Patents by Inventor Hiroaki KODERA

Hiroaki KODERA 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).

  • Publication number: 20240113510
    Abstract: A resin molded component includes a bus bar having conductivity, a conductive member including an insertion hole into which the bus bar is inserted along an axis line direction, a resin member covering the bus bar and insulating the bus bar and the conductive member, and a potting material charged into the insertion hole. The bus bar includes a bend terminal portion positioned at an end portion in the axis line direction, and bent along a terminal bend direction, and a bus bar crank portion positioned inside the insertion hole and extending along a crank direction intersecting with the axis line direction and the terminal bend direction. The resin member includes a resin crank portion positioned inside the insertion hole and covering and insulating the bus bar crank portion. The potting material covers a whole circumference of the resin crank portion when charged into the insertion hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Yusuke Tsutagawa, Yasuhiro Tanaka, Hiroaki Kodera, Norihiro Ushida, Hiroyuki Hattori
  • Patent number: 11932118
    Abstract: The electric vehicle according to the present disclosure calculates motor torque using an MT vehicle model simulating an MT vehicle having a manual transmission and an internal combustion engine. In the first operation mode, an operation amount of a pseudo-clutch pedal and a shift position of a pseudo-gearshift are input to the MT vehicle model to reflect operation of the pseudo-clutch pedal and operation of the pseudo-gearshift in electric motor control. In the second operation mode where the operation of the pseudo-clutch pedal is not needed, an operation amount of a clutch pedal calculated by a driver model is input to the MT vehicle model instead of the operation amount of the pseudo-clutch pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akiko Nishimine, Yoichiro Isami, Yoshio Itou, Hiroyuki Amano, Tatsuya Imamura, Hiroaki Ebuchi, Hiroaki Kodera
  • Patent number: 11926222
    Abstract: An electric vehicle is configured to be able to perform running by an MT mode that controls an electric motor with a torque characteristic like an MT vehicle having a manual transmission and an internal combustion engine, and running by an EV mode that controls the electric motor with a normal torque characteristic. The electric vehicle includes a mode changeover switch for switching to the running by the MT mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoichiro Isami, Yoshio Itou, Hiroyuki Amano, Tatsuya Imamura, Akiko Nishimine, Hiroaki Ebuchi, Hiroaki Kodera
  • Patent number: 11906040
    Abstract: A shifting device in which a selected shift position can be confirmed easily, and which can be fitted easily in vehicles. The shifting device comprises: a restriction member that restricts a movement of a shift lever into a predetermined shift slot in a first shifting mode, and that cancels the restriction of the movement of the shift lever in a second shifting mode; and an indicator that indicates a first pattern when the first shifting mode is selected, and that indicates a second pattern when the second shifting mode is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoichiro Isami, Hiroyuki Amano, Takayuki Oshima, Makoto Takano, Yuta Tsukada, Kiyosuke Hayamizu, Hiroaki Kodera
  • Patent number: 11897338
    Abstract: The controller of the electric vehicle is configured to control the torque of the electric motor using the MT vehicle model based on the operation amount of the accelerator pedal, the operation amount of the pseudo-clutch pedal, and the shift position of the pseudo-shifter. Further, the controller is configured to execute the stall production process for changing the engine output torque used for calculation of the driving wheel torque to zero when the calculated virtual engine speed using the MT vehicle model becomes lower than the prescribed stall engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoichiro Isami, Yoshio Itou, Hiroyuki Amano, Tatsuya Imamura, Akiko Nishimine, Hiroaki Ebuchi, Hiroaki Kodera
  • Patent number: 11833908
    Abstract: The electric vehicle according to the present disclosure is configured to be able to select a traveling mode between an MT mode in which an electric motor is controlled with torque characteristics like an MT vehicle having a manual transmission and an internal combustion engine, and an EV mode in which the electric motor is controlled with normal torque characteristics. The controller of the electric vehicle controls the electric motor in the MT mode such that responsiveness of the motor torque with respect to a change in the operation amount of the accelerator pedal is lower than in the EV mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoichiro Isami, Yoshio Itou, Hiroyuki Amano, Tatsuya Imamura, Akiko Nishimine, Hiroaki Ebuchi, Hiroaki Kodera
  • Publication number: 20230382238
    Abstract: A shifting device for an electric vehicle having a virtual manual transmission system, that is configured to realize a variety of shift patterns and torque characteristics. The shifting device comprises: an indicator that indicates a shift pattern; and an indication switcher that switches the shift pattern indicated in the indicator to another pattern. At least any one of the number of the shift positions and a virtual gear stage assigned to the shift position in the shift pattern switched by the indication switcher is different from that in the previous shift pattern indicated in the indicator before switched by the indication switcher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoichiro ISAMI, Hiroyuki AMANO, Takayuki OSHIMA, Makoto TAKANO, Yuta TSUKADA, Kiyosuke HAYAMIZU, Hiroaki KODERA
