Patents by Inventor Norifumi IWAYA

Norifumi IWAYA 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: 10232712
    Abstract: A display device is provided with a fuel gauge (40) that displays the amount of fuel remaining in a fuel tank (24) (remaining amount) of a hybrid vehicle (10) provided with an engine (13) that consumes fuel supplied from the fuel tank (24) and generates power by driving wheels (15) or rotating a motor (11). The hybrid vehicle is provided with a non-traveling/non-power generating mode, or in other words, a fuel consumption mode or an engine maintenance mode in which the engine (13) is forced to run and consume fuel for purposes other than traveling or generating power. Of the fuel (41a) displayed in the fuel gauge (40), the region (41aa) corresponding to the amount of fuel consumed in the non-traveling/non-power generating mode is displayed so as to be distinguishable by color from another region (41ab).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norifumi Iwaya, Kenichi Kunii
  • Publication number: 20170274774
    Abstract: In the present invention, a display device is provided with a fuel gauge (40) that displays the amount of fuel remaining in a fuel tank (24) (remaining amount) of a hybrid vehicle (10) that is provided with an engine (13) that consumes fuel supplied from the fuel tank (24) and generates power by driving wheels (15) or rotating a motor (11), the hybrid vehicle being provided with a non-traveling/non-power generating mode, or in other words, a fuel consumption mode or an engine maintenance mode in which the engine (13) is forced to run and consume fuel for purposes other than traveling or generating power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norifumi IWAYA, Kenichi KUNII
  • Patent number: 9758045
    Abstract: A travelable distance calculation apparatus comprises: an update device 72 for recording a measured remaining fuel amount value, and also sequentially updating the recorded value; a calculation device 73 for calculating a travelable distance based on the remaining capacity of a battery and the recorded value; and a display device 80 for displaying at least the travelable distance. During a period when an engine 13 is stopped, the update device 72 holds, as the recorded value, a value recorded during operation of the engine 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignees: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA ENGINEERING KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norifumi Iwaya, Tadashi Naruse
  • Patent number: 9617932
    Abstract: A transpiration fuel treatment apparatus, which can lower the internal pressure of a fuel tank in a relatively short time at the time of refueling, is provided. The transpiration fuel treatment apparatus comprises a fuel tank, a first sealing valve for sealing up a transpiration fuel within the fuel tank, and a second sealing valve for sealing up the transpiration fuel within the fuel tank at a position different from the position of the first sealing valve. The first sealing valve and the second sealing valve are opened before refueling of the fuel tank is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Norifumi Iwaya
  • Patent number: 9573462
    Abstract: When a driver manipulates a fuel filler lid switch, a tank shutoff valve is opened. Then, time t is calculated, and then, remaining time, obtained by subtracting elapsed time from the time t, is presented on a display device. If the fuel filler lid switch is manipulated again, the tank shutoff valve is closed to seal a fuel tank, and a message to the effect that opening action of the fuel filler lid is cancelled is presented on the display device. If the time t has elapsed without the fuel filler lid switch being manipulated again, the fuel filler lid is opened, determining that internal pressure in the fuel tank has decreased to a level predetermined to ensure that the fuel tank can be filled safely without fuel or fuel evaporative gas spouting from the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norifumi Iwaya, Hiroaki Kageyama
  • Patent number: 9556827
    Abstract: A first pressure sensor capable of detecting pressure in a narrow pressure range with a high accuracy to detect internal pressure in the fuel tank is arranged in the fuel tank, and a second pressure sensor that is capable of detecting pressure in a wide pressure range with a low accuracy with respect to the first pressure sensor, and is capable of detecting internal pressure of the fuel tank, is arranged in vapor piping between the fuel tank and a tank blocking valve. When a filler lid switch is operated to release internal pressure of the fuel tank, the first pressure sensor detects internal pressure of the fuel tank so that an operation of the tank blocking valve is controlled on the basis of the detection result, and then a filler lid is opened when the internal pressure of the fuel tank becomes the atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norifumi Iwaya, Atsushi Wakamatsu, Takayuki Sano
  • Patent number: 9441579
