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).

  • Patent number: 10224533
    Abstract: In a secondary battery (10) suggested herein, when a gas pressure in a battery case (12) is increased to or above a specified level and a current interrupt valve (26) is consequently raised to a connecting terminal (21) side, a thinned section (71) is broken around a portion that is joined to the current interrupt valve 26, the connecting terminal (21) and an electrode body are electrically interrupted from each other. An insulant (27) is disposed in a portion where the thinned section (71) is broken, and is interposed between both edges of the broken thinned section (71) after the thinned section (71) is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki Imanishi, Hiroya Umeyama
  • Patent number: 10147928
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes a current cut-off device that cuts off a current flow between a battery element and an external terminal of a positive electrode, and a bypass member electrically connected to an external terminal of a negative electrode. The current cut-off device includes a current collecting member electrically connected to the battery element inside an outer casing, and an inversion plate electrically connected to the current collecting member. The inversion plate comes apart from the current collecting member when the inner pressure of the outer casing becomes increased so as to cut off conduction between the battery element and the external terminal of the positive electrode, and becomes further deformed to electrically connect the bypass member and the external terminal of the positive electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroya Umeyama, Yukinobu Miyamura, Hiroaki Imanishi
  • Patent number: 10128476
    Abstract: A sealed battery with a battery element housed in a sealed casing. The sealed battery includes a valve brought into a closed state when a pressure of a gas in the casing is less than a first pressure P1, into an open state when the pressure is more than or equal to the first pressure P1 and less than a second pressure P2, and into the closed state when the pressure is more than or equal to the second pressure P2, and a safety mechanism configured to, when the internal pressure reaches a third pressure P3 exceeding the second pressure P2, operate in accordance with the third pressure P3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroya Umeyama, Hiroaki Imanishi
  • Publication number: 20180287210
    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: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro MATSUURA, Yukio HARIMA, Hiroaki IMANISHI, Ichiro MURATA, Kiyomi KOZUKI
  • Publication number: 20180226653
    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: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satomi YAMAMOTO, Mizuho MATSUMOTO, Hiroshi TAKAMATSU, Hiroaki IMANISHI, Ichiro MURATA, Kiyomi KOZUKI
  • Patent number: 9972824
    Abstract: An inversion plate short-circuits the positive electrode external terminal and the negative electrode external terminal to each other by changing its position. A temperature sensitive member is disposed adjacent to the inversion plate on the side opposite to a direction in which the inversion plate changes its position. The volume of temperature sensitive member increases due to a rise in temperature. The temperature sensitive member contains aluminum phosphite and calcium carbonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroya Umeyama, Tatsuya Hashimoto, Hiroaki Imanishi, Yukinobu Miyamura, Koichi Toriyama
  • Publication number: 20180108950
    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: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji TORITA, Yukinobu MIYAMURA, Hiroaki IMANISHI
  • Publication number: 20170263915
    Abstract: An inversion plate short-circuits the positive electrode external terminal and the negative electrode external terminal to each other by changing its position. A temperature sensitive member is disposed adjacent to the inversion plate on the side opposite to a direction in which the inversion plate changes its position. The volume of temperature sensitive member increases due to a rise in temperature. The temperature sensitive member contains aluminum phosphite and calcium carbonate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroya UMEYAMA, Tatsuya HASHIMOTO, Hiroaki IMANISHI, Yukinobu MIYAMURA, Koichi TORIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20170229702
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes a current cut-off device that cuts off a current flow between a battery element and an external terminal of a positive electrode, and a bypass member electrically connected to an external terminal of a negative electrode. The current cut-off device includes a current collecting member electrically connected to the battery element inside an outer casing, and an inversion plate electrically connected to the current collecting member. The inversion plate comes apart from the current collecting member when the inner pressure of the outer casing becomes increased so as to cut off conduction between the battery element and the external terminal of the positive electrode, and becomes further deformed to electrically connect the bypass member and the external terminal of the positive electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroya UMEYAMA, Yukinobu MIYAMURA, Hiroaki IMANISHI
