Patents by Inventor Yoshiaki Omata

Yoshiaki Omata 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: 6936934
    Abstract: In a power generating controller of a vehicle, electric power of a first power supply, employed at engine startup and during vehicle driving, is conserved to decrease power needed for charging of the first power supply and to reduce engine load by operation of a generator. In addition, deceleration energy, which has not been utilized conventionally, can be recovered to a second power supply, which enables use of power generation (regeneration) during deceleration of the vehicle, during which fuel is not required, to improve efficiency of the generative operation of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Morimoto, Yoshiaki Omata
  • Patent number: 6763903
    Abstract: In a controlling device, the automatic stop and start-up conditions for an internal combustion engine are set to enable automatic stop/start-up control reflecting an operator's will or intention without movement of the vehicle feeling incongruous or unresponsive. The controlling device provides an automatic stop condition when all of the following conditions are satisfied (1) vehicle speed is less than a set value other than zero, (2) an idle switch is on, and (3) a gear position of the transmission is in neutral. An automatic start-up condition is satisfied when any one of the following conditions is satisfied, (1) the clutch is changed to a disengaged state from a fully or half engaged state, (2) the gear position of the transmission is in non-neutral, (3) the idle switch is off, or (4) a condition of booster negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Morimoto, Yoshiaki Omata
  • Patent number: 6742614
    Abstract: A controller controls a hybrid vehicle that has an internal combustion engine and an electric motor that assists the engine. In fuel cut control during vehicle deceleration, the controller sets a return engine speed at a value that inevitably stalls the engine. However, the motor executes power assist-control so that engine speed is maintained, engine stall does not occur, and the engine speed smoothly converges at an idle speed. Thus, the engine speed is set at a lower value, so that fuel cut is executed for as long as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Morimoto, Yoshiaki Omata
  • Patent number: 6593713
    Abstract: A control apparatus utilizes an electric motor to initially start-up an engine. In an engine restart under certain conditions, the control apparatus sets a motor output value for the electric motor to a value exceeding the rated performance. Thus, when starting up the engine, the control apparatus makes up for a shortage of power by executing overload driving of the motor for a short time period. When certain conditions are not met, the control apparatus operates the electric motor in combination with a starter motor to restart the engine. The electric motor is located between the engine and a transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Morimoto, Yoshiaki Omata
  • Patent number: 6583592
    Abstract: A control apparatus enhances charge and discharge performance of a main battery in a low temperature environment, extends the life of the main battery and improves the reliability of the whole system. The control apparatus is for a hybrid vehicle having an engine and an electric motor disposed therein. The electric motor has both driving and power-generating functions to directly connect to the engine mounted on the hybrid vehicle. The vehicle includes a main battery which supplies driving electric power to the electric motor and is charged by generated electric power from the electric motor. The vehicle includes a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the main battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Omata, Kazuhiko Morimoto
  • Patent number: 6581707
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine controller which controls a running state of the engine, a motor controller which controls both driving and battery recharging power-generating states, and an indicator which is connected to the motor controller. The indicator is turned on when the recharging power generating control is executed during slowdown of the hybrid vehicle. The indicator is turned on and off when the recharging power generating control is not executed during slowdown of the hybrid vehicle and is in a state that execution is possible. Therefore, by turning on the indicator or by turning it on and off, a driver is informed positively whether the recharging power generating control is executed or the recharging power generation control is not executed. As a result, the driver can operate the vehicle differently so that recharging power generation during vehicle slowdown can be executed efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Morimoto, Yoshiaki Omata, Kazuyoshi Noda
  • Patent number: 6540644
    Abstract: An automatic stop/start-up control system of an engine, recognizes an early drop of a power assist for brakes while the engine is automatically stopped. The control system enables the will of a driving person to be adequately reflected and the driving person does not feel a sense of incongruity when braking. Accordingly, the automatic stop/start-up control apparatus automatically stops the engine when an automatic stop condition is satisfied while the engine is driven, and automatically starts up the engine when an automatic start-up condition is satisfied while start-up of the engine is stopped. The control apparatus includes a power assist detector to detect power assist of an underpressure assist type brake apparatus equipped in the vehicle and a controller to control so as to automatically start up the engine when a decreasing rate per unit time of power assist, which the power assist detector detects while the engine is automatically stopped, exceeds a first setting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Morimoto, Yoshiaki Omata