    Abstract: A first pressure sensor that detects pressure in a narrow pressure range with high accuracy is provided in a fuel tank, and a second pressure sensor that detects pressure in a wide pressure range with low accuracy with respect to the first pressure sensor is provided in vapor piping between the fuel tank and a tank blocking valve. Until internal pressure of the fuel tank becomes a second predetermined pressure, meter indication is performed on a display on the basis of a second tank internal pressure P2 calculated by the second pressure sensor and an atmospheric pressure sensor, and when internal pressure of the fuel tank becomes less than the second predetermined pressure, the meter indication is performed on the display on the basis of a first tank internal pressure P1 obtained by the first pressure sensor until internal pressure of the fuel tank becomes a fifth predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norifumi Iwaya, Atsushi Wakamatsu, Takayuki Sano
  • Publication number: 20160121724
    Abstract: A travelable distance calculation apparatus comprises: an update device 72 for recording a measured remaining fuel amount value, and also sequentially updating the recorded value; a calculation device 73 for calculating a travelable distance based on the remaining capacity of a battery and the recorded value; and a display device 80 for displaying at least the travelable distance. During a period when an engine 13 is stopped, the update device 72 holds, as the recorded value, a value recorded during operation of the engine 13.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicants: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA ENGINEERING KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norifumi Iwaya, Tadashi Naruse
  • Publication number: 20160090924
    Abstract: A transpiration fuel treatment apparatus, which can lower the internal pressure of a fuel tank in a relatively short time at the time of refueling, is provided. The transpiration fuel treatment apparatus comprises a fuel tank, a first sealing valve for sealing up a transpiration fuel within the fuel tank, and a second sealing valve for sealing up the transpiration fuel within the fuel tank at a position different from the position of the first sealing valve. The first sealing valve and the second sealing valve are opened before refueling of the fuel tank is started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Norifumi IWAYA
  • Patent number: 9145857
    Abstract: A vapor solenoid valve is connected so as to lead to a canister. A vapor line connecting port and a purge line connecting port are connected to a vapor line and a purge line, respectively. When switched on and in an open position, the vapor solenoid valve connects a canister connecting port, the vapor line connecting port and the purge connecting port to each other, and thus allows a fuel evaporative gas to flow out of and into a canister or allows air to flow from an air filter. When switched off and in a CLOSED position, the vapor solenoid valve closes the canister connecting port and connects only the vapor line connecting port and the purge line connecting port to each other, and thus inhibits the fuel evaporative gas from flowing out of and into the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norifumi Iwaya, Takayuki Sano
  • Publication number: 20150069070
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel tank according to the present invention has a structure in which a chamber space (10) of a baffle body (6) is formed at a point away from an inner surface of a tank body (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norifumi Iwaya, Hiroaki Kageyama, Takayuki Sano, Kenichi Kunii
  • Publication number: 20150059890
    Abstract: A first pressure sensor that detects pressure in a narrow pressure range with a high accuracy is provided in a fuel tank, and a second pressure sensor that detects pressure in a wide pressure range with a low accuracy with respect to the first pressure sensor is provided in vapor piping between the fuel tank and a tank blocking valve. Until internal pressure of the fuel tank becomes a second predetermined pressure, meter indication is performed on a display on the basis of a second tank internal pressure P2 calculated by the second pressure sensor and an atmospheric pressure sensor, and when internal pressure of the fuel tank becomes less than the second predetermined pressure, the meter indication is performed on the display on the basis of a first tank internal pressure P1 obtained by the first pressure sensor until internal pressure of the fuel tank becomes a fifth predetermined pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Norifumi IWAYA, Atsushi WAKAMATSU, Takayuki SANO
  • Publication number: 20150059870
