Patents by Inventor Katsuhiro Asano

Katsuhiro Asano 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: 8997919
    Abstract: A motor-driven steering controller for controlling a steering wheel of a vehicle. The controller includes a steering torque controlling unit, a braking force estimating unit, a right and left braking force difference estimating unit and an assist steering torque providing unit. The steering torque controlling unit controls a steering torque on the steering wheel depending on a steering operation. The braking force estimating unit estimates braking forces to be imposed on wheels of the vehicle. The right and left braking force difference estimating unit estimates difference between the braking forces to be imposed on the right and left wheels each estimated by the braking forces estimating unit. The assist steering torque providing unit provides an assist steering torque for the steering torque controlling unit on the basis of the difference in braking force between right and left wheels estimated by the right and left braking force difference estimating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Jtekt Corporation, Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Wataru Tanaka, Yuji Muragishi, Eiichi Ono, Katsuhiro Asano, Minekazu Momiyama, Hiroaki Kato, Kenji Asano
  • Patent number: 7891451
    Abstract: An ECU detects an effective value and phase of a voltage from a commercial power supply, based on a voltage from a voltage sensor. Further, ECU generates a command current, which is a command value of current caused to flow through power lines and in-phase with the voltage of the commercial power supply, based on the detected effective value and the phase and on a charge/discharge power command value for a power storage device. Then, ECU controls zero-phase voltage of inverters based on the generated command current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hichirosai Oyobe, Tetsuhiro Ishikawa, Yoshitoshi Watanabe, Katsuhiro Asano
  • Publication number: 20100161180
    Abstract: A motor-driven steering controller for controlling a steering wheel of a vehicle. The controller includes a steering torque controlling unit, a braking force estimating unit, a right and left braking force difference estimating unit and an assist steering torque providing unit. The steering torque controlling unit controls a steering torque on the steering wheel depending on a steering operation. The braking force estimating unit estimates braking forces to be imposed on wheels of the vehicle. The right and left braking force difference estimating unit estimates difference between the braking forces to be imposed on the right and left wheels each estimated by the braking forces estimating unit. The assist steering torque providing unit provides an assist steering torque for the steering torque controlling unit on the basis of the difference in braking force between right and left wheels estimated by the right and left braking force difference estimating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicants: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, JTEKT CORPORATION, ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Wataru Tanaka, Yuji Muragishi, Eiichi Ono, Katsuhiro Asano, Minekazu Momiyama, Hiroaki Kato, Kenji Asano
  • Patent number: 7699137
    Abstract: A motor-driven steering controller for controlling a steering wheel of a vehicle. The controller includes a steering torque controlling unit, a braking force estimating unit, a right and left braking force difference estimating unit and an assist steering torque providing unit. The steering torque controlling unit controls a steering torque on the steering wheel depending on a steering operation. The braking force estimating unit estimates braking forces to be imposed on wheels of the vehicle. The right and left braking force difference estimating unit estimates difference between the braking forces to be imposed on the right and left wheels each estimated by the braking forces estimating unit. The assist steering torque providing unit provides an assist steering torque for the steering torque controlling unit on the basis of the difference in braking force between right and left wheels estimated by the right and left braking force difference estimating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Jtekt Corporation, Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Wataru Tanaka, Yuji Muragishi, Eiichi Ono, Katsuhiro Asano, Minekazu Momiyama, Hiroaki Kato, Kenji Asano
  • Publication number: 20090067205
    Abstract: An ECU detects an effective value and phase of a voltage from a commercial power supply, based on a voltage from a voltage sensor. Further, ECU generates a command current, which is a command value of current caused to flow through power lines and in-phase with the voltage of the commercial power supply, based on the detected effective value and the phase and on a charge/discharge power command value for a power storage device. Then, ECU controls zero-phase voltage of inverters based on the generated command current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hichirosai Oyobe, Tetsuhiro Ishikawa, Yoshitoshi Watanabe, Katsuhiro Asano
  • Patent number: 7495399
    Abstract: A coordination control device of a power output apparatus includes a coordination control unit. The coordination control unit calculates an intermediate value between the maximum value and minimum value among voltage controls for a first motor generator, and voltage control from an AC voltage control generation unit to generate an AC voltage across neutral points of first and second motor generators, and outputs a value that is each phase voltage control for the first and second motor generators minus the calculated intermediate value to a signal generation unit as the final voltage control for the first and second motor generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hichirosai Oyobe, Tetsuhiro Ishikawa, Katsuhiro Asano, Yoshitoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7374014
