Patents by Inventor Yushi SEKI

Yushi SEKI 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).

  • Publication number: 20190195645
    Abstract: A vehicle operation management apparatus includes an operation management controller receiving information including embarking and disembarking position information; selecting an overnight stay parking lot; creating the operation plan including a plan of using at least one of electric power and fuel in accordance with a facility of the overnight stay parking lot; selecting the overnight vehicle; calculating a price corresponding to the operation plan; and transmitting information of the selected overnight vehicle and the determined price to the user terminal. Further, the overnight vehicle includes a rechargeable battery, and in a case where there is no facility capable of charging the battery and no: facility capable of performing fuel supply to the overnight vehicle in the overnight stay parking lot selected in the operation plan, travel, control in the operation plan is set to travel control of suppressing consumption of electric power from the battery in the overnight vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Katsuya Terahata, Naoya Ishizaki, Yushi Seki
  • Publication number: 20190179302
    Abstract: A vehicle remote operation system includes a controller correcting a map, which indicates a relationship between an operation amount of a reference vehicle and an operation amount of a vehicle to be operated, based on vehicle characteristic data of the vehicle to be operated, characteristic of the operation device being determined based on characteristic of an operation device of the reference vehicle, correcting an operation amount, which is indicated by the operation signal, in accordance with a characteristic of the vehicle to be operated by using the corrected map, and outputting a control signal indicating the corrected operation amount to the vehicle to be operated so that the vehicle to be operated can be operated in accordance with the corrected operation amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takaaki TOKURA, Naoya ISHIZAKI, Tomoharu MAEDA, Yushi SEKI, Hiroshi MAJIMA, Katsuya TERAHATA
  • Publication number: 20190163205
    Abstract: A vehicle platooning system to operate vehicles in a platoon in an appropriate order. The vehicle platooning system is applied to a vehicle that can be operated autonomously. A controller obtains information about each of the vehicles participating in the platoon including a straight line stability upon satisfaction of a condition to form a platoon with other vehicles, and assigns the vehicle having a relatively good straight line stability to a leader vehicle in the platoon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki KODERA, Takahito ENDO, Kensei HATA, Naoki HARAYAMA, Katsuya IWAZAKI, Yushi SEKI
  • Patent number: 10266166
    Abstract: A vehicle control system to prevent a shortage of a braking force when temporarily stopping a vehicle during autonomous operation. The vehicle control system comprises: a prime mover; a drive wheel; a brake device that applies a brake torque to the drive wheel; an interrupting device that selectively allows a torque transmission the prime mover and the drive wheel; and a controller that operates a vehicle autonomously. The controller is configured to: detect a stop point; stop the vehicle temporarily at the stop point; disengage the interrupting device; and engages the interrupting device after confirming safety condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kodera, Takahito Endo, Kensei Hata, Naoki Harayama, Katsuya Iwazaki, Yushi Seki
  • Patent number: 10253672
    Abstract: A vehicle control system vehicle control system to remove deposition from the purification system without generating noises and vibrations is provided. The vehicle control system comprises a controller that operates the vehicle having an engine autonomously, and that removes deposition from a purification system. The controller is configured to: obtain an amount of deposition on the purification system; determine a presence of a passenger in the vehicle; and execute the removal control when an amount of the deposition on the purification system exceeds a threshold value. The threshold value includes a first threshold value used when the vehicle is propelled while carrying a passenger, and a second threshold value used when the vehicle is propelled autonomously without carrying a passenger that is smaller than the first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Kensei Hata, Takahito Endo, Yushi Seki, Katsuya Iwazaki, Yasuyuki Kato
  • Publication number: 20190092157
    Abstract: An electric vehicle is provided with an electric motor serving as a driving source and is not provided with an internal combustion engine from which power is transmitted to drive wheels driven by power from the electric motor. The electric vehicle includes: a torque converter that is disposed coaxially with an output shaft of the electric motor, and to which the power is transmitted from the electric motor; an automatic transmission disposed on a power transmission path between the electric motor and the drive wheels, and configured to achieve a shift stage at which the power is interrupted; and a mechanical oil pump driven by the power from the electric motor, and disposed on the power transmission path, at a position upstream of the automatic transmission in a direction of power transmission from the electric motor to the drive wheels. The mechanical oil pump is disposed in the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tadashi SEKIGUCHI, Yushi SEKI
