Patents by Inventor Keigo Nishio

Keigo Nishio 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: 7234553
    Abstract: A driving force control apparatus is provided to prevent shocks from being generated during clutch engagement or release. The clutch is maintained in an engaged state and shocks are prevented from accompanying clutch release during creep travel when the target motor torque is equal to or less than a motor torque prescribed value but the average rear wheel speed, which is equivalent to the travel speed of the auto vehicle, is equal to or less than a low-speed prescribed value. In addition, the drive torque on the rear wheels from the electric motor is also brought to the same level as the creep torque on the front wheels from the internal combustion engine, backlash and other types of gaps between the rear axles of the electric motor are closed, and shocks are minimized or prevented during the subsequent transition to a four-wheel drive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Shimizu, Keiji Kadota, Keigo Nishio
  • Patent number: 7004018
    Abstract: A vehicle driving force control apparatus controls a control torque command of an electric motor based on a power supplying condition of an electric power source. The power source supplies electric power to the electric motor that drives at least one wheel of the vehicle. An electric power supplying status detecting section determines an electric power supplying capacity of the electric power source based on the power supplying condition of the power source, while an electric motor torque control section controls the control torque command of the electric motor based on the power supplying condition determined by the electric power supplying status detecting section. Preferably, an internal combustion engine that drives at least one other wheel also drives a generator that acts as the power source of the electric motor. The vehicle driving force control apparatus is especially useful in a four-wheel drive vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Kadota, Kouichi Shimizu, Tatsuya Kamata, Hiroyuki Ohya, Keigo Nishio, Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 6905438
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an electric motor (4) and a clutch (12) between the electric motor and a motor driven road wheel (3L, 3R). Powertrain play between the electric motor (4) and the road wheel is eliminated upon determination that powertrain play elimination (PPE) is needed for motor torque transmission to the motor driven road wheel. The PPE includes controlling engagement of the clutch and regulating the electric motor to produce a very small amount of motor torque required for PPE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Suzuki, Kouichi Shimizu, Tatsuya Kamata, Keiji Kadota, Keigo Nishio, Kimitaka Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20040040375
    Abstract: A vehicle driving force control apparatus controls a control torque command of an electric motor based on a power supplying condition of an electric power source. The power source supplies electric power to the electric motor that drives at least one wheel of the vehicle. An electric power supplying status detecting section determines an electric power supplying capacity of the electric power source based on the power supplying condition of the power source, while an electric motor torque control section controls the control torque command of the electric motor based on the power supplying condition determined by the electric power supplying status detecting section. Preferably, an internal combustion engine that drives at least one other wheel also drives a generator that acts as the power source of the electric motor. The vehicle driving force control apparatus is especially useful in a four-wheel drive vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Kadota, Kouichi Shimizu, Tatsuya Kamata, Hiroyuki Ohya, Keigo Nishio, Ping Chen
  • Publication number: 20040040759
    Abstract: A driving force control apparatus is provided to prevent shocks from being generated during clutch engagement or release. The clutch is maintained in an engaged state and shocks are prevented from accompanying clutch release during creep travel when the target motor torque is equal to or less than a motor torque prescribed value but the average rear wheel speed, which is equivalent to the travel speed of the auto vehicle, is equal to or less than a low-speed prescribed value. In addition, the drive torque on the rear wheels from the electric motor is also brought to the same level as the creep torque on the front wheels from the internal combustion engine, backlash and other types of gaps between the rear axles of the electric motor are closed, and shocks are minimized or prevented during the subsequent transition to a four-wheel drive state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Shimizu, Keiji Kadota, Keigo Nishio
  • Publication number: 20030216215
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an electric motor (4) and a clutch (12) between the electric motor and a motor driven road wheel (3L, 3R). Powertrain play between the electric motor (4) and the road wheel is eliminated upon determination that powertrain play elimination (PPE) is needed for motor torque transmission to the motor driven road wheel. The PPE includes controlling engagement of the clutch and regulating the electric motor to produce a very small amount of motor torque required for PPE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Suzuki, Kouichi Shimizu, Tatsuya Kamata, Keiji Kadota, Keigo Nishio, Kimitaka Nakamura