Patents by Inventor Shuichi Ezaki

Shuichi Ezaki 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: 10781746
    Abstract: A variable compression ratio mechanism includes a variable length connecting rod. The variable length connecting rod includes a connecting rod body, an eccentric member, and an eccentric member drive mechanism. The eccentric member includes a piston pin receiving opening, is rotatably attached to the body, and changes in effective length when it is rotated. The eccentric member drive mechanism includes a projecting pin protruding from the body and rotating the eccentric member when a position of the projecting pin relative to the body changes. A guide member of the variable compression ratio mechanism guides the projecting pin during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuichi Ezaki
  • Patent number: 10408126
    Abstract: A variable length connecting rod includes a connecting rod body, an eccentric member, a switching mechanism and a stopping mechanism. The eccentric member is provided at a small diameter end of the connecting rod body. The eccentric member rotates such that an effective length of the variable length connecting rod is varied. The switching mechanism includes a hydraulic piston connected to the eccentric member. The eccentric member reaches a first position when the switching mechanism is in a first state. The eccentric member reaches a second position when the switching mechanism is in a second state. The stopping mechanism includes a stopping member that abuts against or engages with the eccentric member or the hydraulic piston such that the eccentric member is maintained at an intermediate position between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Akio Kidooka, Yoshiro Kamo
  • Patent number: 10393012
    Abstract: The internal combustion engine comprises: operating members and operating by a predetermined pressure or more of oil pressure; a hydraulic oil path supplying hydraulic oil to the operating members through crank journals; a lubricating oil path supplying lubricating oil to crankpins through the crank journals; a hydraulic control valve linearly controlling an oil pressure supplied to the operating members due to change of that opening degree; and a control device. The control device controls the opening degree of the hydraulic control valve so that when operating the operating members, the predetermined pressure or more of oil pressure is supplied to the operating members, and controls the opening degree of the hydraulic control valve so that when not operating the operating members, less than the predetermined pressure of oil pressure is supplied to the operating members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiro Kamo, Shuichi Ezaki, Akio Kidooka
  • Patent number: 10119462
    Abstract: A variable length connecting rod comprises a connecting rod body, an eccentric member, a hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic piston, a check valve, a switching mechanism and a hydraulic mechanism. The check valve permits a flow of hydraulic oil from a primary side of the check valve to a secondary side of the check valve and prohibits the flow from the secondary side to the primary side. The switching mechanism comprises a single switching pin. The connecting rod body is formed with first to fourth oil paths. The switching pin is switched between a first position making the first oil path communicate with the fourth oil path and making the second oil path communicate with the third oil path, and a second position making the first oil path communicate with the third oil path and making the second oil path communicate with the fourth oil path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Yoshiro Kamo, Akio Kidooka
  • Patent number: 10082073
    Abstract: A variable length connecting rod includes a connecting rod body, an eccentric member, a first piston mechanism, a second piston mechanism and a flow-direction switching mechanism. The eccentric member, the first piston member, the second piston member and the flow-direction switching mechanism are provided in the connecting rod body. The first piston mechanism and the second piston mechanism are configured to pivot the eccentric member. The connecting rod body has a control oil passage that communicates with a first opening of the connecting rod and the flow-direction switching mechanism. The flow-direction switching mechanism is switched between the first state and the second state by switching pins. The switching pins are disposed in the connecting rod body such that directions in which the switching pins are operated are angled with respect to a plane perpendicular to an axis of the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Yoshiro Kamo, Akio Kidooka
  • Publication number: 20180266314
    Abstract: The variable compression ratio mechanism comprises a variable length connecting rod 6 able to be changed in effective length. The variable length connecting rod comprises a connecting rod body 30, an eccentric member 40 and an eccentric member drive mechanism 50. The eccentric member 40 is provided with a piston pin receiving opening 44, is rotatably attached to the body, and changes in effective length if it is rotated. The eccentric member drive mechanism 50 comprises a projecting pin 66 sticking out from the body and making the eccentric member rotate if a relative position of the projecting pin to the body changes. The variable compression ratio mechanism further comprises a guide member for guiding the projecting pin during operation of the internal combustion engine. The guide member guides the projecting pin so that the relative position of the projecting pin changes if the guide position is changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JI DOS HA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shuichi Ezaki
  • Patent number: 9958004
    Abstract: A variable length connecting rod which can change the effective length comprises a connecting rod body, an eccentric member which is attached at the small end to the connecting rod body to be able to swivel and which changes the effective length of a variable length connecting rod when swiveled, one piston mechanism which has one hydraulic cylinder which is provided in the connecting rod body and one hydraulic piston which slides in the hydraulic cylinder, a direction switching mechanism which switches between supply and discharge of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder, and a hydraulic fluid supply source which supplies the hydraulic cylinder with hydraulic fluid. The piston mechanism is configured so that the eccentric member swivels in one direction if hydraulic fluid is supplied to the hydraulic cylinder and so that the eccentric member swivels in the other direction if hydraulic fluid is discharged from the hydraulic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Akio Kidooka, Yoshiro Kamo
