Patents by Inventor Akio Sugawara
Akio Sugawara 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: 11966068Abstract: Provided is a structural birefringence-type inorganic wave plate having excellent heat resistance and durability, and a fine pattern. Also provided is a manufacturing method for an inorganic wave plate by which, even in the case of a fine pattern, productivity is high, and a desired phase difference is easily achieved and stably obtained. This inorganic wave plate is obtained by utilizing a selective interaction between a polymer having a repeating unit containing a carbonyl group, and a metallic oxide precursor, the inorganic wave plate having a wire grid structure provided with a transparent substrate, and grid-shaped protruding portions arranged at a pitch shorter than the wavelength of light in a used band on at least one surface of the transparent substrate and extending in a predetermined direction, the main component of the grid-shaped protruding portion being a metallic oxide.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2019Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Dexerials CorporationInventors: Akio Takada, Kazuyuki Shibuya, Shigeshi Sakakibara, Toshiaki Sugawara, Yusuke Matsuno
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Publication number: 20240074716Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray diagnosis apparatus includes a table, an imaging unit, and processing circuitry. The table includes a table top on which a subject is placed. The imaging unit includes an X-ray tube which emits X-rays to the subject and an X-ray detector which detects the X-rays. The processing circuitry detects contact between an object and at least one of the imaging unit and the table. The processing circuitry executes control to display contact position information relating to a position in contact with the object based on a detection result.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Applicant: Canon Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Keisuke SUGAWARA, Saki HASHIMOTO, Masanori MATSUMOTO, Yoshiyuki SATO, Hisayuki UEHARA, Shingo ABE, Akio TETSUKA
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Patent number: 11541871Abstract: A drive control system for a hybrid vehicle configured to prevent backward coasting on an uphill grade even when an engine torque cannot be delivered to drive wheels. When the hybrid vehicle is propelled by delivering engine torque to rear wheels on an uphill grade, the drive control system determines an occurrence of a failure in which the torque cannot be delivered from the engine to the rear wheels. If the occurrence of the failure is determined, the drive control system executes a hill hold control to deliver torque to establish a required drive force from a motor to front wheels while disengaging an engagement device.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kunihiko Usui, Akio Sugawara, Ryosuke Ikemura, Keisuke Ushida
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Patent number: 11091031Abstract: A drive force control system for a vehicle configured to allow a driver to find out a steering angle at which a wheel grips a road surface. In the vehicle, a torque distribution ratio to a pair of wheels turned by a steering wheel and another pair of wheels is changeable. A controller restricts a control to change the torque distribution ratio in the event of a slip of the pair of wheels, if a steering angle of the pair of wheels is changed to allow the pair of wheels to grip a road surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2020Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akio Sugawara, Kunihiko Usui, Ryosuke Ikemura, Keisuke Ushida
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Publication number: 20210129667Abstract: A drive force control system for a vehicle configured to allow a driver to find out a steering angle at which a wheel grips a road surface. In the vehicle, a torque distribution ratio to a pair of wheels turned by a steering wheel and another pair of wheels is changeable. A controller restricts a control to change the torque distribution ratio in the event of a slip of the pair of wheels, if a steering angle of the pair of wheels is changed to allow the pair of wheels to grip a road surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2020Publication date: May 6, 2021Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akio SUGAWARA, Kunihiko Usui, Ryosuke Ikemura, Keisuke Ushida
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Publication number: 20210107450Abstract: A drive control system for a hybrid vehicle configured to prevent backward coasting on an uphill grade even when an engine torque cannot be delivered to drive wheels. When the hybrid vehicle is propelled by delivering engine torque to rear wheels on an uphill grade, the drive control system determines an occurrence of a failure in which the torque cannot be delivered from the engine to the rear wheels. If the occurrence of the failure is determined, the drive control system executes a hill hold control to deliver torque to establish a required drive force from a motor to front wheels while disengaging an engagement device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kunihiko USUI, Akio SUGAWARA, Ryosuke IKEMURA, Keisuke USHIDA
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Patent number: 10960897Abstract: A control system for a four-wheel drive vehicle configured to improve energy efficiency by avoiding selection of a four-wheel drive mode more than necessary. The control system comprises a controller that shifts an operating mode between a two-wheel drive mode and a four-wheel drive mode. When a control of the prime mover is terminated, the controller detects the operating mode selected by a switch before restarting the control of the prime mover. If the two-wheel drive mode or the four-wheel drive mode was selected by the switch before restarting the control of the prime mover, the controller selects the two-wheel drive mode when restarting the control of the prime mover.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Norifumi Takada, Akio Sugawara
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Publication number: 20200166129Abstract: A control system for a four-wheel drive vehicle configured to improve energy efficiency by avoiding selection of a four-wheel drive mode more than necessary. The control system comprises a controller that shifts an operating mode between a two-wheel drive mode and a four-wheel drive mode. When a control of the prime mover is terminated, the controller detects the operating mode selected by a switch before restarting the control of the prime mover. If the two-wheel drive mode or the four-wheel drive mode was selected by the switch before restarting the control of the prime mover, the controller selects the two-wheel drive mode when restarting the control of the prime mover.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2019Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventors: Norifumi TAKADA, Akio SUGAWARA
