Patents by Inventor Tokuji Yoshikawa

Tokuji Yoshikawa 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: 6505107
    Abstract: A vehicle travel control apparatus includes a radar sensor, a vehicle speed controller, a hydraulic pump, a proportional solenoid valve and a brake controller. When the vehicle speed controller judges a braking situation based on information from the radar sensor, the brake controller actuates the hydraulic pump and the proportional solenoid valve based on a command from the vehicle speed controller, and controls a braking torque of wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Kuragaki, Jiro Takezaki, Kimio Nishino, Toshimichi Minowa, Tokuji Yoshikawa, Yoshinori Endo
  • Publication number: 20020180263
    Abstract: In a system of accelerating a car using a brake operating mechanism, the driver is required to be ready to step on the brake operating mechanism so as to rapidly decelerate the car in order to avoid danger, if necessary, while he is releasing his foot from the brake operating mechanism, which is a burden for the driver. Therefore, a footrest function range and a braking force increasing function range are provided to an operating amount or an operating force of a pedal 13.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Satoru Kuragaki, Kazuhiko Satou, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20020161487
    Abstract: There is provided a pedal apparatus for vehicles, which comprises a pedal reaction-force addition means 4 for adding a reaction force to a pedal 1 of a vehicle, a pedal force detection means 2 for detecting a force added to the pedal 1, a pedal reaction-force control means 3 for adjusting the output of the pedal reaction-force addition means 4. During the running of the vehicle, the pedal reaction-force control means 3 performs the adjustment of a reaction force of the pedal on the basis of the driving environment of the vehicle and the driver's intention and judgement in pedal operation in the driving environment, whereby it is ensured that when the driver has no intention of operating the pedal, the driver can sufficiently place his or her foot on the pedal and that when he driver has any intention of operating the pedal, the driver can realize a smooth pedal operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Takao Kojima, Kazuhiko Satou, Toshimichi Minowa, Satoru Kuragaki, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 6463377
    Abstract: In a system of accelerating a car using a brake operating mechanism, the driver is required to be ready to step on the brake operating mechanism so as to rapidly decelerate the car in order to avoid danger, if necessary, while he is releasing his foot from the brake operating mechanism, which is a burden for the driver. Therefore, a footrest function range and a braking force increasing function range are provided to an operating amount or an operating force of a pedal 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Satoru Kuragaki, Kazuhiko Satou, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20020133284
    Abstract: In order to judge whether a driver has pressed a brake pedal, a stroke sensor and a brake pedal pressing force sensor had to be installed in a conventional vehicle brake control device which required a complex attachment structure and time for attachment work and for attachment position adjusting work of the sensors. In the present brake booster control device, based on at least one of when an output (master cylinder pressure) larger by a predetermined amount than an output (master cylinder pressure Pr) expected from a current applied to the solenoid 6 in the brake booster 4 is obtained, when an output (master cylinder pressure) larger by a predetermined amount than a control target output (target master cylinder pressure) is obtained and when an output variation larger by a predetermined amount in an increasing direction than a variation component of the control target output (target master cylinder pressure) is obtained, it is judged that the driver has pressed the brake pedal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Manaka, Satoru Kuragaki, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20020117894
    Abstract: The solenoid current increases at low temperatures and decreases at high temperatures because the modulus of elasticity of an elastically deformable valve body and the slide resistance of an elastically deformable seal member vary with temperatures. Therefore the solenoid current for opening the valve mechanism from a closed position is required to be changed with low and high temperatures. To supply the solenoid current necessary for opening the valve mechanism without directly measuring the temperature, the solenoid current (the boost starting current leaning value) indicated when the pressure varies with the opening of the valve mechanism is recorded at the time of pressure-increasing, and thereafter when the valve mechanism is opened again after the closing of the valve mechanism, the solenoid current computed on the basis of the pressure-increase starting current learning value thus recorded is supplied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Satoru Kuragaki, Tokuji Yoshikawa, Atsushi Yokoyama, Toshio Manaka
  • Patent number: 6434472
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling an automotive vehicle are disclosed, in which a control amount for securing safety of the vehicle and the control amount for achieving a state intended for by the driver of the vehicle are switched in such a manner as to reduce the shock due to the change in the torque generated from the power train, thereby accomplishing both safety and maneuverability at the same time. A first target value is set for controlling at least selected one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate. A second target value is calculated in accordance with the drive mode intended for by the driver or the driving environment ahead of the vehicle. In the case where a deviation exceeding a predetermined value develops between the first target value and the second target value, the fluctuations of at least one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate are suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Tatsuya Ochi, Satoru Kuragaki, Mitsuo Kayano, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20020099484
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control apparatus which makes it possible to share information by a plurality of devices and which can improve controllability. An OS switching means (OS-CH) switches a plurality of operating system (OS1, OS2). A shared object (CO) has a memory resource which can be referred to from the plurality of operating systems. The shared object (CO) shares at least road information, and the road information registered by the application of one of the operating systems can be referred to from the application of the other operating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Kuragaki, Jiro Takezaki, Kimio Nishino, Toshimichi Minowa, Tokuji Yoshikawa, Yoshinori Endo
  • Publication number: 20020095255
    Abstract: A method comprising a first traveling mode in which the traveling environment ahead is recognized and at least one of the engine, the speed change gear, and the brake is controlled on the basis of a signal representing the recognition and a second traveling mode in which at least one of the engine, the speed change gear, and the brake is controlled on the basis of a signal generated by operation of the driver, in which the second traveling mode is selected in an area where vehicle following-up control is difficult.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Kozo Nakamura, Hiroshi Takenaga, Yoshinori Endo, Hiroto Morizane, Tokuji Yoshikawa, Mitsuru Nakamura, Ryoichi Komuro
