Patents by Inventor Mitsuo Kayano

Mitsuo Kayano 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: 7653462
    Abstract: A vehicle control unit includes interface software memory means storing an interface software program for connecting an application software program with an OS (operating system) in an internal ROM, a CPU (central processing unit) for performing computation for the application software program and the interface software program, a RAM (erasable memory) storing data such as the result of computation, an I/O unit for extending the control unit, and extending means for communicating memory data through a bus or a LAN. A single-chip micro-computer used in vehicle control permits an increase in input/output points or the addition of functionality, in which case an application software program can continue to be used simply by rewriting the interface software program, without further remanufacturing of the core unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Yoshiyuki Yoshida, Junichi Ishii, Shigeki Morinaga, Hiroshi Katayama, Mitsuo Kayano, Kenichiro Kurata
  • Patent number: 7337046
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling an automotive vehicle are disclosed, in which a control amount for securing safety of the vehicle and the control amount for achieving a state intended for by the driver of the vehicle are switched in such a manner as to reduce the shock due to the change in the torque generated from the power train, thereby accomplishing both safety and maneuverability at the same time. A first target value is set for controlling at least selected one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate. A second target value is calculated in accordance with the drive mode intended for by the driver or the driving environment ahead of the vehicle. In the case where a deviation exceeding a predetermined value develops between the first target value and the second target value, the fluctuations of at least one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate are suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Tatsuya Ochi, Satoru Kuragaki, Mitsuo Kayano, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7313473
    Abstract: At the time of the change-speed, by correcting the torque reducing portion of an output shaft during the change-speed, the revolution number of an input shaft is controlled on the basis of the corrected torque reduction correcting value. Also, the torque of said input shaft is adjusted at the end of the change-speed on the basis of said torque correcting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Mitsuo Kayano, Tatsuya Ochi
  • Patent number: 7263423
    Abstract: At the time of the change-speed, by correcting the torque reducing portion of an output shaft during the change-speed, the revolution number of an input shaft is controlled on the basis of the corrected torque reduction correcting value. Also, the torque of said input shaft is adjusted at the end of the change-speed on the basis of said torque correcting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Mitsuo Kayano, Tatsuya Ochi
  • Patent number: 7222551
    Abstract: A mesh-type automatic transmission includes a power input shaft for introducing power of an engine, a plurality of transmission gears, a plurality of cogged clutches, a power output shaft for outputting driving force, a counter shaft, and a plurality of counter gears, for transmitting power of the engine to the power output shaft by rotating the power input shaft with the power of the engine, rotating the counter shaft, and transmitting rotation of the counter shaft to the power output shaft with automatic gear change by engaging and disengaging the cogged clutches to one of the transmission gears corresponding to the speed. The counter shaft is provided with an assist mechanism for transmitting rotational force of the power input shaft to the power output shaft by transmitting rotation of the counter shaft via the assist gear, during the period of disengagement of a gear to the engagement of a new gear during gear change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Kayano, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Tatsuya Ochi, Hiroshi Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20070106448
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling an automotive vehicle are disclosed, in which a control amount for securing safety of the vehicle and the control amount for achieving a state intended for by the driver of the vehicle are switched in such a manner as to reduce the shock due to the change in the torque generated from the power train, thereby accomplishing both safety and maneuverability at the same time. A first target value is set for controlling at least selected one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate. A second target value is calculated in accordance with the drive mode intended for by the driver or the driving environment ahead of the vehicle. In the case where a deviation exceeding a predetermined value develops between the first target value and the second target value, the fluctuations of at least one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate are suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshimichi MINOWA, Tatsuya Ochi, Satoru Kuragaki, Mitsuo Kayano, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7201703
    Abstract: A control device for giving an existing gear type transmission a parking lock function to lock a vehicle; a control method thereof; and an automobile having an improved transmission. The gear type transmission comprises a gear type speed change mechanism (5) provided with a mesh type clutch (3), and a second friction clutch (4) installed between the shafts of the speed change mechanism to enable torque transfer during shifting. A parking demand detecting means (9) detects the driver's parking demand. And, when it detects the driver's parking demand, a control device (10) sends an instruction signal to an actuator to instruct the latter to engage both the mesh type clutch (3) and the second friction clutch (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ochi, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Hiroshi Sakamoto, Naoyuki Ozaki, Mitsuo Kayano
