Patents by Inventor Akira TSUKUI
Akira TSUKUI 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).
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Publication number: 20180141156Abstract: A laser welding system is provided. The laser welding system includes a laser source configured to produce a laser beam, a beam modifier configured to split the laser beam into at least two heat source points positioned at a predetermined angle relative to one another along a diagonal intersecting and radially equidistant from a center of a circular weld line, the circular weld line being concentric with an object to be welded, a rotation unit configured to cause rotation of the at least one group of two heat source points or the object to be welded, and a controller configured to control the rotation unit to cause the at least one group of two heat source points to scan substantially all of the circular weld line.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2015Publication date: May 24, 2018Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPE, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akira TSUKUI, Takayuki NAKAYAMA
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Patent number: 9831531Abstract: A method of manufacturing a battery proposed herein includes the following steps A to D. Step A is the step of preparing a battery case in which an electrode assembly is enclosed. Step B is the step of depressurizing an interior of the battery case prepared in step A. Step C is the step of filling an electrolyte solution and a leakage testing gas into the battery case depressurized in step B. Step D is the step of sealing the battery case containing the electrolyte solution and the leakage testing gas filled in step C.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2012Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akira Tsukui
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Publication number: 20170334021Abstract: A laser welding system is provided. The laser welding system includes a laser source configured to produce a laser beam, beam shaping means configured to form a beam profile different from that of the laser beam, and shielding means configured to shield at least a portion of the shaped beam profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2014Publication date: November 23, 2017Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPEInventor: Akira TSUKUI
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Publication number: 20170304943Abstract: A method for laser welding is provided. The method includes arranging at least one heat source point from a first collection of heat source points so as to overlap at least a portion of at least one heat source point from a second collection of heat source points, irradiating a portion of a target with the first and second collections of heat source points, the heat source points maintaining a linear profile within their respective collection, and directing the at least two collections of heat source points in a travel direction along a weld line, each linear profile maintaining an oblique angle relative to the travel direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2014Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPEInventor: Akira TSUKUI
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Publication number: 20170282295Abstract: A laser welding system is provided including a laser source configured to produce at least one laser beam, beam modifying means configured to split the at least one laser beam, directing means, and controlling means configured to control the directing means. The controlling is configured to control the directing means to cause the split laser beam to form at least two heat source points on the target, the heat source points maintaining a linear profile, and move the at least two heat source points in a travel direction along the target, wherein the linear profile forms a predetermined, oblique angle relative to the travel direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2014Publication date: October 5, 2017Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPEInventor: Akira TSUKUI
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Patent number: 9780414Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a sealed battery, capable of reducing an erroneous determination rate in a leak testing step. The method including the leak testing step for detecting leak of a detection gas introduced into a battery case, includes: an introducing step for introducing the detection gas into the battery case which is temporarily sealed by covering the battery case; and an adjusting step for adjusting at least one of the pressure inside the battery case temporarily sealed and the pressure outside the battery case so that the pressure inside the battery case into which the detection gas has been introduced is lower than the pressure outside the battery case.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2013Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akira Tsukui
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Publication number: 20170182599Abstract: A laser welding apparatus according to the present invention includes a diffractive optical element, an incident-point changing unit, and a controller. The diffractive optical element includes a first region where there is formed a diffraction grating that radiates a radiated beam having a first distribution profile of a power density that is different from a distribution profile of a power density of the incident beam. The diffractive optical element further includes a second region that has a surface profile different from a surface profile of the first region, and radiates a radiated beam having a second distribution profile of the power density that is different from the first distribution profile of the power density. The controller carries out a joining control to move at least one point in the incident point across a boundary between the first region and the second region during the emission of the laser beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2016Publication date: June 29, 2017Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akira TSUKUI
