Patents by Inventor Takahiro Kinoshita
Takahiro Kinoshita 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: 20190047539Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle that includes an engine including an intake valve and an exhaust valve includes an electric generator, a lock up clutch, and a valve timing controller. The valve timing controller is able to control valve timing of the intake valve or the exhaust valve, or both, to a low efficiency region and a high efficiency region. The valve timing controller controls the valve timing to the high efficiency region on the condition that the electric generator performs regenerative power-generation on decelerated travel of the vehicle. The valve timing controller controls the valve timing to the low efficiency region on the condition that the lock up clutch is switched from an engaged state to a disengaged state, with the valve timing having been controlled to the high efficiency region on the decelerated travel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2018Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventor: Takahiro KINOSHITA
-
Publication number: 20190047560Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes a first power supply system, a second power supply system, a switch, and a switch controller. The first power supply system includes a driving controller that executes an automated driving control, and a first electricity storage device coupled to the driving controller. The second power supply system includes an electric motor coupled to an engine, and a second electricity storage device coupled to the electric motor. The switch is controlled to an electrically conductive state and a cutoff state. The electrically conductive state includes coupling the first and second power supply systems to each other. The cutoff state includes isolating the first and second power supply systems from each other. The switch controller controls the switch to the electrically conductive state, on the condition that the automated driving control is being executed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2018Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventor: Takahiro KINOSHITA
-
Publication number: 20190031179Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus to be mounted on a vehicle including an engine includes an electric motor, an electricity storage device, and a motor controller. The electric motor is coupled to the engine and generates motor power. The electricity storage device is coupled to the electric motor through a power supply cable. The motor controller causes execution of an assistance mode. The assistance mode includes controlling the electric motor to a powering state to transmit the motor power to the engine in operation. The motor controller permits the execution of the assistance mode on the condition that a rotation speed of the electric motor is lower than a threshold. The motor controller prohibits the execution of the assistance mode on the condition that the rotation speed of the electric motor is higher than the threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: Hiroshi SUZUKI, Takahiro KINOSHITA
-
Publication number: 20180370524Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus to be mounted on a vehicle including an engine includes a first power supply system, a second power supply system, a switch, and a switch controller. The first power supply system includes a first electricity storage device and an electric load. The second power supply system includes an electric motor and a second electricity storage device. The switch controller is configured to control the switch to a cutoff state on the condition that the electric motor is controlled to a powering state to bring the engine to starting rotation from a stopped state. The switch controller is configured to control the switch to an electrically conductive state on the condition that the electric motor is controlled to the powering state to bring the engine to an assisted drive from a rotating state.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventor: Takahiro KINOSHITA
-
Publication number: 20180370382Abstract: A vehicle power supply apparatus includes a generator, a first electricity storage, a second electricity storage, a switch, a generator controller, and a switch controller. The generator controller controls the generator into a first electric power generation state and a second electric power generation state higher in electric power generation voltage than the first electric power generation state. The switch controller controls the switch into an electrically-conductive state and a cutoff state. The switch controller controls the switch into the electrically-conductive state and the generator controller controls the generator into the first electric power generation state when a high-load apparatus is stopped. The high-load apparatus is one of a plurality of electrical loads coupled to the first electricity storage.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventor: Takahiro Kinoshita
-
Publication number: 20180297599Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle that includes an engine includes an electric generator, a throttle valve, an electric generator control unit, and a throttle control unit. The electric generator is configured to be coupled to the engine. The throttle valve is configured to control an amount of intake air of the engine. The electric generator control unit is configured to allow the electric generator to perform regenerative power-generation on decelerated travel of the vehicle. The throttle control unit is configured to control the throttle valve openwise on the decelerated travel. The electric generator control unit is configured to cause an increase in power-generation torque of the electric generator, upon a switchover of the engine from a fuel cut state to a fuel injection state on the decelerated travel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Takahiro Kinoshita, Hirofumi Shimizu
-
Publication number: 20180290658Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle that includes an engine includes an electric generator, a lock up clutch, a throttle valve, an electric generator control unit, a clutch control unit, and a throttle control unit. The clutch control unit is configured to control the lock up clutch to an engaged state on the condition that the electric generator performs the regenerative power-generation. The throttle control unit is configured to control the throttle valve openwise on the condition that the electric generator performs the regenerative power-generation. The throttle control unit is configured to control the throttle valve from openwise to closewise on the condition that the lock up clutch is controlled from the engaged state to a disengaged state, with the throttle valve having been controlled openwise in accompaniment with the regenerative power-generation of the electric generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2018Publication date: October 11, 2018Inventors: Takahiro KINOSHITA, Hirofumi SHIMIZU
