Patents by Inventor Akio Kidooka
Akio Kidooka 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).
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Patent number: 10711692Abstract: A gear drive mechanism is provided with a gear drive pin provided at the second gear, a first movable member and second movable member configured to be able to move to the gear drive pin side, a first guide groove formed at the first movable member and engaged with the gear drive pin when making the eccentric member rotate toward a low compression ratio position, and a second guide groove formed at the second movable member and engaging with the gear drive pin when making the eccentric member rotate toward the high compression ratio position and wherein the mechanism makes the gear drive pin moving relative to a counterweight move along the first guide groove and the second guide groove so as to make the second gear rotate.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshiro Kamo, Akio Kidooka
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Patent number: 10408126Abstract: A variable length connecting rod includes a connecting rod body, an eccentric member, a switching mechanism and a stopping mechanism. The eccentric member is provided at a small diameter end of the connecting rod body. The eccentric member rotates such that an effective length of the variable length connecting rod is varied. The switching mechanism includes a hydraulic piston connected to the eccentric member. The eccentric member reaches a first position when the switching mechanism is in a first state. The eccentric member reaches a second position when the switching mechanism is in a second state. The stopping mechanism includes a stopping member that abuts against or engages with the eccentric member or the hydraulic piston such that the eccentric member is maintained at an intermediate position between the first position and the second position.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2015Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Akio Kidooka, Yoshiro Kamo
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Patent number: 10393012Abstract: The internal combustion engine comprises: operating members and operating by a predetermined pressure or more of oil pressure; a hydraulic oil path supplying hydraulic oil to the operating members through crank journals; a lubricating oil path supplying lubricating oil to crankpins through the crank journals; a hydraulic control valve linearly controlling an oil pressure supplied to the operating members due to change of that opening degree; and a control device. The control device controls the opening degree of the hydraulic control valve so that when operating the operating members, the predetermined pressure or more of oil pressure is supplied to the operating members, and controls the opening degree of the hydraulic control valve so that when not operating the operating members, less than the predetermined pressure of oil pressure is supplied to the operating members.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshiro Kamo, Shuichi Ezaki, Akio Kidooka
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Patent number: 10337366Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes: a head cover covering a cylinder head; and a variable valve actuation mechanism. The variable valve actuation mechanism includes: a cam placed inside the head cover and rotating with a camshaft extending in a rotation axis direction; and an intermediate arm placed inside the head cover and sandwiched between the cam and a rocker arm. A pair of side through-holes, which are provided for a support rod supporting the intermediate arm to pass through, are formed in side portions of the head cover so as to face each other along the rotation axis direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2018Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akio Kidooka, Yoshiaki Miyazato, Keiju Tomoda, Masatoshi Sugiura
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Patent number: 10119462Abstract: A variable length connecting rod comprises a connecting rod body, an eccentric member, a hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic piston, a check valve, a switching mechanism and a hydraulic mechanism. The check valve permits a flow of hydraulic oil from a primary side of the check valve to a secondary side of the check valve and prohibits the flow from the secondary side to the primary side. The switching mechanism comprises a single switching pin. The connecting rod body is formed with first to fourth oil paths. The switching pin is switched between a first position making the first oil path communicate with the fourth oil path and making the second oil path communicate with the third oil path, and a second position making the first oil path communicate with the third oil path and making the second oil path communicate with the fourth oil path.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2017Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Yoshiro Kamo, Akio Kidooka
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Publication number: 20180283239Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes: a head cover covering a cylinder head; and a variable valve actuation mechanism. The variable valve actuation mechanism includes: a cam placed inside the head cover and rotating with a camshaft extending in a rotation axis direction; and an intermediate arm placed inside the head cover and sandwiched between the cam and a rocker arm. A pair of side through-holes, which are provided for a support rod supporting the intermediate arm to pass through, are formed in side portions of the head cover so as to face each other along the rotation axis direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2018Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akio KIDOOKA, Yoshiaki MIYAZATO, Keiju TOMODA, Masatoshi SUGIURA
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Patent number: 10082073Abstract: A variable length connecting rod includes a connecting rod body, an eccentric member, a first piston mechanism, a second piston mechanism and a flow-direction switching mechanism. The eccentric member, the first piston member, the second piston member and the flow-direction switching mechanism are provided in the connecting rod body. The first piston mechanism and the second piston mechanism are configured to pivot the eccentric member. The connecting rod body has a control oil passage that communicates with a first opening of the connecting rod and the flow-direction switching mechanism. The flow-direction switching mechanism is switched between the first state and the second state by switching pins. The switching pins are disposed in the connecting rod body such that directions in which the switching pins are operated are angled with respect to a plane perpendicular to an axis of the first opening.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2015Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Yoshiro Kamo, Akio Kidooka
