Patents by Inventor Masatoshi Noguchi

Masatoshi Noguchi 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: 9154060
    Abstract: A rear wheel driving device includes left and right electric motors connected to left and right rear wheel, respectively; and a control device for controlling the electric motors such that a third relationship is satisfied as the first priority based on at least either a first relationship or a second relationship, and the third relationship. The first relationship includes sum of right and left wheel torques, sum of right and left motor torques, sum of right and left wheel driving forces, or sum of right and left motor driving forces. The second relationship includes difference between right and left wheel torques, difference between right and left motor torques, difference between right and left wheel driving forces, or difference between right and left motor driving forces. The third relationship includes sum of left and right electric powers generated or consumed by the electric motors, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Noguchi, Satoshi Ando, Masayuki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 9139195
    Abstract: An electric motor-generator controller (8) is configured to control a left electric power of the left electric motor-generator (2A) and a right electric power of the right electric motor-generator (2B), based on the sum of the left electric power and the right electric power, wherein the left electric power is defined as an electric power generated or consumed by the left electric motor-generator (2A) and, the right electric power is defined as an electric power generated or consumed by the right electric motor-generator (2B). The electric motor-generator controller (8) control the left electric power of the left electric motor-generator and the right electric power of the right electric motor-generator such that the sum of the left electric power and the right electric power becomes a constant value, when the rotation restrictor controller (8) controls the rotation restrictor (60A, 60B) such that the rotation restrictor releases the third rotation elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Noguchi
  • Patent number: 9114725
    Abstract: In a method of obtaining a rotation speed of a right wheel (RWr), the method includes: detecting a motor rotation speed detection value (LMa) using a resolver (20A); detecting a wheel rotation speed detection value (LWa) using a wheel speed sensor (13A); obtaining a ring gear rotation speed conversion value (Rb) based on the motor rotation speed detection value (LMa) and the wheel rotation speed detection value (LWa); detecting a motor rotation speed detection value (RMa) using the resolver (20B); obtaining a wheel rotation speed conversion value (RWb) based on the ring gear rotation speed conversion value (Rb) and the motor rotation speed detection value (RMa); detecting a wheel rotation speed detection value (RWa) using a wheel speed sensor (20B); and selecting the wheel rotation speed conversion value (RWb) or the wheel rotation speed detection value (RWa), whichever is greater, as the rotation speed of the right wheel (RWr).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20150116716
    Abstract: A line segment detection apparatus includes a head that supports a sensor configured to detect light reflected by a surface of a cutting target medium and output a signal corresponding to an amount of the detected light, a driving unit configured to move the head in two-dimensional directions relatively to the cutting target medium, and a processing unit configured to drive the driving unit and perform arithmetic processing on an output of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Masatoshi Noguchi, Tamao Umezawa
  • Patent number: 9002562
    Abstract: A vehicle driving system includes a slip detector that detects an occurrence of excess slipping; an additive/subtractive slip point calculator that time-discretely calculates an additive/subtractive slip point, which is an additive slip point or a subtractive slip point, on the basis detection or non-detection of an occurrence of excess slipping; a cumulative slip point calculator that sequentially calculates a cumulative slip point that is a cumulative sum of values of the additive/subtractive slip point; and a driving mode switcher that switches between a two-wheel driving mode and an all-wheel driving mode on the basis of the cumulative slip point. When excess slipping is detected, the additive/subtractive slip point calculator calculates the additive slip point on the basis of a driving force correlation value that correlates to a driving force a driving wheel for which the excess slipping has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Andou, Masatoshi Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20150042245
    Abstract: A motor controller obtains: a first motor target rotation number, a first motor actual rotation number of a first motor, a second motor target rotation number, and a second motor actual rotation number of a second motor; determines a first rotation number difference between the first motor target rotation number and the first motor actual rotation number of the first motor, and a second rotation number difference between the second motor target rotation number and the second motor actual rotation number of the second motor, determines first and second rotation control torques based on a smaller one of the first rotation number difference and the second rotation number difference; and determines a first motor torque of the first motor and a second motor torque of the second motor based on the first and second rotation control torques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sei Shinohara, Satoshi Ando, Masatoshi Noguchi, Masakatsu Hori, Makoto Tsuchihashi
  • Publication number: 20150014081
    Abstract: Provided are a vehicle such that drive state can be suitably selected in a configuration including an internal combustion engine, and a vehicle control method. In a vehicle and a method of controlling the same, different values are set for a first switching threshold value for switching from a first independent drive state (in which one of a front wheel and a rear wheel is driven) to a combined drive state, and for a second switching threshold value for switching from a second independent drive state (in which the other of the front wheel and the rear wheel is driven by an internal combustion engine) to the combined drive state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Noguchi