-
Publication number: 20180291857Abstract: A vehicle power supply apparatus includes a motor generator, a first electricity storage, a second electricity storage, a first switch, a second switch, a switch controller, and an electricity storage determiner. The first and second electricity storages are able to be coupled to the motor generator that is coupled to an engine. The first switch and the second switch each switch from electric conduction between the motor generator and corresponding one of the first and second electricity storages to cutoff between the motor generator and corresponding one of the first and second electricity storages and vice versa. The switch controller controls the first switch and the second switch. The electricity storage determiner determines an abnormality of the first electricity storage. The switch controller controls each of the first switch and the second switch into an electrically-conductive state when the first electricity storage is determined as being in an abnormal state.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2018Publication date: October 11, 2018Inventor: Takahiro KINOSHITA
-
Publication number: 20180281615Abstract: A vehicle power supply apparatus includes a motor generator, a first electricity storage device, a second electricity storage device, a switch, a switch controller, and an electricity storage device determiner. The switch controller is configured to cause the first cutoff state of the switch, switchable between a first electrically conductive state that allows the motor generator and the first electricity storage device to be coupled to each other and a first cutoff state that allows the motor generator and the first electricity storage device to be isolated from each other, to be maintained in a situation where the first electricity storage device discharges beyond a threshold, on a condition that the switch is switched to the first cutoff state in accordance with controlling of the motor generator into a powering state and the second electricity storage device is determined as being in an abnormal state.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventor: Takahiro Kinoshita
-
Publication number: 20180281601Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes a switch, a first control unit, and a second control unit. The switch is switchable between an electrically conductive state that allows a first electricity storage device to be coupled to a power supply circuit and a cutoff state that allows the first electricity storage device to be isolated from the power supply circuit. The first control unit includes a first cutoff controller configured to transmit a cutoff signal to the switch and a self-diagnostic unit configured to detect a malfunction of the first cutoff controller. The second control unit is coupled to the first control unit through a communication network, and includes a second cutoff controller configured to transmit the cutoff signal to the switch. The second control unit is configured to transmit the cutoff signal from the second cutoff controller to the switch when the self-diagnostic unit detects the malfunction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventor: Takahiro KINOSHITA
-
Patent number: 10066749Abstract: The SBW-CU that constitutes the shift control device, in the case of selection information for selecting a shift range other than the P range being output by the selection position determination unit when the shift range of the automatic transmission is the P range, maintains the P range without switching the shift range of the automatic transmission in the case of the engine being stopped, and the gradient of the road surface being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and switches the shift range of the automatic transmission based on selection information in the case of the engine not being stopped, or in the case of the road surface gradient being less than the aforementioned predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Takahiro Kinoshita
-
Publication number: 20180229715Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus causes a vehicle to selectively perform an engine mode and an assist mode that allow for transfer of, respectively, drive force of an engine and both drive forces of the engine and an electric motor to a wheel. The vehicle control apparatus includes: a consumption amount calculator that calculates first and second fuel consumption amounts, respectively, when performing the engine and assist modes; a reduction amount calculator that calculates a possible fuel reduction amount by subtracting the second fuel consumption amount from the first fuel consumption amount; a mode controller that causes the assist and engine modes to be performed, respectively, when the fuel reduction amount exceeds and is equal to or below a threshold; and a threshold setter that sets the threshold to first and second values, respectively, when a state of charge of an electricity storage device is in first and second charging levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2017Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventor: Takahiro KINOSHITA
-
Patent number: 10023196Abstract: Provided is a control device for a vehicle including a continuously variable transmission. The control device includes a lock-up clutch, an oil pump, an electric motor, and a device control unit. The lock-up clutch is disposed in a torque converter coupled to the engine and switchable between an engaged state and a released state. The oil pump is driven by the engine and supplies a hydraulic oil to the continuously variable transmission. The electric motor is coupled to the engine and controlled to be in a powering state in which the engine is rotationally driven. The device control unit controls the lock-up clutch to put into the released state and controls the electric motor to put into the powering state if a discharge pressure of the oil pump falls below a threshold value at the time of a vehicle deceleration in which a fuel supply to the engine is cut off.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2017Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Yuta Okada, Takahiro Kinoshita, Koichi Hirao
-
