Patents by Inventor Tooru Matsubara

Tooru Matsubara 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: 20190048995
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle provided with a step-variable transmission including a one-way clutch to be placed in an engaged state to establish a predetermined one of gear positions of the step-variable transmission, and a coupling device disposed parallel with the one-way clutch, includes a control portion configured to control a shift-up action of the step-variable transmission from the above-indicated predetermined one gear position in which the coupling device is placed in its engaged state, the control portion controlling the shift-up action so as to delay a releasing action of the coupling device where a required torque of the vehicle prior to a moment of initiation of an inertia phase of the shift-up action is larger than a predetermined value, with respect to the releasing action where the required torque is not larger than the predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinichi SASADE, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Koji SUGIYAMA
  • Patent number: 10193414
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus includes a first electric motor, a power split mechanism, a second electric motor, a case, a support wall, and a breather mechanism. The case accommodates the first electric motor, the power split mechanism, and the second electric motor. The support wall is provided between the power split mechanism and the second electric motor. The breather mechanism is located in a rotational angle range that is at least equal to 90 degrees and is smaller than 180 degrees. The breather mechanism has a through hole and a breather chamber. The breather chamber is provided at a case inner side end of the through hole and is opened in a direction that does not oppose a virtual surface that passes through the rotational axis at a rotational angle of 90 degrees of the second electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyonori Takagi, Hidehiko Banshoya, Atsushi Kawamoto, Haruhisa Suzuki, Kuniaki Ishii, Tooru Matsubara, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Atsushi Tabata, Yuji Yasuda, Junji Matsushita, Katsutoshi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10166974
    Abstract: A control system of a power transmission system of a vehicle is provided. The power transmission system includes an electric motor for running the vehicle, and a mechanical speed change mechanism. The control system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to: perform regeneration control of the electric motor for running the vehicle during coasting of the vehicle, such that regenerative torque of the electric motor for running the vehicle provides regenerative torque produced according to braking operation; perform shift control of the mechanical speed change mechanism according to a predetermined relationship; determine whether a rate of change of the regenerative torque is within a predetermined range; and when a downshift of the mechanical speed change mechanism is determined during coasting, execute the downshift under a condition that the rate of change of the regenerative torque is within the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta Kumazaki, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Tooru Matsubara, Nobufusa Kobayashi, Masato Yoshikawa, Masayuki Baba, Shun Sato
  • Patent number: 10161507
    Abstract: In a non-forward range, the same gear position as a forward first gear position is established in a stepped transmission. A hydraulic controller includes a second linear solenoid valve and third linear solenoid valve that respectively supply hydraulic pressure to a second clutch and first brake, and a selector valve that is provided in an oil passage upstream of the second and third linear solenoid valves and that switches between a state where hydraulic pressure is supplied to the oil passage and a state where supply of hydraulic pressure is cut off. When the non-forward range is set or when a vehicle is moving backward, the selector valve cuts off supply of hydraulic pressure to the oil passage. Thus, when there is a failure in the second or third linear solenoid valve, it is possible to suitably establish a gear position wherein the vehicle is not allowed to move backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kota Fujii, Koichi Okuda, Atsushi Tabata, Haruhisa Suzuki, Tooru Matsubara, Kazuyuki Noda, Yoshimitsu Hyodo, Kousuke Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10155509
    Abstract: An engine, a transmission unit which is connected to the engine and is shifted by an engagement apparatus, and a differential unit which connects the transmission unit and a drive wheel are included. The differential unit includes a first rotary element connected to an output element of the transmission unit, a second rotary element connected to a first rotary machine, and a third rotary element connected to the drive wheel. When an output from the first rotary machine is limited, the engagement apparatus is slipped and an operation point of the engine is changed. The change of the operation point can cause an increase in torque of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Tooru Matsubara, Kenta Kumazaki, Yasuhiro Hiasa, Tatsuya Imamura, Takeshi Kitahata
  • Publication number: 20180354495
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle provided with a motor/generator functioning as a drive power source, and a mechanically operated transmission mechanism which constitutes a part of a power transmitting path between the motor/generator and drive wheels, the control apparatus including a motor/generator control portion configured to implement a regenerative torque control of the motor/generator so as to generate a regenerative torque according to a braking operation by an operator of the vehicle in a decelerating run of the vehicle, and a transmission shifting control portion configured to initiate a shift-down action of the mechanically operated transmission mechanism after a rate of change of the regenerative torque has been held within a predetermined range for at least a predetermined length of time, where a determination to implement the shift-down action is made in the process of the regenerative torque control of the motor/generator according to the braking operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta KUMAZAKI, Hiromichi KIMURA, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Takeshi KITAHATA, Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Masayuki BABA, Shun SATO, Takahiro KAWAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 10112601
