Patents by Inventor Kenji Senda

Kenji Senda 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: 20080294328
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including: the step (S222) of increasing a determination value V(J) by a correction amount A(3) if the number of knock intensities N not lower than the determination value V(J) is not smaller than a threshold value B(1) (YES at S220) among knock intensities N of a plurality of predetermined number of continuous ignition cycles; and the step (S232) of increasing the determination value V(J) by a correction amount A(5) if the number of knock intensities N not smaller than the determination value V(J) is not smaller than a threshold value B(3) (YES at S230), among knock intensities N of a plurality of ignition cycles satisfying the condition that a coefficient of correlation K calculated by comparing a vibration waveform and a knock waveform model is not smaller than a threshold value K(1), of the knock intensities of a plurality of predetermined continuous ignition cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION, NIPPON SOKEN, INC.
    Inventors: Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Kasashima, Masatomo Yoshihara, Kenji Senda, Norihito Hanai, Yasuhiro Yamasako, Shuhei Oe, Yuichi Takemura
  • Patent number: 7441543
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including a step of calculating a correlation coefficient K representing a degree of agreement between a vibration waveform and a knock waveform model, a step of calculating a knock magnitude N by dividing a peak value P of magnitude in the vibration waveform by BGL, a step of determining whether knocking has occurred based on a combination of the correlation coefficient K and the knock magnitude N, in such a manner as to determine that knocking has not occurred in at least one of the case where the correlation coefficient K is smaller than a threshold value K(1) and the case where the knock magnitude N is smaller than a threshold value N(1), and a step of retarding ignition timing by a retarding amount corresponding to the combination of the correlation coefficient K and the knock magnitude N, if knocking has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Masatomo Yoshihara, Kenji Kasashima, Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Senda, Yuuichi Takemura, Shuhei Oe
  • Publication number: 20080262705
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes: calculating 15-degrees integrated value integrating vibration intensity for each of six crank angle ranges; detecting an amount of change in the 15-degrees integrated value between ignition cycles; specifying two ranges having larger amounts of change; specifying a crank angle having intensity larger than that of a neighboring crank angle in a search range determined to be the same as the specified ranges; calculating a coefficient of correlation K corresponding to a difference between a vibration waveform and a knock waveform model while the specified crank angle is matched with a timing at which intensity peaks in the knock waveform model; and, if the coefficient of correlation K is larger than a threshold value K(0), determining that knock has occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicants: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken Inc.
    Inventors: Shuhei Oe, Kouzi Ohara, Satoshi Masuda, Yuuichi Takemura, Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Kasashima, Masatomo Yoshihara, Kenji Senda, Norihito Hanai, Yasuhiro Yamasako
  • Publication number: 20080234918
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: calculating a correlation coefficient K based on the result of comparing a vibration waveform of an engine and a knock waveform model stored previously; calculating a magnitude value LOG(V) from the magnitude V detected based on a signal transmitted from a knock sensor; creating frequency distribution of magnitude values LOG(V) by using magnitude values LOG(V) in an ignition cycle in which the correlation coefficient K larger than a threshold K(1) is calculated; and counting knock proportion KC by using the created frequency distribution. If the vibration waveform includes a waveform of vibration of noise components, the correlation coefficient K is calculated to be smaller comparing with a case of not including it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rihito KANEKO, Kenji KASASHIMA, Masatomo YOSHIHARA, Koji ASO, Kenji SENDA, Shigeru KAMIO, Yuichi TAKEMURA
  • Patent number: 7392788
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including a step of, when an absolute value of a difference between median value V(50) of magnitude values LOG(V), which is obtained by logarithmically converting a magnitude V detected based on a signal sent from a knock sensor, and a determination value V(KX) used for determining presence or absence of knocking is greater than the product of a standard deviation ? and a coefficient U(3) in a frequency distribution of magnitude values LOG(V) for N cycle(s), setting a value obtained by adding the product of the standard deviation ? and the coefficient U(3) to the median value V(50) of magnitude values LOG(V) as the determination value V(KX).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Kasashima, Masatomo Yoshihara, Kenji Senda, Yuichi Takemura, Shuhei Oe
  • Patent number: 7387107
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: calculating a correlation coefficient K based on the result of comparing a vibration waveform of an engine and a knock waveform model stored previously; calculating a magnitude value LOG(V) from the magnitude V detected based on a signal transmitted from a knock sensor; creating frequency distribution of magnitude values LOG(V) by using magnitude values LOG(V) in an ignition cycle in which the correlation coefficient K larger than a threshold K(1) is calculated; and counting knock proportion KC by using the created frequency distribution. If the vibration waveform includes a waveform of vibration of noise components, the correlation coefficient K is calculated to be smaller comparing with a case of not including it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Kasashima, Masatomo Yoshihara, Koji Aso, Kenji Senda, Shigeru Kamio, Yuichi Takemura
  • Patent number: 7363142
