Patents by Inventor Masaki Matsunaga

Masaki Matsunaga 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: 20150307102
    Abstract: A running control device of a vehicle includes an engine, a connecting/disconnecting device separating the engine and wheels, and a transmission transmitting power of the engine toward the wheels, the running control device being configured to execute a normal running-mode performed by using the power of the engine with the engine and the wheels coupled, a free-run inertia running-mode that is performed by separating the engine and the wheels and stopping the engine during running, and a neutral inertia running-mode that is a performed by separating the engine and the wheels and operating the engine in a self-sustaining manner during running, the running control device setting a gear ratio of the transmission on a low vehicle speed side in the case of return from the free-run inertia running-mode to the normal running-mode as compared to the case of return from the neutral inertia running-mode to the normal running-mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki MITSUYASU, Jonggap KIM, Rentaro KUROKI, Takuya HIRAI, Masaki MATSUNAGA, Yasunari KIDO, Takeaki SUZUKI, Takayuki KOGURE, Yukari OKAMURA, Akihiro SATO, Yusuke KINOSHITA
  • Publication number: 20150300274
    Abstract: A running control device of a vehicle includes an engine with a plurality of cylinders, a clutch connecting/disconnecting a power transmission path between the engine and wheels, a fuel pump transferring fuel toward an injector, and a fuel pressure control device controlling a fuel pressure in a transfer path of the fuel. The running control device of a vehicle performs a neutral inertia running mode performed with the power transmission path between the engine and the wheels disconnected, and a cylinder resting inertia running mode performed by resting at least a part of the cylinders of the engine with the power transmission path between the engine and the wheels connected, the fuel pressure during the neutral inertia running mode being made higher than the fuel pressure during the cylinder resting inertia running mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Rentaro KUROKI, Takuya HIRAI, Masaki MITSUYASU, Jonggap KIM, Masaki MATSUNAGA, Yasunari KIDO, Takeaki SUZUKI, Takayuki KOGURE, Yukari OKAMURA, Akihiro SATO, Yusuke KINOSHITA
  • Publication number: 20150298701
    Abstract: A running control device has an engine coupling running mode enabling an engine brake running mode performed by coupling an engine and wheels with an engine brake applied by driven rotation of the engine, and an inertia running mode performed with an engine brake force lower than that of the engine brake running mode. The running control device includes a steering wheel steering angle as a condition of terminating the inertia running mode. The running control device performs a first inertia running mode with the rotation of the engine stopped and a second inertia running mode with the engine rotating. The first inertia running mode is terminated when the steering angle becomes equal to or greater than a predefined first determination value. The second inertia running mode is terminated when the steering angle becomes equal to or greater than a predefined second determination value larger than the first determination value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeaki SUZUKI, Masaki MATSUNAGA, Yasunari KIDO, Takayuki KOGURE, Yukari OKAMURA, Rentaro KUROKI, Takuya HIRAI, Masaki MITSUYASU, Jonggap KIM, Akihiro SATO, Yusuke KINOSHITA
  • Publication number: 20150298700
    Abstract: A running control device of a vehicle includes an engine with cylinders, a clutch connecting/disconnecting a power transmission path between the engine and wheels, and a variable mechanism to vary an intake air amount sucked into the cylinders. The running control device performs a normal running mode by transmitting engine drive force to the wheels, a neutral inertia running mode by disconnecting the power transmission path between the engine and the wheels, and a cylinder resting inertia running mode by resting at least a part of the cylinders while the power transmission path between the engine and the wheels is connected. The running control device makes the intake air amount sucked into the cylinders larger at the time of return from the neutral inertia running mode to the normal running mode as compared to the case of return from the cylinder resting inertia running mode to the normal running mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Rentaro KUROKI, Takuya HIRAI, Masaki MITSUYASU, Jonggap KIM, Masaki MATSUNAGA, Yasunari KIDO, Takeaki SUZUKI, Takayuki KOGURE, Yukari OKAMURA, Akihiro SATO, Yusuke KINOSHITA
  • Publication number: 20150298698
