Patents by Inventor Shoichi Shono

Shoichi Shono 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: 20230249714
    Abstract: A vehicle behavior control system includes: an electric actuator mounted on a vehicle to change a posture of the vehicle; and a controller configured to control, as a control subject, one of a motion amount of the electric actuator and a force generated by the electric actuator. The controller is configured to: determine a target value of the control subject based on i) the posture that the vehicle should take, ii) a factor that causes the posture of the vehicle to be changed, or iii) both the posture that the vehicle should take and the factor that causes the posture of the vehicle to be changed; supply a current to the electric actuator based on the target value; and execute, in a specific situation, a current reduction process of reducing the current to be supplied to the electric actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shoichi SHONO
  • Patent number: 9871402
    Abstract: Assuming that a transformer has a primary to secondary winding turn ratio 1:N, VR denotes a voltage of regenerated power, VCd denotes a discharge final voltage of a first battery connected with a transformer-primary-side center tap, VCc denotes a charge final voltage of the first battery, VBd denotes a discharge final voltage of a second battery connected with a transformer-secondary-side full bridge circuit, VBc denotes a charge final voltage of the second battery and Drain denotes a lower limit of a duty ratio D of a transformer-primary-side full bridge circuit, an apparatus determines upon (VBd/N)?VR?(VBc/N) that the first and second batteries may be able to be charged with regenerated power and determines upon VCd?VR?(VCc/Dmin) that the first battery may be able to be charged with the regenerated power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoto Hasegawa, Shoichi Shono, Masafumi Uchihara, Mitsuhiro Miura, Fumiki Tanahashi, Jun Muto
  • Patent number: 9793791
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes a transformer; a primary side full bridge circuit provided on a primary side of the transformer; a first port connected to the primary side full bridge circuit; a second port connected to a center tap of the primary side of the transformer; a secondary side full bridge circuit provided on a secondary side of the transformer; a third port connected to the secondary side full bridge circuit; and a control unit configured to cause an upper arm of the secondary side full bridge circuit to operate in an active region in a case where a capacitor connected to the third port is charged with a transmitted power transmitted to the secondary side full bridge circuit via the transformer from the primary side full bridge circuit when power of the second port is stepped up and the stepped up power is output to the first port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shoichi Shono, Masafumi Uchihara, Naoto Hasegawa, Mitsuhiro Miura, Fumiki Tanahashi, Jun Muto
  • Patent number: 9748833
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes a transformer; a primary side full bridge circuit provided on a primary side of the transformer; a first port connected to the primary side full bridge circuit; a second port connected to a center tap of the primary side of the transformer; a secondary side full bridge circuit provided on a secondary side of the transformer; a third port connected to the secondary side full bridge circuit; and a control unit configured to cause an upper arm of the secondary side full bridge circuit to operate in an active region in a case where a capacitor connected to the third port is charged with a transmitted power transmitted to the secondary side full bridge circuit via the transformer from the primary side full bridge circuit when power of the second port is stepped up and the stepped up power is output to the first port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shoichi Shono, Masafumi Uchihara, Naoto Hasegawa, Mitsuhiro Miura, Fumiki Tanahashi, Jun Muto
  • Patent number: 9605614
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle control system for executing a fuel saving based on a learned value of fuel consumption obtained from an actual running of the vehicle. The control system makes an assessment of a fuel saving control by learning fuel consumption within a predetermined learning zone including a zone where the fuel saving control is executed and determines whether or not to execute the fuel saving control based on a result of the assessment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Miura, Shoichi Shono, Yoshikazu Motozono
  • Publication number: 20160082978
    Abstract: A driving assistance apparatus includes: a surrounding object detection device configured to detect an object in the surroundings of a vehicle; detected object classification unit configured to classify the object detected by the surrounding object detection device to predetermined types; traveling risk level determination unit configured to determine the traveling risk level of each road section as an index indicating the degree of the risk upon traveling in each road section based on the predetermined types of the objects classified by the detected object classification unit; and a traveling risk level recording unit configured to record the traveling risk level of the each road section determined by the traveling risk level determination unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Takashi OZAKI, Shoichi SHONO
  • Patent number: 9242649
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided. The vehicle control system is applied to a vehicle having a clutch device to selectively connect and disconnect a power transmission route between a prime mover and drive wheels, and configured to disconnect the power transmission route during running to allow the vehicle to coast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jonggap Kim, Shoichi Shono, Yoshikazu Motozono
