Patents by Inventor Hirofumi Kurimoto
Hirofumi Kurimoto 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).
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Patent number: 10700741Abstract: A correct commutation is realized even if a communication error occurs due to a change in an actuator drive current. An electronic control unit that includes a communication section outputting a control signal and that can transmit the control signal to an actuator connected to the electronic control unit via a power line, includes an actuator operation detection section. When the actuator operation detection section detects an actuator operation, the communication section retransmits the control signal at timing of detecting the actuator operation.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2017Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.Inventors: Hiroki Yamashita, Taizo Yamawaki, Hidehiro Toyoda, Teppei Hirotsu, Ryosuke Ishida, Hirofumi Kurimoto, Kenichi Hoshino
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Publication number: 20200059264Abstract: A correct commutation is realized even if a communication error occurs due to a change in an actuator drive current. An electronic control unit that includes a communication section outputting a control signal and that can transmit the control signal to an actuator connected to the electronic control unit via a power line, includes an actuator operation detection section. When the actuator operation detection section detects an actuator operation, the communication section retransmits the control signal at timing of detecting the actuator operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2017Publication date: February 20, 2020Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.Inventors: Hiroki YAMASHITA, Taizo YAMAWAKI, Hidehiro TOYODA, Teppei HIROTSU, Ryosuke ISHIDA, Hirofumi KURIMOTO, Kenichi HOSHINO
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Patent number: 10525913Abstract: The present invention addresses the problems of: providing a power supply system that does not cause a microcontroller to reset even when an abnormality occurs in the output of a third power supply within a battery voltage range in which an electronic control device ensures operation; and achieving said power supply system at low cost. An electronic control device is provided with: a first power supply circuit that outputs a predetermined voltage; a second power supply circuit that is disposed downstream from the first power supply circuit and that outputs a predetermined voltage; and a third power supply circuit that is disposed downstream from the first power supply circuit and that outputs a predetermined voltage. The electronic control device is characterized by comprising a means that makes it possible to switch the circuit operation state of the third power supply circuit in accordance with the states of the first to third power supply circuits.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2015Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.Inventors: Hirofumi Kurimoto, Mitsuhiko Watanabe
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Patent number: 10498395Abstract: A power line communication apparatus includes a drive block including an actuator control circuit and a drive circuit and a communication block. The actuator control circuit generates a control pulse for controlling an actuator, and controls a transition timing of the control pulse during an operation period set within a communication cycle by a communication clock. The drive circuit controls a driving current of the actuator supplied from a DC power source through a power line based on the control pulse in which the transition timing is controlled. The communication block generates the communication clock, and modulates a current flowing through the power line in response to data to be transmitted during a signal transmission period different from the operation period, set within the communication cycle.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroki Yamashita, Taizo Yamawaki, Ming Liu, Teppei Hirotsu, Ryosuke Ishida, Hirofumi Kurimoto
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Patent number: 10340799Abstract: A step-up/down power supply, in which a circuit area is small, includes a step-down unit that generates an output voltage lower than an input voltage by turning on or off a step-down switch in which the input voltage of the step-up/down power supply is applied, and a step-up unit that generates an output voltage higher than the input voltage by turning on or off a step-up switch in which a ground is applied. A step-down gate voltage control circuit controls a gate voltage of the step-down switch and includes a gate voltage generating circuit that generates a first voltage and a second voltage for turning on the step-down switch. A gate voltage switching circuit switches between the first voltage and the second voltage, and the gate voltage generating circuit includes a first voltage source that generates the first voltage and a second voltage source that generates the second voltage.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Ming Liu, Shinya Kajiyama, Taizo Yamawaki, Ryosuke Ishida, Hirofumi Kurimoto, Yasushi Sugiyama
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Publication number: 20190007100Abstract: A power line communication apparatus includes a drive block including an actuator control circuit and a drive circuit and a communication block. The actuator control circuit generates a control pulse for controlling an actuator, and controls a transition timing of the control pulse during an operation period set within a communication cycle by a communication clock. The drive circuit controls a driving current of the actuator supplied from a DC power source through a power line based on the control pulse in which the transition timing is controlled. The communication block generates the communication clock, and modulates a current flowing through the power line in response to data to be transmitted during a signal transmission period different from the operation period, set within the communication cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2016Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Hiroki YAMASHITA, Taizo YAMAWAKI, Ming LIU, Teppei HIROTSU, Ryosuke ISHIDA, Hirofumi KURIMOTO