  • Publication number: 20190092186
    Abstract: A coolant passage of a vehicular cooling system includes a battery coolant passage through which a coolant is supplied from a radiator to a battery, a discharge coolant passage through which the coolant is supplied to the radiator, a first bypass passage through which the coolant is supplied from the discharge coolant passage to the battery coolant passage while bypassing the radiator, and a switching valve that switches a pathway of the coolant, between a first pathway through which the coolant is supplied from the discharge coolant passage to the battery coolant passage via the radiator and a second pathway through which the coolant is supplied from the discharge coolant passage to the battery coolant passage via the first bypass passage. An electronic control unit controls the switching valve such that the pathway is switched to the second pathway at the time of increasing a temperature of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi TOMINAGA, Daisuke TOKOZAKURA, Yushi SEKI
  • Publication number: 20190072967
    Abstract: A vehicle control system configured to maintain detection accuracy of an external sensor such as an on-board camera. The vehicle control system is applied to a vehicle that can be operated autonomously. A controller communicates with a database stored on the controller and a database stored on an external facility. The controller changes orientation of a headlamp toward an object detected by an on-board camera, in a case that the headlamp is turned on, and that information about the object detected by the on-board camera is not available in the database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kensei HATA, Hiroaki KODERA, Takahito ENDO, Naoki HARAYAMA, Katsuya IWAZAKI, Yushi SEKI, Hideaki KOMADA
  • Publication number: 20190068028
    Abstract: There are provided in-wheel motors lubricated with an oil; a cooling medium circuit in which a cooling medium flows; a cooling device cooling the cooling medium; heat exchangers carrying out heat exchange between the cooling medium and the oil after lubricating the in-wheel motors; and at least one of a controller including an inverter and a battery that can be cooled by the cooling medium flowing through the cooling medium circuit, and the cooling medium circuit has such a configuration that circulates the cooling medium through the cooling device, at least one of the controller and the battery, and the heat exchangers in turn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi TOMINAGA, Daisuke TOKOZAKURA, Yushi SEKI
  • Publication number: 20190031172
    Abstract: A vehicle control system to prevent a shortage of a braking force when temporarily stopping a vehicle during autonomous operation. The vehicle control system comprises: a prime mover; a drive wheel; a brake device that applies a brake torque to the drive wheel; an interrupting device that selectively allows a torque transmission the prime mover and the drive wheel; and a controller that operates a vehicle autonomously. The controller is configured to: detect a stop point; stop the vehicle temporarily at the stop point; disengage the interrupting device; and engages the interrupting device after confirming safety condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki KODERA, Takahito ENDO, Kensei HATA, Naoki HARAYAMA, Katsuya IWAZAKI, Yushi SEKI
  • Publication number: 20190036181
    Abstract: A battery cooling system includes: a cooling circuit; a power transmission device disposed in the cooling circuit, the power transmission device including a gear; a drivetrain oil having an electric insulating property and being used for lubrication of the gear, the drivetrain oil circulating in the cooling circuit; a battery unit disposed in the cooling circuit, the battery unit including a module case that houses a plurality of battery cells; a pump disposed in the cooling circuit; and a radiator disposed in the cooling circuit, the radiator releasing heat from the drivetrain oil flowing in the cooling circuit. The drivetrain oil performs direct heat exchange inside the power transmission device and flows through an inside of the module case and performs direct heat exchange with the battery cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke TOKOZAKURA, Satoshi TOMINAGA, Yushi SEKI
  • Patent number: 10065644
    Abstract: A vehicle control system to configured to operate a vehicle autonomously while keeping a safe distance from a preceding vehicle is provided. The vehicle control system is configured to operate the vehicle autonomously to follow a preceding vehicle while keeping a predetermined distance, and to determine a presence of a passenger in the vehicle. If the vehicle is operated autonomously to follow the preceding vehicle while carrying a passenger, the vehicle control system selects a longest distance from the preceding vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahito Endo, Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Kensei Hata, Yasuyuki Kato, Yushi Seki, Katsuya Iwazaki, Hideaki Komada
  • Publication number: 20180209518