  • Patent number: 7185722
    Abstract: Disclosed is a power transmission apparatus of motor vehicles which has an engine, a gear change apparatus, an electric rotary machine to which a power is transmitted via the gear change apparatus, and a clutch provided between an input shaft and an output shaft of the gear change apparatus and adjusting a transmission torque between the input shaft and the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Mitsuo Kayano
  • Patent number: 7162353
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling an automotive vehicle are disclosed, in which a control amount for securing safety of the vehicle and the control amount for achieving a state intended for by the driver of the vehicle are switched in such a manner as to reduce the shock due to the change in the torque generated from the power train, thereby accomplishing both safety and maneuverability at the same time. A first target value is set for controlling at least selected one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate. A second target value is calculated in accordance with the drive mode intended for by the driver or the driving environment ahead of the vehicle. In the case where a deviation exceeding a predetermined value develops between the first target value and the second target value, the fluctuations of at least one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate are suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Tatsuya Ochi, Satoru Kuragaki, Mitsuo Kayano, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7150698
    Abstract: In a control unit for an automobile power transmission apparatus which includes a gear-type transmission and several of the motors are controlled so as to suppress thrust or push-up on the torque of the output shaft of the transmission due to inertia torque or to suppress draw or pull-in on the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Mitsuo Kayano, Tatsuya Ochi, Hiroshi Kuroiwa, Masahiko Ibamoto
  • Publication number: 20060276302
    Abstract: At the time of the change-speed, by correcting the torque reducing portion of an output shaft during the change-speed, the revolution number of an input shaft is controlled on the basis of the corrected torque reduction correcting value. Also, the torque of said input shaft is adjusted at the end of the change-speed on the basis of said torque correcting value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Mitsuo Kayano, Tatsuya Ochi
  • Patent number: 7130723
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a control unit for vehicle where increase in number of input/output and upgrading of function can easily be performed and, in addition to this, changing of a program in a control unit can easily be performed even when a single-chip micro-computer is used. In order to cope with an increase in input/output points and addition of function, a control unit is constructed such as to comprise interface software memory means storing an interface software program for connecting an application software program with an OS (operating system) in an internal ROM, a CPU (central processing unity for performing computation of the application software program and the interface software program, a RAM (erasable memory) storing data such as the result of computation, an I/O unit for extending the control unit, and extending means for communicating memory data through a bus or a LAN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Yoshiyuki Yoshida, Junichi Ishii, Shigeki Morinaga, Hiroshi Katayama, Mitsuo Kayano, Kenichiro Kurata
  • Publication number: 20060206241
    Abstract: A vehicle control unit includes interface software memory means storing an interface software program for connecting an application software program with an OS (operating system) in an internal ROM, a CPU (central processing unit) for performing computation for the application software program and the interface software program, a RAM (erasable memory) storing data such as the result of computation, an I/O unit for extending the control unit, and extending means for communicating memory data through a bus or a LAN. A single-chip micro-computer used in vehicle control permits an increase in input/output points or the addition of functionality, in which case an application software program can continue to be used simply by rewriting the interface software program, without further remanufacturing of the core unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Yoshiyuki Yoshida, Junichi Ishii, Shigeki Morinaga, Niroshi Katayama, Mitsuo Kayano, Kenichiro Kurata
  • Patent number: 7086301
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission has a first torque transmission path for transmitting a torque from the engine to an output shaft of the transmission through a first input shaft of the transmission, a first pair of gears and a first mesh type clutch. A second torque transmission path transmits a torque from the engine to the output shaft through the first input shaft, a second pair of gears and a second mesh type clutch. A third torque transmission path transmits a torque from the engine to the output shaft through a second input shaft of the transmission, a friction clutch disposed between the second input shaft and the engine, a third pair of gears and a third mesh type clutch. The torque transmission path from the engine to the output shaft shifts in order of the first torque transmission path, the third torque transmission path, and the second torque transmission path. When the torque is transmitted through the third torque transmission path, a torque at the first input shaft is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Mitsuo Kayano, Tatsuya Ochi
