Patents by Inventor Kenta Kumazaki

Kenta Kumazaki 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: 20180156331
    Abstract: A shift control apparatus (80) for a vehicle (10; 100) provided with a drive power source (39; MG), and a step-variable transmission portion (20; 110) including a plurality of hydraulically operated coupling devices (CB), the shift control apparatus controlling the step-variable transmission portion to implement a shifting action with an engaging action of the engaging-side coupling device and a releasing action of the releasing-side coupling device, and including a shift control portion (82) to control a shift-down action of the step-variable transmission portion in a predetermined mode of hydraulic control of the engaging-side and releasing-side coupling devices, wherein the shift control portion controls the engaging-side and releasing-side coupling devices in a non-vehicle-driving control mode during the shift-down action of the step-variable transmission portion in a non-driving state of the vehicle, the shift control portion switching the mode of hydraulic control from the non-vehicle-driving control mo
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Kenta KUMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20180148042
    Abstract: Transmission torque of a shift progress side engagement device is set based on engine power, shift progressing power, and battery power such that MG1 torque and MG2 torque are limited due to the limitation of the battery power when shifting a stepped transmission is suppressed. The stepped transmission is shifted with the transmission torque which takes into account the input-output balance of the respective powers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Kenta KUMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20180148064
    Abstract: A control apparatus (80) for a vehicular drive system (12; 105) having a step-variable transmission portion (20; 110) which is shifted to a selected one of speed positions having respective speed ratio values, with engaging and releasing actions of coupling devices (B, C), and a drive power source portion (39; 103) operatively connected to an input shaft (30) of the step-variable transmission portion, the control apparatus being configured to implement a speed synchronizing control upon a shift-down action of the step-variable transmission portion in a coasting run of a vehicle (10; 100), wherein an input shaft speed of the step-variable transmission portion is raised with an input shaft torque transmitted from the drive power source portion to the input shaft, from a pre-shift-down synchronizing speed to a post-shift-down synchronizing speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun GOTO, Kenta KUMAZAKI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Hiromichi KIMURA, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Takeshi KITAHATA
  • Publication number: 20180148063
    Abstract: A vehicle control device for a vehicle including an engine used as a power source and an automatic transmission, the vehicle control device performing a first running mode in which a shift control of the automatic transmission and a drive force control are provided according to a driver's acceleration/deceleration operation and a second running mode in which the shift control and the drive force control are provided without the acceleration/deceleration operation while a target running state is set, comprising: a slope-road running control portion configured to control the automatic transmission such that an engine rotation speed is kept high during slope-road running on at least one of an uphill road and a downhill road as compared to flat-road running, the slope-road running control portion limiting an increase amount of the engine rotation speed in the second running mode as compared to the first running mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromasa TATSUSHIRO, Kenta KUMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20180141540
    Abstract: An electronic control unit suppresses gear shifting more significantly in a second travel mode than in a first travel mode. Accordingly, frequent gear shifting of an automatic transmission in the second travel mode is suppressed, and superior ride quality is obtained. Meanwhile, an amount of a hysteresis in a gear shifting map is smaller in the second travel mode than in the first travel mode. Thus, duration of travel at an optimum gear stage is extended in the second travel mode, and fuel economy is improved. That is, in the second travel mode, drive power responsiveness to an acceleration and deceleration operation as in the first travel mode is unnecessary. Thus, even when gear shifting is suppressed, there is a low possibility that a driver feels a sense of discomfort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta KUMAZAKI, Tooru MATSUBARA
  • Patent number: 9975540
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle is provided with: an air-fuel ratio determinator configured to determine an air-fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine in a predetermined period until speed change by a transmission is actually performed; and a controller configured to control at least one of the internal combustion engine and an electric motor in such a manner that a possible amount of torque down of the internal combustion engine is increased if the air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine is lean in the predetermined period. By this, it is possible to avoid a detrimental effect, such as a torque shock, deterioration of durability of a friction material, and the like, which can occur in the speed change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta Kumazaki, Atsushi Tabata, Tooru Matsubara, Tatsuya Imamura, Kazuyuki Shiiba
  • Patent number: 9944275
    Abstract: A control device of a hybrid vehicle includes an electric motor outputting a running torque at the time of motor running and a starting torque at engine start, in a state of the motor running using even the starting torque, the control device being configured to give a notification of the state to a driver when a charging capacity is smaller than a first predetermined value, and to start an engine when the charging capacity is smaller than a second predetermined value which is smaller than the first predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Tooru Matsubara, Koichi Okuda, Kenta Kumazaki, Tatsuya Imamura, Keita Imai, Takeshi Kitahata, Shunya Kato, Yasuhiro Hiasa
  • Publication number: 20180099580
