Patents by Inventor Fumihiko Maetani

Fumihiko Maetani 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: 20230085141
    Abstract: The cell balance circuit is a circuit connected in parallel to a secondary battery including a battery pack in which a first cell to an nth cell (n is plural) are connected in series in order from a positive electrode to a negative electrode and adjusting individual voltages of n cells. The cell balance circuit includes a switch circuit which can respectively open/close paths connected to n cells, and a cell discharge resistor respectively connected to the first cell to the nth cell via the switch circuit. The switch circuit switches to a cell balance stop state where each of the first cell to the nth cell is not connected to the cell discharge resistor in at least one state of a state where a charger is not connected to an external terminal, or a state where the secondary battery is being discharged to a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: ABLIC Inc.
    Inventors: Fumihiko MAETANI, Kanae KUROSE
  • Publication number: 20230006459
    Abstract: The charge control circuit includes a cell connection detection circuit monitoring a voltage between input ports to which terminals of a cell pack are connected, an overvoltage detection circuit monitoring an overvoltage of the secondary cells, a first latch circuit receiving a signal output by the cell connection detection circuit, a second latch circuit receiving a signal output by the overvoltage detection circuit, a reset circuit outputting a signal to the first latch circuit and the second latch circuit when the charge control circuit is activated, and a control circuit receiving a signal output from the second latch circuit and outputting a signal for protecting the cell pack from the overvoltage. The control circuit does not output a signal for blowing the fuse until the first latch circuit receives a detection signal of the cell connection detection circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: ABLIC Inc.
    Inventors: Fumihiko MAETANI, Hiroshi SAITO
  • Patent number: 11275399
    Abstract: There is provided a reference voltage circuit which includes a depletion type transistor and an enhancement type transistor. At least one of the depletion type transistor and the enhancement type transistor is formed from a plurality of transistors and the reference voltage circuit is arranged in the form of a common centroid (common center of mass) to avoid the influence of a characteristic fluctuation due to stress from the resin encapsulation of a semiconductor device or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: ABLIC INC.
    Inventors: Masakazu Sugiura, Fumihiko Maetani
  • Patent number: 11245279
    Abstract: A charge-discharge control circuit includes a positive power-supply terminal; a negative power-supply terminal; a charge-discharge discrimination circuit which discriminates a discharging state in which a discharging current flows and a charging state in which a charging current flows based on a voltage at a charge-discharge path and a preset charge-discharge discrimination voltage; and a control circuit which turns on a discharge control FET and a charge control FET in a charge-inhibition state and the discharging state or turns off the charge control FET in the charge-inhibition state and the charging state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: ABLIC INC.
    Inventors: Satoshi Abe, Fumihiko Maetani
  • Patent number: 11043826
    Abstract: Provided is a charge/discharge control circuit for controlling charging and discharging of a secondary cell. The charge/discharge control circuit includes a positive power supply terminal and a negative power supply terminal configured to monitor a voltage of the secondary cell, a charge control signal output terminal from which a charge control signal is output, the charge control signal controlling stopping and allowing charging of the secondary cell, a discharge control signal output terminal, an overcurrent detection terminal, an overcurrent cancel terminal, an external voltage input terminal provided separately from the overcurrent cancel terminal, a discharge overcurrent detection circuit connected to the overcurrent detection terminal, to which a discharge overcurrent detection voltage is set, and a discharge overcurrent cancel circuit connected to the overcurrent cancel terminal, to which a discharge overcurrent cancel voltage is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: ABLIC INC.
    Inventor: Fumihiko Maetani
  • Publication number: 20210184480
    Abstract: A charge/discharge control device and a battery apparatus which are compatible with a quick-chargeable charging device which changes a charging current stepwise, the charge/discharge control device and a battery apparatus include an alarm output circuit connected to a control circuit, and a timer circuit which counts a preset period according to an output of an alarm signal from the alarm output circuit and supplies a signal which inhibits the charging to the control circuit after counting the preset period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventor: Fumihiko Maetani
  • Patent number: 10965135
    Abstract: A charge/discharge control circuit includes: a first power supply terminal connected to a first electrode of a secondary battery; a second power supply terminal connected to a second electrode of the secondary battery; a control circuit configured to control charge/discharge of the secondary battery; and a power-down release pulse generation circuit connected to the power-down release terminal, the power-down release pulse generation circuit being configured to supply, in a power-down state of the charge/discharge control circuit, a power-down release pulse at least to the control circuit in response to an input of a power-down release signal to the power-down release terminal to release the power-down state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: ABLIC INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Saito, Fumihiko Maetani, Akihiko Suzuki, Takahiro Kuratomi
  • Patent number: 10826308
    Abstract: A charge/discharge control device and a battery apparatus respectively include a discharging-overcurrent-detection circuit which monitors a discharging overcurrent according to a discharging-overcurrent-reference voltage based on the voltage of a discharging-overcurrent-detection terminal, and the voltage of a discharge-reference FET having a drain and a gate connected to those of a charge control FET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: ABLIC INC.
