Patents by Inventor Kazuchika Tashima

Kazuchika Tashima 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: 9395271
    Abstract: The present invention provides an abnormality detection device in which the fuel property sensor is disposed in a branch flow path which is such that there is a time where the fuel in the branch flow path drops out therefrom between one start of the internal combustion engine and the next start. An output value of the fuel property sensor generated when the fuel is flowing through the branch flow path is acquired as a first sensor output value. An output value of the fuel property sensor generated when the fuel in the branch flow path drops out therefrom is acquired as a second sensor output value. The first sensor output value and the second sensor output value are used as judgment data to judge whether the fuel property sensor is abnormal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuchika Tashima, Naoya Okubo
  • Publication number: 20130268209
    Abstract: The present invention provides an abnormality detection device in which the fuel property sensor is disposed in a branch flow path which is such that there is a time where the fuel in the branch flow path drops out therefrom between one start of the internal combustion engine and the next start. An output value of the fuel property sensor generated when the fuel is flowing through the branch flow path is acquired as a first sensor output value. An output value of the fuel property sensor generated when the fuel in the branch flow path drops out therefrom is acquired as a second sensor output value. The first sensor output value and the second sensor output value are used as judgment data to judge whether the fuel property sensor is abnormal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuchika Tashima, Naoya Okubo
  • Patent number: 8122871
    Abstract: A fuel supply device has a main line, a fuel pump, a first return line, a second return line, a valve mechanism, a first pressure regulator, and a second pressure regulator. The fuel pump pressurizes the fuel in the fuel tank and supplies the fuel to a fuel distribution pipe via the main line. The first return line returns the fuel from the fuel distribution pipe to the fuel tank. The second return line is branched from the main line and returns the fuel from the main line to the fuel tank. The valve mechanism selectively connects and disconnects the second return line with respect to the main line. The first pressure regulator is arranged in the first return line. The second pressure regulator is provided in the second return line and adjusts fuel pressure to a lower level than the first pressure regulator does.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuchika Tashima, Toshio Yoshidome, Hiromasa Suzuki, Seiji Iwashita
  • Patent number: 7987043
    Abstract: A fuel injection control apparatus for an internal combustion engine injects fuel from a fuel injection valve in each cylinder in a fuel injection mode in which an amount of fuel in the combustion chamber corresponds to a required value for starting the internal combustion engine when fuel in the combustion chamber is combusted in each cylinder after a crankshaft angle is determined through cranking for starting the internal combustion engine. When the fuel has a high alcohol concentration and is combusted after the determination of the crankshaft angle, the control apparatus sets the fuel injection mode for fuel with a high alcohol concentration as the fuel injection mode in which the amount of fuel in the combustion chamber corresponds to the required value for starting the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuchika Tashima, Tomohiro Fujita, Akihiro Hanai
  • Patent number: 7941264
    Abstract: When it is detected in a fuel supply device for a flexible-fuel internal combustion engine that a refueling operation has been performed for a fuel tank, a return suppression process in which fuel in a delivery pipe is prohibited from returning to the fuel tank through a high-pressure return passage is executed until a concentration learning process is started. After the concentration learning process is started, a compulsory return process in which fuel in the delivery pipe is compulsorily returned to the fuel tank through the high-pressure return passage is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuchika Tashima, Masahiko Teraoka, Tomohiro Fujita
  • Patent number: 7861694
    Abstract: A high-pressure return passage returns excess fuel in a delivery pipe that is connected to an injector to a fuel tank. An upstream end of the high-pressure return passage is connected to the delivery pipe via a high-pressure regulator. A vertically lower portion of the high-pressure return passage is vertically below the upstream end and the downstream end. A low-pressure return passage returns excess fuel in a main passage to the fuel tank. The switch valve switches the open state and the closed state of the low-pressure return passage. A control section controls the switch valve to the closed state after the engine is stopped and drives the fuel pump so as to execute a forced return process that flows fuel into the high-pressure return passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuchika Tashima
  • Patent number: 7865295
    Abstract: A fuel injection controller includes a correcting section that performs a concentration learning procedure in which a concentration of the alcohol of the fuel in a fuel tank is learned as a learned concentration value based on a detection value of the oxygen concentration sensor, and also corrects a fuel injection amount of an injector connected to a delivery pipe in correspondence with the learned concentration value in such a manner that an air-fuel ratio corresponding to a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio is obtained. A refueling detecting section detects that refueling has been carried out to the fuel tank, and a restricting section performs a restricting procedure in which returning of the fuel from the delivery pipe to the fuel tank through a return passage is restricted on condition that the refueling detecting section has detected that the refueling has been performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuchika Tashima
