Patents by Inventor Kojiro Kuramochi
Kojiro Kuramochi 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).
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Patent number: 6396165Abstract: An engine start control system includes a starter and a motor generator capable of starting an engine. The engine start control system further includes a controller that determines the rotational resistance of the crankshaft based on cooling water temperature of the engine or viscosity of the engine oil, and then selects the starting mode of the engine by a starter motor and a motor generator based on the determination. Consequently, the startability of the engine is improved according to the state of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1999Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shuji Nagano, Kojiro Kuramochi, Atsushi Tabata, Hatsuo Nakao
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Patent number: 6344008Abstract: A hybrid vehicle comprises: a first driving force source; a transmission for transmitting the torque of the first driving force source therethrough to wheels; a second driving force source; and a torque transmitting route interposed between the driving force source and the wheels for inputting the torque of the second driving force source. The hybrid vehicle further comprises a torque adding route for synthesizing the torque outputted from the transmission and the torque transmitted from the second driving force source, to output the synthesized torque to an output member.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2000Date of Patent: February 5, 2002Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shuji Nagano, Kojiro Kuramochi
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Patent number: 6093974Abstract: A control device for restarting an engine is configured to engage a forward clutch of an automatic transmission quickly, with little shock and without involving a special cost for restarting the engine. When the engine is restarted, a way for supplying an oil is changed in accordance with a leaving amount of an oil from an oil passage with respect to the forward clutch of the automatic transmission or an oil temperature. A time for executing a quick pressure increase control and a control target pressure is changed in accordance with a leaving amount of the oil or the oil temperature. Further, the quick pressure increase control is started at a timing when an engine revolution (a rotational speed of an oil pump) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1999Date of Patent: July 25, 2000Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Atsushi Tabata, Kojiro Kuramochi, Shuji Nagano, Shogo Matsumoto
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Patent number: 6055879Abstract: A hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission of multiple clutch type, in which a switchover valve (2 in FIG. 4) for switching-over clutch control pressures includes two spool valvules (4 and 6). When one of two clutches (C1 and C2) is supplied with the clutch control pressure and is held in engagement, the spool valvules (4 and 6) operate to cut off the supply of the clutch control pressure for the other clutch to-be-disengaged and to hold the engagement of one clutch to-be-engaged. Thus, even when the supply source (12 or 14) of the clutch control pressure has failed, the clutches (C1 and C2) are prevented from coming into multiple engagement.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1997Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akiharu Abe, Kojiro Kuramochi, Masafumi Kinoshita, Ryoji Habuchi
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Patent number: 6048288Abstract: In an economy running mode, auxiliary machines are operated by a motor generator in a state where the engine is stopped so as to reduce electric power consumption. The motor generator, the engine and the auxiliary machines are connected through pulleys and belts. Moreover, a clutch is provided for switching enabling/disabling of power transmission between the motor generator and the engine. A battery is connected to the motor generator through an inverter. When the engine is stopped, the clutch is disengaged and the auxiliary machines are operated by the motor generator.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1998Date of Patent: April 11, 2000Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Tsujii, Hatsuo Nakao, Shuji Nagano, Kojiro Kuramochi, Yasuki Nakagawa
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Patent number: 6008545Abstract: An apparatus including motor/generator whose axis is spaced from and parallel to engine crankshaft, 3-elements type input and output mechanism disposed coaxially with the motor/generator and having first rotary element connected to the crankshaft, second rotary element connected to output shaft of the motor/generator, and third rotary element, and first and second one-way clutches associated with the input and output mechanism, which is arranged such that speed V1 of forward rotation of the first rotary element by engine is reduced when the second rotary element is rotated forward with the third rotary element held stationary.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1998Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shuji Nagano, Kojiro Kuramochi, Hatsuo Nakao, Hiroshi Tsujii
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Patent number: 5851164Abstract: In a hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission of multiple clutch type for use in a motor vehicle, a shift valve which inverts the supply and cutoff of working oil for a hydraulic actuator serving to change-over gear shift stages is provided with a spool valvule and a clutch-oil-pressure supply port (as shown in FIG. 1). Even when a solenoid valve for controlling the shift valve has failed, a clutch oil pressure is supplied from the clutch-oil-pressure supply port so as to hold the switchover position of the spool valvule and to keep the gear shift stage already established. Thus, the hydraulic control system prevents an engine speed from rising or the motor vehicle from locking due to the failure of the solenoid valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 1997Date of Patent: December 22, 1998Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ryoji Habuchi, Kojiro Kuramochi, Masafumi Kinoshita, Akiharu Abe
