Patents by Inventor Toshio Imamura

Toshio 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: 9175583
    Abstract: When a start-up failure occurs wherein an internal combustion engine equipped with a variable valve device does not transition to complete combustion before a first prescribed period ? elapses from the start of cranking in conjunction with fuel injection, a control unit for the internal combustion engine executes a start-up failure process addressing a state wherein the valve timing is different from a specific timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshio Imamura, Yoshiaki Miyazato, Yuu Yokoyama, Masaki Numakura, Yoshiki Endo
  • Patent number: 8925503
    Abstract: A variable valve actuation device for an internal combustion engine includes a variable valve timing mechanism and a valve timing restricting mechanism. When the operating state of the variable valve timing mechanism is in the phase restricting state and the operating state of the variable valve timing mechanism is changed to the phase releasing state on the basis of pressing the accelerator pedal, a torque limiting control is then performed to limit an increase in the torque of the internal combustion engine. With this control the rate of increase of the torque is set less than the rate of increase of the torque corresponding to the operation of pressing the accelerator pedal by retarding and correcting the ignition timing. Thus, when the operating state of the variable valve timing mechanism is changed from the phase restricting state to the phase releasing state, thereby reducing discomfort experienced by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Miyazato, Toshio Imamura, Yuu Yokoyama, Masaki Numakura
  • Publication number: 20140048026
    Abstract: A variable valve actuation device for an internal combustion engine includes a variable valve timing mechanism and a valve timing restricting mechanism. When the operating state of the variable valve timing mechanism is in the phase restricting state and the operating state of the variable valve timing mechanism is changed to the phase releasing state on the basis of pressing the accelerator pedal, a torque limiting control is then performed to limit an increase in the torque of the internal combustion engine. With this control the rate of increase of the torque is set less than the rate of increase of the torque corresponding to the operation of pressing the accelerator pedal by retarding and correcting the ignition timing. Thus, when the operating state of the variable valve timing mechanism is changed from the phase restricting state to the phase releasing state, thereby reducing discomfort experienced by the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Miyazato, Toshio Imamura, Yuu Yokoyama, Masaki Numakura
  • Publication number: 20130291835
    Abstract: When a start-up failure occurs wherein an internal combustion engine equipped with a variable valve device does not transition to complete combustion before a first prescribed period ? elapses from the start of cranking in conjunction with fuel injection, a control unit for the internal combustion engine executes a start-up failure process addressing a state wherein the valve timing is different from a specific timing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshio Imamura, Yoshiaki Miyazato, Yuu Yokoyama, Masaki Numakura, Yoshiki Endo
  • Patent number: 8554455
    Abstract: An IIS system that performs control related to intermittent stopping of engine operation by idling stop control is applied to an internal combustion engine including a VVT mechanism that makes the valve timing of an engine valve variable and has an intermediate lock mechanism that mechanically locks the valve timing at an intermediate lock position between a most retarded position and a most advanced position. The IIS system is configured to inhibit the engine operation from being intermittently stopped at the occurrence of a failure of the VVT mechanism to avoid the internal combustion engine from being prevented from being restarted after the intermittent stop depending on the occurrence of the failure of the VVT mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Miyazato, Toshio Imamura, Yuu Yokoyama, Satoshi Yoshi, Yoshiki Endo, Yuu Ueda, Hiroyuki Ishii
  • Publication number: 20130152887
    Abstract: An IIS system that performs control related to intermittent stopping of engine operation by idling stop control is applied to an internal combustion engine including a VVT mechanism that makes the valve timing of an engine valve variable and has an intermediate lock mechanism that mechanically locks the valve timing at an intermediate lock position between a most retarded position and a most advanced position. The IIS system is configured to inhibit the engine operation from being intermittently stopped at the occurrence of a failure of the VVT mechanism to avoid the internal combustion engine from being prevented from being restarted after the intermittent stop depending on the occurrence of the failure of the VVT mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Miyazato, Toshio Imamura, Yuu Yokoyama, Satoshi Yoshi, Yoshiki Endo, Yuu Ueda, Hiroyuki Ishii
  • Patent number: 8453614
    Abstract: A variable valve timing device for an internal combustion engine includes: a variable valve timing mechanism that changes a valve timing; and a phase limiting mechanism that locks a rotational phase between a housing rotor and a vane rotor at an intermediate phase. The phase limiting mechanism engages a first limiting pin with a first engaging groove and engages a second limiting pin with a second engaging groove to lock the housing rotor to the vane rotor. A retard-side side surface of an engaging hole is configured so as to be able to adjust a clearance between the second limiting pin and the retard-side side surface when the first limiting pin is engaged with a first advance end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Imamura, Akihiko Takenaka
  • Publication number: 20110315104
    Abstract: A variable valve timing device for an internal combustion engine includes: a variable valve timing mechanism that changes a valve timing; and a phase limiting mechanism that locks a rotational phase between a housing rotor and a vane rotor at an intermediate phase. The phase limiting mechanism engages a first limiting pin with a first engaging groove and engages a second limiting pin with a second engaging groove to lock the housing rotor to the vane rotor. A retard-side side surface of an engaging hole is configured so as to be able to adjust a clearance between the second limiting pin and the retard-side side surface when the first limiting pin is engaged with a first advance end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshio IMAMURA, Akihiko TAKENAKA
  • Publication number: 20090241871