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an electric vehicle provided with an electric motor serving as a drive power source, and a step-variable transmission disposed in a power transmitting path between the electric motor and drive wheels, the control apparatus having a first control mode in which acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle are controlled on the basis of operations by an operator of the vehicle to accelerate and decelerate the vehicle, and a second control mode in which the acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle are automatically adjusted according to a target running state of the vehicle, irrespective of the operations of the operator, the control apparatus including a shift-down action initiating condition setting portion configured to set a shift-down action initiating condition for initiating a shift-down action of the step-variable transmission during a regenerative decelerating run of the vehicle, according to a torque-related value related to a regenerative torque generated by the electric mot
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta KUMAZAKI, Tooru MATSUBARA
  • Patent number: 9932039
    Abstract: A control device is configured to: (i) control rotation speed of internal combustion engine such that the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine is increased with an increase in a traveling speed of a vehicle, (ii) execute a pseudo gear shift to control the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine such that the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine is decreased to a first rotation speed, (iii) execute a mechanical gear shift to change a second gear ratio according to a gear shift line determined by the traveling speed and a value according to the acceleration request, and (iv) execute adjustment control to adjust the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine in advance in a period before executing the mechanical gear shift such that the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine matches the pseudo gear shift threshold value when the mechanical gear shift is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Iketomi, Shinichi Sasade, Munehiro Katsumata, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Tooru Matsubara, Takeshi Kitahata, Kenta Kumazaki
  • Publication number: 20170240165
    Abstract: Based on a determination result by a nitrogen concentration determination section, an electronic control unit changes a switching line used to switch between a differential state and a non-differential state of a differential mechanism and a gear shift line used to switch a gear stage of an automatic transmission mechanism. In conjunction with a change of an engine operation point to a high-speed side in a nitrogen-enriched state of intake air, a first motor rotational speed in the differential state of the differential mechanism becomes higher than that in a non-enriched state of the intake air. Thus, corresponding to the above, the differential mechanism is appropriately switched between the differential state and the non-differential state, and the gear stage of the automatic transmission mechanism is appropriately switched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta KUMAZAKI, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Atsushi TABATA, Tatsuya IMAMURA, Koichi OKUDA
  • Publication number: 20170166194
    Abstract: A control system of a power transmission system of a vehicle is provided. The power transmission system includes an electric motor for running the vehicle, and a mechanical speed change mechanism. The control system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to: perform regeneration control of the electric motor for running the vehicle during coasting of the vehicle, such that regenerative torque of the electric motor for running the vehicle provides regenerative torque produced according to braking operation; perform shift control of the mechanical speed change mechanism according to a predetermined relationship; determine whether a rate of change of the regenerative torque is within a predetermined range; and when a downshift of the mechanical speed change mechanism is determined during coasting, execute the downshift under a condition that the rate of change of the regenerative torque is within the predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta KUMAZAKI, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Masayuki BABA, Shun SATO
  • Patent number: 9677655
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle driving device includes: a first differential mechanism connected to an engine and transmitting a rotation of the engine; a second differential mechanism connecting the first differential mechanism and a drive wheel; engagement devices changing a speed of the first differential mechanism; and a valve arranged in a hydraulic circuit and regulating the engagement devices from simultaneously engaging. The second differential mechanism includes a first rotation element connected to an output element of the first differential mechanism, a second rotation element connected to a first rotating machine, and a third rotation element connected to a second rotating machine and the drive wheel. The valve regulates the engagement devices from simultaneously engaging at a time of traveling with the engine, and tolerates the engagement devices from simultaneously engaging at a time of traveling with the first rotating machine and the second rotating machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tooru Matsubara, Kenta Kumazaki, Tatsuya Imamura, Takeshi Kitahata, Yasuhiro Hiasa, Atsushi Tabata
  • Patent number: 9649926
    Abstract: A power transmission device for a hybrid vehicle includes: a transmission device that includes a carrier to which an engine rotation shaft is connected; a differential device that includes a plurality of rotation components individually connected to a drive wheel, an MG2 rotation shaft, an MG1 rotation shaft, and a ring gear of the transmission device; a gear shift adjustment device that is able to control the transmission device to a neutral state where the transmission of power between the carrier and the ring gear is not allowed or to a state where the transmission of power is allowed; and an HVECU that includes a first step of controlling the transmission device to the neutral state in a state where the transmission of power between the carrier and the ring gear is allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shunya Kato, Atsushi Tabata, Tatsuya Imamura, Tooru Matsubara, Takeshi Kitahata, Kenta Kumazaki, Yasuhiro Hiasa, Hiroyuki Shioiri, Hiroyuki Shibata
  • Publication number: 20170113674