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Patent number: 5720203Abstract: A twin-clutch-type transmission, which has a general input shaft, a first clutch connected with a first clutch output shaft, a second clutch connected with a second clutch output shaft, a sub shaft, and a general output shaft disposed parallel to the first clutch output shaft and the second clutch output shaft, is improved to effectively use the space around the sub shaft. A first gear connected to the first clutch output shaft and a second gear connected to the sub shaft associatingly interlock the sub shaft and the first clutch output shaft while being meshed to each other. A fifth gear and a sixth gear disposed on the general output shaft are respectively meshed with the third gear and the fourth gear which are connected to the second clutch output shaft and selectively connected to the general output shaft with a first synchronizing device disposed on the general output shaft, and interlock the second clutch output shaft and the general output shaft in association with the third gear and the fourth gear.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1996Date of Patent: February 24, 1998Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Atsushi Honda, Hirofumi Nakada, Masafumi Kinoshita, Kojiro Kuramochi
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Patent number: 5696680Abstract: A drive system for an electric motor vehicle, for transmitting a rotary motion of an electric motor to a drive wheel through a speed reducing device, the system including a clutch device clutch for connection and disconnection between the electric motor and the drive wheel, a shift lever having a drive position and a neutral position, and a clutch operating mechanism which operatively connects the shift lever and the clutch device such that the clutch device is placed in its connecting and disconnecting positions when the shift lever is operated to the drive and neutral positions, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1993Date of Patent: December 9, 1997Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Eiji Ichioka, Kinya Yoshii, Takeharu Koide, Kojiro Kuramochi, Koichi Tanaka
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Patent number: 5457363Abstract: A driving-force regulating apparatus for an electric vehicle, including a first device which regulates, when the accelerator is operated, an output torque of the electric motor to a running torque corresponding to (A1) an operation amount of the accelerator and (A2) a rotation speed of the motor; a second device which regulates, when the vehicle satisfies a predetermined condition, the output torque of the electric motor to a creep torque corresponding to (B) one or more conditions of the vehicle; and a third device which regulates, when the accelerator is operated after termination of the creep torque regulation, the output torque of the motor to an after-creep torque corresponding to (B) the one or more conditions of the vehicle, (C1) an after-creep operation amount of the accelerator, and (C2) an after-creep rotation speed of the electric motor, the third device regulating the output torque of the motor such that the after-creep torque is different from a running torque to which the output torque of the moType: GrantFiled: January 24, 1994Date of Patent: October 10, 1995Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kinya Yoshii, Takeharu Koide, Eiji Ichioka, Koichi Tanaka, Kojiro Kuramochi
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Patent number: 5443130Abstract: A drive system for an electric motor vehicle, including a differential gear device including an input element connected to an electric motor and two output elements from which the motor power received by the input element is distributed to a first wheel drive member and an intermediate shaft which extends through a hollow output shaft of the motor and is connected to a second wheel drive member, wherein the first drive member and intermediate shaft have splined end portions which engage splined center bores of the two output elements of the differential gear device, and a stop member is provided on one of the two output members, so as to protrude into at least one of the first and second center bores, such that the end faces of the end portions of the first drive member and intermediate shafts are abuttable on the opposite ends of the stop member, whereby a transverse thrust force applied to the drive members is received by the stop member.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1993Date of Patent: August 22, 1995Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koichi Tanaka, Kinya Yoshii, Eiji Ichioka, Takeharu Koide, Kojiro Kuramochi
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Patent number: 5172799Abstract: A centrifugal hydraulic cancel mechanism for the rotating clutch in which a first cylindrical body and a second cylindrical body whose diameter is smaller than the first cylindrical body are set on a same central axis, frictional plates are attached to an inner surface of the first cylindrical body and an outer surface of the second cylindrical body, which transmit torque with their friction, a piston is arranged to move forward and backward to the frictional plates, a fluid chamber is formed on the opposite side of the piston in respect to the frictional plates, and a cancel chamber is formed at an opposite side to the fluid chamber in respect to the piston, where oil pressure can be supplied and discharged, comprises an auxiliary oil chamber formed closer to the central axis than the cancel chamber, and a fluid passageway connecting the cancel chamber and the auxiliary oil chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1992Date of Patent: December 22, 1992Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshihiro Iijima, Tokuyuki Takahashi, Kojiro Kuramochi, Mikio Mori, Norihiro Kitamura, Yuji Yasuda
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Patent number: 4982809Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling a 4-wheel drive system of a motor vehicle having front wheels and rear wheels and a power transmission. The 4-wheel drive system includes a differential control clutch having input and output elements which are rotatable relative to each other with a controlled amount of engagement therebetween, so as to control a ratio of distribution of a torque from the power transmission to front and rear wheels. When it is determined that the power transmission is commanded to be shifted from a first gear position to a second gear position whose speed ratio is different from that of the first gear position, the differential control clutch is temporarily placed in a fully disengaged position thereof for a predetermined time duration. With the clutch placed in the fully disengaged position upon each shifting operation of the transmission to the second gear position, the separated friction surfaces of the clutch may be lubricated to maintain high durability of the clutch.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1988Date of Patent: January 8, 1991Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasunari Nakamura, Kojiro Kuramochi, Teruo Akashi
