Patents by Inventor Masashi Fuji
Masashi Fuji 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: 11554805Abstract: An ECU independently controls power supply to two winding systems in a motor on a per-winding-system basis based on current command values each calculated for a corresponding winding system in accordance with a target assist torque. When a first winding system fails, the ECU transitions from a first state in which the ECU causes the winding groups of the two winding systems to produce the target assist torque to a second state in which the ECU causes the winding group of the other normal winding system to produce the target assist torque. If the current command value for the normal winding system is equal to or below a current threshold value that is set with reference to zero or a value close to zero when the failed winding system recovers to its normal state in the second state, the ECU transitions from the second state to the first state.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2019Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Tomohiro Niwa, Satoru Mikamo, Masashi Fuji
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Patent number: 11453435Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus capable of protecting a pre-charge circuit is provided. When a voltage has entered an operating voltage range, a microcomputer determines whether a preset period has elapsed from then. Upon determining that the preset period has elapsed, the microcomputer starts initial check. To carry out the initial check, the microcomputer starts charging a capacitor for power supply stabilization of a drive circuit by turning on the pre-charge circuit and, when the charging of the capacitor is completed, turns on a power supply relay provided on a power supply line that connects between a battery and the drive circuit.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2019Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Tomohiro Niwa, Satoru Mikamo, Masashi Fuji
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Patent number: 11338842Abstract: An ECU independently controls power supply to two winding systems in a motor on a per-winding-system basis based on current command values each calculated for a corresponding winding system in accordance with a target assist torque. When a first winding system fails, the ECU transitions from a first state in which the ECU causes the winding groups of the two winding systems to produce the target assist torque to a second state in which the ECU causes the winding group of the other normal winding system to produce the target assist torque. If the current command value for the normal winding system is equal to or below a current threshold value that is set with reference to zero or a value close to zero when the failed winding system recovers to its normal state in the second state, the ECU transitions from the second state to the first state.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2019Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Tomohiro Niwa, Satoru Mikamo, Masashi Fuji
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Patent number: 11084524Abstract: A first microcomputer is configured to identify the cause (a content of the abnormality) of a communication abnormality based on a combination of whether communication through a first communication line is established, whether communication through a second communication line is established, and whether a second clock is normal. Specifically, the first microcomputer separately determines whether the communication abnormality between the first microcomputer and a second microcomputer is simply due to an abnormality in the first communication line and the second communication line, or due to stop of a function of the second microcomputer. The second microcomputer is configured to identify the cause of the communication abnormality based on a combination of whether the communication through the first communication line is established, whether the communication through the second communication line is established, and whether a first clock is normal.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Masashi Fuji, Satoru Mikamo, Tomohiro Niwa
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Patent number: 10903777Abstract: When one of two winding systems fails, an ECU transitions from a first state in which a target assist torque is produced using winding groups of the two winding systems to a second state in which using the remaining normal winding system. When the failed winding system has recovered to normal during an operation in the second state, the ECU carries out initial check that is inspection of the winding system recovered to normal prior to starting the power supply as follows. The ECU omits, from items of the initial check of the winding system recovered to normal, a specific item that is set as an item susceptible to an induced voltage generated in the winding group of the winding system recovered to normal as the motor is driven using the winding group of the normal winding system and carries out only the remainder items of the initial check.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Tomohiro Niwa, Satoru Mikamo, Masashi Fuji
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Patent number: 10879784Abstract: If a B system microcomputer is reset and reactivated while an A system microcomputer is operating normally, tasks of the A system microcomputer and tasks of the B system microcomputer can be synchronized. The B system microcomputer is reset when voltage applied to a battery decreases and falls below an operation guarantee voltage. Thereafter, when the applied voltage becomes equal to or higher than the operation guarantee voltage and the B system microcomputer is activated, the B system microcomputer outputs a request signal for requesting a synchronization signal to the A system microcomputer. The A system microcomputer outputs the synchronization signal synchronized with a periodic task. The B system microcomputer determines an execution timing of the periodic task based on the synchronization signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Masato Saijo, Masataka Tsujihashi, Tomohiro Niwa, Masashi Fuji
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Publication number: 20200140005Abstract: A first microcomputer is configured to identify the cause (a content of the abnormality) of a communication abnormality based on a combination of whether communication through a first communication line is established, whether communication through a second communication line is established, and whether a second clock is normal. Specifically, the first microcomputer separately determines whether the communication abnormality between the first microcomputer and a second microcomputer is simply due to an abnormality in the first communication line and the second communication line, or due to stop of a function of the second microcomputer. The second microcomputer is configured to identify the cause of the communication abnormality based on a combination of whether the communication through the first communication line is established, whether the communication through the second communication line is established, and whether a first clock is normal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Masashi FUJI, Satoru MIKAMO, Tomohiro NIWA