    Abstract: A driving device for a hybrid vehicle includes a transmission unit configured to output a rotation of an engine while changing rotating speed of the engine; and a first rotating electric machine. The first rotating electric machine is configured to supply a torque for increasing the rotating speed of the engine at the time of starting up of the engine to the engine through the transmission unit. At the time of starting up of the engine, the gear shift stage of the transmission unit is switched to an overdrive state. Thus, a torque sufficient for starting up of the engine can be supplied to the engine, and hence the engine can be appropriately started up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Atsushi Tabata, Tooru Matsubara, Kenta Kumazaki, Yasuhiro Hiasa, Tsuyoshi Kitahata
  • Patent number: 10066718
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a dynamic power transmission apparatus is provided. The dynamic power transmission apparatus includes a differential mechanism, an electric generator, an electric motor, and a fluid coupling. The electric motor is disposed at a position apart from a transmission path along which a dynamic power of an engine is transmitted to a driving wheel. The fluid coupling is disposed between the electric motor and the transmission path. The control apparatus includes an electronic controller configured to restrict a charge of an electric storage apparatus with an electric power generated by the electric generator, depending on a state of the electric storage apparatus, and control the fluid coupling to differentially rotate and to drive the electric motor by the electric power such that a dynamic power loss is generated in the fluid coupling, when restricting the charge of the electric storage apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Atsushi Tabata, Koichi Okuda, Tooru Matsubara, Yasuhiro Hiasa, Keita Imai, Takeshi Kitahata
  • Patent number: 10023181
    Abstract: A control device that includes an electronic control unit that is programmed to: perform shift device shift control in order to change a speed ratio, which is a ratio of a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine to a rotational speed of the output member, by changing at least the shift speed that is established by the shift device; and perform differential gear shift control in in order to change the speed ratio by changing rotational speeds of the first rotary element and the second rotary element of the differential gear unit without changing the shift speed that is established by the shift device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignees: AISIN AW CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomo Atarashi, Masaki Yoshida, Tooru Matsubara, Munehiro Katsumata, Kazuyuki Shiiba
  • Patent number: 10023171
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes: an engine; a rotary machine; and an oil pump connected to each of a rotary shaft of the engine and a rotary shaft of the rotary machine through a one-way clutch. The power transmission device is configured to allow the rotary machine to rotate at a rotational speed higher than the rotational speed corresponding to a speed of the engine and lower than the rotational speed corresponding to an idling speed of the engine at the time of startup of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi Okuda, Atsushi Tabata, Tooru Matsubara, Kenta Kumazaki, Yasuhiro Hiasa, Takeshi Kitahata, Tatsuya Imamura, Masafumi Yamamoto, Keita Imai, Keisuke Oomuro
  • Patent number: 10012309
    Abstract: An electronic control unit is configured to, when the electronic control unit determines that any one of a first condition and a second condition is satisfied, preferentially execute lower limit speed ratio control. The first condition is a condition that, after the electronic control unit starts shift prohibition control, a wheel lock has occurred before a condition for cancelling the shift prohibition control is satisfied. The second condition is a condition that, after the electronic control unit starts the lower limit speed ratio control, a wheel spin has occurred before a condition for cancelling the lower limit speed ratio control is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta Kumazaki, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Tooru Matsubara, Hideharu Nohara, Masayuki Baba
  • Publication number: 20180178774
    Abstract: A control apparatus (80; 122) for a hybrid vehicle (10; 100) provided with an engine (14; 102) and an electric motor (MG2; MG) which function as a drive power source, and an automatic transmission (20; 110) which is placed in a selected one of speed positions with engagement of selected at least one of coupling devices (CB), the control apparatus including: an input torque control portion (84) to control the electric motor for controlling an input torque (Ti) transmitted to the automatic transmission (20; 110) during a shifting action of the automatic transmission, on the basis of an output torque (Te) of the engine and a torque (Tcb) transmitted through the coupling devices, such that a value representing a rotating state of an input rotary member (30; 124) of the automatic transmission coincides with a target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicants: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro KATSUMATA, Hiromichi KIMURA, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Takeshi KITAHATA, Kenta KUMAZAKI, Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Takahiro KIMURA, Daisuke SUYAMA, Kazuomi OKASAKA
  • Publication number: 20180170345
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle provided with an engine and a motor/generator functioning as a drive power source, an automatic transmission which constitutes a part of a power transmitting path between the drive power source and drive wheels and in which a shifting action is performed by selective engagement of a plurality of coupling devices, and an electric storage device giving/receiving electric power to/from the motor/generator, the control apparatus comprising: a hybrid control portion configured to control an input torque to the automatic transmission by the motor/generator during a shifting action of the automatic transmission on the basis of an output torque of the engine and a transmitted torque of the coupling devices, such that a value representing a rotating state of an input rotary member of the automatic transmission coincides with a target value; a racing determining portion configured to determine whether a rotating speed of the engine is predicted to exceed a predetermined rotating
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicants: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro KATSUMATA, Hiromichi KIMURA, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Takeshi KITAHATA, Kenta KUMAZAKI, Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Takahiro KIMURA, Daisuke SUYAMA, Kazuomi OKASAKA
  • Publication number: 20180170390
    Abstract: A control apparatus (80; 122) for a vehicle provided with a motor/generator (MG2; MG) functioning as a drive power source, and a step-variable transmission (20; 110) which constitutes a part of a power transmitting path between the drive power source and drive wheels (28; 116) and which is placed in a selected one of a plurality of speed positions with engagement of a selected one or ones of a plurality of coupling devices (CB).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromasa TATSUSHIRO, Hiromichi KIMURA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Takeshi KITAHATA, Shinichi SASADE, Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Takahiro KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20180170346