    Inventor: Fumihiko Maetani
  • Publication number: 20200274384
    Abstract: A charge-discharge control circuit includes a positive power-supply terminal; a negative power-supply terminal; a charge-discharge discrimination circuit which discriminates a discharging state in which a discharging current flows and a charging state in which a charging current flows based on a voltage at a charge-discharge path and a preset charge-discharge discrimination voltage; and a control circuit which turns on a discharge control FET and a charge control FET in a charge-inhibition state and the discharging state or turns off the charge control FET in the charge-inhibition state and the charging state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Satoshi ABE, Fumihiko MAETANI
  • Patent number: 10727681
    Abstract: A charge/discharge control circuit includes: a first power supply terminal connected to a first electrode of a secondary battery; a second power supply terminal connected to a second electrode of the secondary battery; a charge control terminal connected to a discharge control switch and a charge control switch; a detection terminal; a control circuit; and an output circuit configured to output a charge control signal from the charge control terminal, and configured to output a first voltage when a charger is connected and the control circuit permits charging, and to output a voltage of the detection terminal which differs from the first voltage when the charger is connected and the control circuit prohibits charging. The output circuit is capable of outputting a voltage of the second power supply terminal which differs from the first voltage when the charger is not connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: ABLIC INC.
    Inventor: Fumihiko Maetani
  • Patent number: 10663996
    Abstract: There is provided a constant current circuit having a current characteristic satisfactory in a high voltage circuit while being low in manufacturing cost. The constant current circuit includes a high breakdown-voltage depletion type NMOS transistor and a low breakdown-voltage depletion type NMOS transistor connected in series between a first terminal and a second terminal. The low breakdown-voltage depletion type NMOS transistor includes a first depletion type NMOS transistor and a second depletion type NMOS transistor connected in series. The high breakdown-voltage depletion type NMOS transistor has a gate connected to a connecting point of the first depletion type NMOS transistor and the second depletion type NMOS transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: ABLIC INC.
    Inventors: Takashi Matsuda, Fumihiko Maetani
  • Publication number: 20200073422
    Abstract: There is provided a constant current circuit having a current characteristic satisfactory in a high voltage circuit while being low in manufacturing cost. The constant current circuit includes a high breakdown-voltage depletion type NMOS transistor and a low breakdown-voltage depletion type NMOS transistor connected in series between a first terminal and a second terminal. The low breakdown-voltage depletion type NMOS transistor includes a first depletion type NMOS transistor and a second depletion type NMOS transistor connected in series. The high breakdown-voltage depletion type NMOS transistor has a gate connected to a connecting point of the first depletion type NMOS transistor and the second depletion type NMOS transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Takashi MATSUDA, Fumihiko MAETANI
  • Publication number: 20190173297
    Abstract: A charge/discharge control device and a battery apparatus respectively include a discharging-overcurrent-detection circuit which monitors a discharging overcurrent according to a discharging-overcurrent-reference voltage based on the voltage of a discharging-overcurrent-detection terminal, and the voltage of a discharge-reference FET having a drain and a gate connected to those of a charge control FET.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventor: Fumihiko Maetani
  • Publication number: 20180348807
    Abstract: There is provided a reference voltage circuit which includes a depletion type transistor and an enhancement type transistor. At least one of the depletion type transistor and the enhancement type transistor is formed from a plurality of transistors and the reference voltage circuit is arranged in the form of a common centroid (common center of mass) to avoid the influence of a characteristic fluctuation due to stress from the resin encapsulation of a semiconductor device or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Masakazu SUGIURA, Fumihiko MAETANI
  • Publication number: 20180269704
    Abstract: A charge/discharge control circuit includes: a first power supply terminal connected to a first electrode of a secondary battery; a second power supply terminal connected to a second electrode of the secondary battery; a charge control terminal connected to a discharge control switch and a charge control switch; a detection terminal; a control circuit; and an output circuit configured to output a charge control signal from the charge control terminal, and configured to output a first voltage when a charger is connected and the control circuit permits charging, and to output a voltage of the detection terminal which differs from the first voltage when the charger is connected and the control circuit prohibits charging. The output circuit is capable of outputting a voltage of the second power supply terminal which differs from the first voltage when the charger is not connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Fumihiko MAETANI