  • Patent number: 6504327
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine and a motor disposed therein as a vehicle-propelling system, the motor being connected to an output shaft and having both driving and power-generating functions. The vehicle includes an engine control apparatus which controls a running state of the engine and a motor control apparatus which controls both driving and power-generating states of the motor to be independent from the control of the engine by the engine control apparatus. The motor control apparatus functions to detect an open-circuit voltage of a main battery at motor driving stop and to set an upper limit-determining voltage and a lower limit-determining voltage for motor driving according to the main battery open-circuit voltage. As a result, by the control apparatus, an over-charge and an over-electric discharge of the main battery can be prevented, and it is possible to extend battery life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Omata, Kazuhiko Morimoto
  • Patent number: 6491121
    Abstract: A power-generating control apparatus for a vehicle having an engine and a power-generator operated by the engine or electric motor includes a slowdown detector to detect a slowdown state of the vehicle, a main battery for the vehicle, and a sub-battery. The control apparatus includes a switch-over device which switches over at least one of the main battery and the sub-battery to the power-generator or motor, which in a slowdown state detected by the slowdown detector, switches over to couple the power-generator or the motor and the sub-battery. In engine stop, the switch over device switches to the sub-battery as a power supply of operating load. Accordingly, because the sub-battery can absorb slowdown energy, driving efficiency of the power-generator or motor at slowdown becomes excellent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Morimoto, Yoshiaki Omata
  • Patent number: 6492741
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus is combined with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor to form a vehicle-propelling system. The motor is connected to a crank shaft of the engine and has both driving and power-generating functions. The motor control apparatus includes an automatic start-up/stop control device having automatic start-up control and automatic stop control sections. When the vehicle is started with a key, the automatic start-up control section uses the starter motor and always gains assistance from the electric motor in starting the vehicle. Only the automatic start-up control section controls start up of the electric motor, which prevents a noise occurring when a ring gear is engaged with a starter motor gear. This operation improves the quietness of the engine. This arrangement enhances discharge of exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Morimoto, Yoshiaki Omata
  • Patent number: 6488609
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus for a motor combined with an engine for a vehicle includes clutch switches operated in response to pressing movement of a clutch pedal. A first clutch switch is OFF when the clutch is in a fully engaged state wherein the clutch pedal is not pressed down, and switches to ON when the clutch is in a partially engaged state as the clutch pedal is pressed down. A second clutch switch is OFF when the clutch is in a fully released state wherein the clutch pedal is fully pressed down, and switches to ON when the clutch is in a partially engaged state after partial return of the clutch pedal from the fully pressed down position. A motor controller responds to the clutch switches to stop driving and power generation of the motor when the first clutch switch switches to ON from OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Morimoto, Yoshiaki Omata
  • Patent number: 6476573
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle, wherein during operations of automatic start-up/stop control of the engine, at restarting of the engine when a start-up condition is satisfied, the control means controls to said electric motor so as to start up engine by the electric motor only, during operation of automatic start-up/stop control of the engine, at restarting of the engine when a start-up condition is not satisfied, a controller controls to drive a starter motor and an electric motor by outputting an engine activation signal so that the starter motor is always assisted by the electric motor during engine start. The electric motor is started by voltage supplied by the main battery. By such system, the engine and motor are not collectively controlled, and simplification of the system is achieved. Further, synchronism of the engine and motor is obtained and quietness at restart of the engine also results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Omata, Kazuhiko Morimoto
  • Patent number: 6469403
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle includes a controller having a normal control mode which detects the open-circuit voltage of a battery at driving stop of the electric motor and which sets voltage parameters according to the open-circuit voltage. In addition, the controller has an electric discharge control mode which sets a battery voltage parameter at a fixed value when the battery open-circuit voltage is higher than for normal control mode. As a result, in the control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle, over-charge and over-electric discharge of the battery is prevented. By controlled charging and electric discharging, battery life is extended. Battery administration is performed by a simplified system of hardware and software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Omata, Kazuhiko Morimoto
  • Patent number: 6469402