  • Patent number: 8905884
    Abstract: According to the embodiment, the electric motor controller is configured to perform control such that a free-state limit torque after switching from the ring-locking state to the free state is set to a value larger in absolute value than an upper limit torque of the first electric motor or the second electric motor determined by electric motor specifications at the time of switching from the ring-locking state to the free state or is set to a value larger in absolute value than a restricted state limit torque at the time of switching from the ring-locking state to the free state. The restricted state limit torque is a limit torque of the first electric motor or the second electric motor, and the electric motor controller performs control such that the torque generated by the first electric motor or the second electric motor is less than the free-state limit torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Noguchi, Masayuki Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20140191689
    Abstract: The rear wheel driving device 1 includes: an electric motor 2A connected to a left rear wheel LWr; an electric motor 2B connected to a right rear wheel RWr; and a control device 8 for controlling the electric motors 2A and 2B. The control device 8 controls the electric motors 2A and 2B such that a third relationship is satisfied as the first priority based on at least either a first relationship or a second relationship, and the third relationship. The first relationship is defined as including a sum of right and left wheel torques, a sum of right and left motor generator torques, a sum of right and left wheel driving forces, or a sum of right and left motor generator driving forces. The second relationship is defined as including a difference between right and left wheel torques, a difference between right and left motor generator torques, a difference between right and left wheel driving forces, or a difference between right and left motor generator driving forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Noguchi, Satoshi Ando, Masayuki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8738246
    Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling a CVT that transmits power of an engine to driven wheels with hydraulic clamping pressure supplied from a hydraulic mechanism to clamp the belt from laterally-sided pulleys, it is determined whether the ABS operation of the ABS mechanism (to reduce braking force to be applied to the driven wheels when the driven wheels are locked) is delayed, and set hydraulic clamping pressure is increased when the ABS operation is determined to be delayed, while the set clamping pressure is maintained as it is when the operation of the ABS mechanism is determined to be not delayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Takemori, Yuzo Okubo, Masatoshi Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20140114520
    Abstract: A vehicle driving system includes a slip detector that detects an occurrence of excess slipping; an additive/subtractive slip point calculator that time-discretely calculates an additive/subtractive slip point, which is an additive slip point or a subtractive slip point, on the basis detection or non-detection of an occurrence of excess slipping; a cumulative slip point calculator that sequentially calculates a cumulative slip point that is a cumulative sum of values of the additive/subtractive slip point; and a driving mode switcher that switches between a two-wheel driving mode and an all-wheel driving mode on the basis of the cumulative slip point. When excess slipping is detected, the additive/subtractive slip point calculator calculates the additive slip point on the basis of a driving force correlation value that correlates to a driving force a driving wheel for which the excess slipping has occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi ANDOU, Masatoshi NOGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8666628
    Abstract: A torque distribution control apparatus for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes a vehicle-speed detector configured to detect a vehicle speed of the vehicle. A wheel-speed detector is configured to detect wheel speeds of main driving wheels and sub-driving wheels of the vehicle. A sub-driving-wheel distribution-torque calculator is configured to calculate a sub-driving-wheel distribution torque in accordance with a rotation speed difference between the main driving wheels and the sub-driving wheels calculated based on an output from the wheel-speed detector. A torque limiter is configured to limit an upper limit of the sub-driving-wheel distribution torque. A controller is configured to control the sub-driving-wheel distribution torque to be transmitted to the right and left sub-driving wheels by right and left torque distribution clutches in accordance with a driving state of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Noguchi, Nor Hairuddin, Yusuke Sakaguchi
  • Publication number: 20130260956
    Abstract: According to the embodiment, the electric motor controller is configured to perform control such that a free-state limit torque after switching from the ring-locking state to the free state is set to a value larger in absolute value than an upper limit torque of the first electric motor or the second electric motor determined by electric motor specifications at the time of switching from the ring-locking state to the free state or is set to a value larger in absolute value than a restricted state limit torque at the time of switching from the ring-locking state to the free state. The restricted state limit torque is a limit torque of the first electric motor or the second electric motor, and the electric motor controller performs control such that the torque generated by the first electric motor or the second electric motor is less than the free-state limit torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masatoshi NOGUCHI, Masayuki Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20130261863