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Patent number: 9680186Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a sealed battery, capable of reducing an erroneous determination rate in a leak testing step. A manufacturing step including a leak testing step for detecting leak of helium gas introduced into an exterior, including a step for pouring an electrolytic solution into the exterior, a step for reducing the pressure inside the exterior down to a predetermined pressure, and a step for introducing the helium gas in a quantity corresponding to the predetermined pressure into the exterior. Preferably, the predetermined pressure is set to a pressure higher than the saturated steam pressure of the electrolyte solution.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akira Tsukui
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Patent number: 9660300Abstract: A method for manufacturing a sealed battery includes: injecting an electrolytic solution into an exterior; introducing a detection gas into the exterior; and detecting a leakage by detecting a leakage of the detection gas introduced into the exterior, the electrolytic solution in an electrolytic solution tank is pressure fed into the exterior by pressurizing the electrolytic solution tank by feeding a gas of a kind the same as the detection gas in the electrolytic solution tank where the electrolytic solution is stored, in order to inject the electrolytic solution into the battery container.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akira Tsukui
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Publication number: 20170028507Abstract: A manufacturing method includes i) emitting a primary laser beam along a primary trajectory on a boundary between a first member and a second member by a welding apparatus; ii) emitting an advanced laser beam along an advanced trajectory that does not overlap the primary trajectory by the welding apparatus; and iii) emitting a subsequent laser beam along a subsequent trajectory that does not overlap the primary trajectory and the advanced trajectory by the welding apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akira TSUKUI
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Publication number: 20170025714Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a secondary battery, capable of forming a uniform membrane on a wound body. Provided is a method including a step for reducing an internal pressure of an exterior, a step for pouring an electrolyte solution (E) into the exterior, a step for sealing the exterior, a step for impregnating the electrolyte solution (E) into the wound body from both axial end portions thereof, a step for performing initial charging of a battery, and a step for performing high-temperature aging of the battery. The additive LPFO is added into the electrolyte solution (E) in an amount such that the internal pressure of the exterior in the step for performing the high-temperature aging becomes equal to or higher than a saturation vapor pressure of the electrolyte solution (E) in the high-temperature aging.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akira TSUKUI, Hiroyasu KADO, Shinobu OKAYAMA
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Publication number: 20160254523Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a secondary cell by which a wound body can be effectively impregnated with an electrolytic solution. The method includes: a step of depressurizing an interior of an outer case 30; a step of pouring an electrolytic solution E into the depressurized outer case 30; a step of depressurizing the interior of the outer case 30; a step of pouring the electrolytic solution E into the depressurized outer case 30; a step of impregnating the wound body with the electrolytic solution E from both axial end portions 100a, 100b of a wound body 100; a step of waiting until a difference in pressure between a wound body external space S, which is a space between the outer case 30 and the wound body, and a wound body internal space S1 is reduced after the impregnation with the electrolytic solution E; and a step of pressurizing the wound body external space S.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2014Publication date: September 1, 2016Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akira TSUKUI, Hiroyasu KADO, Nobuhiro YAMADA, Akio MINAKUCHI
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Patent number: 9385400Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a sealed battery capable of reducing leakage of helium gas introduced into an exterior. A method for manufacturing a sealed battery according to the present invention includes a leak testing step for detecting leak of helium gas (H) introduced into an exterior (30), a processing step for increasing apparent specific gravity of the helium gas (H) by mixing the helium gas (H) and the hydrocarbon gas with specific gravity larger than that of the helium gas (H) to prepare mixed gas (G), an introducing step for introducing the helium gas (H) into the exterior (30) with the apparent specific gravity of the helium gas (H) increased by introducing the mixed gas (G), and a sealing step for sealing the exterior (30) into which the helium gas (H) is introduced.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akira Tsukui, Hiroyasu Kado
