Patents by Inventor Seiji Kuwahara

Seiji Kuwahara 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: 9902393
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided to ensure acceleration response while improving energy efficiency in an autonomous vehicle in which an operating mode is selected from an autonomous mode and a manual mode. A switching device is disposed between a motor and drive wheels to switch a driving mode between a direct drive mode and a differential drive mode. A controller executes a motor-idling control to keep a speed of the motor to a standby speed during propulsion in a motor-standby mode. The controller is configured to select a first standby speed of a motor idling control in a case that the vehicle is propelled in the manual mode, and to select a second standby speed that is lower than the first standby speed in a case that the vehicle is propelled in the autonomous mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahito Endo, Kazumi Hoshiya, Yoshio Ito, Norimi Asahara, Seiji Kuwahara, Tadashi Fujiyoshi, Yuji Iwase
  • Patent number: 9903470
    Abstract: A control system for a transmission includes first and second engagement devices and a controller. The first engagement device brings first dog teeth of a first member into engagement with second dog teeth of a second member to enable torque transmission therebetween. The second engagement device connects a third member and a fourth member while changing a torque transmitting capacity therebetween. The transmission establishes a predetermined gear stage by bringing into engagement the first engagement device and the second engagement device. The controller is configured to bring the first engagement device into engagement while reducing a torque transmitting capacity of the second engagement device and then to increase the torque transmitting capacity of the second engagement device, when shifting a gear stage from another gear stage established by bringing the first engagement device into disengagement while bringing the second engagement device into engagement to said predetermined gear stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Hirotsugu Yoshino
  • Patent number: 9896109
    Abstract: A vehicle control system configured to suppress engine noise in an autonomous mode is provided. An operating mode of the vehicle can be switched between a manual mode in which a driving force and a braking force of the vehicle are controlled by a manual operation and an autonomous mode in which the driving force and the braking force of the vehicle are controlled autonomously. The vehicle control system is configured to shift an upshifting point for reducing a speed ratio of a transmission to a low speed side in the autonomous mode, in comparison with the upshifting point set in the manual mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Kazumi Hoshiya, Norimi Asahara, Yoshio Ito, Takahito Endo, Tadashi Fujiyoshi
  • Patent number: 9873434
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided to improve energy efficiency of a vehicle that can be operated not only manually but also autonomously. The vehicle control system is configured to deliver oil to an oil requiring site in a first feeding amount under the manual mode, and to deliver oil to the oil requiring site in a second feeding amount that is smaller than the first feeding amount during propulsion under the autonomous mode in line with a travel plan. When a required amount of oil delivered to the oil requiring site is expected to be increased based on the travel plan under the autonomous mode, the controller increases an oil feeding amount to the oil requiring site from the second feeding amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahito Endo, Kazumi Hoshiya, Yoshio Ito, Norimi Asahara, Seiji Kuwahara, Tadashi Fujiyoshi, Yuji Iwase
  • Patent number: 9810320
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided to improve a response and an acceleration feel of a vehicle having a continuously variable transmission. The vehicle control system is configured to control an output power of a prime mover and a speed ratio of a transmission in such a manner that an actual driving force is increased stepwise to the required driving force to be achieved by a kick-downshifting so as to temporarily hold an increase in an acceleration during execution of the kick-downshifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsubasa Kato, Seiji Kuwahara, Satoshi Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 9776620
    Abstract: An upper limit charging rate is limited when a speed position of an automatic transmission is high as compared to when the speed position is low, so an engine is hard to enter a high torque state even when the speed position is high. Thus, it is possible to suppress vibrations and noise that tend to occur at the time when the engine is driven at a low rotation speed and high torque. On the other hand, the upper limit charging rate increases when the speed position is low as compared to when the speed position is high, with the result that a charging rate increases, so it is possible to keep a state of charge of a battery within an appropriate range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koki Minamikawa, Toshio Sugimura, Seiji Kuwahara, Takahiko Tsutsumi, Masato Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 9709166