    Abstract: A running control device of a vehicle includes an engine with a plurality of cylinders and a clutch separating the engine and wheels, the running control device of a vehicle controls and supplies the clutch a line pressure acquired by adjusting an output oil pressure of an oil pump, the running control device of a vehicle is configured to execute a neutral inertia running mode that is an inertia running mode performed while the engine and the wheels are separated and a cylinder resting inertia running mode performed by stopping operation in at least a part of the cylinders of the engine while the engine and the wheels are coupled, the line pressure is low while the neutral inertia running mode is performed as compared to while the cylinder resting inertia running mode is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jonggap KIM, Masaki MITSUYASU, Rentaro KUROKI, Takuya HIRAI, Masaki MATSUNAGA, Yasunari KIDO, Takeaki SUZUKI, Takayuki KOGURE, Yukari OKAMURA, Akihiro SATO, Yusuke KINOSHITA
  • Publication number: 20150291165
    Abstract: A running control device of a vehicle including an engine, a connecting/disconnecting device separating the engine and wheels, and a transmission transmitting power of the engine toward the wheels, the running control device of a vehicle being configured to execute a normal running mode performed by using the power of the engine with the engine and the wheels coupled, a free-run inertia running mode that is an inertia running mode performed by separating the engine and the wheels and stopping the engine during running, and a neutral inertia running mode that is an inertia running mode performed by separating the engine and the wheels and operating the engine in a self-sustaining manner during running, the running control device of a vehicle setting a gear ratio of the transmission on a high vehicle speed side in the case of return from the free-run inertia running mode to the normal running mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki MITSUYASU, Jonggap KIM, Rentaro KUROKI, Takuya HIRAI, Masaki MATSUNAGA, Yasunari KIDO, Takeaki SUZUKI, Takayuki KOGURE, Yukari OKAMURA, Akihiro SATO, Yusuke KINOSHITA
  • Publication number: 20150291171
    Abstract: A running control device of a vehicle executes a normal running mode with an engine coupled to drive wheels, a first inertia running mode with the engine stopped during running and an engine brake force reduced as compared to the normal running mode, and a second inertia running mode with the engine rotating during running and the engine brake force reduced as compared to the normal running mode. A determining portion determines a necessity of a brake negative pressure during the first or second inertia running mode. The necessity of the brake negative pressure is a condition for returning from the first inertia running mode and the second inertia running mode to the normal running mode. An upper limit value of the necessity of the brake negative pressure for returning from the first inertia running mode is smaller than that for returning from the second inertia running mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Rentaro Kuroki, Takuya Hirai, Masaki Mitsuyasu, Jonggap Kim, Masaki Matsunaga, Yasunari Kido, Takeaki Suzuki, Takayuki Kogure, Yukari Okamura, Akihiro Sato, Yusuke Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 9157382
    Abstract: An idle reduction control device mounted on a vehicle equipped with an engine and a brake including: a detector that detects a parameter having a positive correlation to an amount of brake operation; and an engine controller that controls a start and a stop of the engine. The engine controller stops the engine after a stop of the vehicle, when a change of the parameter caused by a release of the brake is equal to or greater than a predetermined value during a deceleration period before the stop of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Matsunaga, Junichi Morimura, Yasunari Kido
  • Publication number: 20150284004
    Abstract: A running control device of a vehicle includes an engine, a clutch separating the engine and wheels, and a torque converter with a lockup clutch transmitting power of the engine toward the wheels, the running control device of a vehicle is configured to execute a neutral inertia running mode that is an inertia running mode performed while the engine and the wheels are separated and a cylinder resting inertia running mode performed by stopping operation in at least some of cylinders of the engine while the engine and the wheels are coupled, the lockup clutch has a weak engagement force while the neutral inertia running mode is performed as compared to while the cylinder resting inertia running mode is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Jonggap Kim, Masaki Mitsuyasu, Rentaro Kuroki, Takuya Hirai, Masaki Matsunaga, Yasunari Kido, Takeaki Suzuki, Takayuki Kogure, Yukari Okamura, Akihiro Sato, Yusuke Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20150274168
