Patents by Inventor Atsushi Tabata
Atsushi Tabata 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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Publication number: 20200122710Abstract: A control device of a vehicle includes a power source and a power transmission device, and comprises: a state determining portion determining whether a vehicle state is a state in which a running performance of the vehicle is limited; a drive torque calculating portion calculating a drive torque as a maximum drive torque which the vehicle outputs based on the vehicle state; a remaining running distance calculating portion calculating a remaining distance as a maximum distance for which the vehicle travels based on the vehicle state; a destination setting portion setting a destination of the vehicle based on the drive torque and the remaining distance; and a driving control portion providing an automatic driving control in which acceleration/deceleration and steering are automatically performed based on the destination when it is determined that the vehicle is in a state in which the running performance thereof is limited.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Koichi OKUDA, Atsushi TABATA, Tetsuya KONO
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Patent number: 10625592Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular power transmitting system includes a drive mode setting portion configured to select a first reverse drive mode of the vehicle to be established with an engaging action of the first coupling element, and a required vehicle drive force determining portion configured to determine whether a degree of operation of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle during reverse driving of the vehicle is higher than a predetermined threshold value. The drive mode setting portion selects the first reverse drive mode when the required vehicle drive force determining portion has determined that the degree of operation of the accelerator pedal during the reverse driving of the vehicle is higher than the predetermined threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Keita Imai, Koichi Okuda, Tatsuya Imamura, Atsushi Tabata
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Patent number: 10562522Abstract: A control apparatus for a power transmitting system of a vehicle includes a drive mode control portion for selectively establishing one of first and second engine-braking drive modes in which a braking torque of the engine is applied to the vehicle. The first engine-braking drive mode is established in an engaged state of the first coupling device, while the second engine-braking drive mode is established in an engaged state of the second coupling device. The drive mode control portion switches the power transmitting system between the first and second engine-braking drive modes, such that the engine speed is held constant in the process of switching between the first and second engine-braking drive modes.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2018Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Keisuke Omuro, Atsushi Tabata, Tatsuya Imamura, Koichi Okuda
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Publication number: 20190367010Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle that includes an engine serving as a drive force source, an electric motor serving as a drive force source, drive wheels, a storage battery for supplying and receiving an electric power to and from the electric motor, a transmission mechanism for transmitting a drive force supplied from each of the drive force sources toward the drive wheels. During running of the hybrid vehicle by a drive force of the electric motor with the engine being stopped, the control apparatus is configured to determine whether the engine is to be started. When determining that the engine is to be started during the running of the hybrid vehicle, the control apparatus is configured to cause a gear ratio of the transmission mechanism to be changed and to cause the engine to be started after the gear ratio of the transmission mechanism has been changed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takeshi KITAHATA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Koichi OKUDA, Atsushi TABATA
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Patent number: 10436304Abstract: A tolerance ring is arranged between an output-side rotary shaft and a rotor shaft. For this reason, even when looseness in a spline fitting portion of the output-side rotary shaft and rotor shaft is not filled, both the output-side rotary shaft and the rotor shaft are held by the tolerance ring so as not to rattle. Therefore, it is possible to reduce tooth hammer noise that occurs in the spline fitting portion. An output-side rotary shaft has oil passages for supplying lubricating oil to a tolerance ring. Lubricating oil is forcibly supplied through these oil passages to an annular space in which a tolerance ring is accommodated.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2016Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kota Fujii, Yuji Yasuda, Atsushi Tabata, Haruhisa Suzuki, Koichi Okuda, Hiroyuki Tateno
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Publication number: 20190299969Abstract: A hybrid vehicle with an engine and a rotary machine each coupled to a drive wheel in a power transmittable manner, comprises: an electronic control device that makes the rotary machine output a starting-time compensation torque to compensate a drop in a drive torque caused in a starting process of the engine in addition to a running torque when the engine is started while the vehicle is in a running state in which the drive torque is generated by the rotary machine and the engine is in a stopped state. The electronic control device starts the engine such that a starting-time inertia torque that is generated according to starting of the engine and causes the drop in the drive torque is made smaller when a torque margin of the rotary machine which is applied to the starting-time compensation torque is relatively small than when the torque margin is relatively large.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takeshi KITAHATA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Koichi OKUDA, Atsushi TABATA
