Patents by Inventor Tatsuo Ochiai

Tatsuo Ochiai 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: 20050070402
    Abstract: A control device for controlling a continuously variable transmission (5) is disclosed. The control device has an oil pressure control unit (100) which supplies an oil pressure to a primary pulley (10) and secondary pulley (11) based on a command signal indicative of a target speed-reduction ratio, a sensor (26) which detects a rotation speed (Np1) of the primary pulley (26), and a controller (20) which transmits the command signal indicative of the target speed-reduction ratio to the oil pressure control unit (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Yusuke Kimura, Tatsuo Ochiai, Kenji Yoneda, Tateki Jozaki, Takeshi Chibahara, Jun Shiomi
  • Patent number: 6863639
    Abstract: Disclosed are a control system and a control method for an automatic transmission, in which a judgment is made whether or not a range selector (31) has been switched to a reverse range during forward traveling of the vehicle. When it is determined that the range selector (31) has been switched to the reverse range during forward traveling of the vehicle, a judgment is made whether or not the vehicle speed is lower than a first vehicle speed and whether or not the period of time that has elapsed until switching from the forward to the reverse range is shorter than a predetermined judgment time. When the vehicle speed is lower than the first vehicle speed and the period of time that has elapsed until switching from the forward to the reverse range is shorter than the predetermined judgment time, a forward/backward changeover mechanism (4) is switched to a reverse mode. Otherwise, the switching of the forward/backward changeover mechanism (4) to the reverse mode is delayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoya Inoue, Takashi Shibayama, Tatsuo Ochiai
  • Publication number: 20050028866
    Abstract: Disclosed is a control device for controlling a two-way linear solenoid valve (60) including a pressure regulating port (60p) which communicates with a hydraulic circuit side, a drain port (60d) which communicates with a drain side, a plunger (61) which controls the state of communication between the pressure regulating port and drain port, and a coil (70) which drives the plunger in accordance with an exciting current. The control device has a current generator (65) which supplies the coil with the exciting current corresponding to a duty signal; and a microcomputer (1). The microcomputer determines whether or not a preset foreign matter removal starting condition for removing foreign matter accumulated in the ports has been established.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Yusuke Kimura, Tatsuo Ochiai, Tateki Jozaki, Yoshinori Ishimori, Hideshi Wakayama
  • Patent number: 6829528
    Abstract: A control system for an automatic transmission (5) includes an oil pressure control mechanism (100) for supplying an oil pressure to the transmission (5), and sensor (28, 29) for detecting the oil pressure supplied from the oil pressure control mechanism (100) to the transmission (5). System controller (20, 21) calculates a maximum torque transmittable by the transmission (5) based on a speed ratio of the transmission (5) and the detected oil pressure; calculate an engine torque reduction amount from the difference between the torque being inputted into the transmission (5) and the maximum transmittable torque; and reduce the torque of an engine (1) according to the engine torque reduction amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Jatco LTD
    Inventors: Jihoon Kang, Yasutaka Kawamura, Tatsuo Ochiai, Hirofumi Okahara
  • Publication number: 20040220016
    Abstract: A clutch engagement control device controls the engagement of a forward clutch (32) and reverse clutch (33) in an automatic transmission connected to an engine (70) in a vehicle. An inhibitor switch (56) outputs a range signal in accordance with a position range of a select lever (51). A manual valve (57) supplies oil pressure selectively to one of the forward clutch (32) and the reverse clutch (33) by changing position in accordance with the position range of the select lever (51). A controller (60) of the clutch engagement control device determines whether an unmatching range condition occurs in which the range of the select lever (51) indicated by the range signal and the range of the manual valve (57) do not match, when the range of the select lever (51) indicated by the range signal is a drive range or reverse range; and suppress an increase in engine rotation speed prior to engagement of the forward clutch or reverse clutch when the unmatching range condition occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Tatsuo Ochiai, Yusuke Kimura, Yoshichika Hagiwara, Hironobu Waki, Katsumi Doihara, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Hirofumi Okahara
  • Publication number: 20040209719
    Abstract: A controller (50) controls the supply of oil pressure to a primary pulley (41) and a secondary pulley (42) of a belt-drive continuously variable transmission (1) in accordance with the depression amount of an accelerator pedal (81) of a vehicle. When slippage is detected in a V-belt (43) that is wrapped around the primary pulley (41) and secondary pulley (42), the controller (50) reduces the output torque of an engine (70) of the vehicle to stop the V-belt (43) from slipping. Meanwhile, damage to the V-belt (43) caused by slippage is prevented by reducing the oil pressure supply to the secondary pulley (42).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: JATCO Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Ochiai, Hideki Oshita, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Shouji Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20040127332
