Patents by Inventor Hikaru Miura

Hikaru Miura 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: 20180246169
    Abstract: The present invention enables correct detection of the state of a relay provided on each of the positive and negative terminal sides of a secondary battery. A positive-side main relay makes or breaks continuity between first and second positive contact points, and a negative-side main relay makes or breaks continuity between first and second negative contact points. A microcomputer can measure a first voltage between the first positive and first negative contact points, a second voltage between the second positive and first negative contact points, and a third voltage between the first positive and second negative contact points. The microcomputer detects the state of the positive-side main relay based on a voltage measurement result obtained when the first and second voltages are measured synchronously, and detects the state of the negative-side main relay based on a voltage measurement result obtained when the first and third voltages are measured synchronously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Hikaru MIURA, Mutsumi KIKUCHI, Akihiko KUDOH, Tomonori KANAI
  • Publication number: 20180143260
    Abstract: A battery system includes a battery module having a plurality of assembled batteries. Battery monitoring circuits are provided to correspond to each of the assembled batteries of the battery module. A control circuit controls operation of the battery monitoring circuits. A first signal transmission path transmits signals that are input and output between the battery monitoring circuits and the control circuit. A first isolation element is connected to the control circuit, and a second isolation element is connected to the battery monitoring circuit. The first signal transmission path is isolated from the control circuit by the second isolation element. The electrical potential of the first signal transmission path is a floating potential in relation to the electrical potentials of the control circuit and battery monitoring circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hikaru MIURA, Mutsumi KIKUCHI, Akihiko KUDOH, Tomonori KANAI
  • Patent number: 9897662
    Abstract: A battery system includes a battery module having a plurality of assembled batteries. Battery monitoring circuits are provided to correspond to each of the assembled batteries of the battery module. A control circuit controls operation of the battery monitoring circuits. A first signal transmission path transmits signals that are input and output between the battery monitoring circuits and the control circuit. A first isolation element is connected to the control circuit, and a second isolation element is connected to the battery monitoring circuit. The first signal transmission path is isolated from the control circuit by the first isolation element and is isolated from the battery monitoring circuit by the second isolation element. The electrical potential of the first signal transmission path is a floating potential in relation to the electrical potentials of the control circuit and battery monitoring circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikaru Miura, Mutsumi Kikuchi, Akihiko Kudoh, Tomonori Kanai
  • Patent number: 9825477
    Abstract: A battery monitoring device monitors a battery having a plurality of cell groups in which a plurality of cells is connected in series. The battery monitoring device comprises at one or more integrated circuit units, each of which corresponds to each cell group, that respectively measure the voltages of the cells of the cell group and performs cell balancing in order to adjust the capacities of the cells of the cell group; a control unit that controls the integrated circuit unit; and a power supply unit that supplies power to the control unit. The control unit causes the integrated circuit unit to start or to stop cell balancing, and sets a timer period for starting or stopping supply of the power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hikaru Miura, Akihiko Kudo
  • Patent number: 9755453
    Abstract: A cell controller in a battery-monitoring device that monitors an assembled battery having a single cell group or a plurality of cell groups, each made up with a plurality of battery cells connected in series, includes: a startup terminal to which a first discharge resistor is connected and a startup voltage is applied; and a cell-balancing unit that executes cell balancing operation in order to adjust charge levels of the plurality of battery cells during a time period through which the startup voltage remains equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage, wherein: the startup voltage is applied for a predetermined length of time by a first timer unit that includes a passive element capable of accumulating electric energy and capable of discharging electric energy to the startup terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomonori Kanai, Akihiko Kudoh, Hikaru Miura, Mitsuo Noda, Mutsumi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 9696383
    Abstract: A battery monitoring system includes a plurality of battery monitoring devices connected to a battery formed by connecting a plurality of battery cell groups in series, and monitor a state of the battery for the respective battery cell groups, each of the plurality of battery cell groups being of one or a plurality of battery cells connected in series, and a controller that performs wireless communication with the plurality of battery monitoring devices. First identification information portions which are different from each other are set in the plurality of battery monitoring devices in advance, and second identification information corresponding to an order of potentials of the battery cell groups in the battery, to which the battery monitoring devices are connected, is assigned to each of the plurality of battery monitoring devices. The controller stores a relationship between the first and second identification information for each battery monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Mutsumi Kikuchi, Akihiko Kudo, Tomonori Kanai, Hikaru Miura, Akihiko Emori
  • Patent number: 9651625
