Patents by Inventor Atsuhiro Funahashi

Atsuhiro Funahashi 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).

  • Patent number: 8323824
    Abstract: A laminate type battery includes a laminate battery case and an electrode assembly. The laminate battery case includes two laminate films each having a metal layer and plastic layers provided on both faces of the metal layer, and has a welded portion in which peripheral edges of the two laminate films are welded to each other. The electrode assembly is enclosed in the laminate battery case, and has a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator disposed therebetween. An internal gas pressure sensing portion, in which the inner plastic layer of each of the laminate films is absent and the metal layers are in contact with each other so as to be in an electrically conductive state, is formed in a portion of the welded portion. A voltage detection hole, in which the outer plastic layer is absent and the metal layer is exposed, is formed in a surface of each of the two laminate films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Shinyashiki, Atsuhiro Funahashi, Hitoshi Maeda, Masayuki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8309247
    Abstract: A battery module has a plurality of prismatic batteries (2) stacked in a thickness direction. Two plates (3, 4) are provided between each of the batteries (2), and each of the batteries (2) is compressed by shifting the two plates (3, 4) in directions away from each other. A pair of frame members (10, 20) having opposing surfaces (11, 21) extending along the stacking direction of the batteries (2) are disposed face to face so as to sandwich the batteries (2) in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the batteries. Wedge-shaped spacers (12, 22) inserted between the two plates (3, 4) are provided respectively on the opposing surfaces. By narrowing the gap between the pair of frame members (10, 20), the spacers (12, 22) are allowed to advance inwardly between the two plates (3, 4) so that the two plates are shifted in directions away from each other, whereby the batteries are compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Shinyashiki, Masayuki Fujiwara, Hitoshi Maeda, Atsuhiro Funahashi
  • Publication number: 20120253537
    Abstract: The method of controlling a power generator generating electric power using renewable energy and a battery storing electric power generated by the power generator, comprising: acquiring data on an amount of electric power generated by the power generator at predetermined time intervals over a sampling period, the data being acquired as electric signals; computing a target output value for the electric power to be supplied to an electric power transmission system based on the data on the amount of electric power generated by the power generator; supplying to the electric power transmission system electric power equal to the target output value from at least one of the power generator and the battery; determining a fading condition of the battery; and varying the sampling period in accordance with the fading condition of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hiroyuki OKUDA, Atsuhiro Funahashi, Yoshito Kaga, Takeshi Nakashima, Souichi Sakai, Ryuzo Hagihara
  • Publication number: 20120228939
    Abstract: A method of controlling a battery storing electric power generated by a power generator generating electric power using renewable energy, comprising: computing a output value for the electric power to be supplied to an electric power transmission system based on a predetermined maximum charge rate of the battery, and a predetermined maximum discharge rate for the battery; and supplying to the electric power transmission system with electric power corresponding to the output value from at least one of the power generator and the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshito KAGA, Hiroyuki OKUDA, Atsuhiro FUNAHASHI, Takeshi NAKASHIMA, Souichi SAKAI, Ryuzo HAGIHARA
  • Publication number: 20120077075
    Abstract: A stack type battery has a stacked electrode assembly (10) in which a plurality of positive electrode plates (1) and a plurality of negative electrode plates (2) are alternately stacked one another across separators. Each one of pairs of the separators adjacent to each other in a stacking direction has a bonded portion (4) in which the separators are bonded to each other in at least a portion of a perimeter portion thereof, so as to form a pouch-type separator (3). The proportion of the bonded portion (4) of one of the pouch-type separators 3 (low blocking rate pouch-type separator (3L)) located in a stacking direction-wise central region of the stacked electrode assembly (10) is made smaller than the proportion of the bonded portion (4) of each of the pouch-type separators 3 (high blocking rate pouch-type separator 3H) located in both stacking direction-wise end portions of the stacked electrode assembly (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Tani, Hitoshi Maeda, Masayuki Fujiwara, Masao Kusukawa, Yoshitaka Shinyashiki, Atsuhiro Funahashi
