Patents by Inventor Akinori Homan

Akinori Homan 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: 11692619
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes a first input shaft configured to input power from a first power source, a second input shaft configured to input power from a second power source, a first output shaft configured to transmit power to a first drive wheel, a second output shaft configured to transmit power to a second drive wheel, and a differential gear including, as three rotation elements, a first rotation element to which the second input shaft is connected, a second rotation element to which the second output shaft is connected, and a third rotation element to which the first input shaft and the first output shaft are connected, in which an engagement device configured to selectively connect any two of the three rotation elements is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yosuke Akiyama, Akira Ijichi, Koji Takaira, Akinori Homan
  • Patent number: 11628842
    Abstract: In a vehicle drive device, a second power source is connected to a first rotating element of a differential mechanism, and the other output shaft of a first output shaft and a second output shaft is connected to a third rotating element so as to be disconnectable and connectable by a disconnection-connection mechanism. A control device places the disconnection-connection mechanism in a disconnected state. When a second traveling mode in which the third rotating element is fixed to a fixing member through engagement of an engaging element is switched to a first traveling mode in which the disconnection-connection mechanism is placed in a connected state, the control device disengages the engaging element, executes synchronous control in which rotational speeds of the other output shaft and the third rotating element are synchronized by a second power source, and switches the disconnection-connection mechanism from the disconnected state to the connected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Koichi Okuda, Koji Takaira, Akinori Homan, Yosuke Akiyama, Akira Ijichi, Kunihiko Usui
  • Patent number: 11618311
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device includes: a brake that is provided with a plurality of friction plates, a first piston and a second piston, and a first piston hydraulic chamber and a second piston hydraulic chamber, and selectively fixes the third rotating element to a fixing member; a hydraulic control circuit that controls supply of the hydraulic pressure to the first piston hydraulic chamber and the second piston hydraulic chamber; and a control device. The control device controls the hydraulic control circuit such that the hydraulic pressure is supplied to the first piston hydraulic chamber and the second piston hydraulic chamber when the first traveling mode is set, and controls the hydraulic control circuit such that the hydraulic pressure is supplied only to one of the first piston hydraulic chamber and the second piston hydraulic chamber when the second traveling mode is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Koichi Okuda, Koji Takaira, Yuki Makino, Akinori Homan, Yosuke Akiyama, Akira Ijichi, Kunihiko Usui
  • Patent number: 11548371
    Abstract: A drive system including first and second power sources, first and second output shafts, a differential mechanism, and an electronic control unit, and a control method therefor are provided. The differential mechanism is configured such that the second power source is connected to a first rotating element, one output shaft of a vehicle is connected to a second rotating element, and the other output shaft of the vehicle is connected to a third rotating element so as to be able to be connected to or disconnected from the third rotating element by a connect-disconnect mechanism, and includes at least one of an engagement element that selectively engages any two of the three rotating elements and an engagement element that selectively engages the third rotating element to a fixing member. The electronic control unit is configured to, during turning, prohibit switching between a first drive mode and a second drive mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Koichi Okuda, Koji Takaira, Akinori Homan, Yosuke Akiyama, Akira Ijichi, Kunihiko Usui
  • Publication number: 20220388493
    Abstract: A vehicle driving apparatus includes: an engine; a first rotary electric machine; first and second output shafts; a power distribution device for distributing a power between the first and second output shafts; and a control device for controlling an electric-power generation torque of a second rotary electric machine such that a power distribution ratio between the first and second output shafts becomes a target distribution ratio, and controlling a total torque of the engine and the first rotary electric machine such that a requested drive torque is obtained. The control device executes an electric-power consuming control to supply at least a part of a generated electric power generated by the second rotary electric machine, to the first rotary electric machine without via a power storage device, and to drive the first rotary electric machine, such that an operation state of the engine is brought close to a fuel-economy optimum state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi TABATA, Koichi OKUDA, Koji TAKAIRA, Yuuki MAKINO, Akinori HOMAN, Yosuke AKIYAMA, Akira IJICHI, Kunihiko USUI
