Patents by Inventor Akihira Aoki

Akihira Aoki 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: 9334953
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for a vehicle power transmission mechanism (automatic transmission) having a transmission equipped with at least an input shaft connected to a drive source mounted on a vehicle, an output shaft connected to the input shaft via a speed ratio change mechanism, and a clutch (start clutch) which transmits a rotation of the output shaft to driven wheels and whose engaging force is regulated, a clutch output rotation change rate is calculated, and the clutch engaging force is corrected to decrease when the calculated output rotation change rate is a positive value, and the clutch engaging force is corrected to increase when the calculated output rotation change rate is a negative value, thereby enabling to suppress clutch juddering occurred due to a difference between input and output rotational speeds of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kurata, Akihira Aoki, Keiji Tojo, Isao Tabushi
  • Patent number: 8965647
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission is capable of continuously changing an output of an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle and allowing a transmission mode to be switchable between a continuous transmission mode in which a transmission ratio is set continuously and a stepped transmission mode in which the transmission ratio is set stepwise. A transmission mode selector is configured to change the transmission mode in such a manner that in a case where the stepped transmission mode is selected, when a engine rotation speed reaches a first predetermined rotation speed, then falls below a second predetermined rotation speed which is lower than the first predetermined rotation speed, and further falls below a third predetermined rotation speed, the transmission mode is switched from the stepped transmission mode to the continuous transmission mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihira Aoki
  • Publication number: 20140303863
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for a vehicle power transmission mechanism (automatic transmission) having a transmission equipped with at least an input shaft connected to a drive source mounted on a vehicle and an output shaft connected to the input shaft via a clutch (start clutch) whose engaging force is regulated, a clutch output rotation change rate is calculated, and the clutch engaging force is corrected to decrease when the calculated output rotation change rate is a positive value, and the clutch engaging force is corrected to increase when the calculated output rotation change rate is a negative value, thereby enabling to suppress clutch juddering occurred due to a difference between input and output rotational speeds of the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Takeshi Kurata, Akihira Aoki, Keiji Tojo, Isao Tabushi
  • Publication number: 20140200779
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission is capable of continuously changing an output of an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle and allowing a transmission mode to be switchable between a continuous transmission mode in which a transmission ratio is set continuously and a stepped transmission mode in which the transmission ratio is set stepwise. A transmission mode selector is configured to change the transmission mode in such a manner that in a case where the stepped transmission mode is selected, when a engine rotation speed reaches a first predetermined rotation speed, then falls below a second predetermined rotation speed which is lower than the first predetermined rotation speed, and further falls below a third predetermined rotation speed, the transmission mode is switched from the stepped transmission mode to the continuous transmission mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akihira AOKI
  • Patent number: 8439798
    Abstract: In a hydraulic apparatus for an automatic transmission having a torque converter with a lockup clutch and CVT, there are provided a first control valve for controlling hydraulic pressure supply to the lockup clutch oil chamber, a first electromagnetic solenoid valve for controlling operation of the first control valve, a second control valve for controlling hydraulic pressure supply to the CVT pulleys, a second electromagnetic solenoid valve for controlling operation of the second control valve, a switching valve interposed between the oil chamber and the first control valve. In the apparatus, when detecting that the first control valve or first electromagnetic solenoid valve is failed and the lockup clutch is locked in engaged condition, current supply to the second electromagnetic solenoid valve is stopped so that it operates the switching valve to disengage the lockup clutch, thereby enabling to forcibly release the engagement without manipulation by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motors Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Keiichi Hanyu, Genso Igari, Akihira Aoki
  • Publication number: 20110067968