    Abstract: A control device includes a deceleration flex-torque calculation unit that calculates a target torque capacity of a lock-up clutch when a state of the lock-up clutch is controlled to a deceleration flex control state, an acceleration flex-torque calculation unit that calculates a target torque capacity of the lock-up clutch when the state of the lock-up clutch is controlled to an acceleration flex control state, and a control unit that controls a torque capacity of the lock-up clutch to a target torque capacity calculated by the acceleration flex-torque calculation unit, during a period until a target torque capacity calculated by the acceleration flex-torque calculation unit falls below a target torque capacity calculated by the deceleration flex-torque calculation unit, when the state of the lock-up clutch is shifted from the acceleration flex control state to the deceleration flex control state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takayuki Ando, Seiji Kuwahara, Shuntaro Shinohara, Ryosuke Mizuto
  • Publication number: 20170129490
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a transmission and an engine configured to input a torque into the transmission. The transmission has multiple transmission stages and includes a first engagement mechanism and a second engagement mechanism. The control device includes an ECU configured to: (a) control the second engagement mechanism when a second transmission stage is set such that the capacity of torque transmission of the second engagement mechanism is increased and a thrust for separating a first member and a second member of the first engagement mechanism from each other in an axial direction is generated; (b) calculate a decrement in an output torque of the transmission when the capacity of torque transmission of the second engagement mechanism is increased; and (c) increase a torque input into the transmission by the engine based on the decrement in the output torque by controlling the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji KUWAHARA, Seiji MASUNAGA, Takayuki ANDO, Yuki ARATSU, Hirotsugu YOSHINO
  • Publication number: 20170130827
    Abstract: A control device includes a deceleration flex-torque calculation unit that calculates a target torque capacity of a lock-up clutch when a state of the lock-up clutch is controlled to a deceleration flex control state, an acceleration flex-torque calculation unit that calculates a target torque capacity of the lock-up clutch when the state of the lock-up clutch is controlled to an acceleration flex control state, and a control unit that controls a torque capacity of the lock-up clutch to a target torque capacity calculated by the acceleration flex-torque calculation unit, during a period until a target torque capacity calculated by the acceleration flex-torque calculation unit falls below a target torque capacity calculated by the deceleration flex-torque calculation unit, when the state of the lock-up clutch is shifted from the acceleration flex control state to the deceleration flex control state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: TAKAYUKI ANDO, SEIJI KUWAHARA, SHUNTARO SHINOHARA, RYOSUKE MIZUTO
  • Publication number: 20170066436
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided to ensure acceleration response while improving energy efficiency in an autonomous vehicle in which an operating mode is selected from an autonomous mode and a manual mode. A switching device is disposed between a motor and drive wheels to switch a driving mode between a direct drive mode and a differential drive mode. A controller executes a motor-idling control to keep a speed of the motor to a standby speed during propulsion in a motor-standby mode. The controller is configured to select a first standby speed of a motor idling control in a case that the vehicle is propelled in the manual mode, and to select a second standby speed that is lower than the first standby speed in a case that the vehicle is propelled in the autonomous mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahito ENDO, Kazumi HOSHIYA, Yoshio ITO, Norimi ASAHARA, Seiji KUWAHARA, Tadashi FUJIYOSHI, Yuji IWASE
  • Patent number: 9561793
    Abstract: An ECU executes control processing including a step of executing engagement control on a K0 clutch when a D?N operation is performed, a step of keeping the K0 clutch engaged until an N?D operation is performed, a step of executing engagement control on a C1 clutch when the N?D operation is performed, a step of keeping the K0 clutch engaged when a request to operate an engine is issued following the elapse of a predetermined time ?, and a step of executing disengagement control on the K0 clutch when a request to operate the engine has not been issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Yukihiko Ideshio
  • Publication number: 20160349755
    Abstract: A vehicle control system configured to ensure running stability of a vehicle even if a vehicle weight is heavy is provided. The vehicle control system determines a travel locus of the vehicle within a planned route. If the vehicle tows another vehicle, or if a weight of the vehicle is heavier than a predetermined threshold value, the control system alters the travel locus of the vehicle in such a manner that a turning radius of the vehicle is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji KUWAHARA, Kazumi HOSHIYA, Norimi ASAHARA, Yoshio ITO, Takahito ENDO, Tadashi FUJIYOSHI
  • Publication number: 20160347314
    Abstract: A vehicle control system configured to suppress engine noise in an autonomous mode is provided. An operating mode of the vehicle can be switched between a manual mode in which a driving force and a braking force of the vehicle are controlled by a manual operation and an autonomous mode in which the driving force and the braking force of the vehicle are controlled autonomously. The vehicle control system is configured to shift an upshifting point for reducing a speed ratio of a transmission to a low speed side in the autonomous mode, in comparison with the upshifting point set in the manual mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji KUWAHARA, Kazumi HOSHIYA, Norimi ASAHARA, Yoshio ITO, Takahito ENDO, Tadashi FUJIYOSHI