  • Publication number: 20220297545
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device and a control method therefor are provided. The vehicle drive device includes: a power source including a first rotating electrical machine; a second rotating electrical machine; a differential unit including three rotating elements to which a first output shaft, a second output shaft, and the second rotating electrical machine are connected; and an electronic control device. The electronic control device regeneratively controls the first rotating electrical machine and the second rotating electrical machine in such a manner that negative torque is applied to the first output shaft and the second output shaft, when performing regenerative control by the second rotating electrical machine in a drive mode in which torque from the power source is distributed to the first output shaft and the second output shaft by controlling torque of the second rotating electrical machine during deceleration of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi TABATA, Koichi OKUDA, Koji TAKAIRA, Yuki MAKINO, Akinori HOMAN, Yosuke AKIYAMA, Akira IJICHI, Kunihiko USUI
  • Publication number: 20220281309
    Abstract: A drive system including first and second power sources, first and second output shafts, a differential mechanism, and an electronic control unit, and a control method therefor are provided. The differential mechanism is configured such that the second power source is connected to a first rotating element, one output shaft of a vehicle is connected to a second rotating element, and the other output shaft of the vehicle is connected to a third rotating element so as to be able to be connected to or disconnected from the third rotating element by a connect-disconnect mechanism, and includes at least one of an engagement element that selectively engages any two of the three rotating elements and an engagement element that selectively engages the third rotating element to a fixing member. The electronic control unit is configured to, during turning, prohibit switching between a first drive mode and a second drive mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi TABATA, Koichi OKUDA, Koji TAKAIRA, Akinori HOMAN, Yosuke AKIYAMA, Akira IJICHI, Kunihiko USUI
  • Publication number: 20220274478
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device includes: a brake that is provided with a plurality of friction plates, a first piston and a second piston, and a first piston hydraulic chamber and a second piston hydraulic chamber, and selectively fixes the third rotating element to a fixing member; a hydraulic control circuit that controls supply of the hydraulic pressure to the first piston hydraulic chamber and the second piston hydraulic chamber; and a control device. The control device controls the hydraulic control circuit such that the hydraulic pressure is supplied to the first piston hydraulic chamber and the second piston hydraulic chamber when the first traveling mode is set, and controls the hydraulic control circuit such that the hydraulic pressure is supplied only to one of the first piston hydraulic chamber and the second piston hydraulic chamber when the second traveling mode is set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi TABATA, Koichi OKUDA, Koji TAKAIRA, Yuki MAKINO, Akinori HOMAN, Yosuke AKIYAMA, Akira IJICHI, Kunihiko USUI
  • Publication number: 20220266687
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device includes a differential mechanism provided with a first rotating element connected to the first output shaft, a second rotating element connected to the second output shaft, and a third rotating element connected to the rotating electric machine and an engaging element that selectively engages any two of the first rotating element, the second rotating element, and the third rotating element. A control device controls torque from a rotating electric machine so as to change a torque distribution ratio at which torque from a power source is distributed to the first output shaft and the second output shaft, and changes the torque distribution ratio by controlling a torque capacity of the engaging element when the torque from an rotating electric machine is limited and thus a change in the torque distribution ratio is restricted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi TABATA, Koichi OKUDA, Koji TAKAIRA, Akinori HOMAN, Yosuke AKIYAMA, Akira IJICHI, Kunihiko USUI
  • Publication number: 20220268347
