Patents by Inventor Hiroki Akashi

Hiroki Akashi 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: 12348078
    Abstract: A backup power supply system is designed to supply, when a power supply has caused a failure, power from a first electrical storage device to a plurality of loads. The plurality of loads includes a first load and a second load. The first load is connected to a first power supply line. The backup power supply system includes a backflow prevention switch provided between the first load and the second load on the first power supply line and making the first power supply line electrically conductive or non-conductive by turning ON and OFF. The backflow prevention switch includes an internal diode having an anode connected to one side including the first load and a cathode connected to the other side including the second load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuta Nagatomi, Masafumi Nakamura, Masatoshi Nakase, Hiroki Akashi, Kinya Kato
  • Patent number: 12316232
    Abstract: EMI noise is reduced and a component mounting area is suppressed, and downsizing of a power supply device is achieved. Power supply device includes transistor block, gate drive circuit block, and driver block. First gate terminal and second gate terminal are disposed on the same side as gate drive circuit block when viewed from a center of transistor block. Two output terminals are disposed on the same side as transistor block when viewed from a center of gate drive circuit block. At least a part of first drain terminal is included in a region sandwiched between first source terminal and second source terminal. Second drain terminal is disposed at a position deviating from an extension region that extends the region sandwiched between the first source terminal and the second source terminal beyond second source terminal as viewed from first drain terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeya Okuno, Manabu Yanagihara, Hiroki Akashi
  • Patent number: 12184118
    Abstract: A backup power supply control system includes: a first semiconductor switch that switches a main power supply line to an electrically conductive state or an electrically non-conductive state; and an auxiliary power supply switch that switches an auxiliary power supply line to the electrically conductive state or the electrically non-conductive state. A first driving unit controls, in a non-failure state, a second semiconductor switch, connected between a gate and source of a first semiconductor switch, OFF and thereby controls the first semiconductor switch ON. The first driving unit ensures, in the failure state, at least a gate-plateau voltage of the first semiconductor switch as a drive voltage for the second semiconductor switch. When a failure detection unit detects the failure state, the first driving unit controls the first semiconductor switch OFF by controlling the second semiconductor switch ON and a second driving unit controls the auxiliary power supply switch ON.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Akashi, Masafumi Nakamura, Masatoshi Nakase, Yuta Nagatomi, Kinya Kato
  • Publication number: 20240313765
    Abstract: In a backup power supply system according to the present invention, in a non-defective state in which a main power supply is not defective, a controller turns on a first field-effect transistor and causes a third field-effect transistor to operate in an active region so as to charge the power storage device from the main power supply via a charging path through the first field-effect transistor, the second field-effect transistor, and the third field-effect transistor. In a defective state in which the main power supply is defective, the controller turns off the first field-effect transistor and turns on the second field-effect transistor and the third field-effect transistor so as to supply power from the power storage device to the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: HIROKI AKASHI, YOHSUKE MITANI, YUTA NAGATOMI, MASAFUMI NAKAMURA, MASATOSHI NAKASE, KINYA KATO, YASUHIRO IIJIMA
  • Patent number: 12074516
    Abstract: A switch circuit is configured of a first semiconductor element and a second semiconductor element connected in series, and receives a DC voltage of 100 V or more. The drive circuit causes the first semiconductor element or the second semiconductor element to perform a switching operation. The isolated power supply circuit converts a predetermined power supply voltage into an isolated first power supply voltage, and outputs the first power supply voltage to the drive circuit. The isolation signal converter converts a first signal of 6 MHz or more into an isolated first drive signal, and outputs the first drive signal to the drive circuit. The single substrate mounts the isolated power supply circuit and the isolation signal converter. Both the first semiconductor element and the second semiconductor element are wide bandgap semiconductor elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Akashi, Takuya Ishii, Yoshihito Kawakami, Kazuhiro Yahata, Takeshi Azuma, Yoshihisa Minami
  • Publication number: 20240275202
