Patents by Inventor Tatsuya Imamura

Tatsuya Imamura 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: 9499053
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes electrical storage devices, a charging device, a motor generator, a diode, an outlet and a relay. The first electrical storage device stores driving electric power. The charging device charges the first electrical storage device with the user of a power supply outside the vehicle. The motor generator has a power generation function. The second electrical storage device stores electric power that is generated by the motor generator. When electric power is output to a device outside the vehicle from the outlet, the relay limits electric power, which is output from the first electrical storage device, such that electric power stored in the second electrical storage device is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Tooru Matsubara, Kenta Kumazaki, Takeshi Kitahata, Yasuhiro Hiasa, Atsushi Tabata
  • Publication number: 20160325735
    Abstract: A control system for a power transmission unit to start an engine by a motor even if one of the engagement elements cannot be engaged or disengaged. If a rotational speed of the engine cannot be raised to a predetermined speed during motoring even if sending out an initial command for disengaging one of the engagement elements while engaging other engagement element, the control system sends out an alternate command for engaging said one of the engagement elements while disengaging said other engagement element to bring the engine into an allowable condition to be started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shunya KATO, Yosuke TAGAWA, Tatsuya IMAMURA, Atsushi TABATA
  • Patent number: 9481235
    Abstract: A control device performs a control process such that when there is a request in a series/parallel mode to switch the current mode to a parallel mode, and the current speed ratio also has a value faster than a Lo rotation synchronization speed ratio, the control device performs the step of switching the running mode to the parallel mode via a series mode with asynchronous switching, whereas when the current speed ratio has a value slower than the Lo rotation synchronization speed ratio, the control device performs the step of switching the running mode to the parallel mode via the series mode with synchronous switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidehiko Banshoya, Atsushi Tabata, Toshiki Kanada, Haruhisa Suzuki, Atsushi Kawamoto, Tatsuya Imamura, Kiyonori Takagi
  • Patent number: 9475488
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid drive unit for avoiding an overcharging and an over discharging of a battery when starting or stopping an engine. The control system selects a speed ratio where an amount of an electric power to be stored into the battery is large or to be discharged from the electric storage device is small if a state of charge of the battery is lower than a first threshold value (at step S4). The control system selects a speed ratio where an amount of an electric power to be discharged from the battery is large or to be stored into the battery is small if a state of charge of the electric storage device is higher than a second threshold value (at step S7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yohsuke Tagawa, Shunya Kato, Atsushi Tabata, Tatsuya Imamura
  • Publication number: 20160304078
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle controls a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle including: a power source including an internal combustion engine and an electric; a recirculating device configured to recirculate an exhaust gas from an exhaust side to an intake side of the internal combustion engine; and a recirculation amount adjusting device configured to adjust an amount of the recirculation by the recirculating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya IMAMURA, Atsushi TABATA, Ryuji IBARAKI, Yuji YASUDA, Yoshihito KANNO
  • Patent number: 9463789
    Abstract: A control device of a vehicle includes a first electric motor; a differential mechanism having a rotating element coupled to the first electric motor, a rotating element that is an output rotating member coupled to drive wheels in a power transmittable manner, and a rotating element coupled to a non-rotating member by actuation of a lock mechanism; and a second electric motor coupled to the drive wheels in a power transmittable manner. During motor running for running with output torques from the first electric motor and the second electric motor used together in an actuated state of the lock mechanism, a drive torque shared by the first electric motor is made smaller in a requested drive torque when a rotation speed of a pinion making up the differential mechanism is higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi Okuda, Atsushi Tabata, Keita Imai, Tooru Matsubara, Tatsuya Imamura, Takeshi Kitahata, Kenta Kumazaki, Shunya Kato, Yasuhiro Hiasa, Yuji Iwase, Hiroyuki Shibata
  • Patent number: 9457795
    Abstract: A vehicle control device is configured to select a single motor running, a multiple motor running and an engine running, such that a level of a charging capacity of an electric storage device in which the multiple motor running is selectable is higher than a level of the charging capacity in which the single motor running is selectable. During the single motor running performed with the charging capacity being equal to or greater than a first threshold value, the control device is configured, upon increase of the drive force requested by a driver of the vehicle, to select the multiple motor running when the charging capacity is equal to or greater than a second threshold value that is higher than the first threshold value, and to select the engine running when the charging capacity of the electric storage device is less than the second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keita Imai, Tatsuya Imamura, Kouichi Okuda, Tooru Matsubara, Takeshi Kitahata, Kenta Kumazaki, Yasuhiro Hiasa, Shunya Kato, Atsushi Tabata
  • Publication number: 20160264128
