Patents by Inventor Hirofumi Yudahira
Hirofumi Yudahira 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: 7710120Abstract: An abnormal voltage detector apparatus is provided for an assembled battery including a plurality of battery blocks connected in series to each other. In the abnormal voltage detector apparatus, a detecting part detects whether or not each of the battery blocks is in a voltage abnormality state by comparing either one of a voltage of each battery block and each battery measuring voltage, that is a voltage lowered from the voltage of each battery block, with a predetermined reference voltage, generates each of abnormality detecting signals containing information about a detected result, calculates a time ratio of a time interval, for which the assembled battery is in a voltage abnormality state, to a predetermined time interval, based on the abnormality detecting signals, and detects a voltage abnormality of the assembled battery based on a calculated time ratio.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2009Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hirofumi Yudahira, Toshiaki Nakanishi
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Publication number: 20090174411Abstract: An abnormal voltage detector apparatus is provided for an assembled battery including a plurality of battery blocks connected in series to each other. In the abnormal voltage detector apparatus, a detecting part detects whether or not each of the battery blocks is in a voltage abnormality state by comparing either one of a voltage of each battery block and each battery measuring voltage, that is a voltage lowered from the voltage of each battery block, with a predetermined reference voltage, generates each of abnormality detecting signals containing information about a detected result, calculates a time ratio of a time interval, for which the assembled battery is in a voltage abnormality state, to a predetermined time interval, based on the abnormality detecting signals, and detects a voltage abnormality of the assembled battery based on a calculated time ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2009Publication date: July 9, 2009Applicant: PANASONIC EV ENERGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Hirofumi YUDAHIRA, Toshiaki NAKANISHI
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Patent number: 7557585Abstract: An abnormal voltage detection apparatus is provided for an assembled battery including a plurality of battery blocks connected in series to each other. In the abnormal voltage detection apparatus, each of a plurality of signal detectors is provided in each of battery blocks. Each of the signal detectors detects voltage abnormality or normality in each battery block based on a voltage of each battery block, generates an abnormality detecting signal containing information about the detected voltage abnormality or normality, and outputs the abnormality detecting signal. A signal generator generates an abnormality detecting information signal containing information about whether or not any of the battery blocks in the voltage abnormality is present based on the abnormality detecting signals. A transmission device has an input terminal pair and an output terminal pair which are electrically insulated from each other, and transmits the abnormality detecting information signal to an external apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2005Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hirofumi Yudahira
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Patent number: 7521896Abstract: An abnormal voltage detector apparatus is provided for an assembled battery including a plurality of battery blocks connected in series to each other. In the abnormal voltage detector apparatus, a detecting part detects whether or not each of the battery blocks is in a voltage abnormality state by comparing either one of a voltage of each battery block and each battery measuring voltage, that is a voltage lowered from the voltage of each battery block, with a predetermined reference voltage, generates each of abnormality detecting signals containing information about a detected result, calculates a time ratio of a time interval, for which the assembled battery is in a voltage abnormality state, to a predetermined time interval, based on the abnormality detecting signals, and detects a voltage abnormality of the assembled battery based on a calculated time ratio.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2005Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hirofumi Yudahira, Toshiaki Nakanishi
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Patent number: 7388351Abstract: A small and low-cost capacity equalizing apparatus for equalizing the capacities of battery blocks constituting an assembled battery, each battery block comprising one or multiple secondary batteries and the battery blocks being connected in series. The capacity equalizing apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises an assembled battery, n discharge devices and a controller. The assembled battery has a configuration wherein n battery blocks (n is a positive integer of 2 or more), each comprising one or multiple secondary batteries, are connected in series. The n discharge devices, each connected across the positive and negative electrode terminals of each of the n battery blocks, discharge the secondary batteries inside the respective battery blocks. The controller has a first control section to which the battery blocks are electrically connected and a second control section electrically insulated from the first control section.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2005Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hirofumi Yudahira
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Patent number: 7242196Abstract: A power supply controller apparatus is provided for use in a power supply apparatus including a battery assembly. The power supply controller apparatus includes a controller that controls supplying power to a load from said battery assembly through a capacitor connected between first and second contactors by turning on and off each of contactors. The controller detects whether or not each contactor is welded based on an output signal from one output terminal of both ends of the capacitor, when the each contactor is controlled to be turned off and an AC signal is applied to one input terminal of (a) one end of the battery assembly, (b) the other end of the battery assembly, and (c) each connection point between secondary batteries of the battery assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2005Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hirofumi Yudahira, Yasushi Matsukawa