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle provided with an engine, a differential mechanism having a first rotary element to which the engine is operatively connected, a second rotary element to which a first motor/generator is operatively connected, and a third rotary element to which an intermediate power transmitting member is connected, a second motor/generator operatively connected to the intermediate power transmitting member, and an automatic transmission which constitutes a part of a power transmitting path between the intermediate power transmitting member and drive wheels and in which a shifting action is performed by selective engagement of a plurality of coupling devices, the control apparatus comprising: a hybrid control portion for controlling an output torque of the first motor/generator and an output torque of the second motor/generator during the shifting action of the automatic transmission on the basis of an output torque of the engine and a transmitted torque of the coupling devices, such t
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicants: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro KATSUMATA, Hiromichi KIMURA, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Takeshi KITAHATA, Kenta KUMAZAKI, Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Takahiro KIMURA, Daisuke SUYAMA, Kazuomi OKASAKA
  • Publication number: 20180170166
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes: a transmission shifting control portion configured to implement a shifting action of a step-variable transmission by controlling a releasing coupling device and an engaging coupling device; a hybrid control portion configured to control an output torque of a first motor/generator and an output torque of a second motor/generator, based on an output torque of an engine and a transmitted torque to be transmitted through an initiative coupling device, such that a rotational acceleration value of the second motor/generator and a rotational acceleration value of the engine are changed along respective target trajectories during the shifting action; and a target-trajectory setting portion configured to set the target trajectories, based on a maximum charging amount of an electric power that is chargeable to an electric power storage device and a maximum discharging amount of the electric power that is dischargeable from the electric power storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Sugiyama, Kenta Kumazaki, Hiromichi Kimura, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Tooru Matsubara, Shinichi Sasade, Takeshi Kitahata, Nobufusa Kobayashi, Masato Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20180154796
    Abstract: A control apparatus (80) for a vehicle (10; 100) having an electric motor (MG2; MG), and a step-variable transmission (20; 110) which is selectively placed in a plurality of speed positions with engagement of at least one of a plurality of coupling devices (CB), wherein the vehicle runs rearward with a reverse drive torque (TmR) of the electric motor generated in a forward-drive low-speed position of the transmission. The control apparatus includes: a first shift control portion (86) operated during a coasting shift-down action of the transmission to the low-speed position and configured to temporarily increase the forward drive torque (TmF) of the electric motor above its required value, for thereby temporarily increasing an input torque of the transmission to raise its input speed toward a synchronizing speed in the low-speed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicants: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenta KUMAZAKI, Takeshi KITAHATA, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Hisashi ISHIHARA, Hiromichi KIMURA, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Mitsuru MAEDA
  • Publication number: 20180148064
    Abstract: A control apparatus (80) for a vehicular drive system (12; 105) having a step-variable transmission portion (20; 110) which is shifted to a selected one of speed positions having respective speed ratio values, with engaging and releasing actions of coupling devices (B, C), and a drive power source portion (39; 103) operatively connected to an input shaft (30) of the step-variable transmission portion, the control apparatus being configured to implement a speed synchronizing control upon a shift-down action of the step-variable transmission portion in a coasting run of a vehicle (10; 100), wherein an input shaft speed of the step-variable transmission portion is raised with an input shaft torque transmitted from the drive power source portion to the input shaft, from a pre-shift-down synchronizing speed to a post-shift-down synchronizing speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun GOTO, Kenta KUMAZAKI, Masato YOSHIKAWA, Nobufusa KOBAYASHI, Hiromichi KIMURA, Kazuyuki SHIIBA, Tooru MATSUBARA, Takeshi KITAHATA
  • Publication number: 20180141540
    Abstract: An electronic control unit suppresses gear shifting more significantly in a second travel mode than in a first travel mode. Accordingly, frequent gear shifting of an automatic transmission in the second travel mode is suppressed, and superior ride quality is obtained. Meanwhile, an amount of a hysteresis in a gear shifting map is smaller in the second travel mode than in the first travel mode. Thus, duration of travel at an optimum gear stage is extended in the second travel mode, and fuel economy is improved. That is, in the second travel mode, drive power responsiveness to an acceleration and deceleration operation as in the first travel mode is unnecessary. Thus, even when gear shifting is suppressed, there is a low possibility that a driver feels a sense of discomfort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta KUMAZAKI, Tooru MATSUBARA
  • Patent number: 9975540
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle is provided with: an air-fuel ratio determinator configured to determine an air-fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine in a predetermined period until speed change by a transmission is actually performed; and a controller configured to control at least one of the internal combustion engine and an electric motor in such a manner that a possible amount of torque down of the internal combustion engine is increased if the air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine is lean in the predetermined period. By this, it is possible to avoid a detrimental effect, such as a torque shock, deterioration of durability of a friction material, and the like, which can occur in the speed change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta Kumazaki, Atsushi Tabata, Tooru Matsubara, Tatsuya Imamura, Kazuyuki Shiiba