Patents by Inventor Yuzuru Tohta

Yuzuru Tohta 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: 11927166
    Abstract: A control method is provided for an internal combustion engine which includes a turbocharger, and which is connected to a stepped automatic transmission. The control method includes judging whether or not an upshift of the automatic transmission is performed; performing a first torque down control by an ignition timing retard of the internal combustion engine during the upshift; judging whether or not a predicted torque estimated from a driving condition of the internal combustion engine is greater than a target torque at an end of the upshift; and performing a second torque down control by the ignition timing retard of the internal combustion engine when the predicted torque is greater than the target torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignees: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD., RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jooyong Jung, Yuzuru Tohta, Ryouichi Ootaki, Tetsuya Nishiyama, Charlotte Giordano, Tony De-Oliveira
  • Publication number: 20240026848
    Abstract: A control method is provided for an internal combustion engine which includes a turbocharger, and which is connected to a stepped automatic transmission. The control method includes judging whether or not an upshift of the automatic transmission is performed; performing a first torque down control by an ignition timing retard of the internal combustion engine during the upshift; judging whether or not a predicted torque estimated from a driving condition of the internal combustion engine is greater than a target torque at an end of the upshift; and performing a second torque down control by the ignition timing retard of the internal combustion engine when the predicted torque is greater than the target torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Jooyong JUNG, Yuzuru TOHTA, Ryouichi OOTAKI, Tetsuya NISHIYAMA, Charlotte GIORDANO, Tony DE-OLIVEIRA
  • Patent number: 11840973
    Abstract: A vehicle control method is provided for controlling a vehicle in which a clutch provided on a power transmission path between an engine and a drive wheel is disconnected when a shift range is a non-driving range and the clutch is connected when the shift range is a driving range. The vehicle control method controls the engine to a prescribed idling speed, controls engine torque to a negative torque by delaying an ignition timing of the engine; and causes the prescribed idling speed to drop within a prescribed amount of time needed for the clutch to switch from being disconnected to being connected when the shift range is switched from the non-driving range to the driving range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuzuru Tohta
  • Publication number: 20230392562
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1) automatically stops when a predetermined idle stop condition is satisfied, and automatically restarts when a predetermined idle stop cancel condition is satisfied. The internal combustion engine (1) is controlled so that when fresh air does not flow into a GPF (18) even if fuel injection is stopped during operation of a vehicle, stop of the fuel injection is permitted even when temperature of GPF (18) is high. That is, the internal combustion engine (1) is controlled so that the stop of the fuel injection is forbidden when the temperature of the GPF (18) is higher than a predetermined temperature T1 and the stop of the fuel injection is allowed when the vehicle stops in a state in which the temperature of the GPF (18) is higher than the predetermined temperature (T1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei KAMIYA, Yuzuru TOHTA, Jooyong JUNG
  • Publication number: 20230160354
    Abstract: A control method is provided for controlling an internal combustion engine for a vehicle configured to engage a lockup clutch during a fuel cut, and to decrease a lockup hydraulic pressure at a fuel cut recovery to bring the lockup clutch to a slip engagement. The control method includes estimating a torque of the internal combustion engine generated by the fuel cut recovery when a fuel cut recovery condition is satisfied. The control method further includes decreasing a decrease amount of the lockup hydraulic pressure as the torque is greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuzuru TOHTA, Kohei KAMIYA, Noriaki EJIRI, Tomoaki KOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20230032697
    Abstract: A control method for an internal combustion engine configured to implement fuel cut in response to becoming zero of an accelerator opening degree during travel of a vehicle, and generate an antiphase torque after the fuel cut by supplying fuel to a cylinder, in order to cancel out vibration of the vehicle caused due to the fuel cut includes setting a timing of generating the antiphase torque to be later than that for normal operation, in response to implementation of the fuel cut under high torque idle operation in which a torque of the internal combustion engine immediately before the fuel cut where the accelerator opening degree is zero is higher than that in the normal operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuzuru TOHTA, Kohei KAMIYA, Noriaki EJIRI, Tomoaki KOBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 10801614
    Abstract: A vehicle lock-up clutch control method is performed in which an output of an engine is transmitted to an automatic transmission via a torque converter having a lock-up clutch. The method includes controlling a transmission torque capacity of the lock-up clutch such that a slip rotation speed of the lock-up clutch becomes zero after the lockup clutch is brought into a non-engaged state immediately after starting an accelerator operation, and when the accelerator operation is carried out during a fuel cut of the engine or in a state in which a road load and a driving force of the vehicle are balanced, and after completion of a downshift when the automatic transmission is downshifted while executing a slip control of the lock-up clutch from the non-engaged state to an engaged state during the accelerator operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuzuru Tohta
