Patents by Inventor Yoshinobu Kawamoto

Yoshinobu Kawamoto 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: 10697540
    Abstract: A vehicle control device for controlling a vehicle including a variator provided in a power transmission path between a driving source and a driving wheel of a vehicle and a friction engaging element provided between the variator and the driving wheel, engaged when a running range is selected, while disengaged when a non-running range is selected and shutting off transmission of power through the power transmission path is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Kawamoto, Seiichirou Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10527161
    Abstract: A control device that controls an automatic transmission is provided, in which device the automatic transmission includes a variator disposed in a power transmission path between a driving source and a driving wheel of a vehicle, and a friction engaging element disposed between the variator and the driving wheel, in a manner capable of transmitting a power disconnectably via the power transmission path. The control device increases a speed ratio of the variator toward a predetermined target speed ratio with disengaging the friction engaging element during a vehicle stop of the vehicle, and executes a learning regarding a hydraulic control of the friction engaging element when the friction engaging element is disengaged during the vehicle stop. The control device decreases the target speed ratio at a time of learning when the learning is executed during the vehicle stop, compared to a time of vehicle stop other than the time of learning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Kawamoto, Seiji Kasahara, Haibin Ma
  • Patent number: 10520082
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control device for a continuously variable transmission of a vehicle which a continuously variable transmission mechanism; a stepwise variable transmission mechanism; a shift control means, the hydraulic pressure control device includes: the shift control means including a line pressure control section configured to increase the line pressure to be greater than the line pressure before a generation of an oil vibration when the oil vibration is generated in at least one of actual hydraulic pressures of the primary pressure and the secondary pressure, and the line pressure control section being configured to continue the increase of the line pressure until the shift of the stepwise variable transmission mechanism is finished when the stepwise variable transmission is shifted in a state where the line pressure is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Kawamoto, Hiroyasu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10514095
    Abstract: A control device for a continuously variable transmission mechanism of a vehicle includes: a stepwise variable transmission mechanism which is disposed in series with the continuously variable transmission mechanism, and which has at least two or more forward gear stages; and a controller configured to increase the belt capacities to be greater than the belt capacity set when an accelerator opening degree is zero, at least in a time period from a timing when the accelerator opening degree becomes zero, to a timing when a braking force is generated by a depression of a brake pedal, the controller being configured to set an increase amount with respect to the belt capacity set when the accelerator opening degree is zero, to a smaller value as a transmission gear ratio of the stepwise variable transmission mechanism is higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Kawamoto, Norio Asai, Hiroyasu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10507832
    Abstract: In a drive control device, a controller automatically stops an engine if an execution condition of an idling stop is satisfied, and an electric oil pump is driven during an automatic stop of the engine. A first friction engaging element establishes a starting gear position and a second friction engaging element is released when a vehicle starts. A second solenoid drains oil to be supplied to the second friction engaging element according to an indicator current. A drain degree becomes smaller by reducing the indicator current. The controller reduces the indicator current below a minimum value during the automatic stop of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Kawamoto, Ruofeng Liu, Hideshi Wakayama
  • Patent number: 10377367
    Abstract: A control device for hybrid vehicle is configured to transmit a torque generated by an engine and a motor to a power transmission member according to a driving power request from a driver. The control device for hybrid vehicle includes motor control means and transmission capacity control means. The motor control means is configured to control an output from the motor according to the driving power request. The transmission capacity control means is configured to control a transmission capacity of the power transmission member. The transmission capacity control means is configured to increase the transmission capacity in consideration of a variation of the output from the motor when the output from the motor is increased based on the driving power request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: JATCO LTD
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Kawamoto, Tomohiro Utagawa, Masayuki Miyazono
  • Publication number: 20180355970
    Abstract: A vehicle control device for controlling a vehicle including a variator provided in a power transmission path between a driving source and a driving wheel of a vehicle and a friction engaging element provided between the variator and the driving wheel, engaged when a running range is selected, while disengaged when a non-running range is selected and shutting off transmission of power through the power transmission path is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicants: JATCO Ltd, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu KAWAMOTO, Seiichirou TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20180355969
