Patents by Inventor Kimio Nishino

Kimio Nishino 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: 8538653
    Abstract: Disclosed is a brake control apparatus which includes a brake booster for augmenting deceleration, and which addresses the problem in conventional brake control apparatuses that deceleration and pedal reaction force depend on driver brake pedal input, and thus the pedal response and the ride comfort from the feeling of deceleration are affected by the manner in which the brake pedal is actuated by the driver. The brake control apparatus comprises a pedal reaction force generation unit for generating a pedal reaction force on the brake pedal, and a brake control unit for controlling the brake force in such a way as to suppress driver brake input fluctuations, wherein the pedal reaction force generation unit suppresses pedal reaction force fluctuations in accordance with specific deceleration and pedal reaction force characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ayumu Miyajima, Masatsugu Arai, Toshiyuki Innami, Kimio Nishino, Norikazu Matsuzaki, Masayuki Kikawa, Makoto Yamakado
  • Patent number: 8506020
    Abstract: A brake control system that enables accurate brake control is provided that precisely detects a master-cylinder pressure and includes a back-up function. The brake control system includes a master-cylinder operated by a brake operation of a driver; a first mechanism that regulates a pressure inside the master-cylinder according to the brake operation amount; a first control apparatus that controls operation of the first mechanism; a second mechanism that regulates communication of the pressure inside the master-cylinder to a wheel-cylinder; and a second control apparatus that controls operation of the second mechanism and operation of a pump apparatus that increases a pressure communicated to the wheel-cylinder. The first and second control apparatuses each have a power supply circuit and CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimio Nishino, Toshiyuki Innami, Norikazu Matsuzaki, Masayuki Kikawa, Takuya Obata, Takayuki Ohno
  • Patent number: 8447487
    Abstract: Disclosed is a brake control system including a plurality of control apparatuses using a brake operation amount detection apparatus and one brake operation amount detection apparatus. The brake control system includes: a master-cylinder pressure control apparatus that controls a master-cylinder pressure based on a brake operation amount; a wheel-cylinder pressure control apparatus that controls a wheel-cylinder pressure of each wheel; and a master-cylinder pressure detection apparatus that detects a signal for calculating the master-cylinder pressure, the master-cylinder pressure control apparatus controls the master-cylinder pressure based on a detection result detected by the master-cylinder pressure detection apparatus, and the wheel-cylinder pressure control apparatus controls the wheel-cylinder pressure based on the detection result detected by the master-cylinder pressure detection apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimio Nishino, Toshiyuki Innami, Norikazu Matsuzaki, Masayuki Kikawa
  • Patent number: 8360532
    Abstract: A brake control system for a vehicle includes a first controller having a first brake operation quantity sensor and a second controller executing a different control from that of the first controller and having a second operation quantity sensor. The second controller may include a master pressure acquisition unit for acquiring a master pressure and a failure detection unit for detecting a failure of the first controller on the basis of the brake operation quantity detected by the second brake operation quantity sensor and the master pressure acquired by the master pressure acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimio Nishino, Toshiyuki Innami, Yuzo Kadomukai, Shingo Nasu
  • Patent number: 8348352
    Abstract: A brake control system includes a master cylinder to produce a master cylinder pressure, a brake booster to assist the master cylinder, a first control unit to control the booster, a hydraulic modulator to supply a wheel cylinder pressure to a wheel cylinder, and a second control unit to control the hydraulic modulator. The hydraulic modulator includes a pressure source, such as a pump, to increase the wheel cylinder pressure. The first and second control units are connected together by a communication line. The brake control system may further include a boost condition transmitting section to transmit, through the communicating line, a condition of a boost system formed by the brake booster and the first control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimio Nishino, Toshiyuki Innami, Kenichiro Matsubara, Toshiharu Sugawara
  • Patent number: 8167383
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus for a vehicle includes: a master cylinder for raising a wheel cylinder pressure according to operation of a brake pedal; a booster for raising the wheel cylinder pressure by operating the master cylinder independently of operation of the brake pedal; a pressure regulator provided with a hydraulic pump for raising the wheel cylinder pressure independently of operation of the master cylinder; and a control section including: a first controller for controlling the booster; and a second controller for controlling the pressure regulator. The control section detects that at least one of the booster and the first controller is in a state of malfunction; selects one of backup modes according to the state of malfunction, wherein the backup modes restrict operation of at least one of the booster and the pressure regulator in different manners; and controls the wheel cylinder pressure in the selected backup mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimio Nishino, Toshiyuki Innami, Kenichiro Matsubara, Toshiharu Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20120091787