  • Patent number: 7037238
    Abstract: At the time of the change-speed, by correcting the torque reducing portion of an output shaft during the change-speed, the revolution number of an input shaft is controlled on the basis of the corrected torque reduction correcting value. Also, the torque of said input shaft is adjusted at the end of the change-speed on the basis of said torque correcting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Mitsuo Kayano, Tatsuya Ochi
  • Patent number: 6969339
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle which has a function to reduce the change-speed shock when changing the speed by controlling the transmission of the vehicle. The control device performs the switching between a manual change-speed mode in which the vehicle speed can be changed based on a change-speed command generated by manual operation and an automatic change-speed mode in which a transmission gear ratio can be controlled based on the predetermined change-speed characteristic. Thereby the reduction amount of the change-speed shock can be changed between the manual change-speed mode and the automatic change-speed mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Kayano, Toshimichi Minowa, Hiroshi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6918854
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling creep in an automatic transmission, comprising a first creep torque control means which, upon generation of an accelerator- and brake-pedal undepressed state in a running mode, generates a target creep speed, the target creep speed increasing as a function of time and settling to a predetermined value, the first creep torque control means then calculating a creep torque from the target creep speed, detecting a change in vehicle load from a speed deviation, correcting a target creep torque on the basis of the detected change in vehicle load, and controlling the engine torque on the basis of the correction, and a second creep torque control means which controls a transfer torque of a starting clutch (a first friction clutch) on the basis of a slipping speed of the starting clutch and the target creep torque, the creep controlling method and system being able to realize a stable creep running even against a change in running environment such as the existence of a slope or an i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Okada, Toshimichi Minowa, Mitsuo Kayano, Tatsuya Ochi, Hiroshi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6889570
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission system has a gear-type transmission with a plurality of gears and a plurality of claw clutches which transmits a torque between an input shaft of said gear-type transmission and an output shaft of said gear-type transmission. The transmission changes transmission courses by engaging with and/or disengaging from the gears and the claw clutches, and forms another transmission course via a torque controller between the input shaft of the gear-type transmission and the output shaft of said gear-type transmission during a period between a first transmission course and a second transmission course formed by the gears and the claw clutches. A torque capacity of the torque controller is greater than the maximum output shaft torque of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Kayano, Toshimichi Minowa, Hiroshi Sakamoto, Tatsuya Ochi, Hiroshi Ohnishi
  • Patent number: RE39134
    Abstract: An automatic transmission control system for an automobile, comprising a vehicle weight estimation unit which estimates a vehicle weight of the automobile a torque estimation unit which estimates an output torque, an acceleration input unit which accepts an acceleration signal; a load estimation unit (110) which estimates a running load from the estimated vehicle weight, the estimated output torque and the accepted acceleration; a memory which stores a plurality of shift schedules therein; and a gear position determination unit (109) which includes the memory, and which selects one of the shift schedules in accordance with the vehicle weight and the estimated running load, so as to determine a gear position of an automatic transmission of the automobile in conformity with the selected shift schedule. An exact shift operation conformed to the vehicle weight and the running load can be performed, and an enhanced fuel consumption can be attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ohnishi, Kouji Kitano, Mitsuo Kayano, Nobuo Kurihara
  • Patent number: RE39684
    Abstract: An automatic transmission control system for an automobile, comprising a vehicle weight estimation unit which estimates a vehicle weight of the automobile a torque estimation unit which estimates an output torque, an acceleration input unit which accepts an acceleration signal; a load estimation unit (110) which estimates a running load from the estimated vehicle weight, the estimated output torque and the accepted acceleration; a memory which stores a plurality of shift schedules therein; and a gear position determination unit (109) which includes the memory, and which selects one of the shift schedules in accordance with the vehicle weight and the estimated running load, so as to determine a gear position of an automatic transmission of the automobile in conformity with the selected shift schedule. An exact shift operation conformed to the vehicle weight and the running load can be performed, and an enhanced fuel consumption can be attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ohnishi, Kouji Kitano, Mitsuo Kayano, Nobuo Kurihara