Patents by Inventor Shigetaka Kuroda

Shigetaka Kuroda 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: 10378468
    Abstract: A misfire detecting apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided. The engine has an output shaft connected via a torsion element to an input shaft of a transmission mechanism. A transmission rotational speed parameter indicative of a rotational speed of the input shaft is detected. A modified engine rotational speed parameter is calculated by modifying the detected engine rotational speed parameter based on the transmission rotational speed parameter, an engine rotation moment on the input side of the torsion element, and a transmission rotation moment on the output side of the torsion element. An average change amount of the modified rotational speed parameter, and an inertia speed changing component, are calculated. Further, a corrected rotational speed parameter is calculated by correcting the modified rotational speed parameter according to the average change amount and the inertia speed changing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke Minatoya, Atsushi Izumiura, Tadayoshi Sasaki, Shigetaka Kuroda, Mahito Shikama
  • Patent number: 9919701
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid vehicle driving system in which quick response and improvement in fuel economy are compatible. A hybrid vehicle driving system 1 of the invention includes a cylinder deactivated operation necessity determination unit for determining the necessity of a cylinder deactivated operation of an engine 6 when a required driving force required on a vehicle is smaller than a driving force of the engine 6 that runs in the cylinder deactivated operation. When the cylinder deactivated operation is determined to be unnecessary by the cylinder deactivated operation necessity determination unit, the vehicle can be driven in an EV driving by disengaging a first clutch 41 and a second clutch 42, whereas when the cylinder deactivated operation is determined to be necessary by the cylinder deactivated operation necessity determination unit, the engine 6 runs in the cylinder deactivated operation and at least one of the first clutch 42 and the second clutch 42 is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigetaka Kuroda, Atsushi Hagihara, Hiroyuki Isegawa
  • Patent number: 9221329
    Abstract: When an idling stop request is generated, in the case of a B zone (the discharge limited zone) or a C zone (the discharge prohibited zone), then an internal combustion engine ENG is made to continue driving, and charging of an electric storage device BATT is performed. Thereafter, when an idling stop release request is generated, in the case of the B zone, a vehicle is started by driving an electric motor MG, while continuing driving of the internal combustion engine ENG and setting a first clutch C1 to an interrupted state. On the other hand, in the case of the C zone, the vehicle is started by continuing driving the internal combustion engine ENG, and setting the first clutch C1 to the connected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Shigetaka Kuroda, Shinji Fujimoto, Takefumi Ikegami
  • Publication number: 20150336561
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid vehicle driving system in which quick response and improvement in fuel economy are compatible. A hybrid vehicle driving system 1 of the invention includes a cylinder deactivated operation necessity determination unit for determining the necessity of a cylinder deactivated operation of an engine 6 when a required driving force required on a vehicle is smaller than a driving force of the engine 6 that runs in the cylinder deactivated operation. When the cylinder deactivated operation is determined to be unnecessary by the cylinder deactivated operation necessity determination unit, the vehicle can be driven in an EV driving by disengaging a first clutch 41 and a second clutch 42, whereas when the cylinder deactivated operation is determined to be necessary by the cylinder deactivated operation necessity determination unit, the engine 6 runs in the cylinder deactivated operation and at least one of the first clutch 42 and the second clutch 42 is engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigetaka Kuroda, Atsushi Hagihara, Hiroyuki Isegawa
  • Patent number: 9073546
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle driving system 1 of the invention includes a cylinder deactivated operation necessity determination unit for determining the necessity of a cylinder deactivated operation of an engine 6 when a required driving force required on a vehicle is smaller than a driving force of the engine 6 that runs in the cylinder deactivated operation. When the cylinder deactivated operation is determined to be unnecessary by the cylinder deactivated operation necessity determination unit, the vehicle can be driven in an EV driving by disengaging a first clutch 41 and a second clutch 42, whereas when the cylinder deactivated operation is determined to be necessary by the cylinder deactivated operation necessity determination unit, the engine 6 runs in the cylinder deactivated operation and at least one of the first clutch 42 and the second clutch 42 is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigetaka Kuroda, Atsushi Hagihara, Hiroyuki Isegawa
  • Publication number: 20150006001
    Abstract: To provide a control system and a control method for a hybrid vehicle, which make it possible to cause the hybrid vehicle to efficiently travel to thereby make it possible to improve fuel economy. A control system for a hybrid vehicle V includes an ECU. The ECU calculates four total efficiencies TE_eng, TE_ch, TE_asst, and TE_ev, using energy ENE_eng2 transmitted from an internal combustion engine to drive wheels DW during operation of the engine, energy ENE_mot2 transmitted from an electric motor to the drive wheels DW during operation of the electric motor, energy ENE_mot2 charged when motive power of the engine is converted to electric energy by a power generating operation of the electric motor during the operation of the engine, and energy assumed to be supplied to whole motive power sources (ENE_eng1, ENE_eng1+ENE_mot1, ENE_mot1) (step 2), and selects a travel mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei Kawata, Yuki Honma, Shigetaka Kuroda, Tetsuya Yamada, Kentaro Yokoo
  • Publication number: 20150006000