    Abstract: A motor-driven steering controller for controlling a steering wheel of a vehicle. The controller includes a steering torque controlling unit, a braking force estimating unit, a right and left braking force difference estimating unit and an assist steering torque providing unit. The steering torque controlling unit controls a steering torque on the steering wheel depending on a steering operation. The braking force estimating unit estimates braking forces to be imposed on wheels of the vehicle. The right and left braking force difference estimating unit estimates difference between the braking forces to be imposed on the right and left wheels each estimated by the braking forces estimating unit. The assist steering torque providing unit provides an assist steering torque for the steering torque controlling unit on the basis of the difference in braking force between right and left wheels estimated by the right and left braking force difference estimating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Jtekt Corporation, Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Wataru Tanaka, Yuji Muragishi, Eiichi Ono, Katsuhiro Asano, Minekazu Momiyama, Hiroaki Kato, Kenji Asano
  • Publication number: 20070294011
    Abstract: A motor-driven steering controller for controlling a steering wheel of a vehicle. The controller includes a steering torque controlling unit, a braking force estimating unit, a right and left braking force difference estimating unit and an assist steering torque providing unit. The steering torque controlling unit controls a steering torque on the steering wheel depending on a steering operation. The braking force estimating unit estimates braking forces to be imposed on wheels of the vehicle. The right and left braking force difference estimating unit estimates difference between the braking forces to be imposed on the right and left wheels each estimated by the braking forces estimating unit. The assist steering torque providing unit provides an assist steering torque for the steering torque controlling unit on the basis of the difference in braking force between right and left wheels estimated by the right and left braking force difference estimating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Wataru Tanaka, Yuji Muragishi, Eiichi Ono, Katsuhiro Asano, Minekazu Momiyama, Hiroaki Kato, Kenji Asano
  • Patent number: 7248958
    Abstract: A tire-generated sound detection sensor detects a tire-generated sound that is generated from a tire while the vehicle is running. A wheel rotation sensor detects a wheel rotation speed. A preprocessor calculates feature quantities corresponding to a road surface state and tire-generated sound sources. A feature vector generator generates a feature vector having, as components, the feature quantities calculated by the preprocessor and the detected wheel rotation speed. A judgment processor estimates a state of a road surface on which the vehicle is running on the basis of the feature vector generated by the feature vector generator and feature vectors that are stored in a judgment map memory so as to be correlated with a plurality of road surface states, respectively, and each of which corresponds to a road surface state and tire-generated sound sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Yoshitoshi Watanabe, Katsuhiro Asano, Takaji Umeno, Shu Asami, Masaru Sugai
  • Publication number: 20070158948
    Abstract: A coordination control device of a power output apparatus includes a coordination control unit. The coordination control unit calculates an intermediate value between the maximum value and minimum value among voltage controls for a first motor generator, and voltage control from an AC voltage control generation unit to generate an AC voltage across neutral points of first and second motor generators, and outputs a value that is each phase voltage control for the first and second motor generators minus the calculated intermediate value to a signal generation unit as the final voltage control for the first and second motor generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2005
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Hichirosai Oyobe, Tetsuhiro Ishikawa, Katsuhiro Asano, Yoshitoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7208903
    Abstract: In one coordinate system of arbitrary rectangular coordinate systems including a coordinate system in which the position of a stator is fixed, a coordinate system in which the position of a rotor is fixed, and a coordinate system which rotates at a rotational frequency which is n times (n is an integer which is not 0 or 1) that of the rotor, a filter on any other coordinate system is defined. Further, driving of a motor is controlled by utilizing this filter. As a result, a coordinate transformation operation need not be individually performed with respect to control variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Nakai, Hiroki Ohtani, Yukio Inaguma, Katsuhiro Asano, Hideto Hanada, Masaki Okamura
  • Publication number: 20060214625
    Abstract: In one coordinate system of arbitrary rectangular coordinate systems including a coordinate system in which the position of a stator is fixed, a coordinate system in which the position of a rotor is fixed, and a coordinate system which rotates at a rotational frequency which is n times (n is an integer which is not 0 or 1) that of the rotor, a filter on any other coordinate system is defined. Further, driving of a motor is controlled by utilizing this filter. As a result, a coordinate transformation operation need not be individually performed with respect to control variables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Hideo Nakai, Hiroki Ohtani, Yukio Inaguma, Katsuhiro Asano, Hideto Hanada, Nasaki Okamura
  • Patent number: 7078874
    Abstract: In one coordinate system of arbitrary rectangular coordinate systems including a coordinate system in which the position of a stator is fixed, a coordinate system in which the position of a rotor is fixed, and a coordinate system which rotates at a rotational frequency which is n times (n is an integer which is not 0 or 1) that of the rotor, a filter on any other coordinate system is defined. Further, driving of a motor is controlled by utilizing this filter. As a result, a coordinate transformation operation need not be individually performed with respect to control variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Nakai, Hiroki Ohtani, Yukio Inaguma, Katsuhiro Asano, Hideto Hanada, Masaki Okamura
  • Patent number: 7010990
    Abstract: In a detecting apparatus, a resolver generates signals whose magnitudes vary periodically in accordance with a positional change of a fixed element side rotating shaft, which is a base for rotation of a rotator and whose position is offset when force of a component parallel to a rotation plane is applied thereto, and in accordance with a rotational state of the tire. An R/D converter generates pulses whose periods correspond to a rotational angle of the rotator and to positional offset of the rotating shaft. From the pulses, a computer detects a characteristic amount which varies in accordance with the positional offset of the shaft. On the basis of the detected amount and a relationship which is determined in advance on the basis of stiffness of the shaft and the amount, the computer detects a moment applied to the shaft, and computes a force generated at the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Takaji Umeno, Katsuhiro Asano, Yoshitoshi Watanabe, Masaru Sugai, Shu Asami
