Patents by Inventor Hiroki YASUI

Hiroki YASUI 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: 11454318
    Abstract: A shifting mechanism in which an inclination of a sleeve with respect to a shift fork is reduced while maintaining a clearance between the shift fork and the sleeve. In the shifting mechanism, an engagement groove is formed entirely around a shift sleeve, and a cutout is formed on the engagement groove. A first diameter of the shift sleeve between predetermined sites of the bottom of the engagement groove within the cutouts is shorter than a second diameter of the shift sleeve between predetermined sites of the bottom of the engagement groove. A straight-line distance between the engagement ridges formed on both ends of the shift fork is longer than the first diameter but shorter than the second diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Shioiri, Yoichiro Isami, Kenta Kimura, Hiroaki Ebuchi, Hiroki Yasui
  • Publication number: 20220178441
    Abstract: A shifting mechanism in which an inclination of a sleeve with respect to a shift fork is reduced while maintaining a clearance between the shift fork and the sleeve. In the shifting mechanism, an engagement groove is formed entirely around a shift sleeve, and a cutout is formed on the engagement groove. A first diameter of the shift sleeve between predetermined sites of the bottom of the engagement groove within the cutouts is shorter than a second diameter of the shift sleeve between predetermined sites of the bottom of the engagement groove. A straight-line distance between the engagement ridges formed on both ends of the shift fork is longer than the first diameter but shorter than the second diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki SHIOIRI, Yoichiro ISAMI, Kenta KIMURA, Hiroaki EBUCHI, Hiroki YASUI
  • Patent number: 11247657
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle that shift an operating mode to an appropriate mode from a low mode or high mode. The hybrid vehicle comprises a power split mechanism connected to an engine and a first motor. When a required brake torque of a prime mover cannot be achieved during propulsion in an operating mode established by engaging one of clutches while stopping the engine, the control system excites a motoring of the engine by the first motor while maintaining engagement of the clutch engaged to establish the current operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yosuke Suzuki, Hideaki Komada, Hidekazu Nagai, Takahito Endo, Hirotsugu Yoshino, Hiroki Yasui
  • Patent number: 11242914
    Abstract: A power transmission unit that can prevent unintentional disengagement of a clutch. A first set of teeth formed on an outer circumferential surface of a first rotary member is engaged with a third set of teeth formed on an inner circumferential surface of a second rotary member. A second set of teeth formed on an inner circumferential surface of the first rotary member is meshed with a fourth set of teeth formed on an outer circumferential surface of a third rotary member. A center of engagement between the first set of teeth and the third set of teeth is situated at a point withdrawn from a center of engagement between the second set of teeth and the fourth set of teeth in the direction to disengage the first set of teeth from the third set of teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ebuchi, Yoichiro Isami, Hirotsugu Yoshino, Hiroki Yasui
  • Patent number: 11209052
    Abstract: A meshing engagement device includes a movable member; a first engaging element; a spring member; first engaging teeth formed on the first engaging element; and a second engaging element having second engaging teeth which engage with the first engaging teeth. Further, the meshing engagement device switches between an engagement state and a disengagement state, and the engagement state includes: a first engagement state where the spring member is brought into a state where the spring member is contracted in the axial direction; and a second engagement state where the spring member is brought into a state where the spring member is further contracted in the axial direction compared to the spring member in the first engagement state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotsugu Yoshino, Hiroki Yasui, Takahito Endo, Hiroaki Ebuchi
  • Patent number: 11162582
    Abstract: A control system for a power transmission unit configured to shift an operating mode smoothly by manipulating engagement devices, and to simplify a structure of the power transmission unit. The control system is configured to reduce a speed difference between an axially stationary engagement element and a reciprocatable engagement element of a second engagement device when shifting from a first continuously variable mode to a second continuously variable mode by engaging the second engagement device. After the second engagement device has been engaged completely, a first engagement device is disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Hiroaki Ebuchi, Hiroyuki Shioiri, Takahito Endo, Hidekazu Nagai, Yoichiro Isami, Hirotsugu Yoshino, Hiroki Yasui
  • Publication number: 20210222757
