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).

  • Patent number: 9975540
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle is provided with: an air-fuel ratio determinator configured to determine an air-fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine in a predetermined period until speed change by a transmission is actually performed; and a controller configured to control at least one of the internal combustion engine and an electric motor in such a manner that a possible amount of torque down of the internal combustion engine is increased if the air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine is lean in the predetermined period. By this, it is possible to avoid a detrimental effect, such as a torque shock, deterioration of durability of a friction material, and the like, which can occur in the speed change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta Kumazaki, Atsushi Tabata, Tooru Matsubara, Tatsuya Imamura, Kazuyuki Shiiba
  • Patent number: 9969381
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle controls a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle including: a power source including an internal combustion engine and an electric; a recirculating device configured to recirculate an exhaust gas from an exhaust side to an intake side of the internal combustion engine; and a recirculation amount adjusting device configured to adjust an amount of the recirculation by the recirculating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Atsushi Tabata, Ryuji Ibaraki, Yuji Yasuda, Yoshihito Kanno
  • Patent number: 9950606
    Abstract: The start system related to the present invention is for an internal combustion engine of a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle is configured to use at least one of a differential mechanism and a transmission gear mechanism to temporarily change an engine speed in starting of the internal combustion engine. The start system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to determine a duration for which the engine speed needs to be changed in starting of the internal combustion engine. The electronic control unit is configured to determine a degree of change in the engine speed in starting of the internal combustion engine. The electronic control unit is configured to determine whether the engine speed needs to be changed by changing the gear position of the transmission gear mechanism based on the degree and the duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Atsushi Tabata, Yoshihito Kanno, Hiroki Morita, Masaya Yamamoto, Shunya Kato
  • Patent number: 9944275
    Abstract: A control device of a hybrid vehicle includes an electric motor outputting a running torque at the time of motor running and a starting torque at engine start, in a state of the motor running using even the starting torque, the control device being configured to give a notification of the state to a driver when a charging capacity is smaller than a first predetermined value, and to start an engine when the charging capacity is smaller than a second predetermined value which is smaller than the first predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Tooru Matsubara, Koichi Okuda, Kenta Kumazaki, Tatsuya Imamura, Keita Imai, Takeshi Kitahata, Shunya Kato, Yasuhiro Hiasa
  • Patent number: 9944164
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus includes a transmission gear mechanism and a power split mechanism including a first rotation element connected to a first input member, a second rotation element connected to a rotary machine, and a third rotation element connected to the drive shaft via a first output member. The transmission gear mechanism is configured to transmit a torque to the first input member and the first rotation element via a second output member. The transmission gear mechanism and the power split mechanism are arranged on the same rotation axis as an output shaft of an engine. The transmission gear mechanism and the power split mechanism are arranged in the order of the transmission gear mechanism and the power split mechanism from the side closer to the engine. The second output member and the first input member are connected to each other by a spline or a serration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiki Kanada, Ryuji Ibaraki, Yuji Yasuda, Atsushi Tabata, Tatsuya Imamura
  • Patent number: 9896088
    Abstract: A drive control system for a hybrid vehicle is provided to shift an operating mode smoothly to an electric vehicle mode in which an engine is stopped. A controller is configured to select the electric vehicle mode to be established from the first electric vehicle mode and the second electric vehicle mode upon satisfaction of the determination to shift the operating mode to the electric vehicle mode, to select the clutch to be engaged from the first clutch and the second clutch to establish the selected electric vehicle mode, and to stop the engine while engaging the selected clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Miyagawa, Atsushi Tabata, Tatsuya Imamura
  • Publication number: 20180022342
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kiyonori TAKAGI, Hidehiko BANSHOYA, Atsushi KAWAMOTO, Haruhisa SUZUKI, Tatsuya IMAMURA, Toshiki KANADA, Atsushi TABATA
  • Publication number: 20180022204
    Abstract: A control device of a vehicle including a first differential portion, a second differential portion, and a second rotating machine, the first differential portion including a first rotating element, a second rotating element to which a first rotating machine is coupled in a power transmittable manner, and a third rotating element coupled to drive wheels, the first differential portion having a differential state controlled through control of the operational state of the first rotating machine, the second differential portion including a fourth rotating element to which an engine is coupled in a power transmittable manner, a fifth rotating element, and a sixth rotating element to which the first rotating element is coupled, the second rotating machine being coupled to the drive wheels in a power transmittable manner, the vehicle further including at least one engagement device out of a first engagement device and a second engagement device as well as a third engagement device, the first engagement device coupl
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya IMAMURA, Atsushi TABATA
  • Publication number: 20180022355
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidehiko BANSHOYA, Kiyonori TAKAGI, Atsushi KAWAMOTO, Haruhisa SUZUKI, Tatsuya IMAMURA, Toshiki KANADA, Atsushi TABATA
  • Publication number: 20180022203
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidehiko BANSHOYA, Kiyonori TAKAGI, Atsushi KAWAMOTO, Haruhisa SUZUKI, Tatsuya IMAMURA, Toshiki KANADA, Atsushi TABATA
  • Publication number: 20180015916