    Abstract: A first pressure sensor capable of detecting pressure in a narrow pressure range with a high accuracy to detect internal pressure in the fuel tank is arranged in the fuel tank, and a second pressure sensor that is capable of detecting pressure in a wide pressure range with a low accuracy with respect to the first pressure sensor, and is capable of detecting internal pressure of the fuel tank, is arranged in vapor piping between the fuel tank and a tank blocking valve. When a filler lid switch is operated to release internal pressure of the fuel tank, the first pressure sensor detects internal pressure of the fuel tank so that an operation of the tank blocking valve is controlled on the basis of the detection result, and then a filler lid is opened when the internal pressure of the fuel tank becomes the atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Norifumi IWAYA, Atsushi WAKAMATSU, Takayuki SANO
  • Patent number: 8960163
    Abstract: A fuel evaporation gas discharge suppressing device of an internal combustion engine includes a gas storage tank for storing a fuel evaporation gas in a communication passage for causing an air intake passage and a fuel tank in an internal combustion engine of a vehicle to communicate with each other in the communication passage. Control unit controls canister opening/closing unit, fuel tank opening/closing unit and gas tank opening/closing unit based on an internal pressure of the fuel tank. The control unit opens the canister opening/closing unit and opens the fuel tank toward the communication passage, and then opens the gas storage tank toward the communication passage when reducing the internal pressure of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norifumi Iwaya, Takayuki Sano, Atsushi Wakamatsu, Hiroaki Kageyama
  • Patent number: 8950616
    Abstract: A fuel tank system includes a tank that stores fuel, a leveling valve that decides a limit liquid surface, a filler pipe that is provided with a fuel filler opening to which a blocking cover is attached at an end portion of the filler pipe, a recirculation pipe that communicates with the filler pipe, a discharge passage that is connected to the leveling valve and branches to a first passage and a second passage, a seal valve, and a release valve that is connected to the tank at a position higher than the limit liquid surface and one of the recirculation pipe and the filer pipe, and is released by a pressure lower than a pressure caused by a head difference between the limit liquid surface and a liquid surface of the fuel at the fuel filler opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norifumi Iwaya, Kenichi Kunii
  • Publication number: 20140175096
    Abstract: A fuel tank system includes a tank that stores fuel, a leveling valve that decides a limit liquid surface, a filler pipe that is provided with a fuel filler opening to which a blocking cover is attached at an end portion of the filler pipe, a recirculation pipe that communicates with the filler pipe, a discharge passage that is connected to the leveling valve and branches to a first passage and a second passage, a seal valve, and a release valve that is connected to the tank at a position higher than the limit liquid surface and one of the recirculation pipe and the filer pipe, and is released by a pressure lower than a pressure caused by a head difference between the limit liquid surface and a liquid surface of the fuel at the fuel filler opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norifumi IWAYA, Kenichi KUNII
  • Publication number: 20140144411
    Abstract: A fuel evaporation gas discharge suppressing device of an internal combustion engine includes a gas storage tank for storing a fuel evaporation gas in a communication passage for causing an air intake passage and a fuel tank in an internal combustion engine of a vehicle to communicate with each other in the communication passage. Control unit controls canister opening/closing unit, fuel tank opening/closing unit and gas tank opening/closing unit based on an internal pressure of the fuel tank. The control unit opens the canister opening/closing unit and opens the fuel tank toward the communication passage, and then opens the gas storage tank toward the communication passage when reducing the internal pressure of the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norifumi IWAYA, Takayuki SANO, Atsushi WAKAMATSU, Hiroaki KAGEYAMA
  • Publication number: 20130019843
    Abstract: A fuel tank apparatus mounted on a hybrid vehicle being switched between an engine drive mode and an engine stop mode, includes: a fuel supply shut-off unit configured to shut off fuel supply to the engine in the engine stop state; a cup disposed inside a fuel tank body; a fuel pump configured to operate to supply fuel stored in the cup to the fuel supply pipe; and a fuel pump controlling unit configured to operate the fuel pump to perform fuel supply to the engine and to allow fuel to enter the inside of the cup in the engine drive mode, and configured to operate the fuel pump to allow fuel to enter the inside of the cup although fuel supply to the engine is shut off by the fuel supply shut-off unit, in the engine stop mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norifumi IWAYA, Takayuki SANO, Yasuyuki KIMATA