Patents by Inventor Akira Kano

Akira Kano 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: 20240128780
    Abstract: A method of charging a secondary battery, the battery including a positive electrode in which a lithium ion is stored during discharging and released during charging, a negative electrode in which a lithium metal deposits during charging and dissolves during discharging, and a non-aqueous electrolyte having a lithium ion conductivity, wherein the method includes a step of charging the secondary battery according to a first charging profile. In the secondary battery, a surface of the negative electrode is covered with a protection layer. In the first charging profile, charging starts from a first charging step in which charging is performed at a constant current with a first electric current density I1, and following the first charging step, a second charging step is performed in which charging is performed at a constant current with a second electric current density I2 that is larger than the first electric current density I1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryohei Miyamae, Akira Kano, Takahiro Fukuoka
  • Publication number: 20240128591
    Abstract: A lithium secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode disposed opposed to the positive electrode, a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, a non-aqueous electrolyte having a lithium ion conductivity, and a spacer interposed between the negative electrode and the separator. A lithium metal deposits on the negative electrode during charging, and the lithium metal dissolves from the negative electrode during discharging. The spacer has a net structure formed with a plurality of lined projected portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Kondo, Ryohei Miyamae, Akira Kano
  • Publication number: 20240021907
    Abstract: A battery module, including: a plurality of lithium secondary batteries aligned side by side; and a heat absorbing material disposed in contact with side surfaces of the plurality of lithium secondary batteries, wherein the lithium secondary battery includes an electrode plate group, a non-aqueous electrolyte having lithium ion conductivity, and a battery case housing the electrode plate group and the non-aqueous electrolyte, the electrode plate group includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and at the negative electrode, a lithium metal deposits during charge and the lithium metal dissolves during discharge. This can suppress the increase in battery temperature in the event of abnormality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2021
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chifumi Murayama, Hirotaka Ogino, Akira Kano
  • Publication number: 20230378792
    Abstract: A method of charging a lithium secondary battery including: a step of charging the lithium secondary battery based on any of a first charging profile and a second charging profile, wherein the first charging profile includes at least two charging steps, the second charging profile includes more charging steps than the first charging profile, at a starting point of the step of charging the secondary battery, the first charging profile is selected when the secondary battery has a depth of discharge of less than a predetermined threshold, and the second charging profile is selected when the secondary battery has a depth of discharge of the threshold or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Fukuoka, Akira Kano
  • Publication number: 20230369582
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte, in which lithium metal deposits on the negative electrode during charge, and the lithium metal dissolves from the negative electrode into the non-aqueous electrolyte during discharge. The positive electrode includes a positive electrode active material, the positive electrode active material includes a composite oxide containing lithium and a transition metal, and the non-aqueous electrolyte contains an oxalate salt. The composite oxide contains Ni and at least one selected from the group consisting of Fe, V, Ti, and Nb, and has a structure based on a crystal structure belonging to a space group R-3m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Sadakane, Akira Kano
  • Publication number: 20230369639
    Abstract: A lithium secondary battery includes: a positive electrode that absorbs lithium ions during discharging and releases the lithium ions during charging; a negative electrode on which lithium metal is deposited during charging and from which the lithium metal dissolves during discharging; and a non-aqueous electrolyte that has lithium ion conductivity. A surface of the negative electrode is covered with a protective layer that contains a resin material and inorganic particles having a density of 6 g/cm3 or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryohei Miyamae, Akira Kano
  • Publication number: 20230361367
