Patents by Inventor Toru Onaka

Toru Onaka 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: 5469359
    Abstract: A traction control device operates to determine the speed of each of the left and right drive wheels of a vehicle, determine the speed of each of the left and right passive wheels of the vehicle, calculate the actual slip rate of the drive wheels of the vehicle directly based on the measurements of the speeds for the drive and passive wheels, establish a target slip rate and control the driving condition of the vehicle by making the actual slip rate equal the target slip rate. The actual slip rate is matched to the target slip rate by controlling engine output and braking power. The step of controlling the driving condition of the vehicle by controlling the engine output and the braking power is carried out according to the time differential of the difference between the actual slip rate and the target slip rate at least until the actual slip rate matches the target slip rate for the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Tsuyama, Toru Onaka, Kazutoshi Nobumoto, Makoto Kawamura
  • Patent number: 5365443
    Abstract: A traction control device operates to determine the speed of each of the left and right drive wheels of a vehicle, determine the speed of each of the left and right passive wheels of the vehicle, calculate the actual slip rate of the drive wheels of the vehicle directly based on the measurements of the speeds for the drive and passive wheels, establish a target slip rate and control the driving condition of the vehicle by making the actual slip rate equal the target slip rate. The actual slip rate is matched to the target slip rate by controlling engine output and braking power. The step of controlling the driving condition of the vehicle by controlling the engine output and the braking power is carried out according to the time differential of the difference between the actual slip rate and the target slip rate at least until the actual slip rate matches the target slip rate for the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Tsuyama, Toru Onaka, Kazutoshi Nobumoto, Makoto Kawamura
  • Patent number: 5353225
    Abstract: A traction control system for a motor vehicle having driving wheels and driven wheels includes a device for detecting the speed of each of the driving wheels of the vehicle, a device for detecting the speed of each of the driven wheels of the vehicle, a device for calculating a slip value of the driving wheels based on the detected speeds of the driving and driven wheels, a traction control device for controlling the driving wheel so that the slip value of each driving wheel is equal to a predetermined desired slip value when the slip value of each driving wheel is greater than the predetermined desired slip value, and a device for estimating a friction coefficient of a road surface which is employed when the predetermined desired slip value is determined. If slip of the driving wheel occurs when the vehicle is started, the estimating device calculates an acceleration of the driving wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Tsuyama, Toru Onaka, Kazutoshi Nobumoto, Makoto Kawamura
  • Patent number: 5351192
    Abstract: A vehicle slippage control system has wheel drive torque controlled so as to prevent drive wheels from excessively slipping on a road and is regulated in accordance with road surface resistances. The system estimates lateral and rectilinear road surface resistances on the basis of lateral and rectilinear gravitational acceleration of the vehicle, respectively, and then selects one of the estimated lateral and rectilinear road surface resistances, on the basis of predetermined terms, as an effective road surface resistance in accordance with which wheel drive torque is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Tsuyama, Toru Onaka
  • Patent number: 5328006
    Abstract: A traction control system for a motor vehicle having driving wheels and driven wheels includes a device for detecting the speed of each of the driving wheels of the vehicle, a device for detecting the speed of each of the driven wheels of the vehicle, a device for calculating a slip value of the driving wheels based on the detected speeds of the driving and driven wheels, a traction control device for controlling the driving wheel so that the slip value of each driving wheel is equal to a predetermined desired slip value when the slip value of each driving wheel is greater than the predetermined desired slip value, and a device for estimating a friction coefficient of a road surface which is employed when the predetermined desired slip value is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Tsuyama, Toru Onaka, Kazutoshi Nobumoto, Makoto Kawamura
  • Patent number: 5329453
    Abstract: The braking force to the driven wheels is subjected to feedback control so as to allow the actual slip value of the driven wheels to agree with a predetermined target value for controlling the brake. The control amount for the feedback control is determined by differentiation control. The feedback control amount contains a first control amount corresponding to a predetermined basic travelling state and a second control amount corresponding to a particular travelling state. In ordinary travelling state, the braking force is controlled by the first control amount, and the braking force is controlled by the second control amount when the automotive vehicle is travelling in such a particular state. When the the vehicle is travelling on a bad road, the second control amount is set so as to loosen the braking force, as compared with the first control amount. Alternatively, when the vehicle is cornering, the second control amount is set as to tighten the braking force as compared with the first control amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Tsuyama, Toru Onaka, Kazutoshi Nobumoto, Fumio Kageyama
  • Patent number: 5325300