  • Publication number: 20180262035
    Abstract: A charge/discharge control circuit includes: a first power supply terminal connected to a first electrode of a secondary battery; a second power supply terminal connected to a second electrode of the secondary battery; a control circuit configured to control charge/discharge of the secondary battery; and a power-down release pulse generation circuit connected to the power-down release terminal, the power-down release pulse generation circuit being configured to supply, in a power-down state of the charge/discharge control circuit, a power-down release pulse at least to the control circuit in response to an input of a power-down release signal to the power-down release terminal to release the power-down state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Hiroshi SAITO, Fumihiko MAETANI, Akihiko SUZUKI, Takahiro KURATOMI
  • Patent number: 9985447
    Abstract: Provided is a battery device high in safety and ease of use, which has no difficulty in returning to a normal state after discharge overcurrent is detected. The battery device includes a first charge/discharge control device including a first charge/discharge control transistor, and a first charge/discharge control circuit configured to detect the voltage of a secondary battery to control charging and discharging; a second charge/discharge control device including a second charge/discharge control transistor connected to an external terminal via the first charge/discharge control transistor, and a second charge/discharge control circuit configured to detect the voltage of the secondary battery to control charging and discharging; and a switch circuit arranged between an overcurrent detection terminal of the second charge/discharge control circuit and the external terminal. The switch circuit is turned on with a discharge stopping signal of the second charge/discharge control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ABLIC INC.
    Inventor: Fumihiko Maetani
  • Patent number: 9941717
    Abstract: Provided is a battery device having high overcurrent detection current accuracy that suppresses increases in a resistance value of a charge/discharge path and in a manufacturing cost. A first charge/discharge control device is configured to monitor a charge/discharge current with a voltage generated across both ends of a charge/discharge control switch, and a second charge/discharge control device is configured to monitor the charge/discharge current with a voltage generated across both ends of a current sensing resistor. A field effect transistor forming the charge/discharge control switch is selected based on a desired ON resistance value. The charge/discharge control switch of the first charge/discharge control device includes a field effect transistor having the desired ON resistance value, and a charge/discharge control switch of the second charge/discharge control device includes a field effect transistor having an ON resistance value other than the desired ON resistance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: SII SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fumihiko Maetani
  • Publication number: 20180041056
    Abstract: Provided is a charge/discharge control circuit for controlling charging and discharging of a secondary cell. The charge/discharge control circuit includes a positive power supply terminal and a negative power supply terminal configured to monitor a voltage of the secondary cell, a charge control signal output terminal from which a charge control signal is output, the charge control signal controlling stopping and allowing charging of the secondary cell, a discharge control signal output terminal, an overcurrent detection terminal, an overcurrent cancel terminal, an external voltage input terminal provided separately from the overcurrent cancel terminal, a discharge overcurrent detection circuit connected to the overcurrent detection terminal, to which a discharge overcurrent detection voltage is set, and a discharge overcurrent cancel circuit connected to the overcurrent cancel terminal, to which a discharge overcurrent cancel voltage is set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventor: Fumihiko MAETANI
  • Patent number: 9748789
    Abstract: There is provided a battery device in which the accuracy of an over-current detection current value is high to have high safety. In a charging/discharging control circuit, a reference voltage circuit of an over-current detection circuit is configured to include a constant current circuit, a resistor, and a transistor having a resistance value that varies with a voltage of a secondary cell, that are connected to both ends of the secondary cell, and outputs, as a reference voltage, a voltage that is generated due to the flowing of a current of the constant current circuit to the resistor and the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: SII SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumihiko Maetani, Toshiyuki Koike