Patents by Inventor Norihiro Yamamura

Norihiro Yamamura 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).

  • Publication number: 20140129067
    Abstract: A control device of a vehicle includes: an engine; a connection/disconnection device configured to connect/interrupt the engine; a rotating machine disposed to enable transmission of drive power to the wheels; and a running position selection device, the control device including a first manual mode selected by performing a deceleration increasing operation by a driver for increasing vehicle deceleration while the automatic running position is selected and a second manual mode selected by performing a deceleration increasing operation by a driver for increasing the vehicle deceleration while the manual running position is selected, while the vehicle is running with the engine interrupted from the wheels, if the first manual mode is selected, the vehicle deceleration being generated only by the rotating machine, and if the second manual mode is selected, the connection/disconnection device being put into the connected state to generate the vehicle deceleration at least by the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoaki Furukawa, Takeshi Kanayama, Tetsuo Hori, Tomoyuki Maruyama, Akiko Nishimine, Takeshi Miyagawa, Ryoki II, Koji Hayashi, Norihiro Yamamura, Akihiro Sato
  • Publication number: 20140077941
    Abstract: A vehicular indicator device for a hybrid vehicle which is provided with vehicle drive power sources in the form of an engine and an electric motor and which is driven in one of a plurality of vehicle drive modes including an EV drive mode, a series HV drive mode and a parallel HV drive mode that is automatically selected according to a vehicle drive power, said indicator device being configured to indicate the selected vehicle drive mode and said vehicle drive power, the vehicular indicator device being configured to indicate a running state of the hybrid vehicle as represented by said vehicle drive power and said selected vehicle drive mode, in a two-dimensional coordinate system on a display screen, which coordinate system is defined by said vehicle drive power and said selected vehicle drive mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norihiro Yamamura, Koji Hayashi, Takeshi Kanayama, Tetsuo Hori, Tomoyuki Maruyama, Akiko Nishimine, Takeshi Miyagawa, Ryoki II, Tomoaki Furukawa, Akihiro Sato
  • Publication number: 20140051546
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle includes: engine starting means for starting an engine when a need for switching to a 4-wheel drive mode has been forecasted, the hybrid vehicle having a series HV drive mode in which the hybrid vehicle is run with a second electric motor, in the released state of a connecting/disconnecting device, while a first electric motor is operated with a drive force of said engine to generate an electric energy, the control apparatus further including, as said engine starting means, series HV drive controlling means for starting said engine and enlarging a series HV drive mode region for running the hybrid vehicle in said series HV drive mode, so as to cover a portion or an entirety of an original EV drive mode region for running the hybrid vehicle in said EV drive mode, when the need for switching to said 4-wheel drive mode has been forecasted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Maruyama, Norihiro Yamamura, Akiko Nishimine, Ryoki II, Tomoaki Furukawa, Takeshi Kanayama, Tetsuo Hori, Koji Hayashi, Takeshi Miyagawa, Akihiro Sato
  • Publication number: 20130253743
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus configured to selectively establish one of a first drive state in which a vehicle drive force is generated primarily by a second motor/generator operated with an electric energy supplied from an electric-energy storage device while an engine is placed in a rest state, and a second drive state in which a first motor/generator is operated with a drive force of the engine, to generate an electric energy and in which the vehicle drive force is generated primarily by the second motor/generator operated with at least the electric energy generated by the first motor/generator. The vehicle control apparatus is further configured such that the vehicle drive force generated in the second drive state at a given value of an accelerator pedal operation amount ?acc is larger than that generated in the first drive state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Maruyama, Takeshi Miyagawa, Tomoaki Furukawa, Ryoki Ii, Akihiro Sato, Norihiro Yamamura, Akiko Nishimine, Takeshi Kanayama, Tetsuo Hori, Koji Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20130253744
