Patents by Inventor Hirotsugu Yoshino

Hirotsugu Yoshino 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: 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
  • Patent number: 10132386
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a first engagement mechanism selectively engaging a first rotating member to a second rotating member, a second engagement mechanism selectively engaging the first rotating member to a third rotating member, and other engagement mechanisms. At least one of the first or second engagement mechanisms is a dog clutch. The automatic transmission sets intermediate, high and low speed stages by controlling the engagement mechanisms. The first engagement mechanism is kept engaged in shifting from the high speed stage to the intermediate speed stage. The second engagement mechanism is kept engaged in shifting from the low speed stage to the intermediate speed stage. When the automatic transmission sets the intermediate speed stage by controlling the other engagement mechanisms, a rotation speed of the rotating member that is coupled to the first rotating member by the dog clutch coincides with a rotation speed of the first rotating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotsugu Yoshino, Atsushi Honda, Fusahiro Tsukano, Naoyuki Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 10012269
    Abstract: A meshing-type engagement device includes a first member, a second member, a pressing mechanism, and a reaction force mechanism. The first member is provided with a plurality of first dog teeth. The second member is provided with a plurality of second dog teeth. The pressing mechanism is configured to press the first member to the second member side. The reaction force mechanism is configured to generate a reaction force with respect to a pressing force pressing the first member for the first dog teeth and the second dog teeth to mesh with each other such that the amount of increase in the reaction force with respect to a movement of the first member is larger at a position further on the second member side than a predetermined position compared to the amount of increase to the predetermined position when the first member is pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotsugu Yoshino, Motoki Tabuchi, Takaho Kawakami, Seiji Kuwahara, Isamu Shiotsu
  • Patent number: 9982765
    Abstract: An object is to provide a fluid coupling capable of effectively utilizing an internal space of a cover member and of sufficiently exerting a performance of a device damping torsional vibration. In a fluid coupling including a cover member accommodating a fluid, a pump impeller, a turbine runner, a lockup clutch operated by a fluid pressure and selectively connecting the cover member and an output shaft, a damper mechanism having an elastic member, and a pendulum damper having a rotary member rotating integrally with the output shaft and an inertial mass capable of relative rotation with respect to the output shaft, the turbine runner, the damper mechanism, the lockup clutch, and the pendulum damper are arranged in this order in an axial direction of the output shaft inside the cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Amano, Yu Miyahara, Shingo Aijima, Hirotsugu Yoshino
  • Patent number: 9975556
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a transmission and an engine configured to input a torque into the transmission. The transmission has multiple transmission stages and includes a first engagement mechanism and a second engagement mechanism. The control device includes an ECU configured to: (a) control the second engagement mechanism when a second transmission stage is set such that the capacity of torque transmission of the second engagement mechanism is increased and a thrust for separating a first member and a second member of the first engagement mechanism from each other in an axial direction is generated; (b) calculate a decrement in an output torque of the transmission when the capacity of torque transmission of the second engagement mechanism is increased; and (c) increase a torque input into the transmission by the engine based on the decrement in the output torque by controlling the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Seiji Masunaga, Takayuki Ando, Yuki Aratsu, Hirotsugu Yoshino
  • Patent number: 9976604
    Abstract: A translational force Fh to one side in a rotational axis direction is caused to act from a hydraulic piston to a sleeve when an engaged stage between an engagement tooth and an engaged tooth is maintained, so that translation of the sleeve to the other side in the rotational axis direction and consequent disengagement of the engagement tooth and the engaged tooth can be prevented. Therefore, the engaged state between the engagement member and the engaged member can be stably maintained regardless of the condition of the torque acting from the drive source to the engagement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isamu Shiotsu, Hirotsugu Yoshino, Motoki Tabuchi, Fusahiro Tsukano, Takaho Kawakami, Atsushi Honda, Seiji Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 9964161
    Abstract: A control system for a meshing type engagement mechanism includes a meshing type engagement mechanism and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to allow a fluid chamber to be filled with a fluid by putting a switching valve into a cut-off state after respective dog teeth mesh with each other by a second member reaching a predetermined position determined in advance in response to a fluid pressure of the fluid chamber such that the second member is pressed in the direction in which the second member is separated from a first member by a release force depending on the torque transmitted between a surface of a first tooth and a surface of a second tooth, the fluid pressure of the fluid chamber is increased, and an engagement state between the first member and the second member is maintained by the fluid pressure which is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takaho Kawakami, Motoki Tabuchi, Hirotsugu Yoshino, Fusahiro Tsukano, Isamu Shiotsu
  • Patent number: 9903470
