Patents by Inventor Hiroaki Imanishi

Hiroaki Imanishi 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: 20240145786
    Abstract: A battery disclosed herein includes a wound electrode body, a battery case having a substantially rectangular first surface, and an electrolytic solution injection hole formed on the first surface of the battery case, a sealing member for sealing the electrolytic solution injection hole, and an insulating member fixed to the first surface. The electrolytic solution injection hole is formed in a position that does not overlap with vertexes of the curved portions of the plurality of wound electrode bodies. Herein, a part of the insulating member is disposed in a valley portion surrounded by a surface linking the vertexes of the adjacent wound electrode bodies and the curved surface of the curved portion of the adjacent wound electrode bodies, and a part of the sealing member is disposed in the valley portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Yukinobu MIYAMURA, Ryoichi WAKIMOTO, Hiroaki IMANISHI
  • Patent number: 11923566
    Abstract: A sealed battery with a current breaking mechanism, and a conductor member that is, inside the battery, electrically connected to the current breaking mechanism, and that is, outside the battery, electrically connected to the positive electrode external terminal. The current breaking mechanism includes a thin plate-like inversion plate in which an outer peripheral portion thereof is connected to the positive electrode collector member, and an inner peripheral portion thereof is connected to the conductor member. The inversion plate is, upon an increase in pressure inside the battery, capable of having the inner peripheral portion become displaced so as to be separated from the conductor member. An accommodating recess that receives the inner peripheral portion of the inverted collector member separated and displaced from the conductor member is formed in the positive electrode collector member and in a thickness direction of the positive electrode collector member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukio Harima, Hiroaki Imanishi
  • Patent number: 11909055
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes an electrode body that includes a positive and a negative electrode plate, a battery case that has an opening in which the electrode body is accommodated, a sealing body that seals the opening, an internal terminal that is disposed on an inner side of the sealing body and connected to the positive or the negative electrode plate, and an external terminal that is disposed on an outer side of the sealing body and connected to the internal terminal. The external terminal includes a rivet that is formed in such a manner as to extend through the sealing body, and the internal terminal includes a first portion made of a first metal and a second portion made of a second metal. The external terminal is made of the second metal, and the rivet of the external terminal is joined to the second portion of the internal terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ichiro Murata, Hiroaki Imanishi
  • Publication number: 20230261310
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte including a battery case which has an opening and a sealing plate sealing the opening includes: a blind rivet fixed to the sealing plate by inserting the blind rivet into an opening portion provided in the sealing plate via a gas permeable membrane. The gas permeable membrane includes a tubular portion and a flange. The blind rivet includes: a sleeve body including a sleeve portion and a flange portion; and a mandrel including a shaft to be inserted into a hollow portion of the sleeve portion and a head. The blind rivet is crimped with the sleeve portion, and fixed to the sealing plate with the sleeve portion and the head being covered with the tubular portion. A space communicating with the outside of the battery case is formed between the gas permeable membrane and the blind rivet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Hiroshi TAKAMATSU, Hiroaki IMANISHI, Ichiro MURATA
  • Publication number: 20230033391
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly; a rectangular outer casing; a sealing plate; an electrode terminal on the sealing plate; a first current collector connected to the electrode terminal; a second current collector connected to the first current collector; and a tab group connected to the second current collector. The second current collector is a flat plate, and includes a fuse portion having a slit extending in a lateral direction of the flat plate. The tab group is connected to the second current collector at a position closer to one side in the lateral direction, and is bent at a connection portion with the second current collector such that the bent tab group extends parallel to the side wall. The fuse portion includes a portion with a large sectional area on the other side of the slit in the lateral direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Yukinobu MIYAMURA, Hiroaki IMANISHI
  • Publication number: 20220399617
    Abstract: A battery is provided in which a damage of the electrode tab group is suitably inhibited. Suitable one aspect of the battery herein disclosed is provided with a battery comprising an electrode body with a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and that is formed in a flat hexahedron shape having a pair of rectangular-shaped flat outer surfaces, and includes a battery case that accommodates them. Here, a fixing member is arranged from at least one flat outer surface among a pair of flat outer surfaces to a positive electrode electrical collector part or a negative electrode electrical collector part of the electrode body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Ryoichi WAKIMOTO, Hiroaki IMANISHI, Tsuyoshi KAWABATA, Takenori KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20220384915
