Patents by Inventor Toshimichi Minowa

Toshimichi Minowa 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: 7222551
    Abstract: A mesh-type automatic transmission includes a power input shaft for introducing power of an engine, a plurality of transmission gears, a plurality of cogged clutches, a power output shaft for outputting driving force, a counter shaft, and a plurality of counter gears, for transmitting power of the engine to the power output shaft by rotating the power input shaft with the power of the engine, rotating the counter shaft, and transmitting rotation of the counter shaft to the power output shaft with automatic gear change by engaging and disengaging the cogged clutches to one of the transmission gears corresponding to the speed. The counter shaft is provided with an assist mechanism for transmitting rotational force of the power input shaft to the power output shaft by transmitting rotation of the counter shaft via the assist gear, during the period of disengagement of a gear to the engagement of a new gear during gear change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Kayano, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Tatsuya Ochi, Hiroshi Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20070106448
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling an automotive vehicle are disclosed, in which a control amount for securing safety of the vehicle and the control amount for achieving a state intended for by the driver of the vehicle are switched in such a manner as to reduce the shock due to the change in the torque generated from the power train, thereby accomplishing both safety and maneuverability at the same time. A first target value is set for controlling at least selected one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate. A second target value is calculated in accordance with the drive mode intended for by the driver or the driving environment ahead of the vehicle. In the case where a deviation exceeding a predetermined value develops between the first target value and the second target value, the fluctuations of at least one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate are suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshimichi MINOWA, Tatsuya Ochi, Satoru Kuragaki, Mitsuo Kayano, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7209821
    Abstract: In a system of accelerating a car using a brake operating mechanism, the driver is required to be ready to step on the brake operating mechanism so as to rapidly decelerate the car in order to avoid danger, if necessary, while he is releasing his foot from the brake operating mechanism, which is a burden for the driver. Therefore, a footrest function range and a braking force increasing function range are provided to an operating amount or an operating force of a pedal 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Satoru Kuragaki, Kazuhiko Satou, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7206685
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control apparatus which makes it possible to share information by a plurality of devices and which can improve controllability. An OS switching means (OS-CH) switches a plurality of operating system (OS1, OS2). A shared object (CO) has a memory resource which can be referred to from the plurality of operating systems. The shared object (CO) shares at least road information, and the road information registered by the application of one of the operating systems can be referred to from the application of the other operating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Kuragaki, Jiro Takezaki, Kimio Nishino, Toshimichi Minowa, Tokuji Yoshikawa, Yoshinori Endo
  • Patent number: 7201703
    Abstract: A control device for giving an existing gear type transmission a parking lock function to lock a vehicle; a control method thereof; and an automobile having an improved transmission. The gear type transmission comprises a gear type speed change mechanism (5) provided with a mesh type clutch (3), and a second friction clutch (4) installed between the shafts of the speed change mechanism to enable torque transfer during shifting. A parking demand detecting means (9) detects the driver's parking demand. And, when it detects the driver's parking demand, a control device (10) sends an instruction signal to an actuator to instruct the latter to engage both the mesh type clutch (3) and the second friction clutch (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ochi, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Hiroshi Sakamoto, Naoyuki Ozaki, Mitsuo Kayano
  • Patent number: 7185722
    Abstract: Disclosed is a power transmission apparatus of motor vehicles which has an engine, a gear change apparatus, an electric rotary machine to which a power is transmitted via the gear change apparatus, and a clutch provided between an input shaft and an output shaft of the gear change apparatus and adjusting a transmission torque between the input shaft and the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Mitsuo Kayano
  • Patent number: 7162353
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling an automotive vehicle are disclosed, in which a control amount for securing safety of the vehicle and the control amount for achieving a state intended for by the driver of the vehicle are switched in such a manner as to reduce the shock due to the change in the torque generated from the power train, thereby accomplishing both safety and maneuverability at the same time. A first target value is set for controlling at least selected one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate. A second target value is calculated in accordance with the drive mode intended for by the driver or the driving environment ahead of the vehicle. In the case where a deviation exceeding a predetermined value develops between the first target value and the second target value, the fluctuations of at least one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate are suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Tatsuya Ochi, Satoru Kuragaki, Mitsuo Kayano, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7150698