    Abstract: A traction control system for a motor vehicle having driving wheels and driven wheels includes a device for detecting the speed of each of the driving wheels of the vehicle, a device for detecting the speed of each of the driven wheels of the vehicle, a device for calculating a slip value of the driving wheels based on the detected speeds of the driving and driven wheels, a traction control device for controlling the driving wheel so that the slip value of each driving wheel is equal to a predetermined desired slip value when the slip value of each driving wheel is greater than the predetermined desired slip value, and a device for estimating a friction coefficient of a road surface which is employed when the predetermined desired slip value is determined. The estimating device updates the friction coefficient of the road surface previously estimated with the friction coefficient of the road surface newly estimated when the slip value of the driving wheel is located in a predetermined region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Tsuyama, Toru Onaka, Kazutoshi Nobumoto, Makoto Kawamura
  • Patent number: 5297662
    Abstract: A traction control system for a vehicle has a sub-throttle valve provided in an intake passage of the engine in series to a main throttle valve which is operatively connected to an accelerator pedal to open and close in response to operation of the accelerator pedal. An engine output controller controls opening of the sub-throttle valve to control the output of the engine so that the slip value of the driving wheels converges on a target slip value. The engine output controller once moves the sub-throttle valve to an initial opening when the slip value of the driving wheels exceeds the target slip value and then controls the opening of the sub-throttle valve to control the output of the engine so that the slip value of the driving wheels converges on a target slip value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Tsuyama, Toru Onaka, Kazutoshi Nobumoto, Fumio Kageyama, Makoto Kawamura
  • Patent number: 5292187
    Abstract: A slip control system is so adapted as to start the control of the braking force from a state in which the braking force is reduced when a magnitude of deceleration of the wheel becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined value or when a slip value of the wheel becomes a value in the direction in which the wheel is likely to be locked and as to start the control of the braking force from a state in which the braking force is sustained when the deviation obtained by subtracting the wheel speed from the vehicle speed becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined value. This arrangement satisfies requirements for both preventing the wheel from being locked and shortening the braking distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Onaka, Toshiaki Tsuyama
  • Patent number: 5259667
    Abstract: An anti-skid brake system for the automotive vehicle is disclosed which is arranged to increase or decrease the braking oil pressure periodically on the basis of a comparison between the wheel speed and the assumed vehicle body speed. When the state in which the wheel is incipient to lock before the wheel speed is returned to the assumed vehicle body speed, the braking oil pressure is inhibited from being increased, thereby preventing the assumed vehicle body speed from deviating too far from the actual vehicle body speed. This anti-skid brake system can prevent the wheel from being locked due to having the assumed vehicle body speed set to too low a value relative to the actual wheel speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Haruki Okazaki, Fumio Kageyama, Toru Onaka, Yoji Kurihara
  • Patent number: 5246279
    Abstract: An assumed vehicle body speed is determined on the basis of the wheel speed detected by a wheel speed sensor for each wheel and a slip value indicating the tendency of locking the wheel is determined for a predetermined wheel speed on the basis of the assumed vehicle body speed and a wheel speed of the predetermined wheel. The braking force is controlled on the basis of the slip value. When no braking force is controlled and when at least one of the wheel speeds for all the wheels detected by the wheel speed sensors is larger than the assumed vehicle body speed previously determined, a new assumed vehicle body speed which follows is inhibited from being renewed to a larger value and the new assumed vehicle body speed is set as a value equal to the previous assumed vehicle body speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Onaka, Toshiaki Tsuyama, Kazutoshi Nobumoto, Yoji Kurihara
  • Patent number: 5210690
    Abstract: A first estimated vehicle speed is calculated on the basis of the highest of the speeds of the wheels and the deceleration of the vehicle. A second estimated vehicle speed which begins to reduce from a predetermined value at a predetermined rate independent from the change in the highest of the speeds of the wheels from the time the first estimated vehicle speed falls to the predetermined value is calculated. A slip ratio of each wheel is calculated on the basis of the first estimated vehicle speed when the first estimated vehicle speed is not lower than the predetermined value and on the basis of the second estimated vehicle speed when the first estimated vehicle speed is lower than the predetermined value. The braking force applied to each wheel is controlled so that the slip ratio of the wheel converges on a target slip ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Fumio Kageyama, Haruki Okazaki, Toru Onaka, Toshiaki Tsuyama
  • Patent number: 5193888
    Abstract: A slip control system for a motor vehicle controls slippage of driving wheels and includes, a sensor for detecting a slip ratio of each driving wheel, a device for detecting a reduction in speed of each wheel, and a traction control system for decreasing a slip of each driving wheel by controlling brake fluid pressure in each driving wheel so that the slip ratio of each driving wheel is at least equal to a predetermined desired slip ratio when the slip ratio of each driving wheel becomes equal to the desired slip ratio. The system further includes an antiskid brake system for controlling brake fluid pressure, based on the reduction speed of each wheel, so as to cancel a lock condition of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Haruki Okazaki, Toru Onaka, Kazutoshi Nobumoto, Fumio Kageyama, Makoto Kawamura
  • Patent number: 5190361