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus for a vehicle includes: a master cylinder for raising a wheel cylinder pressure according to operation of a brake pedal; a booster for raising the wheel cylinder pressure by operating the master cylinder independently of operation of the brake pedal; a pressure regulator provided with a hydraulic pump for raising the wheel cylinder pressure independently of operation of the master cylinder; and a control section including: a first controller for controlling the booster; and a second controller for controlling the pressure regulator. The control section detects that at least one of the booster and the first controller is in a state of malfunction; selects one of backup modes according to the state of malfunction, wherein the backup modes restrict operation of at least one of the booster and the pressure regulator in different manners; and controls the wheel cylinder pressure in the selected backup mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Kimio NISHINO, Toshiyuki Innami, Kenichiro Matsubara, Toshiharu Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20110316329
    Abstract: According to the present invention, limited electric power is consumed so as to achieve long-lasting use of electric power during brake control with the use of an auxiliary power supply source when there is a malfunction of a vehicle power supply source. In addition, a brake control device for ensuring responsivenss at the beginning of braking or when emergency braking is necessary is provided. The brake control device of the present invention is a brake control device for detecting electric signals generated depending on the degree of brake-pedal operation and calculating the driver's demanded braking force based on the electric signals so as to generate the demanded braking force, which comprises an auxiliary power supply source for supplying electric power to the brake control device when there is a malfunction of a vehicle power supply source and controls braking deppending on the charged capacity of the auxiliary power supply source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimio Nishino, Toshiyuki Innami, Norikazu Matsuzaki, Masayuki Kikawa, Ayumu Miyajima, Toshiyuki Ajima
  • Publication number: 20110202250
    Abstract: Disclosed is a brake control apparatus which includes a brake booster for augmenting deceleration, and which addresses the problem in conventional brake control apparatuses that deceleration and pedal reaction force depend on driver brake pedal input, and thus the pedal response and the ride comfort from the feeling of deceleration are affected by the manner in which the brake pedal is actuated by the driver. The brake control apparatus comprises a pedal reaction force generation unit for generating a pedal reaction force on the brake pedal, and a brake control unit for controlling the brake force in such a way as to suppress driver brake input fluctuations, wherein the pedal reaction force generation unit suppresses pedal reaction force fluctuations in accordance with specific deceleration and pedal reaction force characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Ayumu Miyajima, Masatsugu Arai, Toshiyuki Innami, Kimio Nishino, Norikazu Matsuzaki, Masayuki Kikawa, Makoto Yamakado
  • Patent number: 7980638
    Abstract: In a brake controller, a slope climbing vehicle stop detecting means determines when the vehicle is stopped while climbing a slope, and a pedal release detecting means determines that the pedal is released. An assist control unit interpolates a decrement in brake fluid pressure in the master cylinder due to an input piston movement caused by a release of a brake pedal. An assist piston is controlled by an electric motor to restore and maintain the fluid pressure within the master cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norikazu Matsuzaki, Toshiyuki Innami, Kimio Nishino, Masayuki Kikawa
  • Patent number: 7973423
    Abstract: In an on-vehicle electric power source system, a power source control device is configured to supply an electric power from an electric power supply source to an actuator by means of a dual-circuit power supply line. The dual-circuit power supply line includes a bypass line and a charge-up line arranged in parallel with the bypass line. A first shut-off circuit is disposed in the bypass line. A booster circuit, an electricity storage device, and a second shut-off circuit are disposed in the charge-up line. The storage device is provided for storing an electric power boosted up by the booster circuit. Also provided is a control unit, which is configured to perform switching between an electric power supply through the bypass line and an electric power supply through the charge-up line by a changeover of a shutoff-circuit established/blocked state between the first and second shut-off circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Innami, Kimio Nishino, Kenichiro Matsubara, Toshiharu Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20110077831
    Abstract: Disclosed is a brake control system including a plurality of control apparatuses using a brake operation amount detection apparatus and one brake operation amount detection apparatus. The brake control system includes: a master-cylinder pressure control apparatus that controls a master-cylinder pressure based on a brake operation amount; a wheel-cylinder pressure control apparatus that controls a wheel-cylinder pressure of each wheel; and a master-cylinder pressure detection apparatus that detects a signal for calculating the master-cylinder pressure, the master-cylinder pressure control apparatus controls the master-cylinder pressure based on a detection result detected by the master-cylinder pressure detection apparatus, and the wheel-cylinder pressure control apparatus controls the wheel-cylinder pressure based on the detection result detected by the master-cylinder pressure detection apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimio NISHINO, Toshiyuki Innami, Norikazu Matsuzaki, Masayuki Kikawa
  • Publication number: 20110073419
    Abstract: In a brake controller, a slope climbing vehicle stop detecting means determines when the vehicle is stopped while climbing a slope, and a pedal release detecting means determines that the pedal is released. An assist control unit interpolates a decrement in brake fluid pressure in the master cylinder due to an input piston movement caused by a release of a brake pedal. An assist piston is controlled by an electric motor to restore and maintain the fluid pressure within the master cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norikazu MATSUZAKI, Toshiyuki Innami, Kimio Nishino, Masayuki Kikawa
  • Publication number: 20110066345
