Patents by Inventor Kazuyuki Shiiba

Kazuyuki Shiiba 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: 20100292899
    Abstract: When an automatic transmission is in a manual mode, a transmission ECU calculates a speed sftrng manually requested by the driver and a speed sftrngmap set by a shift map and then performs a shift prohibition procedure. In this procedure, if the engine coolant temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined coolant temperature or the AT fluid temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined fluid temperature, a prohibition, determination flag xthlow is set to “on”, and if the engine coolant temperature is higher than the predetermined coolant temperature and the AT fluid temperature is higher than the predetermined fluid temperature, the prohibition determination flag xthlow is set to “off”. When the prohibitions determination flag xthlow is “on”, the speed sftrngmap is set as the upper limit of the speed sftrng.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ichiro Kitaori, Seiji Kuwahara, Hiroyuki Sawada, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Toshihiro Fukumasu
  • Publication number: 20100198474
    Abstract: A deceleration control apparatus for a vehicle including a controller that performs deceleration control based on a first target deceleration set based on a distance to a starting point of an upcoming curve, when the deceleration control for the curve is started at a position distant from the starting point of the curve; and that performs the deceleration control based on a second target deceleration set based on a lateral acceleration that is estimated to be detected when the vehicle passes the starting point of the curve, when the deceleration control for the curve is started at a position close to the starting point of the curve. With this apparatus, it is possible to perform the deceleration control that provides drive assist according to the intention of the driver and that enhances driving convenience for the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Yukihiro Ikeda, Masayoshi Hoshino, Akira Matsui
  • Patent number: 7734404
    Abstract: A deceleration control apparatus for a vehicle including a controller that performs deceleration control based on a first target deceleration set based on a distance to a starting point of an upcoming curve, when the deceleration control for the curve is started at a position distant from the starting point of the curve; and that performs the deceleration control based on a second target deceleration set based on a lateral acceleration that is estimated to be detected when the vehicle passes the starting point of the curve, when the deceleration control for the curve is started at a position close to the starting point of the curve. With this apparatus, it is possible to perform the deceleration control that provides drive assist according to the intention of the driver and that enhances driving convenience for the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shiiba, Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Yukihiro Ikeda, Masayoshi Hoshino, Akira Matsui
  • Publication number: 20100004094
    Abstract: A controller (30) of an automatic transmission (13) can be set to be in a first control mode and a second control mode for controlling a transmission gear ratio (SR) of the automatic transmission (13). The controller (30) in the second control mode automatically changes the transmission gear ratio (SR). The controller (30) obtains an index value and upper limit speed (Lim) of rotation speed (Nout) of a transmission output shaft. The controller (30) in the first control mode allows the transmission gear ratio (SR) to be changed when an operation member (22) is operated to increase the transmission gear ratio (SR) and the index value is equal to or lower than the upper limit speed (Lim). The controller (30) has a setting section (S13) that sets the upper limit speed (Lim). The setting section (S13) sets the upper limit speed (Lim) based on vehicle acceleration (AR) when the controller (30) is in the first control mode and the operation member (22) is operated to increase the transmission gear ratio (SR).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shiiba, Seiji Kuwahara, Nobufusa Kobayashi, Ichiro Kitaori, Toshihiro Fukumasu, Atsushi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 7469178
    Abstract: A deceleration control apparatus and method for a vehicle, which performs deceleration control on the vehicle by an operation of a brake system which applies a braking force to the vehicle and a shift operation which shifts a transmission of the vehicle into a relatively low speed or speed ratio, performs the shift operation and the operation of the brake system such that a target deceleration set based on a curvature or curvature radius of a curve in a road ahead of the vehicle, a distance to the curve, and a vehicle speed, acts on the vehicle. As a result, a desired deceleration according to the distance to the curve is able to be applied to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shiiba, Kunihiro Iwatsuki
  • Publication number: 20080269998
    Abstract: A deceleration control apparatus and method for a vehicle applies a deceleration, which is equal to or smaller than a guard value, to the vehicle based on a vehicle running environment parameter. The deceleration control apparatus determines the manner in which a driver performs an operation for decelerating the vehicle, and changes the guard value based on the manner in which the driver performs the operation for decelerating the vehicle. The manner in which the driver performs the operation for decelerating the vehicle may be determined based on at least one of the time at which the driver performs the operation for decelerating the vehicle, the time period during which the driver operates the brake, and the deceleration achieved by the brake operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shiiba, Kunihiro Iwatuki
  • Patent number: 7427254