    Abstract: A vehicle engine (70) is connected with a belt-type continuously variable transmission (1) via a clutch (32). The transmission (1) transmits torque via a belt (43) between a pair of pulleys (41, 42), and varies the transmission torque according to a supply of oil pressure. The clutch (32) engages by means of oil pressure supplied as a shift lever is changed over from a neutral range to a drive range. An oil pressure supplying device (10, 44, 45, 46) supplies the oil pressure required to transmit torque between the belt (43) and the pulleys (41, 42), and the oil pressure for engaging the clutch (32). Slippage between the belt (43) and the pulleys (41, 42) is prevented during engagement of the clutch (32) by restricting the output torque of the engine (70) over a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Jihoon Kang, Yasutaka Kawamura, Tatsuo Ochiai, Hirofumi Okahara
  • Publication number: 20040111205
    Abstract: A hydraulic clutch (12, 13) transmits driving torque in a power train of a vehicle. An oil pressure supply unit (35) which supplies oil pressure for engagement to the clutch (12, 13) and a controller (40) which controls the unit (35) are provided. The controller (40) causes the unit (35) prior to engagement of the clutch (12, 13) to precharge the interior of the clutch (12, 13) with hydraulic fluid. The controller (40) counts an elapsed time since the last release of the clutch (12, 13) and shortens the precharge period as the elapsed time decreases, thereby optimizing the precharge state of the clutch (12, 13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Naoya Inoue, Tateki Jozaki, Tatsuo Ochiai
  • Publication number: 20040063523
    Abstract: In a system for controlling an automatic transmission, at the time of ultra-low temperature start with the oil temperature of −20° C. or less, control is carried out such that when the state that the actual line pressure is equal to or greater than an ultra-low set value continues for a period longer than a line-pressure low-pressure control command set time, it is determined that the line pressure is under regulation, maximizing an indicated value of the line pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Tateki Jozaki, Shigeru Ishii, Tatsuo Ochiai
  • Publication number: 20040063525
    Abstract: Hydraulic control system and method for a belt-drive continuously variable transmission (CVT). The system includes an oil pump operative to produce an oil pressure and an oil flow amount which are supplied to the CVT, a pressure regulator valve operative to regulate the oil pressure, an oil supply passage for supplying oil to the belt on a downstream side of the pressure regulator valve, means for detecting an engine operating condition and generating a signal indicative of the engine operating condition detected, and a controller programmed to calculate a CVT input torque based on the signal, calculate a required belt lubricating oil flow amount to be supplied to the belt on the basis of the signal and the CVT input torque, determine a minimum speed of the oil pump based on the required belt lubricating oil flow amount, and control the oil pump at the minimum speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Tatsuo Ochiai, Hideshi Wakayama
  • Patent number: 6514174
    Abstract: A shift control system for an automatic transmission which has a gear ratio control means for controlling gear ratio of the automatic transmission comprises a lower limit setting device provided in said gear ratio control means and setting a lower limit for inhibiting a gear ratio from changing to a gear ratio of an upshift side; and a lower limit variable control means in which a lower limit of said gear ratio can be changed to a downshift side or to an upshift side by an operation of a driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Jatco Transtechnology Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiji Iida, Tateki Jouzaki, Tatsuo Ochiai, Naoya Inoue, Akira Hino
  • Patent number: 6513610
    Abstract: A shift control system for a continuously variable transmission CVT) has a gear ratio controller for controlling the gear ratio of CVT by determining a target gear ratio from a drive point determined on the basis of at least a throttle opening and a vehicle speed. The shift control system also has a vehicle distance controller for maintaining a proper vehicle distance by controlling the throttle opening of an engine. A shift speed control device provided in the gear ratio controller increases the shift speed from the shift speed established at the time the vehicle distance is not controlled by the vehicle distance controller, when the vehicle distance is controlled by the vehicle distance controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Jatco Transtechnology Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Ochiai, Akira Hino
  • Patent number: 6482122
    Abstract: A driving force control device, which controls a driving force by changing a gear ratio of an automatic transmission, comprises: a virtual throttle opening converter for converting a target driving force into a virtual throttle opening by using a target driving force characteristic and a detected vehicle speed; a throttle opening information selector for selecting the virtual throttle opening from the virtual throttle opening converter as throttle opening information when the driving force is controlled, and selecting an actual throttle opening from the throttle opening sensor as throttle opening information when the driving force is not controlled; and a target input revolutionary speed calculator 123d that calculates the target input revolutionary speed according to the selected throttle opening information, the detected vehicle speed and one shift map. The Continuously variable transmission determines an achievable gear ratio according to the target input revolutionary speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: JATCO TransTechnology Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Ochiai, Hiroyuki Ashizawa, Akira Higashimata
  • Publication number: 20020028727