    Abstract: A control apparatus is provided for a hybrid vehicle having an engine and a electric motor disposed therein. The electric motor has both driving and power-generating functions and is directly connected to the engine mounted on the hybrid vehicle. The control apparatus controls both driving and power-generating states of the motor based on a driving state of the hybrid vehicle and a driving state of the engine, and controls to automatically start up and stop the engine according to an automatic startup condition and an automatic stop condition. The engine automatically stops after the automatic stop condition is satisfied while the control means controls the motor so as to execute a recharging power-generating drive to recharge the vehicle battery. As a result, this system can prevent discharge of unburned combustible gas when automatically stopping a vehicle, can improve sensations in the vehicle during stopping, and can improve start-up performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Morimoto, Yoshiaki Omata
  • Publication number: 20020134596
    Abstract: In fuel cut control during vehicle deceleration at an engine side, a return engine speed is set at a speed in which the engine inevitably stalls. However, at motor side, assist-control is executed such that engine speed is maintained so that engine stall does not occur, and so that engine speed smoothly converges at an idle speed. Thus, the engine speed is set at a lower value, so that fuel cut is executed as long as possible to improve fuel consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Morimoto, Yoshiaki Omata
  • Patent number: 6443126
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus combined with an engine controls both driving and power-generation functions of an electric motor. The motor control apparatus has a determining control for determining an idling state of the engine including an engine rotational speed-detector for detecting engine rotational speed. The control can return the engine rotational speed to a predetermined rotational speed value. The control varies the engine rotational speed by changing an operating state of the motor when an engine rotational speed measured by a detection signal from the engine rotational speed-detector varies from a predetermined rotational speed value for an idling mode of the engine. The engine rotational speed in the idle state becomes essentially constant, and the quietness of the engine is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Morimoto, Yoshiaki Omata
  • Publication number: 20020109407
    Abstract: In a power generating controller of a vehicle, electric power of a first power supply, employed at engine startup and during vehicle driving, is conserved to decrease power needed for charging of the first power supply and to reduce engine load by operation of a generator. In addition, deceleration energy, which has not been utilized conventionally, can be recovered to a second power supply, which enables use of power generation (regeneration) during deceleration of the vehicle, during which fuel is not required, to improve efficiency of the generative operation of the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Morimoto, Yoshiaki Omata
  • Publication number: 20020074173
    Abstract: In a controlling device, the automatic stop and start-up conditions for an internal combustion engine are set to enable automatic stop/start-up control reflecting an operator's will or intention without movement of the vehicle feeling incongruous or unresponsive. The controlling device provides an automatic stop condition when all of the following conditions are satisfied (1) vehicle speed is less than a set value other than zero, (2) an idle switch is on, and (3) a gear position of the transmission is in neutral. An automatic start-up condition is satisfied when any one of the following conditions is satisfied, (1) the clutch is changed to a disengaged state from a fully or half engaged state, (2) the gear position of the transmission is in non-neutral, (3) the idle switch is off, or (4) a condition of booster negative pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Morimoto, Yoshiaki Omata
  • Patent number: 6397601
    Abstract: A motor assist control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle having an engine and an electric motor includes a first map that executes power-generating operation of the motor from both engine rotational speed and engine load during traveling of the hybrid vehicle. A second map executes driving operation of the electric motor when the load detected by a load detector exceeds a set value during traveling of the hybrid vehicle. A use demand input switch inputs a second map use demand input signal by manual operation. A controller executes both drive and power-generating operations for the motor based on a driving state of the hybrid vehicle and a driving state of the engine. The control apparatus executes a drive operation for the electric motor and switches over use to the second map when a use demand signal is input and when second map use conditions are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Morimoto, Yoshiaki Omata, Kazuyoshi Noda
  • Publication number: 20020043945
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine and a motor disposed therein as a vehicle-propelling system, the motor being connected to an output shaft and having both driving and power-generating functions. The vehicle includes an engine control apparatus which controls a running state of the engine and a motor control apparatus which controls both driving and power-generating states of the motor to be independent from the control of the engine by the engine control apparatus. The motor control apparatus functions to detect an open-circuit voltage of a main battery at motor driving stop and to set an upper limit-determining voltage and a lower limit-determining voltage for motor driving according to the main battery open-circuit voltage. As a result, by the control apparatus, an over-charge and an over-electric discharge of the main battery can be prevented, and it is possible to extend battery life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Omata, Kazuhiko Morimoto