Patents by Inventor Hideaki Otsubo

Hideaki Otsubo 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: 8909407
    Abstract: A control device of a hybrid vehicle has an electric shift mechanism including a differential mechanism having a first rotating element coupled to an engine in a power transmittable manner, a second rotating element coupled to a differential electric motor in a power transmittable manner, and a third rotating element that is an output rotating member coupled to an electric motor for running in a power transmittable manner, and a mechanical shift mechanism, and makes a differential torque smaller between an output torque of the engine and an engagement torque of the engagement devices involved in a shift of the mechanical shift mechanism on the same shaft in a case of a shift with a smaller rotation speed change in the engine as compared to a case of a shift with a larger rotation speed change in the engine in the same type of shift in the mechanical shift mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki Otsubo, Naoki Ishikawa, Hideharu Nohara
  • Publication number: 20140148987
    Abstract: A control device of a hybrid vehicle has an electric shift mechanism including a differential mechanism having a first rotating element coupled to an engine in a power transmittable manner, a second rotating element coupled to a differential electric motor in a power transmittable manner, and a third rotating element that is an output rotating member coupled to an electric motor for running in a power transmittable manner, and a mechanical shift mechanism, and makes a differential torque smaller between an output torque of the engine and an engagement torque of the engagement devices involved in a shift of the mechanical shift mechanism on the same shaft in a case of a shift with a smaller rotation speed change in the engine as compared to a case of a shift with a larger rotation speed change in the engine in the same type of shift in the mechanical shift mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideaki Otsubo, Naoki Ishikawa, Hideharu Nohara
  • Patent number: 8725367
    Abstract: In a control apparatus and a control method for a vehicle automatic transmission in which a plurality of gears with different speed ratios are achieved by selectively engaging a plurality of friction engagement devices and a one-way clutch, if an acceleration request is made in the case where the one-way clutch is in an idling state when a first predetermined gear is to be achieved by engaging the one-way clutch, a pre-synchronization control is executed to transmit torque through a predetermined friction engagement device used to achieve a second predetermined gear at which the one-way clutch is maintained in an idling state, and to continue to change a rotational direction of the one-way clutch toward a rotational direction in which the one-way clutch is brought to a synchronized state, according to the acceleration request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaaki Tokura, Hideaki Otsubo, Motonori Kimura
  • Publication number: 20140018207
    Abstract: A control device of a hybrid vehicle includes an engine and an electric motor, a clutch, and an automatic transmission. The motor is the only drive power source when the clutch is released. The control device is configured such that when a request for increasing drive torque while the motor is running is made, if start control of the engine and downshift control of the automatic transmission overlap, clutch engagement completion is a starting point to start a rotational change of an input rotation speed of the transmission toward a synchronous rotation speed after a shift, and a transmission torque capacity during the downshift control in the transmission until engagement completion of the clutch being set equal to or greater than an input torque of the transmission during the motor running and less than an input torque of the transmission at the time of engagement completion of the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Hideaki Otsubo
  • Patent number: 8538646
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicular automatic transmission is provided which can preferably execute backpressure control of accumulators and torque-up control so as to minimize the occurrence of interference between learning on these controls during a gearshift operation. With the control device for the vehicular automatic transmission including the accumulators (104, 106 and 108) operative to control a hydraulic pressure supplied to second and third clutches (C2 and C3) and a third brake (B3), the backpressure control is executed for controlling a backpressure of the accumulators (104, 106 and 108) during the gearshift operation while the torque-up control is executed for raising torque output from an engine (12). Completion of learning on the backpressure control is determined when no completion of learning on the backpressure control is determined, learning on the backpressure control is executed with no execution of the torque-up control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuro Shibata, Hideaki Otsubo, Toshiya Oishi, Kiyoshi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20130218387
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle provided with an electrically operated continuously-variable transmitting portion and a step-variable transmitting portion, which control apparatus permits an adequate control of a shifting action of the step-variable transmitting portion, while reducing deterioration of fuel economy of the hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki Otsubo, Naoki Ishikawa, Hideharu Nohara, Takahiko Tsutsumi
  • Publication number: 20130184920