    Abstract: A power transmission unit that can prevent unintentional disengagement of a clutch. A first set of teeth formed on an outer circumferential surface of a first rotary member is engaged with a third set of teeth formed on an inner circumferential surface of a second rotary member. A second set of teeth formed on an inner circumferential surface of the first rotary member is meshed with a fourth set of teeth formed on an outer circumferential surface of a third rotary member. A center of engagement between the first set of teeth and the third set of teeth is situated at a point withdrawn from a center of engagement between the second set of teeth and the fourth set of teeth in the direction to disengage the first set of teeth from the third set of teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki EBUCHI, Yoichiro ISAMI, Hirotsugu YOSHINO, Hiroki YASUI
  • Publication number: 20210172517
    Abstract: A control system for a power transmission unit configured to shift an operating mode smoothly by manipulating engagement devices, and to simplify a structure of the power transmission unit. The control system is configured to reduce a speed difference between an axially stationary engagement element and a reciprocatable engagement element of a second engagement device when shifting from a first continuously variable mode to a second continuously variable mode by engaging the second engagement device. After the second engagement device has been engaged completely, a first engagement device is disengaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya IMAMURA, Hiroaki EBUCHI, Hiroyuki SHIOIRI, Takahito ENDO, Hidekazu NAGAI, Yoichiro ISAMI, Hirotsugu YOSHINO, Hiroki YASUI
  • Patent number: 11027721
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle that prevents an unintentional mode change when a command signal cannot be transmitted to an engagement device. In the vehicle, HV-Lo mode is established by connecting a carrier to a carrier by a first clutch while disconnecting the carrier from a ring gear by a second clutch, and HV-Lo mode is established by disconnecting the carrier from the carrier by the first clutch while connecting the carrier to the ring gear by the second clutch. A normally stay clutch is used as at least one of the first clutch and the second clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Hideaki Komada, Akiko Nishimine, Yosuke Suzuki, Hidekazu Nagai, Takahito Endo, Hirotsugu Yoshino, Kensei Hata, Hiroki Yasui
  • Publication number: 20210123527
    Abstract: A shifting mechanism whose axial length is reduced without increasing a manufacturing cost. The shifting mechanism comprises: a cylindrical cam; a serpentine cam groove formed on the cam; a cam follower contacted to the guide section to be reciprocated in an axial direction; and a shift fork connected to the cam follower. The cam follower is pushed onto one of walls of a cam groove serving as a guide wall by a pushing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Hirotsugu YOSHINO, Hiroaki EBUCHI, Takahito ENDO, Hiroki YASUI
  • Publication number: 20200355226
    Abstract: A meshing engagement device includes a movable member; a first engaging element; a spring member; first engaging teeth formed on the first engaging element; and a second engaging element having second engaging teeth which engage with the first engaging teeth. Further, the meshing engagement device switches between an engagement state and a disengagement state, and the engagement state includes: a first engagement state where the spring member is brought into a state where the spring member is contracted in the axial direction; and a second engagement state where the spring member is brought into a state where the spring member is further contracted in the axial direction compared to the spring member in the first engagement state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Hirotsugu YOSHINO, Hiroki YASUI, Takahito ENDO, Hiroaki EBUCHI
  • Patent number: 10563701
    Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of a clutch assembly and separator plates for a clutch assembly. The clutch assembly may comprise a first separator plate; a second separator plate; and a spring coupled to the first separator plate and contacting the second separator plate, such that when compressed the spring applies a repulsive force separating the first separator plate and the second separator plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Luke A. Rippelmeyer, Hiroki Yasui
  • Patent number: 10539196
    Abstract: A selectable one-way clutch includes: a shaft; an actuator configured to cause the shaft to perform a rectilinear motion in a shaft direction; and an arm including an operation portion configured to receive force in the shaft direction from the shaft. The shaft includes a first flange and a second flange. An engaged state and a released state the selectable one-way clutch are switched by an operation of the arm by the rectilinear motion of the shaft, in an assembled state of the shaft and the arm in which the operation portion is arranged between the first flange and the second flange. The first flange is provided with a cut portion in an outer peripheral edge of the first shaft. The shaft has a structure in which the first flange does not face the operation portion in the shaft direction by the cut portion of the first flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Yasui, Hiroyuki Shioiri, Hiroyuki Shibata, Yuki Kurosaki
  • Patent number: 10493840
