Patents by Inventor Kenichi Machida

Kenichi Machida 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: 20130261938
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to obtain a control apparatus of an internal combustion engine capable of respectively accurately detecting a combustion change in a plurality of combustion modes. In the present invention, the control apparatus of the internal combustion engine operable upon switching the combustion mode sets a detection time and a detection duration to detect a sensor signal of a crank angle sensor 10 in accordance with the combustion mode, and determines whether or not there is the combustion change based on the sensor signal detected by the crank angle sensor 10 at the detection time and for the detection duration set by the control apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD
    Inventors: Kenichiroh Ogata, Kenichi Machida
  • Patent number: 8528525
    Abstract: A fuel injection controlling system includes an accelerator manipulator. An accelerator manipulated variable detection sensor is configured to detect a manipulated variable of the accelerator manipulator. A rotation speed sensor is configured to detect a rotation speed of an engine. A throttle valve drive motor is configured to open and close the throttle valve in response to the manipulated variable. A controller is configured to control the throttle valve drive motor and to compute basic injection time (Ti) of fuel. A memory is configured to memorize, as a carbon adhesion judgment value (IXREF), a throttle opening degree (?TH) at a moment when a rotation speed (Ne) detected with the rotation speed sensor reaches a target idle rotation speed (NeIdle) by increasing the throttle opening degree (?TH). A corrector is configured to correct Ti with IXREF to correct an air-fuel ratio toward a leaner side as IXREF increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Asada, Kenichi Machida
  • Patent number: 8434453
    Abstract: An electronic throttle control system and method are provided. The system includes a throttle valve, a motor configured to drive the throttle valve, and a throttle position sensor configured to detect an angle of the throttle valve. The system further includes an engine rotating speed detector, and a controller. The controller is configured to drive the motor to control the angle of the throttle valve. The controller is configured to initially set a lower limit value of the angle to an angle which is greater than a full closure angle of the throttle valve by a predetermined amount. The controller is further configured to, when a rise in an engine rotating speed is detected, re-set the lower limit value to reduce it by a predetermined amount to control the engine rotating speed to within a predetermined value from the preset idle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Okoshi, Kenichi Machida
  • Patent number: 8413635
    Abstract: A vehicle control device, including a vehicle control unit that controls engagement between an engine and a starter motor for starting the engine, wherein the vehicle control unit, along with cutting off fuel supply to the engine and causing the engine to rotate inertially, also, in a state in which fuel supply to the engine is cut off and the starter motor is not engaged with the engine, rotates the starter motor, and thereafter controls supply of electrical power to the starter motor so as to causes the starter motor to rotate inertially, and engages the starter motor to the engine while both the engine and the starter motor are performing inertial rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Machida, Eiichi Otsu, Minoru Ohsuga, Shigenori Nakazato, Yoshiaki Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 8406981
    Abstract: An operation amount detecting unit 17 detects an operation amount of a throttle grip from a zero position. A basic throttle opening degree computing unit 18 computes a basic throttle opening degree corresponding to the operation amount. A throttle opening degree additional value computing unit 20 outputs as a target throttle opening degree a value obtained by adding the basic throttle opening degree with a throttle opening degree additional value corresponding to the operation amount when the operation of the throttle grip is performed within a small operation region corresponding to an idle operation. The throttle opening degree additional value computing unit 20 outputs as the target throttle opening degree the basic throttle opening degree when the operation of the throttle grip is performed without the small operation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Tetsuka, Makoto Tsuyuguchi, Takeru Abe, Yukihiro Asada, Kenichi Machida
  • Publication number: 20130073191
    Abstract: An engine control apparatus includes a control unit configured to perform a feedback control based on a second amount of intake air until a engine speed reaches a target idle speed. The engine control apparatus then regulates the amount of intake air to an amount smaller than a predetermined second amount of intake air for a predetermined period when the engine speed exceeds the target idle speed, and then performs a feedback control based on a first amount of intake air. Such engine control apparatus minimizes variation in engine speed by reducing a convergence time of the engine speed to a target idle speed in switching control of the amount of intake air in a case where engine friction at a low temperature is high.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masanori NAKAMURA, Kenichi MACHIDA
  • Publication number: 20130068181
