Patents by Inventor Kunihiro Iwatsuki

Kunihiro Iwatsuki 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: 20100197454
    Abstract: A slippage detection system for a continuously variable transmission capable of continuously changing a gear ratio between an input rotation speed of an input member and an output rotation speed of an output member is provided. The slippage detection system compares a difference between an actual gear ratio calculated from measurement values of the input rotation speed and the output rotation speed and a target gear ratio with a predetermined reference value, and determines slippage in the continuously variable transmission when the difference exceeds the reference value at least a predetermined number of times in a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiro IWATSUKI, Kazumi Hoshiya, Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Yasunori Nakawaki, Hiroyuki Yamaguchi, Hiroyuki Nishizawa, Hideyuki Suzuki, Masataka Osawa
  • Patent number: 7734404
    Abstract: A deceleration control apparatus for a vehicle including a controller that performs deceleration control based on a first target deceleration set based on a distance to a starting point of an upcoming curve, when the deceleration control for the curve is started at a position distant from the starting point of the curve; and that performs the deceleration control based on a second target deceleration set based on a lateral acceleration that is estimated to be detected when the vehicle passes the starting point of the curve, when the deceleration control for the curve is started at a position close to the starting point of the curve. With this apparatus, it is possible to perform the deceleration control that provides drive assist according to the intention of the driver and that enhances driving convenience for the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shiiba, Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Yukihiro Ikeda, Masayoshi Hoshino, Akira Matsui
  • Patent number: 7666110
    Abstract: A control system of a power transmission mechanism, in which a transmission torque capacity between transmission members varies according to a pressure to be applied to the transmission members and in which the pressure to be applied to the transmission members is controlled on the basis of such a slip condition between the transmission members as accompanies the lowering of the pressure. The control system comprises: a pressure lowering device for lowering the pressure by a preset value; and a pressure setter for setting the pressure, in case the slip between the transmission members is not detected even by lowering the pressure by a preset value with the pressure lowering device, on the basis of the lowered minimum value of the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Yasunori Nakawaki, Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Kazumi Hoshiya, Takayuki Amaya
  • Publication number: 20090216415
    Abstract: A drive power control apparatus for a vehicle includes a controller that adjusts the drive power for driving a vehicle to compensate for a parameter that affects the running state of the vehicle. When the vehicle enters a region where the acceleration of the vehicle needs to be changed based on the running environment or when the vehicle is traveling in the region in which the acceleration of the vehicle needs to be changed based on the running environment, the controller makes the amount by which the drive power is adjusted less than the amount by which the drive power is adjusted when the vehicle is traveling in a region other than the region in which the acceleration of the vehicle needs to be changed based on the running environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Shinya Iizuka
  • Patent number: 7469178
    Abstract: A deceleration control apparatus and method for a vehicle, which performs deceleration control on the vehicle by an operation of a brake system which applies a braking force to the vehicle and a shift operation which shifts a transmission of the vehicle into a relatively low speed or speed ratio, performs the shift operation and the operation of the brake system such that a target deceleration set based on a curvature or curvature radius of a curve in a road ahead of the vehicle, a distance to the curve, and a vehicle speed, acts on the vehicle. As a result, a desired deceleration according to the distance to the curve is able to be applied to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shiiba, Kunihiro Iwatsuki
  • Patent number: 7427254
    Abstract: A declaration control apparatus and method for a vehicle, which performs deceleration control such that a deceleration acting on the vehicle becomes equal to a target deceleration by an operation of a brake system which applies a braking force to the vehicle and a shift operation which shifts a transmission of the vehicle into a relatively low speed or speed ratio, increases the target deceleration over time at a predetermined gradient to a predetermined value when a determination that there is a need to shift the transmission into a relatively low speed or speed ratio has been made, and after the target deceleration reaches the predetermined value, maintains the target deceleration at a generally constant value. As a result, a deceleration transitional characteristic of the vehicle is able to be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Kazuyuki Shiiba
  • Patent number: 7400964
    Abstract: In a deceleration control method for a vehicle, by which deceleration control of the vehicle is performed based on a distance between the vehicle had an obstacle including a preceding vehicle ahead of the vehicle, a target deceleration at which the vehicle is to be decelerated is obtained based on the distance; a speed or speed ratio that will apply a deceleration equal to, or less than, the target deceleration to the vehicle is selected as the speed or speed ratio of a transmission of the vehicle during a shift operation; and the deceleration control is executed by an operation of a brake system which applies a braking force to the vehicle and a shift operation which shifts the transmission of the vehicle into a relatively low speed or speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shiiba, Kunihiro Iwatsuki
