in a body of an intake air control device arranged upstream of an assembly pipe in a one-piece structure to form a unit. Thereby, the intake air control device can be easily manufactured and easily mounted on and dismounted from the intake air system. The amount of HC emitted during warming-up operation of an internal combustion engine is reduced by efficiently supplying fuel spray injected from an assembly pipe fuel injector at the time of starting and warming-up operations for the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Amou, Yoshio Okamoto, Yuzo Kadomukai, Takehiko Kowatari, Ayumu Miyajima, Masami Nagano, Takanobu Ichihara, Hiroaki Saeki, Tadashi Someno
  • Patent number: 6543416
    Abstract: An electrically-controlled throttle valve apparatus includes a motor, a speed reducing mechanism for reducing rotation speed transmitted from the motor, a throttle valve connected to the speed reducing mechanism, and a force applying device applying force to the throttle valve in the direction of returning the valve to its initial position and adjusting the opening of the throttle valve by driving the motor. Parameters of the motor, the speed reducing mechanism, and the force applying device have values such that the operation time t from the minimum to the maximum throttle valve opening, which is determined by an evaluation equation obtained from equations of throttle valve motion, is less than a prescribed target throttle valve operation time t*. Furthermore, resistance and an induction voltage constant of the motor are determined to satisfy a constraint equation obtained based on Ohm's law.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiko Kowatari, Yuzo Kadomukai, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito, Toshifumi Usui, Masaru Ito
  • Patent number: 6508236
    Abstract: Atomizing air flowing in an atomizing gas passage is merged with a fuel spray to promote atomization of the fuel, and carrier air flowing in a carrier gas passage is merged with the fuel spray at a further downstream position so as to surround the fuel spray. By doing so, the atomized fuel spray is carried to the downstream side so as to prevent the fuel spray from adhering onto the wall surface. The starting-up performance, fuel consumption and exhaust gas cleaning of an internal combustion engine are improved in this way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Amou, Yoshio Okamoto, Takehiko Kowatari, Ayumu Miyajima, Yuzo Kadomukai, Toru Ishikawa, Masami Nagano, Takanobu Ichihara, Hiroaki Saeki, Kenji Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20030010316
    Abstract: An electrically-controlled throttle valve apparatus includes a motor, a speed reducing mechanism for reducing rotation speed transmitted from the motor, a throttle valve connected to the speed reducing mechanism, and a force applying device applying force to the throttle valve in the direction of returning the valve to its initial position and adjusting the opening of the throttle valve by driving the motor. Parameters of the motor, the speed reducing mechanism, and the force applying device have values such that the operation time t from the minimum to the maximum throttle valve opening, which is determined by an evaluation equation obtained from equations of throttle valve motion, is less than a prescribed target throttle valve operation time t★. Furthermore, resistance and an induction voltage constant of the motor are determined to satisfy a constraint equation obtained based on Ohm's law.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Takehiko Kowatari, Yuzo Kadomukai, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito, Toshifumi Usui, Masaru Ito
  • Patent number: 6459984
    Abstract: An intake air flow rate measurement apparatus for measuring a flow rate of intake air taken in an internal combustion engine, using an electrothermal resistor type air flowmeter, includes a delay/non-linearity correction part to perform correction of an output signal of the electrothermal resistor type air flowmeter for a response delay and a non-linearity of the electrothermal resistor type air flowmeter; a waveform feature value extraction part to extract feature values of a waveform of an output signal which has been sent from said electrothermal resistor type air flowmeter and has been corrected for said response delay and non-linearity by the delay/non-linearity correction part; a back flow calculation part to obtain a back flow ratio based on the extracted waveform feature values; and a flow rate calculation part to obtain a correct flow rate of the intake air based on an output of the delay/non-linearity correction part and an output of the back flow ratio calculation part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Aono, Takehiko Kowatari
  • Publication number: 20020129790
    Abstract: There is provided an air flow meter for detecting the flow rate of air, an electronically controlled throttle for opening and closing a throttle valve and a calculating device to which a target engine intake air flow rate, a value detected by the air flow meter, the position of a throttle valve detected by a throttle position sensor, and a value detected by an engine speed sensor are input. The calculating device calculates a time constant of a delay of response of the air flow rate into the engine, and a air flow rate passing through the throttle valve to compensate for the delay of response, and drives the throttle valve such that the flow rate of air passing through the throttle valve agrees with the calculated value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Takehiko Kowatari, Yuzo Kadomukai, Toshihiro Aono, Toshifumi Usui