Patents by Inventor Masami Kondo

Masami Kondo 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: 9434390
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a control unit configured to execute free-run traveling in which an engine is stopped and a clutch that transmits power of the engine to a drive wheel is disengaged, at a time acceleration is not requested during traveling. The control unit is configured to prohibit upshifting of a continuously variable transmission at least during execution of the free-run traveling, drive the engine from the free-run traveling state in response to an acceleration request, and upshift the continuously variable transmission at a time of returning to a normal traveling state in which the clutch is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiro Yokokawa, Masami Kondo, Youhei Hareyama
  • Publication number: 20160061317
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes: a change gear ratio changing circuit configured to execute an up-shift of a change gear ratio in an automatic transmission; a change gear ratio determination circuit configured to determine whether or not an up-shift condition is satisfied based on a change gear diagrammatic view; a combustion mode determination circuit configured to determine whether or not a switching condition for switching from a predetermined combustion mode, in which an air-fuel ratio of the engine is an air-fuel ratio on a rich side than a lean air-fuel ratio, to a supercharged lean combustion mode, in which the air-fuel ratio of an engine is made to the lean air-fuel ratio while executing supercharging by a supercharger, is satisfied; and a change regulating circuit configured to regulate the change gear ratio changing circuit to execute the up-shift at the time both conditions are satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tadayuki NAGAI, Masami KONDO
  • Publication number: 20160052504
    Abstract: A travel control device includes: an engine; an automatic transmission including a plurality of engagement elements and a rotary element, the automatic transmission being configured to block power transmission between the engine and a drive wheel of a vehicle and set a transmission gear ratio in accordance with an engagement element to be engaged out of the plurality of engagement elements; and a controller configured to perform free-running by blocking power transmission between the engine and the drive wheel while traveling at a predetermined transmission gear ratio and stopping the engine. The controller is configured to increase speed of a rotary element inside the automatic transmission during the free-running, and start the engine at a time speed of the engine becomes higher than a predetermined speed at a time of returning from the free-running.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masami KONDO, Takahiro YOKOKAWA, Youhei HAREYAMA
  • Publication number: 20160009292
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a control unit configured to execute free-run traveling in which an engine is stopped and a clutch that transmits power of the engine to a drive wheel is disengaged, at a time acceleration is not requested during traveling. The control unit is configured to prohibit upshifting of a continuously variable transmission at least during execution of the free-run traveling, drive the engine from the free-run traveling state in response to an acceleration request, and upshift the continuously variable transmission at a time of returning to a normal traveling state in which the clutch is engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro YOKOKAWA, Masami Kondo, Youhei Hareyama
  • Publication number: 20150369362
    Abstract: With a hydraulic control operation amount generation apparatus for an automatic transmission and a control apparatus for an automatic transmission, a control operation amount at which any desired target packing control execution time can be realized is generated on a hydraulic model by determining formulae of the 2n?2 constraint conditions corresponding to the n hydraulic control phases relating to the packing control of the engagement devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takayuki ANDO, Masami KONDO, Seiji MASUNAGA, Shogo TSUGE
  • Publication number: 20150361906
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes an engine having a turbocharger and an automatic transmission. The control apparatus includes at least one electronic control unit configured to: control an air-fuel ratio of the engine and an operating state of the turbocharger based on a parameter indicating a load of the engine; control the turbocharger to execute turbocharging and operate the engine in a turbocharging lean combustion mode when the parameter is within a predetermined range, an air-fuel ratio set in the turbocharging lean combustion mode being a predetermined lean air-fuel ratio; and operate the engine in a predetermined operation mode instead of the turbocharging lean combustion mode in at least a part of the predetermined range when a downshift is performed in the automatic transmission, an air-fuel ratio set in the predetermined operation mode being a richer air-fuel ratio than the predetermined lean air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tadayuki NAGAI, Masami Kondo
  • Publication number: 20150287250