  • Patent number: 9879571
    Abstract: A valve mechanism includes: a support shaft immovably fixed to a main body of an internal combustion engine, a main arm swingably supported by the support shaft; two sub-arms arranged at both sides of the main arm; a coupling support portion swingably supporting and coupling the two sub-arms to the main arm; a cam; and a roller rotatably located in the main arm. Each of the two sub-arms includes: a drive unit pressing and driving a valve; and a contact portion contacting a plunger of a lash adjuster, the contact portion has a curved surface slidably contacting a flat surface formed in a tip portion of the plunger and having an arc-like curved surface shape of which a central axis line corresponds to a central swing axis line of the main arm in a state where the cam abuts on the roller in a base circular portion of the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Hidetoshi Hirose
  • Publication number: 20170356335
    Abstract: A variable length connecting rod includes a connecting rod body, an eccentric member, a first piston mechanism, a second piston mechanism and a flow-direction switching mechanism. The eccentric member, the first piston member, the second piston member and the flow-direction switching mechanism are provided in the connecting rod body. The first piston mechanism and the second piston mechanism are configured to pivot the eccentric member. The connecting rod body has a control oil passage that communicates with a first opening of the connecting rod and the flow-direction switching mechanism. The flow-direction switching mechanism is switched between the first state and the second state by switching pins. The switching pins are disposed in the connecting rod body such that directions in which the switching pins are operated are angled with respect to a plane perpendicular to an axis of the first opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuichi EZAKI, Yoshiro KAMO, Akio KIDOOKA
  • Publication number: 20170342896
    Abstract: A variable length connecting rod includes a connecting rod body, an eccentric member, a switching mechanism and a stopping mechanism. The eccentric member is provided at a small diameter end of the connecting rod body. The eccentric member rotates such that an effective length of the variable length connecting rod is varied. The switching mechanism includes a hydraulic piston connected to the eccentric member. The eccentric member reaches a first position when the switching mechanism is in a first state. The eccentric member reaches a second position when the switching mechanism is in a second state. The stopping mechanism includes a stopping member that abuts against or engages with the eccentric member or the hydraulic piston such that the eccentric member is maintained at an intermediate position between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuichi EZAKI, Akio KIDOOKA, Yoshiro KAMO
  • Publication number: 20170342897
    Abstract: A variable length connecting rod includes: a connecting rod body; an eccentric member which can swivel with respect to the connecting rod body and in which the effective length of the variable length connecting rod is changed when swiveled; a first piston mechanism making the eccentric member swivel in one direction when hydraulic fluid is fed; a second piston mechanism making the eccentric member swivel in the opposite direction when hydraulic fluid is fed; and a flow direction changing mechanism switching flow directions of hydraulic fluid between the first and second piston mechanisms. The first piston mechanism and second piston mechanism are formed so that a first cylinder volume defined by a stroke length of the first piston and a cross-sectional area of the first cylinder is equal to a second cylinder volume defined by a stroke length of the second piston and a cross-sectional area of the second cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shuichi EZAKI
  • Publication number: 20170248074
    Abstract: A variable length connecting rod comprises a connecting rod body, an eccentric member, a hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic piston, a check valve, a switching mechanism and a hydraulic mechanism. The check valve permits a flow of hydraulic oil from a primary side of the check valve to a secondary side of the check valve and prohibits the flow from the secondary side to the primary side. The switching mechanism comprises a single switching pin. The connecting rod body is formed with first to fourth oil paths. The switching pin is switched between a first position making the first oil path communicate with the fourth oil path and making the second oil path communicate with the third oil path, and a second position making the first oil path communicate with the third oil path and making the second oil path communicate with the fourth oil path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuichi EZAKI, Yoshiro KAMO, Akio KIDOOKA
  • Publication number: 20160341118
    Abstract: The internal combustion engine comprises a cylinder, a piston and a connecting rod. The connecting rod comprises a connecting rod body and an eccentric member. The eccentric member is configured so that an axis of the piston pin receiving opening becomes offset from a turning axis of the eccentric member and is configured so as to make the piston ascend with respect to the connecting rod body by turning in one direction and to make the piston descend with respect to the connecting rod body by turning in the other direction. The internal combustion engine further comprises a turning control means for controlling turning of the eccentric member. The turning control means makes an engine speed a reference speed or more when making the eccentric member turn. The reference speed is higher than an idling speed when not making the eccentric member turn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiro KAMO, Shuichi EZAKI
  • Publication number: 20160333780