    Abstract: An control apparatus for a variable valve mechanism, is capable of executing fail safe control in a case in which locking occurs in either one of a cam shaft of a double shaft structure. The control apparatus for a variable valve mechanism has a cam shaft of a double shaft structure including an outer cam shaft and an inner cam shaft, such that it is possible to adjust the phase of a sub cam of inner cam shaft with respect to an main cam of outer cam shaft, and by means these cams, at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine is operated. When an abnormality is detected in one of the cam shafts, the control apparatus controls the phase of the cam of the other cam shaft, in accordance with the determined current phase of the cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Norihiro ARAYA, Kenichi Machida
  • Patent number: 8365709
    Abstract: A reverse rotation preventive device wherein an engine can be restarted without once stopping the vehicle even in the case where a reverse rotation preventive function is operated in response to momentary locking of a rear wheel. A plurality of reluctors are arranged at regular intervals, exclusive of a toothless part at one location with a crank pulse rotor rotated synchronously with a crankshaft of the engine, and a first and second pulse generators each of which outputs a pulse signal corresponding to the interval of the reluctors. Reverse rotation preventive means inhibits ignition of a spark plug by operating the reverse rotation preventive function when the interpulse time of the pulse signal exceeds a predetermined time and cancels the inhibition of the ignition when it is detected that a crankshaft is in normal rotation after the ignition is inhibited by the operation of the reverse rotation preventive function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Usukura, Kenichi Machida
  • Patent number: 8355235
    Abstract: A plurality of reference signals output from a controller which computes an operation amount of an electric actuator is subjected to the logical operation, and the power supply to a drive circuit for the electric actuator is shut off based on an output by the logical operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Machida, Satoru Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20130008244
    Abstract: A fault sensing device for a vehicle includes a time measuring section functioning as a sleep mode while power to a controller is off. The time measuring section can measure a stop time of an engine, and can transmit information on the stop time to the controller when power to the controller is on. When the controller determines that a stop time of the engine is a predetermined time, the controller performs fault sensing for an oil pressure switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoru OKOSHI, Kenichi MACHIDA
  • Publication number: 20130002418
    Abstract: An engine rotational speed display device includes a rotational speed sensor and a pulse rotor. An engine rotational speed calculating unit is configured to calculate an engine rotational speed by a moving average of a detected value of a crankshaft rotational speed pulse. A display unit is configured to display the engine rotational speed on a meter by electrical processing. When the crankshaft rotational speed pulse is not detected in a detection time equal to or more than a predetermined value, the engine rotational speed calculating unit determines that the engine rotational speed is “0,” and the engine rotational speed of “0” is displayed on the meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masanori NAKAMURA, Kenichi MACHIDA
  • Patent number: 8342152
    Abstract: A flow controlling method for an auxiliary intake flow passage for use in a power unit which includes a starter clutch which is automatically engaged and disengaged in response to the engine speed. An intake air control valve (IACV) carries out changeover from water temperature dependent control (open loop control of adjusting the flow rate of the auxiliary intake flow passage in response to the warming up state of an engine) to target engine speed feedback control when the actual engine speed NE [rpm] drops to a clutch disengagement engine speed NEout (engine speed at which the centrifugal clutch is disengaged) (S3: Yes) and the opening ?1 [degree] of the throttle valve becomes smaller than a predetermined threshold value (throttle valve opening threshold value TH—?1 (S4: Yes).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Usukura, Hiroshi Noda, Kenichi Machida
  • Publication number: 20120323467
    Abstract: A fuel injection amount calculation method calculates a fuel injection amount to an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The method can include calculating a relative intake pressure which is a difference between an intake pressure peak of intake air upon intake starting of a cylinder of the internal combustion engine and an intake pressure bottom of the intake air upon intake ending. The method can also include calculating the fuel injection amount based on the relative intake pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoru OKOSHI, Kenichi MACHIDA, Takahiro KITAMURA
  • Patent number: 8327826
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide that an ignition is retarded when continuously occurring knocks are detected, while an ignition is not retarded when a singly occurring knock is detected. By detecting the number of occurrences of detection data pieces from a knock sensor 9 stored in a storage unit 14 in a predetermined time period, a distribution of the detection data pieces is created. When one detection data piece having a value not less than a knock determination value is inputted from the knock sensor 9, the distribution of the detection data pieces is checked. For example, when the detection data pieces spread in a wide range, or the knock level voltage of the total detection data pieces is not less than a predetermined value, a retard instruction is outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Okoshi, Kenichi Machida
  • Patent number: 8328686
