Patents by Inventor Fumito Kurata
Fumito Kurata 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: 9669678Abstract: An unsprung state detection part (140) calculates a variation amount X (=|????|), which is a magnitude of a difference between a detected angle ? output from a resolver rotational angle sensor (40) for detecting a rotational angle of an in-wheel motor (30) and an estimated angle ?? of a motor rotational angle (S11 to S13). The estimated angle ?? can be calculated by adding an estimated angle of the rotation of the motor (30) in one calculation cycle to a detected angle ?n?1 of the previous calculation cycle. When the variation amount X is more than a road surface determination threshold Xref, the unsprung state detection part (140) determines that the travel road on which a vehicle (1) is traveling is a rough road (S14, S15). As a result, the road surface determination can be made by using the rotational angle sensor (40).Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2012Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Fumito Kurata, Takashi Suzuki
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Patent number: 9630621Abstract: Provided is an automatic drive control method for a vehicle in which, as a target control quantity for automatically controlling a rudder angle of front wheels, a target control quantities ??ptj of a pinion angle for the current cycle to the c-th cycle are calculated by prediction according to parameters for trajectory control based on a driving situation of the vehicle; and when a magnitude of a target control quantity ??pt1 for the current cycle is less than a preliminarily set reference value P and it is determined that the probability is high that the target control quantity ??ptj has a sign identical to a sign for the current cycle and the magnitude thereof increases to the reference value P or above by the c-th cycle at the latest, the magnitude of the target control quantity ??pt1 for the current cycle is increasingly corrected to the reference value P.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Fumito Kurata
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Publication number: 20160347311Abstract: Provided is an automatic drive control method for a vehicle in which, as a target control quantity for automatically controlling a rudder angle of front wheels, a target control quantities ??ptj of a pinion angle for the current cycle to the c-th cycle are calculated by prediction according to parameters for trajectory control based on a driving situation of the vehicle; and when a magnitude of a target control quantity ??pt1 for the current cycle is less than a preliminarily set reference value P and it is determined that the probability is high that the target control quantity ??ptj has a sign identical to a sign for the current cycle and the magnitude thereof increases to the reference value P or above by the c-th cycle at the latest, the magnitude of the target control quantity ??pt1 for the current cycle is increasingly corrected to the reference value P.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2015Publication date: December 1, 2016Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Fumito KURATA
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Publication number: 20150343874Abstract: An unsprung state detection part (140) calculates a variation amount X (=|????|), which is a magnitude of a difference between a detected angle ? output from a resolver rotational angle sensor (40) for detecting a rotational angle of an in-wheel motor (30) and an estimated angle ?? of a motor rotational angle (S11 to S13). The estimated angle ?? can be calculated by adding an estimated angle of the rotation of the motor (30) in one calculation cycle to a detected angle ?n?1 of the previous calculation cycle. When the variation amount X is more than a road surface determination threshold Xref, the unsprung state detection part (140) determines that the travel road on which a vehicle (1) is traveling is a rough road (S14, S15). As a result, the road surface determination can be made by using the rotational angle sensor (40).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2012Publication date: December 3, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Fumito KURATA, Takashi SUZUKI
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Patent number: 8954249Abstract: A braking force control apparatus for a vehicle estimates the friction coefficient ? of a road surface as the state of the road surface on which the vehicle travels, and determines an ideal braking force ?W by making use of the estimated road surface friction coefficient ?. When ? is equal to or greater than a predetermined friction coefficient ?0, the braking force control apparatus operates an in-wheel motor in a regeneration state to generate a motor braking torque Tmr, and causes a friction brake mechanism to generate a frictional braking force Bf computed by subtracting Tmr from ?W. When ? is less than ?0, the braking force control apparatus operates the in-wheel motor in a power running state to generate a motor driving torque Tmc, and causes the friction brake mechanism to generate a Bf computed by adding Tmc to ?W.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masatoshi Nakatsu, Fumito Kurata
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Publication number: 20130173127Abstract: A braking force control apparatus for a vehicle estimates the friction coefficient ? of a road surface as the state of the road surface on which the vehicle travels, and determines an ideal braking force ?W by making use of the estimated road surface friction coefficient ?. When ? is equal to or greater than a predetermined friction coefficient ?0, the braking force control apparatus operates an in-wheel motor in a regeneration state to generate a motor braking torque Tmr, and causes a friction brake mechanism to generate a frictional braking force Bf computed by subtracting Tmr from ?W. When ? is less than ?0, the braking force control apparatus operates the in-wheel motor in a power running state to generate a motor driving torque Tmc, and causes the friction brake mechanism to generate a Bf computed by adding Tmc to ?W.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2010Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masatoshi Nakatsu, Fumito Kurata