  • Publication number: 20200208740
    Abstract: A vehicle lock-up clutch control method is performed in which an output of an engine is transmitted to an automatic transmission via a torque converter having a lock-up clutch. The method includes controlling a transmission torque capacity of the lock-up clutch such that a slip rotation speed of the lock-up clutch becomes zero after the lockup clutch is brought into a non-engaged state immediately after starting an accelerator operation, and when the accelerator operation is carried out during a fuel cut of the engine or in a state in which a road load and a driving force of the vehicle are balanced, and after completion of a downshift when the automatic transmission is downshifted while executing a slip control of the lock-up clutch from the non-engaged state to an engaged state during the accelerator operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventor: Yuzuru TOHTA
  • Publication number: 20190323444
    Abstract: A vehicle control method is provided for controlling a vehicle in which a clutch provided on a power transmission path between an engine and a drive wheel is disconnected when a shift range is a non-driving range and the clutch is connected when the shift range is a driving range. The vehicle control method controls the engine to a prescribed idling speed, controls engine torque to a negative torque by delaying an ignition timing of the engine; and causes the prescribed idling speed to drop within a prescribed amount of time needed for the clutch to switch from being disconnected to being connected when the shift range is switched from the non-driving range to the driving range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventor: Yuzuru TOHTA
  • Patent number: 10443717
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine as a drive source and a continuously variable transmission. The continuously variable transmission includes a torque converter having a lockup clutch. When simultaneous execution of an upshift of the continuously variable transmission and a lockup engagement of the lockup clutch is required in accordance with an accelerator depression operation, the LU engagement control of the lockup clutch is started in accordance with an LU engagement request. On the other hand, the upshift control uses the continuously variable transmission to place the starting of the control with respect to the upshift request on standby and cancels the standby when the LU engagement control of the lockup clutch enters a lockup engagement completion region and starts the upshift control (delayed control).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuzuru Tohta
  • Patent number: 10415699
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a continuously variable transmission and a torque converter that has a lock-up clutch. The torque converter is arranged between the engine and the continuously variable transmission. The vehicle further includes engine accessories such as an air conditioner compressor and alternator that are driven by the engine. In this vehicle, a slip control is executed that produces a predetermined slip rotational state by controlling a lock-up capacity of the lock-up clutch. During slip control of the lock-up clutch, the engine-equipped vehicle executes cooperative control that suppresses load fluctuations of engine accessories such as the air conditioner compressor and the alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuzuru Tohta
  • Patent number: 10308253
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a continuously variable transmission and a torque converter that has a lock-up clutch. The torque converter is arranged between the engine and the continuously variable transmission. In this vehicle, when an engagement request of the lock-up clutch is issued, an initial-motion lock-up control is executed, whereby engagement is achieved through slip control that increases the lock-up capacity and gradually reduces the slip rotational speed, which is the input-output differential rotational speed of the lock-up clutch. During the slip control of the initial-motion lock-up control, if the slip rotational speed enters a smooth ON control region that is at or below a first set value, a second engine torque reduction control is executed that reduces the torque of the engine below the normal torque that is applied in response to a driver's request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuzuru Tohta
  • Publication number: 20190017594
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine as a drive source and a continuously variable transmission. The continuously variable transmission includes a torque converter having a lockup clutch. When simultaneous execution of an upshift of the continuously variable transmission and a lockup engagement of the lockup clutch is required in accordance with an accelerator depression operation, the LU engagement control of the lockup clutch is started in accordance with an LU engagement request. On the other hand, the upshift control uses the continuously variable transmission to place the starting of the control with respect to the upshift request on standby and cancels the standby when the LU engagement control of the lockup clutch enters a lockup engagement completion region and starts the upshift control (delayed control).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventor: Yuzuru TOHTA
  • Patent number: 10155517
