Patents by Inventor Hideharu Naito

Hideharu Naito 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: 20200251764
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes an insulating collar member provided in an end plate and screwed with a positioning pin, and a rotation restriction mechanism that restricts rotation of the collar member relative to the end plate in a screw tightening direction of the positioning pin. A method of assembling the fuel cell stack includes a screwing step and a stacking step. In the screwing step, rotation of the collar member relative to the end plate in the screw tightening direction of the positioning pin is restricted by the rotation restriction mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Hideharu Naito, Masahiro Sato
  • Publication number: 20200235411
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of power generation cells together in a vehicle width direction and a voltage control unit including a voltage controller and a control case are mounted in a front box of a fuel cell vehicle. The control case is joined to a stack case in a manner that the control case is provided adjacent to the stack case in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the plurality of power generation cells. A cell voltage detection unit is provided between the fuel cell stack and a voltage control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Hideharu Naito, Kosuke Nishiyama, Yasunori Ichikizaki
  • Publication number: 20200235418
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of power generation cells and a stack case. A tab protrudes from an outer marginal portion of each of the power generation cells. The stack case contains the plurality of power generation cells that are stacked together in a stacking direction, and includes a pair of end plates provided at both ends of the power generation cells in the stacking direction. Further, the fuel cell stack includes a support bar extending inside the stack case in the stacking direction, and including a recess capable of accommodating the tab. One end of the support bar is joined to one of the end plates, and the other end of the support bar is supported by the other of the end plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Hideharu Naito, Kosuke Takagi
  • Patent number: 10686206
    Abstract: An exhaust apparatus for discharging exhaust gas from a stack case housing a fuel cell stack includes an exhaust duct in communication with an exhaust port of a vehicle and the stack case and a filter case provided to the exhaust duct and housing a filter. A curved exhaust flow path in which a flow path curves at a plurality of locations is provided in the filter case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimiharu Mizusaki, Hideharu Naito, Kosuke Takagi, Yuki Imamura, Takaaki Mitsuoka, Yuki Makari
  • Publication number: 20200185751
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a stack case storing the fuel cell stack, and an auxiliary device case joined to the stack case, and storing fuel cell auxiliary devices. The auxiliary device case includes an end plate part which applies a tightening load in a stacking direction to the fuel cell stack, as an integral part of the auxiliary device case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Ryoichi Yoshitomi, Hideharu Naito, Masahiro Sato, Yuki Ichinoe
  • Publication number: 20200185752
    Abstract: In a fuel cell system, a stack case storing a stack body including a plurality of stacked power generation cells is formed to include a peripheral wall case and an end plate. An inner main surface is provided at one end of the end plate in a thickness direction, facing the inside of the stack case. A connection channel connecting a first opening opened in an upper part of an outer peripheral end surface of the end plate and a second opening opened in the inner main surface of the end plate are provided inside the end plate. The inside of the stack case and an exhaust gas duct are connected together through a plate connection member connected to the first opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Hideharu Naito, Masahiro Sato
  • Publication number: 20200153023
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a cell stack body, a stack case containing the cell stack body, and an end plate fixed to an end of the stack case. At least two recesses are provided at the end of the stack case, each of the recesses holding one end of each of positioning pins which position the stack case and the end plate. At least two positioning holes, into which the positioning pins are inserted, are provided in the end plate correspondingly to the at least two recesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Hideharu Naito, Masahiro Sato, Takahiro Tanaka, Jun Tanaka, Yosuke Konno
  • Publication number: 20200127316
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a stack body having a plurality of power generation cells that are stacked together, a pair of end plates, a case, and a coupling bar provided on a lateral side of the stack body, between a pair of end plates for coupling the end plates together. Positioning structure is provided in an inner surface of the case and the coupling bar, for defining positions of the inner surface and the coupling bar with respect to each other. The coupling bar includes an engaging part which engages with engaged parts formed in the stack body, respectively, and an insulating resin layer provided on a side of the coupling bar including the engaging part closer to the stack body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Hideharu Naito, Takaaki Shikano
  • Patent number: 10629936
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a cell laminate, a casing, a first fastening member, a second fastening member, a first seal member, and a second seal member. The cell laminate includes fuel cells stacked in a stacking direction. The casing accommodates the cell laminate. The casing includes a first end plate, a second end plate, and a connecting member. The first end plate and the second end plate sandwich the cell laminate in the stacking direction. The connecting member is arranged between the first end plate and the second end plate. The first fastening member connects the first end plate and the connecting member. The second fastening member connects the second end plate and the connecting member. The first seal member is provided between the first end plate and the first fastening member. The second seal member is provided between the second end plate and the second fastening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideharu Naito
  • Patent number: 10615443
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a stack case. The fuel cell stack includes power generation cells, a first end and a second end, a first side and a second side, and a top side and a bottom side. The stack case contains the fuel cell stack therein. The stack case includes a first end plate, a second end plate, a first side plate, a second side plate, a top cover plate, a bottom cover plate, and sealing members. Each of the sealing members is disposed between the first side plate and the first end plate, between the first side plate and the second end plate, between the second side plate and the first end plate, and between the second side plate and the second end plate. Each of the sealing members includes an end portion. The end portion has a T-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideharu Naito