    Abstract: An electric motor-generator controller (8) is configured to control a left electric power of the left electric motor-generator (2A) and a right electric power of the right electric motor-generator (2B), based on the sum of the left electric power and the right electric power, wherein the left electric power is defined as an electric power generated or consumed by the left electric motor-generator (2A) and, the right electric power is defined as an electric power generated or consumed by the right electric motor-generator (2B). The electric motor-generator controller (8) control the left electric power of the left electric motor-generator and the right electric power of the right electric motor-generator such that the sum of the left electric power and the right electric power becomes a constant value, when the rotation restrictor controller (8) controls the rotation restrictor (60A, 60B) such that the rotation restrictor releases the third rotation elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masatoshi NOGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20130261864
    Abstract: In a method of obtaining a rotation speed of a right wheel (RWr), the method includes: detecting a motor rotation speed detection value (LMa) using a resolver (20A); detecting a wheel rotation speed detection value (LWa) using a wheel speed sensor (13A); obtaining a ring gear rotation speed conversion value (Rb) based on the motor rotation speed detection value (LMa) and the wheel rotation speed detection value (LWa); detecting a motor rotation speed detection value (RMa) using the resolver (20B); obtaining a wheel rotation speed conversion value (RWb) based on the ring gear rotation speed conversion value (Rb) and the motor rotation speed detection value (RMa); detecting a wheel rotation speed detection value (RWa) using a wheel speed sensor (20B); and selecting the wheel rotation speed conversion value (RWb) or the wheel rotation speed detection value (RWa), whichever is greater, as the rotation speed of the right wheel (RWr).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: Masatoshi NOGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8527178
    Abstract: In apparatus for controlling operation of a four-wheel drive vehicle having a prime mover (engine), drive wheels driven by the prime mover and free wheels, a VC (viscous coupling; torque transferring device) installed between the drive wheels and free wheels to transfer torque generated in response to a difference between inputted and outputted rotation thereof, output of the prime mover is decreased based on a desired rotational speed of the drive wheels driven by the prime mover when calculated difference between inputted and outputted rotation of the VC is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, thereby enabling to control the driving force effectively so as to achieve required vehicle driving performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Noguchi, Hirohiko Totsuka, Yuji Okamura
  • Patent number: 8489304
    Abstract: A torque distribution control apparatus for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes a torque distribution controller configured to control a sub-driving-wheel distribution torque to be transmitted to right and left sub-driving wheels via right and left torque distribution clutches in accordance with a target distribution torque. A driving-torque calculator is configured to calculate a driving torque output from a driving source. A target-distribution-torque calculator is configured to calculate the target distribution torque to be distributed to the sub-driving wheels in accordance with the driving torque. A target-distribution-torque correction device is configured to correct the target distribution torque to increase when the target distribution torque is lower than or equal to a first threshold value and an increase rate of the target distribution torque is higher than or equal to a second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Noguchi, Yusuke Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 8478483
    Abstract: In an apparatus for detecting a skid occurred on a four-wheel drive vehicle having a prime mover and a transmission, an actual rear right/left wheel speed ratio between the rear right/left wheel speeds is calculated based on detected front and rear wheel rotational speeds, a front/rear wheel slip ratio during grip-driving is calculated by retrieving characteristics of a front/rear wheel slip ratio set with respect to a rear right/left wheel speed ratio using the calculated actual rear right/left wheel speed ratio, an actual front/rear wheel slip ratio is calculated based on the detected front wheel rotational speed and the rear wheel rotational speed, and occurrence of skid is then determined based on a difference between the calculated front/rear wheel slip ratio during grip-driving and the calculated actual front/rear wheel slip ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Takemori, Masatoshi Noguchi, Yuzo Okubo
  • Publication number: 20120083955
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a vehicle including: a first drive system configured to drive first wheels; and a second drive system configured to drive second wheels, wherein the first drive system includes: an electric motor; a motor controller; an engagement/disengagement unit provided between the electric motor side and the first drive wheels side; an engagement/disengagement controller; and a one-way power transmission unit provided between the electric motor side and the first drive wheels side in parallel to the engagement/disengagement unit, and configured, at least, to engage the both sides when a reverse-direction rotational power is inputted from the first wheels side to the electric motor side, wherein, when the vehicle reverses, a reverse driving force to reverse the vehicle is generated at least in the first drive system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masatoshi NOGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20110137531
    Abstract: In apparatus for controlling operation of a four-wheel drive vehicle having a prime mover (engine), drive wheels driven by the prime mover and free wheels, a VC (viscous coupling; torque transferring device) installed between the drive wheels and free wheels to transfer torque generated in response to a difference between inputted and outputted rotation thereof, output of the prime mover is decreased based on a desired rotational speed of the drive wheels driven by the prime mover when calculated difference between inputted and outputted rotation of the VC is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, thereby enabling to control the driving force effectively so as to achieve required vehicle driving performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masatoshi NOGUCHI, Hirohiko Totsuka, Yuji Okamura