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: calculating a magnitude value LOG(V) from a magnitude V detected using a knock sensor; calculating a median value V(50) and a standard deviation a of calculated magnitude values LOG(V); calculating a knock determination level V(KD) that is a value obtained by adding the product of standard deviation a and a coefficient U(3) to median value V(50); and when knock determination level V(KD) is greater than the product of determination value V(KX) and a coefficient K, decreasing determination value V(KX). When a knock magnitude N calculated using magnitude V is greater than determination value V(KX), ignition timing is retarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Kasashima, Masatomo Yoshihara, Kenji Senda, Yuichi Takemura, Shuhei Oe
  • Publication number: 20080000449
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: calculating a magnitude value LOG(V) by logarithmically converting a magnitude V of vibration occurring in an engine, calculating a median V(50) and a standard deviation ? of magnitude values LOG(V); and setting, to the product of the standard deviation ? and a factor A, a first upper limit of a determination value V(KX) that is to be compared with a knock magnitude N for determining whether or not knocking has occurred, and setting a first lower limit of the determination value V(KX) to the product of the standard deviation ? and a factor B.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rihito KANEKO, Kenji Kasashima, Masatomo Yoshihara, Kenji Senda, Yuuichi Takemura, Shuhei Oe
  • Publication number: 20080000448
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: determining that the condition that there is a possibility of occurrence of knocking is satisfied, based on the result of comparison between a vibration waveform of an engine and a knock waveform model; calculating a 40CA integrated value by integrating magnitudes of vibration occurring in the engine for a range of crank angle of 40°; calculating a knock magnitude N by dividing the 40CA integrated value by a BGL; determining that knocking has occurred when the knock magnitude N is larger than a determination value V(KX); and determining that knocking has not occurred when the knock magnitude N is smaller than the determination value V(KX).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rihito KANEKO, Kenji Kasashima, Masatomo Yoshihara, Kenji Senda, Yuuichi Takemura, Shuhei Oe
  • Publication number: 20070289575
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including a step of calculating a correlation coefficient K representing a degree of agreement between a vibration waveform and a knock waveform model, a step of calculating a knock magnitude N by dividing a peak value P of magnitude in the vibration waveform by BGL, a step of determining whether knocking has occurred based on a combination of the correlation coefficient K and the knock magnitude N, in such a manner as to determine that knocking has not occurred in at least one of the case where the correlation coefficient K is smaller than a threshold value K(1) and the case where the knock magnitude N is smaller than a threshold value N(1), and a step of retarding ignition timing by a retarding amount corresponding to the combination of the correlation coefficient K and the knock magnitude N, if knocking has occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION, NIPPON SOKEN, INC.
    Inventors: Masatomo Yoshihara, Kenji Kasashima, Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Senda, Yuuichi Takemura, Shuhei Oe
  • Patent number: 7281516
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: comparing a vibration waveform of an engine and a knock waveform model stored in advance to calculate a correlation coefficient K; prohibiting correction when a correction prohibiting condition of a determination value V(KX) is satisfied, the determination value V(KX) compared with a knock magnitude N calculated from the correlation coefficient K so as to control the ignition timing; and correcting the determination value V(KX) based on a magnitude value LOG(V) calculated from a magnitude V of vibration in an ignition cycle in which the correlation coefficient K greater than a threshold value K(1) is calculated when the correction prohibiting condition of determination value V(KX) is not satisfied. The correlation coefficient K is calculated as a smaller value when the vibration waveform includes a waveform of vibration of a noise component as compared with that when the vibration waveform does not include it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Kasashima, Masatomo Yoshihara, Koji Aso, Kenji Senda, Shigeru Kamio, Yuichi Takemura
  • Publication number: 20070215109
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including a step of, when an absolute value of a difference between median value V(50) of magnitude values LOG(V), which is obtained by logarithmically converting a magnitude V detected based on a signal sent from a knock sensor, and a determination value V(KX) used for determining presence or absence of knocking is greater than the product of a standard deviation ? and a coefficient U(3) in a frequency distribution of magnitude values LOG(V) for N cycle(s), setting a value obtained by adding the product of the standard deviation ? and the coefficient U(3) to the median value V(50) of magnitude values LOG(V) as the determination value V(KX).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rihito KANEKO, Kenji Kasashima, Masatomo Yoshihara, Kenji Senda, Yuichi Takemura, Shuhei Oe
  • Publication number: 20070214869
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including a step of, when it has temporarily been determined that knocking had occurred because of the presence of an integrated value greater than a product of the reference magnitude and coefficient Y among the integrated values of vibration in fourth frequency band D that includes first to third frequency bands A to C, calculating knock magnitude N using the integrated values in the synthesized waveform of first to third frequency bands A to C and correlation coefficient K calculated from a vibration waveform of fourth frequency band D. Based on a comparison between knock magnitude N and determination value V(KX), whether or not knocking has occurred is determined. If there is no integrated value greater than a product of the reference magnitude and coefficient Y, it is determined that knocking has not occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION, NIPPON SOKEN, INC.
