Patents by Inventor Akira Fukatsu

Akira Fukatsu 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: 8844692
    Abstract: A fluid pressure control device controls input and output of a fluid pressure to and from a fluid chamber in a device that transfers power from a motor via working fluid in the chamber, the chamber being partitioned into engagement and disengagement oil chambers by a lock-up clutch. A signal pressure output valve performs pressure regulation to output a signal pressure. The control device includes a control valve connected to an output source flow passage leading to an output source of the fluid pressure, and a control unit controlling the signal pressure output valve so the control valve establishes a first state when the lock-up clutch is turned off, establishes a third state when the lock-up clutch is turned on, and establishes a second state so the working fluid can be confined in the disengagement oil chamber when the lock-up clutch is switched on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Fukatsu, Hiroshi Tanaka, Toshiaki Hayashi, Toshihiro Aoyama
  • Publication number: 20120073924
    Abstract: A fluid pressure control device controls input and output of a fluid pressure to and from a fluid chamber in a device that transfers power from a motor via working fluid in the chamber, the chamber being partitioned into engagement and disengagement oil chambers by a lock-up clutch. A signal pressure output valve performs pressure regulation to output a signal pressure. The control device includes a control valve connected to an output source flow passage leading to an output source of the fluid pressure, and a control unit controlling the signal pressure output valve so the control valve establishes a first state when the lock-up clutch is turned off, establishes a third state when the lock-up clutch is turned on, and establishes a second state so the working fluid can be confined in the disengagement oil chamber when the lock-up clutch is switched on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira FUKATSU, Hiroshi TANAKA, Toshiaki HAYASHI, Toshihiro AOYAMA
  • Patent number: 7628729
    Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus, provided with a manual shift valve that outputs a forward range pressure and a reverse range pressure, and a linear solenoid valve that outputs an engagement pressure to the hydraulic servo that engages during reverse travel when energized, includes a fourth clutch relay valve that is interposed between the linear solenoid valve and the hydraulic servo. The fourth clutch relay valve communicates an engagement pressure of the linear solenoid valve to the hydraulic servo by locking in the normal position when a signal pressure of the solenoid valve is input, and communicates a reverse range pressure to the hydraulic servo by being switched to a fail position by the reverse range pressure during a failure in which the fourth clutch relay valve is de-energized. Thereby, it is possible to establish a reverse speed during a failure in which the solenoid valve is de-energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignees: Aisin AW Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Sato, Tetsuya Yamaguchi, Kazuyuki Noda, Akira Fukatsu, Mikio Iwase, Kazutoshi Nozaki, Atsushi Honda
  • Patent number: 7621837
    Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for an automatic transmission is provided with a solenoid valve that outputs a signal pressure during a failure and does not output a signal pressure during normal operation and a first clutch apply relay valve that switches between a normal position (the right half position) and a fail position (the left half position) based on this signal pressure are provided. During a failure, fail-safe control is carried out by the first clutch apply relay valve switching to the fail position. The first clutch apply relay valve inputs the engagement pressure of the hydraulic servo from the linear solenoid valve when in the normal position, and is locked in the normal position. Thereby, while the first clutch is engaged, the second brake apply control valve can be switched by the signal pressure of the solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignees: Aisin AW Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Sato, Tetsuya Yamaguchi, Kazuyuki Noda, Akira Fukatsu, Mikio Iwase, Kazutoshi Nozaki, Atsushi Honda
  • Patent number: 7582035
    Abstract: An automatic transmission is capable of shifting between multiple speeds by engaging and disengaging multiple frictional engagement devices including at least one clutch and one brake, and is capable of switching between a driving range and a non-driving range with operation of a shift lever, wherein a first brake is engaged to fix an intermediate rotary member to a transmission case in a non-driving range such as neutral range. Thus, rotation of a clutch from drag torque can be stopped and shock due to engagement of a brake can be prevented by engagement of the first brake in the non-driving range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignees: Aisin AW Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Ootsuki, Akira Fukatsu, Mikio Iwase, Kazutoshi Nozaki, Atsushi Honda
  • Patent number: 7473208
    Abstract: A shift control device of an automatic transmission comprising detection means for detecting a shift from a non-drive to a drive position; output means for outputting a command to execute an engine output lowering; detection means for detecting a transmission input revolution number and control means for engaging the friction engagement element by direct pressure control in response to a detection of said transmission input revolution number having been decreased to a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Kondo, Tooru Matsubara, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Yasushi Sato, Satoshi Yoshida, Akira Fukatsu, Kiyoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7341133
