Patents by Inventor Masato Kaigawa

Masato Kaigawa 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: 7920948
    Abstract: An assumption torque setting device for an engine that executes a torque reduction process during gear shifting. The device sets a torque assumed to be output by the engine and based on a target torque from which an amount corresponding to the torque reduction process is excluded as an assumption torque during the gear shifting. The device includes an assumption model torque calculation unit which calculates an assumption model torque from the target torque from which an amount corresponding to the torque reduction process is excluded based on an internal combustion engine delay model. An assumption torque calculation unit calculates before torque reduction is performed an assumption torque based on an engine operation state and calculates when the torque reduction is being performed an assumption torque based on the assumption model torque and an assumption torque calculated from the engine operation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Masato Kaigawa
  • Patent number: 7917262
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program that includes the steps of: sensing an accelerator position (S100); calculating a target engine torque of a manipulating system “a” from the accelerator position (S200); holding the target engine torque of the manipulating system “a” (S300); calculating a target driving force of the manipulating system “A” from the target engine torque of the manipulating system “a” (S400); arbitrating in driving force between the target driving force of the manipulating system “A” and the target driving force of the supporting system “B” (S500); and, if the target driving force of the manipulating system “A” is selected as a result of the arbitration (NO in S600), outputting the held target engine torque of the manipulating system “a” as the target engine torque to the engine ECU (S900).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Masato Kaigawa
  • 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: 7890237
    Abstract: A control device of a vehicle which switches a lockup clutch to an operating state depending upon vehicle conditions determines switching of the lockup clutch from lockup-ON switching lines established when the lockup clutch is in an engaged state, or from lockup-OFF switching lines established when the lockup clutch is in a released state. When switching of the lockup clutch is determined based on one of the lockup-ON switching lines and the lockup-OFF switching lines, a determination based on the other switching lines is selected as an effective determination about switching once the same switching of the operating state as that determined based on the above-indicated one of the switching lines is determined based on the other switching lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Masato Kaigawa
  • Patent number: 7885729
    Abstract: A control target value calculation portion (42) calculates a control target value for an engine (32) based on a control instruction amount requested by a driver, which is calculated by a driver's instruction amount calculation portion (14), and control instruction amounts requested by control units such as a driver support amount calculation portion (16) and a wheel stability control amount calculation portion (18). A horsepower conversion portion (44) converts the control target value into a control target horsepower. Meanwhile, an allowable horsepower range calculation portion (40) calculates a target instruction horsepower and an allowable horsepower range based on the information from the driver's instruction amount calculation portion (14). Even when an integrated-control involving multiple control units is performed, a monitor portion (46) determines whether the control target derived through conversion is within the allowable horsepower range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Masato Kaigawa
  • Publication number: 20100274460
    Abstract: Static demand engine torque is converted into dynamic demand engine torque. The dynamic demand engine torque converted from the static demand engine torque is accommodated in relation to the dynamic demand engine torque set in another system. Static demand drive force is converted into dynamic demand drive force. The dynamic demand drive force converted from the static demand drive force is accommodated in relation to the dynamic demand drive force set in another system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOta JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Masato Kaigawa, Toshiya Oishi, Shogo Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20100262352
    Abstract: An ECU includes: an engine control unit that controls devices provided for an engine on the basis of a target engine rotational speed; and an engine model that calculates the target engine rotational speed such that the target engine rotational speed varies in accordance with a target engine torque and an actual engine rotational speed in a steady state, and that calculates the target engine rotational speed such that the target engine rotational speed varies in accordance with the target engine torque independently of the actual engine rotational speed in a transient state in which the engine is unstable as compared with the steady state. When the engine is controlled by the thus configured ECU, the control accuracy is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Masato Kaigawa, Toshiya Oishi, Shogo Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7797992
    Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling a source of rotational drive force based on a target rotational speed. The control apparatus includes a target model rotational speed calculation section, an actual rotational speed detection section, and a target rotational speed adjustment section. The target model rotational speed calculation section calculates a rotational speed corresponding to a target drive force of the source as a target model rotational speed. The actual rotational speed detection section detects an actual of the source. The target rotational speed adjustment section sets the target rotational speed by correcting a value of the target model rotational speed calculated by the target model rotational speed calculation section to gradually approach the actual rotational speed detected by the actual rotational speed detection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Masato Kaigawa
  • Patent number: 7792623
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program including the steps of: detecting engine speed NE based on a signal transmitted from an engine speed sensor; calculating engine speed NE with dead time of the engine with respect to a target output torque removed; calculating engine speed NE reflecting the dead time of the engine with respect to the target output torque; correcting the actual engine speed NE in accordance with a difference between the engine speed with dead time removed and the engine speed reflecting the dead time; and setting the target value of output torque in accordance with the corrected engine speed NE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Masato Kaigawa, Hideki Kubonoya
  • Publication number: 20100197457
    Abstract: A shift output torque control unit executes a shift output torque control to control an engine torque so as to reduce a driving force difference, which is a variation width of a driving force due to downshift of an automatic transmission. Thus, in comparison with the case in which the shift output torque control is not executed, it is possible to smooth a variation in driving force associated with the downshift. As a result, occupants' comfort and controllability to driving operation may be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Hideaki Otsubo, Masato Kaigawa, Shogo Matsumoto, Masayuki Baba
  • Publication number: 20100191429
