Patents by Inventor Yukari Okamura

Yukari Okamura 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: 11787392
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle configured to shift an operating mode from a single-motor mode to a hybrid-low mode without causing a temporal drop in a drive force. A controller is configured to predict an execution of a mode change from the single-motor mode to the first hybrid mode, and to execute the mode change from the single-motor mode to the hybrid-low mode via a hybrid-high mode, if the execution of the mode change from the single-motor mode to the hybrid-low mode is predicted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ebuchi, Yukari Okamura
  • Patent number: 11440533
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle that reduces delay in engagement of a clutch when shifting an operating mode by manipulating the clutch. A controller is configured to adjust a speed of a first motor to a first standby speed at which the speed difference in a first clutch is reduced when an operating mode will be shifted from a single-motor mode to a first mode, and adjust a speed of the first motor to a second standby speed at which a speed difference in the second clutch is reduced when the operating mode will be shifted from the single-motor mode to a second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO TEN LIMITED
    Inventors: Yukari Okamura, Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Yumeto Shiraki
  • Publication number: 20220063586
    Abstract: A vehicle control system configured to achieve a required drive force and a required brake force in the process of shifting the operating mode. A first ratio is defined as a ratio of: an electric power exchanged between the first motor and a battery; to a power of a first motor to shift an operating mode. A second ratio is defined as a ratio of: an electric power exchanged between the second motor and the battery; to a power of a second motor to achieve a required power to drive or decelerate the vehicle. The first ratio is reduced smaller than the second ratio when a condition to shift the operating mode from a disconnecting mode to another mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventor: Yukari OKAMURA
  • Patent number: 11242046
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle configured to prevent a reduction in the purifying performance of the catalyst in a predetermined operating mode. An operating mode of the hybrid vehicle can be selected from a first hybrid vehicle mode, a second hybrid vehicle mode, and a fixed mode. A controller that is configured to restrict a shifting operation between the first hybrid vehicle mode and the second hybrid vehicle mode via the fixed mode, when the purifying device is being warmed or the purifying device has to be warmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Kazuma Aoki, Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Yukari Okamura
  • Publication number: 20210370910
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle configured to shift an operating mode from a single-motor mode to a hybrid-low mode without causing a temporal drop in a drive force. A controller is configured to predict an execution of a mode change from the single-motor mode to the first hybrid mode, and to execute the mode change from the single-motor mode to the hybrid-low mode via a hybrid-high mode, if the execution of the mode change from the single-motor mode to the hybrid-low mode is predicted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Hiroaki EBUCHI, Yukari OKAMURA
  • Patent number: 11007997
    Abstract: A control system for preventing engine stall due to slippage of a wheel during propulsion in a fixed mode in which an engine and the wheel are rotated at a fixed ratio. When a wheel slips in a first mode in which an engine and the wheel are rotated at a predetermined ratio, an operating mode is shifted to a second mode in which a torque transmission between the engine and the wheel is interrupted and the vehicle is propelled by torque of driving machine connected to the wheel, or to a third mode in which the vehicle is propelled by delivering torque of the engine to the wheel while establishing a reaction torque by a predetermined rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukari Okamura, Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Tatsuya Imamura, Kazuma Aoki
  • Patent number: 10955050
    Abstract: A drive control device for a vehicle is configured: to determine whether or not a sound pressure level inside a vehicle cabin becomes a predetermined value or less, under a state where it is predicted that a meshing-type engagement mechanism is changed from a disengaged state to an engaged state; and to prohibit the meshing-type engagement mechanism from entering the disengaged state, when it is determined that the sound pressure level becomes the predetermined value or less. In the disengaged state, transmission of a power output from a driving force source to driving wheels as drive energy is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Kazuma Aoki, Yukari Okamura
  • Patent number: 10946853
    Abstract: A control system for hybrid vehicles to prevent a reduction in a brake force when an electrical input to a battery is restricted. A controller is configured to execute a regeneration control to deliver a regenerative torque resulting from operating second motor as a generator to the drive wheels, and an engine brake control to deliver a brake torque resulting from a power loss of an engine to the output member. The controller is further configured to select an HV-Lo mode when an input power allowed to accumulate in the battery is smaller than a threshold power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuma Aoki, Tatsuya Imamura, Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Yukari Okamura
  • Publication number: 20200398820
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle that reduces delay in engagement of a clutch when shifting an operating mode by manipulating the clutch. A controller is configured to adjust a speed of a first motor to a first standby speed at which the speed difference in a first clutch is reduced when an operating mode will be shifted from a single-motor mode to a first mode, and adjust a speed of the first motor to a second standby speed at which a speed difference in the second clutch is reduced when the operating mode will be shifted from the single-motor mode to a second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO TEN Limited
    Inventors: Yukari OKAMURA, Yasuhiro OSHIUMI, Yumeto SHIRAKI
  • Patent number: 10850600
    Abstract: A drive force control system for hybrid vehicles to prevent a reduction in drive force during reverse propulsion while operating an engine. An operating mode of a transmission mechanism can be selected from a first mode in which the output torque of the engine is delivered to the output member at a first predetermined ratio and a second mode in which the output torque of the engine is delivered to the output member at a second predetermined ratio that is smaller than the first predetermined ratio. A controller is configured to restrict selection of the first mode when the engine generates a power greater than a predetermined power during propulsion of the hybrid vehicle in the reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukari Okamura, Tatsuya Imamura, Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Kazuma Aoki
  • Patent number: 10759410
