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: 6980899
    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: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Satoru Kuragaki, Kazuhiko Satou, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20050283298
    Abstract: A control device and a control method for a vehicle with an auto clutch, and a vehicle with an auto clutch which is able to control the unexpected roll back of the vehicle caused by the security function when the abnormality of a clutch is detected. When temperature abnormality judgment means 102 detects the abnormality of temperature of clutch 3, clutch release command generation means 104 releases the clutch. When clutch release state judgment means 105 judges the release state of the clutch, braking force command generation means 106 outputs a command to generate the restraint force to brake actuator 6 in order to control the roll back of the vehicle. Brake actuator 6 generates the braking force to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ochi, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Hiroshi Sakamoto, Naoyuki Ozaki
  • Patent number: 6969339
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle which has a function to reduce the change-speed shock when changing the speed by controlling the transmission of the vehicle. The control device performs the switching between a manual change-speed mode in which the vehicle speed can be changed based on a change-speed command generated by manual operation and an automatic change-speed mode in which a transmission gear ratio can be controlled based on the predetermined change-speed characteristic. Thereby the reduction amount of the change-speed shock can be changed between the manual change-speed mode and the automatic change-speed mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Kayano, Toshimichi Minowa, Hiroshi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6961647
    Abstract: Friction clutches 203, 204 and engaging clutches 19, 20, 21 are arranged between an input shaft and an output shaft of a gear type transmission having a plurality of gear trains. A power train unit 100 controls an output shaft torque and an input rotation speed of the transmission during changing speed by estimating or detecting input a torque to the transmission, and detecting an output rotation speed of the transmission, and setting a target shift torque during shifting gear, and setting a command value to the friction clutches 203 and 204 from the target shift torque and the input torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Matsumura, Naoyuki Ozaki, Kinya Fujimoto, Hiroshi Kuroiwa, Takashi Okada, Toshimichi Minowa
  • Patent number: 6918854
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling creep in an automatic transmission, comprising a first creep torque control means which, upon generation of an accelerator- and brake-pedal undepressed state in a running mode, generates a target creep speed, the target creep speed increasing as a function of time and settling to a predetermined value, the first creep torque control means then calculating a creep torque from the target creep speed, detecting a change in vehicle load from a speed deviation, correcting a target creep torque on the basis of the detected change in vehicle load, and controlling the engine torque on the basis of the correction, and a second creep torque control means which controls a transfer torque of a starting clutch (a first friction clutch) on the basis of a slipping speed of the starting clutch and the target creep torque, the creep controlling method and system being able to realize a stable creep running even against a change in running environment such as the existence of a slope or an i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Okada, Toshimichi Minowa, Mitsuo Kayano, Tatsuya Ochi, Hiroshi Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20050143890
    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: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Satoru Kuragaki, Kazuhiko Satou, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20050126321
    Abstract: A large gearshift shock that occurs if a renewed gearshift operation is forcibly carried out in order to meet a new gearshift request made through a driver's operating an accelerator pedal or a signal from an operation lever during a current gearshift operation. Gearshift response lag occurs due to an attempt to avoid the large gearshift shock. To solve these problems, a control system for a gear type transmission is mounted. The control system is provided with a renewed gearshift disabling period, during which any renewed gearshift request to a third predetermined gearshift position made during a gearshift operation from a first predetermined gearshift position to a second predetermined gearshift position is disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ochi, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Hiroshi Sakamoto, Naoyuki Ozaki
  • Patent number: 6892125
    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: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Mitsuo Kayano, Tatsuya Ochi
  • Patent number: 6889570
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission system has a gear-type transmission with a plurality of gears and a plurality of claw clutches which transmits a torque between an input shaft of said gear-type transmission and an output shaft of said gear-type transmission. The transmission changes transmission courses by engaging with and/or disengaging from the gears and the claw clutches, and forms another transmission course via a torque controller between the input shaft of the gear-type transmission and the output shaft of said gear-type transmission during a period between a first transmission course and a second transmission course formed by the gears and the claw clutches. A torque capacity of the torque controller is greater than the maximum output shaft torque of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Kayano, Toshimichi Minowa, Hiroshi Sakamoto, Tatsuya Ochi, Hiroshi Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 6890284