    Abstract: A declaration control apparatus and method for a vehicle, which performs deceleration control such that a deceleration acting on the vehicle becomes equal to a target deceleration by an operation of a brake system which applies a braking force to the vehicle and a shift operation which shifts a transmission of the vehicle into a relatively low speed or speed ratio, increases the target deceleration over time at a predetermined gradient to a predetermined value when a determination that there is a need to shift the transmission into a relatively low speed or speed ratio has been made, and after the target deceleration reaches the predetermined value, maintains the target deceleration at a generally constant value. As a result, a deceleration transitional characteristic of the vehicle is able to be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Kazuyuki Shiiba
  • Patent number: 7400964
    Abstract: In a deceleration control method for a vehicle, by which deceleration control of the vehicle is performed based on a distance between the vehicle had an obstacle including a preceding vehicle ahead of the vehicle, a target deceleration at which the vehicle is to be decelerated is obtained based on the distance; a speed or speed ratio that will apply a deceleration equal to, or less than, the target deceleration to the vehicle is selected as the speed or speed ratio of a transmission of the vehicle during a shift operation; and the deceleration control is executed by an operation of a brake system which applies a braking force to the vehicle and a shift operation which shifts the transmission of the vehicle into a relatively low speed or speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shiiba, Kunihiro Iwatsuki
  • Publication number: 20070032341
    Abstract: In a driving force control apparatus and a driving force control method, a curve ahead of a vehicle is detected; a target vehicle speed is set to pass the curve; a starting-point shift speed is set to pass the starting point of the curve; and an end-point shift speed is set to pass the end point of the curve. After a shift speed is changed to the starting-point shift speed, it is determined whether an additional engine brake is required at the starting-point shift speed. If it is determined that the engine brake is not required, the shift speed is changed to the end-point shift speed. Alternatively, if a vehicle speed is lower than or equal to a value corresponding to the target vehicle speed after the shift speed is changed to the starting-point shift speed, the shift speed is changed to the end-point shift speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shiiba, Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Shinya Iizuka
  • Publication number: 20060190158
    Abstract: A deceleration control apparatus for a vehicle including a controller that performs deceleration control based on a first target deceleration set based on a distance to a starting point of an upcoming curve, when the deceleration control for the curve is started at a position distant from the starting point of the curve; and that performs the deceleration control based on a second target deceleration set based on a lateral acceleration that is estimated to be detected when the vehicle passes the starting point of the curve, when the deceleration control for the curve is started at a position close to the starting point of the curve. With this apparatus, it is possible to perform the deceleration control that provides drive assist according to the intention of the driver and that enhances driving convenience for the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shiiba, Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Yukihiro Ikeda, Masayoshi Hoshino, Akira Matsui
  • Publication number: 20060030992
    Abstract: With a deceleration control apparatus and method for a vehicle, which performs deceleration control of a vehicle based on at least a road inclination when a driver's intention to decelerate the vehicle is detected, at least one of a deceleration applied to the vehicle and a threshold used in performing the deceleration control is changed based on a change of a road inclination of a to-be-taken road located ahead of a cruising road on which the vehicle is presently running or will run soon with respect to a road inclination of the cruising road, the change corresponding to a downhill inclination with respect to the cruising road.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Kazuyuki Shiiba
  • Publication number: 20050267665
    Abstract: There is provided a deceleration control system for a vehicle, in which a braking force is applied to a vehicle by a braking device when a determination that a shift speed or a gear ratio of a transmission of a vehicle is changed to a shift speed or a gear ratio for a relatively low vehicle speed is made. Control is performed such that a deceleration (Gt), which is applied to the vehicle by activating the braking device and performing a shift operation for changing the shift speed or the gear ratio of the transmission of the vehicle to the shift speed or the gear ratio for the relatively low vehicle speed, becomes larger than a deceleration (402max), which is applied to the vehicle by only performing the shift operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Kazuyuki Shiiba
  • Publication number: 20050234626
    Abstract: A target deceleration for running on a curved road ahead of a vehicle is obtained, based on a driver's intention which is input or estimated, and a driver's driving skill level which is input or estimated; and deceleration control is performed so that deceleration applied to the vehicle becomes equal to the target deceleration. In a case where the driver's intention is to cause the vehicle to respond to driving operation relatively quickly, the target deceleration may be set to a relatively small value; and in a case where the driving skill level is relatively high, the target deceleration is set to a relatively small value. Further, the target deceleration is decided based on a state of a road where the vehicle runs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shiiba, Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Shinya Iizuka