    Abstract: In a vehicle installed with in-wheel motors, a continuously variable transmission provided in a power transmission path between the in-wheel motor and a wheel has an input member that rotates as a unit with a rotor, an output member that rotates as a unit with a drive shaft, planetary balls that transmit torque between the input member and the output member, a support shaft that rotatably supports each of the planetary balls, and a carrier that can tilt the planetary balls by changing the radial positions of opposite end portions of the support shaft. The continuously variable transmission can change the speed ratio by changing the tilting angle of the planetary balls by means of the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yushi SEKI
  • Publication number: 20180149063
    Abstract: A vehicle control system vehicle control system to remove deposition from the purification system without generating noises and vibrations is provided. The vehicle control system comprises a controller that operates the vehicle having an engine autonomously, and that removes deposition from a purification system. The controller is configured to: obtain an amount of deposition on the purification system; determine a presence of a passenger in the vehicle; and execute the removal control when an amount of the deposition on the purification system exceeds a threshold value. The threshold value includes a first threshold value used when the vehicle is propelled while carrying a passenger, and a second threshold value used when the vehicle is propelled autonomously without carrying a passenger that is smaller than the first threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro OSHIUMI, Kensei HATA, Takahito ENDO, Yushi SEKI, Katsuya IWAZAKI, Yasuyuki KATO
  • Publication number: 20180126991
    Abstract: A vehicle control system to configured to operate a vehicle autonomously while keeping a safe distance from a preceding vehicle is provided. The vehicle control system is configured to operate the vehicle autonomously to follow a preceding vehicle while keeping a predetermined distance, and to determine a presence of a passenger in the vehicle. If the vehicle is operated autonomously to follow the preceding vehicle while carrying a passenger, the vehicle control system selects a longest distance from the preceding vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahito ENDO, Yasuhiro OSHIUMI, Kensei HATA, Yasuyuki KATO, Yushi SEKI, Katsuya IWAZAKI, Hideaki KOMADA
  • Publication number: 20180120841
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided to maintain an SOC level of the battery during autonomous operation of the vehicle. The control system is applied to a vehicle that can be operated autonomously by controlling an engine, a motor, a steering system, a brake system etc. autonomously by a controller, and the vehicle is allowed to coast by manipulating a clutch. During autonomous operation of the vehicle, a first coasting mode in which the engine is stopped and the clutch is disengaged is selected if the SOC level is higher than a threshold level, and a second coasting mode in which the engine is activated and the clutch is disengaged is selected if the SOC level is lower than the threshold level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahito ENDO, Yasuhiro OSHIUMI, Kensei HATA, Yasuyuki KATO, Yushi SEKI, Katsuya IWAZAKI, Hideaki KOMADA
  • Publication number: 20180056978
    Abstract: A vehicle control system to operate a vehicle autonomously with improved energy efficiency and ride quality is provided. A controller is configured to set a limit value of an operating point of an engine to reduce noises and vibrations. The operating point of the engine is restricted by the limit value within an acceptable region where an engine speed is higher than the limit value but an engine torque is lower than the limit value. The limit value is set to a first limit value when the vehicle is operated autonomously while carrying the passenger, and to a second limit value to expand the acceptable region when the vehicle is operated autonomously without carrying the passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kensei HATA, Yasuhiro OSHIUMI, Takahito ENDO, Yasuyuki KATO, Yushi SEKI, Katsuya IWAZAKI, Akira MURAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20180057006
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided to allow an autonomous vehicle to promptly launch after picking up a passenger. A controller comprises a drive controller for controlling a drive motor, and electric power is supplied to the drive motor from a power source. A main switch is manipulated by the controller to selectively connect and disconnect the drive controller to/from the power source. The controller is configured to propel the vehicle autonomously to a pickup location to pick up a passenger, and to turn on the main switch if the passenger is detected within a predetermined area at the pickup location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yushi SEKI, Kensei HATA, Takahito ENDO, Yasuhiro OSHIUMI, Yasuyuki KATO, Katsuya IWAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20180056982
    Abstract: A control system for hybrid vehicles to properly select an operating mode during autonomous operation is provided. An operating mode of the hybrid vehicle is selected from a hybrid mode and an electric vehicle mode. A controller that is configured to: determine an existence of a passenger in a vehicle compartment; select the electric vehicle mode in a case that the hybrid vehicle is operated autonomously while carrying the passenger; and select the hybrid mode in a case that the hybrid vehicle is operated autonomously without carrying the passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahito ENDO, Yasuhiro OSHIUMI, Kensei HATA, Yasuyuki KATO, Yushi SEKI, Katsuya IWAZAKI, Akira MURAKAMI