    Abstract: A control device that controls an automatic transmission is provided, in which device the automatic transmission includes a variator disposed in a power transmission path between a driving source and a driving wheel of a vehicle, and a friction engaging element disposed between the variator and the driving wheel, in a manner capable of transmitting a power disconnectably via the power transmission path. The control device increases a speed ratio of the variator toward a predetermined target speed ratio with disengaging the friction engaging element during a vehicle stop of the vehicle, and executes a learning regarding a hydraulic control of the friction engaging element when the friction engaging element is disengaged during the vehicle stop. The control device decreases the target speed ratio at a time of learning when the learning is executed during the vehicle stop, compared to a time of vehicle stop other than the time of learning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicants: JATCO Ltd, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu KAWAMOTO, Seiji KASAHARA, Haibin MA
  • Patent number: 10124788
    Abstract: A transmission controller determines hydraulic pressures supplied to a primary pulley and a secondary pulley on the basis of a torque calculation value in a case where an integrated controller does not detect a torque detection error, determines the hydraulic pressures supplied to the primary pulley and the secondary pulley on the basis of the torque calculation value in a case where the integrated controller detects the torque detection error and the torque calculation value is equal to or more than a predetermined value, and determines the hydraulic pressures supplied to the primary pulley and the secondary pulley on the basis of a torque value higher than the torque calculation value in a case where the integrated controller detects the torque detection error and the torque calculation value is less than the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: JATCO LTD
    Inventors: Haruka Ozono, Yoshinobu Kawamoto
  • Publication number: 20180281799
    Abstract: In a drive control device, a controller automatically stops an engine if an execution condition of an idling stop is satisfied, and an electric oil pump is driven during an automatic stop of the engine. A first friction engaging element establishes a starting gear position and a second friction engaging element is released when a vehicle starts. A second solenoid drains oil to be supplied to the second friction engaging element according to an indicator current. A drain degree becomes smaller by reducing the indicator current. The controller reduces the indicator current below a minimum value during the automatic stop of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicants: JATCO Ltd, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu KAWAMOTO, Ruofeng LIU, Hideshi WAKAYAMA
  • Patent number: 10086817
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle is provided. The control device includes an automatic transmission constituted of a stepwise variable transmission mechanism configured to switch a plurality of shift stages by engagement and disengagement of a plurality of friction engaging elements, an engine as a driving source, a motor configured to assist a driving force of the engine, a hydraulic controller configured to supply a hydraulic pressure to control the engagement and the disengagement of the friction engaging element, and a control unit configured to control the automatic transmission to a target speed ratio through changing the shift stage of the stepwise variable transmission mechanism. The control unit performs a learning control that learns at least one of hydraulic pressure of the engagement and the disengagement of the friction engaging element, and inhibits the assist of the driving force to the engine by the motor in performing the learning control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: JATCO LTD
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Kawamoto, Mamiko Inoue
  • Publication number: 20180245691
    Abstract: A control device for a continuously variable transmission mechanism of a vehicle includes: a stepwise variable transmission mechanism which is disposed in series with the continuously variable transmission mechanism, and which has at least two or more forward gear stages; and a controller configured to increase the belt capacities to be greater than the belt capacity set when an accelerator opening degree is zero, at least in a time period from a timing when the accelerator opening degree becomes zero, to a timing when a braking force is generated by a depression of a brake pedal, the controller being configured to set an increase amount with respect to the belt capacity set when the accelerator opening degree is zero, to a smaller value as a transmission gear ratio of the stepwise variable transmission mechanism is higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicants: JATCO Ltd, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu KAWAMOTO, Norio ASAI, Hiroyasu TANAKA
  • Patent number: 10024243
    Abstract: An automatic transmission performs a shift-up operation when the accelerator pedal is released from a depression during a vehicle is running. An engine rotation speed immediately after the shift-up operation is predicted on the basis of the engine rotation speed and a gear ratio of the transmission after the shift-up operation. When a fuel recovery is predicted to be performed immediately after the shift-up operation, the fuel recovery is advanced such that it is performed in the inertial phase of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Kawamoto, Masahiro Iriyama
  • Publication number: 20180180179
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control device for a continuously variable transmission of a vehicle which a continuously variable transmission mechanism; a stepwise variable transmission mechanism; a shift control means, the hydraulic pressure control device includes: the shift control means including a line pressure control section configured to increase the line pressure to be greater than the line pressure before a generation of an oil vibration when the oil vibration is generated in at least one of actual hydraulic pressures of the primary pressure and the secondary pressure, and the line pressure control section being configured to continue the increase of the line pressure until the shift of the stepwise variable transmission mechanism is finished when the stepwise variable transmission is shifted in a state where the line pressure is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicants: JATCO Ltd, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu KAWAMOTO, Hiroyasu TANAKA
