Patents by Inventor Hidehiro Oba

Hidehiro Oba 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: 10850624
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a motor generator, a battery, and an ECU, and is configured to selectively perform EV running and engine running. When requested power is smaller than reference power, ECU calculates an engine fuel consumption ratio h1 when the engine outputs power resulting from addition of optimal charging power for the battery to the requested power, and determines whether the engine fuel consumption ratio h1 is larger than an EV criterion line resulting from addition of a margin K to a battery equivalent fuel consumption ratio F. When the engine fuel consumption ratio h1 is larger than the EV criterion line, ECU selects EV running, and otherwise selects engine running. The ECU calculates the margin K by referring to an F?K map which defines correspondence between the battery equivalent fuel consumption ratio F and the margin K with which an SOC is converged to a target range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidehiro Oba, Eiji Maeda
  • Patent number: 10471818
    Abstract: A drive device is equipped with a countershaft, an engine, a first MG, a second MG, and a Ravigneaux-type planetary gear unit that includes a ring gear, a pinion, a carrier, a first sun gear, and a second sun gear. The pinion includes a first tooth portion that meshes with the ring gear and the first sun gear, and a second tooth portion that is provided at a position offset from the first tooth portion in an axial direction of the pinion and that meshes with the second sun gear. The drive device is further equipped with a first clutch that changes over a state of connection between the first sun gear and the engine, a second clutch that changes over a state of connection between the carrier and the engine, and a first brake that changes over a state of fixation of the second sun gear to a case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidehiro Oba
  • Publication number: 20190001958
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a motor generator, a battery, and an ECU, and is configured to selectively perform EV running and engine running. When requested power is smaller than reference power, ECU calculates an engine fuel consumption ratio h1 when the engine outputs power resulting from addition of optimal charging power for the battery to the requested power, and determines whether the engine fuel consumption ratio h1 is larger than an EV criterion line resulting from addition of a margin K to a battery equivalent fuel consumption ratio F. When the engine fuel consumption ratio h1 is larger than the EV criterion line, ECU selects EV running, and otherwise selects engine running. The ECU calculates the margin K by referring to an F?K map which defines correspondence between the battery equivalent fuel consumption ratio F and the margin K with which an SOC is converged to a target range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidehiro OBA, Eiji MAEDA
  • Publication number: 20180236996
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes: an engine; a rotating electric machine; a battery; and a controller that is configured to be capable of calculating a battery equivalent fuel efficiency. While the engine is in operation, the controller searches charge/discharge power to/from the battery at which a vehicle fuel consumption amount that is calculated in consideration of a fuel consumption amount in the engine and an equivalent fuel consumption amount that is determined by a product of the battery equivalent fuel efficiency and the charge/discharge power is minimum, and causes the engine to output a value that is calculated by adding the searched charge/discharge power to requested power from a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidehiro Oba, Eiji Maeda
  • Publication number: 20180194214
    Abstract: A drive device is equipped with a countershaft, an engine, a first MG, a second MG, and a Ravigneaux-type planetary gear unit that includes a ring gear, a pinion, a carrier, a first sun gear, and a second sun gear. The pinion includes a first tooth portion that meshes with the ring gear and the first sun gear, and a second tooth portion that is provided at a position offset from the first tooth portion in an axial direction of the pinion and that meshes with the second sun gear. The drive device is further equipped with a first clutch that changes over a state of connection between the first sun gear and the engine, a second clutch that changes over a state of connection between the carrier and the engine, and a first brake that changes over a state of fixation of the second sun gear to a case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidehiro Oba
  • Patent number: 9987917
    Abstract: An electronic control unit is configured to select one of a series mode, a series-parallel mode and a parallel mode as a running mode. A load level of a hybrid vehicle is set to a value that is high in the order of a load level at which the parallel mode is selected, a load level at which the series-parallel mode is selected, and a load level at which the series mode is selected. That is, the electronic control unit selects the series-parallel mode in an intermediate load region, selects the series mode in a low load region, and selects the parallel mode in a high load region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidehiro Oba
  • Publication number: 20180001757