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Publication number: 20200083797Abstract: If a B system microcomputer is reset and reactivated while an A system microcomputer is operating normally, tasks of the A system microcomputer and tasks of the B system microcomputer can be synchronized. The B system microcomputer is reset when voltage applied to a battery decreases and falls below an operation guarantee voltage. Thereafter, when the applied voltage becomes equal to or higher than the operation guarantee voltage and the B system microcomputer is activated, the B system microcomputer outputs a request signal for requesting a synchronization signal to the A system microcomputer. The A system microcomputer outputs the synchronization signal synchronized with a periodic task. The B system microcomputer determines an execution timing of the periodic task based on the synchronization signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Masato SAIJO, Masataka TSUJIHASHI, Tomohiro NIWA, Masashi FUJI
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Publication number: 20200070874Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus capable of protecting a pre-charge circuit is provided. When a voltage has entered an operating voltage range, a microcomputer determines whether a preset period has elapsed from then. Upon determining that the preset period has elapsed, the microcomputer starts initial check. To carry out the initial check, the microcomputer starts charging a capacitor for power supply stabilization of a drive circuit by turning on the pre-charge circuit and, when the charging of the capacitor is completed, turns on a power supply relay provided on a power supply line that connects between a battery and the drive circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Tomohiro NIWA, Satoru MIKAMO, Masashi FUJI
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Publication number: 20200076348Abstract: When one of two winding systems fails, an ECU transitions from a first state in which a target assist torque is produced using winding groups of the two winding systems to a second state in which using the remaining normal winding system. When the failed winding system has recovered to normal during an operation in the second state, the ECU carries out initial check that is inspection of the winding system recovered to normal prior to starting the power supply as follows. The ECU omits, from items of the initial check of the winding system recovered to normal, a specific item that is set as an item susceptible to an induced voltage generated in the winding group of the winding system recovered to normal as the motor is driven using the winding group of the normal winding system and carries out only the remainder items of the initial check.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Tomohiro NIWA, Satoru MIKAMO, Masashi FUJI
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Publication number: 20200047791Abstract: An ECU independently controls power supply to two winding systems in a motor on a per-winding-system basis based on current command values each calculated for a corresponding winding system in accordance with a target assist torque. When a first winding system fails, the ECU transitions from a first state in which the ECU causes the winding groups of the two winding systems to produce the target assist torque to a second state in which the ECU causes the winding group of the other normal winding system to produce the target assist torque. If the current command value for the normal winding system is equal to or below a current threshold value that is set with reference to zero or a value close to zero when the failed winding system recovers to its normal state in the second state, the ECU transitions from the second state to the first state.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Tomohiro NIWA, Satoru MIKAMO, Masashi FUJI
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Patent number: 9509005Abstract: A fuel cell system suppresses the deterioration of an electrolyte membrane of a fuel cell. The fuel cell system comprises: a temperature rise speed calculation unit for calculating a target temperature rise speed of the fuel cell using a temperature of the fuel cell and a water content of the fuel cell; and a drive control unit for controlling a drive of the cooling water pump using the temperature rise speed of the fuel cell and the target temperature rise speed calculated by the temperature rise speed calculation unit. The drive control unit controls the drive of the cooling water pump such that a circulation amount of the cooling water is decreased when the temperature rise speed of the fuel cell is below the target temperature rise speed and controls the drive of the cooling water pump such that the circulation amount of the cooling water is increased when the temperature rise speed of the fuel cell is equal to or greater than the target temperature rise speed.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshiaki Naganuma, Hiromi Tanaka, Osamu Yumita, Takayoshi Tezuka, Nobukazu Mizuno, Masashi Fuji
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Publication number: 20150017561Abstract: A fuel cell system suppresses the deterioration of an electrolyte membrane of a fuel cell. The fuel cell system comprises: a temperature rise speed calculation unit for calculating a target temperature rise speed of the fuel cell using a temperature of the fuel cell and a water content of the fuel cell; and a drive control unit for controlling a drive of the cooling water pump using the temperature rise speed of the fuel cell and the target temperature rise speed calculated by the temperature rise speed calculation unit. The drive control unit controls the drive of the cooling water pump such that a circulation amount of the cooling water is decreased when the temperature rise speed of the fuel cell is below the target temperature rise speed and controls the drive of the cooling water pump such that the circulation amount of the cooling water is increased when the temperature rise speed of the fuel cell is equal to or greater than the target temperature rise speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshiaki NAGANUMA, Hiromi TANAKA, Osamu YUMITA, Takayoshi TEZUKA, Nobukazu MIZUNO, Masashi FUJI