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly including a positive and negative electrode plate; a rectangular outer casing having an opening; a sealing plate; an electrode terminal on the sealing plate; a first current collector connected to the electrode terminal; an insulation member; a second current collector connected to the first current collector; and a tab group extending from the electrode assembly toward the side wall and connected to the second current collector. The second current collector is a flat plate including a surface parallel to the side wall. The tab group is connected to the second current collector, and is bent at a connection portion with the second current collector such that the bent tab group extends parallel to the side wall. The second current collector is positioned on the first current collector by a guide portion extending from the insulation member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Ichiro MURATA, Hiroaki IMANISHI, Yukinobu MIYAMURA, Hiroshi TAKAMATSU
  • Publication number: 20220376367
    Abstract: In this secondary battery in which an electrode body having a positive electrode tab group at one end thereof is accommodated in a battery case, a positive electrode terminal and the positive electrode tab group are electrically connected via a second positive electrode current collector, the positive electrode tab group is connected to a tab connection part of the second positive electrode current collector in a bent state, and a tape as a fixing means is attached across a first main surface of the electrode body-the tab connection part of the second positive electrode current collector-a second main surface of the electrode body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Ryoichi WAKIMOTO, Hiroaki IMANISHI, Yukinobu MIYAMURA
  • Publication number: 20220352606
    Abstract: Provided is a secondary battery in which an electrode body having a positive electrode tab group on one end thereof is accommodated in a battery case, wherein: a first positive electrode current collector comprises a first region disposed between a sealing plate and the electrode body, and a second region disposed between the electrode body and a first side wall of a rectangular exterior body constituting the battery case; the positive electrode tab group is connected in a folded state to a second positive electrode current collector; and the second positive electrode current collector is welded to the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Ryoichi WAKIMOTO, Hiroaki IMANISHI, Yukinobu MIYAMURA
  • Publication number: 20220320648
    Abstract: A rectangular secondary battery includes: an electrode body; a current collector connected to an edge of the electrode; and an external terminal connected to the current collector. The current collector includes a first connector and a second connector integrated into a single member, the first connector being connected to the external terminal, the second connector being connected to the edge of the electrode body. The first connector penetrates through-holes of the sealing plate and the external terminal, and has a tip crimped so as to be connected to the external terminal and to fix the current collector and the external terminal to the sealing plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Yukinobu MIYAMURA, Hiroaki IMANISHI
  • Publication number: 20220278402
    Abstract: A rectangular secondary battery includes: an electrode body including a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate; a rectangular battery case having an opening and housing the electrode body; a sealing plate sealing the opening; a current collector connected to an edge of the positive electrode plate or the negative electrode plate at a longitudinal end of the sealing plate; and an external terminal located outside the sealing plate and connected to the current collector. The electrode body and the current collector is wrapped in an insulating holder and housed in the battery case. The current collector is in contact with a bottom of the battery case with the insulating holder interposed therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Hiroshi TAKAMATSU, Hiroaki IMANISHI
  • Publication number: 20220238908
    Abstract: A rectangular secondary battery includes: an electrode body including a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate; a rectangular battery case having an opening and housing the electrode body; a sealing plate sealing the opening; a current collector connected to an edge of the positive electrode plate or the negative electrode plate at a longitudinal end of the sealing plate; and an external terminal located outside the sealing plate and connected to the current collector. The current collector is a block body with a thickness along a width of the sealing plate, and having a hole at an end closer to the sealing plate. The current collector is connected to the external terminal with a connector interposed therebetween which is inserted into the hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Ichiro MURATA, Hiroaki IMANISHI
  • Publication number: 20210359380
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes an electrode body that includes a positive and a negative electrode plate, a battery case that has an opening in which the electrode body is accommodated, a sealing body that seals the opening, an internal terminal that is disposed on an inner side of the sealing body and connected to the positive or the negative electrode plate, and an external terminal that is disposed on an outer side of the sealing body and connected to the internal terminal. The external terminal includes a rivet that is formed in such a manner as to extend through the sealing body, and the internal terminal includes a first portion made of a first metal and a second portion made of a second metal. The external terminal is made of the second metal, and the rivet of the external terminal is joined to the second portion of the internal terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Murata, Hiroaki Imanishi
  • Publication number: 20200403212