  • Publication number: 20200067123
    Abstract: A stack case of a fuel cell system includes a case body, a first end cover, and a second end cover. A recess is formed in an upper surface of the case body. An interruption control unit as an electrical equipment unit is placed in the recess. A plurality of first screw holes are formed in one end surface of the case body, and a plurality of second screw holes are formed in the other end surface of the case body. A first screw hole aligned with a recess in a direction in which a plurality of power generation cells are stacked together penetrates through the case body from one end surface of the case body to a side surface of the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Ryoichi Yoshitomi, Hideharu Naito
  • Publication number: 20200067108
    Abstract: Mount structure of a fuel cell stack holds the fuel cell stack in a motor room of a vehicle by side mounts and a rear mount. The fuel cell stack includes a plurality of power generation cells and a stack case. A window frame having a rear window is provided in a rear surface of the stack case. A device of the fuel cell system can be inserted into the rear window. The rear mount includes a rear mount bracket attached to a window frame. The rear mount bracket is positioned is below a vehicle body frame and a rear window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Ryoichi Yoshitomi, Hideharu Naito
  • Patent number: 10573917
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a stack case. Curved portions are formed at corners of a first end plate. An upper plate includes curving sections facing the curved portions of the first end plate. An upper seal member is partially interposed between the curved portions of the first end plate and the curving sections of the upper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideharu Naito
  • Patent number: 10461353
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a stack of fuel cells, a first end plate, a second end plate, a fluid manifold member, and a protrusion. In the stack of fuel cells, the fuel cells are stacked in a stacking direction. The first end plate is disposed on a first end of the stack of fuel cells in the stacking direction. The second end plate is disposed on a second end of the stack of fuel cells in the stacking direction. The fluid manifold member is disposed on at least one of the first and second end plates. The fluid manifold member allows a fluid to flow through the fuel cells. The protrusion is disposed around a joint region at which the fluid manifold member is joined to the at least one of the first and second end plates. The protrusion protrudes outward in the stacking direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideharu Naito
  • Patent number: 10461354
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a stack case containing a fuel cell stack therein. The stack case includes first and second end plates, first and second side plates, top and bottom cover plates. A top sealing member has a substantially rectangular frame shape and disposed between the top cover plate and each of the first end plate, the second end plate, the first side plate and the second side plate. A bottom sealing member has a substantially rectangular frame shape and disposed between the bottom cover plate and each of the first end plate, the second end plate, the first side plate and the second side plate. At least one of the top sealing member and the bottom sealing member including, at at least one corner of the substantially rectangular frame shape, an extension portion to adjust a peripheral length of the substantially rectangular frame shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideharu Naito
  • Patent number: 10454125
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel cell stack includes a stacked body, a stack case, and a cover member. The stack case accommodating the stacked body therein. The stack case includes an upper wall, a lower wall, and a vent opening. The lower wall is opposite to and below the upper wall in a height direction of a vehicle. The lower wall includes an upper surface and a lower surface opposite to and below the upper surface in the height direction. The vent opening passes through the bottom wall in the height direction. The cover member is disposed on the lower surface of the bottom wall to cover the vent opening when viewed in the height direction and to have an opening between the cover member and the lower surface of the bottom wall when viewed along the lower surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideharu Naito
  • Patent number: 10396390
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack for a vehicle includes a stack body and a case. The stack body includes power generating cells to generate electric power via electrochemical reaction between fuel gas and oxidant gas. The power generating cells are stacked. The case houses the stack body therein and is mounted in the vehicle. The case includes a lower panel and an upper panel. The upper panel is provided above the lower panel in a height direction of the vehicle and has an inner surface opposite to the lower panel in the height direction. The stack body is provided between the upper panel and the lower panel. The upper panel includes a flow passage therein which extends along the inner surface of the upper panel and which communicates with an interior of the case and an exterior of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideharu Naito
  • Publication number: 20190260059
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a stack case containing a fuel cell stack. Ventilation air inlet holes are formed at lower positions of the stack case in the vertical direction, and ventilation air outlet holes (holes) are formed at upper positions of the stack case in the vertical direction. Each of the ventilation air inlet holes is equipped with a filter unit having a liquid-impermeable and gas-permeable filter body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Kimiharu Mizusaki, Hideharu Naito, Kosuke Takagi, Masahiro Sato
  • Publication number: 20190229359
    Abstract: An exhaust apparatus for discharging exhaust gas from a stack case housing a fuel cell stack includes an exhaust duct in communication with an exhaust port of a vehicle and the stack case and a filter case provided to the exhaust duct and housing a filter. A curved exhaust flow path in which a flow path curves at a plurality of locations is provided in the filter case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Kimiharu MIZUSAKI, Hideharu NAITO, Kosuke TAKAGI, Yuki IMAMURA, Takaaki MITSUOKA, Yuki MAKARI
  • Patent number: 10322647
    Abstract: A fuel cell-equipped vehicle includes a fuel cell stack disposed in a front space of a vehicle body by a partition member, and an air conditioner disposed in a rear space of the vehicle body separated by the partition member, wherein external air is introduced into the air conditioner through an external air intake port formed at a portion of the partition member located on a first side with respect to a center in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle body, downstream end of the exhaust duct configured to discharge a reaction gas in the casing communicates with an outside of the vehicle body at a portion located on a second side with respect to the center in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideharu Naito