Patents by Inventor Yasuo Hojo

Yasuo Hojo 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: 6929584
    Abstract: A switching valve is provided which operates hydraulic friction engaging elements in a combination to establish a fifth speed “5th” when in a first position, and in a combination to establish a third speed “3rd” when in a second position, when a first electromagnetic valve to a fifth electromagnetic valve fail so as to stop operating. As a result, in the event of failure while driving, the fifth speed “5th” is first established to enable the vehicle to continue running. Then, when the position of a manual valve is changed by an operation by the driver when the vehicle is stopped or the like, the switching valve shifts a transmission into the third speed “3rd”, which has a larger gear ratio than the fifth speed “5th”, to ensure the driving force required to take off again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Miyata, Yasuo Hojo, Yoshihiro Iijima, Naoyuki Fukaya, Haruki Yamamoto, Fuminori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6887178
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a first rotating element provided by coupling a sun gear of a second planetary gear set and a carrier of a third planetary gear set to each other, a second rotating element provided by coupling a carrier of the second planetary gear set and a ring gear of the third planetary gear set to each other, a third rotating element provided by a ring gear of the second planetary gear set, and a fourth rotating element provided by a sun gear of the third planetary gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Terufumi Miyazaki, Yoshihiro Iijima, Atsushi Tabata, Yasuo Hojo, Akira Hoshino
  • Publication number: 20050059525
    Abstract: The transmission is constructed with a first ring gear and a third ring gear that are firmly connected. A second ring gear and a third carrier are also firmly connected. A second sun gear and a third sun gear are also firmly connected. An input shaft is connectable to a first carrier via a first clutch. The input shaft is connectable to a first sun gear via a second clutch. A third clutch is disposed between the first carrier and a second ring gear. The first carrier is connectable to the second ring gear and the third carrier via the third clutch. A first brake is provided between the first sun gear and a transmission case. A second brake is provided between the transmission case and the first ring gear as well as the third ring gear. A third brake and a one-way clutch are provided in parallel between the first carrier and the transmission case. A fourth brake is provided between the transmission case and the second sun gear as well as the third sun gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Terufumi Miyazaki, Yasuo Hojo, Akira Hoshino
  • Publication number: 20040242367
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a first rotating element provided by coupling a sun gear of a second planetary gear set and a carrier of a third planetary gear set to each other, a second rotating element provided by coupling a carrier of the second planetary gear set and a ring gear of the third planetary gear set to each other, a third rotating element provided by a ring gear of the second planetary gear set, and a fourth rotating element provided by a sun gear of the third planetary gear set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Terufumi Miyazaki, Yoshihiro Iijima, Atsushi Tabata, Yasuo Hojo, Akira Hoshino
  • Patent number: 6824492
    Abstract: The transmission is constructed with a first ring gear and a third ring gear that are firmly connected. A second ring gear and a third carrier are also firmly connected. A second sun gear and a third sun gear are also firmly connected. An input shaft is connectable to a first carrier via a first clutch. The input shaft is connectable to a first sun gear via a second clutch. A third clutch is disposed between the first carrier and a second ring gear. The first carrier is connectable to the second ring gear and the third carrier via the third clutch. A first brake is provided between the first sun gear and a transmission case. A second brake is provided between the transmission case and the first ring gear as well as the third ring gear. A third brake and a one-way clutch are provided in parallel between the first carrier and the transmission case. A fourth brake is provided between the transmission case and the second sun gear as well as the third sun gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Terufumi Miyazaki, Yasuo Hojo, Akira Hoshino
  • Publication number: 20040216547
    Abstract: A shift device, which sends a command signal to an electric actuator for shifting a plurality of gear ranges of a transmission of a vehicle by the electric actuator. The gear ranges include a plurality of drive ranges and a parking range. A shift lever is arranged to move between a neutral position and a plurality of manipulation positions located about the neutral position. A restoration mechanism restores the shift lever to the neutral position. A first sensor electrically detects a manipulation performed to select one of the drive ranges. A second sensor electrically detects a manipulation performed to select the parking range. The first sensor detects toward which of the manipulation positions the shift lever is manipulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Shiomi, Yoji Matsumoto, Akihiro Takezaki, Haruo Tuge, Akinosuke Shindou, Hideki Miyata, Yasuo Hojo, Hideo Tomomatsu
  • Publication number: 20040216549