  • Publication number: 20100224170
    Abstract: A high-pressure return passage returns excess fuel in a delivery pipe that is connected to an injector to a fuel tank. An upstream end of the high-pressure return passage is connected to the delivery pipe via a high-pressure regulator. A vertically lower portion of the high-pressure return passage is vertically below the upstream end and the downstream end. A low-pressure return passage returns excess fuel in a main passage to the fuel tank. The switch valve switches the open state and the closed state of the low-pressure return passage. A control section controls the switch valve to the closed state after the engine is stopped and drives the fuel pump so as to execute a forced return process that flows fuel into the high-pressure return passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuchika TASHIMA
  • Patent number: 7789074
    Abstract: A high-pressure return passage returns excess fuel in a delivery pipe that is connected to an injector to a fuel tank. An upstream end of the high-pressure return passage is connected to the delivery pipe via a high-pressure regulator. A vertically lower portion of the high-pressure return passage is vertically below the upstream end and the downstream end. A low-pressure return passage returns excess fuel in a main passage to the fuel tank. The switch valve switches the open state and the closed state of the low-pressure return passage. A control section controls the switch valve to the closed state after the engine is stopped and drives the fuel pump so as to execute a forced return process that flows fuel into the high-pressure return passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuchika Tashima
  • Publication number: 20100049425
    Abstract: When it is detected in a fuel supply device for a flexible-fuel internal combustion engine that a refueling operation has been performed for a fuel tank, a return suppression process in which fuel in a delivery pipe is prohibited from returning to the fuel tank through a high-pressure return passage is executed until a concentration learning process is started. After the concentration learning process is started, a compulsory return process in which fuel in the delivery pipe is compulsorily returned to the fuel tank through the high-pressure return passage is executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuchika TASHIMA, Masahiko Teraoka, Tomohiro Fujita
  • Publication number: 20100049424
    Abstract: A fuel injection control apparatus for an internal combustion engine injects fuel from a fuel injection valve in each cylinder in a fuel injection mode in which an amount of fuel in the combustion chamber corresponds to a required value for starting the internal combustion engine when fuel in the combustion chamber is combusted in each cylinder after a crankshaft angle is determined through cranking for starting the internal combustion engine. When the fuel has a high alcohol concentration and is combusted after the determination of the crankshaft angle, the control apparatus sets the fuel injection mode for fuel with a high alcohol concentration as the fuel injection mode in which the amount of fuel in the combustion chamber corresponds to the required value for starting the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuchika TASHIMA, Tomohiro FUJITA, Akihiro HANAI
  • Publication number: 20100006072
    Abstract: A fuel supply device has a main line, a fuel pump, a first return line, a second return line, a valve mechanism, a first pressure regulator, and a second pressure regulator. The fuel pump is arranged in a fuel tank or in the vicinity of the fuel tank, and pressurizes the fuel in the fuel tank and supplies the furl to a fuel distribution pipe via the main line. The first return line returns the fuel from the fuel distribution pipe to the fuel tank. The second return line is branched from the main line in the vicinity of the fuel pump and returns the fuel from the main line to the fuel tank. The valve mechanism selectively connects and disconnects the second return line with respect to the main line. The first pressure regulator is arranged in the first return line. The second pressure regulator is provided in the second return line and adjusts fuel pressure to a lower level than the first pressure regulator does.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuchika Tashima, Toshio Yoshidome, Hiromasa Suzuki, Seiji Iwashita
  • Publication number: 20090078237
    Abstract: A high-pressure return passage returns excess fuel in a delivery pipe that is connected to an injector to a fuel tank. An upstream end of the high-pressure return passage is connected to the delivery pipe via a high-pressure regulator. A vertically lower portion of the high-pressure return passage is vertically below the upstream end and the downstream end. A low-pressure return passage returns excess fuel in a main passage to the fuel tank. The switch valve switches the open state and the closed state of the low-pressure return passage. A control section controls the switch valve to the closed state after the engine is stopped and drives the fuel pump so as to execute a forced return process that flows fuel into the high-pressure return passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuchika TASHIMA
  • Publication number: 20090082947
    Abstract: A fuel injection controller of a flexible fuel internal combustion engine is disclosed. A oxygen concentration sensor is provided in an exhaust passage of the engine. A correcting section performs a concentration learning procedure in which a concentration of the alcohol of the fuel in a fuel tank is learned as a learned concentration value based on a detection value of the oxygen concentration sensor. A correcting section also corrects a fuel injection amount of an injector connected to a delivery pipe in correspondence with the learned concentration value in such a manner that an air-fuel ratio corresponding to a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio is obtained. A refueling detecting section detects that refueling has been carried out to the fuel tank. A restricting section performs a restricting procedure in which returning of the fuel from the delivery pipe to the fuel tank through a return passage is restricted on condition that the refueling detecting section has detected that the refueling has been performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuchika TASHIMA
