Patents by Inventor Yoshikazu Motozono

Yoshikazu Motozono 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: 10406936
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle, an accelerator operation amount is changed among a first region, a second region, and a third region. The motor vehicle is configured to perform a first control that applies a braking force to the vehicle when the accelerator operation amount is at least in the first region or in the second region or to perform a second control that applies a smaller braking force to the vehicle than the braking force applied by the first control when the accelerator operation amount is in the first region or in the second region. The motor vehicle is also configured to continue execution of the first control without changing over control to the second control, when an execution request for the second control is given during execution of the first control in the second region of the accelerator operation amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Takahashi, Yoshikazu Motozono, Tomoya Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10124676
    Abstract: When a vehicle is in an accelerator off state and satisfies a free-run condition, a regeneration control unit performs free-run control on the vehicle so that the amount of regenerative electric power is decreased. The regeneration control unit sets a free-run prohibited zone between a starting point of a regeneration enhancement zone and a position that is located in front of and separated by a determination distance from the starting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Tajima, Kunihiko Jinno, Haruki Oguri, Yoshikazu Motozono, Kiyomi Nagamiya
  • Publication number: 20180001787
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle, an accelerator operation amount is changed among a first region, a second region, and a third region. The motor vehicle is configured to perform a first control that applies a braking force to the vehicle when the accelerator operation amount is at least in the first region or in the second region or to perform a second control that applies a smaller braking force to the vehicle than the braking force applied by the first control when the accelerator operation amount is in the first region or in the second region. The motor vehicle is also configured to continue execution of the first control without changing over control to the second control, when an execution request for the second control is given during execution of the first control in the second region of the accelerator operation amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu TAKAHASHI, Yoshikazu MOTOZONO, Tomoya YAMAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 9605614
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle control system for executing a fuel saving based on a learned value of fuel consumption obtained from an actual running of the vehicle. The control system makes an assessment of a fuel saving control by learning fuel consumption within a predetermined learning zone including a zone where the fuel saving control is executed and determines whether or not to execute the fuel saving control based on a result of the assessment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Miura, Shoichi Shono, Yoshikazu Motozono
  • Publication number: 20160297322
    Abstract: When a vehicle is in an accelerator off state and satisfies a free-run condition, a regeneration control unit performs free-run control on the vehicle so that the amount of regenerative electric power is decreased. The regeneration control unit sets a free-run prohibited zone between a starting point of a regeneration enhancement zone and a position that is located in front of and separated by a determination distance from the starting point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro TAJIMA, Kunihiko JINNO, Haruki OGURI, Yoshikazu MOTOZONO, Kiyomi NAGAMIYA
  • Patent number: 9242649
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided. The vehicle control system is applied to a vehicle having a clutch device to selectively connect and disconnect a power transmission route between a prime mover and drive wheels, and configured to disconnect the power transmission route during running to allow the vehicle to coast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jonggap Kim, Shoichi Shono, Yoshikazu Motozono
  • Patent number: 9073549
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle control apparatus that can improve a gasoline mileage without imparting the sense of discomfort to a driver. When an ECU determines that the brake is turned ON during an N inertia travel control (“YES” in step S11), the ECU stores a current position and a current vehicle speed in a learning DB (Step 12). Next, the ECU matches a data of the current position and the vehicle speed similar to the data of the current position and the vehicle speed stored this time, with reference to the information associated with a section inclusive of the current position (Step S13). Thereafter, when the ECU determines that there are equal to or more than a predetermined number of similar cases (“YES” in step S14), the ECU sets the section referenced in the step S13 as an N inertia travel prohibition section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Motozono, Shoichi Shono, Akihiro Ueda, JongGap Kim
  • Publication number: 20150166064