  • Patent number: 8119277
    Abstract: A stack type battery has positive electrode current collector tabs (11) overlapped with each other and welded to a positive electrode current collector terminal (15), and negative electrode current collector tabs (12) overlapped with each other and welded to a negative electrode current collector terminal (16). The positive electrode current collector tabs (11) existing between the positive electrode plates (1) and an end part (15a) of the positive electrode current collector terminal (15) that is on the positive electrode plate (1) side are welded to each other and/or the negative electrode current collector tabs (12) existing between the negative electrode plates (2) and an end part (16a) of the negative electrode current collector terminal (16) that is on a negative electrode plate (2) side are welded to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Shinyashiki, Atsuhiro Funahashi, Hitoshi Maeda, Masayuki Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20120028100
    Abstract: A prismatic secondary battery is a prismatic lithium-ion battery including a stack-type electrode assembly in which square positive and negative electrode plates are stacked with separators interposed therebetween. The positive electrode plates are arranged inside a bag-like separator. The width of the separator protruding from an end portion of each positive electrode plate on a non-joined side of the separator is greater than that of the separator protruding from an end portion of the positive electrode plate on a joined side of the separator. The heat-shrinkage rate of the separator in a direction vertical to the non-joined side is greater than that of the separator in a direction parallel to the non-joined side. Short circuiting between the positive and negative electrode plates due to heat shrinkage or rupture of the separator is prevented even when abnormal heat generation occurs in the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Maeda, Masayuki Fujiwara, Yuji Tani, Masao Kusukawa, Yoshitaka Shinyashiki, Atsuhiro Funahashi
  • Publication number: 20120003528
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a battery that includes electrode terminals passing through a lid, in which the lid and electrode terminals are securely insulated and sealed while being solidly fixed to each other without using an insulation-forming body or packing. To this end, a lid has upwardly-protruding protrusions formed therein. Through-holes are formed in the protrusions and tapered so as to become narrower toward the top relative to the bottom. Fitting portions forming the middle portions of a cathode terminal board and an anode terminal board are tapered to fit into the through-holes. Heat-welding tape is introduced between the outer faces of the fitting portions and the inner faces of the through-holes. The heat-welding tape is made up of an insulating substrate with heat-welding layers layered on both sides thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masao Kusukawa, Atsuhiro Funahashi, Yoshitaka Shinyashiki, Masayuki Fujiwara, Hitoshi Maeda, Yuji Tani
  • Publication number: 20110244304
    Abstract: A stack type battery has a plurality of positive electrode plates (1), a plurality of negative electrode plates (2), and a separator (3) interposed therebetween. The positive electrode plates (1) and the negative electrode plates (2) are alternately stacked one on the other. The separator (3) has a heat-resistant layer (3R) having heat resistance and heat-melting layers (3M), each of the heat-melting layers (3M) having a shutdown function and a melting point lower than the melting point of the heat-resistant layer (3R) and disposed over the entire surface of each of both sides of the heat-resistant layer (3R). The heat-melting layers (3M) of the separator (3) are fixed to each other by thermal welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Shinyashiki, Hitoshi Maeda, Atsuhiro Funahashi, Masayuki Fujiwara, Yuji Tani
  • Publication number: 20110244296
    Abstract: A battery module (10) has heat absorbers (41) each disposed in an internal space of each of connection portions of the positive and negative electrode terminals (11, 12) so as to be in contact with the connection portion, and wherein at least one of the heat absorbers (41) located closer to a central portion of a multi-cell assembly with respect to the cell stacking direction has a greater volume than at least one of the heat absorbers (41) located closer to a periphery of the multi-cell assembly, and a radiation sheet (42) disposed on a side face of the multi-cell assembly (1P), wherein the radiation sheet (42) covers a current collector-side edge in a side face of the multi-cell assembly (1P) substantially entirely from one end to another end, and the radiation sheet (42) has a tapered shape such as to gradually converge from the current collector-side edge to the opposite side edge toward a central portion of the multi-cell assembly (1P) with respect to a cell stacking direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Okuda, Yoshito Kaga, Atsuhiro Funahashi
