Patents by Inventor Akihiko Emori

Akihiko Emori 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: 20110193413
    Abstract: A battery control device for a battery module includes a plurality of integrated circuits. Each integrated circuit includes: a constant voltage circuit that lowers a total voltage of a battery cell group corresponding to the integrated circuit to an integrated circuit internal voltage; a signal generation circuit that generates, based upon a first signal provided by a higher-order control circuit, a second signal assuming a wave height value different from a wave height value of the first signal and outputs the second signal; and a startup circuit that includes a first comparator assuming a first decision-making threshold value corresponding to the first signal and a second comparator assuming a second decision-making threshold value corresponding to the second signal, and starts up the constant voltage circuit in response to a change in an output from at least either the first comparator or the second comparator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd,
    Inventors: Akihiko KUDO, Mutsumi Kikuchi, Gosuke Shibahara, Akihiko Emori, Yasuo Uemura, Tatsumi Yamauchi, Kenji Kubo, Yoshinori Aoshima
  • Publication number: 20110187326
    Abstract: The present invention provides enhanced serial communication reliability in a situation where a plurality of cell controllers and a battery controller are daisy-chained to form a serial communication configuration. While the plurality of cell controllers and the battery controller are daisy-chained to form a serial communication configuration, the battery controller or each cell controller includes a communication speed detection means, which detects the communication speed of data input from an additional controller, and a reception timing correction means, which corrects the reception, timing for data input from the additional controller in accordance with the communication speed detected by the communication speed detection means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: HITACHI VEHICLE ENERGY, LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro KAWATA, Akihiko EMORI, Youhei KAWAHARA, Akihiko KUDO
  • Patent number: 7952327
    Abstract: The present invention provides an assembled battery total voltage detection and leak detection apparatus which is reduced in size and is reduced in manufacturing costs. Detection of a total voltage is performed at a measurement time of a total voltage of an assembled battery 1 by connecting an output of a positive electrode resistance voltage dividing circuit composed of resistors 9 and 10 to + input of a differential amplifier 20 and connecting an output of a negative electrode resistance voltage dividing circuit composed of resistors 12 and 11 to ? input of the amplifier 20, and it performs leak detection at a leak detection time by connecting an output of a positive electrode resistance voltage dividing circuit to + input of the amplifier 20 and connecting + input of the amplifier 20 to the minus input of the differential amplifier 20 to measure an output voltage of the amplifier 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Kudo, Masaki Nagaoka, Akihiko Emori, Takahiro Kawata
  • Patent number: 7911178
    Abstract: The present invention provides enhanced serial communication reliability in a situation where a plurality of cell controllers and a battery controller are daisy-chained to form a serial communication configuration. While the plurality of cell controllers and the battery controller are daisy-chained to form a serial communication configuration, the battery controller or each cell controller includes a communication speed detection means, which detects the communication speed of data input from an additional controller, and a reception timing correction means, which corrects the reception timing for data input from the additional controller in accordance with the communication speed detected by the communication speed detection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Kawata, Akihiko Emori, Youhei Kawahara, Akihiko Kudo
  • Patent number: 7888945
    Abstract: Lower order control devices control plural battery cells configuring plural battery modules. An input terminal of the low order control device in the highest potential, an output terminal of the low order control device in the lowest potential, and a high order control device are connected by isolating units, photocouplers. Diodes which prevent a discharge current of the battery cells in the battery modules are disposed between the output terminal of the low order control device and the battery cells in the battery module on the low potential side. Terminals related to input/output of a signal are electrically connected without isolating among the plural low order control devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Miyazaki, Akihiko Emori, Akihiko Kudo, Tsuyoshi Kai
  • Patent number: 7830126
    Abstract: When detecting an abnormality in some storage batteries, the hybrid vehicle control system separates the faulty storage batteries and leads the sound storage batteries to a high SOC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Youhei Kawahara, Akihiko Emori, Manabu Jyou, Yoshinori Aoshima
  • Publication number: 20100244847
    Abstract: A battery monitoring system, comprises a battery state detection circuit that detects battery states of a plurality of battery cells that are connected in series, based on respective cell voltages of the plurality of battery cells, and a control circuit that monitors state of a battery cell, based on each cell voltage of the plurality of battery cells. The control circuit inputs pseudo voltage information to the battery state detection circuit, and thereby diagnoses whether or not the battery state detection circuit is operating normally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicants: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Kudo, Mutsumi Kikuchi, Gosuke Shibahara, Akihiko Emori, Yasuo Uemura, Tatsumi Yamauchi, Kenji Kubo, Masahito Sonehara, Masahiko Amano, Yoshinori Aoshima