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle provided with an electrically operated continuously-variable transmitting portion and a step-variable transmitting portion, which control apparatus permits an adequate control of a shifting action of the step-variable transmitting portion, while reducing deterioration of fuel economy of the hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideaki Otsubo, Naoki Ishikawa, Hideharu Nohara
  • Patent number: 8430790
    Abstract: A power transmission controlling apparatus of a vehicle includes a clutch capable of connecting/disconnecting power transmission between an engine and a motor/generator, and a torque converter enabling power transmission between the engine or/and the motor/generator and an automatic transmission. When the engine is started by motoring torque with engagement of the clutch during rotation of the motor/generator, the power transmission controlling apparatus sets a torque compensation amount by the motor/generator based on an estimated torque capacity of the clutch, and suppresses torque fluctuations on a power transmission path accompanying engagement of the clutch by power of the motor/generator containing the torque compensation amount. The power transmission controlling apparatus corrects the torque capacity or the torque compensation amount based on input torque of the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Hideaki Otsubo, Yukihiko Ideshio, Terufumi Miyazaki, Shingo Eto
  • Patent number: 8409056
    Abstract: A shift output torque control unit executes a shift output torque control to control an engine torque so as to reduce a driving force difference, which is a variation width of a driving force due to downshift of an automatic transmission. Thus, in comparison with the case in which the shift output torque control is not executed, it is possible to smooth a variation in driving force associated with the downshift. As a result, occupants' comfort and controllability to driving operation may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Hideaki Otsubo, Masato Kaigawa, Shogo Matsumoto, Masayuki Baba
  • Publication number: 20130013161
    Abstract: Provided is a control device for a vehicle that can switch between an automatic gear shift mode in which gear shifting of the automatic transmission is performed according to a vehicle traveling condition, and a manual gear shift mode in which gear shifting of the automatic transmission is performed according to a driver operation, and that changes drive force characteristics by controlling output torque of the drive source at the time of a gear shift mode switch. When the gear shift mode is switched between automatic and manual the control device selects an initial gear stage or an initial gear ratio for the gear shift mode switch such that the amount of change in drive force that accompanies the gear shift mode switch decreases, or such that the direction of change in drive force that accompanies the gear shift mode switch conforms to the driver's intention or expected sensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideaki Otsubo, Masayuki Baba, Takaaki Tokura
  • Publication number: 20120316028
    Abstract: A power transmission controlling apparatus of a vehicle includes a clutch capable of connecting/disconnecting power transmission between an engine and a motor/generator, and a torque converter enabling power transmission between the engine or/and the motor/generator and an automatic transmission. When the engine is started by motoring torque with engagement of the clutch during rotation of the motor/generator, the power transmission controlling apparatus sets a torque compensation amount by the motor/generator based on an estimated torque capacity of the clutch, and suppresses torque fluctuations on a power transmission path accompanying engagement of the clutch by power of the motor/generator containing the torque compensation amount. The power transmission controlling apparatus corrects the torque capacity or the torque compensation amount based on input torque of the torque converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Hideaki Otsubo, Yukihiko Ideshio, Terufumi Miyazaki, Shingo Eto
  • Patent number: 8313414
    Abstract: An electronic control unit is provided with two types of gear change maps: a first gear change map based on the vehicle speed and the accelerator pedal operation amount; and a second gear change map based on the vehicle speed and the required drive force of the vehicle. The electronic control unit determines whether the automatic transmission should downshift with reference to the first gear change map, and determines whether the automatic transmission should upshift with reference to the second gear change map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Hideaki Otsubo, Masato Kaigawa, Masayuki Baba
  • Patent number: 8249785
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular automatic transmission which has a plurality of coupling elements selectively released and engaged to perform shifting actions, the control apparatus including a shift control portion configured to control at least one specially controlled coupling element which is included in the coupling elements provided to perform the shifting actions of the automatic transmission and which is placed in a fully released state prior and subsequent to the shifting action performed according to a presently generated shifting command, the shift control portion controlling each specially controlled coupling element so as to enable the specially controlled coupling element to have a torque capacity during the shifting action performed according to the presently generated shifting command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaaki Tokura, Hideaki Otsubo
  • Publication number: 20110125375