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Publication number: 20180258846Abstract: A gear drive mechanism is provided with a gear drive pin provided at the second gear, a first movable member and second movable member configured to be able to move to the gear drive pin side, a first guide groove formed at the first movable member and engaged with the gear drive pin when making the eccentric member rotate toward a low compression ratio position, and a second guide groove formed at the second movable member and engaging with the gear drive pin when making the eccentric member rotate toward the high compression ratio position and wherein the mechanism makes the gear drive pin moving relative to a counterweight move along the first guide groove and the second guide groove so as to make the second gear rotate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshiro KAMO, Akio KIDOOKA
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Patent number: 9958004Abstract: A variable length connecting rod which can change the effective length comprises a connecting rod body, an eccentric member which is attached at the small end to the connecting rod body to be able to swivel and which changes the effective length of a variable length connecting rod when swiveled, one piston mechanism which has one hydraulic cylinder which is provided in the connecting rod body and one hydraulic piston which slides in the hydraulic cylinder, a direction switching mechanism which switches between supply and discharge of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder, and a hydraulic fluid supply source which supplies the hydraulic cylinder with hydraulic fluid. The piston mechanism is configured so that the eccentric member swivels in one direction if hydraulic fluid is supplied to the hydraulic cylinder and so that the eccentric member swivels in the other direction if hydraulic fluid is discharged from the hydraulic cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2015Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Akio Kidooka, Yoshiro Kamo
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Publication number: 20170356335Abstract: A variable length connecting rod includes a connecting rod body, an eccentric member, a first piston mechanism, a second piston mechanism and a flow-direction switching mechanism. The eccentric member, the first piston member, the second piston member and the flow-direction switching mechanism are provided in the connecting rod body. The first piston mechanism and the second piston mechanism are configured to pivot the eccentric member. The connecting rod body has a control oil passage that communicates with a first opening of the connecting rod and the flow-direction switching mechanism. The flow-direction switching mechanism is switched between the first state and the second state by switching pins. The switching pins are disposed in the connecting rod body such that directions in which the switching pins are operated are angled with respect to a plane perpendicular to an axis of the first opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2015Publication date: December 14, 2017Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shuichi EZAKI, Yoshiro KAMO, Akio KIDOOKA
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Publication number: 20170342896Abstract: A variable length connecting rod includes a connecting rod body, an eccentric member, a switching mechanism and a stopping mechanism. The eccentric member is provided at a small diameter end of the connecting rod body. The eccentric member rotates such that an effective length of the variable length connecting rod is varied. The switching mechanism includes a hydraulic piston connected to the eccentric member. The eccentric member reaches a first position when the switching mechanism is in a first state. The eccentric member reaches a second position when the switching mechanism is in a second state. The stopping mechanism includes a stopping member that abuts against or engages with the eccentric member or the hydraulic piston such that the eccentric member is maintained at an intermediate position between the first position and the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2015Publication date: November 30, 2017Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shuichi EZAKI, Akio KIDOOKA, Yoshiro KAMO
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Publication number: 20170248074Abstract: A variable length connecting rod comprises a connecting rod body, an eccentric member, a hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic piston, a check valve, a switching mechanism and a hydraulic mechanism. The check valve permits a flow of hydraulic oil from a primary side of the check valve to a secondary side of the check valve and prohibits the flow from the secondary side to the primary side. The switching mechanism comprises a single switching pin. The connecting rod body is formed with first to fourth oil paths. The switching pin is switched between a first position making the first oil path communicate with the fourth oil path and making the second oil path communicate with the third oil path, and a second position making the first oil path communicate with the third oil path and making the second oil path communicate with the fourth oil path.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2017Publication date: August 31, 2017Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shuichi EZAKI, Yoshiro KAMO, Akio KIDOOKA
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Publication number: 20170101906Abstract: A valve operating apparatus includes: a first intermediate arm and a first rocker arm that are interposed between a first cam unit and a first valve; a second intermediate arm and a second rocker arm that are interposed between a second cam unit and a second valve; and hydraulic lash adjusters that rockably support the rocker arms. The intermediate arms are rockably supported by a rocker shaft. In the axial direction of the rocker shaft, the distance between the first transmission part and a bearing nearest thereto is shorter than the distance between the first pressure receiving part and a bearing nearest thereto, and likewise, the distance between the second transmission part and a bearing nearest thereto is shorter than the distance between the second pressure receiving part and a bearing nearest thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshiaki MIYAZATO, Hiroki MURATA, Akio KIDOOKA