Patent number: 10005365Abstract: A vehicle power source includes a first switch, a second switch, a connection point, and a failure determiner. The first switch is switched between conductive/cut-off states of a generator and a first power storage. The second switch is switched between conductive/cut-off states of the generator and a second power storage. The connection point couples a first conduction path, a second conduction path, and a third conduction path to one another, in which the first conduction path is coupled to a positive electrode terminal of the first power storage. The failure determiner executes failure determination processing that involves determining a failure in one or both of the first switch and the second switch, based on control signals of the first switch and the second switch, and a current and a potential of the first conduction path.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2016Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Takahiro Kinoshita
-
Patent number: 9950629Abstract: A vehicle power source includes: a generator coupled to an engine; a first power storage coupled to the generator; a second power storage coupled, in parallel with the first storage, to the generator, in which a terminal voltage of the second power storage is lower than a terminal voltage of the first power storage; and a charge and discharge controller that controls a generated voltage of the generator and controls charge and discharge of the first power storage. The charge and discharge controller raises the generated voltage to a voltage higher than the terminal voltage of the first power storage, to cause power supply from the generator to the first power storage. The charge and discharge controller lowers the generated voltage to a voltage lower than the terminal voltage of the first power storage, to cause power supply from the first power storage to an electric load.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroshi Suzuki, Takahiro Kinoshita
-
Patent number: 9945342Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus mounted on a vehicle includes: a first starting system provided with a first electric motor coupled to an engine, and a first power storage coupled to the first electric motor; a second starting system provided with a second electric motor coupled to the engine, and a second power storage coupled to the second electric motor; and an engine controller that stops the engine based on a stop condition and restarts the engine using the first starting system, based on a start condition. When an abnormality occurs in the first starting system in a state where the engine has been stopped based on the stop condition, the engine controller restarts the engine using the second starting system.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Takahiro Kinoshita
-
Patent number: 9856977Abstract: [Object] To provide a shift control device that, in a shift control device of a vehicle equipped with an idling-stop mechanism and a shift-by-wire mechanism, is capable of preventing setting off at a timing that the driver does not expect when returning from an idling-stop state. [Solution] The SBW-CU (40) that constitutes the shift control device (1), in the case of selection information for selecting the R range being output during an idling stop, switches the shift range of the automatic transmission (10) to the R range when the vehicle is braked, and switches the shift range to the N range or the P range when the vehicle is not braked and the shift range of the automatic transmission (10) is the D range. Also, the SBW-CU (40), in the case of selection information for selecting the R range being output during an idling stop, maintains the shift range without switching it when the vehicle is braked and the shift range of the automatic transmission (10) is other than the D range.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Takahiro Kinoshita, Masato Igarashi, Koichiro Terai, Koichi Inoue
-
Publication number: 20170341528Abstract: A vehicle power source includes a generator motor coupled to an engine, a first power storage, a second power storage, a conduction switch, and a switch controller. The first and the second power storages are coupled, in parallel, to the generator motor. The conduction switch is subject to change between a conductive state and a cut-off state of the generator motor and the second power storage. The switch controller changes the conduction switch from the conductive state to the cut-off state, on a condition that the generator motor is controlled in a powered state. The switch controller changes the conduction switch from the cut-off state to the conductive state, on a condition that the second power storage discharges in excess of a threshold, with the conductive switch changed to the cut-off state.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2017Publication date: November 30, 2017Inventor: Takahiro KINOSHITA
-
Publication number: 20170259825Abstract: Provided is a control device for a vehicle including a continuously variable transmission. The control device includes a lock-up clutch, an oil pump, an electric motor, and a device control unit. The lock-up clutch is disposed in a torque converter coupled to the engine and switchable between an engaged state and a released state. The oil pump is driven by the engine and supplies a hydraulic oil to the continuously variable transmission. The electric motor is coupled to the engine and controlled to be in a powering state in which the engine is rotationally driven. The device control unit controls the lock-up clutch to put into the released state and controls the electric motor to put into the powering state if a discharge pressure of the oil pump falls below a threshold value at the time of a vehicle deceleration in which a fuel supply to the engine is cut off.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: Yuta OKADA, Takahiro KINOSHITA, Koichi HIRAO
-
Publication number: 20170182892Abstract: A vehicle power source includes a motor generator, a power storage, a switch, an abnormality detector, and a switch controller. The motor generator is coupled to an engine. The power storage is coupled to the motor generator. The switch is controlled between a conductive state and a cut-off state, in which the conductive state involves coupling the motor generator to the power storage, and the cut-off state involves separating the motor generator from the power storage. The abnormality detector is provided separately from the motor generator and detects abnormality of the motor generator. The switch controller is provided separately from the motor generator and controls the switch from the conductive state to the cut-off state when the abnormality of the motor generator is detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2016Publication date: June 29, 2017Inventor: Takahiro KINOSHITA