    Abstract: A control system and control method for a hybrid vehicle, which properly determine based on a predicted charge amount whether or not to change a speed position, to thereby obtain a larger charge amount, thereby making it possible enhance fuel economy of the hybrid vehicle. A first charge amount is estimated which is an amount of electric power charged into a storage battery when regeneration is performed by an electric motor in a state in which the speed position of a stepped transmission is held, for a predetermined regeneration time period. Further, a second charge amount is estimated which is an amount of electric power charged into the storage battery when the speed position is changed to a target speed position within the regeneration time period, and regeneration by the electric motor 4 is performed until the regeneration time period elapses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei Kawata, Takashi Kon, Masahiro Takeuchi, Shigetaka Kuroda, Yuki Honma, Tetsuya Yamada, Kentaro Yokoo
  • Patent number: 8892287
    Abstract: With a hybrid vehicle driven at extremely low speeds only by power from the electric motor, when a state-of-charge of the battery becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined level or when a rotational speed required on the air conditioner compressor is less than a desired rotational speed, power from the internal combustion engine is transmitted to the output shaft by engaging the first engaging and disengaging mechanism, starting the internal combustion engine by power from the electric motor, and thereafter, engaging the first engaging and disengaging mechanism or the second engaging and disengaging mechanism between a fully applied state and a fully released state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Masahiro Takeuchi, Takefumi Ikegami, Shigetaka Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8632438
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid vehicle driving system which can implement sufficient lubrication while a vehicle is being driven. A hybrid vehicle driving system 1 of the invention includes a lubrication pump 122 which is connected to a first input shaft 11 and which is adapted to lubricate a transmission 20 and a lubricated state determination unit 55 which determines a lubricated state of the transmission 20. When the lubricated state determination unit 55 determines that lubrication is necessary, the first input shaft 11 is rotated by an electric motor 7 so as to drive the lubrication pump 122, or the first input shaft 11 is rotated by an internal combustion engine 6 by engaging a first engaging and disengaging unit to thereby drive the lubrication pump 122.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Shigetaka Kuroda, Shinji Fujimoto, Takefumi Ikegami
  • Patent number: 8479603
    Abstract: In a twin-clutch type transmission in which an electric motor is connected to one of transmission shafts, when downshifting is executed during EV running, a braking force is ensured by controlling in a cooperative fashion a regenerative brake and wheel brakes B1 to B4 so as to compensate for the loss of braking force during downshifting by the wheel brakes B1 to B4 or a braking force is ensured by making use of engine braking effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takefumi Ikegami, Shigetaka Kuroda, Masahiro Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20130103242
    Abstract: With a hybrid vehicle driven at extremely low speeds only by power from the electric motor, when a state-of-charge of the battery becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined level or when a rotational speed required on the air conditioner compressor is less than a desired rotational speed, power from the internal combustion engine is transmitted to the output shaft by engaging the first engaging and disengaging mechanism, starting the internal combustion engine by power from the electric motor, and thereafter, engaging the first engaging and disengaging mechanism or the second engaging and disengaging mechanism between a fully applied state and a fully released state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Masahiro Takeuchi, Takefumi Ikegami, Shigetaka Kuroda
  • Publication number: 20130096761
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle driving system 1 of the invention includes a cylinder deactivated operation necessity determination unit for determining the necessity of a cylinder deactivated operation of an engine 6 when a required driving force required on a vehicle is smaller than a driving force of the engine 6 that runs in the cylinder deactivated operation. When the cylinder deactivated operation is determined to be unnecessary by the cylinder deactivated operation necessity determination unit, the vehicle can be driven in an EV driving by disengaging a first clutch 41 and a second clutch 42, whereas when the cylinder deactivated operation is determined to be necessary by the cylinder deactivated operation necessity determination unit, the engine 6 runs in the cylinder deactivated operation and at least one of the first clutch 42 and the second clutch 42 is engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigetaka Kuroda, Atsushi Hagihara, Hiroyuki Isegawa
  • Publication number: 20120322603
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid vehicle driving system which can implement sufficient lubrication while a vehicle is being driven. A hybrid vehicle driving system 1 of the invention includes a lubrication pump 122 which is connected to a first input shaft 11 and which is adapted to lubricate a transmission 20 and a lubricated state determination unit 55 which determines a lubricated state of the transmission 20. When the lubricated state determination unit 55 determines that lubrication is necessary, the first input shaft 11 is rotated by an electric motor 7 so as to drive the lubrication pump 122, or the first input shaft 11 is rotated by an internal combustion engine 6 by engaging a first engaging and disengaging unit to thereby drive the lubrication pump 122.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Shigetaka Kuroda, Shinji Fujimoto, Takefumi Ikegami
  • Publication number: 20120310462