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Patent number: 10350983Abstract: A power transmission system includes first differential mechanism connected to an engine, and second differential mechanism. The first differential mechanism includes a first rotating element connected to the engine, and second and third rotating elements. The second differential mechanism includes a fourth rotating element connected to second rotating element, fifth rotating element connected to a first electric rotary machine, and sixth rotating element that is an output element of the second differential mechanism. The power transmission system further includes at least one of a first clutch and brake, and a second clutch. The first clutch is configured to releasably couple two of the first, second and third rotating elements to each other. The brake is configured to releasably couple the third rotating element to a stationary element. The second clutch is configured to releasably couple the third rotating element to one of the fifth and sixth rotating elements.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Atsushi Tabata, Toshiki Kanada, Yuji Yasuda, Hiroshi Kawanishi
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Patent number: 10351141Abstract: A control system controls a power transmission system located between a motive power source and drive wheels. The power transmission system includes a fluid coupling and an engagement device. The control system includes an electronic control unit configured to: obtain information concerning vibration of the power transmission system; determine whether the vibration of the power transmission system is in a resonance region of the power transmission system; control the engagement device so that the engagement device slips, when the electronic control unit determines that the power transmission system is in the resonance region; and control the motive power source when the electronic control unit determines that the power transmission system is in the resonance region, so that a rotational speed of the motive power source increases as compared with a case where the power transmission system is not in the resonance region.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Atsushi Tabata
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Patent number: 10315507Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a clutch and a transmission unit configured to be able to switch into a neutral state. The hybrid vehicle is able to transmit power of an engine through any one of a first path through which power is transmitted from the engine to a first MG via a transmission unit and a differential unit and another second path through which power is transmitted from the engine to the first MG. The clutch is provided in the second path, and switches between an engaged state and a released state. The controller controls the engine, the first MG, the transmission unit and the clutch. The controller sets the transmission unit to a non-neutral state, sets the clutch to the engaged state, and then causes the vehicle to travel by using driving force from the first MG and driving force from the second MG.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2016Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Atsushi Tabata, Toshiki Kanada, Hidehiko Banshoya
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Patent number: 10286771Abstract: A drive unit for a hybrid vehicle an axial length thereof is shortened is provided. A power distribution device is disposed in an inner circumferential side of a cylindrical output gear, and at least a portion of a second clutch is also disposed in the inner circumferential side of the output gear while being adjacent to the power distribution device in an axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2016Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Toshiki Kanada, Tatsuya Imamura, Yasuki Yoshikawa, Atsushi Tabata
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Publication number: 20190084554Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular power transmitting system includes a power transmission switching portion configured to selectively establish a first drive mode by placing one of the first and second coupling elements in an engaged state, a second drive mode by placing the other of the first and second coupling elements in an engaged state, or a third drive mode by placing both of the first and second coupling elements in the engaged states. The power transmission switching portion switches the vehicular power transmitting system between the first and second drive modes through the third drive mode, where a predetermined condition is not satisfied, and switches the vehicular power transmitting system between the first and second drive modes with concurrent engaging and releasing actions of the first and second coupling elements, where the predetermined condition is satisfied.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masafumi YAMAMOTO, Atsushi TABATA, Tatsuya IMAMURA, Koichi OKUDA, Kota FUJII
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Publication number: 20190084404Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular power transmitting system includes a drive mode setting portion configured to select a first reverse drive mode of the vehicle to be established with an engaging action of the first coupling element, and a required vehicle drive force determining portion configured to determine whether a degree of operation of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle during reverse driving of the vehicle is higher than a predetermined threshold value. The drive mode setting portion selects the first reverse drive mode when the required vehicle drive force determining portion has determined that the degree of operation of the accelerator pedal during the reverse driving of the vehicle is higher than the predetermined threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Keita IMAI, Koichi OKUDA, Tatsuya IMAMURA, Atsushi TABATA
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Publication number: 20190084555Abstract: A control apparatus for a power transmitting system of a vehicle includes a drive mode control portion for selectively establishing one of first and second engine-braking drive modes in which a braking torque of the engine is applied to the vehicle. The first engine-braking drive mode is established in an engaged state of the first coupling device, while the second engine-braking drive mode is established in an engaged state of the second coupling device. The drive mode control portion switches the power transmitting system between the first and second engine-braking drive modes, such that the engine speed is held constant in the process of switching between the first and second engine-braking drive modes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Keisuke Omuro, Atsushi Tabata, Tatsuya Imamura, Koichi Okuda
