Patents by Inventor Hirofumi Tsuchida

Hirofumi Tsuchida 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: 20170082044
    Abstract: An EGR control device includes an estimate EGR ratio calculating portion adapted to calculate an estimate EGR ratio from a fresh air flow amount at a joining portion with the EGR passage of an intake passage and an EGR gas amount passing through the EGR valve, and a joining portion EGR ratio estimating portion adapted to correct an estimate EGR ratio on the basis of a gaseous state inside the introduction passage when the EGR valve switches from a closed state to an open state, to calculate a joining portion EGR ratio being a proportion of an EGR gas amount with respect to fresh air in the joining portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke TAKAKI, Hirofumi TSUCHIDA, Kazuhiko SUGAWARA, Kenji SUZUKI, Takayuki SUI
  • Publication number: 20170045008
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation control device controls an exhaust gas recirculation device that includes an exhaust gas recirculation passage adapted to circulate a portion of exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine from an exhaust passage downstream of a turbine of a turbo supercharger along an exhaust flow to an intake passage upstream of a compressor of the turbo supercharger along an intake flow and downstream of an air flow meter along the intake flow, and a recirculation control valve adapted to adjust an amount of exhaust gas circulated to the intake passage. Furthermore, the exhaust gas recirculation control device includes recirculation ratio setting means adapted to set a lower target recirculation ratio for a smaller intake air amount of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke TAKAKI, Hirofumi TSUCHIDA, Kazuhiko SUGAWARA
  • Publication number: 20150233326
    Abstract: An upper-limit threshold value and a lower-limit threshold value of a fore-and-aft differential pressure of an EGR control valve is calculated based on an intake-air quantity detected by an airflow meter. An actual fore-and-aft differential pressure of the EGR control valve is calculated from detected values of an upstream-side pressure sensor and a downstream-side pressure sensor. Then, these threshold values are compared with the actual fore-and-aft differential pressure, and when the actual fore-and-aft differential pressure exceeds the upper-limit threshold value or when the actual fore-and-aft differential pressure is less than the lower-limit threshold value, it is determined that the pressure loss of an intake and exhaust system has changed. If it is determined that the pressure loss of an intake and exhaust system has changed, EGR is inhibited, and if not so, EGR is permitted to be performed. These threshold values are varied depending on a target EGR rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Daisuke Takaki, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Takeshi Tsuyuki
  • Publication number: 20150192079
    Abstract: In a case where a driving state is switched from a high load to a low load in a non-turbo charge region and an external EGR is stopped, at a timing T01 at which an EGR control valve (21) is closed, a valve overlap quantity between an intake valve and an exhaust valve is, as a low load transient time provisional value, controlled in a direction such that the valve overlap between the intake and exhaust valves is once contracted. Then, a target value of the valve overlap quantity between the intake and exhaust valves at a timing T21 preceded by a response time ?t of the variably operated valve mechanism (28) from a timing T31 at which the opening angle of the EGR control valve (21) is modified from the low load transient time provisional value to the target value at the time of the low load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Akagi, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Ayumi Komiya
  • Publication number: 20150184587
    Abstract: In a case where EGR is started in a supercharging region, an opening degree of a waste gate valve (17) is changed at a timing T1 at which an EGR ratio in a first predetermined position changes by valve open of an EGR control valve (21). In a case where EGR is started in a non-supercharging region, a throttle valve (5) is changed at a timing T2 at which an EGR ratio in a second predetermined position changes by valve open of the EGR control valve (21). With these controls, it is possible to suppress an occurrence of torque step upon start of the EGR without distinction between the supercharging region and the non-supercharging region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Ayumi Komiya, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Mitsuhiro Akagi
  • Patent number: 8627789
    Abstract: A control apparatus is provided for a four stroke cylinder direct-injection internal combustion engine having a cylinder and a piston disposed within the cylinder. The control apparatus includes a variable compression ratio mechanism for variably controlling the engine compression ratio by changing the top dead center position of the piston and a fuel injection device for injecting fuel directly into the cylinder. When the actual compression ratio of the engine is higher than a target compression ratio, the variable compression ratio mechanism reduces the compression ratio, and in accordance with the reduction in the compression ratio, the fuel injecting device injects an intake fuel injection amount in the intake stroke and a compression fuel injection amount in the compression stroke, and the timing for starting the fuel injection in the compression stroke is retarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hiraya, Daisuke Tanaka, Shunsuke Shigemoto, Hirofumi Tsuchida
  • Patent number: 8100097
    Abstract: A multi-link engine has a piston coupled to a crankshaft to move inside an engine cylinder. A piston pin connects the piston to an upper link, which is connected to a lower link by an upper link pin. A crank pin of the crankshaft rotatably supports the lower link thereon. A control link pin connects the lower link to one end of a control link, which is connected at another end to the engine block body by a control shaft. The crank pin has a center arranged on a straight line joining centers of the upper link pin and the control link pin such that an angle formed between the straight line and a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to a center axis of the cylinder and that passes through an axial center of a crank journal is the same for at top dead center and at bottom dead center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Takahashi, Masayuki Tomita, Kenshi Ushijima, Koji Hiraya, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Shunichi Aoyama