    Abstract: A sealed battery with a current breaking mechanism, and a conductor member that is, inside the battery, electrically connected to the current breaking mechanism, and that is, outside the battery, electrically connected to the positive electrode external terminal. The current breaking mechanism includes a thin plate-like inversion plate in which an outer peripheral portion thereof is connected to the positive electrode collector member, and an inner peripheral portion thereof is connected to the conductor member. The inversion plate is, upon an increase in pressure inside the battery, capable of having the inner peripheral portion become displaced so as to be separated from the conductor member. An accommodating recess that receives the inner peripheral portion of the inverted collector member separated and displaced from the conductor member is formed in the positive electrode collector member and in a thickness direction of the positive electrode collector member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yukio Harima, Hiroaki Imanishi
  • Patent number: 10734654
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes: an electrode body including an electrode main body, a collector foil protrusion section, and a collector foil connection portion; a first collector terminal including a first extension part that is welded to the collector foil connection portion; and a second collector terminal that is a member separate from the first collector terminal and includes a second extension part welded to the collector foil connection portion. The first extension part and the second extension part are located on the opposite sides of the collector foil connection portion. The secondary battery includes a welded joint at which both the first extension part and the second extension part are welded to the collector foil connection portion such that the first extension part, the second extension part, and the collector foil connection portion are united. The first collector terminal and the second collector terminal are united through the welded joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satomi Yamamoto, Mizuho Matsumoto, Hiroshi Takamatsu, Hiroaki Imanishi, Ichiro Murata, Kiyomi Kozuki
  • Patent number: 10700383
    Abstract: Provided is a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery that can be produced with high yield, through suppression of breakage of electrode collector portions during production and through suppression of damage to an electrode body during welding. The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery disclosed herein is provided with: an electrode body in which a plurality of electrodes are stacked; and a nonaqueous electrolyte. Each electrode has a collector and an active material layer formed on the collector. Each electrode has a collector portion being an active material layer non-forming portion. The collector portions of the electrodes are grouped and are clamped, in the stacking direction of the electrode body, by two or more members of an electrode collector terminal that is made up of the members. The collector portions of the electrodes and the members that clamp the collector portions are welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Matsuura, Yukio Harima, Hiroaki Imanishi, Ichiro Murata, Kiyomi Kozuki
  • Patent number: 10547087
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes a reverse plate formed using a conductive material and provided in a case, and a fixing member formed using an elastically deformable material and joined to the reverse plate. When an internal pressure in the case is increased, the reverse plate deforms in response to the internal pressure, to thereby electrically connect a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal. With the increase in the internal pressure, the fixing member elastically deforms from a state where it is inserted into the through hole, exits the through hole and is fixed between the reverse plate and the case. The reverse plate in the deformed state is supported by the fixed fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Torita, Yukinobu Miyamura, Hiroaki Imanishi
  • Patent number: 10493563
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sealed battery includes a welding step of forming a welded portion, and the welding step includes a first step of sequentially forming a plurality of weld beads in an opening edge portion and an outer peripheral edge portion such that the plurality of weld beads are spaced apart from one another, and a second step of forming a weld bead in each gap portion located between the weld beads, with a plurality of gap portions being formed in the opening edge portion and the outer peripheral edge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHI
    Inventors: Hiroya Umeyama, Hiroshi Takamatsu, Hiroaki Imanishi
  • Patent number: 10340499
    Abstract: This invention provides a sealed secondary battery comprising a current cutoff mechanism. The current cutoff mechanism has a current breaking valve 30 comprising a sloped side wall 32A which tapers with decreasing diameter from the inner circumference of a flange 32 and a dome 32B descending in a spherical cap shape from the rim of sloped side wall 32A. The rotation axis L of sloped side wall 32A and the sloped side wall 32A form an angle ? to satisfy 60°???75° while dome 32B has a sphere radius R of 30 mm or larger, but smaller than 100 mm. In a planer view along the rotation axis L, the outer circumference of dome 32B is located outside the outer circumference of a thin portion 76.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroya Umeyama, Hiroaki Imanishi
  • Patent number: 10326123
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes: a battery element; a case housing the battery element; a positive-electrode external terminal and a negative-electrode external terminal provided outside the case and electrically connected to the battery element; and a short-circuiting mechanism configured to establish a short-circuit between the positive and negative external terminals through the case. The short-circuiting mechanism includes a conducting portion conductively connected to one of the positive and negative external terminals so as to face the case, an inversion plate provided at a portion of the case facing the conducting portion and configured to deform to approach the conducting portion when an internal pressure of the case rises, and a brazing material provided on one of the conducting portion and the inversion plate at a position between the conducting portion and the inversion plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroya Umeyama, Yukinobu Miyamura, Hiroaki Imanishi