    Abstract: In a vehicle drive device, a second power source is connected to a first rotating element of a differential mechanism. The other output shaft of a first output shaft and a second output shaft is connected to a third rotating element so as to be disconnectable and connectable by a disconnection-connection mechanism. A control device places the disconnection-connection mechanism in a disconnected state. When a second traveling mode in which the third rotating element is fixed to a fixing member through engagement of a first engaging element is switched to a first traveling mode in which the disconnection-connection mechanism is placed in a connected state, the control device disengages the first engaging element, executes synchronous control in which rotational speeds of the other output shaft and the third rotating element are synchronized by a second engaging element, and switches the disconnection-connection mechanism from the disconnected state to the connected state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi TABATA, Koichi OKUDA, Koji TAKAIRA, Akinori HOMAN, Yosuke AKIYAMA, Akira IJICHI, Kunihiko USUI
  • Publication number: 20220266832
    Abstract: In a vehicle drive device, a second power source is connected to a first rotating element of a differential mechanism, and the other output shaft of a first output shaft and a second output shaft is connected to a third rotating element so as to be disconnectable and connectable by a disconnection-connection mechanism. A control device places the disconnection-connection mechanism in a disconnected state. When a second traveling mode in which the third rotating element is fixed to a fixing member through engagement of an engaging element is switched to a first traveling mode in which the disconnection-connection mechanism is placed in a connected state, the control device disengages the engaging element, executes synchronous control in which rotational speeds of the other output shaft and the third rotating element are synchronized by a second power source, and switches the disconnection-connection mechanism from the disconnected state to the connected state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi TABATA, Koichi OKUDA, Koji TAKAIRA, Akinori HOMAN, Yosuke AKIYAMA, Akira IJICHI, Kunihiko USUI
  • Publication number: 20220266688
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a motive power transmission device equipped with a first input shaft, a second input shaft to which a motive power from a motor is input, a rear wheel-side output shaft from which a motive power is output to a first driving wheel, a front wheel-side output shaft from which a motive power is output to a second driving wheel, and a planetary gear device that has, as three rotating elements, a sun gear to which the second input shaft is coupled, a carrier to which the front wheel-side output shaft is coupled, and a ring gear to which the first input shaft and the rear wheel-side output shaft are coupled engages an engagement device when a torque of the rear wheel-side output shaft is equal to or smaller than a threshold with the motor outputting the motive power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Yosuke AKIYAMA, Akira IJICHI, Taichi KOBAYASHI, Koji TAKAIRA, Akinori HOMAN, Yoshio ITOU, Kunihiko USUI
  • Publication number: 20220266689
    Abstract: When temperature of a second power source of a vehicle becomes higher than a threshold value during a first mode in which three rotating elements of a differential gear can make differential movement and when four-wheel drive is needed, switching is performed to a second mode in which the three rotating elements are unified, and when four-wheel drive is not needed even when the temperature of the second power source becomes higher than the threshold value during the first mode, output of the second power source is restricted, while the first mode is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Yosuke AKIYAMA, Akira IJICHI, Taichi KOBAYASHI, Koji TAKAIRA, Akinori HOMAN, Yoshio ITOU, Kunihiko USUI
  • Publication number: 20220260144
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes a first input shaft configured to input power from a first power source, a second input shaft configured to input power from a second power source, a first output shaft configured to transmit power to a first drive wheel, a second output shaft configured to transmit power to a second drive wheel, and a differential gear including, as three rotation elements, a first rotation element to which the second input shaft is connected, a second rotation element to which the second output shaft is connected, and a third rotation element to which the first input shaft and the first output shaft are connected, in which an engagement device configured to selectively connect any two of the three rotation elements is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Yosuke AKIYAMA, Akira IJICHI, Koji TAKAIRA, Akinori HOMAN
  • Patent number: 11370299
    Abstract: A power transmission device include: a differential having three rotational elements; and a connection switching device that selectively switches a connection relationship among an input shaft, a first output shaft, a second output shaft, and the three rotational elements. Further, the connection switching device selectively fixes any one rotational element to a fixing member, the second power source is coupled to rotational elements other than the rotational element fixed to the fixing member, the differential can be switched between modes including a first mode where any one rotational element among the three rotational elements is coupled to the input shaft, one of the remaining rotational elements is fixed to the fixing member, and the other is coupled to the first output shaft, and a second mode where the three rotational elements are respectively coupled to the second power source, the first output shaft, and the second output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yosuke Akiyama, Akira Ijichi, Taichi Kobayashi, Koji Takaira, Akinori Homan, Yohei Habata