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Publication number: 20060071618Abstract: A power supply controller apparatus is provided for use in a power supply apparatus including a battery assembly. The power supply controller apparatus includes a controller that controls supplying power to a load from said battery assembly through a capacitor connected between first and second contactors by turning on and off each of contactors. The controller detects whether or not each contactor is welded based on an output signal from one output terminal of both ends of the capacitor, when the each contactor is controlled to be turned off and an AC signal is applied to one input terminal of (a) one end of the battery assembly, (b) the other end of the battery assembly, and (c) each connection point between secondary batteries of the battery assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2005Publication date: April 6, 2006Inventors: Hirofumi Yudahira, Yasushi Matsukawa
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Publication number: 20060028179Abstract: An abnormal voltage detector apparatus is provided for an assembled battery including a plurality of battery blocks connected in series to each other. In the abnormal voltage detector apparatus, a detecting part detects whether or not each of the battery blocks is in a voltage abnormality state by comparing either one of a voltage of each battery block and each battery measuring voltage, that is a voltage lowered from the voltage of each battery block, with a predetermined reference voltage, generates each of abnormality detecting signals containing information about a detected result, calculates a time ratio of a time interval, for which the assembled battery is in a voltage abnormality state, to a predetermined time interval, based on the abnormality detecting signals, and detects a voltage abnormality of the assembled battery based on a calculated time ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2005Publication date: February 9, 2006Applicant: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hirofumi Yudahira, Toshiaki Nakanishi
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Publication number: 20060001403Abstract: An abnormal voltage detection apparatus is provided for an assembled battery including a plurality of battery blocks connected in series to each other. In the abnormal voltage detection apparatus, each of a plurality of signal detectors is provided in each of battery blocks. Each of the signal detectors detects voltage abnormality or normality in each battery block based on a voltage of each battery block, generates an abnormality detecting signal containing information about the detected voltage abnormality or normality, and outputs the abnormality detecting signal. A signal generator generates an abnormality detecting information signal containing information about whether or not any of the battery blocks in the voltage abnormality is present based on the abnormality detecting signals. A transmission device has an input terminal pair and an output terminal pair which are electrically insulated from each other, and transmits the abnormality detecting information signal to an external apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2005Publication date: January 5, 2006Applicant: PANASONIC EV ENERGY CO., LTD.Inventor: Hirofumi Yudahira
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Publication number: 20050269990Abstract: A small and low-cost capacity equalizing apparatus for equalizing the capacities of battery blocks constituting an assembled battery, each battery block comprising one or multiple secondary batteries and the battery blocks being connected in series. The capacity equalizing apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises an assembled battery, n discharge devices and a controller. The assembled battery has a configuration wherein n battery blocks (n is a positive integer of 2 or more), each comprising one or multiple secondary batteries, are connected in series. The n discharge devices, each connected across the positive and negative electrode terminals of each of the n battery blocks, discharge the secondary batteries inside the respective battery blocks. The controller has a first control section to which the battery blocks are electrically connected and a second control section electrically insulated from the first control section.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2005Publication date: December 8, 2005Applicant: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hirofumi Yudahira
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Patent number: 6919726Abstract: A leakage detection apparatus is provided, capable of performing high-speed leakage detection during startup of a motor-vehicle such as an HEV.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2002Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hirofumi Yudahira
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Publication number: 20050012506Abstract: A leakage detection apparatus is provided, capable of performing high-speed leakage detection during startup of a motor-vehicle such as an HEV.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2002Publication date: January 20, 2005Inventor: Hirofumi Yudahira
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Patent number: 6762590Abstract: A plurality of battery pack blocks connected in series-parallel have their operation states monitored by battery ECUs, respectively based on detected voltage, current, and temperature. Detection outputs by current sensors provided at the charge/discharge circuits of the battery pack blocks are added up for the parallel-connected battery pack blocks in an analog data state before A/D conversion, so that the total charge/discharge current in the battery power source device is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hirofumi Yudahira