  • Patent number: 9506558
    Abstract: A vehicle control system to prevent a vehicle stopped in the autonomous mode from being started undesirably is provided. The vehicle control system is configured to select an operating mode from an autonomous mode and a manual mode, and to select a drive range from a drivable range and a non-drivable range. A controller is configured to detect a fact that a door is opened, that a door lock is unlocked, or that a seatbelt is unfastened. If at least any of those facts is detected, the controller shifts the drive range to the non-drivable range or shifts the operating mode to the manual mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tadashi Fujiyoshi, Kazumi Hoshiya, Yoshio Ito, Norimi Asahara, Seiji Kuwahara, Takahito Endo, Kazuya Arakawa
  • Publication number: 20160339915
    Abstract: A vehicle control system configured to adjust a vehicle behavior to the behavior expected by the driver in autonomous mode is provided. The vehicle control system determines target values of the driving force, the braking force, and the steering angle based on manual operations of an accelerator, a brake and the steering device in the autonomous mode. A controller corrects a control parameter including a vehicle speed, a distance from a forerunning vehicle, an acceleration and a travelling locus based on the manual operation executed in the autonomous mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji KUWAHARA, Kazumi HOSHIYA, Norimi ASAHARA, Yoshio ITO, Takahito ENDO, Tadashi FUJIYOSHi
  • Patent number: 9488270
    Abstract: A slip control device includes a control unit configured to: calculate a difference value between a target value and a current value or an estimated value of a difference in a rotational speed between an input shaft and an output shaft of a fluid type power transmitting device, or a difference value being a difference between a target value and a current value or an estimated value of a speed of an engine; calculate an inclination of torque capacity of the fluid type power transmitting device with respect to an input parameter at a current value of the input parameter having correlative relationship with the torque capacity of the fluid type power transmitting device; calculate torque capacity of a lock-up clutch by multiplying the inclination by the difference value; and control a slip amount of the lock-up clutch by using the calculated torque capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Seiji Masunaga, Takayuki Ando, Yuki Aratsu
  • Publication number: 20160318514
    Abstract: A vehicle control system to reduce shocks under an autonomous mode is provided. The vehicle control system is configured to select an operating mode of a vehicle from a manual mode in which a driving force and a braking force are controlled manually by a driver, and an autonomous mode in which the driving force and the braking force are controlled autonomously. A controller is configured to execute a fuel cut-off control, and a threshold selected under the autonomous mode is set in such a manner as to terminate the fuel cut-off control earlier than under the manual mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji KUWAHARA, Kazumi HOSHIYA, Norimi ASAHARA, Yoshio ITO, Takahito ENDO, Tadashi FUJIYOSHI
  • Publication number: 20160312885
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a control apparatus for a vehicle. The vehicle includes an engine, and a transmission that is coupled to the engine. The control apparatus includes an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is configured to change a speed ratio of the transmission without an operation by a driver when an automatic operation mode is selected, and change the speed ratio of the transmission as a result of an operation by the driver when a manual operation mode is selected. The automatic operation mode and the manual operation mode are selected by the driver. The ECU executes shifting limit control based on selection of the automatic operation mode. The shifting limit control is control for reducing a shock resulting from the changing of the speed ratio of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji KUWAHARA, Kazumi HOSHIYA, Norimi ASAHARA, Yoshio ITO, Takahito ENDO, Tadashi FUJIYOSHI
  • Publication number: 20160312889
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided to improve a response and an acceleration feel of a vehicle having a continuously variable transmission. The vehicle control system is configured to control an output power of a prime mover and a speed ratio of a transmission in such a manner that an actual driving force is increased stepwise to the required driving force to be achieved by a kick-downshifting so as to temporarily hold an increase in an acceleration during execution of the kick-downshifting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsubasa KATO, Seiji KUWAHARA, Satoshi YAMANAKA
  • Publication number: 20160304124
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided to propel a vehicle in a stabilized manner when switching an operating mode from an autonomous mode to a manual mode. The vehicle control system is configured to: control an operating condition of the vehicle; determine an execution of steering operation by the driver; and continue the autonomous control of the steering wheel if the steering wheel cannot be operated by the driver when the autonomous control of the vehicle is interrupted by a manual operation of a driver and hence the operating mode is switched from the autonomous mode to the manual mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tadashi FUJIYOSHI, Kazumi HOSHIYA, Yoshio ITO, Norimi ASAHARA, Seiji KUWAHARA, Takahito ENDO, Kazuya ARAKAWA