    Abstract: A vehicle control system for reducing shocks resulting from restarting an engine under EV running mode. The vehicle control system is applied to a vehicle including an engagement device that selectively connect the engine with the powertrain, and a motor adapted to generate a drive force and connected with the powertrain. In the vehicle, a first mode is selected to propel the vehicle by the motor while interrupting the torque transmission between the engine and the powertrain and stopping the engine, and a second mode is selected to propel the vehicle by the motor while allowing the torque transmission between the engine and the powertrain and stopping the engine. The vehicle control system selects the second mode if a control response of at least any of the engagement device and the motor is estimated to be out of a predetermine range when the vehicle is running while stopping the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya IMAMURA, Atsushi TABATA, Toshiki KANADA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Yasuhiro HIASA
  • Patent number: 9428179
    Abstract: A power transmission device for a hybrid vehicle includes a transmission device that includes a carrier to which an engine rotation shaft is connected; a differential device that includes a plurality of rotation components individually connected to a ring gear of the transmission device, an MG1 rotation shaft, an MG2 rotation shaft, and a drive wheel; a gear shift adjustment device that includes an engagement portion capable of controlling the transmission device to a neutral state where transmission of power between the carrier and the ring gear is not allowed or to a state where the transmission of power is allowed; and an HVECU that includes a first step of decreasing a rotating speed of a first rotating electric machine at the time an engine is started up during an EV travel mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shunya Kato, Atsushi Tabata, Tatsuya Imamura, Tooru Matsubara, Takeshi Kitahata, Kenta Kumazaki, Yasuhiro Hiasa, Hiroyuki Shioiri, Hiroyuki Shibata
  • Patent number: 9421854
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device includes: a torque converter having an input-side rotating member to which power from a prime mover is input and an output-side rotating member outputting power to drive wheels; an electric motor coupled to the input-side rotating member; a transmission coupled to the output-side rotating member of the torque converter; and a case member housing the torque converter, the electric motor, and the transmission, the case member having an air chamber and an oil chamber, the prime mover and the electric motor being disposed at positions with the torque converter interposed therebetween in an axial direction, the torque converter being housed in the air chamber, the electric motor being housed in the oil chamber the vehicle drive device further comprising a second electric motor coupled to the output-side rotating member of the torque converter, the second electric motor being disposed between the electric motor and the transmission in the axial direction in the oil chamber, an oil pressure ge
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi Okuda, Atsushi Tabata, Tatsuya Imamura, Keita Imai, Sho Mizushino
  • Publication number: 20160236671
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a power transmission unit configured to switch a power transmission path between an engine, a first MG, and a second MG. The control device is configured such that, during execution of regenerative braking using at least one of the first MG and the second MG while the engine is stopped, when a state amount indicating a state related to a battery has reached a determination threshold, the control device executes a standby operation in which the state of the power transmission unit is brought from a current state closer to a state that enables an engine brake operation in which the engine in a fuel-cut state is rotated using an external force to generate a loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya IMAMURA, Atsushi TABATA, Toshiki KANADA, Hidehiko BANSHOYA
  • Patent number: 9415675
    Abstract: Provided is a hybrid vehicle driving device including: a first differential mechanism configured to be connected to an engine and transmit a rotation of the engine; a second differential mechanism configured to connect the first differential mechanism and a driving wheel; and a switching device configured to shift the first differential mechanism, wherein the second differential mechanism includes a first rotation component connected to an output component of the first differential mechanism, a second rotation component connected to the first rotation machine, and a third rotation component connected to the second rotation machine and the driving wheel, and a reaction torque of the first rotation machine is corrected at a torque phase (S2-Y) after a start of the gear shift operation of the first differential mechanism by the switching device while the vehicle travels by using the engine as a power source (S3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenta Kumazaki, Tooru Matsubara, Atsushi Tabata, Tatsuya Imamura, Tsuyoshi Kitahata, Yasuhiro Hiasa
  • Publication number: 20160230850
    Abstract: In a power transmitting apparatus for a hybrid vehicle, including a power split mechanism that splits or combines dynamic power and transmits the power between an engine and a drive shaft, and a transmission gear mechanism that changes a rotational speed of the engine through engagement and release of a clutch and a brake using hydraulic actuators, the transmission gear mechanism is formed as a transmission gear unit covered with a front cover and a rotary machine cover, and the transmission gear unit is mounted to a housing in which the power split mechanism and a motor-generator are disposed, while oil passages for shift control used for supplying hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic actuators are formed in the front cover or the rotary machine cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiki KANADA, Ryuji IBARAKI, Yuji YASUDA, Atsushi TABATA, Tatsuya IMAMURA
  • Publication number: 20160214473