  • Patent number: 11794718
    Abstract: The controller of the electric vehicle is configured to control the torque of the electric motor using the MT vehicle model based on the operation amount of the accelerator pedal, the operation amount of the pseudo-clutch pedal, and the shift position of the pseudo-shifter. The electric vehicle also includes a shift reaction force generator that generates a shift reaction force in response to the operation of the pseudo-shifter using by the operating of the reaction force actuator. The controller is configured to store the shift reaction force characteristic simulating the characteristic of the shift reaction force according to the operation of the shifter. Then, the controller is configured to control the shift reaction force output by the shift reaction force generator according to the operation of the pseudo-shifter using the stored shift reaction force characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoichiro Isami, Yoshio Itou, Hiroyuki Amano, Tatsuya Imamura, Akiko Nishimine, Hiroaki Ebuchi, Hiroaki Kodera
  • Patent number: 11760209
    Abstract: The controller of the electric vehicle is configured to control the torque of the electric motor using the MT vehicle model based on the operation amount of the accelerator pedal, the operation amount of the pseudo-clutch pedal, and the shift position of the pseudo-shifter. Further, the controller is configured to execute the stall production process for changing the engine output torque used for calculation of the driving wheel torque to zero when the calculated virtual engine speed using the MT vehicle model becomes lower than the prescribed stall engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoichiro Isami, Yoshio Itou, Hiroyuki Amano, Tatsuya Imamura, Akiko Nishimine, Hiroaki Ebuchi, Hiroaki Kodera
  • Patent number: 11750052
    Abstract: A rotating electric machine rotor according to the present disclosure includes: a rotor shaft extending in a direction of an axis of rotation; and a rotor core fixedly fitted to an outer circumference of the rotor shaft and formed of laminated steel sheets. Further, an inner diameter of the rotor core is smaller than an outer diameter of the rotor shaft. Furthermore, an inner edge part of each laminated steel sheet is made thinner than an outer edge part thereof, and the inner edge part abuts on an outer peripheral surface of the rotor shaft and is curved along the outer peripheral surface of the rotor shaft in the direction of the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi Ono, Hiroaki Kodera, Keiichi Kaneshige
  • Patent number: 11654777
    Abstract: The electric vehicle according to the present disclosure is configured to be able to select a traveling mode between an MT mode in which an electric motor is controlled with torque characteristics like an MT vehicle having a manual transmission and an internal combustion engine, and an EV mode in which the electric motor is controlled with normal torque characteristics. When the selection of the travelling mode is changed by a driver, the controller of the electric vehicle determines whether a control mode can be switched, based on a condition in which the electric vehicle is placed, and switches the control mode in accordance with the determination result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akiko Nishimine, Yoichiro Isami, Yoshio Itou, Hiroyuki Amano, Tatsuya Imamura, Hiroaki Ebuchi, Hiroaki Kodera
  • Patent number: 11654779
    Abstract: A virtual manual transmission system for an electric vehicle for simulating the behavior of a vehicle having a manual transmission by controlling a motor while protecting an electric storage device. A controller is configured to: change torque of the motor when a virtual manual shifting is executed by operating a clutch device, an accelerator device, and a shifting device; and reduce a regulation on a change rate of the torque of the motor or an input/output power to/from the electric storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoichiro Isami, Hiroyuki Amano, Takayuki Oshima, Makoto Takano, Yuta Tsukada, Kiyosuke Hayamizu, Hiroaki Kodera
  • Publication number: 20230072063
    Abstract: A shifting device in which a selected shift position can be confirmed easily, and which can be fitted easily in vehicles. The shifting device comprises: a restriction member that restricts a movement of a shift lever into a predetermined shift slot in a first shifting mode, and that cancels the restriction of the movement of the shift lever in a second shifting mode; and an indicator that indicates a first pattern when the first shifting mode is selected, and that indicates a second pattern when the second shifting mode is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoichiro ISAMI, Hiroyuki AMANO, Takayuki OSHIMA, Makoto TAKANO, Yuta TSUKADA, Kiyosuke HAYAMIZU, Hiroaki KODERA
  • Publication number: 20230039347
    Abstract: A virtual manual transmission system for an electric vehicle for simulating the behavior of a vehicle having a manual transmission by controlling a motor while protecting an electric storage device. A controller is configured to: change torque of the motor when a virtual manual shifting is executed by operating a clutch device, an accelerator device, and a shifting device; and reduce a regulation on a change rate of the torque of the motor or an input/output power to/from the electric storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoichiro ISAMI, Hiroyuki AMANO, Takayuki OSHIMA, Makoto TAKANO, Yuta TSUKADA, Kiyosuke HAYAMIZU, Hiroaki KODERA