  • Publication number: 20150315991
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle control system for executing a fuel saving control effectively by making an assessment of effectiveness of the control based on a learned value obtained from an actual running. The vehicle control system is configured to execute the fuel saving control by stopping fuel supply to an engine upon satisfaction of a predetermined condition. The control system makes an assessment of the fuel saving control by learning fuel consumption within a predetermined learning zone, and inhibits the fuel saving control or executes another control in the learning zone next time the vehicle travels through the learning zone, if the assessment shows a fact that the fuel saving control executed in the learning zone did not effective to save fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro MIURA, Shoichi SHONO, Yoshikaza MOTOZONO
  • Publication number: 20150295445
    Abstract: Assuming that a transformer has a primary to secondary winding turn ratio 1:N, VR denotes a voltage of regenerated power, VCd denotes a discharge final voltage of a first battery connected with a transformer-primary-side center tap, VCc denotes a charge final voltage of the first battery, VBd denotes a discharge final voltage of a second battery connected with a transformer-secondary-side full bridge circuit, VBc denotes a charge final voltage of the second battery and Drain denotes a lower limit of a duty ratio D of a transformer-primary-side full bridge circuit, an apparatus determines upon (VBd/N)?VR?(VBc/N) that the first and second batteries may be able to be charged with regenerated power and determines upon VCd?VR?(VCc/Dmin) that the first battery may be able to be charged with the regenerated power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoto HASEGAWA, Shoichi SHONO, Masafumi UCHIHARA, Mitsuhiro MIURA, Fumiki TANAHASHI, Jun MUTO
  • Publication number: 20150295504
    Abstract: An electric power conversion apparatus includes a transformer having a primary coil and a secondary coil; a primary-side full bridge circuit having first and second arm circuits in parallel, respective midpoints of the first and second arm circuits being connected via the primary coil; a secondary-side full bridge circuit having third and fourth arm circuits in parallel, respective midpoints of the third and fourth arm circuits being connected via the secondary coil. The number of turns of the secondary coil between the latter respective midpoints is switched and transmission power transmitted between the primary-side and the secondary-side full bridge circuits is controlled through adjustment of a phase difference in switching between the first arm circuit and the third arm circuit and a phase difference in switching between the second arm circuit and the fourth arm circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Fumiki TANAHASHI, Shoichi SHONO, Masafumi UCHIHARA, Naoto HASEGAWA, Mitsuhiro MIURA
  • Publication number: 20150263633
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes a transformer; a primary side full bridge circuit provided on a primary side of the transformer; a first port connected to the primary side full bridge circuit; a second port connected to a center tap of the primary side of the transformer; a secondary side full bridge circuit provided on a secondary side of the transformer; a third port connected to the secondary side full bridge circuit; and a control unit configured to cause an upper arm of the secondary side full bridge circuit to operate in an active region in a case where a capacitor connected to the third port is charged with a transmitted power transmitted to the secondary side full bridge circuit via the transformer from the primary side full bridge circuit when power of the second port is stepped up and the stepped up power is output to the first port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Shoichi SHONO, Masafumi UCHIHARA, Naoto HASEGAWA, Mitsuhiro MIURA, Fumiki TANAHASHI, Jun MUTO
  • Patent number: 9073549
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle control apparatus that can improve a gasoline mileage without imparting the sense of discomfort to a driver. When an ECU determines that the brake is turned ON during an N inertia travel control (“YES” in step S11), the ECU stores a current position and a current vehicle speed in a learning DB (Step 12). Next, the ECU matches a data of the current position and the vehicle speed similar to the data of the current position and the vehicle speed stored this time, with reference to the information associated with a section inclusive of the current position (Step S13). Thereafter, when the ECU determines that there are equal to or more than a predetermined number of similar cases (“YES” in step S14), the ECU sets the section referenced in the step S13 as an N inertia travel prohibition section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Motozono, Shoichi Shono, Akihiro Ueda, JongGap Kim
  • Publication number: 20150166064
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided. The vehicle control system is applied to a vehicle having a clutch device to selectively connect and disconnect a power transmission route between a prime mover and drive wheels, and configured to disconnect the power transmission route during running to allow the vehicle to coast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Mitsuyasu, Jonggap Kim, Shoichi Shono, Yoshikazu Motozono
  • Publication number: 20150151760
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided. The vehicle control system is applied to a vehicle having a clutch device to selectively connect and disconnect a power transmission route between a prime mover and drive wheels, and configured to disconnect the power transmission route during running to allow the vehicle to coast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jonggap Kim, Shoichi Shono, Yoshikazu Motozono