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Publication number: 20160133993Abstract: A sealed battery manufacturing method includes inserting a supply nozzle (120) into an opening (33) that is opened outwardly, the opening (33) being formed in a battery container (33); and introducing a detection gas (He) into the battery container in such a manner that injection of the detection gas from the supply nozzle (120) is started at a pressure smaller than a predetermined injection pressure, and then an injection pressure of the detection gas (He) is increased by stages until the injection pressure of the detection gas (He) reaches the predetermined injection pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2014Publication date: May 12, 2016Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akira TSUKUI
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Publication number: 20160087304Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a sealed battery, capable of releasing a gas generated during an initial charge without increasing the number of steps. The method of manufacturing the sealed battery including a battery case having an opening, and a power-generating element stored in the battery case, includes: a step of storing an electrode body in the battery case; a step of pouring an electrolyte solution into the battery case through the opening to turn the electrode body into the power-generating element; a step of temporarily sealing the opening with a temporary sealing member; a step of performing the initial charge of the power-generating element; a step of introducing a detection gas into the battery case through the opening while opening the temporarily sealed opening; and a step of finally sealing the opening with a final sealing member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2014Publication date: March 24, 2016Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akira TSUKUI
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Publication number: 20150349386Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a sealed battery, capable of reducing an erroneous determination rate in a leak testing step. The method including the leak testing step for detecting leak of a detection gas introduced into a battery case, includes: an introducing step for introducing the detection gas into the battery case which is temporarily sealed by covering the battery case; and an adjusting step for adjusting at least one of the pressure inside the battery case temporarily sealed and the pressure outside the battery case so that the pressure inside the battery case into which the detection gas has been introduced is lower than the pressure outside the battery case.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2013Publication date: December 3, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akira TSUKUI
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Publication number: 20150255832Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a sealed battery capable of reducing leakage of helium gas introduced into an exterior. A method for manufacturing a sealed battery according to the present invention includes a leak testing step for detecting leak of helium gas (H) introduced into an exterior (30), a processing step for increasing apparent specific gravity of the helium gas (H) by mixing the helium gas (H) and the hydrocarbon gas with specific gravity larger than that of the helium gas (H) to prepare mixed gas (G), an introducing step for introducing the helium gas (H) into the exterior (30) with the apparent specific gravity of the helium gas (H) increased by introducing the mixed gas (G), and a sealing step for sealing the exterior (30) into which the helium gas (H) is introduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2013Publication date: September 10, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akira Tsukui, Hiroyasu Kado
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Publication number: 20150207182Abstract: A method of manufacturing a battery proposed herein includes the following steps A to D. Step A is the step of preparing a battery case in which an electrode assembly is enclosed. Step B is the step of depressurizing an interior of the battery case prepared in step A. Step C is the step of filling an electrolyte solution and a leakage testing gas into the battery case depressurized in step B. Step D is the step of sealing the battery case containing the electrolyte solution and the leakage testing gas filled in step C.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2012Publication date: July 23, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akira Tsukui
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Publication number: 20150155603Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a sealed battery, capable of reducing an erroneous determination rate in a leak testing step. A manufacturing step including a leak testing step for detecting leak of helium gas introduced into an exterior, including a step for pouring an electrolytic solution into the exterior, a step for reducing the pressure inside the exterior down to a predetermined pressure, and a step for introducing the helium gas in a quantity corresponding to the predetermined pressure into the exterior. Preferably, the predetermined pressure is set to a pressure higher than the saturated steam pressure of the electrolyte solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2013Publication date: June 4, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akira Tsukui
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Publication number: 20140283371Abstract: A method for manufacturing a sealed battery includes: injecting an electrolytic solution into an exterior; introducing a detection gas into the exterior; and detecting a leakage by detecting a leakage of the detection gas introduced into the exterior, the electrolytic solution in an electrolytic solution tank is pressure fed into the exterior by pressurizing the electrolytic solution tank by feeding a gas of a kind the same as the detection gas in the electrolytic solution tank where the electrolytic solution is stored, in order to inject the electrolytic solution into the battery container.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akira TSUKUI