    Abstract: In a hydraulic apparatus for an automatic transmission having a torque converter with a lockup clutch and CVT, there are provided a first control valve for controlling hydraulic pressure supply to the lockup clutch oil chamber, a first electromagnetic solenoid valve for controlling operation of the first control valve, a second control valve for controlling hydraulic pressure supply to the CVT pulleys, a second electromagnetic solenoid valve for controlling operation of the second control valve, a switching valve interposed between the oil chamber and the first control valve. In the apparatus, when detecting that the first control valve or first electromagnetic solenoid valve is failed and the lockup clutch is locked in engaged condition, current supply to the second electromagnetic solenoid valve is stopped so that it operates the switching valve to disengage the lockup clutch, thereby enabling to forcibly release the engagement without manipulation by the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiichi Hanyu, Genso Igari, Akihira Aoki
  • Patent number: 7548810
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission of a vehicle is provided for switching the transmission from a continuously variable transmission mode to a stepped transmission mode without giving any discomfort to the driver, and for appropriately responding to a request for acceleration from the operator during the stepped transmission mode. The control apparatus comprises an ECU for setting a target transmission ratio in accordance with the detected operating condition of the vehicle, controlling the transmission ratio of the continuously variable transmission to reach the set target transmission ratio, and switching the transmission mode between a CVT mode and an AT mode. When the transmission mode is switched from the CVT mode to the AT mode, the ECU sets the target transmission ratio to a transmission ratio in the CVT mode immediately before the switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihira Aoki
  • Publication number: 20050096822
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission of a vehicle is provided for switching the transmission from a continuously variable transmission mode to a stepped transmission mode without giving any discomfort to the driver, and for appropriately responding to a request for acceleration from the operator during the stepped transmission mode. The control apparatus comprises an ECU for setting a target transmission ratio in accordance with the detected operating condition of the vehicle, controlling the transmission ratio of the continuously variable transmission to reach the set target transmission ratio, and switching the transmission mode between a CVT mode and an AT mode. When the transmission mode is switched from the CVT mode to the AT mode, the ECU sets the target transmission ratio to a transmission ratio in the CVT mode immediately before the switching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventor: Akihira Aoki
  • Patent number: 6821228
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission for use with a vehicle is provided for permitting a driver to select one from three transmission modes for the continuously variable transmission, and providing an appropriate transmission ratio in accordance with a particular operating condition of a vehicle without causing an insufficient engine torque or over-revolution, particularly when the transmission is switched from a continuously variable transmission mode to a stepped manual transmission mode. The control apparatus comprises an ECU and an MT switch. The ECU executes a continuous automatic transmission mode for continuously setting a transmission ratio of the continuously variable transmission in accordance with a detected operating condition of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihira Aoki, Shuichi Fujimoto, Hisashi Kunii
  • Patent number: 6767309
    Abstract: An automatic transmission comprises a metal V-belt mechanism 10, which changes the speed ratio of the rotational output from an engine ENG, a forward/reverse direction change mechanism 20, which switches the rotational direction of the ratio-change mechanism, and a forward clutch 30, which actuates the switching operation of the rotational direction performed by the forward/reverse direction-change mechanism. A control system for this transmission comprises a regulator valve 50, which generates a line pressure, a manual valve 80, which is operated in correspondence to the shift lever and switches the supply of the line pressure to the forward clutch, and a drive-range sensor 105, which detects the operation of the manual valve. When the movement of the manual valve to a position where the line pressure is to be supplied to the forward clutch is detected by the drive-range sensor 105, the line pressure, which is adjusted by the regulator valve, is lowered for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Fujimoto, Akihira Aoki, Hiroshi Saotome
  • Publication number: 20030228953
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission for use with a vehicle is provided for permitting a driver to select one from three transmission modes for the continuously variable transmission, and providing an appropriate transmission ratio in accordance with a particular operating condition of a vehicle without causing an insufficient engine torque or over-revolution, particularly when the transmission is switched from a continuously variable transmission mode to a stepped manual transmission mode. The control apparatus comprises an ECU and an MT switch. The ECU executes a continuous automatic transmission mode for continuously setting a transmission ratio of the continuously variable transmission in accordance with a detected operating condition of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akihira Aoki, Shuichi Fujimoto, Hisashi Kunii