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided. The vehicle control system is applied to a vehicle having a clutch device to selectively connect and disconnect a power transmission route between a prime mover and drive wheels, and configured to disconnect the power transmission route during running to allow the vehicle to coast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Mitsuyasu, Jonggap Kim, Shoichi Shono, Yoshikazu Motozono
  • Publication number: 20150151760
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided. The vehicle control system is applied to a vehicle having a clutch device to selectively connect and disconnect a power transmission route between a prime mover and drive wheels, and configured to disconnect the power transmission route during running to allow the vehicle to coast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jonggap Kim, Shoichi Shono, Yoshikazu Motozono
  • Publication number: 20150006045
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle control apparatus that can improve a gasoline mileage without imparting the sense of discomfort to a driver. When an ECU determines that the brake is turned ON during an N inertia travel control (“YES” in step S11), the ECU stores a current position and a current vehicle speed in a learning DB (Step 12). Next, the ECU matches a data of the current position and the vehicle speed similar to the data of the current position and the vehicle speed stored this time, with reference to the information associated with a section inclusive of the current position (Step S13). Thereafter, when the ECU determines that there are equal to or more than a predetermined number of similar cases (“YES” in step S14), the ECU sets the section referenced in the step S13 as an N inertia travel prohibition section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Motozono, Shoichi Shono, Akihiro Ueda, JongGap Kim
  • Patent number: 8825339
    Abstract: A vehicular drive control apparatus provided with pulse-driving and gliding means for setting upper limit Vhi and lower limit Vlo of running speed V of a vehicle according to an upper and lower vehicle speed limit maps, and on the basis of target running speed Vt which is the running speed V at a time when control initiating conditions have been satisfied, and running the vehicle in P & G running mode by alternately repeating pulse-driving run (accelerating run) and gliding run (decelerating run) of the vehicle at the running speed V varying between the set upper and lower limits Vhi and Vlo, the control initiating conditions including a condition that the vehicle is in a steady running state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoichi Shono, Yoshikazu Motozono, Masafumi Uchihara, Akihiro Ueda, JongGap Kim, Norimi Asahara
  • Publication number: 20140159886
    Abstract: A vehicle operator assisting apparatus is configured to assist an operator of an own vehicle by displaying an image of a virtual preceding vehicle visually recognizable by the operator as if the virtual preceding vehicle was running in front of said own vehicle in a running state. The assisting apparatus comprises: a history data base storing a driving history of said operator; a virtual preceding vehicle control portion determining a running state of said virtual proceeding vehicle based on said driving history generating portion generating a relationship between a distance between said own vehicle and an actual preceding vehicle, and a running speed of said own vehicle, and storing the relationship in said history database. Said virtual preceding vehicle control portion includes a driving characteristics extracting portion determining a distance between said own vehicle and said virtual preceding vehicle based on said relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoto Hasegawa, Shoichi Shono, Yoshikazu Motozono, Masao Omura, Akihiro Ueda, Yasuhiro Tajima, Tomohiro Usami, Mitsuhiro Miura
  • Publication number: 20130211686
    Abstract: A vehicular drive control apparatus provided with pulse-driving and gliding means 118 for setting upper limit Vhi and lower limit Vlo of running speed V of a vehicle according to an upper and lower vehicle speed limit maps, and on the basis of target running speed Vt which is the running speed V at a time when control initiating conditions have been satisfied, and running the vehicle in P & G running mode by alternately repeating pulse-driving run (accelerating run) and gliding run (decelerating run) of the vehicle at the running speed V varying between the set upper and lower limits Vhi and Vlo, the control initiating conditions including a condition that the vehicle is in a steady running state. Accordingly, the pulse-driving and gliding means 118 permits the vehicle to be run in the P & G running mode, independently of an automatic cruising control, making it possible to improve fuel economy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shoichi Shono, Yoshikazu Motozono, Masafumi Uchihara, Akihiro Ueda, JongGap Kim, Norimi Asahara
  • Publication number: 20110307152