    Abstract: A running control device of a vehicle including an engine, a brake operation member, and a brake booster, is configured to execute an engine brake running mode performed with the engine coupled to wheels and an inertia running mode performed with an engine brake force made lower than that in the engine brake running mode. The running control device executes first and second inertia running modes. The first inertia running mode is terminated when a brake request amount becomes equal to or greater than a predefined first determination value while the first inertia running mode is performed. The second inertia running mode is terminated and a return to the engine brake running mode is made when the brake request amount becomes equal to or greater than a predefined second determination value larger than the first determination value while the second inertia running mode is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Rentaro Kuroki, Takuya Hirai, Masaki Mitsuyasu, Jonggap Kim, Masaki Matsunaga, Takeaki Suzuki, Takayuki Kogure, Yukari Okamura, Akihiro Sato, Yusuke Kinoshita, Yasunari Kido
  • Publication number: 20150274166
    Abstract: A running control device of a vehicle includes an engine with a plurality of cylinders, and a clutch connecting/disconnecting a power transmission path between the engine and wheels, the running control device of a vehicle performing during an inertia running mode a neutral inertia running mode performed with the power transmission path between the engine and the wheels disconnected while the engine is kept operated, and a cylinder resting inertia running mode performed by resting at least a part of the cylinders of the engine while the power transmission path between the engine and the wheels is connected, the running control device of a vehicle increasing an operation region of performing the neutral inertia running mode in an operation region of performing the inertia running mode when idle learning performed in an idle operation state of the engine is incomplete, as compared to after completion of the idle learning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya HIRAI, Rentaro KUROKI, Masaki MITSUYASU, Jonggap KIM, Masaki MATSUNAGA, Yasunari KIDO, Takeaki SUZUKI, Takayuki KOGURE, Yukari OKAMURA, Akihiro SATO, Yusuke KINOSHITA
  • Publication number: 20150266480
    Abstract: A running control device is configured to execute an engine coupling running mode performed with an engine and wheels connected by a connecting/disconnecting device, a neutral inertia running mode performed with the engine separated from the wheels by the connecting/disconnecting device while the engine is supplied with fuel and allowed to perform self-sustaining rotation, and a free-run inertia running mode performed with the engine separated from the wheels by the connecting/disconnecting device while fuel supply to the engine is stopped to stop rotation. The neutral inertia running mode is terminated when an operation amount of the accelerator pedal becomes equal to or greater than a predefined first determination value. The free-run inertia running mode is terminated when an operation amount of the accelerator pedal becomes equal to or greater than a predefined second determination value larger than the first determination value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Rentaro Kuroki, Takuya Hirai, Masaki Mitsuyasu, Jonggap Kim, Masaki Matsunaga, Yasunari Kido, Takeaki Suzuki, Takayuki Kogure, Yukari Okamura, Akihiro Sato, Yusuke Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 9080534
    Abstract: An idle reduction control device mounted on a vehicle equipped with an engine and a brake comprises: a pumping operation detector that detects a pumping operation of the brake; and an engine controller that controls a start and a stop of the engine. The engine controller stops the engine after elapse of a predetermined time since a stop of the vehicle, when a number of the pumping operations during a deceleration period before the stop of the vehicle is less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Matsunaga, Junichi Morimura, Yasunari Kido
  • Patent number: 9067571
    Abstract: Disclosed is a travel control device which controls the travel of a vehicle. The travel control device includes an acquisition unit which acquires a stability speed limit pattern indicating an upper speed limit, within which the vehicle is travelable without departing from a scheduled travel road, and a travel control adjustment unit which adjusts travel control using a target speed pattern indicating a target speed on the basis of the stability speed limit pattern and an actual speed. Therefore, it is possible to satisfy driving conditions desired by a user while ensuring travel stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Matsunaga
  • Publication number: 20150166065
    Abstract: In consideration of an amplification effect of a braking force at the time of brake operation, there is provided a difference between upper-limits (?, ?) of a brake operation force (Brk) with which the execution of free-run coasting and neutral coasting is started, on the basis of whether or not a brake booster (42) can be filled with a negative pressure. Therefore, while the braking force at the time of brake operation is secured, the range of the brake operation force (Brk) with which coasting is executed can be enlarged, and an improvement in fuel economy can be made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Rentaro Kuroki, Takuya Hirai, Masaki Mitsuyasu, Jonggap Kim, Masaki Matsunaga, Yasunari Kido, Takeaki Suzuki, Takayuki Kogure, Yukari Okamura, Akihiro Sato, Yusuke Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20150166066