    Abstract: A shift control system for an automatic transmission which has a gear ratio control means for controlling gear ratio of the automatic transmission comprises a lower limit setting device provided in said gear ratio control means and setting a lower limit for inhibiting a gear ratio from changing to a gear ratio of an upshift side; and a lower limit variable control means in which a lower limit of said gear ratio can be changed to a downshift side or to an upshift side by an operation of a driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Toshiji Iida, Tateki Jouzaki, Tatsuo Ochiai, Naoya Inoue, Akira Hino
  • Publication number: 20020017413
    Abstract: A shift control system for a continuously variable transmission which has a gear ratio control means for controlling gear ratio of said continuously variable transmission by determining a target gear ratio from a drive point determined on the basis of at least a throttle opening and a vehicle speed, and a vehicle distance control means for maintaining a proper vehicle distance by controlling a throttle opening of an engine, comprises: a shift speed control device provided in said gear ratio control means and making a shift speed higher than a shift speed established at the time when of a vehicle distance is not controlled by said vehicle distance control means, when a vehicle distance is controlled by said vehicle distance control means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Tatsuo Ochiai, Akira Hino
  • Publication number: 20010056009
    Abstract: A driving force control device, which controls a driving force by changing a gear ratio of an automatic transmission, comprises: a virtual throttle opening converter for converting a target driving force into a virtual throttle opening by using a target driving force characteristic and a detected vehicle speed; a throttle opening information selector for selecting the virtual throttle opening from the virtual throttle opening converter as throttle opening information when the driving force is controlled, and selecting an actual throttle opening from the throttle opening sensor as throttle opening information when the driving force is not controlled; and a target input revolutionary speed calculator 123d that calculates the target input revolutionary speed according to the selected throttle opening information, the detected vehicle speed and one shift map. The Continuously variable transmission determines an achievable gear ratio according to the target input revolutionary speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventors: Tatsuo Ochiai, Hiroyuki Ashizawa, Akira Higashimata
  • Patent number: 6246940
    Abstract: In a vehicle transmission wherein plural speed change ratios from a largest speed change ratio to a smallest speed change ratio are selectively applied according to a command input by a driver, a real speed change ratio of the transmission is detected. It is determined whether or not the transmission is performing a shift-down based on the input command and the real speed change ratio. A shift-down limit speed change ratio is determined based on the speed change ratio before the shift-down operation is performed, and when the engine brake of the vehicle is operating, the transmission is controlled so as not to apply a speed change ratio larger than this shift-down limit speed change ratio. Due to this, the driver does not experience an excessive engine braking sensation even when an extreme speed change command is issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Ochiai, Hirofumi Okahara
  • Patent number: 6205387
    Abstract: In a vehicle provided with a continuously variable transmission, when a target speed change ratio sharply decreases due to the release of an accelerator pedal from depression, a real speed change ratio of the continuously variable transmission which follows the target speed change ratio may undershoot the target speed change ratio. Due to this undershoot, the engine rotation speed may temporarily fall below a permitted level. Therefore, the variation rate of the speed change ratio of the transmission is decreased in the terminal phase of the shifting process of the speed change ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuo Ochiai
  • Patent number: 6052639
    Abstract: A shift control apparatus outputs a command transmission ratio to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to control a real transmission ratio of the CVT. The shift control apparatus comprises a shift mode determining section determines whether an actually selected shift mode is an automatic upshift or a power-down upshift (foot-release upshift), on the basis of the result of a previously selected shift mode, a difference between a final objective transmission ratio and a transient objective transmission ratio and a rate of change in the transmission ratio per time. The dynamic characteristic selecting section determines the dynamic characteristic according to the determined shift mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ashizawa, Kazutaka Adachi, Tatsuo Ochiai
  • Patent number: 6013006
    Abstract: A speed ratio controller for a continuously variable transmission of a vehicle is provided which sets a target speed ratio according to a vehicle speed and degree of accelerator pedal depression, sets a command speed ratio according to the target speed ratio and a predetermined dynamic characteristic, and controls the transmission so as to obtain the target speed ratio while a real speed ratio follows the command speed ratio. This speed ratio controller computes a deviation between the command speed ratio and target speed ratio, and determines whether an upshift characteristic is an auto upshift, foot release upshift or foot return upshift based on the speed ratio deviation, degree of accelerator pedal depression, and variation amount of the target input shaft rotation speed. The dynamic characteristic of the command speed ratio is set according to the determination result, and the response characteristics of the transmission are thereby modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ashizawa, Kazutaka Adachi, Tatsuo Ochiai