    Abstract: A hybrid drive system configured to selectively establish one of a first drive mode in which a first motor/generator MG1 is operated with a drive force of an engine, to generate an electric energy and in which a vehicle drive force is generated primarily by a second motor/generator MG2, and a second drive mode in which the vehicle drive force is generated by the engine, and at least one of the first motor/generator MG1 and second motor/generator MG2 is operated to generate an assisting vehicle drive force, as needed, and further configured such that an amount of a working oil to be supplied to the first motor/generator MG1 is larger in the first drive mode than in the second drive mode, permitting sufficient cooling of the electric motor depending upon a selected one of the vehicle drive modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akiko Nishimine, Koji Hayashi, Takeshi Kanayama, Tetsuo Hori, Tomoyuki Maruyama, Takeshi Miyagawa, Ryoki Ii, Tomoaki Furukawa, Norihiro Yamamura, Akihiro Sato
  • Patent number: 8539852
    Abstract: A gearshift lever for switching a gear range of a vehicle transmission includes a lever body, which accommodates a detent rod, and an operation unit, which is arranged on the lever body. The operation unit is pushed to disengage the detent rod from a detent receptacle formed in a base plate and cancel pivoting restriction of the lever body. The operation unit includes an inclined surface on which the detent rod slides. The inclined surface moves the detent rod in a direction in which the detent rod disengages from the detent receptacle when the operation unit is pushed. The operation unit also includes a coil spring, which biases the operation unit in a direction that is the same as a direction in which the operation unit is pushed to hold the detent rod in contact with the inclined surface, and a mount, which positions the coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Norihiro Yamamura
  • Publication number: 20130226387
    Abstract: A vehicle hybrid drive device having an EV running mode enabling a vehicle to run only with a second rotating machine used as a drive power source while an engine is disconnected from a drive power transmission path, a series HEV running mode enabling the vehicle to run only with the second rotating machine used as the drive power source while a first rotating machine is rotationally driven to generate electricity by the engine disconnected from the drive power transmission path, and a parallel HEV running mode enabling the vehicle to run with the engine and at least one of the first and second rotating machines used as the drive power sources while the engine is connected to the drive power transmission path. If a driver desires power-performance-oriented running or fuel-efficiency-oriented running, the range for selecting the series HEV running mode is made narrower or wider, respectively, than usual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Hayashi, Takeshi Kanayama, Tetsuo Hori, Ryoki Ii, Tomoaki Furukawa, Akiko Nishimine, Takeshi Miyagawa, Tomoyuki Maruyama, Norihiro Yamamura, Akihiro Sato
  • Publication number: 20130218394
    Abstract: A vehicle hybrid drive device includes: a first rotating machine coupled to an engine; a connection/disconnection device capable of connecting/disconnecting the engine and the first rotating machine to/from wheels; and a second rotating machine disposed in a manner enabling transmission of drive power to the wheels, the vehicle hybrid drive device enabling a vehicle to run in two running modes of an EV running mode enabling the vehicle to run with the second rotating machine used as a drive power source while the connection/disconnection device is disconnected, and a parallel HEV running mode enabling the vehicle to run with the engine and at least one of the first and second rotating machines as the drive power sources while the connection/disconnection device is connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Kanayama, Koji Hayashi, Tetsuo Hori, Tomoyuki Maruyama, Akiko Nishimine, Takeshi Miyagawa, Tomoaki Furukawa, Norihiro Yamamura, Akihiro Sato, Ryoki II
  • Publication number: 20120310460
    Abstract: It is provided a control apparatus for a vehicle provided with an electric motor power source, an inverter, an electric motor, an inverter smoothing capacitor, and a step-variable automatic transmission, the control apparatus being configured to implement a torque reduction control, and to implement a torque reduction limitation control to limit reduction of an output torque of the electric motor to within a range in which a terminal voltage of the inverter smoothing capacitor will not exceed a predetermined withstanding voltage of the inverter and to limit the reduction of the output torque by limiting an amount of change of the output torque per unit time during the reduction of the output torque in the torque reduction control, to within a predetermined torque reduction rate limiting range, and wherein the torque reduction rate limiting range is determined upon initiation of a shifting action of the automatic transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Daiki SATO, Taiyo Uejima, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Norihiro Yamamura