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus includes: an input shaft; a selectable one-way clutch; a housing case; a center support; a lubricating oil reservoir; and an oil passage. The oil passage extends through a pocket plate disposed between the lubricating oil reservoir and a selector plate. The selector plate includes a through-hole. The through-hole is located at a position where the through-hole is not lined up with the opening of the oil passage in a radial direction and a circumferential direction of the selector plate in a non-engagement state of the selectable one-way clutch, and also at a position where the through-hole is lined up with the opening of the oil passage in the radial direction and the circumferential direction of the selector plate in an engagement state of the selectable one-way clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Yuki Kurosaki, Hiroyuki Shioiri, Hiroyuki Shibata, Hiroki Yasui, Joshua D. Hand
  • Publication number: 20190276000
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle that shift an operating mode to an appropriate mode from a low mode or high mode. The hybrid vehicle comprises a power split mechanism connected to an engine and a first motor. When a required brake torque of a prime mover cannot be achieved during propulsion in an operating mode established by engaging one of clutches while stopping the engine, the control system excites a motoring of the engine by the first motor while maintaining engagement of the clutch engaged to establish the current operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yosuke Suzuki, Hideaki Komada, Hidekazu Nagai, Takahito Endo, Hirotsugu Yoshino, Hiroki Yasui
  • Patent number: 10359086
    Abstract: A selectable one-way clutch includes: a pocket plate including a plurality of housing concave portions; a notch plate including a plurality of engaging concave portions; plate-like engaging pieces, each being housed in each of the housing concave portions; elastic members, each being provided between a bottom portion of a corresponding housing concave portion of the housing concave portions and a corresponding engaging piece of the engaging pieces; and a selector plate provided between the pocket plate and the notch plate in a rotation axis direction of the notch plate. The bottom portion of the housing concave portion includes: a first bottom surface; and a second bottom surface formed at a position deeper than the first bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki Kurosaki, Hiroyuki Shioiri, Hiroyuki Shibata, Shotaro Kato, Hiroki Yasui
  • Publication number: 20190143962
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle that prevents an unintentional mode change when a command signal cannot be transmitted to an engagement device. In the vehicle, HV-Lo mode is established by connecting a carrier to a carrier by a first clutch while disconnecting the carrier from a ring gear by a second clutch, and HV-Lo mode is established by disconnecting the carrier from the carrier by the first clutch while connecting the carrier to the ring gear by the second clutch. A normally stay clutch is used as at least one of the first clutch and the second clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya IMAMURA, Hideaki KOMADA, Akiko NISHIMINE, Yosuke SUZUKI, Hidekazu NAGAI, Takahito ENDO, Hirotsugu YOSHINO, Kensei HATA, Hiroki YASUI
  • Patent number: 10220698
    Abstract: A drive unit of a hybrid vehicle includes an engine; an electric motor; first and second differential mechanisms; a selectable one-way clutch; and a case accommodating the electric motor. Further, the first differential mechanism includes a first rotational element coupled to the electric motor, a second rotational element coupled to the engine, and a third rotational element that outputs power toward drive wheels, the second differential mechanism includes a sun gear coupled to the electric motor, a carrier coupled to the engine, a ring gear whose rotation is regulated by the selectable one-way clutch, and a ring gear flange that rotates integrally with the ring gear, and the selectable one-way clutch switches a state thereof between a locked state and an unlocked state, and the ring gear flange is supported by a rotor shaft of the electric motor via a radial bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Shibata, Hiroyuki Shioiri, Yuki Kurosaki, Shotaro Kato, Hiroki Yasui, Tomohiro Abe, Akira Hibino
  • Publication number: 20190047398
    Abstract: A drive unit for a vehicle having a shortened axial length. A drive unit includes a first planetary gear unit, a second planetary gear unit, a first clutch device, and a second clutch device. The first planetary gear unit and the second planetary gear unit are disposed adjacently in an axial direction, and transmit an engine torque to a cylindrical section to which a drive wheel is coupled. A second ring gear of the second planetary gear unit is formed on an inner circumference of the cylindrical section. An output gear is formed on an outer circumference of the cylindrical section. The first planetary gear unit is disposed on an inner circumferential side of an inner smooth region where the second ring gear is not formed in the inner circumference of the cylindrical section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahito ENDO, Hideaki KOMADA, Yosuke SUZUKI, Hidekazu NAGAI, Hirotsugu YOSHINO, Hiroki YASUI
  • Publication number: 20180238398
    Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of a clutch assembly and separator plates for a clutch assembly. The clutch assembly may comprise a first separator plate; a second separator plate; and a spring coupled to the first separator plate and contacting the second separator plate, such that when compressed the spring applies a repulsive force separating the first separator plate and the second separator plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Luke A. Rippelmeyer, Hiroki Yasui