    Abstract: A control system for hybrid vehicles to prevent a reduction in a drive force when an output power of a battery is restricted. A first motor translates an output power of the engine partially into an electric power. A transmission mechanism distributes an output torque of the engine to the first rotary machine side and an output member side. A second motor is operated by one of the electric power translated by the first rotary machine and an electric power accumulated in the battery to generate a power. An operating mode can be selected from a first mode in which the output torque of the engine is delivered to the output member side at a first ratio, and a second mode in which the output torque of the engine is delivered to the output member side at a second ratio. The second ratio is smaller than the first ratio. A controller is configured to restrict selection of the first mode when an available output power of the battery to be supplied to the second rotary machine is smaller than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuma Aoki, Tatsuya Imamura, Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Kentaro Kanzaki, Yukari Okamura
  • Patent number: 10737682
    Abstract: A drive force control system for hybrid vehicles configured to reduce a change in a drive force simultaneous execution of a starting operation of an engine and a shifting operation of a transmission. The drive force control is applied to a hybrid vehicle comprising: an engine connected to front wheels; a first motor connected to rear wheels; and a transmission that changes a speed ratio between the first motor and the rear wheels. A controller restricts execution of any one of an engine staring operation and a shifting operation of the transmission during execution of other one of the engine staring operation and shifting operation of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Kazuma Aoki, Yukari Okamura
  • Patent number: 10654353
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission mechanism, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit performs first switching control when there is a request for switching from a low mode to a high mode. The first switching control is to release a first engagement mechanism, and switch a second engagement mechanism to an engaged state when a difference between input and output rotational speeds of the second engagement mechanism becomes equal to or smaller than a permissible value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuma Aoki, Tatsuya Imamura, Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Yukari Okamura, Yuji Iwase
  • Publication number: 20200148190
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle configured to prevent a reduction in the purifying performance of the catalyst in a predetermined operating mode. An operating mode of the hybrid vehicle can be selected from a first hybrid vehicle mode, a second hybrid vehicle mode, and a fixed mode. A controller that is configured to restrict a shifting operation between the first hybrid vehicle mode and the second hybrid vehicle mode via the fixed mode, when the purifying device is being warmed or the purifying device has to be warmed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya IMAMURA, Kazuma AOKI, Yasuhiro OSHIUMI, Yukari OKAMURA
  • Patent number: 10647190
    Abstract: A control system for hybrid vehicle that can limit damage on a battery resulting from cranking of an engine. the controller is configured to shift an operating mode from an EV-Lo mode to an EV-Hi mode if a peak power applied to a battery during shifting the operating mode from the EV-Lo mode to the EV-Hi mode is expected to exceed an upper limit input power to the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuma Aoki, Tatsuya Imamura, Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Yukari Okamura
  • Patent number: 10514012
    Abstract: A control device is provided for controlling a vehicle that includes: an internal combustion engine having a fuel injection valve, an ignition device and an in-cylinder pressure sensor; and an electric motor configured to rotate to drive a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. The control device is configured, when an assist torque is applied to the crankshaft by means of the electric motor, to perform an ignition start-up operation that starts fuel injection and ignition from an expansion stroke cylinder to start up the internal combustion engine. The assist torque is a torque by which the crankshaft is not caused to rotate, and is greater when an in-cylinder pressure in a compression stroke cylinder is higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukari Okamura
  • Publication number: 20190299976
    Abstract: A control system for preventing engine stall due to slippage of a wheel during propulsion in a fixed mode in which an engine and the wheel are rotated at a fixed ratio. When a wheel slips in a first mode in which an engine and the wheel are rotated at a predetermined ratio, an operating mode is shifted to a second mode in which a torque transmission between the engine and the wheel is interrupted and the vehicle is propelled by torque of driving machine connected to the wheel, or to a third mode in which the vehicle is propelled by delivering torque of the engine to the wheel while establishing a reaction torque by a predetermined rotary member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukari OKAMURA, Yasuhiro OSHIUMI, Tatsuya IMAMURA, Kazuma AOKI
  • Publication number: 20190248356
    Abstract: A drive control device for a vehicle is configured: to determine whether or not a sound pressure level inside a vehicle cabin becomes a predetermined value or less, under a state where it is predicted that a meshing-type engagement mechanism is changed from a disengaged state to an engaged state; and to prohibit the meshing-type engagement mechanism from entering the disengaged state, when it is determined that the sound pressure level becomes the predetermined value or less. In the disengaged state, transmission of a power output from a driving force source to driving wheels as drive energy is interrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Kazuma Aoki, Yukari Okamura
  • Publication number: 20190184807
    Abstract: A drive force control system for hybrid vehicles to prevent a reduction in drive force during reverse propulsion while operating an engine. An operating mode of a transmission mechanism can be selected from a first mode in which the output torque of the engine is delivered to the output member at a first predetermined ratio and a second mode in which the output torque of the engine is delivered to the output member at a second predetermined ratio that is smaller than the first predetermined ratio. A controller is configured to restrict selection of the first mode when the engine generates a power greater than a predetermined power during propulsion of the hybrid vehicle in the reverse direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukari OKAMURA, Tatsuya IMAMURA, Yasuhiro OSHIUMI, Kazuma AOKI
  • Publication number: 20190184806
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission mechanism, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit performs first switching control when there is a request for switching from a low mode to a high mode. The first switching control is to release a first engagement mechanism, and switch a second engagement mechanism to an engaged state when a difference between input and output rotational speeds of the second engagement mechanism becomes equal to or smaller than a permissible value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuma AOKI, Tatsuya IMAMURA, Yasuhiro OSHIUMI, Yukari OKAMURA, Yuji IWASE