    Abstract: A charging and discharging method for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery. The battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode including a negative electrode current collector, and a non-aqueous electrolyte, in which a lithium metal deposits on the negative electrode during charge, and the lithium metal dissolves in the non-aqueous electrolyte during discharge. The method includes a charging step, and a discharging step performed after the charging step. The charging step includes a first step of performing a constant-current charging at a first current I1 having a current density of 1.0 mA/cm2 or less, and a second step of performing a constant-current charging at a second current I2 larger that the first current I1, after the first step. In the discharging step, an amount of electricity corresponding to 20% or more and 80% or less of a full charge amount is discharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Fukuoka, Akira Kano
  • Publication number: 20230335797
    Abstract: A lithium secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein in the negative electrode, lithium metal deposits during charging and the lithium metal dissolves during discharging, the non-aqueous electrolyte includes a fluoroalcohol, an oxalate complex anion including fluorine, a lithium ion, and a non-aqueous solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoshi Terada, Akira Kano
  • Publication number: 20230335783
    Abstract: A lithium secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein the non-aqueous electrolyte includes a fluorinated vinylene ether compound A having a —CF?CH—O— bond, and a non-aqueous solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoshi Terada, Akira Kano
  • Publication number: 20230307627
    Abstract: A lithium secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The positive electrode includes a lithium-transition metal composite oxide. The lithium-transition metal composite oxide contains at least Ni, and has a ratio of Ni to total metal elements other than Li of 90 mol% or more. In the negative electrode, lithium metal deposits during charge, and the lithium metal dissolves during discharge. The non-aqueous electrolyte includes a non-aqueous solvent, lithium ions, an oxalate complex anion having fluorine, and nitrate anions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoshi Terada, Akira Kano
  • Publication number: 20230198022
    Abstract: A lithium secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte. In the negative electrode, lithium metal deposits during charging and the lithium metal dissolves during discharging. The nonaqueous electrolyte includes a lithium ion, a cation of a metal M1 that forms an alloy with lithium, and a halide ion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoshi Terada, Akira Kano
  • Publication number: 20230146844
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus applies, to an input image, image restoration processing for correcting bokeh caused by a characteristic of an imaging optical system used to capture the input image. The image processing apparatus may further add a predetermined effect to a high luminance portion satisfying a predetermined condition in the input image to which the image restoration processing has been applied. The image processing apparatus has capabilities both correcting bokeh caused by an aberration in an optical system while keeping bokeh as photographic expression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventor: Akira Kano
  • Publication number: 20230105792
    Abstract: A charging method for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery. The battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode including a negative electrode current collector, and a non-aqueous electrolyte, in which a lithium metal deposits on the negative electrode during charge, and the lithium metal dissolves in the non-aqueous electrolyte during discharge. The method includes first to third steps. In the first step, a constant-current charging is performed at a first current I1 having a current density of 1.0 mA/cm2 or less. In the second step, a constant-current charging is performed at a second current I2 being larger than the first current I1 and having a current density of 4.0 mA/cm2 or less. In the third step, a constant-current charging is performed at a third current I3 being larger than the second current I2 and having a current density of 4.0 mA/cm2 or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Fukuoka, Akira Kano
  • Publication number: 20230070997
    Abstract: A metal removal agent used when removing Mg from an aluminum alloy melt whose raw material is scrap or the like and used for formation of a molten salt layer that takes in Mg from an aluminum alloy melt. The metal removal agent contains: a specific metal element one or more of Cu, Zn, or Mn; a specific halogen element one or more of Cl or Br; and Mg. The metal removal agent may also contain: a base halide that serves as a base material of the molten salt layer; and a specific metal halide that is a compound of a specific metal element and a specific halogen element. When the molten salt layer formed using the agent and the aluminum alloy melt containing Mg are brought into contact with each other, Mg is taken into the molten salt layer side from the aluminum alloy melt side and efficiently removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO, TOYOTA TSUSHO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun YAOKAWA, Takuma MINOURA, Kazuma HIBI, Hiroshi KAWAHARA, Yasushi IWATA, Hiroyuki ISHII, Akira KANO, Yusei KUSAKA, Kyosuke ITO, Tomoo MURATA
  • Publication number: 20230043661