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Patent number: 10351140Abstract: A transmission gear control apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an automatic transmission, a torque converter, and an accelerator operation amount sensor. The torque converter is disposed between the engine and the automatic transmission. The transmission gear control apparatus includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to: (i) control switching of a transmission gear stage of the automatic transmission at least on a basis of a change in vehicle speed of the vehicle; (ii) control lockup of a lock-up clutch of the torque converter on a basis of a state of the vehicle; and (iii) control the automatic transmission when the accelerator operation amount is equal to or larger than a specified value such that an upshift of the automatic transmission is performed at a higher vehicle speed as a rotation difference between input and output of the torque converter is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akio Sugawara, Keigo Matsubara, Akihito Hayasaka
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Publication number: 20170274905Abstract: A transmission gear control apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an automatic transmission, a torque converter, and an accelerator operation amount sensor. The torque converter is disposed between the engine and the automatic transmission. The transmission gear control apparatus includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to: (i) control switching of a transmission gear stage of the automatic transmission at least on a basis of a change in vehicle speed of the vehicle; (ii) control lockup of a lock-up clutch of the torque converter on a basis of a state of the vehicle; and (iii) control the automatic transmission when the accelerator operation amount is equal to or larger than a specified value such that an upshift of the automatic transmission is performed at a higher vehicle speed as a rotation difference between input and output of the torque converter is reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2017Publication date: September 28, 2017Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akio SUGAWARA, Keigo MATSUBARA, Akihito HAYASAKA
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Patent number: 9482341Abstract: A control apparatus for automatic-transmission provided with input-clutch through which drive force generated by engine is input to automatic-transmission, released-side frictional coupling device being placed in released state to perform shifting action of automatic-transmission, and engaged-side frictional coupling device being placed in engaged state to perform shifting action, control apparatus including: first shifting mode control means including slipping means for placing input-clutch in released state, engaging means for placing input-clutch in engaged state, and releasing/engaging switching control means for controlling shifting action of automatic-transmission being performed in first shifting mode wherein released-side frictional coupling device is brought into released state, and engaged-side frictional coupling device is brought into engaged state, while input-clutch is placed in released or slipping state under control of slipping means, and input-clutch is then brought into engaged state underType: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masami Kondo, Akio Sugawara, Shuntaro Shinohara
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Patent number: 7261674Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for an automatic transmission provided with a friction engaging element that operates using hydraulic pressure includes a range pressure oil passage which is connected to the friction engaging element; a manual valve which is connected to the range pressure oil passage; a drain port which is formed in the manual valve and which drains hydraulic pressure of the range pressure oil passage; a drain oil passage which is connected to the drain port; and a drain pressure controller which is connected to the drain oil passage and which performs control so as to change a decreasing rate of drain pressure of the drain oil passage.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2005Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaru Morise, Hideki Miyata, Akio Sugawara, Yuji Yasuda
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Patent number: 7255212Abstract: A hydraulic control circuit for an automatic transmission of a vehicle, the transmission including hydraulically operated coupling devices at least one of which is selectively operated to establish a corresponding one of speed steps, the hydraulic control circuit including electromagnetic valve devices which output respective hydraulic pressures to operate the hydraulically operated coupling devices, respectively, an all-fail detecting and switching valve device which is switched, based on an all-fail state of the electromagnetic valve devices in which none of the electromagnetic valve devices output the respective hydraulic pressures, to an operation state corresponding to a fail position to output, as a first hydraulic pressure, a source hydraulic pressure to a first hydraulically operated coupling device out of the plurality of hydraulically operated coupling devices, and an operation-state memory valve which is switched, based on a state of the vehicle before the all-fail state occurs, from a non-runningType: GrantFiled: October 17, 2006Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaru Morise, Hideki Miyata, Akio Sugawara, Yuji Yasuda
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Patent number: 7175556Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for an automatic transmission includes a first SL linear solenoid, a second SL linear solenoid, a third SL linear solenoid, and a fourth SL linear solenoid, which are normal closed type, and a sequence valve. The sequence valve connects the first SL linear solenoid to a servo of a C1 clutch, the second SL linear solenoid to a servo of a C2 clutch, and the fourth SL linear solenoid to a servo of a B3 brake at normal time. The sequence valve selectively connects a D range oil passage to the servo of the C1 clutch and the servo of the C2 clutch, and connects the D range oil passage to the servo of the B3 brake, when an electric failure gas occurred.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaru Morise, Hideki Miyata, Akio Sugawara, Yuji Yasuda