    Abstract: An engine control device for a vehicle including a power train where a continuously variable transmission is coupled to an engine, includes engine torque control means configured to control the engine so as to obtain an basic engine torque corresponding to an operating state of the vehicle, and command means configured to command engine torque control means to increase an engine torque from the basic engine torque during a gear shifting from a first speed stage to a second speed stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: JATCO LTD
    Inventors: Yuzuru Tohta, Hideshi Wakayama, Mamiko Inoue, Takuichiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 10125864
    Abstract: A control device for a lock-up-clutch installed in a torque converter arranged between an engine and an automatic transmission mechanism includes an engagement control means that carries out a calculation to increase an engaging capacity of the lock-up-clutch with the passage of time during an engagement control time in which the torque converter is shifted from a converter condition to a lock-up condition in which the prime mover drives an auxiliary device and in which when, during the control to increase the engaging capacity of the lock-up-clutch, an input torque to the torque converter from the engine is increased due to reduction in load of the auxiliary device, the engagement control means promotes the increase of the engaging capacity of the lock-up-clutch based on the amount of increase of the input torque thereby eliminating undesired pressure shortage that would be induced in the period toward the lock-up condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Honma, Kohei Kamiya, Yuta Suzuki, Itaru Shinohara, Hiroshi Sekiya, Hiromu Ogino, Yasuhiro Endo, Yuzuru Tohta, Kouki Saitou
  • Publication number: 20180265087
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a continuously variable transmission and a torque converter that has a lock-up clutch. The torque converter is arranged between the engine and the continuously variable transmission. In this vehicle, when an engagement request of the lock-up clutch is issued, an initial-motion lock-up control is executed, whereby engagement is achieved through slip control that increases the lock-up capacity and gradually reduces the slip rotational speed, which is the input-output differential rotational speed of the lock-up clutch. During the slip control of the initial-motion lock-up control, if the slip rotational speed enters a smooth ON control region that is at or below a first set value, a second engine torque reduction control is executed that reduces the torque of the engine below the normal torque that is applied in response to a driver's request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Yuzuru TOHTA
  • Publication number: 20180266549
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a continuously variable transmission and a torque converter that has a lock-up clutch. The torque converter is arranged between the engine and the continuously variable transmission. The vehicle further includes engine accessories such as an air conditioner compressor and alternator that are driven by the engine. In this vehicle, a slip control is executed that produces a predetermined slip rotational state by controlling a lock-up capacity of the lock-up clutch. During slip control of the lock-up clutch, the engine-equipped vehicle executes cooperative control that suppresses load fluctuations of engine accessories such as the air conditioner compressor and the alternator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Yuzuru TOHTA
  • Patent number: 9920796
    Abstract: A vehicle lock-up clutch control device is provided to suppress engine racing when a lock-up clutch is engaged at the time a vehicle starts moving. The vehicle lock-up clutch control device is provided with a control unit that delays the rise in lock-up command pressure if a line pressure, which is the source pressure of the actual lock-up oil pressure, is rising when the lock-up clutch is engaged at the time the vehicle starts moving. The control unit executes a torque reduction in the engine at least during the delay in the lock-up command pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuzuru Tohta
  • Patent number: 9856976
    Abstract: A lock-up clutch control device is provided for a vehicle having a torque converter with a lock-up clutch disposed between an engine and a continuously variable transmission such that the occurrence of shocks during lock-up engagement is suppressed. The vehicle lock-up clutch control device is provided with a control unit that controls the lock-up capacity based on an engine torque signal when engaging the lock-up clutch. The control unit uses a predictive engine torque as the engine torque signal for use in the lock-up capacity control. The predictive engine torque is calculated based on an engine torque air response delay and a hydraulic response delay in the lock-up differential pressure and is faster in response than the actual engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuzuru Tohta
  • Patent number: 9815466
    Abstract: A lock-up clutch control device is provided for a vehicle, in which, when the accelerator pedal is released in a slip engagement mode, lock-up re-engagement with reduced engagement shock is performed, thereby improving fuel economy. A torque converter having a lock-up clutch is disposed between an engine and a continuously variable transmission. The vehicle is provided with a coast lock-up control unit configured to bring the engine in a fuel cut-off state when the accelerator pedal is released in a slip engagement mode in which a differential rotation is present in the lock-up clutch with the accelerator pedal being depressed. Upon accelerator fool release operation, the coast lock-up control unit performs an engine torque control to synchronize engine rotation speed and turbine rotational speed, re-engages the lock-up clutch in a rotation synchronization state, and, after the re-engagement, and performs fuel cut-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuzuru Tohta