    Abstract: A controller is capable of controlling a coupled engine running mode, in which an engine is coupled to wheels and an engine brake is activated by driven rotation of the engine, and a coasting mode, in which an engine brake force is reduced with respect to that in the coupled engine running mode with mode with the engine brake on, and starts the coasting mode on the basis of the steering angle of a steering member. The controller starts the execution of a first coasting mode when the steering angle is equal to or less than a preset upper limit value and starts the execution of a second coasting mode when the steering angle is greater than the upper limit value. In the first coasting mode, the engine rotation is stopped, and in the second coasting mode, the engine remains rotating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeaki Suzuki, Masaki Matsunaga, Yasunari Kido, Takayuki Kogure, Yukari Okamura, Rentaro Kuroki, Takuya Hirai, Masaki Mitsuyasu, Jonggap Kim, Akihiro Sato, Yusuke Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20150158491
    Abstract: An upper limit value of an upward gradient of a road surface for starting neutral coasting is set to be larger than an upper limit of the upward gradient of the road surface for starting free-run coasting, so, when the upward gradient is relatively large and a coasting distance is short, the vehicle is caused to travel in the neutral coasting, and stop and restart of the engine are not carried out. Therefore, a decrease in drivability of the vehicle is suppressed. When the upward gradient is relatively small and the coasting distance is long, the vehicle is caused to travel in the free-run coasting, and supply of fuel to the engine is stopped, so fuel economy of the vehicle is obtained. Thus, it is possible to achieve both fuel economy and drivability of the vehicle during coasting on an upward gradient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeaki Suzuki, Masaki Matsunaga, Yasunari Kido, Takayuki Kogure, Yukari Okamura, Rentaro Kuroki, Takuya Hirai, Masaki Mitsuyasu, Jonggap Kim, Akihiro Sato, Yusuke Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20150151761
    Abstract: A drive control device for a vehicle including an engine and a clutch device provided in a power transmission path between the engine and a drive wheel includes: a normal traveling unit causing the vehicle to travel while the engine is connected to the drive wheel; a free-run coasting unit disconnecting the engine from the drive wheel during traveling and causing the vehicle to coast while the engine is stopped; a neutral coasting unit disconnecting the engine from the drive wheel during traveling and causing the vehicle to coast while the engine is autonomously operated; and a coasting switching control unit setting an upper limit value of an upward gradient of a road surface, at which the neutral coasting is stopped, such that the upper limit value is larger than an upper limit value of the upward gradient of the road surface, at which the free-run coasting is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeaki Suzuki, Masaki Matsunaga, Yasunari Kido, Takayuki Kogure, Yukari Okamura, Rentaro Kuroki, Takuya Hirai, Masaki Mitsuyasu, Jonggap Kim, Akihiro Sato, Yusuke Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 8958970
    Abstract: A vehicle control system and a vehicle control device can switch control of a supporting device for support a drive of a vehicle between an ordinary travel in which the vehicle travels in a state that a power source for causing the vehicle to travel is operated and an inertia travel in which the vehicle travels in a state that an operation of the power source is stopped. Accordingly, since the vehicle control system and the vehicle control device switch the control of the supporting device between the ordinary travel and the inertia travel, the vehicle control system and the vehicle control device achieve an effect that the vehicle can be caused to appropriately travel by inertia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Matsunaga, Nobukazu Ueki, Hiroshi Tsujii, Koji Ito
  • Publication number: 20140345564
    Abstract: An idle reduction control device mounted on a vehicle equipped with an engine and a brake comprises: a pumping operation detector that detects a pumping operation of the brake; and an engine controller that controls a start and a stop of the engine. The engine controller stops the engine after elapse of a predetermined time since a stop of the vehicle, when a number of the pumping operations during a deceleration period before the stop of the vehicle is less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Matsunaga, Junichi Morimura, Yasunari Kido