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Patent number: 6677758Abstract: A multiplex voltage measurement apparatus includes: (N+1) voltage detection terminals connected to N serially connected voltage sources; a capacitor which is charged with a voltage value of any of the N voltage sources; a first sample switch for selectively connecting odd-numbered voltage detection terminals among the (N+1) voltage detection terminals to a first terminal of the capacitor; a second sample switch for selectively connecting even-numbered voltage detection terminals among the (N+1) voltage detection terminals to a second terminal of the capacitor; a voltage measurement circuit for measuring the voltage value stored in the capacitor; a third sample switch for connecting the first terminal and the second terminal of the capacitor to the voltage measurement circuit; and a polarity controller for controlling the first and second sample switches such that one of the N voltage sources is selected while the third sample switch is open.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2003Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ichiro Maki, Hirofumi Yudahira
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Patent number: 6664761Abstract: A battery voltage detection device includes: a plurality of (N+1) voltage detection terminals connected to the plurality of N battery blocks; a first plurality of switches each having an inter-terminal capacitance, the plurality of switches being connected to the respective voltage detection terminals connected to the battery blocks; a second switch having an inter-terminal capacitance, to which the first plurality of switches are collectively connected, the first plurality of switches being connected to odd-numbered voltage detection terminals; a third switch having an inter-terminal capacitance, to which the first plurality of switches are collectively connected; a pair of fourth switches connected in series to the second switch and the third switch; and a capacitor provided between the connection point of the second switch and one of the fourth switches, and the connection point of the third switch and the other of the fourth switches.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2002Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirofumi Yudahira, Naohisa Morimoto
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Patent number: 6639408Abstract: A battery voltage measurement device includes: a plurality of first switching sections, wherein each pair of adjacent first switching sections sequentially selects two output terminals of each of a plurality of battery blocks included in a battery pack; a level change section for changing a level of a battery voltage of each battery block which is input to the level change section via the first switching section; an A/D conversion section for performing an A/D conversion of battery voltage data output from the level change section; and a reference voltage control section for controlling an output of a reference voltage of the level change section according to the polarity of the voltage input to the level change section.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirofumi Yudahira, Ichiro Maki, Naohisa Morimoto
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Patent number: 6639409Abstract: A battery voltage measurement device includes: a plurality of first switching sections, wherein each pair of adjacent first switching sections sequentially selects two output terminals of each of a plurality of battery blocks included in a battery pack so that each of the selected output terminals are connected to one of a pair of conductor wires; a voltage detection section for detecting a battery voltage of each of the plurality of battery blocks via the pair of conductor wires; and second switch sections each being provided on a respective one of the pair of conductor lines and being serially connected to each group of the plurality of first switch sections connected in parallel to one of the pair of conductor lines.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naohisa Morimoto, Ichiro Maki, Hirofumi Yudahira
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Publication number: 20030189419Abstract: A multiplex voltage measurement apparatus includes: (N+1) voltage detection terminals connected to N serially connected voltage sources; a capacitor which is charged with a voltage value of any of the N voltage sources; a first sample switch for selectively connecting odd-numbered voltage detection terminals among the (N+1) voltage detection terminals to a first terminal of the capacitor; a second sample switch for selectively connecting even-numbered voltage detection terminals among the (N+1) voltage detection terminals to a second terminal of the capacitor; a voltage measurement circuit for measuring the voltage value stored in the capacitor; a third sample switch for connecting the first terminal and the second terminal of the capacitor to the voltage measurement circuit; and a polarity controller for controlling the first and second sample switches such that one of the N voltage sources is selected while the third sample switch is open.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2003Publication date: October 9, 2003Inventors: Ichiro Maki, Hirofumi Yudahira
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Publication number: 20030102871Abstract: A plurality of battery pack blocks connected in series-parallel have their operation states monitored by battery ECUs, respectively based on detected voltage, current, and temperature. Detection outputs by current sensors provided at the charge/discharge circuits of the battery pack blocks are added up for the parallel-connected battery pack blocks in an analog data state before A/D conversion, so that the total charge/discharge current in the battery power source device is obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2002Publication date: June 5, 2003Applicant: PANASONIC EV ENERGY CO., LTD.Inventor: Hirofumi Yudahira
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Patent number: 6570387Abstract: A multiplex voltage measurement apparatus includes: (N+1) voltage detection terminals connected to N serially connected voltage sources; a capacitor which is charged with a voltage value of any of the N voltage sources; a first sample switch for selectively connecting odd-numbered voltage detection terminals among the (N+1) voltage detection terminals to a first terminal of the capacitor; a second sample switch for selectively connecting even-numbered voltage detection terminals among the (N+1) voltage detection terminals to a second terminal of the capacitor; a voltage measurement circuit for measuring the voltage value stored in the capacitor; a third sample switch for connecting the first terminal and the second terminal of the capacitor to the voltage measurement circuit; and a polarity controller for controlling the first and second sample switches such that one of the N voltage sources is selected while the third sample switch is open.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ichiro Maki, Hirofumi Yudahira