    Abstract: Fluctuations in a braking force and a deceleration during regenerative cooperative control are suppressed. A brake system includes a master pressure generating device 200, a wheel pressure generating device 300, and a regenerative braking device 18 that operate brake calipers 21a to 21d of respective brakes, and a brake control device 100 that control the actuators 200, 300, and 18. The brake control device 100 includes a braking force calculating unit 111 that determines a frictional braking force outputted at the brake calipers 21a to 21d and a regenerative braking force outputted by the regenerative braking device 18, and a communication control unit 112 that outputs braking force signals corresponding to the respective braking forces to the respective actuators 200, 300, and 18. The brake control device 100 controls the braking forces based on a pedal reaction force and a displacement amount of a piston that pressurizes a master cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Nasu, Ayumu Miyajima, Toshiyuki Innami, Kimio Nishino, Kentaro Ueno
  • Publication number: 20110025119
    Abstract: A brake control system that enables accurate brake control is provided that precisely detects a master-cylinder pressure and includes a back-up function. The brake control system includes a master-cylinder operated by a brake operation of a driver; a first mechanism that regulates a pressure inside the master-cylinder according to the brake operation amount; a first control apparatus that controls operation of the first mechanism; a second mechanism that regulates communication of the pressure inside the master-cylinder to a wheel-cylinder; and a second control apparatus that controls operation of the second mechanism and operation of a pump apparatus that increases a pressure communicated to the wheel-cylinder. The first and second control apparatuses each have a power supply circuit and CPU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimio NISHINO, Toshiyuki Innami, Norikazu Matsuzaki, Masayuki Kikawa, Takuya Obata, Takayuki Ohno
  • Publication number: 20100253137
    Abstract: A brake system which can secure quietness in a passenger compartment is provided. A vehicle brake system 1 includes a brake assist device 2 which boosts a pressing force on a brake pedal 5 by drive of a motor 31, and an assist control unit 6 which controls the motor 31. The assist control unit 6 changes responsiveness of the motor 31 in accordance with a vehicle speed, and sets a dead zone amount and a filtering value to large values in a region with a low vehicle speed. Thereby, responsiveness of a boosting operation of the motor 31 to the operation of the brake pedal is made low, and a rotational variation and a vibration are prevented from occurring to the motor 31 by a minute variation of a detection signal of a stroke sensor 14 during low-speed traveling or stoppage of traveling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norikazu MATSUZAKI, Toshiyuki Innami, Kimio Nishino, Ayumu Miyajima, Toshiyuki Ajima, Masayuki Kikawa
  • Publication number: 20100062897
    Abstract: Provided is a brake control apparatus for a vehicle which detects an amount of brake-pedal operation by means of an electric signal, and then calculates a braking force demanded by a driver from the electric signal, and thereby generates the demanded braking force. A control mode for a braking force is switched from a normal control mode to a stationary-vehicle control mode, if a determination that the vehicle is in a stationary state is followed by another determination that an electric signal corresponding to an actual braking force exceeds a command value for a stationary-vehicle braking force while the vehicle is in the stationary state. The control mode for a braking force is switched from the stationary-vehicle control mode to the normal control mode, if it is determined that the demanded braking force becomes smaller than the command value for the stationary-vehicle braking force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimio NISHINO, Toshiyuki Innami, Norikazu Matsuzaki, Shingo Nasu, Ayuma Miyajima
  • Patent number: 7644998
    Abstract: Even in the case that at least one braking force generating function fails, it is possible to secure a maximum braking force as well as suppressing a yaw moment generated on the basis of the failure as much as possible even at a time when whatever braking force is requested, A target braking force to a normal brake apparatus is calculated on the basis of a result of detection by a malfunction detecting portion, in such a manner that a total of braking forces generated in the brake apparatuses in respective wheels becomes as equal as possible to a requested braking force, at a time when a malfunction is generated in the brake apparatus or a braking force control portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimio Nishino, Toshiharu Sugawara, Kenichiro Matsubara, Toshiyuki Innami, Hitoshi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20090236903
    Abstract: A brake control system for a vehicle includes a first controller having a first brake operation quantity sensor and a second controller executing a different control from that of the first controller and having a second operation quantity sensor. The second controller may include a master pressure acquisition unit for acquiring a master pressure and a failure detection unit for detecting a failure of the first controller on the basis of the brake operation quantity detected by the second brake operation quantity sensor and the master pressure acquired by the master pressure acquisition unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimio Nishino, Toshiyuki Innami, Yuzo Kadomukai, Shingo Nasu
  • Publication number: 20090195056
    Abstract: A brake controller for controlling a plurality of actuators for driving braking members of a plurality of brakes is disclosed, where the controller includes a performance setting unit for setting desired performance required of the brakes; a braking force calculating unit for calculating a desired braking force to be produced by each brake; a drive ratio calculating unit for calculating drive ratios at which the actuators operate to achieve the desired performance and to make the plurality of brakes produce a braking force equal to or nearly equal to the desired braking force; and a drive signal output unit for providing the actuators drive signals corresponding to the drive ratios for the actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo NASU, Ayumu MIYAJIMA, Toshiyuki INNAMI, Kimio NISHINO