    Abstract: A hydraulic power transmission is provided with a frictional engagement element as a lock-up clutch between a hydraulic power transmission chamber, housing a pump impeller and a turbine runner, and a servo oil chamber of the lock-up clutch. A lock-up oil passage that supplies lock-up hydraulic pressure to the servo oil chamber is connected to a hydraulic pressure supply circuit that is used in common with a circulation oil passage that supplies hydraulic pressure for circulation to the hydraulic power transmission chamber. An orifice is disposed in the circulation oil passage. It is thus possible to perform lock-up with different supply pressures. A common oil supply for the lock-up oil passage and the circulation oil passage is provided, for example, by disposing a converting circuit that adapts an oil passage connection to hydraulic transmissions with different types of lock-up clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Aisin A W Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Ando, Hideyuki Aoki, Hiroyuki Tsukamoto, Akira Fukatsu, Atsushi Mori, Akira Matsuo, Hideaki Furuta
  • Publication number: 20070167283
    Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus, provided with a manual shift valve that outputs a forward range pressure and a reverse range pressure, and a linear solenoid valve that outputs an engagement pressure to the hydraulic servo that engages during reverse travel when energized, includes a fourth clutch relay valve that is interposed between the linear solenoid valve and the hydraulic servo. The fourth clutch relay valve communicates an engagement pressure of the linear solenoid valve to the hydraulic servo by locking in the normal position when a signal pressure of the solenoid valve is input, and communicates a reverse range pressure to the hydraulic servo by being switched to a fail position by the reverse range pressure during a failure in which the fourth clutch relay valve is de-energized. Thereby, it is possible to establish a reverse speed during a failure in which the solenoid valve is de-energized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Sato, Tetsuya Yamaguchi, Kazuyuki Noda, Akira Fukatsu, Mikio Iwase, Kazutoshi Nozaki, Atsushi Honda
  • Publication number: 20070161448
    Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for an automatic transmission is provided with a solenoid valve that outputs a signal pressure during a failure and does not output a signal pressure during normal operation and a first clutch apply relay valve that switches between a normal position (the right half position) and a fail position (the left half position) based on this signal pressure are provided. During a failure, fail-safe control is carried out by the first clutch apply relay valve switching to the fail position. This first clutch apply relay valve inputs the engagement pressure of the hydraulic servo from the linear solenoid valve when in the normal position, and is locked in the normal position. Thereby, while the first clutch is engaged, the second brake apply control valve can be switched by the signal pressure of the solenoid valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Sato, Tetsuya Yamaguchi, Kazuyuki Noda, Akira Fukatsu, Mikio Iwase, Kazutoshi Nozaki, Atsushi Honda
  • Publication number: 20070135259
    Abstract: An automatic transmission is capable of shifting between multiple speeds by engaging and disengaging multiple frictional engagement devices including at least one clutch and one brake, and is capable of switching between a driving range and a non-driving range with operation of a shift lever, wherein a first brake is engaged to fix an intermediate rotary member to a transmission case in a non-driving range such as neutral range. Thus, rotation of a clutch from drag torque can be stopped and shock due to engagement of a brake can be prevented by engagement of the first brake in the non-driving range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicants: AISIN AW CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Ootsuki, Akira Fukatsu, Mikio Iwase, Kazutoshi Nozaki, Atsushi Honda
  • Publication number: 20060190154
    Abstract: A shift control device of an automatic transmission comprising detection means for detecting a shift from a non-drive to a drive position; output means for outputting a command to execute an engine output lowering; detection means for detecting a transmission input revolution number and control means for engaging the friction engagement element by direct pressure control in response to a detection of said transmission input revolution number having been decreased to a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Masami Kondo, Tooru Matsubara, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Yasushi Sato, Satoshi Yoshida, Akira Fukatsu, Kiyoshi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20060032720
    Abstract: A hydraulic power transmission is provided with a frictional engagement element as a lock-up clutch between a hydraulic power transmission chamber, housing a pump impeller and a turbine runner, and a servo oil chamber of the lock-up clutch. A lock-up oil passage that supplies lock-up hydraulic pressure to the servo oil chamber is connected to a hydraulic pressure supply circuit that is used in common with a circulation oil passage that supplies hydraulic pressure for circulation to the hydraulic power transmission chamber. An orifice is disposed in the circulation oil passage. It is thus possible to perform lock-up with different supply pressures. A common oil supply for the lock-up oil passage and the circulation oil passage is provided, for example, by disposing a converting circuit that adapts an oil passage connection to hydraulic transmissions with different types of lock-up clutches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiko Ando, Hideyuki Aoki, Hiroyuki Tsukamoto, Akira Fukatsu, Atsushi Mori, Akira Matsuo, Hideaki Furuta
  • Patent number: 6846259