  • Publication number: 20110244312
    Abstract: In a stack type battery, stacked positive and negative electrode lead tabs (11, 12) are joined to one another at a location between the current collector terminals and the electrode plates, the positive and negative electrode lead tabs (11, 12) being folded at an intermediate location between positive and negative electrode current collector terminals (15, 16) and positive and negative electrode plates and protruding from the positive and negative electrode plates. A stacked electrode assembly (10) is accommodated in a battery case (18) having flexibility. A first spacer (a first cover portion (52) of an integral-type spacer (5)) is disposed between the battery case (18) and an open side end of the positive and negative electrode lead tabs (11, 12) formed by folding the positive and negative electrode lead tabs (11, 12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji TANI, Hitoshi MAEDA, Yoshitaka SHINYASHIKI, Masayuki FUJIWARA, Atsuhiro FUNAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20110076545
    Abstract: A plurality of positive electrode plates (1) and a plurality of negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with separators interposed between the positive and negative electrodes. Positive electrode leads (11) and negative electrode leads extending outward from the respective electrode plates are respectively stacked on and joined to a positive electrode current collector terminal and a negative electrode current collector terminal to form a stack type battery. An incision (35) is formed in the positive electrode lead (11) so that a current (C11) passing through the lead (11) is branched into a plurality (two) of paths (D1, D2) by the incision (35), and the maximum current density of one (D1) of the plurality of paths (D1, D2) is equal to or greater 1.5 times of the maximum current density of the other path (D2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Shinyashiki, Hitoshi Maeda, Yoshito Kaga, Atsuhiro Funahashi, Masayuki Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20110076544
    Abstract: A stack type battery has a plurality of positive electrode plates (1) and a plurality of negative electrode plates (2), which are alternately stacked one on the other with separators (3) interposed therebetween. It also has positive electrode leads (11) and negative electrode leads (12) protruding from the respective electrode plates (1, 2) and being stacked and joined to a positive electrode current collector terminal (15) and a negative electrode current collector terminal (16), respectively. Peripheral portions of the separators that face each other across each of the positive electrode plates (1) are welded to form a pouch-type separator (3), and the positive electrode leads (11) are joined to each other at weld points (31W) in a region thereof facing the separator (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Maeda, Yoshitaka Shinyashiki, Masayuki Fujiwara, Atsuhiro Funahashi
  • Publication number: 20110070477
    Abstract: A penetrating portion (15P) is provided partially at a location in a positive electrode current collector terminal (15) to which positive electrode lead tabs (11) (electrode plate lead tabs) are joined, to form a current-collector-terminal-absent region (penetrating portion (15P)) and a current-collector-terminal-present region that are aligned in a perpendicular direction (a widthwise direction) to a connection direction of the positive electrode lead tabs (11). Only the plurality of the positive electrode lead tabs (11) are joined at a center weld point (32M) (first joining spot) in the current-collector-terminal-absent region, and the positive electrode lead tabs (11) are joined to the positive electrode current collector terminal 15 at each of left-side and right-side weld points 32L and 32R (second joining spot) in the current-collector-terminal-present region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Fujiwara, Yoshitaka Shinyashiki, Hitoshi Maeda, Atsuhiro Funahashi
  • Publication number: 20110023290
    Abstract: A battery module has a plurality of prismatic batteries (2) stacked in a thickness direction. Two plates (3, 4) are provided between each of the batteries (2), and each of the batteries (2) is compressed by shifting the two plates (3, 4) in directions away from each other. A pair of frame members (10, 20) having opposing surfaces (11, 21) extending along the stacking direction of the batteries (2) are disposed face to face so as to sandwich the batteries (2) in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the batteries. Wedge-shaped spacers (12, 22) inserted between the two plates (3, 4) are provided respectively on the opposing surfaces. By narrowing the gap between the pair of frame members (10, 20), the spacers (12, 22) are allowed to advance inwardly between the two plates (3, 4) so that the two plates are shifted in directions away from each other, whereby the batteries are compressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Shinyashiki, Masayuki Fujiwara, Hitoshi Maeda, Atsuhiro Funahashi