    Abstract: When an idling stop request is generated, in the case of a B zone (the discharge limited zone) or a C zone (the discharge prohibited zone), then an internal combustion engine ENG is made to continue driving, and charging of an electric storage device BATT is performed. Thereafter, when an idling stop release request is generated, in the case of the B zone, a vehicle is started by driving an electric motor MG, while continuing driving of the internal combustion engine ENG and setting a first clutch C1 to an interrupted state. On the other hand, in the case of the C zone, the vehicle is started by continuing driving the internal combustion engine ENG, and setting the first clutch C1 to the connected state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Shigetaka Kuroda, Shinji Fujimoto, Takefumi Ikegami
  • Publication number: 20120234133
    Abstract: In a twin-clutch type transmission in which an electric motor is connected to one of transmission shafts, when downshifting is executed during EV running, a braking force is ensured by controlling in a cooperative fashion a regenerative brake and wheel brakes B1 to B4 so as to compensate for the loss of braking force during downshifting by the wheel brakes B1 to B4 or a braking force is ensured by making use of engine braking effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takefumi Ikegami, Shigetaka Kuroda, Masahiro Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20120232774
    Abstract: A misfire detecting apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided. The engine has an output shaft connected via a torsion element to an input shaft of a transmission mechanism. A transmission rotational speed parameter indicative of a rotational speed of the input shaft is detected. A modified engine rotational speed parameter is calculated by modifying the detected engine rotational speed parameter based on the transmission rotational speed parameter, an engine rotation moment on the input side of the torsion element, and a transmission rotation moment on the output side of the torsion element. An average change amount of the modified rotational speed parameter, and an inertia speed changing component, are calculated. Further, a corrected rotational speed parameter is calculated by correcting the modified rotational speed parameter according to the average change amount and the inertia speed changing component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke MINATOYA, Atsushi IZUMIURA, Tadayoshi SASAKI, Shigetaka KURODA, Mahito SHIKAMA
  • Patent number: 7143596
    Abstract: An air conditioning device for a vehicle having a regenerative section improves efficiency of regeneration. The air conditioning device comprises a compressor (6) connected to an output shaft (1a) of an engine (1) via an electromagnetic clutch (5), a motor-generator (2) for electrically recovering kinetic energy of the vehicle (100) during deceleration, a battery (9) for storing energy regenerated by the motor-generator (2), and a motor-driven compressor (13). When the vehicle (100) is in a deceleration state, the compressor (6) is disconnected from the engine (1) by disengaging the electromagnetic clutch (5), and air conditioning is performed by the motor-driven compressor (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Yonekura, Shigetaka Kuroda, Teruo Wakashiro, Kohei Hanada, Makoto Kishida
  • Patent number: 7040277
    Abstract: A cylinder operation control apparatus includes: an internal combustion engine (E) which is adapted to operate in an all-cylinder activation mode and in a cylinder deactivation mode; a lift amount changing device (VT) which is associated with the internal combustion engine (E), and which enables switching between the all-cylinder activation mode and the cylinder deactivation mode by changing the amount of lifts of intake and exhaust valves (IV, EV) associated with the cylinders; a lift operating device (33) which is associated with the lift amount changing device (VT) to operate the same; a cylinder activation enforcing device (33?) which is operatively disposed between the lift amount changing device (VT) and the lift operating device (33) so as to enforce the all-cylinder activation mode as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Hasebe, Shigetaka Kuroda, Tetsu Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7041030
    Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle, which enables a smooth torque transmission when an engine of the vehicle is started from an idling stop state. The hydraulic control apparatus includes an engine and a motor as power sources, a transmission having a torque converter, a clutch for a starting gear, an engine automatic stop and start device which is associated with the engine, a motor-driven oil pump for supplying oil pressure to the transmission, a brake pedal sensor, an accelerator pedal sensor, an engine revolution rate sensor. The oil pressure applied to the clutch is controlled to a level corresponding to a creeping torque when the engine is automatically stopped. When the brake pedal is released, the engine is automatically started, the accelerator pedal is not depressed, and the engine revolution rate is less than an idling revolution rate, the oil pressure applied to the clutch is maintained to the level corresponding to the creeping torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigetaka Kuroda, Naohisa Morishita, Kazuhisa Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7016773
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle, which enables the hybrid vehicle to optimally selectively use driven modes to attain excellent fuel economy and thereby make it possible to improve fuel economy. The hybrid vehicle is operated in an engine-driven mode or a motor-driven mode, and recovers electric energy for driving an electric motor, using the output from the engine. The control system calculates a driving fuel consumption amount of the engine required for driving the hybrid vehicle in the engine-driven mode and a recovering fuel consumption amount of the engine required for recovering electric energy to be consumed when the hybrid vehicle is driven in the motor-driven mode, and sets the driven mode to the motor-driven mode when the recovering fuel consumption amount is smaller than the driving fuel consumption amount, and to the engine-driven mode when the former is larger than the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigetaka Kuroda, Takashi Kamimura, Hiroshi Murakami, Akihito Ohtsu, Kiyoshi Asami, Naoki Tsuji