Patents by Inventor Yoji Takanami

Yoji Takanami 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: 9067604
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shin Noumura, Kaiji Itabashi, Ken Koibuchi, Toshio Tanahashi, Keisuke Takeuchi, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Yoji Takanami, Norimi Asahara
  • Patent number: 8909386
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Takeuchi, Toshio Tanahashi, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Shin Noumura, Ken Koibuchi, Kaiji Itabashi, Yoji Takanami, Norimi Asahara
  • Patent number: 8903619
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shin Noumura, Ken Koibuchi, Kaiji Itabashi, Toshio Tanahashi, Keisuke Takeuchi, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Yoji Takanami, Norimi Asahara
  • 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: 8688337
    Abstract: A driving force control device for controlling engine torque generated by an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle and the engine revolution speed of the internal combustion engine based on the operation amount of driving force request operation on the vehicle to control the driving force of the vehicle is characterized by executing revolution fluctuation suppression control that suppresses fluctuations in engine revolution speeds when the operating point of the internal combustion engine in accordance with the engine torque and the engine revolution speed is within an optimum fuel economy range being a region set with a specified hysteresis width relative to an optimum fuel economy line of the internal combustion engine; accordingly, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the whole driving system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoji Takanami, Tomoyuki Honda
  • Patent number: 8522644
    Abstract: When shift transmission of an automatic transmission is performed in a free-run state, a driving force control apparatus controls a degree of engagement of an engaging device in accordance with a hydraulic difference between a first hydraulic pressure and a second hydraulic pressure in a condition that the first hydraulic pressure does not reach the second hydraulic pressure. As a result, an oil pump supplies a hydraulic pressure to the automatic transmission, and the shift transmission can be performed. The first hydraulic pressure is a hydraulic pressure of the automatic transmission. The second hydraulic pressure is a hydraulic pressure required to perform the shift transmission. The engaging device can adjust an extent of transmission power between an engine and the automatic transmission in accordance with the degree of engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Matsunaga, Yoji Takanami
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20120035828
    Abstract: A drive control device for a vehicle is preferably used for controlling an internal combustion engine and/or a transmission, for example. A total fuel consumption amount calculating unit calculates total fuel consumption amount by integrating fuel consumption when the vehicle travels a unit distance at a predetermined vehicle speed and a predetermined acceleration, with respect to a time axis in accordance with a target distance. A traveling pattern calculating unit calculates a traveling pattern indicating a relationship between a vehicle speed and an acceleration when the vehicle travels the target distance, based on the total fuel consumption amount. By performing the control based on the calculated traveling pattern, it is possible to optimize the total fuel consumption amount. Therefore, it becomes possible to improve the actual fuel consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamanaka, Yoji Takanami, Tomoyuki Honda, Takayuki Amaya, Koji Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20120035818
    Abstract: A driving force control device for controlling engine torque generated by an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle and the engine revolution speed of the internal combustion engine based on the operation amount of driving force request operation on the vehicle to control the driving force of the vehicle is characterized by executing revolution fluctuation suppression control that suppresses fluctuations in engine revolution speeds when the operating point of the internal combustion engine in accordance with the engine torque and the engine revolution speed is within an optimum fuel economy range being a region set with a specified hysteresis width relative to an optimum fuel economy line of the internal combustion engine; accordingly, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the whole driving system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoji Takanami, Tomoyuki Honda
  • Publication number: 20110219903
    Abstract: A driving force control apparatus (100) is mounted on a vehicle, and the driving force control apparatus is provided with: an engine (11); an automatic transmission (12); an engaging device (122) capable of adjusting extent of transmission of power between the engine and the automatic transmission in accordance with degree of engagement; an oil pump (13) for generating a hydraulic pressure by rotation of a drive shaft of the engine; and a controlling device (20) for controlling the degree of the engagement in accordance with a hydraulic difference between a first hydraulic pressure and a second hydraulic pressure in a condition that the first hydraulic pressure does not reach the second hydraulic pressure when shift transmission of the automatic transmission is performed in a free-run state in which the vehicle runs in a case where the engine is stopped and where the transmission of the power between the engine and the automatic transmission is blocked by the engaging device, wherein the first hydraulic press
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Matsunaga, Yoji Takanami
  • Publication number: 20100100293
    Abstract: A gear shift controlling apparatus for changing a gear ratio based on information of a corner, in which the gear ratio is changed by setting a maximum value of a first target gear ratio set based on required deceleration when passing through the corner and a second target gear ratio set based on required driving force obtained from information of a road after exiting the corner, as a target gear ratio. It becomes possible to further improve drivability when driving around the corner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoji Takanami
  • Patent number: 7625313
    Abstract: In a shift control device and a shift control method of a vehicular automatic transmission that performs a coast downshift by engagement switch between a release-side engagement element and an element-side engagement element at a time of deceleration of a vehicle, it is determined whether or not there is a driver's intention to decelerate the vehicle during the coast downshift. If an affirmative determination is made regarding the intention to decelerate the vehicle, the rise of engagement pressure of the engagement-side engagement element is stopped so as to cause the coast downshift not to progress. If a negative determination is made regarding the intention to decelerate the vehicle while the rise of the engagement pressure has been stopped, the engagement pressure of the engagement-side engagement element is raised again so as to cause the coast downshift to progress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kondo, Yoji Takanami, Atsushi Ayabe, Masami Kondo, Masaharu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20070129214
    Abstract: In a shift control device and a shift control method of a vehicular automatic transmission that performs a coast downshift by engagement switch between a release-side engagement element and an element-side engagement element at a time of deceleration of a vehicle, it is determined whether or not there is a driver's intention to decelerate the vehicle during the coast downshift. If an affirmative determination is made regarding the intention to decelerate the vehicle, the rise of engagement pressure of the engagement-side engagement element is stopped so as to cause the coast downshift not to progress. If a negative determination is made regarding the intention to decelerate the vehicle while the rise of the engagement pressure has been stopped, the engagement pressure of the engagement-side engagement element is raised again so as to cause the coast downshift to progress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kondo, Yoji Takanami, Atsushi Ayabe, Masami Kondo, Masaharu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7058497
    Abstract: When a shift routine is not being executed in an automatic transmission and a difference between an actual turbine speed and a calculated synchronous speed is equal to, or greater than, a preset value ?, a difference ?NT between an estimated turbine speed and the actual speed when the automatic transmission is in a neutral state is calculated. When ?NT is equal to, or less than, a preset value ?, it is determined that a failure related to the neutral state of the automatic transmission has occurred. Also, when ?NT is greater than a preset value ?, it is determined that a failure related to slipping of a frictional engaging element has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Nagata, Yuuji Kashihara, Yoji Takanami, Kazutoshi Nozaki, Akio Murasugi
  • Publication number: 20060058937
    Abstract: If oil temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature and if accelerator opening change rate is equal to or higher than a predetermined change rate upon detection of a downshift instruction, an ECT-ECU sets modes corresponding to conditions for determination period calculation processings, hydraulic-pressure temporal change rate calculation processings, and torque adjustment amount calculation processings, respectively. By performing downshift on the basis of a determination period, a hydraulic-pressure temporal change rate, and a torque adjustment amount corresponding to a set mode, the ECT-ECU improves gear-shift responsive characteristics and restrains the occurrence of a gear-shift shock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: Noritaka Takebayashi, Yoji Takanami, Yasushi Kobiki, Masahiko Ando