    Inventors: Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Kasashima, Masatomo Yoshihara, Kenji Senda, Yuichi Takemura, Shuhei Oe
  • Publication number: 20070215108
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: calculating a magnitude value LOG(V) from a magnitude V detected using a knock sensor; calculating a median value V(50) and a standard deviation a of calculated magnitude values LOG(V); calculating a knock determination level V(KD) that is a value obtained by adding the product of standard deviation a and a coefficient U(3) to median value V(50); and when knock determination level V(KD) is greater than the product of determination value V(KX) and a coefficient K, decreasing determination value V(KX). When a knock magnitude N calculated using magnitude V is greater than determination value V(KX), ignition timing is retarded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Kasashima, Masatomo Yoshihara, Kenji Senda, Yuichi Takemura, Shuhei Oe
  • Publication number: 20070212600
    Abstract: A thermal fuse includes an insulating case having a bottom and having an opening provided therein, a fusible alloy provided in the insulating case, a lead conductor having one end connected to the fusible alloy and other end led out from the insulating case through the opening of the insulating case, a flux provided on the fusible alloy, and a sealer for sealing the opening of the insulating case. The volume of a space between the fusible alloy in the insulating case and the sealer is larger than the volume of the flux. Sealing of the fuse is prevented from deteriorating, and the insulating film is prevented from damage even when the thermal fuse is used for breaking a large current at a high voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Kenji Senda, Atsushi Kono, Tatsuya Wada
  • Patent number: 7263430
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: detecting a waveform of vibration of an engine at a predetermined knock detection gate; determining whether a detected vibration's waveform and a knock waveform model stored in memory match within a predetermined range; if the model and the detected vibration's waveform match within the predetermined range, determining that the engine knocks; and if the model and the detected vibration's waveform do not match within the predetermined range, then determining that the engine does not knock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Kasashima, Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Senda, Shigeru Kamio, Masaomi Inoue, Yuuichi Takemura
  • Publication number: 20070175444
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including a step of, when an absolute value of a difference between a determination value V(KX) used for determining presence or absence of knocking and a maximum value V(MAX) of magnitude value LOG(V), which is obtained by logarithmically converting a magnitude V detected based on a signal sent from a knock sensor, is greater than the product of a standard deviation ? and a coefficient U(3) in a frequency distribution of magnitude values LOG(V) for N cycle(s), setting a value obtained by adding the product of the standard deviation ? and the coefficient U(3) to the maximum value V(MAX) of the magnitude value LOG(V) as the determination value V(KX).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION, NIPPON SOKEN, INC.
    Inventors: Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Kasashima, Masatomo Yoshihara, Koji Aso, Kenji Senda, Yuichi Takemura, Shuhei Oe, Kiyoshi Iwade
  • Patent number: 7251556
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including a step of calculating coefficient of correlation K that is a value related to a deviation between a vibration waveform and a knock waveform model by comparing the engine's vibration waveform with the knock waveform model stored in advance at a plurality of timings, a step of calculating a knock intensity N as based on a largest coefficient of correlation K among the calculated coefficient of correlation Ks, a step of determining that the engine knocks if knock intensity N is larger than a predetermined reference value (YES at S108), and a step of determining that the engine does not knock if knock intensity N is not larger than a predetermined reference value (NO at S108).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Kasashima, Kenji Senda, Shigeru Kamio, Masaomi Inoue, Yuichi Takemura
  • Publication number: 20070084266
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: calculating a correlation coefficient K based on the result of comparing a vibration waveform of an engine and a knock waveform model stored previously; calculating a magnitude value LOG(V) from the magnitude V detected based on a signal transmitted from a knock sensor; creating frequency distribution of magnitude values LOG(V) by using magnitude values LOG(V) in an ignition cycle in which the correlation coefficient K larger than a threshold K(1) is calculated; and counting knock proportion KC by using the created frequency distribution. If the vibration waveform includes a waveform of vibration of noise components, the correlation coefficient K is calculated to be smaller comparing with a case of not including it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Kasashima, Masatomo Yoshihara, Koji Aso, Kenji Senda, Shigeru Kamio, Yuichi Takemura
  • Patent number: 7206691
    Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including a step of calculating a knock intensity N as based on comparing a waveform detected as a waveform of a vibration attributed to knocking with a knock waveform model stored in a memory as a waveform of a vibration attributed to knocking for crank angles except for crank angles where a magnitude of a vibration not attributed to knocking is greater than a predetermined magnitude, a step of determining that the engine knocks if knock intensity N is larger than a predetermined reference value, and a step of determining that the engine does not knock if knock intensity N is not larger than a predetermined reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Rihito Kaneko, Kenji Kasashima, Masatomo Yoshihara, Kenji Senda, Kouzi Ohara, Kiyoshi Iwade, Shuhei Oe, Yuichi Takemura, Shigeru Kamio