  • Publication number: 20080146413
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program for implementing a method that includes: a step of performing control so that torque capacity Tch of a frictional engagement device that is brought from an engaged state by a downshift operation is gradually reduced to start an inertia phase when a power-on downshift is performed; and a step of stopping the gradual reduction of the torque capacity Tch when the rate of change in an input shaft rotation speed NI of an automatic transmission has reached a desired rate of change ?N(1). Variation in output torque is kept small, and the shock that can occur at the time of a shift is thus reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Takaaki Tokura
  • Patent number: 7300380
    Abstract: A cooperative control system for a prime mover and a continuously variable transmission of a vehicle, in which the continuously variable transmission is connected to an output side of the prime mover for generating a driving force for running, and in which a clamping pressure to set a torque capacity of the continuously variable transmission is raised and an input torque to the continuously variable transmission is lowered on the basis of a decision of the slip in the continuously variable transmission. A clamping pressure/input torque sequential control raises an actual pressure of the clamping pressure at or after a deciding instant of the slip convergence, and executes a control to complete a restoration of an actual torque of the lowered input torque afterward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Takayuki Amaya
  • Patent number: 7294075
    Abstract: A belt clamping pressure setting device includes: a belt clamping pressure setting unit that sets a belt clamping pressure of a continuously variable transmission that includes an input-side pulley, an output-side pulley, and a belt running between the input-side pulley and the out-side pulley; an input revolution detection sensor that detects a number of input revolutions of the input-side pulley; an output revolution detection sensor that detects a number of output revolutions of the output-side pulley; an input torque detection unit that detects an input torque to the input-side pulley; a reference clamping pressure computing unit that computes a reference clamping pressure, based on the number of input revolutions detected by the input revolution detection sensor, the number of output revolutions detected by the output revolution detection sensor, and the input torque detected by the input torque detection unit; and a belt clamping pressure computing unit that computes the belt clamping pressure to be set
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yamaguchi, Hiroyuki Nishizawa, Hideyuki Suzuki, Masataka Osawa, Kunihiro Iwatsuki
  • Patent number: 7188717
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a power train including a continuously variable transmission and a clutch arranged in series with the continuously variable transmission is provided in which an engaging pressure of the clutch is first reduced until a slip occurs, and is then increased after detection of the slip so as to re-engage the clutch, and an engaging pressure of the clutch to be established is calculated by giving an excess pressure to the engaging pressure at which the clutch is re-engaged, such that an excess amount of the transmitted torque of the clutch is set smaller than that of the continuously variable transmission. The control apparatus is adapted to determine a learned value as a correction value of the engaging pressure that is set in advance in accordance with an input torque applied to the clutch, based on the engaging pressure calculated by giving the excess pressure to the engaging pressure at which the clutch is re-engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumi Hoshiya, Yasunori Nakawaki, Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Yasuhiro Oshiumi
  • Patent number: 7189184
    Abstract: The control system comprises: an operating state changing mechanism for an operating state of the prime mover in response to a satisfaction of learning execution condition of the clamping pressure; a torque change suppressing mechanism for suppressing a change in a torque resulting from the change in the operating state of the prime mover; and a clamping pressure learning device for learning the clamping pressure in the operating state of the prime mover after the change, while the operating state of the prime mover is being changed and the change in the torque resulting from the change in the operating state of the prime mover is being suppressed by the torque change suppressing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Takayuki Amaya
  • Publication number: 20070032341
    Abstract: In a driving force control apparatus and a driving force control method, a curve ahead of a vehicle is detected; a target vehicle speed is set to pass the curve; a starting-point shift speed is set to pass the starting point of the curve; and an end-point shift speed is set to pass the end point of the curve. After a shift speed is changed to the starting-point shift speed, it is determined whether an additional engine brake is required at the starting-point shift speed. If it is determined that the engine brake is not required, the shift speed is changed to the end-point shift speed. Alternatively, if a vehicle speed is lower than or equal to a value corresponding to the target vehicle speed after the shift speed is changed to the starting-point shift speed, the shift speed is changed to the end-point shift speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shiiba, Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Shinya Iizuka
  • Publication number: 20060234828