    Abstract: The internal combustion engine comprises: operating members and operating by a predetermined pressure or more of oil pressure; a hydraulic oil path supplying hydraulic oil to the operating members through crank journals; a lubricating oil path supplying lubricating oil to crankpins through the crank journals; a hydraulic control valve linearly controlling an oil pressure supplied to the operating members due to change of that opening degree; and a control device. The control device controls the opening degree of the hydraulic control valve so that when operating the operating members, the predetermined pressure or more of oil pressure is supplied to the operating members, and controls the opening degree of the hydraulic control valve so that when not operating the operating members, less than the predetermined pressure of oil pressure is supplied to the operating members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiro KAMO, Shuichi EZAKI, Akio KIDOOKA
  • Publication number: 20160273414
    Abstract: A valve mechanism includes: a support shaft immovably fixed to a main body of an internal combustion engine, a main arm swingably supported by the support shaft; two sub-arms arranged at both sides of the main arm; a coupling support portion swingably supporting and coupling the two sub-arms to the main arm; a cam; and a roller rotatably located in the main arm. Each of the two sub-arms includes: a drive unit pressing and driving a valve; and a contact portion contacting a plunger of a lash adjuster, the contact portion has a curved surface slidably contacting a flat surface formed in a tip portion of the plunger and having an arc-like curved surface shape of which a central axis line corresponds to a central swing axis line of the main arm in a state where the cam abuts on the roller in a base circular portion of the cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuichi EZAKI, Hidetoshi HIROSE
  • Publication number: 20160177997
    Abstract: A variable length connecting rod which can change the effective length comprises a connecting rod body, an eccentric member which is attached at the small end to the connecting rod body to be able to swivel and which changes the effective length of a variable length connecting rod when swiveled, one piston mechanism which has one hydraulic cylinder which is provided in the connecting rod body and one hydraulic piston which slides in the hydraulic cylinder, a direction switching mechanism which switches between supply and discharge of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder, and a hydraulic fluid supply source which supplies the hydraulic cylinder with hydraulic fluid. The piston mechanism is configured so that the eccentric member swivels in one direction if hydraulic fluid is supplied to the hydraulic cylinder and so that the eccentric member swivels in the other direction if hydraulic fluid is discharged from the hydraulic cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuichi EZAKI, Akio KIDOOKA, Yoshiro KAMO
  • Patent number: 9046012
    Abstract: A variable valve operating apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a drive camshaft, and a driven cam lobe that is rotatably supported by the drive camshaft. The variable valve operating apparatus further includes a control sleeve that has a raceway surface, a center of which is eccentric with respect to a center of rotation of its own. The variable valve operating apparatus further includes a link mechanism that is connected to each of the drive camshaft and the driven cam lobe and has a control roller which is in contact with the raceway surface. The variable valve operating apparatus further includes an actuator that drives the control sleeve. The variable valve operating apparatus further includes a control amount of the actuator is controlled to change a moving amount of the raceway surface in the above described plane direction in accordance with an operation condition of an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Yano, Shuichi Ezaki
  • Patent number: 8955478
    Abstract: A variable valve operating apparatus includes a drive camshaft that is rotationally driven by the rotational force of the crankshaft, and a driven cam lobe that is rotatably supported by the drive camshaft. The variable valve operating apparatus further includes a guide member that has a raceway surface formed so as to surround the drive camshaft. The variable valve operating apparatus further includes a link mechanism that is connected to each of the drive camshaft and the driven cam lobe and has a control roller which is in contact with the raceway surface. The variable valve operating apparatus further includes a link plate and holding rollers that maintain contact between the raceway surface and the control roller while the drive camshaft makes one rotation. The variable valve operating apparatus further includes an actuator that drives the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Yano, Toshiyuki Maehara, Hidetoshi Hirose, Shuichi Ezaki
  • Patent number: 8813698
    Abstract: A variable valve apparatus of an internal combustion engine includes a first rocker arm that contacts a cam, a low lift cam provided coaxially with the cam, and a second rocker arm capable of contacting the low lift cam. The apparatus also includes a switching mechanism capable of connecting the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm to each other through pins, valves that open by being pressed by the second rocker arms via hydraulic lash adjusters arranged in the second rocker arms, and an oil supply path formed inside the second rocker arms that supplies oil to the hydraulic lash adjusters. A radius of a base circle of the low lift cam is smaller than a radius of a base circle of the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Shuuji Nakano
  • Patent number: 8738272
    Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine that can suppress deterioration of a catalyst that is ascribable to a control delay of a variable valve operating apparatus when transitioning to a valve stopped state accompanying a fuel-cut operation, or when transitioning from the valve stopped state to a combustion limit operating state. An intake variable valve operating apparatus capable of changing the operating state of an intake valve to a valve stopped state by continuously changing a lift amount and working angle of the intake valve is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuichi Ezaki