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).
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Publication number: 20130276731Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2011Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Toshiyuki Yano, Shuichi Ezaki
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Publication number: 20130213332Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2011Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshiyuki Yano, Toshiyuki Maehara, Hidetoshi Hirose, Shuichi Ezaki
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Patent number: 8307926Abstract: There is provided a hybrid vehicle capable of attaining excellent acceleration response and reducing pumping loss. When an engine combustion stop demand is issued, the engine is associatively rotated by carrying out a fuel cut-off operation and controlling the speed of a generator to control the engine in such a way that the speed of the engine becomes a predetermined speed NE1. During the associative rotation, intake and exhaust valves are held at their fully closed positions.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2006Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasushi Kusaka, Kimitoshi Tsuji, Shuichi Ezaki
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Publication number: 20120245828Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2009Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shuichi Ezaki
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Patent number: 8251028Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to favorably change valve-opening characteristics of a valve using a simplified configuration without leading to an increase in the number of components and also without causing an increase of friction due to sliding, in a valve operating apparatus for an internal combustion engine in which the valve-opening characteristics of the valve are variable. A changeover mechanism for switching the connection/disconnection of rocker arms disposed between cams and a valve is provided. When a slide pin reaches a displacement end in the retreating direction of changeover pin, the biasing force of a return spring acting on changeover pins is received by an engaging part between a notch part provided in the slide pin and a lock pin in a state separated from a camshaft.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2008Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Takashi Nishikiori, Akio Kidooka
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Patent number: 8160801Abstract: A valve drive system comprises a power transmitting mechanism (13) that converts rotary motion of an electric motor (12) into opening and closing motion of an intake valve (3) provided in a cylinder (2) of an internal combustion engine (1) to transmit power from the electric motor (12) to the valve (3) via a cam (152); and a rotational angle restricting mechanism (16) that is provided in a motion transmission path that extends from the electric motor (12) to the cam (152) and restricts rotation of the cam (152) within a predetermined angular range that is set so that a piston (5) of the engine (1) and the intake valve (3) do not interfere with each other. The rotational angle restricting mechanism (16) comprises a flange (161) that rotates as a unit with a camshaft (151) and forms a slotted groove hole (161a) thereon; and a stopper pin (162) that is inserted into and retracted from the groove hole (161a).Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2007Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Manabu Tateno, Akio Kidooka
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Patent number: 8108122Abstract: A six-cylinder engine includes a stop-cylinder-setting section. The stop-cylinder-setting section sets to-be-stopped cylinders such that cylinders operated in a four-cylinder operation mode (two cylinders stopped) are stopped in a two-cylinder operation mode (four cylinders stopped), and the cylinders operated in the two-cylinder operation mode are stopped in the four-cylinder operation mode. The stop-cylinder-setting section stops operations of intake valves corresponding to stopped cylinders in each operation mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2009Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shuichi Ezaki
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Publication number: 20110303174Abstract: An object of the present invention is to decrease the size of rocker arms and reduce friction in a variable valve apparatus of an internal combustion engine having a hydraulic lash adjuster arranged in rocker arms. A variable valve apparatus of an internal combustion engine of the present invention includes a first rocker arm that contacts a cam, a zero lift cam (low lift cam) provided coaxially with the cam, second rocker arms capable of contacting the zero lift cam, a switching mechanism capable of connecting the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm to each other through a pin, 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 zero lift cam is smaller than a radius of a base circle of the cam.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2009Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Shuuji Nakano
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Patent number: 8061314Abstract: An internal combustion engine valve mechanism including a rocker arm, which includes a bearing section and a rocker roller, and an HLA. The HLA has a pivot, which is to be inserted into the bearing section, and supports one end of the rocker arm. The pivot has a spherically curved surface, whereas the bearing section has a shell-shaped dent. A swing arm rotates in synchronism with camshaft rotation and gives roller pressure force to the rocker roller. The direction in which the swing arm presses the rocker roller shifts toward the HLA when the lift of a valve disc increases. An osculating circle is inclined by inclining the axis of the bearing section at an angle of ?° relative to the axis of the HLA.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2007Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shuichi Ezaki
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Publication number: 20110271917Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to favorably change valve-opening characteristics of a valve using a simplified configuration without leading to an increase in the number of components and also without causing an increase of friction due to sliding, in a valve operating apparatus for an internal combustion engine in which the valve-opening characteristics of the valve are variable. A changeover mechanism for switching the connection/disconnection of rocker arms disposed between cams and a valve is provided. When a slide pin reaches a displacement end in the retreating direction of changeover pin, the biasing force of a return spring acting on changeover pins is received by an engaging part between a notch part provided in the slide pin and a lock pin in a state separated from a camshaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2008Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Takashi Nishikiori, Akio Kidooka
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Patent number: 8006659Abstract: An internal combustion engine including a variable valve mechanism that can avoid an unnecessary friction increase while preventing a hydraulic lash adjuster from pumping up. When a first engine speed is a critical rotation speed at which the inertia force of the variable valve mechanism exceeds the maximum load on a lost motion spring and a second engine speed is a critical rotation speed at which the inertia force of a valve and rocker arm exceeds the maximum load on a valve spring, the maximum loads are set such that the first engine speed is lower than the second engine speed.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2007Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shuichi Ezaki