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Patent number: 4509391Abstract: In a hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission for vehicles having a pump being driven by the engine of the vehicle for generating a pressure of pressurized fluid in the hydraulic control system, and a pressure regulator valve for regulating the pressure of pressurized fluid supplied from the pump in keeping with an input signal pressure varying in accordance with the cruising condition of the vehicle, a pressure relief valve is provided in the input fluid passage of the regulator valve for relieving the pressure when the input signal pressure exceeds a predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1981Date of Patent: April 9, 1985Assignees: Aisin Warner Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koji Sumiya, Kojiro Kuramochi
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Patent number: 4241622Abstract: An automatic transmission with overdrive, including: a torque converter; a torque converter housing; an oil pump; an overdrive gear mechanism; an overdrive case; an underdrive gear mechanism; a transmission case; and an oil pan. In this automatic transmission, the overdrive gear mechanism is positioned between the torque converter and the underdrive gear mechanism. An exhaust passage is positioned in a lower portion of the overdrive case in side-by-side relationship to an intake passage adapted to introduce oil from the oil pan to the oil pump. As a result, oil is circulated from the oil pump to the hydraulic control device, then to the underdrive gear mechanism and the overdrive gear mechanism and then to the oil pan back to the oil pump.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1977Date of Patent: December 30, 1980Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Seitoku Kubo, Kojiro Kuramochi, Hiroshi Ito
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Patent number: 4098143Abstract: A breathing system for an automatic transmission including a fluid torque converter, an oil pump, an overdrive means and an auxiliary gear means each having its own housing and being air-tightly connected with each other in series in said order, the system including a passage extending through the housings of the oil pump, the overdrive means and the auxiliary gear means for releasing the internal space confined in the assembly of the housings to the atmosphere, the passage including a loop portion at a middle portion thereof including two parallel passages, one being located at a lower gravity potential level than the other.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1977Date of Patent: July 4, 1978Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Seitoku Kubo, Kojiro Kuramochi, Yoshio Shindo
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Patent number: 4063468Abstract: A change-speed gear system for use in an automatic transmission, which includes a center output shaft, hollow input and intermediate shafts coaxially disposed around the center output shaft, first and second planetary gear mechanisms, first and second selectively actuatable clutches, and first and second selectively actuatable brakes.Sun gears of the two planetary gear mechanisms are secured to the intermediate shaft while the planetary carrier and the ring gear respectively of the first and second planetary gear mechanisms are secured to the output shaft.Driving portions of the two clutches are coupled to the input shaft while drivable portions of the first and second clutches are respectively coupled to the ring gear of the first planetary gear mechanism and to the intermediate shaft. Movable portions of the first and second brakes are respectively coupled to the intermediate shaft and to the planetary carrier of the second planetary gear mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1976Date of Patent: December 20, 1977Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kojiro Kuramochi, Kazuaki Watanabe, Kiyoshi Onuma
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Patent number: 4056988Abstract: A driving system acting in conjunction with a motor vehicle having a torque convertor coaxially coupled to the output shaft of the engine, and transfer means having a driving gear coaxially coupled to the output shaft of the overdrive means and a driven gear coupled to its driving gear. Overdrive means having a planetary gear mechanism are coaxially coupled to the output shaft of the torque convertor, and include an output shaft coupled to the driving gear of the transfer means. An automatic transmission is coaxially coupled to the driven gear of the transfer means and includes a planetary mechanism and friction engaging means to provide the desired mode of operation. A differential gear having a driving gear coupled to the output shaft of the automatic transmission drives the motor vehicle. The automatic transmission is positioned below the overdrive means.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1976Date of Patent: November 8, 1977Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Seitoku Kubo, Kojiro Kuramochi, Kunio Morisawa, Kiyoshi Ohnuma
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Patent number: 4033146Abstract: A governor supporting assembly is adapted to serve also as coupling means between a first shaft, which may be the output shaft of the automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, and a second shaft while also mounting the governor for rotation jointly with said first shaft. A governor housing has secured thereto a cylindrical extension member arranged for engagement around portions of the coupled shafts. External axially extending splines formed on the engaging portions of the shafts are adapted to mesh with internal axially extending splines formed on the cylindrical extension member. A retaining or clip ring is fitted in annular grooves defined in both the externally splined surfaces of either of the shafts and in the internally splined surface of the cylindrical extension member in order to prevent relative axial movement of the engaged shaft with respect to the cylindrical extension member of the governor housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1976Date of Patent: July 5, 1977Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kojiro Kuramochi, Yutaka Taga