    Abstract: An electronic control unit is configured to select one of a series mode, a series-parallel mode and a parallel mode as a running mode. A load level of a hybrid vehicle is set to a value that is high in the order of a load level at which the parallel mode is selected, a load level at which the series-parallel mode is selected, and a load level at which the series mode is selected. That is, the electronic control unit selects the series-parallel mode in an intermediate load region, selects the series mode in a low load region, and selects the parallel mode in a high load region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hidehiro OBA
  • Patent number: 9770971
    Abstract: A first ring gear of a drive unit is connected to a second carrier and is mechanically connected to a counter shaft. A first sun gear is connected to a second sun gear and a first rotary electric machine. A first clutch selectively switches between a connection state and a disconnection state of the first sun gear and an engine. A second clutch selectively switches between a connection state and a disconnection state of a first carrier and the engine. A brake selectively switches between a fixed state and a release state of a second ring gear to and from a fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidehiro Oba
  • Patent number: 8272991
    Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle, in order to stop an engine while a clutch is kept engaged and to transmit power from a motor to a drive shaft by changing a change speed state of a transmission when the power from a second motor is being transmitted to the drive shaft by the transmission, for example, a rotation speed of the first motor is adjusted so that the first motor can be connected to the drive shaft with the clutch disengaged while torque commands for both motors are set so that the power based on torque demand is outputted to the drive shaft, the power is transferred from the second motor to the first motor while both motors are connected to the drive shaft by the transmission, and the connection between the second motor and the drive shaft by the transmission is disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Katsuta, Hidehiro Oba
  • Patent number: 8257213
    Abstract: In a hybrid driving apparatus, a gear mechanism (3) having a first rotating element (7), a second rotating element (4) and a third rotating element (5) is provided, and a first driving power source (2), a second driving power source MG1 and a third driving power source MG2 are linked to the elements of the gear mechanism (3). The speed change ratio of the gear mechanism (3) can be altered. A driven member (18) to which the power output from an output element of the gear mechanism (3) is transmitted is provided. A first power transmission path (9) that connects the second driving power source MG1 to the driven member (18) is provided. A second power transmission path (17) that connects the third driving power source MG2 to the driven member (18) is provided. In this hybrid driving apparatus, at least one of the first power transmission path (9) and the second power transmission path (17) is provided with a transmission (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki Komada, Yukihiko Ideshio, Tooru Matsubara, Takashi Ohta, Hiroyuki Shibata, Hidehiro Oba
  • Patent number: 8251165
    Abstract: When a predetermined change speed state shift condition is satisfied while the transmission connects a carrier with a drive shaft, a hybrid vehicle performs a rotational speed adjustment process of conforming a rotational speed of a motor to a target rotational speed based on a gear ratio of the transmission and a rotational speed of the drive shaft, a connection a sun gear with the drive shaft by a gear train of the transmission corresponding to a target speed, a power transfer process of transferring power between the motors in a simultaneous engagement state to make the motors output power required in a post-change speed state corresponding to a target speed, and a disconnection the carrier from the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Katsuta, Hidehiro Oba
  • Patent number: 8231491
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, motors configured to input and output power, a power distribution integration mechanism, and a transmission. The power distribution integration mechanism has a sun gear connected with one of the motors, a carrier connected with the other motor, and a ring gear connected with the engine. The transmission includes a first speed change mechanism and a second speed change mechanism. The first speed change mechanism has a first speed gear train and a third speed gear train arranged to connect the carrier of the power distribution integration mechanism with a driveshaft. The second speed change mechanism has a parallel shaft-type gear train that is not used alone to set the speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidehiro Oba, Hiroshi Katsuta
  • Patent number: 8215426
    Abstract: In a 2-motor drive mode with connection of both motors with a driveshaft by means of a transmission, a hybrid vehicle specifies one of the motors as a main motor of preferentially outputting power. Torque commands of the motors are then set to make the motor specified as the main motor preferentially output the power over the other motor specified as an auxiliary motor and to ensure output of a torque equivalent to a torque demand to the driveshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Katsuta, Hidehiro Oba
  • Patent number: 8210296