  • Patent number: 9945478
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission with a sub transmission includes a primary solenoid valve installed at an oil passage in a midway position between a mechanical oil pump and a primary pulley and configured to control a hydraulic pressure to be supplied to the primary pulley. The control apparatus further includes a transmission controller which outputs a primary current command value to a primary solenoid valve. The transmission controller outputs the primary current command value which previously closed the oil passage between the mechanical oil pump and the primary pulley to the primary solenoid valve before a rise in an engine revolution number due to at least a re-start of the engine, when a coast stop control/an idle stop control is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Kawamoto, Tomohiro Utagawa, Takashi Eguchi
  • Patent number: 9926988
    Abstract: A starting clutch control device for an automatic transmission has a starting clutch controller. The starting control device controls a transmission torque capacity of a starting clutch interposed in a transmission path in which rotation of the power source is transmitted to wheels while shifting is underway by the automatic transmission. The starting clutch controller controls the transmission torque capacity of the starting clutch such that a rotation trajectory of the power source develops as desired in a low rotation speed range in which the transmission torque capacity control of the starting clutch is necessary. The starting clutch controller causes the transmission torque capacity of the starting clutch to change, when a shift of the automatic transmission occurs during the transmission torque capacity control by the starting clutch controller, in a direction in which the change in the rotation trajectory will occur corresponding to the shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 9815469
    Abstract: A vehicle control device calculates a target line pressure based on an instructed torque capacity of a friction engaging element and a belt capacity when the friction engaging element is determined as not engaging. Belt capacity is calculated using an input torque of a continuously variable transmission mechanism. The device calculates torque down in a driving source based on an upper limit line pressure when the calculated target line pressure exceeds such line pressure. A limit torque capacity of the friction engaging element is calculated using the input torque and a belt capacity when the friction engaging element is determined as not engaging. The belt capacity is calculated using an actual line pressure. The device restrains a slip between pulleys and a power transmitting member using the target line pressure, the torque down, and the limit torque capacity when the friction engaging element is determined as not engaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Kunihiro Takahashi, Yoshinobu Kawamoto, Hideshi Wakayama
  • Publication number: 20170210373
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle is provided. The control device includes an automatic transmission constituted of a stepwise variable transmission mechanism configured to switch a plurality of shift stages by engagement and disengagement of a plurality of friction engaging elements, an engine as a driving source, a motor configured to assist a driving force of the engine, a hydraulic controller configured to supply a hydraulic pressure to control the engagement and the disengagement of the friction engaging element, and a control unit configured to control the automatic transmission to a target speed ratio through changing the shift stage of the stepwise variable transmission mechanism. The control unit performs a learning control that learns at least one of hydraulic pressure of the engagement and the disengagement of the friction engaging element, and inhibits the assist of the driving force to the engine by the motor in performing the learning control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Yoshinobu KAWAMOTO, Mamiko INOUE
  • Publication number: 20170203751
    Abstract: A transmission controller determines hydraulic pressures supplied to a primary pulley and a secondary pulley on the basis of a torque calculation value in a case where an integrated controller does not detect a torque detection error, determines the hydraulic pressures supplied to the primary pulley and the secondary pulley on the basis of the torque calculation value in a case where the integrated controller detects the torque detection error and the torque calculation value is equal to or more than a predetermined value, and determines the hydraulic pressures supplied to the primary pulley and the secondary pulley on the basis of a torque value higher than the torque calculation value in a case where the integrated controller detects the torque detection error and the torque calculation value is less than the predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Haruka OZONO, Yoshinobu KAWAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20170203750
    Abstract: A control device for hybrid vehicle is configured to transmit a torque generated by an engine and a motor to a power transmission member according to a driving power request from a driver. The control device for hybrid vehicle includes motor control means and transmission capacity control means. The motor control means is configured to control an output from the motor according to the driving power request. The transmission capacity control means is configured to control a transmission capacity of the power transmission member. The transmission capacity control means is configured to increase the transmission capacity in consideration of a variation of the output from the motor when the output from the motor is increased based on the driving power request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Yoshinobu KAWAMOTO, Tomohiro UTAGAWA, Masayuki MIYAZONO