  • Publication number: 20100244886
    Abstract: A state detection device for power supply system comprises: a measurement unit that obtains current, voltage, and temperature at a chargeable and dischargeable power storage unit as measurement values; a storage unit that stores property information of the power storage unit; an arithmetic unit that uses different methods to calculate first and second states of charge for the power storage unit based upon the measurement values and the property information; a conflict detection unit that detects a conflict in an event that a difference between the first state of charge and the second state of charge is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold; and a correction unit that corrects the property information during charging or discharging of the power storage unit in response to the conflict having been detected by the conflict detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicants: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.,
    Inventors: Youhei KAWAHARA, Yoshinori Aoshima, Kenichiro Tsuru, Akihiko Kudo, Akihiko Emori, Tatsumi Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20100188039
    Abstract: A secondary battery module includes a battery information storage unit for storing electric characteristic information and usage history information of the secondary battery module. A battery information management device and a terminal device respectively include interfaces to be connected to the secondary battery module. The battery information management device is provided with a battery information database. The battery information management device is connected to the terminal device through a communications network. In this way, battery information stored in the battery information storage unit, which is acquired by the battery information management device and the terminal device, is accumulated in the battery information database. Moreover, the battery information management device grades the secondary battery module for reuse based on the battery information and a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Shuko YAMAUCHI, Youhei KAWAHARA, Akihiko EMORI
  • Patent number: 7755331
    Abstract: A storage battery managing apparatus which ensures charge-discharge control of a storage battery in consideration of state variation of each unit cell even if the battery pack includes a number of component unit cells, and a vehicle controlling apparatus providing the same. A storage battery includes a plurality of chargeable-dischargeable unit cells connected in which battery management ICs detect the cell voltage of each unit cell, a voltage sensor detects a storage battery voltage and a current sensor detects currents to be charged and discharged in the storage battery. A degree of SOC imbalance is obtained by use of detected cell voltage of each unit cell when the storage battery is being neither charged nor discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Youhei Kawahara, Akihiko Emori, Shuko Yamauchi, Hirotaka Takahashi, Masami Shida, Yoshinori Aoshima
  • Publication number: 20100148728
    Abstract: A power control apparatus for controlling charging and discharging of a plurality of storage devices, including a voltage measuring device for measuring voltages of the storage devices, a current measuring device for measuring currents flowing through the storage devices, a status detecting device for detecting the operating status of each of the storage devices from values measured by the voltage measuring device and the current measuring device, and a charging/discharging controlling device for controlling currents, voltages, or power according to the operating status of each storage device detected by the status detecting device to charge or discharge the storage devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Emori, Eiichi Toyota, Masato Suzuki, Motomi Shimada, Tsutomu Miyauchi, Takuya Kinoshita, Hideki Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 7710073
    Abstract: A secondary battery module includes a battery information storage unit for storing electric characteristic information and usage history information of the secondary battery module. A battery information management device and a terminal device respectively include interfaces to be connected to the secondary battery module. The battery information management device is provided with a battery information database. The battery information management device is connected to the terminal device through a communications network. In this way, battery information stored in the battery information storage unit, which is acquired by the battery information management device and the terminal device, is accumulated in the battery information database. Moreover, the battery information management device grades the secondary battery module for reuse based on the battery information and a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuko Yamauchi, Youhei Kawahara, Akihiko Emori
  • Patent number: 7692430
    Abstract: A power control apparatus for controlling charging and discharging of a plurality of storage devices, including a voltage measuring device for measuring voltages of the storage devices, a current measuring device for measuring currents flowing through the storage devices, a status detecting device for detecting the operating status of each of the storage devices from values measured by the voltage measuring device and the current measuring device, and a charging/discharging controlling device for controlling currents, voltages, or power according to the operating status of each storage device detected by the status detecting device to charge or discharge the storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Emori, Eiichi Toyota, Masato Suzuki, Motomi Shimada, Tsutomu Miyauchi, Takuya Kinoshita, Hideki Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20100030499