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is equipped with an engine that is connected to a power split mechanism, a generator, an electric motor, and also a stepped transmission that is arranged between the electric motor and a drive shaft. An electronic control unit (an ECU) with which this hybrid vehicle is equipped revises a down line downward to make a downshift likely to occur when at least one of a prescribed generator condition and a prescribed electric motor condition is fulfilled. The generator condition includes that the temperature of the generator is equal to or higher than a first reference temperature and that an absolute value of a rotational speed of the generator decreases due to the making of the downshift. The electric motor condition includes that the temperature of the electric motor is equal to or higher than a third reference temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiko MIYAMOTO, Tateki HANASHIMA, Kenta KUMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20170067557
    Abstract: An electronic control unit is configured to, when the electronic control unit determines that any one of a first condition and a second condition is satisfied, preferentially execute lower limit speed ratio control. The first condition is a condition that, after the electronic control unit starts shift prohibition control, a wheel lock has occurred before a condition for cancelling the shift prohibition control is satisfied. The second condition is a condition that, after the electronic control unit starts the lower limit speed ratio control, a wheel spin has occurred before a condition for cancelling the lower limit speed ratio control is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta KUMAZAKI, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Hideharu NOHARA, Masayuki BABA
  • Patent number: 9562481
    Abstract: In a drive system, a first differential mechanism transmits engine rotation, a second differential mechanism connects the first differential mechanism with drive wheels, and a switching device changes a speed ratio of the first differential mechanism. The second differential mechanism has first, second, and third rotational elements, which connect respectively to the first differential mechanism, a first rotating machine, and a second rotating machine. In a first running condition, the vehicle runs using the second rotating machine as a power source, while differentially operating the first differential mechanism. In a second running condition, the vehicle runs using the second rotating machine as a power source, without differentially operating the first differential mechanism. A region in which the vehicle runs in the second running condition in the case where the engine cannot start by itself is larger than that in the case where the engine can start by itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tooru Matsubara, Kenta Kumazaki, Tatsuya Imamura, Takeshi Kitahata, Yasuhiro Hiasa, Atsushi Tabata
  • Publication number: 20170021817
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle is provided with: an air-fuel ratio determinator configured to determine an air-fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine in a predetermined period until speed change by a transmission is actually performed; and a controller configured to control at least one of the internal combustion engine and an electric motor in such a manner that a possible amount of torque down of the internal combustion engine is increased if the air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine is lean in the predetermined period. By this, it is possible to avoid a detrimental effect, such as a torque shock, deterioration of durability of a friction material, and the like, which can occur in the speed change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta KUMAZAKI, Atsushi TABATA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Tatsuya IMAMURA, Kazuyuki SHIIBA
  • Patent number: 9551400
    Abstract: A power transmission device of a hybrid vehicle includes: a transmission including a planetary mechanism including a plurality of transmission rotational elements, one of the transmission rotational elements being connected to a rotary shaft of an engine; a differential device including a plurality of differential rotational elements including one connected to one of the transmission rotational elements of the transmission, one connected to a rotary shaft of a first rotary machine, and one connected to a rotary shaft of a second rotary machine and a driven wheel; a transmission control device configured to control the transmission; and a control device configured to control the first rotary machine such that pinion differential rotation of the transmission or the differential device is set to be not higher than a predetermined value at a time unique motor EV driving is performed only by power of the second rotary machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Hiasa, Atsushi Tabata, Tooru Matsubara, Tatsuya Imamura, Takeshi Kitahata, Kenta Kumazaki
  • Patent number: 9505399
    Abstract: A vehicle having mounted thereon a differential device including a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier, a first motor generator coupled to the sun gear, a second motor generator coupled to the ring gear, an automatic transmission provided between the ring gear and a drive wheel, an engine coupled to the carrier, and a brake suppressing the rotation of the carrier. The vehicle has a traveling mode that is selected from a first mode in which traveling is performed by using a torque outputted from the first and second motor generators in a state where the brake is engaged, and a second mode in which the traveling is performed by operating the engine in a state where the brake is disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Tooru Matsubara, Kenta Kumazaki, Takeshi Kitahata, Yasuhiro Hiasa, Atsushi Tabata
  • Patent number: 9499053
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes electrical storage devices, a charging device, a motor generator, a diode, an outlet and a relay. The first electrical storage device stores driving electric power. The charging device charges the first electrical storage device with the user of a power supply outside the vehicle. The motor generator has a power generation function. The second electrical storage device stores electric power that is generated by the motor generator. When electric power is output to a device outside the vehicle from the outlet, the relay limits electric power, which is output from the first electrical storage device, such that electric power stored in the second electrical storage device is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Tooru Matsubara, Kenta Kumazaki, Takeshi Kitahata, Yasuhiro Hiasa, Atsushi Tabata