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission includes a 3-4 shift valve that outputs a source pressure through a first path for shift speeds lower than a fourth shift speed established by directly connecting an input shaft with an output shaft of the automatic transmission, i.e., third shift speed. The hydraulic control system further includes a clutch apply control valve that outputs a source pressure through a second path at a shift speed higher than the fourth shift speed, i.e., fifth speed. The 3-4 shift valve and the clutch apply control valve serve to interrupt supply of the source pressure through the first path and the second path, respectively, in the fourth speed or the lock-up stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignees: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuya Fujimine, Akira Fukatsu, Kazuyuki Noda, Masahiko Ando, Kazutoshi Nozaki, Toshiki Kanada
  • Patent number: 6835151
    Abstract: An oil pressure control device has bypass drain oil passages that bypass a control valve and that are capable of draining the engaging pressure K from a hydraulic servo of a clutch when releasing the clutch. A drain-prohibiting check ball blocks a drain path between a manual valve and an input port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignees: Aisin AW Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuya Fujimine, Akira Fukatsu, Kazuyuki Noda, Masahiko Ando, Kazutoshi Nozaki, Toshiki Kanada, Yuji Kashihara
  • Patent number: 6802792
    Abstract: In an oil pressure control device, a clutch apply control valve is provided in an oil passage between a control valve and a linear solenoid valve. The clutch apply control valve is changed between a first position where an input port and an output port are connected so as to supply a control pressure to a control oil chamber, and a second position where another input port and the output port are connected so as to supply the control oil chamber with a D range pressure, instead of the control pressure. Therefore, the clutch apply control valve makes it possible to reliably supply an engaging pressure to a clutch even in the case of a failure of the control valve or the like to ensure good responsiveness of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignees: Aisin AW Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuya Fujimine, Akira Fukatsu, Kazuyuki Noda, Masahiko Ando, Kazutoshi Nozaki, Toshiki Kanada
  • Publication number: 20040067810
    Abstract: An oil pressure control device has bypass drain oil passages that bypass a control valve and that are capable of draining the engaging pressure K from a hydraulic servo of a clutch when releasing the clutch. A drain-prohibiting check ball blocks a drain path between a manual valve and an input port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Takuya Fujimine, Akira Fukatsu, Kazuyuki Noda, Masahiko Ando, Kazutoshi Nozaki, Toshiki Kanada, Yuji Kashihara
  • Publication number: 20040063534
    Abstract: In an oil pressure control device, a clutch apply control valve is provided in an oil passage between a control valve and a linear solenoid valve. The clutch apply control valve is changed between a first position where an input port and an output port are connected so as to supply a control pressure to a control oil chamber, and a second position where another input port and the output port are connected so as to supply the control oil chamber with a D range pressure, instead of the control pressure. Therefore, the clutch apply control valve makes it possible to reliably supply an engaging pressure to a clutch even in the case of a failure of the control valve or the like to ensure good responsiveness of the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Takuya Fujimine, Akira Fukatsu, Kazuyuki Noda, Masahiko Ando, Kazutoshi Nozaki, Toshiki Kanada
  • Publication number: 20040038765
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission includes a 3-4 shift valve that outputs a source pressure through a first path for shift speeds lower than a fourth shift speed established by directly connecting an input shaft with an output shaft of the automatic transmission, i.e., third shift speed. The hydraulic control system further includes a clutch apply control valve that outputs a source pressure through a second path at a shift speed higher than the fourth shift speed, i.e., fifth speed. The 3-4 shift valve and the clutch apply control valve serve to interrupt supply of the source pressure through the first path and the second path, respectively, in the fourth speed or the lock-up stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Takuya Fujimine, Akira Fukatsu, Kazuyuki Noda, Masahiko Ando, Kazutoshi Nozaki, Toshiki Kanada
  • Patent number: 5957800
    Abstract: A shift control system of an automatic transmission sets a predetermined gear stage by applying a first frictional engagement element and releasing a second frictional engagement element. A pressure regulating mechanism regulates an oil pressure to be fed to or drained from the first frictional engagement element. A failure detector detects a failure of an apparatus to participate in the regulation and control of the oil pressure which is to be fed to or drained from at least one of the first and second frictional engagement elements. A gear stage inhibitor inhibits the setting of the predetermined gear stage if the failure is detected by the failure detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aishin A.W. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Oba, Kagenori Fukumura, Yasuo Hojo, Atsushi Tabata, Hiromichi Kimura, Masato Kaigawa, Masahiko Ando, Akira Fukatsu, Yoshihisa Yamamoto, Masahiro Hayabuchi, Kazumasa Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 5947856
    Abstract: A control system for an automatic transmission, in which a first frictional engagement element and a second frictional engagement element are released according to a shift from a running range to a non-running range. The shift from the running range to the non-running range is detected, and the reduction in the oil pressure of the second frictional engagement element is controlled on the basis of the reduction in the oil pressure of the first frictional engagement element when the shift from the running range to the non-running range is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Hideki Miyata, Yasuo Hojo, Masahiko Ando, Fumitomo Yokoyama, Kazuhisa Ozaki, Akira Fukatsu, Motoyuki Sakai, Makoto Hijikata