    Abstract: Presented is an EDR for storing predetermined information. The EDR is mounted to a vehicle (e.g., automobile) and includes a control unit that determines an event and controls a storage unit to store predetermined information therein. If the driver either depresses an accelerator pedal within a predetermined period after manipulating a shift lever or simultaneously manipulates the shift lever and depresses the accelerator pedal, the storage unit is controlled to store therein at least operating information on the operation of the shift lever and the accelerator pedal and traveling state information on the vehicle's traveling state. This configuration limits unnecessary increases in size of stored data even if information is stored on events that are not directly related to accidents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Niwa, Shinichi Takamura, Masami Kondo
  • Patent number: 8241181
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program including the steps of: setting a first throttle opening degree (S100), setting a low gear torque LTE based on an engine torque map for low gear having the first throttle opening degree and an engine speed (rpm) as parameters (S200), setting a high gear torque HTE based on an engine torque map for high gear having the first throttle opening degree and the engine speed as parameters (S300), setting a target engine torque TTE by combining the low gear torque LTE and the high gear torque HTE by using a correction ratio KGR determined by a gear step (S400), and controlling the engine to produce a required torque set by using the target engine torque TTE (S700). In this way a torque can be obtained in accordance with the engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoto Moriya, Masaharu Tanaka, Masami Kondo, Hiroyasu Honda
  • Patent number: 7925407
    Abstract: The adjustment method includes an estimation step in which valve characteristics of the linear solenoid valves fitted to the hydraulic control circuit are measured, and estimated linear valve characteristics of the linear solenoid valves in isolation state are estimated based on the measured valve characteristics using predetermined correlations; and a correction value output step in which estimated linear piston-end pressures of the hydraulically-driven friction engagement elements immediately before the hydraulically-driven friction engagement elements are engaged are calculated based on the estimated linear valve characteristics, and the correction values that are applied to the control command values to adjust the drive currents supplied from the valve control unit to the linear solenoid valves are calculated based on differences between the estimated linear piston-end pressures and nominal piston-end pressures, and then output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masami Kondo, Masaharu Tanaka, Takayuki Kawakami, Naoto Moriya
  • Patent number: 7908065
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program that includes the steps of i) calculating a sporty running counting SC based on a state of a vehicle according to an operation of a driver; ii) changing a condition for executing sporty running in which an upshift is inhibited when an accelerator is suddenly released and in which a downshift is promoted during sudden braking such that the condition is easier to satisfy and changing a condition for returning from sporty running so that it is more difficult to satisfy when the sporty running count SC is equal to or greater than a threshold value; and iii) changing the condition for executing sporty running so that it is more difficult to satisfy and changing the condition for returning from sporty running so that it is easier to satisfy when the sporty running count SC is not equal to or greater than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Toshihiro Fukumasu, Masami Kondo, Hideki Kubonoya, Naoto Moriya, Masato Kaigawa
  • Patent number: 7861688
    Abstract: A control apparatus of an internal combustion engine includes an idle torque calculating portion, a target torque setting portion, and a target throttle opening amount calculating portion. The idle torque calculating portion and the target throttle opening amount calculating portion calculate the idle torque and the target throttle opening amount when the internal combustion engine is in a non-idling state, respectively, using a common physical quantity relating to an operating state of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kubonoya, Masaharu Tanaka, Toshiya Oishi, Masami Kondo
  • Publication number: 20100269784
    Abstract: A control apparatus of an internal combustion engine includes an idle torque calculating portion, a target torque setting portion, and a target throttle opening amount calculating portion. The idle torque calculating portion and the target throttle opening amount calculating portion calculate the idle torque and the target throttle opening amount when the internal combustion engine is in a non-idling state, respectively, using a common physical quantity relating to an operating state of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kubonoya, Masaharu Tanaka, Toshiya Oishi, Masami Kondo
  • Patent number: 7785231
    Abstract: A gear shift controlling apparatus of an automatic transmission for a vehicle has a synchronization-time engagement pressure correcting device that, before synchronization of gear-shifting, makes an increase correction of an engagement pressure of the disengaged-side engaging element by a first prescribed amount, to cause an input shaft rotational speed immediately before synchronizing of the automatic transmission to approach a rotational speed calculated by multiplying an output shaft rotational speed by a gear ratio of a gear after gear-shifting the automatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Toshio Sugimura, Tomohiro Asami, Takaaki Tokura, Tomohiro Kondo, Masami Kondo, Masaharu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7740557
    Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus of an automatic transmission estimates the possibility of there being a demand for a shift into a gear lower than the current gear during a power-off downshift operation. If there is a possibility that there will be a demand for a shift into the next gear during the shift, the hydraulic control apparatus starts an operation for supplying an apply preparation hydraulic pressure in preparation for the shift into that next gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kondo, Masami Kondo, Toshimitsu Sato
  • Publication number: 20100105521
    Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus of an automatic transmission estimates the possibility of there being a demand for a shift into a gear lower than the current gear during a power-off downshift operation. If there is a possibility that there will be a demand for a shift into the next gear during the shift, the hydraulic control apparatus starts an operation for supplying an apply preparation hydraulic pressure in preparation for the shift into that next gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kondo, Masami Kondo, Toshimitsu Sato
  • Patent number: 7695404
    Abstract: When an n speed prohibition command is being output from the AI shift controlling component, the AI shift control is performed even in the S mode if the vehicle speed V is lower than the reference vehicle speed Vn, whereby busy shifting can be effectively prevented when the vehicle is running on an uphill road or cornering. When the vehicle speed V is equal to or higher than the reference vehicle speed Vn, the AI shift control is cancelled, thus minimizing the possibility of a large engine brake force being applied to the vehicle despite the intention of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidenori Saitoh, Masami Kondo
  • Patent number: 7673612
    Abstract: A target engine torque after an environmental correction is calculated by interpolating it between an environmentally corrected maximum engine torque and an environmentally corrected minimum engine torque such that a ratio of a nominal target engine torque between a nominal maximum engine torque and a nominal minimum engine torque under a predetermined environmental condition becomes essentially equal to a ratio of the target engine torque between the environmentally corrected maximum engine torque and the environmentally corrected minimum engine torque. The environmentally corrected maximum engine torque is obtained by multiplying the nominal maximum engine torque and a correction coefficient according to the environmental condition together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Honda, Masaharu Tanaka, Masami Kondo
  • Patent number: 7625313
    Abstract: In a shift control device and a shift control method of a vehicular automatic transmission that performs a coast downshift by engagement switch between a release-side engagement element and an element-side engagement element at a time of deceleration of a vehicle, it is determined whether or not there is a driver's intention to decelerate the vehicle during the coast downshift. If an affirmative determination is made regarding the intention to decelerate the vehicle, the rise of engagement pressure of the engagement-side engagement element is stopped so as to cause the coast downshift not to progress. If a negative determination is made regarding the intention to decelerate the vehicle while the rise of the engagement pressure has been stopped, the engagement pressure of the engagement-side engagement element is raised again so as to cause the coast downshift to progress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kondo, Yoji Takanami, Atsushi Ayabe, Masami Kondo, Masaharu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20090181823
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program including the steps of: setting a first throttle opening degree (S100), setting a low gear torque LTE based on an engine torque map for low gear having the first throttle opening degree and an engine speed (rpm) as parameters (S200), setting a high gear torque HTE based on an engine torque map for high gear having the first throttle opening degree and the engine speed as parameters (S300), setting a target engine torque TTE by combining the low gear torque LTE and the high gear torque HTE by using a correction ratio KGR determined by a gear step (S400), and controlling the engine to produce a required torque set by using the target engine torque TTE (S700). In this way a torque can be obtained in accordance with the engine speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Naoto Moriya, Masaharu Tanaka, Masami Kondo, Hiroyasu Honda
  • Patent number: 7558659
    Abstract: A power train control device includes a requested torque calculation unit that calculates requested torque for an engine based on a parameter input from an upper level computing device, a transmission gear ratio determination unit that determines a transmission gear ratio, a transmission control unit that calculates output shaft torque and gearshift time of an automatic transmission at the time of gearshift and outputs a control parameter to an automatic transmission control device, a generated driving torque calculation unit that calculates driving torque generated in the power train, taking account of the load torque of the engine input from a load torque computing device, and outputs the calculated driving torque to the upper level computing device, and an availability calculation unit that calculates and outputs availability of the driving torque to the upper level computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Takamatsu, Masami Kondo, Hiroshi Mizuno