    Abstract: The degree of freedom in a mounting position of a fuel pump driving cam (115) is improved by making valve operating cams (130R) separate members from a camshaft main body (30R) and mounting the valve operating cams (130R) from the outside in the axial direction of the camshaft main body (30R) after mounting the fuel pump driving cam (115) onto the camshaft main body (30R). Also, the valve operating cams (130R) are formed of solid phase sintered material while the fuel pump driving cam (115) is formed of liquid phase sintered material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasushi Hibino, Toshio Imamura, Shuji Morita
  • Patent number: 7424874
    Abstract: In a V-type 8-cylinder engine in which the torque for rotating an intake camshaft is higher when intake valves of a #1 cylinder and a #3 cylinder in a left bank are closed, respective noses of a cam for opening and closing the intake valve of the #1 cylinder and a cam for opening and closing the intake valve of the #3 cylinder are each formed at a phase position displaced by X° (X>0) in the advance direction further from the phase position displaced in the advance direction by 90° with respect to the nose of a cam for opening and closing the intake valve of a cylinder fired after a delay of 180° in crank angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumio Takamiya, Shinji Sadakane, Toshio Imamura, Motoki Ohtani
  • Patent number: 7316221
    Abstract: A valve system of a V-type engine in which a camshaft provided in each bank is formed with valve cams that open and close engine valves and a pump cam for driving a fuel pump, the phase of the pump cam relative to the valve cams is set such that the crank angle at which driving torque of the pump cam is maximized does not coincide with the crank angle at which driving torque of each of the valve cams is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshio Imamura
  • Publication number: 20070193541
    Abstract: A valve system of a V-type engine in which a camshaft provided in each bank is formed with valve cams that open and close engine valves and a pump cam for driving a fuel pump, the phase of the pump cam relative to the valve cams is set such that the crank angle at which driving torque of the pump cam is maximized does not coincide with the crank angle at which driving torque of each of the valve cams is maximized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshio Imamura
  • Publication number: 20070074686
    Abstract: In a V-type 8-cylinder engine in which the torque for rotating an intake camshaft is higher when intake valves of a #1 cylinder and a #3 cylinder in a left bank are closed, respective noses of a cam for opening and closing the intake valve of the #1 cylinder and a cam for opening and closing the intake valve of the #3 cylinder are each formed at a phase position displaced by X° (X>0) in the advance direction further from the phase position displaced in the advance direction by 90° with respect to the nose of a cam for opening and closing the intake valve of a cylinder fired after a delay of 180° in crank angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Fumio Takamiya, Shinji Sadakane, Toshio Imamura, Motoki Ohtani
  • Patent number: 6667851
    Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette for use in an apparatus having a light source (P) and a light sensor (S1, S2) for detecting a tape end by the difference of light transmittance of a tape (T). The magnetic tape cassette (AA, BB, CC) is composed of a light-shielding member (a through r) crossing a light path (L1, L2) for detecting the tape end by the difference of light transmittance of the magnetic layer portion and the leader portion to keep the light transmittance within the predetermined value even the tape (T) is thinner and has a higher light transmittance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Imamura, Rumi Omido
  • Patent number: 6401691
    Abstract: A damping chamber is formed in a pressure relaxation device connected to a high pressure fuel pipe. Valve bodies are provided at openings of partitions, and a spring force is applied to the valve bodies by a spring in a valve closing direction. When a high pressure portion reaches an inlet of the damping chamber, the valve body opens to hold and absorb the high pressure portion in the damping chamber. When a low pressure portion reaches the inlet of the damping chamber, the high pressure portion held in the damping chamber is gradually released via a restricted orifice to cancel the low pressure portion, thereby reducing the pressure pulsation of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanobu Kawano, Tohru Yoshinaga, Katsuyuki Tanaka, Kenji Kanehara, Yoshihiro Nakase, Masaki Takeyama, Yoichi Sugiura, Katsuhiko Aoyama, Toshio Imamura
  • Publication number: 20020034047
    Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette for use in an apparatus having a light source (P) and a light sensor (S1, S2) for detecting a tape end by the difference of light transmittance of a tape (T). The magnetic tape cassette (AA, BB, CC) is composed of a light-shielding member (a through r) crossing a light path (L1, L2) for detecting the tape end by the difference of light transmittance of the magnetic layer portion and the leader portion to keep the light transmittance within the predetermined value even the tape (T) is thinner and has a higher light transmittance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Imamura, Rumi Omido
  • Patent number: 5548460
    Abstract: A tape cassette for a tape recording and reproducing apparatus having a cassette holder with an erroneous insertion preventing member. The cassette has a rectangular case having front and rear portions longer than a side portion, and has a loading pocket extending along the front portion, a magnetic tape wound on a pair of reels and extended along the loading pocket, a front lid provided at the front portion to cover the tape, an erroneous insertion preventing slot communicated to the loading pocket at a bottom of the case. The slot is extended to along a normal insertion of the cassette, with the front lid being forward, into the holder engaging with the erroneous insertion preventing member. An escaping slot is provided on the bottom of the case nearby the rear portion leaving a slight space therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsunehisa Ohira, Hiroyuki Umeda, Toshio Imamura
  • Patent number: 4538559
    Abstract: A cam for use in an overhead-type internal combustion engine which linearly decreases the force holding the valve against the valve seat during the valve closing to valve opening transition, with the cam having lobes for opening the engine valve and a base circle portion for closing the engine valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Imamura, Syouzo Kobayashi, Yukihisa Hirano