  • Patent number: 7704638
    Abstract: A power-generating element containing a stacked electrode assembly (10) and an electrolyte solution is disposed in an accommodating space of a plastic battery case (13). The entirety of the battery case (13) is enclosed air-tightly and liquid-tightly in an outer cover made of an aluminum laminate. An opening (13A) of the battery case (13) is sealed by sealing members (16a, 16b) disposed and melt-bonded so as to cover an opening (13A) of the battery case 13 and to sandwich current collectors (14, 15) of the power-generating element from both sides. The outer cover is sealed at at least a location corresponding to the opening (13A) of the battery case (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Funahashi, Masayuki Fujiwara, Hitoshi Maeda, Yoshitaka Shinyashiki
  • Publication number: 20090246607
    Abstract: A laminate type battery includes a laminate battery case and an electrode assembly. The laminate battery case includes two laminate films each having a metal layer and plastic layers provided on both faces of the metal layer, and has a welded portion in which peripheral edges of the two laminate films are welded to each other. The electrode assembly is enclosed in the laminate battery case, and has a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator disposed therebetween. An internal gas pressure sensing portion, in which the inner plastic layer of each of the laminate films is absent and the metal layers are in contact with each other so as to be in an electrically conductive state, is formed in a portion of the welded portion. A voltage detection hole, in which the outer plastic layer is absent and the metal layer is exposed, is formed in a surface of each of the two laminate films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka SHINYASHIKI, Atsuhiro FUNAHASHI, Hitoshi MAEDA, Masayuki FUJIWARA
  • Publication number: 20090197160
    Abstract: A stack type battery has a stacked electrode assembly (10) disposed in a reduced pressure condition in an accommodating space within a square-shaped laminate battery case (25) formed by melt-bonding peripheral edges of two laminate films (28) to each other. A positive electrode current collector terminal (15) is joined to positive electrode current collector tabs (11) being overlapped with each other, and a negative electrode current collector terminal (16) is joined to the negative electrode current collector tabs (12) being overlapped with each other. An insulative spacer (30) for compressing welded portions (36) between the positive and negative electrode current collector tabs (11, 12) and the positive and negative electrode current collector terminals (15, 16) is disposed in a tab-connecting space existing between the stacked electrode assembly (10) and an inner face of the laminate battery case (25) from which the positive and negative electrode current collector terminals (15, 16) protrude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki FUJIWARA, Atsuhiro FUNAHASHI, Hitoshi MAEDA, Yoshitaka SHINYASHIKI
  • Publication number: 20090197162
    Abstract: A stack type battery has positive electrode current collector tabs (11) overlapped with each other and welded to a positive electrode current collector terminal (15), and negative electrode current collector tabs (12) overlapped with each other and welded to a negative electrode current collector terminal (16). The positive electrode current collector tabs (11) existing between the positive electrode plates (1) and an end part (15a) of the positive electrode current collector terminal (15) that is on the positive electrode plate (1) side are welded to each other and/or the negative electrode current collector tabs (12) existing between the negative electrode plates (2) and an end part (16a) of the negative electrode current collector terminal (16) that is on a negative electrode plate (2) side are welded to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Yashitaka Shinyashiki, Atsuhiro Funahashi, Hitoshi Maeda, Masayuki Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20080299451
    Abstract: A power-generating element containing a stacked electrode assembly (10) and an electrolyte solution is disposed in an accommodating space of a plastic battery case (13). The entirety of the battery case (13) is enclosed air-tightly and liquid-tightly in an outer cover made of an aluminum laminate. An opening (13A) of the battery case (13) is sealed by sealing members (16a, 16b) disposed and melt-bonded so as to cover an opening (13A) of the battery case 13 and to sandwich current collectors (14, 15) of the power-generating element from both sides. The outer cover is sealed at at least a location corresponding to the opening (13A) of the battery case (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Funahashi, Masayuki Fujiwara, Hitoshi Maeda, Yoshitaka Shinyashiki