  • Patent number: 8100098
    Abstract: A multi-link engine has a piston coupled to a crankshaft to move inside an engine cylinder. A piston pin connects the piston to an upper link, which is connected to a lower link by an upper link pin. A crank pin of the crankshaft rotatably supports the lower link thereon. A control link pin connects the lower link to one end of a control link, which is connected at another end to the engine block body by a control shaft. The upper link has an upper link axis that forms an angle with the cylinder axis, as viewed along a crank axis direction of the crankshaft, such that the angle reaches a minimum when a crank angle of the engine is within a range where the bottom end of a piston skirt is positioned below a topmost part of the bottom end of the cylinder liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Takahashi, Masayuki Tomita, Kenshi Ushijima, Koji Hiraya, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Shunichi Aoyama
  • Patent number: 7980207
    Abstract: A multi-link engine has a piston that moves inside a cylinder. A piston pin connects the piston to an upper link, which is connected to a lower link. A crank pin of a crankshaft supports the lower link thereon. The lower link is pivotally connected to one end of a control link, which is connected at another end to the engine block body by a control shaft. The control shaft is lower than a crank journal of the crankshaft, and disposed on a first side of a plane that is parallel to a cylinder center axis and that contains a center rotational axis of the crank journal. The cylinder center axis is located on a second (i.e., opposite the first side) plane. The control link has a center axis that is parallel to the cylinder center axis when the piston is near top and bottom dead centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Takahashi, Masayuki Tomita, Kenshi Ushijima, Koji Hiraya, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Shunichi Aoyama
  • Publication number: 20110005496
    Abstract: A control apparatus is provided for a four stroke cylinder direct-injection internal combustion engine having a cylinder and a piston disposed within the cylinder. The control apparatus includes a variable compression ratio mechanism for variably controlling the engine compression ratio by changing the top dead center position of the piston and a fuel injection device for injecting fuel directly into the cylinder. When the actual compression ratio of the engine is higher than a target compression ratio, the variable compression ratio mechanism reduces the compression ratio, and in accordance with the reduction in the compression ratio, the fuel injecting device injects an intake fuel injection amount in the intake stroke and a compression fuel injection amount in the compression stroke, and the timing for starting the fuel injection in the compression stroke is retarded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Hiraya, Daisuke Tanaka, Shunsuke Shigemoto, Hirofumi Tsuchida
  • Patent number: 7801439
    Abstract: There is provided an image taking device with removable optical unit, with which it is possible to operate the power supply of the image taking device body without operating a power switch, and operation of the power supply of the image taking device body is made easy. The image taking device with removable optical element is provided with an image taking device body, a lens unit (optical unit) that is removable with respect to the image taking device body, an attachment detection unit for detecting attachment of the lens unit to the image taking device body, and a system controller (control unit) for turning a power supply of the image taking device body on upon detection of attachment of the lens unit to the image taking device body by the attachment detection unit. The system controller is configured to turn off the power supply of the image taking device body in a state where attachment of the lens unit to the image taking device body is not detected by the attachment detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Nagata, Minoru Omaki, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Toshiyuki Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 7604423
    Abstract: An interchangeable-lens camera including a camera body on which a lens unit is capable to mount. The camera body includes a lens mounting unit which is provided to the camera body and on which the lens unit is capable to mount at least one dummy mounting unit which is provided to the camera body and on which a device is capable to mount under the same lens mounting system as the lens mounting unit, and a processing unit for reading information about the lens unit mounted to the lens mounting unit; and the processing unit for reading information about the device mounted to the dummy mounting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Nagata, Minoru Omaki, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Toshiyuki Nagaoka
  • Publication number: 20090107452
    Abstract: A multi-link engine has a piston coupled to a crankshaft to move inside an engine cylinder. A piston pin connects the piston to an upper link, which is connected to a lower link by an upper link pin. A crank pin of the crankshaft rotatably supports the lower link thereon. A control link pin connects the lower link to one end of a control link, which is connected at another end to the engine block body by a control shaft. The crank pin has a center arranged on a straight line joining centers of the upper link pin and the control link pin such that an angle formed between the straight line and a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to a center axis of the cylinder and that passes through an axial center of a crank journal is the same for at top dead center and at bottom dead center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki TAKAHASHI, Masayuki TOMITA, Kenshi USHIJIMA, Koji HIRAYA, Hirofumi TSUCHIDA, Shunichi AOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20090107453