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Patent number: 8871401Abstract: A fuel cell system suppresses the deterioration of an electrolyte membrane of a fuel cell. The fuel cell system comprises: a temperature rise speed calculation unit for calculating a target temperature rise speed of the fuel cell using a temperature of the fuel cell and a water content of the fuel cell; and a drive control unit for controlling a drive of the cooling water pump using the temperature rise speed of the fuel cell and the target temperature rise speed calculated by the temperature rise speed calculation unit. The drive control unit controls the drive of the cooling water pump such that a circulation amount of the cooling water is decreased when the temperature rise speed of the fuel cell is below the target temperature rise speed and controls the drive of the cooling water pump such that the circulation amount of the cooling water is increased when the temperature rise speed of the fuel cell is equal to or greater than the target temperature rise speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2010Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshiaki Naganuma, Hiromi Tanaka, Osamu Yumita, Takayoshi Tezuka, Nobukazu Mizuno, Masashi Fuji
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Patent number: 8524406Abstract: An object is to suppress the degradation of durability due to a heat concentration while performing a rapid warm-up operation as necessary, when starting a fuel cell system at temperatures below freezing point.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiromi Tanaka, Yoshiaki Naganuma, Osamu Yumita, Takayoshi Tezuka, Nobukazu Mizuno, Masashi Fuji
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Patent number: 8158293Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a secondary battery, an oxidizing gas supplier, a gas supply flow regulator, an oxidizing gas supply path, a cathode off-gas exhaust path, a bypass flow path, a flow regulator, an available power output acquirer, and an operation controller, wherein the gas supply flow regulator regulates the gas supply flow rate to cause the oxidizing gas supplier to supply an excess gas flow rate, which is set to be greater than a target fuel gas-requiring gas flow rate, wherein the target fuel gas-requiring gas flow rate is the fuel cell-requiring gas flow rate to be supplied to the fuel cell in order to achieve the target current value, when the available power output is less than a minimum amount of electric power required for the oxidizing gas supplier to increase the gas supply flow rate from 0 to a preset gas flow rate within a preset time period, and the operation controller controls the flow regulator to make the bypass flow rate equal to a difference gas flow rate between thType: GrantFiled: May 9, 2011Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshiaki Naganuma, Hiromi Tanaka, Osamu Yumita, Masashi Fuji, Nobukazu Mizuno
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Publication number: 20120015272Abstract: A fuel cell system suppresses the deterioration of an electrolyte membrane of a fuel cell. The fuel cell system comprises: a temperature rise speed calculation unit for calculating a target temperature rise speed of the fuel cell using a temperature of the fuel cell and a water content of the fuel cell; and a drive control unit for controlling a drive of the cooling water pump using the temperature rise speed of the fuel cell and the target temperature rise speed calculated by the temperature rise speed calculation unit. The drive control unit controls the drive of the cooling water pump such that a circulation amount of the cooling water is decreased when the temperature rise speed of the fuel cell is below the target temperature rise speed and controls the drive of the cooling water pump such that the circulation amount of the cooling water is increased when the temperature rise speed of the fuel cell is equal to or greater than the target temperature rise speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2010Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshiaki Naganuma, Hiromi Tanaka, Osamu Yumita, Takayoshi Tezuka, Nobukazu Mizuno, Masashi Fuji
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Publication number: 20120003557Abstract: An object is to suppress the degradation of durability due to a heat concentration while performing a rapid warm-up operation as necessary, when starting a fuel cell system at temperatures below freezing point.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2010Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiromi Tanaka, Yoshiaki Naganuma, Osamu Yumita, Takayoshi Tezuka, Nobukazu Mizuno, Masashi Fuji
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Publication number: 20110293972Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a secondary battery, an oxidizing gas supplier, a gas supply flow regulator, an oxidizing gas supply path, a cathode off-gas exhaust path, a bypass flow path, a flow regulator, an available power output acquirer, and an operation controller, wherein the gas supply flow regulator regulates the gas supply flow rate to cause the oxidizing gas supplier to supply an excess gas flow rate, which is set to be greater than a target fuel gas-requiring gas flow rate, wherein the target fuel gas-requiring gas flow rate is the fuel cell-requiring gas flow rate to be supplied to the fuel cell in order to achieve the target current value, when the available power output is less than a minimum amount of electric power required for the oxidizing gas supplier to increase the gas supply flow rate from 0 to a preset gas flow rate within a preset time period, and the operation controller controls the flow regulator to make the bypass flow rate equal to a difference gas flow rate between thType: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2011Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshiaki NAGANUMA, Hiromi TANAKA, Osamu YUMITA, Masashi FUJI, Nobukazu MIZUNO
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Publication number: 20090257781Abstract: A developer storing apparatus includes a developer storing portion for receiving and storing a developer, a developer carrying member rotatably disposed in the developer storing portion and configured to carry the developer in the developer storing portion in a predetermined direction, an agitating member rotatably disposed in the developer storing portion and configured to agitate the developer in the developer storing portion, and a driving force transmitting portion that transmits a driving force to the developer carrying member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2009Publication date: October 15, 2009Applicant: OKI DATA CORPORATIONInventor: Masashi Fuji