    Abstract: In a status detector for a power supply, a power supply, and an initial characteristic extracting device for use with the power supply, a measuring unit obtains measured values of at least current, voltage and temperature of the electricity accumulating unit. A processing unit executes status detection of the electricity accumulating unit by using the measured values and the characteristic information of the electricity accumulating unit which is stored in a memory unit. A discrepancy detecting unit detects the presence of a discrepancy away from a theoretical value when a result of the status detection is changed over a predetermined threshold or reversed with respect to the measured values. A modifying unit modifies the characteristic information depending on the detected discrepancy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Youhei KAWAHARA, Akihiko Emori, Shuko Yamauchi, Hirotaka Takahashi, Masami Shida, Akihiko Kudo
  • Publication number: 20090302802
    Abstract: Lower order control devices control plural battery cells configuring plural battery modules. An input terminal of the low order control device in the highest potential, an output terminal of the low order control device in the lowest potential, and a high order control device are connected by isolating units, photocouplers. Diodes which prevent a discharge current of the battery cells in the battery modules are disposed between the output terminal of the low order control device and the battery cells in the battery module on the low potential side. Terminals related to input/output of a signal are electrically connected without isolating among the plural low order control devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Hideki Miyazaki, Akihiko Emori, Akihiko Kudo, Tauyoshi Kai
  • Patent number: 7622894
    Abstract: In a status detector for a power supply, a power supply, and an initial characteristic extracting device for use with the power supply, a measuring unit obtains measured values of at least current, voltage and temperature of the electricity accumulating unit. A processing unit executes status detection of the electricity accumulating unit by using the measured values and the characteristic information of the electricity accumulating unit which is stored in a memory unit. A discrepancy detecting unit detects the presence of a discrepancy away from a theoretical value when a result of the status detection is changed over a predetermined threshold or reversed with respect to the measured values. A modifying unit modifies the characteristic information depending on the detected discrepancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Youhei Kawahara, Akihiko Emori, Shuko Yamauchi, Hirotaka Takahashi, Masami Shida, Akihiko Kudo
  • Publication number: 20090284224
    Abstract: Lower order control devices control plural battery cells configuring plural battery modules. An input terminal of the low order control device in the highest potential, an output terminal of the low order control device in the lowest potential, and a high order control device are connected by isolating units, photocouplers. Diodes which prevent a discharge current of the battery cells in the battery modules are disposed between the output terminal of the low order control device and the battery cells in the battery module on the low potential side. Terminals related to input/output of a signal are electrically connected without isolating among the plural low order control devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Hideki Miyazaki, Akihiko Emori, Akihiko Kudo, Tsuyoshi Kai
  • Publication number: 20090284223
    Abstract: Lower order control devices control plural battery cells configuring plural battery modules. An input terminal of the low order control device in the highest potential, an output terminal of the low order control device in the lowest potential, and a high order control device are connected by isolating units, photocouplers. Diodes which prevent a discharge current of the battery cells in the battery modules are disposed between the output terminal of the low order control device and the battery cells in the battery module on the low potential side. Terminals related to input/output of a signal are electrically connected without isolating among the plural low order control devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Hideki Miyazaki, Akihiko Emori, Akihiko Kudo, Tsuyoshi Kai
  • Publication number: 20090261781
    Abstract: Lower order control devices control plural battery cells configuring plural battery modules. An input terminal of the low order control device in the highest potential, an output terminal of the low order control device in the lowest potential, and a high order control device are connected by isolating units, photocouplers. Diodes which prevent a discharge current of the battery cells in the battery modules are disposed between the output terminal of the low order control device and the battery cells in the battery module on the low potential side. Terminals related to input/output of a signal are electrically connected without isolating among the plural low order control devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Hideki Miyazaki, Akihiko Emori, Akihiko Kudo, Tsuyoshi Kai
  • Publication number: 20090224769
    Abstract: A multi-series battery control system comprises a plurality of unit battery cell of which unit consists of multiple battery cells connected in series; a plurality of control IC comprising a control circuit for controlling the unit battery cell, a main controller that sends and receives signal to/from the control ICs via an insulation; means for sending an abnormality signal, which represents the existence or the absence of abnormality of the control ICs or the battery cells, to the main controller from the control ICs, responding to the first signal outputted from the main controller via the insulation; and means for searching contents of the abnormality in the control ICs or the battery cells and sending the abnormality contents signal based on the search, to the main controller from the control ICs, responding to the second signal outputted from the main controller via the insulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Akihiko EMORI, Shigeyuki Yoshihara, Kazuyoshi Sasazawa, Tatsuo Horiba, Akihiko Kudo