Patents by Inventor Yutaka Hirokane

Yutaka Hirokane 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).

  • Power distribution control apparatus of four-wheel drive vehicle
    Patent number: 7048084
    Abstract: A CPU computes a throttle opening degree increasing speed V?h and a steering wheel angular velocity V? based on a throttle opening degree ?h and a steering wheel angle ?. Based on the throttle increasing speed V?h and the steering wheel angular velocity V?, the CPU selects one of a first drive mode and a second drive mode. The CPU controls the power transmission ratio of a power transmitting device according to the selected drive mode. Therefore, the power transmission ratio of the power transmitting device is properly controlled in accordance with the degree of intention for acceleration of the driver, which is computed based on the throttle increasing speed V?h, and the turning speed of the steering wheel, which is computed based on the steering wheel angular velocity V?. Therefore, the drive mode is properly switched in accordance with the driving state of a four-wheel drive vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryouhei Shigeta, Tsuyoshi Murakami, Hisao Fumoto, Yutaka Hirokane
  • Power distribution control apparatus of four-wheel drive vehicle
    Publication number: 20050029035
    Abstract: A CPU computes a throttle opening degree increasing speed V?h and a steering wheel angular velocity V? based on a throttle opening degree ?h and a steering wheel angle ?. Based on the throttle increasing speed V?h and the steering wheel angular velocity V?, the CPU selects one of a first drive mode and a second drive mode. The CPU controls the power transmission ratio of a power transmitting device according to the selected drive mode. Therefore, the power transmission ratio of the power transmitting device is properly controlled in accordance with the degree of intention for acceleration of the driver, which is computed based on the throttle increasing speed V?h, and the turning speed of the steering wheel, which is computed based on the steering wheel angular velocity V?. Therefore, the drive mode is properly switched in accordance with the driving state of a four-wheel drive vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Applicant: TOYODA KOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryouhei Shigeta, Tsuyoshi Murakami, Hisao Fumoto, Yutaka Hirokane