    Abstract: In a 2-motor drive mode with connection of both motors with a driveshaft by use of a transmission, a hybrid vehicle sets torque commands of the motors to substantially equalize an output torque of the second motor with an output torque of the first motor and to ensure output of a torque equivalent to a preset torque demand to the driveshaft. This arrangement ensures continuous output of a relatively large torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Katsuta, Hidehiro Oba
  • Patent number: 8122983
    Abstract: There is provided a hybrid vehicle which stops an engine in a state in which a drive source element connection by a clutch is released; a transmission is used to couple only one of the motors to a drive shaft; and one of the motors is caused to output power; at this time, in order to start the engine, a rotation speed of the other one of the motors which does not correspond to a current speed ratio and is not connected to the drive shaft is adjusted so as to enable the drive source element connection; and the clutch is connected as well as the engine is cranked by one of the motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Katsuta, Hidehiro Oba
  • Patent number: 8100207
    Abstract: The hybrid vehicle transfers power between the two motors, releases a coupling between one of the motors and the drive shaft, adjusts the rotation speed of one of the motors which is released from the coupling to the drive shaft by the transmission so as to enable drive source element connection, and connects the clutch as well as cranks the engine by either one or the other motor when the engine is started while the clutch is released, the engine is stopped, both the motors are coupled to the drive shaft as well as at least one of the motors is caused to output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidehiro Oba, Hiroshi Katsuta
  • Patent number: 8091661
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, motors, and a power distribution and integration mechanism that are coaxially arranged with respect to each other. The hybrid vehicle also includes a transmission including a transmission differential rotation mechanism that has a sun gear as an input element connected to a sun gear which is a first element of the power distribution and integration mechanism, a ring gear as a fixing element, and a carrier as an output element, and that is configured such that these three elements can differentially rotate with each other; and a clutch as a coupling mechanism capable of selectively coupling the sun gear of the transmission differential rotation mechanism and the carrier which is the second element of the power distribution and integration mechanism with a drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidehiro Oba, Yukihiko Ideshio
  • Patent number: 8056659
    Abstract: The hybrid vehicle includes an engine, two motors, and a power distribution integration mechanism arranged coaxially with one another and a transmission. The transmission includes a transmission shaft extended in parallel with a first motor shaft and a second motor shaft, a first coupling gear train in combination with a second coupling gear train and a clutch arranged to selectively connect a ring gear and a sun gear of the power distribution integration mechanism to the transmission shaft, a deceleration mechanism connected with the transmission shaft and arranged to decelerate power from the transmission shaft and output the power of the reduced speed from a carrier, and a clutch arranged to selectively connect the carrier and the ring gear to a driveshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidehiro Oba, Yukihiko Ideshio
  • Patent number: 8047314
    Abstract: When a required speed ratio as a required value of a speed ratio between an engine and a driveshaft becomes equal to or less than a lower limit speed ratio that is not more than an n-th shift speed ratio during an n-th speed state of a transmission, a hybrid vehicle controls the engine, two motors, and the transmission to ensure output of power based on a torque demand to the driveshaft while performing an engine rotational speed adjustment of making a rotational speed of the engine equal to a shift rotational speed corresponding to an upper side shift speed ratio or an effective shift speed ratio and a shift from an n-th speed state to an (n+1)-th speed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidehiro Oba, Hiroshi Katsuta, Takashi Kawai
  • Publication number: 20110190970
    Abstract: A structure for controlling an engine is simplified in a power generation device equipped on a vehicle which generates power by a driving force of an engine. An operation unit (32) outputs to a controller (12) drive operation information based on an operation of a user. The controller (12) controls a vehicle driving circuit (28) and determines an engine output power target value based on the drive operation information and a running state of the vehicle. An engine output power/control voltage table stored in a storage unit (34) is referred to, and a value of a control voltage (Va) correlated to the engine output power target value is determined. The controller (12) controls a voltage adjusting circuit (24) such that the control voltage (Va) is set to the value determined based on the engine output power/control voltage table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazunari MORIYA, Hideo NAKAI, Yuichi OHTERU, Eiji YAMADA, Makoto HIRAI, Toru ANDO, Ryoji MIZUTANI, Kenji KIMURA, Mitsumasa FUKUMURA, Hidehiro OBA