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Patent number: 8261866Abstract: A wheel assembly with an in-wheel motor in which a wheel driving apparatus formed of a motor or a combination of a motor and a reduction mechanism is provided in a wheel, includes an oil supply apparatus that is driven by rotational output of the motor, and an oil supply flow path that leads oil that has been drawn up by the oil supply apparatus to the wheel driving apparatus. The oil supply apparatus is structured so that oil can be supplied to the wheel driving apparatus via the oil supply flow path when the motor is rotating in the forward direction as well as when the motor is rotating in the reverse direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2007Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takeshi Ishida, Fumito Kurata, Toshiyuki Kobayashi
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Publication number: 20120123655Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle operation device capable of reducing a sense of discomfort imposed on a driver when the driver carries out a driving operation and suppressing a vehicle behavior not intended by the driver. A vehicle operation ECU determines control amounts of a throttle actuator and a brake actuator in accordance with operation amounts of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal. When a steering is being operated, a dead zone for a control amount according to an operation of a pedal is adjusted. For example, when the steering is turned to the left, the dead zone of the accelerator pedal disposed on the right side, that is, on a turning outer wheel side of the vehicle is increased.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2009Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Fumito Kurata
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Publication number: 20110180336Abstract: A vehicle motor driving system includes a motor that is installed to an unsprung vehicle body and that generates power for rotating a wheel by being fed with electric power, an inverter that is installed to a sprung vehicle body and that converts direct-current electric power into alternating-current electric power and then feeds the electric power to the motor, and a shielded wire as a power cable that electrically connects the motor to the inverter. A shield layer of the shielded wire is grounded at least one of a location near a connecting portion at which a motor case that accommodates the motor is connected to a suspension arm and a location near a mounting portion at which a hub bearing is mounted in the motor case.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2009Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Fumito Kurata
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Patent number: 7789178Abstract: A wheel support device (200) includes a spring (302, 304) fitted to an in-wheel motor (70) and damping the vibration of a motor-driven wheel (100) and the in-wheel motor (70) by extending and retracting, a knuckle (180) attached to the spring (302, 304) and rotatably supporting the motor-driven wheel (100), a center part (306) of a dynamic mass damper mechanism (300) vibrating together with the in-wheel motor (70) by a force given from a road surface when a vehicle runs, an upper part (310) thereof restricting the vibration of the in-wheel motor (70) by coming into contact with the center part (306) at a prescribed region, and a cushioning member (322, 324) fitted to a portion of the center part (306) or the upper part (310) corresponding to the prescribed region brought into contact with the other.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2005Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ryoji Mizutani, Fumito Kurata, Shuuetsu Suzuki, Junichiro Sakurai
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Patent number: 7641010Abstract: An in-wheel motor includes a motor generating motive power, a planetary gear arranged toward a wheel disc relative to the motor to reduce an output of the motor, and a shaft arranged toward the wheel disc relative to the planetary gear and connected to a planetary carrier. Shaft is connected to a constant velocity joint transmitting the motive power to wheel disc.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2005Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ryoji Mizutani, Fumito Kurata, Shigekazu Yogo, Kenji Harada, Atsushi Torii, Yuki Tojima, Masafumi Sakuma
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Patent number: 7413203Abstract: A suspension system (10) for a vehicle for suspending a wheel (1) is disclosed. The suspension system (10) includes a motor (12) for driving the wheel of the vehicle; a first suspension (22) for supporting the wheel (1) of the vehicle with respect to the vehicle body; a second suspension (30) for elastically supporting the motor (12) with respect to the vehicle body; and a power transferring mechanism (14) for transferring power from the motor (12) to the wheel (1) while permitting relative movement of the motor (12) with respect to the wheel (1).Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2004Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Fumito Kurata
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Publication number: 20080174190Abstract: A rotating electrical machine that includes a rotor, a stator, and an encasing member that encases the rotor and the stator is also provided with a guide member that guides coolant which cools the rotating electrical machine into a gap between the stator and the encasing member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2008Publication date: July 24, 2008Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Fumito KURATA, Koichi Ikeda, Toshiyuki Kobayashi, Takeshi Ishida
