Patents by Inventor Masamitsu Fukuchi

Masamitsu Fukuchi 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: 6554739
    Abstract: A system for controlling an automatic transmission of a vehicle, wherein the initial value of the desired pressure to be supplied to a hydraulic clutch for the current gear now being engaged is determined appropriately, when conducting a power-on downshifting, so as to decrease the shift shock experienced by the vehicle occupant effectively, irrespectively of the change in the throttle opening, while ensuring to reduce the volume of the mapped data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Saito, Yasushi Inagawa, Masamitsu Fukuchi, Shirou Godai, Takanori Kon, Shinya Majikina
  • Patent number: 6547698
    Abstract: A system for controlling an automatic transmission of a vehicle, wherein if the change of the destined gear GB (i.e., the target gear SH) is required when the jumping shift, i.e., two-gear downshifting is in progress, the input/output rotational speed ratio GRATIO (indicative of degree of shift progress) is compared with the predetermined input/output rotational speed ratio #GRCN312 or #GRCN423, and based on the result of comparison, how the shift to establish or effect the required destined gear GB, i.e., the shift mode QATNUM is determined, thereby enabling to improve or enhance the response to the change of the destined gear GB during two-gear downshifting. It can also prevent the clutch from being degraded in such a shifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Inagawa, Satoshi Kato, Masahide Saito, Masamitsu Fukuchi, Yoshikazu Nemoto, Yoshiharu Saito
  • Patent number: 6530857
    Abstract: A system for controlling an automatic transmission of a vehicle, in which a pressure supply time to complete removal of the clutch-stroke play is determined based on the input shaft rotational speed. And a residual oil amount in the clutch is estimated and the time is corrected by the residual oil amount. The preparatory pressure to be supplied within the time is also determined based on the input shaft rotational speed and the ATF temperature. With this, it becomes possible to effect the clutch-stroke play removal within a less variant time and with a good response, thereby decreasing the shift shock effectively so as to improve the feeling of the vehicle occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanori Kon, Yasushi Inagawa, Yoshiharu Saito, Masamitsu Fukuchi, Shinya Majikina
  • Patent number: 6526343
    Abstract: A system for controlling an automatic transmission of a vehicle, wherein a pressure to be supplied to the hydraulic clutch of a target gear is determined based on a desired value of acceleration of gravity acting in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and other parameters including an engine torque, thereby decreasing the shift shock effectively, while ensuring to finish the shift within an expected period of time. Moreover, the engine torque is estimated using a parameter indicative of inertia torque used for raising the engine speed. With this, it becomes possible to determine the engine torque inputted to the transmission, thereby decreasing the shift shock more effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Saito, Yasushi Inagawa, Takanori Kon, Masamitsu Fukuchi, Shinya Majikina
  • Patent number: 6491605
    Abstract: When a contradictory event in which raising of the engine rotation speed is detected and the inertia phase start time is early occurs (8), a learn correction is made to engagement hydraulic pressure (ON side). If the raising of the engine rotation speed cannot be canceled still after the learn correction is made, release hydraulic pressure (OFF side) is increased for correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Saito, Hitoshi Kondou, Masamitsu Fukuchi
  • Patent number: 6421597
    Abstract: A system for controlling an automatic transmission of a vehicle, wherein the hydraulic pressure to be supplied to the frictional engaging element such as a hydraulic clutch is determined, taking the performance of tracking or follow-up of the hydraulic pressure into account so as to enhance the control toughness against the engine speed change, thereby decreasing the shift shock effectively so as to improve the feeling of the vehicle occupant, while ensuring to prevent the engine from revving over or excessively. Further, the friction coefficient of the hydraulic clutch is calculated additionally taking parameters including the rotational difference thereof into account to determine the pressure to be supplied to the frictional engaging element, thereby further decreasing the shift shock effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanori Kon, Yasushi Inagawa, Yoshiharu Saito, Masamitsu Fukuchi, Shinya Majikina
  • Publication number: 20020046617