    Abstract: A battery monitoring apparatus comprises a reception section to receive a radio signal and to output power and a demodulated signal according to the radio signal; a first power source circuit to perform power supply based on the power; a decode circuit to operate upon receiving the power supply from the first power source circuit and to output an activation signal and a command based on the demodulated signal; a second power source circuit to be activated according to the activation signal and to perform power supply; a battery monitoring circuit to operate upon receiving the power supply from the second power source circuit and to output a monitoring result of a state of the battery according to the command; and a transmission section to operate upon receiving the power supply from the second power source circuit and to wirelessly transmit the monitoring result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Mutsumi Kikuchi, Akihiko Kudo, Tomonori Kanai, Hikaru Miura, Akihiko Emori
  • Publication number: 20160169976
    Abstract: Provided are a battery monitoring device capable of suppressing a current flowing to individual battery cells and enhancing the safety thereof, even when there is a short circuit, for example, in a connection line connecting substrates having integrated circuits mounted thereon and a substrate having a microcomputer mounted thereon or a connection line connecting the substrates having the integrated circuits mounted thereon, and a battery system using the same. Resistors are provided in a positive electrode input line 13a connecting a positive electrode side of a battery pack group 200 and a total voltage detecting unit 13 and/or a negative electrode input line 13b connecting a negative electrode side of the battery pack group 200 and the total voltage detecting unit 13 and the resistors of the positive electrode input line 13a and/or negative electrode input line 13b are arranged on individual cell monitoring circuit boards 31 and 32.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hikaru MIURA, Akihiko KUDOH, Mutsumi KIKUCHI, Tomonori KANAI
  • Publication number: 20160069962
    Abstract: A battery system includes a battery module having a plurality of assembled batteries. Battery monitoring circuits are provided to correspond to each of the assembled batteries of the battery module. A control circuit controls operation of the battery monitoring circuits. A first signal transmission path transmits signals that are input and output between the battery monitoring circuits and the control circuit. A first isolation element is connected to the control circuit, and a second isolation element is connected to the battery monitoring circuit. The first signal transmission path is isolated from the control circuit by the first isolation element and is isolated from the battery monitoring circuit by the second isolation element. The electrical potential of the first signal transmission path is a floating potential in relation to the electrical potentials of the control circuit and battery monitoring circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hikaru MIURA, Mutsumi KIKUCHI, Akihiko KUDOH, Tomonori KANAI
  • Publication number: 20150340883
    Abstract: A cell controller in a battery-monitoring device that monitors an assembled battery having a single cell group or a plurality of cell groups, each made up with a plurality of battery cells connected in series, includes: a startup terminal to which a first discharge resistor is connected and a startup voltage is applied; and a cell-balancing unit that executes cell balancing operation in order to adjust charge levels of the plurality of battery cells during a time period through which the startup voltage remains equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage, wherein: the startup voltage is applied for a predetermined length of time by a first timer unit that includes a passive element capable of accumulating electric energy and capable of discharging electric energy to the startup terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Tomonori KANAI, Akihiko KUDOH, Hikaru MIURA, Mitsuo NODA, Mutsumi KIKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20150303728
    Abstract: A battery monitoring device monitors a battery having a plurality of cell groups in which a plurality of cells is connected in series. The battery monitoring device comprises at one or more integrated circuit units, each of which corresponds to each cell group, that respectively measure the voltages of the cells of the cell group and performs cell balancing in order to adjust the capacities of the cells of the cell group; a control unit that controls the integrated circuit unit; and a power supply unit that supplies power to the control unit. The control unit causes the integrated circuit unit to start or to stop cell balancing, and sets a timer period for starting or stopping supply of the power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikaru MIURA, Akihiko KUDO
  • Patent number: 8981722
    Abstract: A cell control device according to the present invention includes: a discharge circuit that discharges each unit cell selected by the first switches among a plurality of unit cells connected in series; a charging circuit that charges each unit cell selected by the second switches among the unit cells connected in series, and; a voltage detection unit that detects a voltage of each unit cell via voltage detection lines respectively connected to positive and negative electrodes of the unit cells; an oscillator that irradiates high frequency electromagnetic radiation upon the voltage detection lines; and a charging control unit that controls switching of the first switches, thereby performing discharge of the each unit cell, and a charging control unit that controls switching of the second switches, thereby performing charging of the unit cells, based on voltages of the unit cells that are detected by the voltage detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikaru Miura, Akihiko Kudo
  • Publication number: 20140354291
    Abstract: A battery monitoring system includes a plurality of battery monitoring devices connected to a battery formed by connecting a plurality of battery cell groups in series, and monitor a state of the battery for the respective battery cell groups, each of the plurality of battery cell groups being of one or a plurality of battery cells connected in series, and a controller that performs wireless communication with the plurality of battery monitoring devices. First identification information portions which are different from each other are set in the plurality of battery monitoring devices in advance, and second identification information corresponding to an order of potentials of the battery cell groups in the battery, to which the battery monitoring devices are connected, is assigned to each of the plurality of battery monitoring devices. The controller stores a relationship between the first and second identification information for each battery monitoring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI VEHICLE ENERGY, LTD.