    Abstract: A shift device, which sends a command signal to an electric actuator for shifting a plurality of gear ranges of a transmission of a vehicle by the electric actuator. The gear ranges include a plurality of drive ranges and a parking range. A shift lever is arranged to move between a neutral position and a plurality of manipulation positions located about the neutral position. A restoration mechanism restores the shift lever to the neutral position. A first sensor electrically detects a manipulation performed to select one of the drive ranges. A second sensor electrically detects a manipulation performed to select the parking range. The first sensor detects toward which of the manipulation positions the shift lever is manipulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Shiomi, Yoji Matsumoto, Akihiro Takezaki, Haruo Tuge, Akinosuke Shindou, Hideki Miyata, Yasuo Hojo, Hideo Tomomatsu
  • Publication number: 20040216546
    Abstract: A shift device, which sends a command signal to an electric actuator for shifting a plurality of gear ranges of a transmission of a vehicle by the electric actuator. The gear ranges include a plurality of drive ranges and a parking range. A shift lever is arranged to move between a neutral position and a plurality of manipulation positions located about the neutral position. A restoration mechanism restores the shift lever to the neutral position. A first sensor electrically detects a manipulation performed to select one of the drive ranges. A second sensor electrically detects a manipulation performed to select the parking range. The first sensor detects toward which of the manipulation positions the shift lever is manipulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Shiomi, Yoji Matsumoto, Akihiro Takezaki, Haruo Tuge, Akinosuke Shindou, Hideki Miyata, Yasuo Hojo, Hideo Tomomatsu
  • Patent number: 6808469
    Abstract: A vehicle planetary gear type multiple-step transmission wherein each of five rotary elements is constituted by sun gears, carriers and ring gears of three planetary gear sets, and speeds of the rotary elements are represented by respective straight lines in a collinear chart, and the first, second and third rotary elements are made stationary by respective first, second and third brakes, and the fifth, third and first rotary elements are connected to an input shaft by respective first, second and third clutches, while the third rotary element is brought to a disconnected state by fourth clutch, and the fourth rotary element is connected to an output rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Yasuo Hojo, Akira Hoshino, Terufumi Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 6790160
    Abstract: When a clutch is disengaged in a D-N shift, a duty ratio of a linear solenoid in a stand-by state at a constant pressure is calculated according to the following equation by using the following values: a reference duty ratio in a stand-by state at a constant pressure; a correction value for an AT oil temperature; a correction value for an engine speed; and respective learning correction values in a N-D shift and a 4-3 coast down shift in which the clutch is engaged. In the equation, K is a coefficient and has a constant value predetermined in the range of 0≦K≦1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Kato, Toshimitsu Sato, Kazuyuki Watanabe, Naoyuki Sakamoto, Atsushi Ayabe, Hiromichi Kimura, Yasuo Hojo
  • Patent number: 6761664
    Abstract: When a current downshift is determined to be a multiple downshift, it is determined whether or not a torque down during a first downshift is in a condition of interfering with learning performed for stabilizing the downshift operation during a second downshift is executed. If the torque down during the first downshift is determined to be in the condition of interfering with the learning, the learning is prohibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Ayabe, Kazuyuki Watanabe, Shinji Kato, Toshimitsu Sato, Naoyuki Sakamoto, Hiromichi Kimura, Yasuo Hojo
  • Patent number: 6760655
    Abstract: An automatic engine stop/restart-type vehicle and control method determine whether a vehicle is in a non-running range. The vehicle comprises: an engine; a transmission, an oil pump and a controller. The transmission has a coupling element that transmits an output torque of the engine. The oil pump supplies a hydraulic pressure to the transmission. The controller controls an output from the engine; controls the hydraulic pressure supplied to the transmission; and determines whether the engine is in an automatic stop state when a manually set mode of the transmission is shifted from a non-running range to a running range. A hydraulic pressure compensation procedure is performed to conform friction coupling characteristics of the coupling element and input characteristics of the transmission with each other if the controller determines that the engine is in the automatic stop state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tooru Matsubara, Yasuo Hojo, Hideo Tomomatsu, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Tadasu Tomohiro, Katsumi Nakatani
  • Patent number: 6716138
    Abstract: A condition for driving an electric oil pump is set. A turbine speed or an input speed of an automatic transmission is measured. A correction amount for a hydraulic pressure is calculated on the basis of the turbine speed obtained by reference to a relation between the turbine speed and hydraulic pressure, and a correction amount for a drive duty ratio of the electric oil pump which is required for generation of the corrected hydraulic pressure is calculated. The procedure is resumed after the procedure has been performed. The condition for driving the electric oil pump is updated on the basis of the correction amount for the drive duty ratio calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tooru Matsubara, Yasuo Hojo, Hideo Tomomatsu, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Tadasu Tomohiro, Katsumi Nakatani
  • Patent number: 6709362