    Abstract: A system for controlling an automatic transmission of a vehicle, wherein if the change of the destined gear GB (i.e., the target gear SH) is required when the jumping shift, i.e., two-gear downshifting is in progress, the input/output rotational speed ratio GRATIO (indicative of degree of shift progress) is compared with the predetermined input/output rotational speed ratio #GRCN312 or #GRCN423, and based on the result of comparison, how the shift to establish or effect the required destined gear GB, i.e., the shift mode QATNUM is determined, thereby enabling to improve or enhance the response to the change of the destined gear GB during two-gear downshifting. It can also prevent the clutch from being degraded in such a shifting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasushi Inagawa, Satoshi Kato, Masahide Saito, Masamitsu Fukuchi, Yoshikazu Nemoto, Yoshiharu Saito
  • Publication number: 20020025885
    Abstract: When a contradictory event in which raising of the engine rotation speed is detected and the inertia phase start time is early occurs (8), a learn correction is made to engagement hydraulic pressure (ON side). If the raising of the engine rotation speed cannot be canceled still after the learn correction is made, release hydraulic pressure (OFF side) is increased for correction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Saito, Hitoshi Kondou, Masamitsu Fukuchi
  • Publication number: 20010005705
    Abstract: A system for controlling an automatic transmission of a vehicle, wherein the hydraulic pressure to be supplied to the frictional engaging element such as a hydraulic clutch is determined, taking the performance of tracking or follow-up of the hydraulic pressure into account so as to enhance the control toughness against the engine speed change, thereby decreasing the shift shock effectively so as to improve the feeling of the vehicle occupant, while ensuring to prevent the engine from revving over or excessively. Further, the friction coefficient of the hydraulic clutch is calculated additionally taking parameters including the rotational difference thereof into account to determine the pressure to be supplied to the frictional engaging element, thereby further decreasing the shift shock effectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: June 28, 2001
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanori Kon, Yasushi Inagawa, Yoshiharu Saito, Masamitsu Fukuchi, Shinya Majikina
  • Publication number: 20010003721
    Abstract: A system for controlling an automatic transmission of a vehicle, wherein a pressure to be supplied to the hydraulic clutch of a target gear is determined based on a desired value of acceleration of gravity acting in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and other parameters including an engine torque, thereby decreasing the shift shock effectively, while ensuring to finish the shift within an expected period of time. Moreover, the engine torque is estimated using a parameter indicative of inertia torque used for raising the engine speed. With this, it becomes possible to determine the engine torque inputted to the transmission, thereby decreasing the shift shock more effectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: June 14, 2001
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Saito, Yasushi Inagawa, Takanori Kon, Masamitsu Fukuchi, Shinya Majikina
  • Publication number: 20010003722
    Abstract: A system for controlling an automatic transmission of a vehicle, wherein the initial value of the desired pressure to be supplied to a hydraulic clutch for the current gear now being engaged is determined appropriately, when conducting a power-on downshifting, so as to decrease the shift shock experienced by the vehicle occupant effectively, irrespectively of the change in he throttle opening, while ensuring to reduce the volume of the mapped data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: June 14, 2001
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Saito, Yasushi Inagawa, Masamitsu Fukuchi, Shirou Godai, Takanori Kon, Shinya Majikina
  • Publication number: 20010003322
    Abstract: A system for controlling an automatic transmission of a vehicle, in which a pressure supply time to complete removal of the clutch-stroke play is determined based on the input shaft rotational speed. And a residual oil amount in the clutch is estimated and the time is corrected by the residual oil amount. The preparatory pressure to be supplied within the time is also determined based on the input shaft rotational speed and the ATF temperature. With this, it becomes possible to effect the clutch-stroke play removal within a less variant time and with a good response, thereby decreasing the shift shock effectively so as to improve the feeling of the vehicle occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: June 14, 2001