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Publication number: 20160333780Abstract: The internal combustion engine comprises: operating members and operating by a predetermined pressure or more of oil pressure; a hydraulic oil path supplying hydraulic oil to the operating members through crank journals; a lubricating oil path supplying lubricating oil to crankpins through the crank journals; a hydraulic control valve linearly controlling an oil pressure supplied to the operating members due to change of that opening degree; and a control device. The control device controls the opening degree of the hydraulic control valve so that when operating the operating members, the predetermined pressure or more of oil pressure is supplied to the operating members, and controls the opening degree of the hydraulic control valve so that when not operating the operating members, less than the predetermined pressure of oil pressure is supplied to the operating members.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshiro KAMO, Shuichi EZAKI, Akio KIDOOKA
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Patent number: 9400026Abstract: At least a first movable coil part of a plurality of movable coil parts that is in the innermost place in the radial direction does not come into contact with both the fixed coil part, which is radially adjacent inwardly, and a second movable coil part, which is radially adjacent outwardly, at the same place in the circumferential direction while coming into contact with only one of the fixed coil part and the second movable coil part in a plurality of places that are circumferentially displaced, when the spiral spring is in an elasticity retaining state reached from a free length state by elastic deformation in the diameter-reducing direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2013Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignees: Suncall Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso CorporationInventors: Ryuji Kishihara, Naoya Wada, Keiichiro Teratoko, Akio Kidooka, Yuu Yokoyama, Akira Hori
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Publication number: 20160177997Abstract: A variable length connecting rod which can change the effective length comprises a connecting rod body, an eccentric member which is attached at the small end to the connecting rod body to be able to swivel and which changes the effective length of a variable length connecting rod when swiveled, one piston mechanism which has one hydraulic cylinder which is provided in the connecting rod body and one hydraulic piston which slides in the hydraulic cylinder, a direction switching mechanism which switches between supply and discharge of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder, and a hydraulic fluid supply source which supplies the hydraulic cylinder with hydraulic fluid. The piston mechanism is configured so that the eccentric member swivels in one direction if hydraulic fluid is supplied to the hydraulic cylinder and so that the eccentric member swivels in the other direction if hydraulic fluid is discharged from the hydraulic cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2015Publication date: June 23, 2016Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shuichi EZAKI, Akio KIDOOKA, Yoshiro KAMO
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Patent number: 9181879Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine that can suppress blowback of in-cylinder residual gas to an intake passage when reverting from a fuel-cut operation accompanied by valve stopping control of an intake valve while suppressing an oil ascent during execution of the fuel-cut operation, and a control apparatus for a vehicle equipped with the internal combustion engine. When executing a fuel-cut operation accompanied by intake valve stopping control, advancement control of the opening/closing timing of an exhaust valve (32) is executed. If the advancement control is being executed in a case where a request to revert from the fuel-cut operation has been detected, an advance amount of the opening/closing timing of the exhaust valve (32) is retarded so as to become less than or equal to a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2015Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akio Kidooka, Yoshikazu Jikuhara
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Publication number: 20150292585Abstract: At least a first movable coil part of the plurality of movable coil parts that is in the innermost place in the radial direction does not come into contact with both the fixed coil part, which is radially adjacent on the inside, and a second movable coil part, which is radially adjacent on the outside, at the same place in the circumferential direction while coming into contact with only one of the fixed coil part and the second movable coil part in a plurality of places that are circumferentially displaced, when the spiral spring is in an elasticity retaining state reached from a free length state by elastic deformation in the diameter-reducing direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2013Publication date: October 15, 2015Inventors: Ryuji Kishihara, Naoya Wada, Keiichiro Teratoko, Akio Kidooka, Yuu Yokoyama, Akira Hori
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Publication number: 20150233308Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine that can suppress blowback of in-cylinder residual gas to an intake passage when reverting from a fuel-cut operation accompanied by valve stopping control of an intake valve while suppressing an oil ascent during execution of the fuel-cut operation, and a control apparatus for a vehicle equipped with the internal combustion engine. When executing a fuel-cut operation accompanied by intake valve stopping control, advancement control of the opening/closing timing of an exhaust valve (32) is executed. If the advancement control is being executed in a case where a request to revert from the fuel-cut operation has been detected, an advance amount of the opening/closing timing of the exhaust valve (32) is retarded so as to become less than or equal to a predetermined value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akio KIDOOKA, Yoshikazu JIKUHARA
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Patent number: 9057336Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine that can suppress blowback of in-cylinder residual gas to an intake passage when reverting from a fuel-cut operation accompanied by valve stopping control of an intake valve while suppressing an oil ascent during execution of the fuel-cut operation, and a control apparatus for a vehicle equipped with the internal combustion engine. When executing a fuel-cut operation accompanied by intake valve stopping control, advancement control of the opening/closing timing of an exhaust valve (32) is executed. If the advancement control is being executed in a case where a request to revert from the fuel-cut operation has been detected, an advance amount of the opening/closing timing of the exhaust valve (32) is retarded so as to become less than or equal to a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2010Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akio Kidooka, Yoshikazu Jikuhara