  • Publication number: 20030022742
    Abstract: An automatic transmission comprises a metal V-belt mechanism 10, which changes the speed ratio of the rotational output from an engine ENG, a forward/reverse direction change mechanism 20, which switches the rotational direction of the ratio-change mechanism, and a forward clutch 30, which actuates the switching operation of the rotational direction performed by the forward/reverse direction-change mechanism. A control system for this transmission comprises a regulator valve 50, which generates a line pressure, a manual valve 80, which is operated in correspondence to the shift lever and switches the supply of the line pressure to the forward clutch, and a drive-range sensor 105, which detects the operation of the manual valve. When the movement of the manual valve to a position where the line pressure is to be supplied to the forward clutch is detected by the drive-range sensor 105, the line pressure, which is adjusted by the regulator valve, is lowered for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuichi Fujimoto, Akihira Aoki, Hiroshi Saotome
  • Patent number: 6406402
    Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling a pulley side-pressure of a belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism provided, in series with a starting clutch, in a transmission of a vehicle having a function of stopping engine idling so that an engine is automatically stopped, if the vehicle start-up is controlled from the state of engine stopping in an ordinary way in which the pulley side-pressure is determined by that belt transmission torque corresponding to an output torque of the engine which is obtained by the rotational speed and the negative suction pressure of the engine, the pulley side-pressure becomes excessive by wrong judgement that the engine output torque is large, because the negative suction pressure is small at the beginning of the engine starting. The durability then deteriorates and the specific fuel consumption becomes poor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Eguchi, Akihira Aoki
  • Patent number: 6379282
    Abstract: An electronic control unit ECU controls a shift thrust Ft applied to a variable width drive pulley through a control valve CV and makes the rotational speed Ne of the engine follow a target engine rotational speed Neo to vary the speed change ratio of a continuously variable transmission CVT. In this control, the shift thrust Ft is achieved as sum of a proportional term P and an integral term I, where the proportional term P is determined on the basis of the deviation DNe of the engine rotational speed Ne from the target engine rotational speed Neo, and the integral term I is determined as cumulative sum of the deviation. When the throttle of the engine is closed, the integral term is set larger than when the throttle is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihira Aoki
  • Patent number: 6338695
    Abstract: After the engine rotational speed Ne has become below a reference rotaional speed Neo, which is lower than an idling rotational speed of the engine, and after the pressure PL of oil passages 103a and 103b has begun to decrease, for a predetermined time, the currents supplied to electromagnetic valves 45 and 46 are adjusted to generate, in each electromagnetic valve, a second biasing force electromagnetically in a magnitude that can supplement a decrease in a third biasing force which is generated by the back pressure led through an oil passage 107 and 108, respectively, and which decreases as the pressure of the oil passages 103a and 103b decreases. After the above metioned predetermined time has elapsed, the currents supplied to the eletromagnetic valves 45 and 46 are set almost to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihira Aoki, Yukihiko Fukushima
  • Patent number: 6135915
    Abstract: Drive and driven pulley necessary axial thrusts (Qdrnec, Qdnnec) necessary for power transmission without belt slippage are found in accordance with the input torque and transmission ratio; the vehicle speed and degree of accelerator opening target transmission ratio (itgt) and target rate of change of transmission ratio (ditgt) are found; this axial thrust (Qdnnec) is set as the driven pulley target axial thrust (Qdncmd); and the drive pulley axial thrust necessary to obtain the target values (itgt) and (ditgt) is set as the drive pulley target axial thrust (Qdrcmd). Then, if (Qdrcmd)<(Qdrnec), this axial thrust (Qdrnec) is altered and set as the drive pulley target axial thrust (Qdrcmd) and the driven axial thrust necessary for obtaining the target values (itgt), (ditgt) is altered and set as the driven pulley target axial thrust (Qdncmd). Drive and driven pulley axial thrust control is performed such that these target axial thrusts (Qdrcmd, Qdncmd) are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihira Aoki, Hiroshi Saotome