    Abstract: A low-side target gear ratio “alpha” and a high-side target gear ratio “beta” are calculated using an up-use map Ma and a down-use map Mb based on a vehicle speed and an accelerator opening amount, and with regard to a region wherein the target gear ratio “alpha” is not more “high” than an actual gear ratio and the target gear ratio “beta” is not more “low” than the actual gear ratio, a gear ratio of a continuously variable transmission is held.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Masato Kaigawa
  • Publication number: 20100161198
    Abstract: A vehicular control apparatus that controls a device mounted on a vehicle includes: a generating means for generating respective required values of the device based on quantities of state in different units; an adjusting means for converting the required values into values in one unit and obtaining a desired value of the device based on the values in one unit; a control means for controlling the device based on the obtained, desired value; and a determining means for determining whether the vehicle is in a certain state using respective reference values set for the quantities of state, the required values, and the desired value. One of the reference values is converted into the remaining reference values in different units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Masato Kaigawa
  • Publication number: 20100137103
    Abstract: An electronic control unit is provided with two types of gear change maps: a first gear change map based on the vehicle speed and the accelerator pedal operation amount; and a second gear change map based on the vehicle speed and the required drive force of the vehicle. The electronic control unit determines whether the automatic transmission should downshift with reference to the first gear change map, and determines whether the automatic transmission should upshift with reference to the second gear change map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Hideaki Otsubo, Masato Kaigawa, Masayuki Baba
  • Publication number: 20100010716
    Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission 10 having shift control means 88 operative to select a manual shift mode is provided for preventing acceleration response from deteriorating in the automatic transmission 10. The control device includes automatic up-range control means 90 for switching a range to a “D” range when high oil-temperature determining means determines presence of a high oil-temperature state, and high oil-temperature down-range permitting means 92 for permitting a down-range during a manual shift operation until a selected uppermost gear position GSELECT reaches a determining gear position GJUGE when the accelerator-on drive determining means 86 subsequently determines presence of an accelerator-on drive. Even when obtaining a drive force is attempted during an accelerator-on drive mode after switching the range, the down-range by the manual shift operation is permitted until the selected uppermost gear position GSELECT reaches the determining gear position GJUGE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki SAWADA, Masato Kaigawa, Shinya Toyoda, Kei Kitajima, Yoshio Hasegawa, Fuminori Monji
  • Patent number: 7627411
    Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling a step-variable automatic transmission of a vehicle to effect a shifting action of the automatic transmission on the basis of a target throttle valve opening angle for realizing a target vehicle drive force, so as to prevent a shift hunting phenomenon of the automatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Masato Kaigawa
  • Publication number: 20090292430
    Abstract: A shift controller includes: a shift control unit automatically shifting gears of an automatic transmission using a basic shift line map; a shift line map switching control unit switching from the basic shift line map to a high fluid temperature shift line map set on a lower vehicle speed side when a hydraulic fluid temperature in the automatic transmission is higher than a predetermined value; and a low power state determination unit determining whether a vehicle is in a low power state in which a required power related value used for gear shift determination is lower than a predetermined determination value. The shift line map switching control unit switches from the high fluid temperature shift line map back to the basic shift line map when the hydraulic fluid temperature is lower than the predetermined value and the vehicle is in the low power state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki SAWADA, Masato Kaigawa, Kei Kitajima, Yoshio Hasegawa, Fuminori Monji
  • Publication number: 20090271081
    Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission is disclosed wherein a shift point depending on a variation in vehicle acceleration is modified on a real time basis in accordance with not only a corrected result on a shift point depending on piece-to-piece variations of automatic transmissions, but also actual acceleration for shortening a time required for learning with high precision with no need to be matched. Shift point real-time modifying means is provided for modifying the altered shift point based on a value of a ratio between a value of actual engine-rotation acceleration at an upshift-determining timing during a power-on running and a value of reference engine-rotation acceleration obtained by substituting a value of actual engine-rotation acceleration to a value for a reference running state having no impact on acceleration of a vehicle, and a target maximum engine rotation speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Watanabe, Masato Kaigawa, Ichiro Kitaori, Masakazu Owatari
  • Publication number: 20090259370
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle integrated-control apparatus and method that controls at least a drive control system, a brake control system, and a dynamic behavior control system in an integrated manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masato Kaigawa, Seiji Kuwahara, Ken Koibuchi, Hirotada Otake
  • Publication number: 20090248261
    Abstract: An assumption torque setting device for an engine that executes a torque reduction process during gear shifting. The device sets a torque assumed to be output by the engine and based on a target torque from which an amount corresponding to the torque reduction process is excluded as an assumption torque during the gear shifting. The device includes an assumption model torque calculation unit which calculates an assumption model torque from the target torque from which an amount corresponding to the torque reduction process is excluded based on an internal combustion engine delay model. An assumption torque calculation unit calculates before torque reduction is performed an assumption torque based on an engine operation state and calculates when the torque reduction is being performed an assumption torque based on the assumption model torque and an assumption torque calculated from the engine operation state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji KUWAHARA, Masato Kaigawa
  • Publication number: 20090125199
    Abstract: The invention relates to a driving force control device and method employed in a vehicle including a drive source and an automatic transmission which is connected to the drive source and which changes a speed ratio in a stepwise manner or continuously. With the control device and method, a first target driving force is set based on an operation amount of an accelerator pedal by a driver and a vehicle speed; a target throttle valve opening amount is set based on the operation amount of the accelerator pedal by the driver; a second target driving force is set based on the target throttle valve opening amount; a final target driving force is set by coordinating the first target driving force and the second target driving force with each other according to a predetermined coordination condition; and the drive source and the automatic transmission are controlled based on the final target driving force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masato Kaigawa