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Publication number: 20070032329Abstract: A hydraulic control circuit for an automatic transmission of a vehicle, the transmission including hydraulically operated coupling devices at least one of which is selectively operated to establish a corresponding one of speed steps, the hydraulic control circuit including electromagnetic valve devices which output respective hydraulic pressures to operate the hydraulically operated coupling devices, respectively, an all-fail detecting and switching valve device which is switched, based on an all-fail state of the electromagnetic valve devices in which none of the electromagnetic valve devices output the respective hydraulic pressures, to an operation state corresponding to a fail position to output, as a first hydraulic pressure, a source hydraulic pressure to a first hydraulically operated coupling device out of the plurality of hydraulically operated coupling devices, and an operation-state memory valve which is switched, based on a state of the vehicle before the all-fail state occurs, from a non-runningType: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2006Publication date: February 8, 2007Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masaru Morise, Hideki Miyata, Akio Sugawara, Yuji Yasuda
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Patent number: 7134536Abstract: A hydraulic control circuit for an automatic transmission of a vehicle, the transmission including hydraulically operated coupling devices at least one of which is selectively operated to establish a corresponding one of speed steps, the hydraulic control circuit including electromagnetic valve devices which output respective hydraulic pressures to operate the hydraulically operated coupling devices, respectively, an all-fail detecting and switching valve device which is switched, based on an all-fail state of the electromagnetic valve devices in which none of the electromagnetic valve devices output the respective hydraulic pressures, to an operation state corresponding to a fail position to output, as a first hydraulic pressure, a source hydraulic pressure to a first hydraulically operated coupling device out of the plurality of hydraulically operated coupling devices, and an operation-state memory valve which is switched, based on a state of the vehicle before the all-fail state occurs, from a non-runningType: GrantFiled: June 28, 2004Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaru Morise, Hideki Miyata, Akio Sugawara, Yuji Yasuda
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Patent number: 7104910Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for switching an operation of a hydraulically operated mechanical apparatus, by selectively operating two frictional engagement elements of a first, a second, a third, and a fifth frictional engagement elements, the hydraulic control apparatus including a first control valve which, in association with an event that respective hydraulic pressures to operate the first and second frictional engagement elements are both produced, drains one of the third and fifth frictional engagement elements and outputs a control hydraulic pressure; and a second control valve which, when at least two hydraulic pressures of (a) the control hydraulic pressure and (b) respective hydraulic pressures to operate the third and fifth frictional engagement elements are supplied to the second control valve, drains the other of the third and fifth frictional engagement elements.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaru Morise, Akio Sugawara, Hideki Miyata, Yuji Yasuda, Hiromichi Kimura
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Patent number: 7073647Abstract: There is provided a hydraulic pressure control apparatus for a vehicular hydraulic power transmission device with a lock-up clutch, in which an increase in the temperature of hydraulic oil in an engagement side oil chamber is suppressed, durability of frictional material is improved, and the lock-up clutch is appropriately controlled. A switching control valve (a lock-up relay valve 250 and a lock-up control valve 252) switches between connection and disconnection between each of two oil passages that communicate with an engagement side oil chamber 31, and each of a high pressure oil passage and a low pressure oil passage, according to the operating state of the lock-up clutch 11. For example, when the lock-up clutch is completely engaged, the hydraulic oil is supplied to both the two oil passages from the high pressure oil passage, hydraulic pressure PON in the engagement side oil chamber 31 is increased, and a sufficient transmission torque capacity of the lock-up clutch 11 is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaru Morise, Akio Sugawara, Hiroaki Takeuchi, Yuji Yasuda
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Patent number: 7029413Abstract: A friction apply device, from among each pair of friction apply devices that are applied to achieve a speed from first speed to fourth speed, that is to be placed in a slipping state is selected based on a heat load when a neutral control is executed. As a result, it is possible to continue to execute the neutral control without the durability of the friction apply device being impaired by the heat load, for example, thereby increasing a fuel efficiency effect and the like achieved by the neutral control.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2004Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akio Sugawara, Masaru Morise, Hideki Miyata, Yuji Yasuda, Hiroaki Takeuchi
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Patent number: 7010911Abstract: A fluid pressure control circuit includes a fluid pressure device which is operated by a fluid pressure; a control valve which is connected to the fluid pressure device via a connecting passage, and which changes a flow rate of predetermined fluid that is to be supplied to the fluid pressure device or that is to be discharged from the fluid pressure device according to a position of a valve element; and a pressure difference reflecting device which moves the valve element based on a difference in the fluid pressure between predetermined two different portions in the connecting passage and which changes the flow rate of the fluid that is to be supplied or to be discharged through the control valve according to the fluid pressure difference. With this fluid pressure control circuit, it is possible to obtain excellent responsiveness during supply/discharge of the fluid, change in the fluid pressure or the like, without increasing the amount of the fluid to be consumed.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2004Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaru Morise, Hideki Miyata, Akio Sugawara, Yuji Yasuda