  • Publication number: 20110308346
    Abstract: A gearshift lever for switching a gear range of a vehicle transmission includes a lever body, which accommodates a detent rod, and an operation unit, which is arranged on the lever body. The operation unit is pushed to disengage the detent rod from a detent receptacle formed in a base plate and cancel pivoting restriction of the lever body. The operation unit includes an inclined surface on which the detent rod slides. The inclined surface moves the detent rod in a direction in which the detent rod disengages from the detent receptacle when the operation unit is pushed. The operation unit also includes a coil spring, which biases the operation unit in a direction that is the same as a direction in which the operation unit is pushed to hold the detent rod in contact with the inclined surface, and a mount, which positions the coil spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Norihiro Yamamura
  • Publication number: 20070082778
    Abstract: A drive unit qualified as an automatic transmission- includes a rotational shaft transmitting power, a planetary gear mechanism linked to the rotational shaft, and a friction engagement device provided at the outer circumferential side of the planetary gear mechanism. The planetary gear mechanism includes a pinion gear, and a pinion shaft supporting the pinion gear in a rotatable manner. The pinion shaft includes an oil inlet through which oil flows in, an oil outlet provided so as to supply oil flowing in from the oil inlet to the friction engagement device, and an oil channel communicating the oil inlet with the oil outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norihiro Yamamura, Yuji Yasuda, Hirofumi Onishi
  • Patent number: 6968934
    Abstract: A lubricating structure of a friction engaging device including a rotating drum which is a cylindrical rotating body, around a perimeter of which there is provided a friction member, and which is engaged with/disengaged from a predetermined coupling member via the friction member; and a ring gear which is spline-coupled to an inner surface of the rotating drum and which is positioned while contacting an inward flange that is integrally provided with the rotating drum. In the lubricating structure, a centrifugal oil passage which is formed between the ring gear and the inward flange, and which introduces lubricating oil inside the rotating drum to a spline-coupled portion of the ring gear and the rotating drum by centrifugal force, and a plurality of through holes which are formed in the rotating drum and through which the lubricating oil, that has flowed into the spline-coupled portion, flows to an outside of the rotating drum where the friction member is provided are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiro Yamamura, Yuji Yasuda, Hirofumi Onishi
  • Publication number: 20050197226
    Abstract: A planetary gear set including a sun gear; a carrier which rotatably supports multiple pinions meshed with the sun gear; and a ring gear in which internal teeth meshed with the pinions are formed in an inner peripheral surface and in which spline grooves are formed on an outer peripheral surface such that the ring gear serves as a hub of friction plates. A groove is formed along an entire circumference of part of the inner peripheral surface of the ring gear. Oil holes for introducing lubricating oil from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the ring gear are formed such that one end of each of the oil holes opens at a bottom of the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Norihiro Yamamura, Yuji Yasuda, Naoki Kato
  • Publication number: 20040159521
    Abstract: A lubricating structure of a friction engaging device including a rotating drum which is a cylindrical rotating body, around a perimeter of which there is provided a friction member, and which is engaged with/disengaged from a predetermined coupling member via the friction member; and a ring gear which is spline-coupled to an inner surface of the rotating drum and which is positioned while contacting an inward flange that is integrally provided with the rotating drum. In the lubricating structure, a centrifugal oil passage which is formed between the ring gear and the inward flange, and which introduces lubricating oil inside the rotating drum to a spline-coupled portion of the ring gear and the rotating drum by centrifugal force, and a plurality of through holes which are formed in the rotating drum and through which the lubricating oil, that has flowed into the spline-coupled portion, flows to an outside of the rotating drum where the friction member is provided are formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norihiro Yamamura, Yuji Yasuda, Hirofumi Onishi