  • Publication number: 20210260995
    Abstract: A power transmission device include: a differential having three rotational elements; and a connection switching device that selectively switches a connection relationship among an input shaft, a first output shaft, a second output shaft, and the three rotational elements. Further, the connection switching device selectively fixes any one rotational element to a fixing member, the second power source is coupled to rotational elements other than the rotational element fixed to the fixing member, the differential can be switched between modes including a first mode where any one rotational element among the three rotational elements is coupled to the input shaft, one of the remaining rotational elements is fixed to the fixing member, and the other is coupled to the first output shaft, and a second mode where the three rotational elements are respectively coupled to the second power source, the first output shaft, and the second output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Yosuke AKIYAMA, Akira IJICHI, Taichi KOBAYASHI, Koji TAKAIRA, Akinori HOMAN, Yohei HABATA
  • Patent number: 10525828
    Abstract: A transfer for a vehicle, the transfer includes an input rotating member, a first output rotating member, a second output rotating member, a high-low switching mechanism, a clutch, a motor, a screw mechanism and a transmitting mechanism. The first output rotating member outputs power to first left and right wheels. The second output rotating member outputs power to second left and right wheels. The high-low switching mechanism changes a rate of rotation from the input rotating member and transmits the rotation to the first output rotating member. The clutch adjusts a transfer torque. The transfer torque is transmitted from the first output rotating member to the second output rotating member. The screw mechanism converts rotational motion of the motor to linear motion. The transmitting mechanism transmits linear motion force of the screw mechanism to both the high-low switching mechanism and the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mizuki Imafuku, Akinori Homan, Tomohiro Arakawa
  • Patent number: 9937789
    Abstract: In a transfer, a high thrust can be given to a front-wheel driving clutch by a high magnification function of a screw mechanism. Further, a necessary stroke for an operation of a high-low switching mechanism can be obtained by the screw mechanism. Accordingly, with the use of one motor, the screw mechanism, and a transmission mechanism, it is possible to perform a switching operation of the high-low switching mechanism and a torque adjustment of the front-wheel driving clutch by the same system. Hereby, it is possible to perform, with accuracy, the switching operation of the high-low switching mechanism and the torque adjustment of the front-wheel driving clutch, based on a motor rotation angle Am of one motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mizuki Imafuku, Akinori Homan, Tomohiro Arakawa
  • Patent number: 9500238
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism includes a first and a second rotating members, a clutch hub, a clutch drum, a plurality of friction engagement elements, a piston, a piston driving device and a sleeve. A clutch hub main body of the clutch hub is connected to the first rotating member and does not rotate relative to the first rotating member. An inner hub of the clutch hub rotates relative to the clutch hub main body. The inner hub engages with an inner peripheral side of the friction engagement elements and does not rotate relative to the friction engagement elements. The sleeve does not rotate relative to the inner hub. The sleeve moves relative to the first rotating member. The sleeve moves in conjunction with the piston to a position where the sleeve engages with the clutch hub main body and does not rotate relative to the clutch hub main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mizuki Imafuku, Akinori Homan, Tomohiro Arakawa
  • Publication number: 20160101690
    Abstract: In a transfer, a high thrust can be given to a front-wheel driving clutch by a high magnification function of a screw mechanism. Further, a necessary stroke for an operation of a high-low switching mechanism can be obtained by the screw mechanism. Accordingly, with the use of one motor, the screw mechanism, and a transmission mechanism, it is possible to perform a switching operation of the high-low switching mechanism and a torque adjustment of the front-wheel driving clutch by the same system. Hereby, it is possible to perform, with accuracy, the switching operation of the high-low switching mechanism and the torque adjustment of the front-wheel driving clutch, based on a motor rotation angle Am of one motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mizuki IMAFUKU, Akinori HOMAN, Tomohiro ARAKAWA