Patents by Inventor Eiji Kadouchi

Eiji Kadouchi 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: 7501793
    Abstract: The present invention provides battery storing device (100) that can easily suppress temperature increase in a battery and a battery storing section in high-temperature using environment, without damaging excellent heat retaining function of the battery that is required for low-temperature using environment. Battery storing device (100) has battery storing box body (2), battery storing section (30) in the box body, and battery group (1) stored in battery storing section (30). Battery storing box body (2) is made of heat insulating material and has a heat retaining function of battery group (1). Battery storing device (100) further has lid body (3), opening/closing lid body (6) for opening and closing opening (5) for releasing the heat retaining function, magnetic material (7) disposed at an end of opening/closing lid body (6), electromagnet (8), and electromagnet (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Kadouchi, Kenji Kimura
  • Patent number: 7489231
    Abstract: An electromagnetic wave reception device includes: a input reception portion for detecting an input electromagnetic wave transmitted from a transmission terminal at a predetermined timing and receiving the input electromagnetic wave; a lock control portion for unlocking or locking a locking mechanism, according to the input electromagnetic wave received by the input reception portion; and a timing change portion for changing the timing at which the input reception section detects the input electromagnetic wave, according to time zones. This structure provides an electromagnetic wave reception device capable of not affecting the convenience of the user while reducing the power consumption in receiving the input electromagnetic wave transmitted from the transmission terminal (e.g. a remote controller).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Kadouchi, Ichiro Maki
  • Patent number: 7091700
    Abstract: The battery assembly system 100 includes a battery assembly including a plurality of storage batteries C1 to Cn connected in series, a voltage detector 3 for detecting respectively voltages generated in the storage batteries, a current detector 4 for detecting a current flowing in the plurality of storage batteries, a state-of-charge (SOC) calculator 2 for calculating the state of charge (SOC) of the storage batteries, respectively, based on the voltages detected respectively by the voltage detectors 3 and the current detected by the current detector 4, and a charging/discharging unit 1 for charging or discharging at least one of the plurality of storage batteries so as to equalize the SOC of the storage batteries calculated respectively by the SOC calculator 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Kadouchi, Kanji Takada
  • Patent number: 6984961
    Abstract: The battery assembly system 100 includes a battery assembly including a plurality of storage batteries C1 to Cn connected in series, a voltage detector 3 for detecting respectively voltages generated in the storage batteries, a current detector 4 for detecting a current flowing in the plurality of storage batteries, a state-of-charge (SOC) calculator 2 for calculating the state of charge (SOC) of the storage batteries, respectively, based on the voltages detected respectively by the voltage detectors 3 and the current detected by the current detector 4, and a charging/discharging unit 1 for charging or discharging at least one of the plurality of storage batteries so as to equalize the SOC of the storage batteries calculated respectively by the SOC calculator 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Kadouchi, Kanji Takada
  • Publication number: 20050266303
    Abstract: The battery assembly system 100 includes a battery assembly including a plurality of storage batteries C1 to Cn connected in series, a voltage detector 3 for detecting respectively voltages generated in the storage batteries, a current detector 4 for detecting a current flowing in the plurality of storage batteries, a state-of-charge (SOC) calculator 2 for calculating the state of charge (SOC) of the storage batteries, respectively, based on the voltages detected respectively by the voltage detectors 3 and the current detected by the current detector 4, and a charging/discharging unit 1 for charging or discharging at least one of the plurality of storage batteries so as to equalize the SOC of the storage batteries calculated respectively by the SOC calculator 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Kadouchi, Kanji Takada
  • Publication number: 20050247088
    Abstract: An electromagnetic wave reception device includes: a input reception portion for detecting an input electromagnetic wave transmitted from a transmission terminal at a predetermined timing and receiving the input electromagnetic wave; a lock control portion for unlocking or locking a locking mechanism, according to the input electromagnetic wave received by the input reception portion; and a timing change portion for changing the timing at which the input reception section detects the input electromagnetic wave, according to time zones. This structure provides an electromagnetic wave reception device capable of not affecting the convenience of the user while reducing the power consumption in receiving the input electromagnetic wave transmitted from the transmission terminal (e.g. a remote controller).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Kadouchi, Ichiro Maki
  • Publication number: 20050242782