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus includes a transmission gear mechanism and a power split mechanism including a first rotation element connected to a first input member, a second rotation element connected to a rotary machine, and a third rotation element connected to the drive shaft via a first output member. The transmission gear mechanism is configured to transmit a torque to the first input member and the first rotation element via a second output member. The transmission gear mechanism and the power split mechanism are arranged on the same rotation axis as an output shaft of an engine. The transmission gear mechanism and the power split mechanism are arranged in the order of the transmission gear mechanism and the power split mechanism from the side closer to the engine. The second output member and the first input member are connected to each other by a spline or a serration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiki KANADA, Ryuji IBARAKI, Yuji YASUDA, Atsushi TABATA, Tatsuya IMAMURA
  • Publication number: 20160214598
    Abstract: A driving force control system for improving energy efficiency under a motor-drive mode. The control system selects the motor-drive mode from a single motor-mode where a vehicle is powered by any one of the rotary devices, and a dual motor-mode where the vehicle is powered by both rotary devices. The driving force control system is configured to select the single-motor mode rather than the dual-motor mode, provided that an increment of an energy consumption to establish the dual-motor mode is larger than a decrement of the energy consumption to be achieved by the dual-moor mode, under a driving condition where a required driving force can be achieved by either the single-motor mode or the dual-motor mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi TABATA, Toshiki KANADA, Tatsuya IMAMURA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Shunya KATO, Kenta KUMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20160193908
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus (TM) for a hybrid vehicle includes a power split mechanism (4), a transmission gear mechanism (17) and a support (118). The power split mechanism (4) includes a differential device provided with a first/second/third rotation elements. The power split mechanism (4) splits and transmits dynamic power to a drive force source and the drive shaft (126). The transmission gear mechanism (17) changes speed of an engine (1) and transmits a torque to the first rotation element (8), and the elements are arranged in an order of the transmission gear mechanism (17), a rotary machine (2), and the power split mechanism (4) from a side closer to the engine (1). The support (118) is arranged between the transmission gear mechanism (17) and the rotary machine (2), supporting a rotating shaft (2a) of the rotary machine (2), and configured to allow lubricant to enter (118b) the rotary machine side from the transmission gear mechanism side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiki KANADA, Ryuji IBARAKI, Yuji YASUDA, Atsushi TABATA, Tatsuya IMAMURA
  • Publication number: 20160167504
    Abstract: A hybrid system includes an engine, a first rotary machine, a speed change device to which the engine is connected, a differential gear to which the speed change device and the first rotary machine are connected, a clutch and a brake causing the speed change device to change gears by engagement and disengagement between first plates and second plates, a casing configured to house therein these members except the engine and to be connected to the engine, and a cover wall configured to cover an opening of the casing which opening is provided on an engine side. The first rotary machine is placed on the engine side relative to the clutch and the brake, the clutch is placed inside a cylinder member of the brake, and the cylinder member is connected to a cover wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiki KANADA, Ryuji IBARAKI, Yuji YASUDA, Atsushi TABATA, Tatsuya IMAMURA
  • Publication number: 20160169374
    Abstract: A hybrid system includes an engine, a speed change device, a differential device, a rotary machine, a first engagement device, a case, and a cover wall. The first engagement device is configured to shift the speed change device, and be actuated by hydraulic pressure. The first engagement device includes a first oil chamber. The rotary machine is arranged between the first engagement device and the engine. The case houses the rotary machine, the speed change device, the differential device, and the first engagement device, and is connected to the engine and has an opening on the engine side. The cover wall covers the opening, and operating oil is supplied to the first oil chamber via the cover wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiki KANADA, Ryuji IBARAKI, Yuji YASUDA, Atsushi TABATA, Tatsuya IMAMURA
  • Publication number: 20160159212
    Abstract: A drive system for a hybrid vehicle, the drive system includes an engine (1), a rotary machine (MG1), a differential unit (20), and a transmission unit (10). The rotary machine (MG1) is arranged coaxially with the engine (1). The differential unit (20) connects the engine (1) and the rotary machine (MG1) to a drive wheel side. The differential unit (20) is arranged coaxially with the engine (1) and the rotary machine (MG1). The differential unit (20) is arranged between the engine (1) and the rotary machine (MG2). The transmission unit (10) changes rotation of the engine in speed and transmits the rotation to the differential unit (20). The transmission unit (10) is arranged coaxially with the engine (1), the rotary machine (MG1) and the differential unit (20). The rotary machine (MG1) and the differential unit (20) are arranged between the transmission unit (10) and the engine (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke OMURO, Atsushi TABATA, Ryuji IBARAKI, Yuji YASUDA, Isao SATO, Toshiki KANADA, Tatsuya IMAMURA, Kouichi OKUDA, Masafumi YAMAMOTO, Keita IMAI
  • Publication number: 20160152224
    Abstract: A control system is for a vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine. The control system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to limit an output of the internal combustion engine when the electronic control unit determines that the vehicle runs in an unmanned state, such that the output of the internal combustion engine is lower the vehicle runs in the unmanned state than when the vehicle runs in a manned state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Atsushi TABATA, Haruhisa SUZUKI, Koichi OKUDA, Hiroyuki TATENO, Tatsuya IMAMURA, Kota FUJII