    Abstract: A shift controller with a first clutch CL1 that connects/disconnects the torque to a first main shaft and a second clutch CL2 connects/disconnects the torque to a second main shaft. A transmission is configured so that dog clutches DC1, DC2 for first speed and for second speed are engaged in a predetermined turned position P1-2 of a shift drum. A linear solenoid valve that supplies clutch oil pressure, a shift solenoid that switches a destination of the supply oil pressure between both clutches and a controller that controls the supply oil pressure and the turning of the shift drum are provided. The controller supplies predetermined oil pressure P1 to the CL2 in neutral, switches the destination of supply oil pressure to the CL1 when the shift drum is turned to P1-2 according to a shift instruction to engage gears and supplies maximum oil pressure P3 to the CL1 in predetermined time ta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Kobayashi, Kenichi Machida, Eiji Kittaka, Seiji Hamaoka
  • Patent number: 8296034
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle speed limiting system that is capable of executing a maximum speed limiting control without influencing a driving feeling of a vehicle. A vehicle speed limiting system includes: a three-dimensional map 46a and a throttle valve driving unit 47. A first maximum speed limiter opening degree is calculated by adding a first predetermined opening degree, a second predetermined opening degree, and a current throttle valve opening degree, the first predetermined opening degree being calculated by multiplying a speed difference of the vehicle by a preset P-term coefficient, the second predetermined opening degree being calculated by multiplying an acceleration of the vehicle by a preset D-term coefficient. Once the calculated first maximum speed limiter opening degree falls below the target throttle valve opening degree ?B, the throttle valve motor 30 is driven on a basis of the first maximum speed limiter opening degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Tetsuka, Kenichi Machida, Yukihiro Asada, Masanori Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8229637
    Abstract: A shift controller for a motor vehicle includes an electric motor configured to rotate a shift drum associated with a transmission. An oil temperature sensor is configured to detect temperature of lubricating oil for the transmission. A controller is configured to control the electric motor. The controller controls the electric motor to operate in a preset first motor duty until a first predetermined time elapses after operation of the electric motor is started when the shift drum is turned from a first predetermined position to a second predetermined position. The controller is also configured to operate the electric motor in a second motor duty calculated based upon oil temperature after the first predetermined time elapses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Kobayashi, Kenichi Machida, Eiji Kittaka, Seiji Hamaoka
  • Patent number: 8120502
    Abstract: To detect opening/closing of a neutral detection hydraulic switch by a detection apparatus and detect breakage of a wiring line connected between the detection apparatus and the switch. Since a second contact and an ECU are connected to each other by two wiring lines, even if one of the wiring lines is broken, opening/closing of the neutral detection hydraulic switch can be detected through the remaining one of the wiring lines. Since different voltages are applied to the wiring lines through resistance type voltage dividing circuits, the occurrence of the wire breakage can be detected making use of the fact that the voltage detected by the ECU upon opening of the neutral detection hydraulic switch when one of the wiring lines is broken is different from the voltage when none of the wiring lines is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Usukura, Kenichi Machida
  • Publication number: 20120035827
    Abstract: There is provided an idle stop system that can more quickly restart with small noise in conducting idle stop. In preparation for a restart request during an engine inertial rotation, after a motor is rotated in a state where a starter motor is not coupled to the engine, a pinion is engaged with a ring gear during the motor is subjected to inertial rotation like the engine. In this situation, the rotational speed including future pulsation of the engine is estimated with the use of information on the crank angle, and a pinion pushing timing is controlled so that the pinion and the ring gear contact each other with a given rotational speed difference taking a delay time of a pinion pushing unit into consideration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyasu KUNIYOSHI, Akira Nishioka, Ryuu Kai, Kenichi Machida, Yoshiaki Nagasawa
  • Publication number: 20120016562
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle speed limiting system that is capable of executing a maximum speed limiting control without influencing a driving feeling of a vehicle. A vehicle speed limiting system includes: a three-dimensional map 46a and a throttle valve driving unit 47. A first maximum speed limiter opening degree is calculated by adding a first predetermined opening degree, a second predetermined opening degree, and a current throttle valve opening degree, the first predetermined opening degree being calculated by multiplying a speed difference of the vehicle by a preset P-term coefficient, the second predetermined opening degree being calculated by multiplying an acceleration of the vehicle by a preset D-term coefficient. Once the calculated first maximum speed limiter opening degree falls below the target throttle valve opening degree ?B, the throttle valve motor 30 is driven on a basis of the first maximum speed limiter opening degree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Takashi Tetsuka, Kenichi Machida, Yukihiro Asada, Masanori Nakamura