    Inventors: Mutsumi Kikuchi, Akihiko Kudo, Tomonori Kanai, Hikaru Miura, Akihiko Emori
  • Publication number: 20140312913
    Abstract: A battery monitoring apparatus comprises a reception section to receive a radio signal and to output power and a demodulated signal according to the radio signal; a first power source circuit to perform power supply based on the power; a decode circuit to operate upon receiving the power supply from the first power source circuit and to output an activation signal and a command based on the demodulated signal; a second power source circuit to be activated according to the activation signal and to perform power supply; a battery monitoring circuit to operate upon receiving the power supply from the second power source circuit and to output a monitoring result of a state of the battery according to the command; and a transmission section to operate upon receiving the power supply from the second power source circuit and to wirelessly transmit the monitoring result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mutsumi Kikuchi, Akihiko Kudo, Tomonori Kanai, Hikaru Miura, Akihiko Emori
  • Patent number: 8791702
    Abstract: A ground fault detection circuit according to the present invention is a ground fault detection circuit that detects the occurrence of a ground fault of a battery that is insulated, and that includes: an AC signal generation section that generates an AC signal; a first capacitive element that couples the AC signal generated by the AC signal generation section to the battery; a voltage division section that voltage divides the AC signal that is coupled to the battery by the first capacitive element; a ground fault detection unit that detects a ground fault of the battery based on an AC component of an input signal; and a second capacitive element that couples the AC signal that has been voltage divided by the voltage division section to the ground fault detection unit as the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikaru Miura, Akihiko Kudou
  • Publication number: 20120161708
    Abstract: A cell control device according to the present invention includes: a discharge circuit that discharges each unit cell selected by the first switches among a plurality of unit cells connected in series; a charging circuit that charges each unit cell selected by the second switches among the unit cells connected in series, and; a voltage detection unit that detects a voltage of each unit cell via voltage detection lines respectively connected to positive and negative electrodes of the unit cells; an oscillator that irradiates high frequency electromagnetic radiation upon the voltage detection lines; and a charging control unit that controls switching of the first switches, thereby performing discharge of the each unit cell, and a charging control unit that controls switching of the second switches, thereby performing charging of the unit cells, based on voltages of the unit cells that are detected by the voltage detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikaru MIURA, Akihiko KUDO
  • Publication number: 20120043967
    Abstract: A ground fault detection circuit according to the present invention is a ground fault detection circuit that detects the occurrence of a ground fault of a battery that is insulated, and that includes: an AC signal generation section that generates an AC signal; a first capacitive element that couples the AC signal generated by the AC signal generation section to the battery; a voltage division section that voltage divides the AC signal that is coupled to the battery by the first capacitive element; a ground fault detection unit that detects a ground fault of the battery based on an AC component of an input signal; and a second capacitive element that couples the AC signal that has been voltage divided by the voltage division section to the ground fault detection unit as the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicants: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd., Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikaru Miura, Akihiko Kudou
  • Patent number: 7822638
    Abstract: An information providing system includes a database having advertisement information and a bid amount of money of an advertisement stored correspondingly. Corresponding pieces of advertisement information are select from the database responding to a retrieval request from a terminal to decide an advertisement publishing order based upon the bid amount of money of each of these pieces of advertisement information. The advertisement publishing order is decided based upon a probability that is calculated from a ratio of the bid amount of money of each advertisement that becomes an object of display over a sum of bid amounts of money of advertisements that become an object of display. This allows the displaying order not to be uniquely decided with the bid amount of money.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Searchteria Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikaru Miura, Yoshihiro Nakahashi, Takuya Omori
  • Publication number: 20070185763
    Abstract: An information providing system includes a database having advertisement information and a bid amount of money of an advertisement stored correspondingly. Corresponding pieces of advertisement information are select from the database responding to a retrieval request from a terminal to decide an advertisement publishing order based upon the bid amount of money of each of these pieces of advertisement information. The advertisement publishing order is decided based upon a probability that is calculated from a ratio of the bid amount of money of each advertisement that becomes an object of display over a sum of bid amounts of money of advertisements that become an object of display. This allows the displaying order not to be uniquely decided with the bid amount of money.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: Hikaru Miura, Yoshihiro Nakahashi, Takuya Omori