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle travel control device capable of controlling acceleration and deceleration without causing a driver to feel uncomfortable. The vehicle travel control device includes: a vehicle deceleration control section which operates at least two of a throttle control section, a downshifting control section, and a brake control section on the basis of target deceleration; a target deceleration setting section which sets the target deceleration; and changing means for changing the operation order of the throttle control section, the downshifting control section, and the brake control section according to the target deceleration set by the target deceleration setting section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoichi Shono, Tomohiro Usami, Yoshikazu Motozono
  • Patent number: 8050820
    Abstract: When a vehicle turns, a body and a left and a right wheel are inclined inward of a turning circle. Consequently forces are exerted to an operator in an up-down direction, which leads to reducing discomfort felt by the operator. In addition, since a gravity center of the vehicle is moved inward of the turning circle, a turning stability of the vehicle is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Yanaka, Yoshikazu Motozono, Yasukazu Honda
  • Patent number: 7640086
    Abstract: A running object includes a body, at least two drive wheels disposed on a first axle, and at least one driven wheel disposed on a second axle. The running object is capable of switching between a standing posture in which the driven wheel is suspended in the air and a stable posture in which the driven wheel is placed on the ground. The running object includes a storing device that stores a target incline pattern that chronologically describes the target incline angle of the body during a transition from the standing posture to the stable posture; a detecting device that detects the incline angle and/or the incline angular velocity of the body; a torque calculating device that calculates torque based on a deviation between the target incline pattern stored in the storing device and a detection value detected by the detecting device; and an actuator for applying the torque calculated by the calculating device to the drive wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Issei Nakashima, Toshio Fuwa, Yoshikazu Motozono
  • Publication number: 20080290618
    Abstract: When a vehicle turns, a body and a left and a right wheel are inclined inward of a turning circle. Consequently forces are exerted to an operator in an up-down direction, which leads to reducing discomfort felt by the operator. In addition, since a gravity center of the vehicle is moved inward of the turning circle, a turning stability of the vehicle is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Yanaka, Yoshikazu Motozono, Yasukazu Honda
  • Publication number: 20070073425
    Abstract: A running object includes a body, at least two drive wheels disposed on a first axel, and at least one driven wheel disposed on a second axel. The running object is capable of switching between a standing posture in which the driven wheel is suspended in the air and a stable posture in which the driven wheel is placed on the ground. The running object includes a storing device that stores a target incline pattern that chronologically describes the target incline angle of the body during a transition from the standing posture to the stable posture; a detecting device that detects the incline angle and/or the incline angular velocity of the body; a torque calculating device that calculates torque based on a deviation between the target incline pattern stored in the storing device and a detection value detected by the detecting device; and an actuator for applying the torque calculated by the calculating device to the drive wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Issei Nakashima, Toshio Fuwa, Yoshikazu Motozono
  • Patent number: 6638652
    Abstract: A fuel cell control apparatus for controlling the supply amount of oxidizing gas to a fuel cell for producing electric energy by reaction between fuel gas and oxidizing gas includes a smoother for smoothing the output related quantity of the fuel cell, and an oxidizing gas feed determining device for determining the supply amount of the oxidizing gas on the basis of the output related quantity smoothed by the smoother, and therefore when controlling the amounts of the fuel gas and oxidizing gas depending on the output demand of the fuel cell, the substantial power generation efficiency is enhanced and the output is stabilized at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Motozono, Masashi Yamashita, Masaaki Yamaoka, Kiyomi Nagamiya, Iwao Maeda
  • Patent number: 6630109
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a reformer and a method of controlling the reformer are provided. The reformer gasifies a reformate fuel by a reforming reaction, supplies the obtained reformate gas to an energy converter to convert the reformate gas into energy of another form, and heats the reformate fuel by burning emission containing unreacted flammable gas produced in the energy converter. The control apparatus comprises a reforming amount assessing device for assessing the amount of the reformate fuel to be gasified, and an emission amount assessing device for assessing the amount of emission to be supplied into the reformer on the basis of the assessed amount of reformate fuel. When using the unreacted hydrogen gas generated in a fuel cell for heating the reformate fuel, the unreacted hydrogen gas and combustion aid gas can be controlled so that the reformate fuel is heated properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Yamaoka, Masashi Yamashita, Kiyomi Nagamiya, Yoshikazu Motozono, Iwao Maeda, Masayoshi Taki