  • Publication number: 20050218718
    Abstract: A deceleration control apparatus for a vehicle, which performs deceleration control on the vehicle by an operation of a brake system that applies a braking force to the vehicle and a shift operation which shifts a transmission of the vehicle into a relatively low speed or speed ratio, changes, as the deceleration control, the braking force applied to a non-driven wheel of the vehicle and the braking force applied to a driven wheel of the vehicle based on a deceleration F applied to the vehicle and an engine braking force Fe that acts on the driven wheel of the vehicle. The engine braking force includes inertia force and changes in the engine braking force produced by a shift, as well as engine braking force produced as a result of the accelerator being turned off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Hiroaki Fujinami, Masato Seki
  • Publication number: 20050187694
    Abstract: A deceleration control apparatus and method for a vehicle, which performs deceleration control on the vehicle by an operation of a brake system which applies a braking force to the vehicle and a shift operation which shifts a transmission of the vehicle into a relatively low speed or speed ratio, performs the shift operation and the operation of the brake system such that a target deceleration set based on a curvature or curvature radius of a curve in a road ahead of the vehicle, a distance to the curve, and a vehicle speed, acts on the vehicle. As a result, a desired deceleration according to the distance to the curve is able to be applied to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shiiba, Kunihiro Iwatsuki
  • Publication number: 20050125134
    Abstract: A deceleration control apparatus for a vehicle provided with a brake system for generating braking force in the vehicle, and a transmission, controls the brake system and the transmission such that a deceleration acting on the vehicle matches a target deceleration set as a deceleration to be applied to the vehicle by a brake operation of the brake system and a shift operation which shifts the transmission into a relatively low speed or speed ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kunhiro Iwatsuki, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Hiroaki Fujinami, Masato Seki
  • Publication number: 20050125137
    Abstract: In a deceleration control method for a vehicle, by which deceleration control of the vehicle is performed based on a distance between the vehicle had an obstacle including a preceding vehicle ahead of the vehicle, a target deceleration at which the vehicle is to be decelerated is obtained based on the distance; a speed or speed ratio that will apply a deceleration equal to, or less than, the target deceleration to the vehicle is selected as the speed or speed ratio of a transmission of the vehicle during a shift operation; and the deceleration control is executed by an operation of a brake system which applies a braking force to the vehicle and a shift operation which shifts the transmission of the vehicle into a relatively low speed or speed ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shiiba, Kunihiro Iwatsuki
  • Publication number: 20050124458
    Abstract: A declaration control apparatus and method for a vehicle, which performs deceleration control such that a deceleration acting on the vehicle becomes equal to a target deceleration by an operation of a brake system which applies a braking force to the vehicle and a shift operation which shifts a transmission of the vehicle into a relatively low speed or speed ratio, increases the target deceleration over time at a predetermined gradient to a predetermined value when a determination that there is a need to shift the transmission into a relatively low speed or speed ratio has been made, and after the target deceleration reaches the predetermined value, maintains the target deceleration at a generally constant value. As a result, a deceleration transitional characteristic of the vehicle is able to be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Kazuyuki Shiiba
  • Patent number: 6834224
    Abstract: A vehicular automatic shift control unit for executing a cooperative shift control (an upshift inhibition and a downshift) of an automatic transmission based on an information associated with a road condition around a vehicle or a road condition in front of the vehicle, is provided with judging means for judging whether a vehicle exists in a predetermined area including a branch point of the road during execution of the cooperative shift control, and gear ratio maintaining control means for maintaining a gear ratio of the automatic transmission if it is judged that the vehicle exists in the predetermined area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shiiba, Tomokazu Inagawa, Yoji Takanami, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Hideo Tomomatsu, Yoshio Ito, Teru Konishi, Masao Kawai
  • Patent number: 6626797
    Abstract: In the case where a cooperative gear change control of an automatic transmission is executed on the basis of information with respect to a condition around a vehicle or in front of a vehicle, in a cooperative gear change control means, a gear change of the automatic transmission is directly determined on the basis of actual curve information and road surface inclination information in accordance with a previously stored downshift map, and a gear stage is switched such that a determined gear change is executed. Therefore, it is possible to directly obtain the gear stage or the gear ratio corresponding to the curve of the road and the inclination of the road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shiiba, Tomokazu Inagawa, Yoji Takanami, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Hideo Tomomatsu, Yoshio Ito, Teru Konishi, Masao Kawai