  • Publication number: 20150006045
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle control apparatus that can improve a gasoline mileage without imparting the sense of discomfort to a driver. When an ECU determines that the brake is turned ON during an N inertia travel control (“YES” in step S11), the ECU stores a current position and a current vehicle speed in a learning DB (Step 12). Next, the ECU matches a data of the current position and the vehicle speed similar to the data of the current position and the vehicle speed stored this time, with reference to the information associated with a section inclusive of the current position (Step S13). Thereafter, when the ECU determines that there are equal to or more than a predetermined number of similar cases (“YES” in step S14), the ECU sets the section referenced in the step S13 as an N inertia travel prohibition section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Motozono, Shoichi Shono, Akihiro Ueda, JongGap Kim
  • Patent number: 8825339
    Abstract: A vehicular drive control apparatus provided with pulse-driving and gliding means for setting upper limit Vhi and lower limit Vlo of running speed V of a vehicle according to an upper and lower vehicle speed limit maps, and on the basis of target running speed Vt which is the running speed V at a time when control initiating conditions have been satisfied, and running the vehicle in P & G running mode by alternately repeating pulse-driving run (accelerating run) and gliding run (decelerating run) of the vehicle at the running speed V varying between the set upper and lower limits Vhi and Vlo, the control initiating conditions including a condition that the vehicle is in a steady running state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoichi Shono, Yoshikazu Motozono, Masafumi Uchihara, Akihiro Ueda, JongGap Kim, Norimi Asahara
  • Publication number: 20140159886
    Abstract: A vehicle operator assisting apparatus is configured to assist an operator of an own vehicle by displaying an image of a virtual preceding vehicle visually recognizable by the operator as if the virtual preceding vehicle was running in front of said own vehicle in a running state. The assisting apparatus comprises: a history data base storing a driving history of said operator; a virtual preceding vehicle control portion determining a running state of said virtual proceeding vehicle based on said driving history generating portion generating a relationship between a distance between said own vehicle and an actual preceding vehicle, and a running speed of said own vehicle, and storing the relationship in said history database. Said virtual preceding vehicle control portion includes a driving characteristics extracting portion determining a distance between said own vehicle and said virtual preceding vehicle based on said relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoto Hasegawa, Shoichi Shono, Yoshikazu Motozono, Masao Omura, Akihiro Ueda, Yasuhiro Tajima, Tomohiro Usami, Mitsuhiro Miura
  • Publication number: 20130211686
    Abstract: A vehicular drive control apparatus provided with pulse-driving and gliding means 118 for setting upper limit Vhi and lower limit Vlo of running speed V of a vehicle according to an upper and lower vehicle speed limit maps, and on the basis of target running speed Vt which is the running speed V at a time when control initiating conditions have been satisfied, and running the vehicle in P & G running mode by alternately repeating pulse-driving run (accelerating run) and gliding run (decelerating run) of the vehicle at the running speed V varying between the set upper and lower limits Vhi and Vlo, the control initiating conditions including a condition that the vehicle is in a steady running state. Accordingly, the pulse-driving and gliding means 118 permits the vehicle to be run in the P & G running mode, independently of an automatic cruising control, making it possible to improve fuel economy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shoichi Shono, Yoshikazu Motozono, Masafumi Uchihara, Akihiro Ueda, JongGap Kim, Norimi Asahara
  • Publication number: 20110307152
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle travel control device capable of controlling acceleration and deceleration without causing a driver to feel uncomfortable. The vehicle travel control device includes: a vehicle deceleration control section which operates at least two of a throttle control section, a downshifting control section, and a brake control section on the basis of target deceleration; a target deceleration setting section which sets the target deceleration; and changing means for changing the operation order of the throttle control section, the downshifting control section, and the brake control section according to the target deceleration set by the target deceleration setting section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoichi Shono, Tomohiro Usami, Yoshikazu Motozono
  • Patent number: 7121378
    Abstract: A transfer ratio varying apparatus includes: a steering shaft configured to transmit a steering angle, an actuator connected to the steering shaft and a damper disposed between the input shaft and the steering shaft and configured to absorb vibration caused by the actuator. The actuator includes: a housing, an input shaft configured to integrally rotate with the housing and connected to the steering shaft, a motor including a rotatable shaft, an output shaft configured to transmit an angle to a wheel assembly, and a gear mechanism between the rotatable shaft and the output shaft at the housing, configured to adjust a rotational angle of the rotatable shaft and to output the adjusted rotational angle to the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Hasegawa, Osamu Watanabe, Motoyasu Yamamori, Morihiro Matsuda, Shoichi Shono, Masatoshi Nakatsu