    Abstract: In a control unit for an automobile power transmission apparatus which includes a gear-type transmission and several of the motors are controlled so as to suppress thrust or push-up on the torque of the output shaft of the transmission due to inertia torque or to suppress draw or pull-in on the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Mitsuo Kayano, Tatsuya Ochi, Hiroshi Kuroiwa, Masahiko Ibamoto
  • Publication number: 20060276302
    Abstract: At the time of the change-speed, by correcting the torque reducing portion of an output shaft during the change-speed, the revolution number of an input shaft is controlled on the basis of the corrected torque reduction correcting value. Also, the torque of said input shaft is adjusted at the end of the change-speed on the basis of said torque correcting value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Mitsuo Kayano, Tatsuya Ochi
  • Patent number: 7136736
    Abstract: In a vehicular control device, it is necessary to measure or calculate six physical quantities-forward-reverse speed, left-right speed, vertical speed, pitch angle, roll angle, and angle of sideslip-representing vehicular movement and to control the braking force of each wheel and/or the damping coefficient of each suspension shock absorber in order to further shorten braking distance particularly at the time of braking and to prevent spin at that time. In this case, it is necessary to furnish sensors to measure speed and angle directly. In the present invention, four radar sensors are used in order to directly measure the forward-reverse speed and the left-right speed. Also, the vertical speed, the pitch angle, the roll angle, and the angle of sideslip are indirectly measured from the output of the radar sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Kuragaki, Tokuji Yoshikawa, Shiho Izumi, Hiroshi Kuroda, Takao Kojima, Toshimichi Minowa, Toshio Manaka, Nobuyuki Ueki, Kazuaki Takano
  • Patent number: 7130723
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a control unit for vehicle where increase in number of input/output and upgrading of function can easily be performed and, in addition to this, changing of a program in a control unit can easily be performed even when a single-chip micro-computer is used. In order to cope with an increase in input/output points and addition of function, a control unit is constructed such as to comprise interface software memory means storing an interface software program for connecting an application software program with an OS (operating system) in an internal ROM, a CPU (central processing unity for performing computation of the application software program and the interface software program, a RAM (erasable memory) storing data such as the result of computation, an I/O unit for extending the control unit, and extending means for communicating memory data through a bus or a LAN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Yoshiyuki Yoshida, Junichi Ishii, Shigeki Morinaga, Hiroshi Katayama, Mitsuo Kayano, Kenichiro Kurata
  • Patent number: 7121976
    Abstract: A control system for a motor vehicle is provide which is capable of reducing a load on a friction engagement device and preventing the friction engagement device from being damaged. A transmission 50 includes a plurality of gears and a plurality of dog clutches for transmitting torque from an input shaft 41 to an output shaft 50 and a friction engagement device 10. A torque transmission path from the input shaft 41 to the output shaft 50 is formed through engagement between the gear and the dog clutch. When the engagement between the gear and the dog clutch is changed from a first engagement to a second engagement, the friction engagement device 10 is used to transmit torque of an engine 6 from the input shaft 41 to the output shaft 50. A power train unit 100 includes state determiner 310 and engine torque control means 320. The state determiner 310 detects or estimates a thermal state of the friction engagement device 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Tatsuya Ochi, Naoyuki Ozaki, Tetsuo Matsumura
  • Publication number: 20060206241
    Abstract: A vehicle control unit includes interface software memory means storing an interface software program for connecting an application software program with an OS (operating system) in an internal ROM, a CPU (central processing unit) for performing computation for the application software program and the interface software program, a RAM (erasable memory) storing data such as the result of computation, an I/O unit for extending the control unit, and extending means for communicating memory data through a bus or a LAN. A single-chip micro-computer used in vehicle control permits an increase in input/output points or the addition of functionality, in which case an application software program can continue to be used simply by rewriting the interface software program, without further remanufacturing of the core unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Yoshiyuki Yoshida, Junichi Ishii, Shigeki Morinaga, Niroshi Katayama, Mitsuo Kayano, Kenichiro Kurata
  • Publication number: 20060194672