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Publication number: 20110088642Abstract: An object of the present invention is to simplify a valve train system that can change valve operation characteristics of an intake valve(s) and/or an exhaust valve(s) mounted on an internal combustion engine while improving the response in changing valve operation characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shuichi Ezaki
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Patent number: 7909006Abstract: Disclosed is a variable valve mechanism for an internal combustion engine. The variable valve mechanism accurately adjusts the valve operating angle although its structure is simple. The variable valve mechanism includes a control pin 48, which is inserted into a pin insertion hole 38 in a control shaft 16; a bearing hole 44, which is formed in a control member 26; and an adjustment pin 50, which is rotatably supported by the bearing hole 44. The adjustment pin 50 comes into surface contact with the control pin 48 to inhibit the control member 26 from rotating relative to the control shaft 16. The valve operating angle is adjusted by replacing the adjustment pin 50 with another having a different dimension B. Such adjustment pin replacement changes the distance A between the center line of the bearing hole 44 and the center line of the control pin 48, thereby changing the relative angle ? between the control shaft 16 and control member 26.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2007Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Manabu Tateno, Shuichi Ezaki
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Patent number: 7823551Abstract: A valve train for an internal combustion engine that uses motors to open/close intake valves of cylinders. The motors drive the intake valves for each of a plurality of groups of cylinders that perform an explosion stroke at substantially equal crank angle intervals. Since the intake valves are driven for each of the plurality of groups of cylinders that perform an explosion stroke at substantially equal crank angle intervals, the explosion stroke is performed regularly even when an operation is conducted with only a particular group of cylinders. This makes it possible to inhibit driveability deterioration.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2006Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shuichi Ezaki
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Patent number: 7819102Abstract: A lost motion spring is disposed to contact at one end an oscillating member interposed between a cam and a valve for synchronizing the oscillating of the valve with the rotation of the cam. The lost motion spring impels the oscillating member toward the cam. A spring support shaft is provided for supporting a second portion of the lost motion spring. A spring position adjustment mechanism is provided for adjusting the mounting position of the lost motion spring relative to the spring support shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2007Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshiyuki Maehara, Shuichi Ezaki
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Patent number: 7814873Abstract: The present invention relates to a variable valve operating device and a valve opening amount adjustment method, and can accurately control the amount of in-cylinder air and the strength of a swirl flow. The variable valve operating device according to the present invention includes a valve mechanism that can select a dual valve variable control mode in which the valve opening amounts of a first valve and a second valve, which are of the same type and provided for the same cylinder, can be varied continuously or in multiple steps. A valve opening amount difference is provided when the valve opening amounts are minimized in the dual valve variable control mode so that the valve opening amount of the first valve is larger than that of the second valve. In addition, adjustments are made so that the minimum valve opening amount of the first valve does not vary from one cylinder to another.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2006Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Manabu Tateno, Shuichi Ezaki, Toshiyuki Maehara
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Patent number: 7810473Abstract: This control device for an internal combustion engine includes a variable intake valve device and a variable exhaust valve device; and it performs fuel cut-off for a plurality of cylinders of the internal combustion engine. And it further includes: an intake valve control means which, when the fuel cut-off execution condition has come into effect, controls the variable intake valve device, so as to keep in a closed state the intake valve of a cylinder, for which an exhaust valve is not kept in a closed state; and an exhaust valve control means which, when the fuel cut-off execution condition has come into effect, controls the variable exhaust valve device, so as to keep in an open state an exhaust valve of at least a pair of cylinders, between which gases in the pair of cylinders come and go via an exhaust passage as the pistons operate.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2006Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Akio Kidooka
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Publication number: 20100224150Abstract: An internal combustion engine including a variable valve mechanism that can avoid an unnecessary friction increase while preventing a hydraulic lash adjuster from pumping up. When a first engine speed is a critical rotation speed at which the inertia force of the variable valve mechanism exceeds the maximum load on a lost motion spring and a second engine speed is a critical rotation speed at which the inertia force of a valve and rocker arm exceeds the maximum load on a valve spring, the maximum loads are set such that the first engine speed is lower than the second engine speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2007Publication date: September 9, 2010Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shuichi Ezaki
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Publication number: 20100186693Abstract: An internal combustion engine valve mechanism including a rocker arm, which includes a bearing section and a rocker roller, and an HLA. The HLA has a pivot, which is to be inserted into the bearing section, and supports one end of the rocker arm. The pivot has a spherically curved surface, whereas the bearing section has a shell-shaped dent. A swing arm rotates in synchronism with camshaft rotation and gives roller pressure force to the rocker roller. The direction in which the swing arm presses the rocker roller shifts toward the HLA when the lift of a valve disc increases. An osculating circle is inclined by inclining the axis of the bearing section at an angle of ?° relative to the axis of the HLA.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2007Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shuichi Ezaki
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Publication number: 20100089348Abstract: A motor 30 or the like is used to drive a camshaft 22 or the like having a cam 18 or the like to push a valve 12 biased in the closing direction of the valve by a valve spring 17. Between the cam 18 or the like and the valve 12 is present a valve lifter 16 that abuts the cam 18 or the like. The valve lifter 16 includes a top face 16a formed so that when viewed from the axial direction of the camshaft 22 or the like, a tangential direction to the nose tip 18c of the cam 18 or the like inclines with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axial line of a valve stem 14.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2007Publication date: April 15, 2010Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akio Kidooka, Shuichi Ezaki