    Abstract: A method with which Mg can be removed from aluminum alloy melt whose raw material is scrap or the like. Metal removal method includes processing step of forming molten salt layer in contact with aluminum alloy melt containing Mg which covers at least part of the surface of the aluminum alloy melt. This method allows Mg to be taken in from aluminum alloy melt to molten salt layer and removed. Molten salt layer contains specific halogen element that is one or more of Cl or Br and specific metal element that is one or more of Cu, Zn, or Mn. The specific metal element is supplied as an oxide of the specific metal element to the molten salt layer. At that time, the molten salt layer contains Mg. The step of removing Mg is performed by disposing a conductor that bridges the aluminum alloy melt and the molten salt layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO, TOYOTA TSUSHO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuma MINOURA, Jun YAOKAWA, Kazuma HIBI, Hiroshi KAWAHARA, Yasushi IWATA, Hiroyuki ISHII, Akira KANO, Yusei KUSAKA, Kyosuke ITO, Tomoo MURATA
  • Publication number: 20230030521
    Abstract: A Mg removal agent is composed of a chloride and copper oxide. The chloride contains at least Mg and one or more base metal elements selected from K, Na, and Ca. The chloride contains, for example, 0.2 to 60 mass % of MgCl2 and/or 40 to 99.8 mass % of KCl with respect to the chloride as a whole. The compounding ratio that is a mass ratio of the chloride to the copper oxide is, for example, 0.15 or more. The chloride may be a re-solidified salt or a mixed salt. At least a part of the chloride may be a mineral containing the base metal elements and Mg or a mineral-derived chloride. A preferred example of the Mg removal agent is granular flux introduced into the aluminum alloy molten metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO, TOYOTA TSUSHO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuma HIBI, Jun YAOKAWA, Hiroyuki MORI, Takuma MINOURA, Hiroshi KAWAHARA, Yasushi IWATA, Kyosuke ITO, Satoshi NAKANO, Hiroyuki ISHII, Akira KANO, Yusei KUSAKA
  • Publication number: 20220416237
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a positive electrode, a separator, a negative electrode facing the positive electrode, with the separator interposed; and a liquid electrolyte. The positive electrode includes a composite oxide containing lithium as a first metal, and a second metal other than lithium. In the composite oxide, the second metal contains Ni, a content of Ni in the second metal is 90 at % or more, and a content of Co in the second metal is 10 at % or less. The liquid electrolyte contains at least one cation X selected from the group consisting of Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+, Fe, Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, and Al3+, and an oxalate complex anion Y.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kano, Shoshi Terada
  • Publication number: 20220407047
    Abstract: A lithium secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a lithium ion conductive nonaqueous electrolyte, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. On the negative electrode, lithium metal deposits during charging, and the lithium metal is dissolved during discharging; the negative electrode includes a negative electrode current collector, and a plurality of layers stacked on the negative electrode current collector; the plurality of layers include a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer; of the first to third layers, the first layer is closest to the negative electrode current collector, and the third layer is farthest from the negative electrode current collector; the first layer contains a material capable of storing lithium ions; the second layer contains lithium metal, and the third layer has an insulation property and a lithium ion permeability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kano, Ryohei Miyamae
  • Publication number: 20220371226
    Abstract: Provided is a method of recycling carbon fibers that allows obtaining continuous carbon fibers. The present embodiment is a method of recycling carbon fibers that includes preparing a carbon fiber reinforced plastic molded product including carbon fiber reinforced plastic containing carbon fibers and a resin and drawing the carbon fiber reinforced plastic while performing a heating treatment on the carbon fiber reinforced plastic molded product. A temperature of the heating treatment is equal to or above a glass-transition temperature of the resin and below a thermal decomposition start temperature, and the temperature is below a thermal degradation temperature of the carbon fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Yusuke NUMATA, Hiroyuki ISHII, Akira KANO, Shinichiroh HIRAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20220359904
    Abstract: A lithium secondary battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a lithium ion conductive nonaqueous electrolyte, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; on the negative electrode, a lithium metal deposits at the time of charging, the lithium metal dissolves in the nonaqueous electrolyte at the time of discharging; the nonaqueous electrolyte contains a cation and an anion; the cation includes a lithium ion, and at least one cation X selected from the group consisting of Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Al; and the anion includes an oxalate complex anion Y.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoshi Terada, Akira Kano