  • Publication number: 20060049796
    Abstract: In one coordinate system of arbitrary rectangular coordinate systems including a coordinate system in which the position of a stator is fixed, a coordinate system in which the position of a rotor is fixed, and a coordinate system which rotates at a rotational frequency which is n times (n is an integer which is not 0 or 1) that of the rotor, a filter on any other coordinate system is defined. Further, driving of a motor is controlled by utilizing this filter. As a result, a coordinate transformation operation need not be individually performed with respect to control variables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideo Nakai, Hiroki Ohtani, Yukio Inaguma, Katsuhiro Asano, Hideto Hanada, Masaki Okamura
  • Patent number: 6925371
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle motion control apparatus, which includes a steering factor detection unit for detecting at least one of steering factors including a steering torque and steering effort applied to a steering system, an aligning torque estimation unit for estimating an aligning torque produced on at least a wheel of the vehicle on the basis of the steering factor, a vehicle state variable detection unit for detecting a state variable of the vehicle, a wheel factor estimation unit for estimating at least one of wheel factors including a side force and slip angle applied to the wheel on the basis of the vehicle state variable, and a grip factor estimation unit for estimating a grip factor of at least a tire of the wheel, in accordance with the estimated alignment torque and the estimated wheel factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha, Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Wataru Tanaka, Eiichi Ono, Yuji Muragishi, Katsuhiro Asano, Minekazu Momiyama, Hiroaki Kato, Kenji Asano, Yuzo Imoto
  • Patent number: 6895317
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wheel grip factor estimation apparatus, which includes a steering factor detection unit for detecting at least one of steering factors including a steering torque and steering effort applied to a steering system extending from a steering wheel to a suspension of a vehicle, an aligning torque estimation unit for estimating an aligning torque produced on at least a wheel of the vehicle on the basis of the steering factor detected by the steering factor detection unit, and a vehicle state variable detection unit for detecting a state variable of the vehicle. The apparatus further includes a wheel factor estimation unit for estimating at least one of wheel factors including a side force and slip angle applied to the wheel on the basis of the vehicle state variable, and a grip factor estimation unit for estimating a grip factor of at least a tire of the wheel, in accordance with a relationship between the estimated alignment torque and the estimated wheel factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha, Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Wataru Tanaka, Eiichi Ono, Yuji Muragishi, Katsuhiro Asano, Minekazu Momiyama, Syoji Ogawa, Kenji Asano, Yuzo Imoto, Hiroaki Kato
  • Patent number: 6879938
    Abstract: A tire burst predicting device which can predict occurrence of bursting of a tire and gives an alarm properly is provided. A break point frequency is estimated on the basis of time series data of wheel speed detected at a wheel speed sensor from frequency response of a first order model to which a transmission characteristic from a road surface disturbance to a wheel speed is approximated. A braking force gradient corresponding to the estimated break point frequency is estimated, on the basis of a map, which is prestored, representing a relationship between break point frequencies and braking force gradients. Extra high frequency components are eliminated from the estimated braking force gradient by a low pass filter to reduce estimation dispersion. Differentiators detect changing speed of the braking force gradient. An alarm is given when there is a possibility of bursting of tire when the detected changing speed reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Asano, Eiichi Ono, Takaji Umeno, Hideki Ohashi, {umlaut over (K)}azuhiro Kamiya, Yukio Mori, Toshiharu Naito
  • Patent number: 6871530
    Abstract: A physical quantity estimating apparatus and method that detects an acceleration and deceleration rate of a vehicle body and a rotational velocity of a wheel, estimates at least one of a tire radius of each wheel, a road surface ? gradient, and a spring constant of a combination spring which combines spring elements, with a distribution ratio of braking force and driving force to a front and rear wheel and a distribution ratio of a load on each wheel that is corrected according to the detected acceleration and deceleration rate, as known values, based on a wheel speed difference of any two wheels, during acceleration and deceleration of a vehicle, of an ideal vehicle model that takes into consideration a tire torsional spring element and a suspension longitudinal spring element and estimates a tire type based on the estimated road surface ? gradient and spring constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Masaru Sugai, Katsuhiro Asano, Takaji Umeno
  • Patent number: 6802226
    Abstract: A physical amount estimating apparatus including first outputting means for outputting a first physical amount that does not include a hysteresis characteristic, second outputting means for outputting a second physical amount that has a predetermined physical relationship to the first physical amount and includes a hysteresis characteristic, hysteresis removing means for calculating a corrected value with the hysteresis characteristic removed therefrom based on the second physical amount, and estimating means for estimating a third physical amount based on a physical relationship between the first physical amount and the corrected value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Eiichi Ono, Yoshitoshi Watanabe, Masanori Miyashita, Yuji Muragishi, Katsuhiro Asano