    Abstract: A cooperative control system for a prime mover and a continuously variable transmission of a vehicle, in which the continuously variable transmission is connected to an output side of the prime mover for generating a driving force for running, and in which a clamping pressure to set a torque capacity of the continuously variable transmission is raised and an input torque to the continuously variable transmission is lowered on the basis of a decision of the slip in the continuously variable transmission. A clamping pressure/input torque sequential control raises an actual pressure of the clamping pressure at or after a deciding instant of the slip convergence, and executes a control to complete a restoration of an actual torque of the lowered input torque afterward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Takayuki Amaya
  • Publication number: 20060190158
    Abstract: A deceleration control apparatus for a vehicle including a controller that performs deceleration control based on a first target deceleration set based on a distance to a starting point of an upcoming curve, when the deceleration control for the curve is started at a position distant from the starting point of the curve; and that performs the deceleration control based on a second target deceleration set based on a lateral acceleration that is estimated to be detected when the vehicle passes the starting point of the curve, when the deceleration control for the curve is started at a position close to the starting point of the curve. With this apparatus, it is possible to perform the deceleration control that provides drive assist according to the intention of the driver and that enhances driving convenience for the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shiiba, Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Yukihiro Ikeda, Masayoshi Hoshino, Akira Matsui
  • Publication number: 20060183581
    Abstract: A slippage detection system for a continuously variable transmission capable of continuously changing a ratio between a speed of rotation of an input member and a speed of rotation of an output member is provided. The slippage detection system calculates a correlation coefficient relating to the input rotation speed and the output rotation speed, based on a plurality of measurement values of the input rotation speed and a plurality of measurement values of the output rotation speed, and determines slippage of the torque transmitting member in the continuously variable transmission based on the calculated correlation coefficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Kazumi Hoshiya, Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Hiroyuki Yamaguchi, Hiroyuki Nishizawa, Hideyuki Suzuki, Masataka Osawa
  • Publication number: 20060030992
    Abstract: With a deceleration control apparatus and method for a vehicle, which performs deceleration control of a vehicle based on at least a road inclination when a driver's intention to decelerate the vehicle is detected, at least one of a deceleration applied to the vehicle and a threshold used in performing the deceleration control is changed based on a change of a road inclination of a to-be-taken road located ahead of a cruising road on which the vehicle is presently running or will run soon with respect to a road inclination of the cruising road, the change corresponding to a downhill inclination with respect to the cruising road.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Kazuyuki Shiiba
  • Patent number: 6974009
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a power train including a continuously variable transmission and a clutch arranged in series with the continuously variable transmission is provided in which an engaging pressure of the clutch is first reduced until a slip occurs, and is then increased after detection of the slip so as to re-engage the clutch, and an engaging pressure of the clutch to be established is calculated by giving an excess pressure to the engaging pressure at which the clutch is re-engaged, such that an excess amount of the transmitted torque of the clutch is set smaller than that of the continuously variable transmission. The control apparatus is adapted to determine a learned value as a correction value of the engaging pressure that is set in advance in accordance with an input torque applied to the clutch, based on the engaging pressure calculated by giving the excess pressure to the engaging pressure at which the clutch is re-engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumi Hoshiya, Yasunori Nakawaki, Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Yasuhiro Oshiumi
  • Publication number: 20050267665
    Abstract: There is provided a deceleration control system for a vehicle, in which a braking force is applied to a vehicle by a braking device when a determination that a shift speed or a gear ratio of a transmission of a vehicle is changed to a shift speed or a gear ratio for a relatively low vehicle speed is made. Control is performed such that a deceleration (Gt), which is applied to the vehicle by activating the braking device and performing a shift operation for changing the shift speed or the gear ratio of the transmission of the vehicle to the shift speed or the gear ratio for the relatively low vehicle speed, becomes larger than a deceleration (402max), which is applied to the vehicle by only performing the shift operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Kazuyuki Shiiba
  • Publication number: 20050234626
    Abstract: A target deceleration for running on a curved road ahead of a vehicle is obtained, based on a driver's intention which is input or estimated, and a driver's driving skill level which is input or estimated; and deceleration control is performed so that deceleration applied to the vehicle becomes equal to the target deceleration. In a case where the driver's intention is to cause the vehicle to respond to driving operation relatively quickly, the target deceleration may be set to a relatively small value; and in a case where the driving skill level is relatively high, the target deceleration is set to a relatively small value. Further, the target deceleration is decided based on a state of a road where the vehicle runs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shiiba, Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Shinya Iizuka