    Abstract: An electric oil pump capable of suppressing wear of an electric oil pump used as auxiliary to a main oil pump to thereby prolong the life of the pump and avoid any need to provide a larger pump. An electric oil pump (40) is operated only for a predetermined acceptable operation time, and the engine (12) is thereafter activated to cause the mechanical oil pump (36) to supply oil pressure. This arrangement can limit successive operating time for the electric oil pump (40), suppressing wear of the electric oil pump (40) and thus prolonging its life. Provision of a larger electric oil pump (40) can also be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadasu Tomohiro, Yasuo Hojo, Hideo Tomomatsu, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Katsumi Nakatani, Tooru Matsubara, Atsushi Tabata
  • Publication number: 20040026155
    Abstract: A switching valve is provided which operates hydraulic friction engaging elements in a combination to establish a fifth speed “5th” when in a first position, and in a combination to establish a third speed “3rd” when in a second position, when a first electromagnetic valve to a fifth electromagnetic valve fail so as to stop operating. As a result, in the event of failure while driving, the fifth speed “5th” is first established to enable the vehicle to continue running. Then, when the position of a manual valve is changed by an operation by the driver when the vehicle is stopped or the like, the switching valve shifts a transmission into the third speed “3rd”, which has a larger gear ratio than the fifth speed “5th”, to ensure the driving force required to take off again.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki Miyata, Yasuo Hojo, Yoshihiro Iijima, Naoyuki Fukaya, Haruki Yamamoto, Fuminori Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20030148850
    Abstract: An electric oil pump capable of suppressing wear of an electric oil pump used as auxiliary to a main oil pump to thereby prolong the life of the pump and avoid any need to provide a larger pump. An electric oil pump (40) is operated only for a predetermined acceptable operation time, and the engine (12) is thereafter activated to cause the mechanical oil pump (36) to supply oil pressure. This arrangement can limit successive operating time for the electric oil pump (40), suppressing wear of the electric oil pump (40) and thus prolonging its life. Provision of a larger electric oil pump (40) can also be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tadasu Tomohiro, Yasuo Hojo, Hideo Tomomatsu, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Katsumi Nakatani, Tooru Matsubara, Atsushi Tabata
  • Patent number: 6589131
    Abstract: A method for controlling gear shifting of a transmission in a vehicle. The transmission is supplied with electric power from a battery or an alternator and drives an actuator to shift gear ranges of the transmission. The transmission has an output shaft that becomes difficult to rotate if a predetermined range is selected when the engine stops running. The method includes determining whether a gear range differing from the predetermined range is selected when the vehicle stops traveling, and forcibly shifts the gear range to the predetermined range when a gear range differing from the predetermined range is selected by driving the actuator with electric power supplied from the alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Miyata, Yasuo Hojo, Hideo Tomomatsu
  • Publication number: 20030100403
    Abstract: When a clutch is disengaged in a D-N shift, a duty ratio of a linear solenoid in a stand-by state at a constant pressure is calculated according to the following equation by using the following values: a reference duty ratio in a stand-by state at a constant pressure; a correction value for an AT oil temperature; a correction value for an engine speed; and respective learning correction values in a N-D shift and a 4-3 coast down shift in which the clutch is engaged. In the equation, K is a coefficient and has a constant value predetermined in the range of 0≦K≦1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinji Kato, Toshimitsu Sato, Kazuyuki Watanabe, Naoyuki Sakamoto, Atsushi Ayabe, Hiromichi Kimura, Yasuo Hojo
  • Publication number: 20030083174
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a first rotating element provided by a sun gear of a second planetary gear set, a second rotating element provided by coupling carriers of the second planetary gear set and a third planetary gear set to each other, a third rotating element provided by coupling ring gears of the second and third planetary gear sets to each other, and a fourth rotating element provided by a sun gear of the third planetary gear set. The second and third planetary gear sets are combined with a first planetary gear set so that the automatic transmission can provide seven forward gear stages by changing a combination of two engaging elements, such as clutches and brakes, for coupling or stopping the corresponding rotating elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Yasuo Hojo, Akira Hoshino, Terufumi Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20030083173
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a first rotating element provided by coupling a sun gear of a second planetary gear set and a carrier of a third planetary gear set to each other, a second rotating element provided by coupling a carrier of the second planetary gear set and a ring gear of the third planetary gear set to each other, a third rotating element provided by a ring gear of the second planetary gear set, and a fourth rotating element provided by a sun gear of the third planetary gear set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Terufumi Miyazaki, Yoshihiro Iijima, Atsushi Tabata, Yasuo Hojo, Akira Hoshino