    Abstract: A control system for a transmission includes first and second engagement devices and a controller. The first engagement device brings first dog teeth of a first member into engagement with second dog teeth of a second member to enable torque transmission therebetween. The second engagement device connects a third member and a fourth member while changing a torque transmitting capacity therebetween. The transmission establishes a predetermined gear stage by bringing into engagement the first engagement device and the second engagement device. The controller is configured to bring the first engagement device into engagement while reducing a torque transmitting capacity of the second engagement device and then to increase the torque transmitting capacity of the second engagement device, when shifting a gear stage from another gear stage established by bringing the first engagement device into disengagement while bringing the second engagement device into engagement to said predetermined gear stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Hirotsugu Yoshino
  • Publication number: 20170298998
    Abstract: In an engagement device provided with a hydraulic actuator having an oil bag expanding and contracting in an engaging direction and a releasing direction, an annular engagement plate moved by the oil bag in the engaging direction and the releasing direction, and a return mechanism that urges the engagement plate in the releasing direction, the engagement plate is an engagement element whose surface on the releasing direction side is in contact with the oil bag, and the return mechanism moves the engagement plate in the releasing direction and presses the oil bag through the engagement plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takaho KAWAKAMI, Hirotsugu YOSHINO
  • Publication number: 20170261094
    Abstract: A first valve is disposed in an oil passage through which the engaging pressure generated by a linear solenoid valve is supplied to A second brake. The first valve is closed when the second brake is released, so as to close the oil passage, and is opened when the second brake is engaged, so as to open the oil passage. A second valve is disposed in a lubricating oil passage through which lubricating oil is supplied to the second brake, and communicates with the linear solenoid valve. The second valve is opened when the engaging pressure is supplied from the linear solenoid valve, so as to open the lubricating oil passage, and is closed when no engaging pressure is generated by the linear solenoid valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoyuki KISHIMOTO, Motoki TABUCHI, Hirotsugu YOSHINO
  • Publication number: 20170129490
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a transmission and an engine configured to input a torque into the transmission. The transmission has multiple transmission stages and includes a first engagement mechanism and a second engagement mechanism. The control device includes an ECU configured to: (a) control the second engagement mechanism when a second transmission stage is set such that the capacity of torque transmission of the second engagement mechanism is increased and a thrust for separating a first member and a second member of the first engagement mechanism from each other in an axial direction is generated; (b) calculate a decrement in an output torque of the transmission when the capacity of torque transmission of the second engagement mechanism is increased; and (c) increase a torque input into the transmission by the engine based on the decrement in the output torque by controlling the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji KUWAHARA, Seiji MASUNAGA, Takayuki ANDO, Yuki ARATSU, Hirotsugu YOSHINO
  • Patent number: 9587726
    Abstract: A power transmission unit for a vehicle including a first clutch device that selectively allows a torque transmitting route from an input shaft to an output shaft via a first gear train to transmit torque therethrough, a dog clutch that switches the torque transmitting route from the input shaft to the output shaft between a continuously variable speed change route in which the torque is transmitted through a continuously variable transmission and a reverse route in which the torque is transmitted through a second gear train, and a second clutch device that connects and disconnects both of the continuously variable speed change route and the reverse route to/from at least any one of the input shaft and the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Michio Yoshida, Daisuke Kobayashi, Hirotsugu Yoshino, Tomoe Osada, Hirofumi Nakada, Ryoji Habuchi, Yuji Hattori
  • Publication number: 20170045096
    Abstract: A cam mechanism includes an input member and an output member and a second cam groove is provided on a surface of the output member. The cam mechanism is configured to sandwich a rolling element accommodated in the second cam groove. The second cam groove has; a first region provided such that an inclination angle, relative to a rotary surface, of a bottom face of the second cam groove on which the rolling element makes rolling contact at the time when a phase difference is not more than a predetermined amount, is increased; and a second region provided such that the inclination angle, relative to the rotary surface, of that bottom face of the second cam groove with which the rolling element makes rolling contact at the time when the phase difference is more than the predetermined amount, is smaller than a largest inclination angle in the first region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoyuki KISHIMOTO, Atsushi HONDA, Fusahiro TSUKANO, Hirotsugu YOSHINO
  • Publication number: 20160281792
    Abstract: A translational force Fh to one side in a rotational axis direction is caused to act from a hydraulic piston to a sleeve when an engaged stage between an engagement tooth and an engaged tooth is maintained, so that translation of the sleeve to the other side in the rotational axis direction and consequent disengagement of the engagement tooth and the engaged tooth can be prevented. Therefore, the engaged state between the engagement member and the engaged member can be stably maintained regardless of the condition of the torque acting from the drive source to the engagement member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isamu SHIOTSU, Hirotsugu YOSHINO, Motoki TABUCHI, Fusahiro TSUKANO, Takaho KAWAKAMI, Atsushi HONDA, Seiji KUWAHARA