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of controlling a vehicle is provided for correcting a lowered value of the torque of en output shaft in the gear shifting and suppressing a revolution speed of an input shaft on the basis of the lowered torque correction. The torque of the input shaft is adjusted at the termination of the gear shifting on the basis of the lowered torque correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Mitsuo Kayano, Tatsuya Ochi
  • Patent number: 6883398
    Abstract: Pedal device 10 has a pedal member 11 depressed by the driver, and arm member 12 engaged with the pedal member, for turning when the pedal member is depressed, and transmitting driver's force-on-pedal to the brake master cylinder. When the driver's force-on-pedal which acts on pedal member 11 is less than the fixed value, footrest means 13 restricts the turning of the arm member. Pedal member 11 is composed of footplate 11a to be depressed by the driver, and protruding portion 11b engaged with the footplate, on which driver's heel can be put.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Kojima, Toshimichi Minowa, Satoru Kuragaki, Kazuhiko Satou, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20050059529
    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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Tatsuya Ochi, Naoyuki Ozaki, Tetsuo Matsumura
  • Publication number: 20050044976
    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: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Mitsuo Kayano, Tatsuya Ochi
  • Patent number: 6854548
    Abstract: An automobile running control system having “Fast follow-up” and “Slow follow-up” modes controls so that the automobile may cruise at an optimum car-to-car space between the automobile and an object which is selected among those detected and faster than a preset ground velocity in the “Fast follow-up” mode. When the fast follow-up velocity of the automobile falls under the preset velocity, the system automatically enters the “Slow follow-up” mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kuroda, Satoru Kuragaki, Tokuji Yoshikawa, Toshimichi Minowa
  • Patent number: 6849026
    Abstract: The power transmission of the car comprises an engine, a gearbox, a rotary electric unit which transmits power through the gearbox, and a clutch which is provided between the input shaft and the output shaft of said gearbox to control the torque between the input shaft and the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Mitsuo Kayano
  • Patent number: 6848329
    Abstract: An automatic transmission has a first axis (input axis) 102 for inputting the power, a second axis (output axis or couner axis) 103 for outputting the driving force source, at least one or more first gear group which consists of drive gears 111, 112 fixed on the first axis, and a driven gear 122 provided so as to engage or run idle with respect to the second axis with being engaged with the drive gear, and at least one or more second gear group which consists of driven gears 123, 124, 125 fixed on the second axis, and a drive gear 114, 115 provided so as to engage or run idle with respect to the first axis with being engaged with the driven gear. The automatic transmission further comprises a torque transferring mechanism 140 for transfering the torque between said driven gear which can run idle with respect to the second axis and the driven gear fixed to the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Okada, Toshimichi Minowa, Mitsuo Kayano, Tatsuya Ochi, Hiroshi Sakamoto, Hiroshi Kuroiwa, Naoyuki Ozaki
  • Publication number: 20050005721
    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: July 28, 2004
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Mitsuo Kayano, Tatsuya Ochi
  • Publication number: 20050005728
    Abstract: Pedal device 10 has a pedal member 11 depressed by the driver, and arm member 12 engaged with the pedal member, for turning when the pedal member is depressed, and transmitting driver's force-on-pedal to the brake master cylinder. When the driver's force-on-pedal which acts on pedal member 11 is less than the fixed value, footrest means 13 restricts the turning of the arm member. Pedal member 11 is composed of footplate 11a to be depressed by the driver, and protruding portion 11b engaged with the footplate, on which driver's heel can be put.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Inventors: Takao Kojima, Toshimichi Minowa, Satoru Kuragaki, Kazuhiko Satou, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20050004743
    Abstract: The present invention can realize a vehicle running control apparatus including ACC function and map information data recording medium to obtain effective information for safety driving capable for running control meeting a driver's feeling. The first running speed is decided on the basis of the distance between the vehicles and the relative speed. The position detecting means detects the position of own vehicle on a map. The map information getting means gets road information, the width of the road, the radius of curvature, and slope on the basis of the map information. The visible distance estimating means estimates the visible distance on the basis of the map information, deciding the second running safety speed with the estimated visible distance. The running control means decides the object running speed of smallest one of the set speed, the first running speed, and the second running speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Kojima, Tokuji Yoshikawa, Kazuhiko Satou, Satoru Kuragaki, Shiho Izumi, Toshimichi Minowa
  • Publication number: 20040266585
    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: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ochi, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Hiroshi Sakamoto, Naoyuki Ozaki, Mitsuo Kayano