  • Patent number: 6415216
    Abstract: In a system of accelerating a car using a brake operating mechanism, the driver is required to be ready to step on the brake operating mechanism so as to rapidly decelerate the car in order to avoid danger, if necessary, while he is releasing his foot from the brake operating mechanism, which is a burden for the driver. Therefore, a footrest function range and a braking force increasing function range are provided to an operating amount or an operating force of a pedal 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Satoru Kuragaki, Kazuhiko Satou, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 6385529
    Abstract: A method comprising a first traveling mode in which the traveling environment ahead is recognized and at least one of the engine, the speed change gear, and the brake is controlled on the basis of a signal representing the recognition and a second traveling mode in which at least one of the engine, the speed change gear, and the brake is controlled on the basis of a signal generated by operation of the driver, in which the second traveling mode is selected in an area where vehicle following-up control is difficult.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Kozo Nakamura, Hiroshi Takenaga, Yoshinori Endo, Hiroto Morizane, Tokuji Yoshikawa, Mitsuru Nakamura, Ryoichi Komuro
  • Patent number: 6381524
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control apparatus which makes it possible to share information by a plurality of devices and which can improve controllability. An OS switching means (OS-CH) switches a plurality of operating system (OS1, OS2). A shared object (CO) has a memory resource which can be referred to from the plurality of operating systems. The shared object (CO) shares at least road information, and the road information registered by the application of one of the operating systems can be referred to from the application of the other operating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Kuragaki, Jiro Takezaki, Kimio Nishino, Toshimichi Minowa, Tokuji Yoshikawa, Yoshinori Endo
  • Patent number: 6351701
    Abstract: In a system of accelerating a car using a brake operating mechanism, the driver is required to be ready to step on the brake operating mechanism so as to rapidly decelerate the car in order to avoid danger, if necessary, while he is releasing his foot from the brake operating mechanism, which is a burden for the driver. Therefore, a footrest function range and a braking force increasing function range are provided to an operating amount or an operating force of a pedal 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Satoru Kuragaki, Kazuhiko Satou, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20020020247
    Abstract: Pedal device 10 has a pedal member 11 depressed by the driver, and arm member 12 engaged with the pedal member, for turning when the pedal member is depressed, and transmitting driver's force-on-pedal to the brake master cylinder. When the driver's force-on-pedal which acts on pedal member 11 is less than the fixed value, footrest means 13 restricts the turning of the arm member. Pedal member 11 is composed of footplate 11a to be depressed by the driver, and protruding portion 11b engaged with the footplate, on which driver's heel can be put.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Applicant: Hitachi Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Kojima, Toshimichi Minowa, Satoru Kuragaki, Kazuhiko Satou, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20020019693
    Abstract: In a system of accelerating a car using a brake operating mechanism, the driver is required to be ready to step on the brake operating mechanism so as to rapidly decelerate the car in order to avoid danger, if necessary, while he is releasing his foot from the brake operating mechanism, which is a burden for the driver. Therefore, a footrest function range and a braking force increasing function range are provided to an operating amount or an operating force of a pedal 13.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Satoru Kuragaki, Kazuhiko Satou, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 6324457
    Abstract: In a system of accelerating a car using a brake operating mechanism, the driver is required to be ready to step on the brake operating mechanism so as to rapidly decelerate the car in order to avoid danger, if necessary, while he is releasing his foot from the brake operating mechanism, which is a burden for the driver. Therefore, a footrest function range and a braking force increasing function range are provided to an operating amount or an operating force of a pedal 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Satoru Kuragaki, Kazuhiko Satou, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20010041959
    Abstract: The footrest force of the footrest function is adjusted by driver's-load estimation means for deciding a footrest force corresponding to individual driver and correspondingly to a load computed by the load estimation means. Moreover, detection means for detecting whether the present vehicle presently corners is used to change the set speed of the vehicle in accordance with the radius of a corner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Satou, Toshimichi Minowa, Satoru Kuragaki, Tokuji Yoshikawa, Takao Kojima
  • Publication number: 20010029418
    Abstract: In a system of accelerating a car using a brake operating mechanism, the driver is required to be ready to step on the brake operating mechanism so as to rapidly decelerate the car in order to avoid danger, if necessary, while he is releasing his foot from the brake operating mechanism, which is a burden for the driver. Therefore, a footrest function range and a braking force increasing function range are provided to an operating amount or an operating force of a pedal 13.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Satoru Kuragaki, Kazuhiko Satou, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20010027368
    Abstract: In a system of accelerating a car using a brake operating mechanism, the driver is required to be ready to step on the brake operating mechanism so as to rapidly decelerate the car in order to avoid danger, if necessary, while he is releasing his foot from the brake operating mechanism, which is a burden for the driver. Therefore, a footrest function range and a braking force increasing function range are provided to an operating amount or an operating force of a pedal 13.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Satoru Kuragaki, Kazuhiko Satou, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 6289278
    Abstract: A vehicle position information displaying apparatus and method are disclosed in which position information of a preceding vehicle is displayed in a manner superimposed on the form of a road under running of a user's vehicle generated from map information. The apparatus includes a present position detecting unit for detecting the present position of the user's vehicle, a running road selecting unit for selecting a road under running of the user's vehicle from the present position of the user's vehicle, an other vehicle detecting unit for detecting a distance to another vehicle and the azimuth of the other vehicle, an other vehicle position determining unit for determining the position of the other vehicle, and an other vehicle position displaying unit for developing the running road to a plane view or birds-eye view and displaying position information of the user's vehicle and the other vehicle in a manner superimposed on the developed running road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Endo, Toshimichi Minowa, Kozo Nakamura, Hiroshi Takenaga, Hiroto Morizane, Tokuji Yoshikawa, Mitsuru Nakamura