    Abstract: A shift is implemented from the control for elevating the braking force to the control for retaining the braking force when deceleration of the wheel exceeds a first predetermined threshold value when the wheels are braked. The first predetermined threshold value is so set as to become smaller as an assumed road surface friction coefficient .mu. is smaller. The first threshold value is further altered to a larger value by altering the assumed road surface friction coefficient .mu. to a higher one when the period of time required from the start of the control for elevating the braking force to the start of the following control for retaining the braking force is equal to or shorter than a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Onaka, Toshiaki Tsuyama, Kazutoshi Nobumoto
  • Patent number: 5176444
    Abstract: A braking force control system controls the brake fluid pressure applied to the wheel during braking when each of the wheels of the vehicle tends to lock so that the slip ratio of the wheel converges on a target slip ratio. The brake fluid pressure is once fixed at the beginning of the braking force control, and when the slip ratio falls below the target slip ratio by fixing the brake fluid pressure, the brake fluid pressure is increased at a first rate, and when the slip ratio does not increase to a predetermined slip ratio in a predetermined time after the slip ratio falls below the target slip ratio or when the rate of increase of the slip ratio after the slip ratio falls below the target slip ratio is lower than a predetermined rate, the brake fluid pressure is increased at a second rate which is higher than the first rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Fumio Kageyama, Haruki Okazaki, Toru Onaka, Toshiaki Tsuyama
  • Patent number: 5171070
    Abstract: In an antiskid brake system for a vehicle, the braking pressure applied to a wheel is reduced when the deceleration of the rotational speed of the wheel reaches a predetermined value and is increased when the acceleration of the rotational speed of the wheel reaches a predetermined value after reduction of the braking pressure. In a low vehicle speed range lower than a predetermined vehicle speed, the braking pressure is increased at a predetermined rate when the acceleration of the rotational speed of the wheel reaches the predetermined value after reduction of the braking pressure. The predetermined rate is independent from the rotational speed of the wheel and is changed with the friction coefficient of the road surface so that it reduces as the friction coefficient of the road surface reduces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Haruki Okazaki, Fumio Kageyama, Toru Onaka, Yoji Kurihara
  • Patent number: 5148884
    Abstract: A slip of the driven wheels is converged by causing the torque generated by the engine to be reduced and applying braking force when a slip of the driven wheel becomes large during accelerating. Control of the application of the braking force to the left-hand and right-hand driven wheels is made individually and separately from each other. When such an incident occurs as causing no normal control of decreasing the torque generated by the engine to be made, the contents of control of application of the braking force is changed so as to apply the same degrees of the braking force to both of the left-hand and right-hand driven wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Tsuyama, Kazutoshi Nobumoto, Kaoru Sotoyama, Toru Onaka
  • Patent number: 5117934
    Abstract: In a slip control system for a vehicle a slip ratio of driving wheels of the vehicle is detected, and the slip of the driving wheels is controlled to converge on a predetermined target slip ratio when the slip ratio of the driving wheels exceeds a predetermined threshold slip ratio. When the vehicle is running a rough road, the threshold slip ratio is increased. The running condition of the vehicle is detected and increase of the threshold slip ratio is inhibited depending on the running condition of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Tsuyama, Kazutoshi Nobumoto, Kaoru Sotoyama, Toru Onaka, Fumio Kageyama, Haruki Okazaki, Makoto Kawamura
  • Patent number: 5082081
    Abstract: A driving torque adjusting system for adjusting a driving torque acting upon driven wheels, for example, a throttle valve for adjusting an output power or torque from the engine, is subjected to feed-back control at a set response velocity so as for an actual slip value of the driven wheel to reach a given target value. When the actual slip value of the driven wheel is equal to or larger than a set value larger than the target value, only the set response velocity in the direction of reducing the driving torque acting upon the driven wheels is corrected to become larger when the actual slip value is smaller than the set value. Preferably, the set response velocity is set smaller as a friction coefficient on a road surface is smaller in both cases where the torque acting upon the driven wheels is increased and decreased. An amount to correct the set response velocity, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Tsuyama, Toru Onaka
  • Patent number: 5070461
    Abstract: A slip control system for a vehicle contains a first control unit for implementing feedback control of torque applied to the driven wheels so as to allow an actual slip value of the driven wheel to reach a predetermined target value. There are set a first judgment value larger than the target value and a second judgment value smaller than the first judgment value. A second control unit is provided for temporarily reducing the torque applied to the driven wheel by a predetermined decrement, in place of the feedback control, when the actual slip value reaches the first judgment value or larger than the first judgment value. There is further provided a third control unit for gradually reducing the torque applied to the driven wheel, in place of the feedback control, when the actual slip value of the driven wheel does not reach the second judgment value or a value smaller than the second judgment value even if a predetermined period of time elapses after start of control by the second control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Nobumoto, Toshiaki Tsuyama, Toru Onaka, Yutaka Tsukahara