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Publication number: 20190084553Abstract: A control device includes an electronic control unit configured to selectively execute traveling in a first traveling mode and traveling in a second traveling mode, the first traveling mode being a traveling mode in which in a state where one engagement device is controlled so as to be engaged, a differential state is controlled by a first rotating machine to transmit torque of an engine, and the second traveling mode being a traveling mode in which in a state where the other engagement device is controlled so as to be engaged, a differential state is controlled to transmit torque of the engine, and perform switching to traveling in the second traveling mode in a case where a vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined vehicle speed when engine stop control that stops the engine is executed during traveling in the first traveling mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masafumi YAMAMOTO, Atsushi TABATA, Tatsuya IMAMURA, Koichi OKUDA
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Patent number: 10227068Abstract: A control process including the following steps is executed. The control process includes, at the time of switching from series-parallel mode to series mode, a step of reducing an engine torque, a step of releasing a clutch, a step of reducing a reaction torque of a first rotary electric machine and a step of increasing a torque of a second rotary electric machine, and, when synchronization is started and a step of increasing a positive torque of the first MG, a step of starting engagement of a clutch, and, when a rotation speed of the first rotary electric machine and a rotation speed of an engine are synchronous with each other, a step of engaging the clutch.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2016Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kiyonori Takagi, Hidehiko Banshoya, Atsushi Kawamoto, Haruhisa Suzuki, Tatsuya Imamura, Toshiki Kanada, Atsushi Tabata
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Patent number: 10214093Abstract: A transmission unit is able to switch between a non-neutral state where power of an engine is transmitted via a path K1 and a neutral state where power of the engine is not transmitted via the path K1. A clutch is able to switch between an engaged state where power is transmitted from the engine to a first MG and a released state where transmission of power from the engine to the first MG is interrupted. When the transmission unit is controlled to the non-neutral state and, at the same time, the clutch is set to the released state, a vehicle is operable in series-parallel mode. When power is transmitted via the path K2 by directly coupling the engine to the first MG by the clutch and the path K1 is interrupted by controlling the transmission unit to the neutral state, the vehicle is operable in series mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hidehiko Banshoya, Kiyonori Takagi, Atsushi Kawamoto, Haruhisa Suzuki, Tatsuya Imamura, Toshiki Kanada, Atsushi Tabata
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Patent number: 10189344Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a transmission unit and a clutch. The transmission unit is configured to be able to switch into a neutral state. The hybrid vehicle is able to transmit power of an engine through any one of a first path through which power is transmitted to a first MG from the engine via the transmission unit and a differential unit and another second path through which power is transmitted from the engine. The clutch is provided in the second path. The clutch switches between an engaged state where power is transmitted and a released state where transmission of power is interrupted. The controller sets the transmission unit to the neutral state and sets the clutch to the engaged state, and then starts the engine by increasing the rotation speed of the engine with the use of the first MG.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Atsushi Tabata, Toshiki Kanada
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Patent number: 10190669Abstract: A tolerance ring is interposed between an output side rotary shaft and a rotor shaft. For this reason, even in a case where a backlash formed in a spline fitting portion between the output side rotary shaft and the rotor shaft is not eliminated, the rotary shafts of both of the output side rotary shaft and the rotor shaft are held by the tolerance ring without a backlash, and rattling noise can be suppressed. An oil supply groove for supplying a lubricant between an annular portion of the tolerance ring and the output side rotary shaft is provided inside an annular groove formed in the output side rotary shaft. With this, it is possible to suppress degradation of the durability of the tolerance ring without performing special processing on the tolerance ring.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2017Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kota Fujii, Atsushi Tabata, Haruhisa Suzuki, Koichi Okuda, Hiroyuki Tateno
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Patent number: 10193414Abstract: A power transmission apparatus includes a first electric motor, a power split mechanism, a second electric motor, a case, a support wall, and a breather mechanism. The case accommodates the first electric motor, the power split mechanism, and the second electric motor. The support wall is provided between the power split mechanism and the second electric motor. The breather mechanism is located in a rotational angle range that is at least equal to 90 degrees and is smaller than 180 degrees. The breather mechanism has a through hole and a breather chamber. The breather chamber is provided at a case inner side end of the through hole and is opened in a direction that does not oppose a virtual surface that passes through the rotational axis at a rotational angle of 90 degrees of the second electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.Inventors: Kiyonori Takagi, Hidehiko Banshoya, Atsushi Kawamoto, Haruhisa Suzuki, Kuniaki Ishii, Tooru Matsubara, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Atsushi Tabata, Yuji Yasuda, Junji Matsushita, Katsutoshi Shimizu
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Patent number: 10173515Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is able to select series-parallel mode by engaging a clutch (C1) or a brake (B1) and releasing a clutch (CS), and is able to select series mode by releasing both the clutch (C1) and the brake (B1) and engaging the clutch (CS). The hybrid vehicle includes a simultaneous supply prevention valve (550) that prevents simultaneous engagement of the clutch (CS) and at least one of the clutch (CI) or the brake (B1). When a signal pressure of at least one of hydraulic pressure for engaging the clutch (C1) or hydraulic pressure for engaging the brake (B1) is input to the simultaneous supply prevention valve (550), the simultaneous supply prevention valve (550) is switched to a state where supply of hydraulic pressure to the clutch (CS) is cut off.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2016Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hidehiko Banshoya, Kiyonori Takagi, Atsushi Kawamoto, Haruhisa Suzuki, Tatsuya Imamura, Toshiki Kanada, Atsushi Tabata