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Patent number: 7394357Abstract: A wheel condition determination apparatus includes a primary sensor unit and a secondary sensor unit that are provided in the wheels of a vehicle. The primary sensor unit detects a predetermined parameter indicating the condition of the wheel and controls the operation mode of the secondary sensor unit in accordance with the detected predetermined parameter. The secondary sensor unit detects a predetermined parameter indicating the condition of the wheel that is different from the predetermined parameter detected by the primary sensor unit. The operation mode of the secondary sensor unit may be changed between an active mode and a sleep mode. In the sleep mode, detection of the wheel condition may be suspended or performed less frequently than as the active mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2006Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Fumito Kurata
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Publication number: 20080083572Abstract: A wheel assembly with an in-wheel motor in which a wheel driving apparatus formed of a motor or a combination of a motor and a reduction mechanism is provided in a wheel, includes an oil supply apparatus that is driven by rotational output of the motor, and an oil supply flow path that leads oil that has been drawn up by the oil supply apparatus to the wheel driving apparatus. The oil supply apparatus is structured so that oil can be supplied to the wheel driving apparatus via the oil supply flow path when the motor is rotating in the forward the direction as well as when the motor is rotating in the reverse direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2007Publication date: April 10, 2008Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takeshi ISHIDA, Fumito Kurata, Toshiyuki Kobayashi
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Patent number: 7347295Abstract: A tire wheel structure that avoids the adverse effect of the increase in the unsprung mass associated with the presence of a driving motor at the time of a road surface input to a tire wheel is provided. In the tire wheel structure, the driving motor is disposed near the tire wheel that is supported on a vehicle body. The driving motor drives the tire wheel by transferring driving force to the tire wheel. The output shaft of the driving motor is connected to a wheel of the tire wheel via a flexible coupling. The driving motor is supported by a knuckle member of a suspension via coil springs and absorbers so that the driving motor is relatively displaceable with respect to the tire wheel.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2004Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Fumito Kurata
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Publication number: 20080017462Abstract: A wheel support device (200) includes a spring (302, 304) fitted to an in-wheel motor (70) and damping the vibration of a motor-driven wheel (100) and the in-wheel motor (70) by extending and retracting, a knuckle (180) attached to the spring (302, 304) and rotatably supporting the motor-driven wheel (100), a center part (306) of a dynamic mass damper mechanism (300) vibrating together with the in-wheel motor (70) by a force given from a road surface when a vehicle runs, an upper part (310) thereof restricting the vibration of the in-wheel motor (70) by coming into contact with the center part (306) at a prescribed region, and a cushioning member (322, 324) fitted to a portion of the center part (306) or the upper part (310) corresponding to the prescribed region brought into contact with the other.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2005Publication date: January 24, 2008Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Ryoji Mizutani, Fumito Kurata, Shuuetsu Suzuki, Junichiro Sakurai
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Patent number: 7320376Abstract: A tire wheel structure that avoids the adverse effect of the increase in the unsprung mass associated with the presence of a driving motor at the time of a road surface input to a tire wheel is provided. In the tire wheel structure, the driving motor is disposed near the tire wheel that is supported on a vehicle body. The driving motor drives the tire wheel by transferring driving force to the tire wheel. The output shaft of the driving motor is connected to a wheel of the tire wheel via a flexible coupling. The driving motor is supported by a knuckle member of a suspension via coil springs and absorbers so that the driving motor is relatively displaceable with respect to the tire wheel along a guide that has an axis that is inclined with respect to a vertical axis in a vehicular front-rear direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2006Date of Patent: January 22, 2008Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Bridgestone CorporationInventor: Fumito Kurata
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Publication number: 20070039771Abstract: A tire wheel structure that avoids the adverse effect of the increase in the unsprung mass associated with the presence of a driving motor at the time of a road surface input to a tire wheel is provided. In the tire wheel structure, the driving motor is disposed near the tire wheel that is supported on a vehicle body. The driving motor drives the tire wheel by transferring driving force to the tire wheel. The output shaft of the driving motor is connected to a wheel of the tire wheel via a flexible coupling. The driving motor is supported by a knuckle member of a suspension via coil springs and absorbers so that the driving motor is relatively displaceable with respect to the tire wheel along a guide that has an axis that is inclined with respect to a vertical axis in a vehicular front-rear direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2006Publication date: February 22, 2007Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Bridgestone CorporationInventor: Fumito Kurata
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Publication number: 20070029872Abstract: An object is to provide a wheel action force detection system and a wheel action force detection method for finding braking force of a vehicle having a disc brake at the time of braking with high accuracy.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2006Publication date: February 8, 2007Inventors: Fumito Kurata, Toshimichi Takahashi, Mitsuru Asai, Hiroaki Makino, Nobutsuna Motohashi