    Abstract: The present invention provides battery storing device (100) that can easily suppress temperature increase in a battery and a battery storing section in high-temperature using environment, without damaging excellent heat retaining function of the battery that is required for low-temperature using environment. Battery storing device (100) has battery storing box body (2), battery storing section (30) in the box body, and battery group (1) stored in battery storing section (30). Battery storing box body (2) is made of heat insulating material and has a heat retaining function of battery group (1). Battery storing device (100) further has lid body (3), opening/closing lid body (6) for opening and closing opening (5) for releasing the heat retaining function, magnetic material (7) disposed at an end of opening/closing lid body (6), electromagnet (8), and electromagnet (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: Eiji Kadouchi, Kenji Kimura
  • Publication number: 20030146737
    Abstract: The battery assembly system 100 includes a battery assembly including a plurality of storage batteries C1 to Cn connected in series, a voltage detector 3 for detecting respectively voltages generated in the storage batteries, a current detector 4 for detecting a current flowing in the plurality of storage batteries, a state-of-charge (SOC) calculator 2 for calculating the state of charge (SOC) of the storage batteries, respectively, based on the voltages detected respectively by the voltage detectors 3 and the current detected by the current detector 4, and a charging/discharging unit 1 for charging or discharging at least one of the plurality of storage batteries so as to equalize the SOC of the storage batteries calculated respectively by the SOC calculator 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Kadouchi, Kanji Takada
  • Patent number: 6020717
    Abstract: Voltage monitoring units are connected in parallel to each of battery modules constituting a battery pack, and they measure the voltages; photocouplers which receive outputs of the units as the primary inputs generate secondary outputs which are electrically insulated from the primary inputs; and the secondary outputs are transmitted to an external control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Kadouchi, Yuichi Watanabe, Megumi Kinoshita, Noboru Ito, Kanji Takata
  • Patent number: 5680030
    Abstract: A condition managing system for a storage battery which is used as a drive power source for a movable body such as an electric car and which is formed by a number of sealed nickel/hydrogen storage batteries, comprises a battery pack 1, a detection unit 2 for detecting the condition of a battery pack, a battery condition judging unit 3, a movable body signal control part 4, a battery charger 5 for charging up the battery pack 1 under the control of a signal which is supplied from the battery condition judging unit 3, and a display part 6 for displaying the condition of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Kadouchi, Yuichi Watanabe, Megumi Kinoshita, Noboru Ito, Kanji Takata
  • Patent number: 5675258
    Abstract: In a method of detecting deterioration of a battery pack consisting of a series assembly of a plurality of battery modules during charging, on the basis of a voltage difference between a plurality of battery modules, deterioration detection is inhibited until a predetermined capacity is charged after starting of the charge. Also, in a detection apparatus for deterioration in a battery pack according to the present invention, a deterioration reference discharge voltage value which should correspond to a discharge current value and a temperature value is calculated on the basis of reference data, and the deterioration reference discharge voltage value is compared with an actual discharge voltage value to judge whether deterioration occurs or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Kadouchi, Yuichi Watanabe, Megumi Kinoshita, Noboru Ito, Kanji Takata
  • Patent number: 5652500
    Abstract: A battery pack is charged while being cooled by passing forced air therethrough. During charging, battery temperature and air temperature of air exhausted from the battery modules by the forced air cooling process are measured, and the difference between the battery temperature and the air temperature is calculated. The difference is added to an amount of change of the battery temperature per unit time to obtain a rate of change of battery temperature. When the rate of change exceeds a predetermined value, charging of the battery pack is controlled. In this manner, the battery temperature rise is correctly detected so that the battery pack can be fully charged without being damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Kadouchi, Yuichi Watanabe, Megumi Kinoshita, Noboru Ito, Kanji Takata
  • Patent number: 5322745
    Abstract: The dimensions of an electrode group in each battery are set so as to obtain a relationship such as H >L>W, where H is the height of the electrode group, L is the width thereof and W is the thickness thereof, and the product K of the width L and the thickness W, that is, K=L.times.W, is set so as to fall in a range 10<K<100 while the space D between adjacent batteries is set so as to fall in a range of 0.02.ltoreq.D/W.ltoreq.0.3, thereby the efficiency of heat radiation of a battery module or a battery group is enhanced, and accordingly, the cycle life and the discharge capacity of the battery can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Yanagihara, Eiji Kadouchi, Munehisa Ikoma, Isao Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 4977043
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improvement of an active material of a negative electrode in a rectangular sealed alkaline storage battery. That is, by using a hydrogen storage alloy as the active material of the negative electrode, a capacity density as a battery can be enhanced and besides, mounting a space for the battery in equipments which use the battery can be reduced and dischargeability and storability can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Kadouchi, Isao Matsumoto, Takabumi Fujii, Hiroshi Sato, Takashi Hino