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takanori Kon, Yasushi Inagawa, Yoshiharu Saito, Masamitsu Fukuchi, Shinya Majikina
  • Patent number: 6141615
    Abstract: A down-shift control system is provided, by which if sufficient torque cannot be obtained for an acceleration request or intention at a shift position, a down-shift operation is suitably performed so as to realize a reliable driving capability and no shift-busy phenomenon occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Saito, Yasushi Inagawa, Takanori Kon, Masamitsu Fukuchi, Masakazu Shiraishi, Kazutomo Sawamura
  • Patent number: 6073074
    Abstract: A throttle controller having a throttle control section is provided so as to eliminate any inconsistency in the degree of opening of the throttle at the time of mode switching, and to obtain a superior driving efficiency. In the driving mode, the throttle control section calculates the degree of opening of the throttle for generating a target driving force calculated based on a plurality of parameters including the degree of depression of the accelerator, and performs a driving-force control. In the manual mode, the throttle control section performs a control for driving the engine using a degree of opening of the throttle which one-to-one-corresponds to the degree of depression of the accelerator. When the mode is switched between the driving and manual modes, the throttle control section performs switching between the two control modes if the degree of depression of the accelerator is minimum or maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Saito, Kazutomo Sawamura, Masamitsu Fukuchi
  • Patent number: 6022294
    Abstract: A lock-up control device controls an engaging force of a lock-up clutch, which shares engine output with a torque converter to transmit it toward an input shaft of a transmission of a car. First, target driving force is produced based on accelerator pedal opening and car velocity. Then, required torque is produced based on a gear ratio and the target driving force. Target engine speed is produced based on the required torque, wherein the target engine speed is set to avoid occurrence of abnormal sounds and abnormal vibrations. Thus, the lock-up clutch is controlled in such a way that real engine speed does not become less than the target engine speed in case of a gear change corresponding to a shift-up operation, for example. Basically, the lock-up clutch is controlled to have engaging force, which is made as maximal as possible to improve fuel efficiency. In other words, the lock-up clutch is controlled to be as tightly as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Saito, Takanori Kon, Yasushi Inagawa, Masamitsu Fukuchi
  • Patent number: 6009988
    Abstract: A lock-up control device is provided to control engaging force of a lock-up clutch, which shares engine output with a torque converter to transmit it toward an input shaft of a transmission. Herein, input shaft torque is estimated based on engine speed and engine intake negative pressure, while engine torque is estimated based on engine speed and throttle opening. A weight coefficient is produced based on an amount of variations of the engine torque when the amount of variations is greater than a prescribed value. Then, weighted mean engine torque is calculated by the input shaft torque and engine torque in accordance with the weight coefficient. Thus, the lock-up control device controls the lock-up clutch based on the weighted mean engine torque in such a way that the engaging force of the lock-up clutch is increased in response to the rise timing of the weighted mean engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Saito, Takanori Kon, Masamitsu Fukuchi
  • Patent number: 5975262
    Abstract: In order to improve the fuel consumption by maintaining the lock-up clutch as tightly as possible during the down-shift operation, a lock-up clutch control apparatus is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Saito, Yasushi Inagawa, Masamitsu Fukuchi
  • Patent number: 5666863
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure system for a frictional engaging element such as clutches for a vehicle automatic transmission. The engagement state of the clutches is detected from the clutch slip rate, and the desired change rate of the rotational speed of the transmission input shaft (the main shaft rotational speed) during the gearshift operation period is varied based thereon. The hydraulic pressures supplied to the clutches are controlled for bringing the actual rotational speed change rate to the desired value. Since the clutch engagement state can therefore be controlled based on the desired value, irrespective of the temperature of the oil (ATF) and aging of the clutches, it is at all times possible to secure optimum gearshift characteristics and to avoid the occurrence of gearshift shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Sunada, Masamitsu Fukuchi