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Publication number: 20180316268Abstract: A step-up/down power supply, in which a circuit area is small, includes a step-down unit that generates an output voltage lower than an input voltage by turning on or off a step-down switch in which the input voltage of the step-up/down power supply is applied, and a step-up unit that generates an output voltage higher than the input voltage by turning on or off a step-up switch in which a ground is applied. A step-down gate voltage control circuit controls a gate voltage of the step-down switch and includes a gate voltage generating circuit that generates a first voltage and a second voltage for turning on the step-down switch. A gate voltage switching circuit switches between the first voltage and the second voltage, and the gate voltage generating circuit includes a first voltage source that generates the first voltage and a second voltage source that generates the second voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2016Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: Ming LIU, Shinya KAJIYAMA, Taizo YAMAWAKI, Ryosuke ISHIDA, Hirofumi KURIMOTO, Yasushi SUGIYAMA
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Patent number: 9932003Abstract: An in-vehicle power supply apparatus for supplying operating power to a microcomputer is configured such that the microcomputer can securely enter into a standby state in a case where a voltage supplied from an in-vehicle power source is interrupted. The in-vehicle power supply apparatus according to the invention generates a second voltage to be supplied to a control IC and the like other than the microcomputer and a third voltage to be supplied to the microcomputer, and, in a case where the second voltage is reduced, the in-vehicle power supply apparatus transmits a reset signal and bypasses the second voltage to an input of the third voltage.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2013Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Chihiro Sato, Hirofumi Kurimoto, Yoshitaka Tokunaga
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Publication number: 20170190307Abstract: The present invention addresses the problems of: providing a power supply system that does not cause a microcontroller to reset even when an abnormality occurs in the output of a third power supply within a battery voltage range in which an electronic control device ensures operation; and achieving said power supply system at low cost. An electronic control device is provided with: a first power supply circuit that outputs a predetermined voltage; a second power supply circuit that is disposed downstream from the first power supply circuit and that outputs a predetermined voltage; and a third power supply circuit that is disposed downstream from the first power supply circuit and that outputs a predetermined voltage. The electronic control device is characterized by comprising a means that makes it possible to switch the circuit operation state of the third power supply circuit in accordance with the states of the first to third power supply circuits.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2015Publication date: July 6, 2017Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Hirofumi KURIMOTO, Mitsuhiko WATANABE
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Patent number: 9287771Abstract: A capacitor connected to a microcomputer voltage wiring is downsized. A series regulator on an electronic control unit for automotive includes a battery as an in-vehicle power supply, a relay, an input side capacitor, a series regulator circuit, and an output side capacitor, and is connected to a microcomputer. The series regulator circuit includes an n-channel MOSFET, a gate voltage regulator circuit as an output control circuit of an FET, and a gate voltage holding capacitor. A capacitor GND voltage (gate voltage) is adjusted by the gate voltage regulator circuit to convert an input side capacitor voltage into an output side capacitor voltage, and supply a microcomputer current to the microcomputer.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2012Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Ayumu Hatanaka, Takuya Mayuzumi, Chihiro Sato, Yoshitaka Abe, Daisuke Sekine, Hirofumi Kurimoto
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Publication number: 20150224946Abstract: An in-vehicle power supply apparatus for supplying operating power to a microcomputer is configured such that the microcomputer can securely enter into a standby state in a case where a voltage supplied from an in-vehicle power source is interrupted. The in-vehicle power supply apparatus according to the invention generates a second voltage to be supplied to a control IC and the like other than the microcomputer and a third voltage to be supplied to the microcomputer, and, in a case where the second voltage is reduced, the in-vehicle power supply apparatus transmits a reset signal and bypasses the second voltage to an input of the third voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2013Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: Chihiro Sato, Hirofumi Kurimoto, Yoshitaka Tokunaga
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Publication number: 20140210393Abstract: A loss (generation of heat) is reduced in a capacitor precharge circuit, thereby reducing the size of the circuit. The capacitor precharge circuit according to the present invention divides a power supply voltage using a switched capacitor voltage divider circuit, thereby carrying out charging while suppressing a both-terminal voltage of the capacitor that is subject to the charging (refer to FIG. 1).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2012Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEM, LTD.Inventors: Nobuyasu Kanekawa, Ryoichi Kobayashi, Tomonobu Koseki, Chihiro Sato, Tomishige Yatsugi, Hirofumi Kurimoto
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Publication number: 20130049459Abstract: A capacitor connected to a microcomputer voltage wiring is downsized. A series regulator on an electronic control unit for automotive includes a battery as an in-vehicle power supply, a relay, an input side capacitor, a series regulator circuit, and an output side capacitor, and is connected to a microcomputer. The series regulator circuit includes an n-channel MOSFET, a gate voltage regulator circuit as an output control circuit of an FET, and a gate voltage holding capacitor. A capacitor GND voltage (gate voltage) is adjusted by the gate voltage regulator circuit to convert an input side capacitor voltage into an output side capacitor voltage, and supply a microcomputer current to the microcomputer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2012Publication date: February 28, 2013Inventors: Ayumu Hatanaka, Takuya Mayuzumi, Chihiro Sato, Yoshitaka Abe, Daisuke Sekine, Hirofumi Kurimoto