  • Publication number: 20230016961
    Abstract: A data collection device collects data in a predetermined target area by using a plurality of mobile bodies that is able to move within the target area and acquire data. The data collection device includes: an information acquisition unit that acquires area information regarding the target area; and a mobile body management unit that changes a collection location of the data based on the area information and that dispatches at least one mobile body among the mobile bodies to a specific location in the target area associated with the area information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki KODERA, Yoichiro ISAMI, Kotoru SATO, Takashi HAYASHI, Naohiro SEO
  • Publication number: 20220377284
    Abstract: In an information collecting system, an information collecting device managed by the designated institution sets information acquisition spaces where acquisition of personal information of residents in the region is allowed and information acquisition prohibited spaces where acquisition of personal information of residents is prohibited, the information collecting device transmits space information corresponding to spaces in which information acquisition terminals are located, for information acquisition terminals which are located in information acquisition spaces and information acquisition prohibited spaces and which allow acquisition of personal information of residents, and the information acquisition terminal determines that personal information acquired by an information acquisition terminal is not to be transmitted to an information collecting device when the information acquisition terminal is located in an information acquisition prohibited space, based on the received space information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Hiroaki KODERA, Yoichiro ISAMI, Kotoru SATO, Takashi HAYASHI, Naohiro SEO
  • Publication number: 20220263363
    Abstract: A rotating electric machine rotor according to the present disclosure includes: a rotor shaft extending in a direction of an axis of rotation; and a rotor core fixedly fitted to an outer circumference of the rotor shaft and formed of laminated steel sheets. Further, an inner diameter of the rotor core is smaller than an outer diameter of the rotor shaft. Furthermore, an inner edge part of each laminated steel sheet is made thinner than an outer edge part thereof, and the inner edge part abuts on an outer peripheral surface of the rotor shaft and is curved along the outer peripheral surface of the rotor shaft in the direction of the axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi ONO, Hiroaki KODERA, Keiichi KANESHIGE
  • Publication number: 20220041155
    Abstract: The controller of the electric vehicle is configured to control the torque of the electric motor using the MT vehicle model based on the operation amount of the accelerator pedal, the operation amount of the pseudo-clutch pedal, and the shift position of the pseudo-shifter. The electric vehicle also includes a shift reaction force generator that generates a shift reaction force in response to the operation of the pseudo-shifter using by the operating of the reaction force actuator. The controller is configured to store the shift reaction force characteristic simulating the characteristic of the shift reaction force according to the operation of the shifter. Then, the controller is configured to control the shift reaction force output by the shift reaction force generator according to the operation of the pseudo-shifter using the stored shift reaction force characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoichiro ISAMI, Yoshio ITOU, Hiroyuki AMANO, Tatsuya IMAMURA, Akiko NISHIMINE, Hiroaki EBUCHI, Hiroaki KODERA
  • Publication number: 20220041157
    Abstract: A drive force control system for a vehicle configured to accurately imitate a change in a drive force in a model vehicle. A drive torque simulator computes a virtual drive torque supposed to be delivered to drive wheels of the model vehicle in response to a manual operation to manipulate the vehicle, based on torque changing factors of a powertrain of the model vehicle. An actual torque calculator computes a target torque of a motor that is practically delivered to the drive wheels in the vehicle based on the virtual drive torque computed by the drive torque simulator, taking account of torque changing factors of the powertrain of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya IMAMURA, Yoichiro ISAMI, Yoshio ITOU, Hiroyuki AMANO, Akiko NISHIMINE, Hiroaki EBUCHI, Hiroaki KODERA
  • Publication number: 20220041063
    Abstract: The controller of the electric vehicle is configured to control the torque of the electric motor using the MT vehicle model based on the operation amount of the accelerator pedal, the operation amount of the pseudo-clutch pedal, and the shift position of the pseudo-shifter. The electric vehicle also includes a pedal reaction force generator that generates a pedal reaction force in response to the operation of the pseudo-clutch pedal using by the operating of the reaction force actuator. The controller is configured to store the pedal reaction force characteristic simulating the characteristic of the pedal reaction force according to the operation of the clutch pedal. Then, the controller is configured to control the pedal reaction force output by the pedal reaction force generator in response to the operation of the pseudo-clutch pedal using the stored pedal reaction force characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoichiro ISAMI, Yoshio ITOU, Hiroyuki AMANO, Tatsuya IMAMURA, Akiko NISHIMINE, Hiroaki EBUCHI, Hiroaki KODERA