    Abstract: A multi-link engine has a piston coupled to a crankshaft to move inside an engine cylinder. A piston pin connects the piston to an upper link, which is connected to a lower link by an upper link pin. A crank pin of the crankshaft rotatably supports the lower link thereon. A control link pin connects the lower link to one end of a control link, which is connected at another end to the engine block body by a control shaft. The upper link has an upper link axis that forms an angle with the cylinder axis, as viewed along a crank axis direction of the crankshaft, such that the angle reaches a minimum when a crank angle of the engine is within a range where the bottom end of a piston skirt is positioned below a topmost part of the bottom end of the cylinder liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Takahashi, Masayuki Tomita, Kenshi Ushijima, Koji Hiraya, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Shunichi Aoyama
  • Publication number: 20090107468
    Abstract: A multi-link engine has a piston that moves inside a cylinder. A piston pin connects the piston to an upper link, which is connected to a lower link. A crank pin of a crankshaft supports the lower link thereon. The lower link is pivotally connected to one end of a control link, which is connected at another end to the engine block body by a control shaft. The control shaft is lower than a crank journal of the crankshaft, and disposed on a first side of a plane that is parallel to a cylinder center axis and that contains a center rotational axis of the crank journal. The cylinder center axis is located on a second (i.e., opposite the first side) plane. The control link has a center axis that is parallel to the cylinder center axis when the piston is near top and bottom dead centers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki TAKAHASHI, Masayuki TOMITA, Kenshi USHIJIMA, Koji HIRAYA, Hirofumi TSUCHIDA, Shunichi AOYAMA
  • Patent number: 7475675
    Abstract: An in-cylinder direct fuel injection engine is disclosed. The engine comprises a fuel injection valve engaged in a fuel injection hole, a cylinder head, and an ignition plug engaged in an ignition hole, The fuel injection valve is attached to the fuel rail and the fuel injection nozzle injects fuel from the fuel rail. The fuel injection hole and the ignition hole are positioned in a central portion of the a roof of the cylinder head so as to be located between an intake and exhaust air ports and are generally aligned along an axis of a crank shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Motors Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hiraya, Masahiro Fukuzumi, Toshiya Kono, Hirofumi Tsuchida
  • Publication number: 20080106616
    Abstract: There is provided an image taking device with removable optical unit, with which it is possible to switch the operating mode of an image taking device body to playback mode without operating an image playback button or the like, and operation of the image taking device body is made easy. There are provided an image taking device body, a lens unit (optical unit) that is removable with respect to the image taking device body, an removal detection unit for detecting removal of the lens unit from the image taking device body, and a system controller (control unit) for controlling operation of the image taking device body. The image taking device body is provided with an image playback function. The system controller is configured to switch the operating mode of the image taking device body to playback mode upon detection of removal of the lens unit from the image taking device body by the removal detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Hideki Nagata, Minoru Omaki, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Toshiyuki Nagaoka
  • Publication number: 20080088727
    Abstract: There is provided an image taking device with removable optical unit, with which it is possible to perform switching of the operating mode of the image taking device body without operating mode change switch, and an operating mode switching operation of the image taking device body is made easy. There are provided an image taking device body, a lens unit (optical unit) that is removable with respect to the image taking device body, an attachment detection unit for detecting attachment of the lens unit to the image taking device body, and a system controller (control unit) for switching an operating mode of the image taking device body to photographing mode on upon detection of attachment of the lens unit to the image taking device body by the attachment detection unit. The system controller is configured to switch the operating mode of the image taking device body to playback mode in a state where attachment of the lens unit to the image taking device body is not detected by the attachment detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Hideki Nagata, Minoru Omaki, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Toshiyuki Nagaoka
  • Publication number: 20080089680
    Abstract: Even when the state of an auxiliary device mounted to a dummy mounting unit cannot be visually identified, the state thereof can be immediately identified. The invention provides an interchangeable-lens camera including a camera body and a lens unit configured to be removably mounted to the camera body. The camera body includes a lens mounting unit for mounting the lens unit, at least one dummy mounting unit compatible with the same lens mounting system as the lens mounting unit, and information reading means for reading information about devices mounted to the lens mounting unit and the dummy mounting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Hideki Nagata, Minoru Omaki, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Toshiyuki Nagaoka
  • Publication number: 20080075450
    Abstract: There is provided an image taking device with removable optical unit, with which it is possible to operate the power supply of the image taking device body without operating a power switch, and operation of the power supply of the image taking device body is made easy. The image taking device with removable optical element is provided with an image taking device body, a lens unit (optical unit) that is removable with respect to the image taking device body, an attachment detection unit for detecting attachment of the lens unit to the image taking device body, and a system controller (control unit) for turning a power supply of the image taking device body on upon detection of attachment of the lens unit to the image taking device body by the attachment detection unit. The system controller is configured to turn off the power supply of the image taking device body in a state where attachment of the lens unit to the image taking device body is not detected by the attachment detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Hideki Nagata, Minoru Omaki, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Toshiyuki Nagaoka