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine (10), a first motor generator (MG1), a second motor generator (MG2), a transmission unit (power transmission unit) (40), a differential unit (50), a clutch (CS) and a mechanical oil pump (501). The hybrid vehicle is able to switch between series-parallel mode in which power of the engine is transmitted via the transmission unit and the differential unit and series mode in which power of the engine is transmitted via the clutch. The differential unit (50) is a planetary gear mechanism including a sun gear (S2) connected to the first motor generator (MG1), a ring gear (R2) connected to the second motor generator (MG2), and a carrier (CA2) connected to a ring gear (R1) that is an output element of the transmission unit (40). The mechanical oil pump (501) is driven by power that is transmitted from the carrier (CA2) of the differential unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidehiko BANSHOYA, Kiyonori TAKAGI, Atsushi KAWAMOTO, Haruhisa SUZUKI, Tatsuya IMAMURA, Toshiki KANADA, Atsushi TABATA
  • Patent number: 9868437
    Abstract: A driving force control system for a hybrid vehicle is provided to reduce frequency of engagement and disengagement of engagement devices involved in a shifting operation to a hybrid mode. A controller is configured: to determine whether or not the engine is required to be started; to determine an operating mode to be established after starting the engine; to engage at least one of the first engagement device and the second engagement device to achieve the determined operating mode; and to start the engine while engaging said one of the first engagement device and the second engagement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shigetsugu Iwata, Atsushi Tabata, Tatsuya Imamura
  • Publication number: 20180009432
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kiyonori TAKAGI, Hidehiko BANSHOYA, Atsushi KAWAMOTO, Haruhisa SUZUKI, Tatsuya IMAMURA, Toshiki KANADA, Atsushi TABATA
  • Patent number: 9815454
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle having an engine and a plurality of motors is provided. An operating mode of the hybrid vehicle is selected depending on a required driving force from a first mode where the vehicle is powered by the engine, a second mode where the vehicle is powered by the plurality of motors, and a third mode where the vehicle is powered by any one of the motors. The control system is characterized by a detection means that detects an output power of the prime mover, and a setting means that alters a selectability of the second mode in accordance with the output power of the prime mover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Toshiki Kanada, Tatsuya Imamura, Isao Satou, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Tooru Matsubara
  • Patent number: 9791001
    Abstract: Power from an engine of a hybrid vehicle is input to an input shaft (302) of a power split device. A one-way clutch (500) and the power split device are housed in a housing (600). A cover member (700) is provided inside the housing (600). The one-way clutch (500) includes an outer race (510), an inner race (520), and a sprag (530). The outer race (510) is spline-engaged to a protruding portion (701) of the cover member (700). The inner race (520) is spline-engaged to the input shaft (302), and is rotatably supported by the protruding portion (702) of the cover member (700) via a bushing (522). The input shaft (302) is rotatably supported by the cover member (700) via a first bearing (340), a rotating member (322A), and a second bearing (350).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi Okuda, Atsushi Tabata, Tatsuya Imamura
  • Publication number: 20170282901
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to i) calculate a target supercharging pressure of an intake air such that, when an internal combustion engine is operated through the homogeneous charge compression ignition, the internal combustion engine achieves a required output while satisfying a predetermined requirement, ii) control an output of the internal combustion engine such that the output approaches the required output in accordance with an actual supercharging pressure in process of changing the actual supercharging pressure to the target supercharging pressure that is achieved by a supercharger, and iii) control a rotary machine such that an output of the rotary machine compensates for part or all of a differential output between the required output and the output in process of changing the actual supercharging pressure to the target supercharging pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya IMAMURA, Atsushi TABATA
  • Publication number: 20170274754
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya IMAMURA, Atsushi TABATA, Toshiki KANADA, Yuji YASUDA, Hiroshi KAWANISHI
  • Patent number: 9771065
    Abstract: A vehicle control system for reducing shocks resulting from restarting an engine under EV running mode. The vehicle control system is applied to a vehicle including an engagement device that selectively connect the engine with the powertrain, and a motor adapted to generate a drive force and connected with the powertrain. In the vehicle, a first mode is selected to propel the vehicle by the motor while interrupting the torque transmission between the engine and the powertrain and stopping the engine, and a second mode is selected to propel the vehicle by the motor while allowing the torque transmission between the engine and the powertrain and stopping the engine. The vehicle control system selects the second mode if a control response of at least any of the engagement device and the motor is estimated to be out of a predetermine range when the vehicle is running while stopping the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Atsushi Tabata, Toshiki Kanada, Tooru Matsubara, Yasuhiro Hiasa
  • Patent number: 9771061
    Abstract: A control system is for a vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine. The control system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to limit an output of the internal combustion engine when the electronic control unit determines that the vehicle runs in an unmanned state, such that the output of the internal combustion engine is lower the vehicle runs in the unmanned state than when the vehicle runs in a manned state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Haruhisa Suzuki, Koichi Okuda, Hiroyuki Tateno, Tatsuya Imamura, Kota Fujii
  • Publication number: 20170268661
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control device of a vehicle driving device, the hydraulic pressure control device includes a range switcher having a first signal solenoid valve capable of supplying a first signal pressure and a spool switchable between a first position reached via the first signal pressure and a second position reached via a biasing force of a biasing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicants: AISIN AW CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuyuki NODA, Yoshimitsu HYODO, Kousuke TANAKA, Aito IDE, Kota FUJII, Atsushi TABATA, Ryuji IBARAKI, Yuji YASUDA, Haruhisa SUZUKI, Koichi OKUDA