    Abstract: In a control apparatus and a control method for a vehicle automatic transmission in which a plurality of gears with different speed ratios are achieved by selectively engaging a plurality of friction engagement devices and a one-way clutch, if an acceleration request is made in the case where the one-way clutch is in an idling state when a first predetermined gear is to be achieved by engaging the one-way clutch, a pre-synchronization control is executed to transmit torque through a predetermined friction engagement device used to achieve a second predetermined gear at which the one-way clutch is maintained in an idling state, and to continue to change a rotational direction of the one-way clutch toward a rotational direction in which the one-way clutch is brought to a synchronized state, according to the acceleration request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takaaki Tokura, Hideaki Otsubo, Motonori Kimura
  • Publication number: 20100211276
    Abstract: In order to realize favorable transmission characteristics in power-off upshift in clutch-to-clutch shift, an ECU detects an upshift request in a power-off state (request of clutch-to-clutch shift), and then outputs a control signal to a hydraulic circuit such that an on-coming clutch is engaged. When the on-coming clutch torque capacity becomes larger than 0 to have transmission torque, a sweep-down control signal is output to the hydraulic circuit such that an off-going clutch is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Takaaki Tokura, Nobufusa Kobayashi, Tomohiro Asami, Hideaki Otsubo
  • Publication number: 20100197457
    Abstract: A shift output torque control unit executes a shift output torque control to control an engine torque so as to reduce a driving force difference, which is a variation width of a driving force due to downshift of an automatic transmission. Thus, in comparison with the case in which the shift output torque control is not executed, it is possible to smooth a variation in driving force associated with the downshift. As a result, occupants' comfort and controllability to driving operation may be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Hideaki Otsubo, Masato Kaigawa, Shogo Matsumoto, Masayuki Baba
  • Publication number: 20100137103
    Abstract: An electronic control unit is provided with two types of gear change maps: a first gear change map based on the vehicle speed and the accelerator pedal operation amount; and a second gear change map based on the vehicle speed and the required drive force of the vehicle. The electronic control unit determines whether the automatic transmission should downshift with reference to the first gear change map, and determines whether the automatic transmission should upshift with reference to the second gear change map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Hideaki Otsubo, Masato Kaigawa, Masayuki Baba
  • Publication number: 20090210121
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular automatic transmission which has a plurality of coupling elements selectively released and engaged to perform shifting actions, the control apparatus including a shift control portion configured to control at least one specially controlled coupling element which is included in the coupling elements provided to perform the shifting actions of the automatic transmission and which is placed in a fully released state prior and subsequent to the shifting action performed according to a presently generated shifting command, the shift control portion controlling each specially controlled coupling element so as to enable the specially controlled coupling element to have a torque capacity during the shifting action performed according to the presently generated shifting command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takaaki TOKURA, Hideaki Otsubo
  • Publication number: 20090118903
    Abstract: A vehicle information record-collection system includes a plurality of drive recorders, and a center system. The center system sends setting change request information that includes vehicle information designated to be a record object to the drive recorder of each investigation object vehicle through wireless communication. The drive recorder of each vehicle, upon receiving the setting change request information from the center system through wireless communication, changes the setting of the vehicle information in terms of the record object on the basis of the setting change request information. After the setting change in terms of the record object, the drive recorder records the vehicle information, and sends the recorded vehicle information to the center system through wireless communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Motonori Kimura, Hideaki Otsubo
  • Publication number: 20080300106
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicular automatic transmission is provided which can preferably execute backpressure control of accumulators and torque-up control so as to minimize the occurrence of interference between learning on these controls during a gearshift operation. With the control device for the vehicular automatic transmission including the accumulators (104, 106 and 108) operative to control a hydraulic pressure supplied to second and third clutches (C2 and C3) and a third brake (B3), the backpressure control is executed for controlling a backpressure of the accumulators (104, 106 and 108) during the gearshift operation while the torque-up control is executed for raising torque output from an engine (12). Completion of learning on the backpressure control is determined when no completion of learning on the backpressure control is determined, learning on the backpressure control is executed with no execution of the torque-up control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuro Shibata, Hideaki Otsubo, Toshiya Oishi, Kiyoshi Kobayashi