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Patent number: 8384240Abstract: When a highly accurate clock is received by a GPS radio wave from a GPS antenna, the highly accurate clock is always generated by locking a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit within a hold-over section of a clock control section in a power supply control unit. When the GPS radio wave cannot be received normally, the highly accurate clock depending on the GPS radio wave is set to a self-running condition not depending on a self-oscillation clock from an internal clock generating section and a time management section automatically corrects the present time data obtained when the standard radio wave is received from a radio wave antenna based on the highly accurate clock. A primary voltage generating section continuously generates the highly accurate clock even when an ignition switch is turned OFF by avoiding voltage variation in battery voltages while the ignition switch is turned ON.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Chihiro Sato, Hirofumi Kurimoto
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Patent number: 8188712Abstract: There is a need for improving switching regulator characteristics and providing a stable power supply controller. The power supply controller uses a battery and either or both functions of stepping up and stepping down a battery voltage. The power supply controller includes a means that prevents a ripple voltage from occurring by stopping the up conversion function for a switching operation in connection with a battery during a predetermined period without changing conditions for a conventional switching device or smoothing circuit and fast stabilizes a primary voltage using only the down conversion function.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2008Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Chihiro Sato, Mitsuhiko Watanabe, Ko Moriya, Hirofumi Kurimoto
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Patent number: 8045311Abstract: A load driving and diagnosis system controls the feed and block of a load current flowing into an inductor such as a solenoid. The load driving and diagnosis system holds a counter-electromotive force, which is developed when the load current is blocked, at a voltage higher than a supply voltage so that the load current will decay for a short time. When an overcurrent condition is established in the load driving and diagnosis system because of a short circuit to a power supply, a malfunction of a circuit or destruction thereof may take place. In addition to a voltage holding means that holds a switching circuit output voltage at a predetermined voltage, a voltage holding means having a different predetermined voltage set therein is included. Moreover, a selection switch that switches the predetermined voltages according to a detected overcurrent condition is included.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2008Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuhiko Watanabe, Chihiro Sato, Ryoichi Oura, Hirofumi Kurimoto, Koichi Ono
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Publication number: 20110054708Abstract: When a highly accurate clock is received by a GPS radio wave from a GPS antenna, the highly accurate clock is always generated by locking a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit within a hold-over section of a clock control section in a power supply control unit. When the GPS radio wave cannot be received normally, the highly accurate clock depending on the GPS radio wave is set to a self-running condition not depending on a self-oscillation clock from an internal clock generating section and a time management section automatically corrects the present time data obtained when the standard radio wave is received from a radio wave antenna based on the highly accurate clock. A primary voltage generating section continuously generates the highly accurate clock even when an ignition switch is turned OFF by avoiding voltage variation in battery voltages while the ignition switch is turned ON.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Chihiro Sato, Hirofumi Kurimoto
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Publication number: 20090174980Abstract: A load driving and diagnosis system controls the feed and block of a load current flowing into an inductor such as a solenoid. The load driving and diagnosis system holds a counter-electromotive force, which is developed when the load current is blocked, at a voltage higher than a supply voltage so that the load current will decay for a short time. When an overcurrent condition is established in the load driving and diagnosis system because of a short circuit to a power supply, a malfunction of a circuit or destruction thereof may take place. In addition to a voltage holding means that holds a switching circuit output voltage at a predetermined voltage, a voltage holding means having a different predetermined voltage set therein is included. Moreover, a selection switch that switches the predetermined voltages according to a detected overcurrent condition is included.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2008Publication date: July 9, 2009Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuhiko Watanabe, Chihiro Sato, Ryoichi Oura, Hirofumi Kurimoto, Koichi Ono
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Publication number: 20090153118Abstract: There is a need for improving switching regulator characteristics and providing a stable power supply controller. The power supply controller uses a battery and either or both functions of stepping up and stepping down a battery voltage. The power supply controller includes a means that prevents a ripple voltage from occurring by stopping the up conversion function for a switching operation in connection with a battery during a predetermined period without changing conditions for a conventional switching device or smoothing circuit and fast stabilizes a primary voltage using only the down conversion function.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Chihiro Sato, Mitsuhiko Watanabe, Ko Moriya, Hirofumi Kurimoto