  • Publication number: 20160265628
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a first engagement mechanism selectively engaging a first rotating member to a second rotating member, a second engagement mechanism selectively engaging the first rotating member to a third rotating member, and other engagement mechanisms. At least one of the first or second engagement mechanisms is a dog clutch. The automatic transmission sets intermediate, high and low speed stages by controlling the engagement mechanisms. The first engagement mechanism is kept engaged in shifting from the high speed stage to the intermediate speed stage. The second engagement mechanism is kept engaged in shifting from the low speed stage to the intermediate speed stage. When the automatic transmission sets the intermediate speed stage by controlling the other engagement mechanisms, a rotation speed of the rotating member that is coupled to the first rotating member by the dog clutch coincides with a rotation speed of the first rotating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotsugu YOSHINO, Atsushi HONDA, Fusahiro TSUKANO, Naoyuki KISHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20160258529
    Abstract: A control system for a transmission includes first and second engagement devices and a controller. The first engagement device brings first dog teeth of a first member into engagement with second dog teeth of a second member to enable torque transmission therebetween. The second engagement device connects a third member and a fourth member while changing a torque transmitting capacity therebetween. The transmission establishes a predetermined gear stage by bringing into engagement the first engagement device and the second engagement device. The controller is configured to bring the first engagement device into engagement while reducing a torque transmitting capacity of the second engagement device and then to increase the torque transmitting capacity of the second engagement device, when shifting a gear stage from another gear stage established by bringing the first engagement device into disengagement while bringing the second engagement device into engagement to said predetermined gear stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji KUWAHARA, Hirotsugu YOSHINO
  • Publication number: 20160258492
    Abstract: A meshing-type engagement device includes a first member, a second member, a pressing mechanism, and a reaction force mechanism. The first member is provided with a plurality of first dog teeth. The second member is provided with a plurality of second dog teeth. The pressing mechanism is configured to press the first member to the second member side. The reaction force mechanism is configured to generate a reaction force with respect to a pressing force pressing the first member for the first dog teeth and the second dog teeth to mesh with each other such that the amount of increase in the reaction force with respect to a movement of the first member is larger at a position further on the second member side than a predetermined position compared to the amount of increase to the predetermined position when the first member is pressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotsugu YOSHINO, Motoki TABUCHI, Takaho KAWAKAMI, Seiji KUWAHARA, Isamu SHIOTSU
  • Publication number: 20160258519
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper that can be arranged in a fluid coupling to downsize a powertrain is provided. The torsional vibration damper has a mass body held in a rotary member in such a manner to be oscillated by torque pulse of the rotary member. The rotary member is arranged in an internal space of a fluid coupling in which a pump impeller, a turbine runner and a predetermined stationary member are held in a casing. A planetary unit that performs a differential action among three rotary elements is arranged in the casing. In the planetary unit, a first rotary element is connected to the stationary member, a second rotary element is connected to the rotary member, and a third rotary element is connected to the turbine runner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuhei HORITA, Hirotsugu YOSHINO
  • Patent number: 9435397
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a torsional vibration damping device in which a contact site with an inertial mass can be lubricated effectively while reducing resistance of the inertial mass to oscillate. The vibration damping device includes a rotary member that is rotated by a torque, and an inertial mass that is oscillated by torque pulses. The inertial mass is held in a chamber formed on the rotary member liquid-tightly together with lubrication oil while being allowed to be oscillated by torque pulses in the rotational direction of the rotary member. An amount of the lubrication oil is adjusted in a manner such that the inertial mass will not be brought into contact with an oil film of the lubrication oil centrifugally adhering to a radially outer section of an inner face of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shingo Aijima, Yu Miyahara, Fusahiro Tsukano, Hiroyuki Amano, Hirotsugu Yoshino, Tadashi Sekiguchi, Syuhei Horita, Naoyuki Kishimoto, Yoshihiro Miyamachi
  • Publication number: 20160201737
    Abstract: A control system for a meshing type engagement mechanism includes a meshing type engagement mechanism and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to allow a fluid chamber to be filled with a fluid by putting a switching valve into a cut-off state after respective dog teeth mesh with each other by a second member reaching a predetermined position determined in advance in response to a fluid pressure of the fluid chamber such that the second member is pressed in the direction in which the second member is separated from a first member by a release force depending on the torque transmitted between a surface of a first tooth and a surface of a second tooth, the fluid pressure of the fluid chamber is increased, and an engagement state between the first member and the second member is maintained by the fluid pressure which is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takaho KAWAKAMI, Motoki TABUCHI, Hirotsugu YOSHINO, Fusahiro TSUKANO, Isamu SHIOTSU