    Abstract: In a control device and a control method for a gear transmission, a first flow rate computation section calculates a coolant flow rate which places importance on action for cooling friction clutches. A second flow rate computation section calculates a coolant flow rate which places importance an inhibition of drag in the friction clutches. A flow rate computation switching section switches the first flow rate computation section and the second flow rate computation section. Coolant flow controller controls a coolant flow rate based on the output of the first or second flow rate computation section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ochi, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Hiroshi Sakamoto, Tetsuo Matsumura
  • Patent number: 7086301
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission has a first torque transmission path for transmitting a torque from the engine to an output shaft of the transmission through a first input shaft of the transmission, a first pair of gears and a first mesh type clutch. A second torque transmission path transmits a torque from the engine to the output shaft through the first input shaft, a second pair of gears and a second mesh type clutch. A third torque transmission path transmits a torque from the engine to the output shaft through a second input shaft of the transmission, a friction clutch disposed between the second input shaft and the engine, a third pair of gears and a third mesh type clutch. The torque transmission path from the engine to the output shaft shifts in order of the first torque transmission path, the third torque transmission path, and the second torque transmission path. When the torque is transmitted through the third torque transmission path, a torque at the first input shaft is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Mitsuo Kayano, Tatsuya Ochi
  • Publication number: 20060149453
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control apparatus which makes it possible to share information by a plurality of devices and which can improve controllability. An OS switching means (OS-CH) switches a plurality of operating system (OS1, OS2). A shared object (CO) has a memory resource which can be referred to from the plurality of operating systems. The shared object (CO) shares at least road information, and the road information registered by the application of one of the operating systems can be referred to from the application of the other operating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Satoru Kuragaki, Jiro Takezaki, Kimio Nishino, Toshimichi Minowa, Tokuji Yoshikawa, Yoshinori Endo
  • Patent number: 7072749
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control apparatus which makes it possible to share information by a plurality of devices and which can improve controllability. An OS switching means (OS-CH) switches a plurality of operating system (OS1, OS2). A shared object (CO) has a memory resource which can be referred to from the plurality of operating systems. The shared object (CO) shares at least road information, and the road information registered by the application of one of the operating systems can be referred to from the application of the other operating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Kuragaki, Jiro Takezaki, Kimio Nishino, Toshimichi Minowa, Tokuji Yoshikawa, Yoshinori Endo
  • Patent number: 7037238
    Abstract: At the time of the change-speed, by correcting the torque reducing portion of an output shaft during the change-speed, the revolution number of an input shaft is controlled on the basis of the corrected torque reduction correcting value. Also, the torque of said input shaft is adjusted at the end of the change-speed on the basis of said torque correcting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Mitsuo Kayano, Tatsuya Ochi
  • Publication number: 20060047382
    Abstract: In order to estimate failure times of vehicles, the invention provides a vehicle failure diagnosis apparatus which receives records of learned values actually used in the past in vehicle control systems of vehicles as diagnosis targets from in-vehicle terminals via a communication part, estimates failure time of the vehicle control systems by comparing the received records of the learned values and the failure patterns readout from a failure pattern DB, and outputs the estimated failure time to the in-vehicle terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Morioka, Masami Nagano, Toshimichi Minowa
  • Publication number: 20060015231
    Abstract: A vehicle control system which can ensure high reliability, real-time processing, and expandability with a simplified ECU configuration and a low cost by backing up an error through coordination in the entire system without increasing a degree of redundancy of individual controllers beyond the least necessary level. The vehicle control system comprises a sensor controller for taking in sensor signals indicating a status variable of a vehicle and an operation amount applied from a driver, a command controller for generating a control target value based on the sensor signals taken in by the sensor controller, and an actuator controller for receiving the control target value from the command controller and operating an actuator to control the vehicle, those three controller being interconnected via a network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventors: Kentaro Yoshimura, Kohei Sakurai, Nobuyasu Kanekawa, Yuichiro Morita, Yoshiaki Takahashi, Kenichi Kurosawa, Toshimichi Minowa, Masatoshi Hoshino, Yasuhiro Nakatsuka, Kotaro Shimamura, Kunihiko Tsunedomi, Shoji Sasaki