  • Publication number: 20170229701
    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: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroya UMEYAMA, Yukinobu MIYAMURA, Hiroaki IMANISHI
  • Publication number: 20170098807
    Abstract: A sealed battery with a battery element housed in a sealed casing. The sealed battery includes a valve brought into a closed state when a pressure of a gas in the casing is less than a first pressure P1, into an open state when the pressure is more than or equal to the first pressure P1 and less than a second pressure P2, and into the closed state when the pressure is more than or equal to the second pressure P2, and a safety mechanism configured to, when the internal pressure reaches a third pressure P3 exceeding the second pressure P2, operate in accordance with the third pressure P3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroya UMEYAMA, Hiroaki IMANISHI
  • Publication number: 20170077544
    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: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroya UMEYAMA, Hiroshi TAKAMATSU, Hiroaki IMANISHI
  • Publication number: 20160072119
    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: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroya UMEYAMA, Hiroaki IMANISHI
  • Publication number: 20150243960
    Abstract: In a secondary battery (10) suggested herein, when a gas pressure in a battery case (12) is increased to or above a specified level and a current interrupt valve (26) is consequently raised to a connecting terminal (21) side, a thinned section (71) is broken around a portion that is joined to the current interrupt valve 26, the connecting terminal (21) and an electrode body are electrically interrupted from each other. An insulant (27) is disposed in a portion where the thinned section (71) is broken, and is interposed between both edges of the broken thinned section (71) after the thinned section (71) is broken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki Imanishi, Hiroya Umeyama
  • Publication number: 20120107685
    Abstract: Provided is a positive electrode plate, which is high in the peeling strength of an anode activating substance layer and which is suppressed in the increase of a battery resistance. Also provided are a battery using the positive electrode plate, a vehicle having the battery mounted thereon, a battery-mounting device, and a positive electrode plate manufacturing method capable of manufacturing the anode activating substance layer properly. The positive electrode plate includes a substrate having conductivity, and a positive electrode active material layer formed in the substrate and containing positive electrode active material particles, a conductive material and binders. These binders are made of either only polyethylene oxide, or only polyethylene oxide and carboxymethyl cellulose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Takumi Tamaki, Takayuki Shirane, Hiroaki Imanishi, Kazuhiro Okawa
  • Patent number: 7622219
    Abstract: A battery pack (10) includes: a battery (1); a circuit substrate (5) having a charge/discharge safety circuit and arranged on one end face (3) of the battery; and an end case (6) in which an external connection terminal (7) is set. In this battery pack, the circuit substrate (5) is arranged inside the end case (6), and the end case (6) is secured to the battery by screws (12) with a screw head (12a) extending through and engaging with the end case (6) at both ends and tips of the screw (12) being engaged into the end face (3) at both ends of the battery (1). This achieves a compact battery pack with a reduced connection resistance, while achieving both high reliability and productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Ota, Katsuyuki Shirasawa, Toshio Yamashitafuji, Takeshi Ishimaru, Kenjin Masumoto, Hiroaki Imanishi
  • Publication number: 20080233472
    Abstract: A battery pack (10) includes: a battery (1); a circuit substrate (5) having a charge/discharge safety circuit and arranged on one end face (3) of the battery; and an end case (6) in which an external connection terminal (7) is set. In this battery pack, the circuit substrate (5) is arranged inside the end case (6), and the end case (6) is secured to the battery by screws (12) with a screw head (12a) extending through and engaging with the end case (6) at both ends and tips of the screw (12) being engaged into the end face (3) at both ends of the battery (1). This achieves a compact battery pack with a reduced connection resistance, while achieving both high reliability and productivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Ota, Katsuyuki Shirasawa, Toshio Yamashitafuji, Takeshi Ishimaru, Kenjin Masumoto, Hiroaki Imanishi