  • Patent number: 7174979
    Abstract: There is provided a hybrid car which includes an internal combustion engine; an electric motor disposed coaxially with a rotary shaft of the internal combustion engine; a planetary gear mechanism which is disposed coaxially with the rotary shaft of the internal combustion engine and the rotary shaft of the electric motor, and is comprised of a sun gear, a ring gear, planetary pinions, and a carrier supporting the planetary pinions; a transmission comprising an input shaft to which power is transmitted from said internal combustion engine and said electric motor via said planetary gear mechanism and an output shaft connected to driving wheels; and a rotation restricting device that properly restricts rotation of a rotor of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Ohta, Yuji Suzuki, Kazuchika Tashima, Keiichi Kaneshige, Hatsuki Morinaga
  • Publication number: 20040168841
    Abstract: There is provided a hybrid car which includes an internal combustion engine; an electric motor disposed coaxially with a rotary shaft of the internal combustion engine; a planetary gear mechanism which is disposed coaxially with the rotary shaft of the internal combustion engine and the rotary shaft of the electric motor, and is comprised of a sun gear, a ring gear, planetary pinions, and a carrier supporting the planetary pinions; a transmission comprising an input shaft to which power is transmitted from said internal combustion engine and said electric motor via said planetary gear mechanism and an output shaft connected to driving wheels; and a rotation restricting device that properly restricts rotation of a rotor of the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Takashi Ohta, Yuji Suzuki, Kazuchika Tashima, Keiichi Kaneshige, Hatsuki Morinaga
  • Patent number: 6332859
    Abstract: A control system for a continuously variable transmission, in which a responsiveness and a generation of an excessive force in a steady state are compatible. The control system makes a belt slippage prevention and a fuel economy improvement compatible by controlling a CVT with one of two parameter values: the first parameter value which is determined from an engine RPM and an accelerator opening, i.e., a torque information quick in the output timing but poor in the precision and which indicates the engine output torque; and the second parameter value which is determined from a fuel injection rate, i.e., a torque information excellent in the precision but slow in the output timing and which indicates the engine output torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hironobu Sato, Hiroki Tamura, Masato Tojo, Kenji Misaki, Atsushi Takeda, Kazuchika Tashima, Kenichi Nakamori, Hiroki Asayama
  • Patent number: 6101998
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for an in-cylinder injection spark-ignition internal combustion engine, which has a fuel injection valve (4) for injecting a fuel directly into a combustion chamber (5), and in which the fuel is injected mainly in a compression stroke, thereby undergoing stratified-charge combustion, when the internal combustion engine is operated in a specified operation region, a target load value Pe set corresponding to accelerator opening information based at least on a driver's operation is corrected with detected environmental parameter values correlated with an intake air density, engine control parameter values Tend and Tig are set in accordance with the corrected target load value Pec, and stratified-charge combustion is executed in accordance with the set engine control parameter values. Thus, the stratified-charge combustion can be carried out steadily and securely even if environmental parameter values, such as the atmospheric pressure, intake air temperature, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Tamura, Kazuchika Tashima
  • Patent number: 6062189
    Abstract: In order to securely prevent knocks from occurring upon starting and the like, while enhancing the compression ratio in a spark ignition type in-cylinder injection internal combustion engine which includes a fuel injection valve for directly injecting fuel into a combustion chamber, fuel is injected during a compression stroke in a specific operation region under an intermediate to high load to perform stratified combustion. Further provided is a control unit for driving and controlling the fuel injection valve such that, in the stratified combustion, prior to the fuel injection during the compression stroke, fuel is injected from the fuel injection valve during an intake stroke by such an amount that fuel fails to self-ignite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsunori Kaneko, Hiromitsu Ando, Katsuhiko Miyamoto, Mikiji Watanabe, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Hideyuki Oda, Kenji Goto, Kazuchika Tashima, Hiroki Tamura, Hitoshi Kamura, Atsuyoshi Kojima
  • Patent number: 5988137
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a cylinder-injection spark-ignition internal combustion engine switches control mode in accordance with an engine operating state between compression stroke injection mode control, in which fuel is injected during the compression stroke to achieve stratified combustion, and suction stroke injection mode control, in which fuel is injected during the suction stroke to achieve uniform mixture combustion. Where regular gasoline lower in octane number than premium gasoline is used, a target mean effective pressure (P.sub.e), which is set in accordance with throttle opening (.theta..sub.th), is subjected to octane number-based correction to thereby compensate for an engine output change at the mode switching, whereby a torque shock at the time of mode switching is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Tamura, Kazuchika Tashima