    Abstract: A backup power supply system (1) includes a first terminal (T1), a second terminal (T2), a disconnect device (10), a current detector (20), a charge/discharge device (30), an auxiliary power supply (40), and a controller (50). The disconnect device (10) is connected between the first terminal (T1) configured to be connected to a main power supply (2) and the second terminal (T2) configured to be connected to a load (3). The charge/discharge device (30) is connected between the auxiliary power supply (40) and a node (P1) between the disconnect device (10) and the second terminal (T2). The charge/discharge device (30) is configured to receive power supplied from main power supply (2) to cause a charging current to flow to the auxiliary power supply (40) in a non-defective state in which the main power supply (2) is not defective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: YUTA NAGATOMI, MASAFUMI NAKAMURA, MASATOSHI NAKASE, HIROKI AKASHI, KINYA KATO
  • Publication number: 20240106265
    Abstract: A backup power supply control system includes: a first semiconductor switch that switches a main power supply line to an electrically conductive state or an electrically non-conductive state; and an auxiliary power supply switch that switches an auxiliary power supply line to the electrically conductive state or the electrically non-conductive state. A first driving unit controls, in a non-failure state, a second semiconductor switch, connected between a gate and source of a first semiconductor switch, OFF and thereby controls the first semiconductor switch ON. The first driving unit ensures, in the failure state, at least a gate-plateau voltage of the first semiconductor switch as a drive voltage for the second semiconductor switch. When a failure detection unit detects the failure state, the first driving unit controls the first semiconductor switch OFF by controlling the second semiconductor switch ON and a second driving unit controls the auxiliary power supply switch ON.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Hiroki AKASHI, Masafumi NAKAMURA, Masatoshi NAKASE, Yuta NAGATOMI, Kinya KATO
  • Publication number: 20240079886
    Abstract: An electrical storage device control system includes a plurality of electrical storage devices and a plurality of charger circuits. The plurality of electrical storage devices are charged by a main power supply. The plurality of charger circuits are connected between the main power supply and the plurality of electrical storage devices. A mode of connection between the plurality of electrical storage devices being charged is switched to either a first connection mode or a second connection mode, depending on a voltage difference between an input voltage for the main power supply and a charging voltage based on respective voltages at the plurality of electrical storage devices. In the first connection mode, the plurality of electrical storage devices are connected together in series. In the second connection mode, the plurality of electrical storage devices are connected in parallel to the main power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Kinya KATO, Yuta NAGATOMI, Masafumi NAKAMURA, Masatoshi NAKASE, Hiroki AKASHI
  • Publication number: 20230420981
    Abstract: A backup power supply system is designed to supply, when a power supply has caused a failure, power from a first electrical storage device to a plurality of loads. The plurality of loads includes a first load and a second load. The first load is connected to a first power supply line. The backup power supply system includes a backflow prevention switch provided between the first load and the second load on the first power supply line and making the first power supply line electrically conductive or non-conductive by turning ON and OFF. The backflow prevention switch includes an internal diode having an anode connected to one side including the first load and a cathode connected to the other side including the second load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Yuta NAGATOMI, Masafumi NAKAMURA, Masatoshi NAKASE, Hiroki AKASHI, Kinya KATO
  • Patent number: 11749578
    Abstract: The semiconductor module includes: a heat dissipation board including first to third wiring patterns; a first metal plate on the first wiring pattern, a second metal plate on the second wiring pattern, a first semiconductor chip and a first intermediate board which are on the first metal plate, a second semiconductor chip and a second intermediate board which are on the second metal plate. A first metal film on the first intermediate board is electrically connected to the first semiconductor chip and the second metal plate, and a second metal film on the second intermediate board is electrically connected to the second semiconductor chip and the third wiring pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Takahashi, Kazuhiro Yahata, Yoshihisa Minami, Hiroki Akashi, Shinya Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20230024780
    Abstract: A switch circuit is configured of a first semiconductor element and a second semiconductor element connected in series, and receives a DC voltage of 100 V or more. The drive circuit causes the first semiconductor element or the second semiconductor element to perform a switching operation. The isolated power supply circuit converts a predetermined power supply voltage into an isolated first power supply voltage, and outputs the first power supply voltage to the drive circuit. The isolation signal converter converts a first signal of 6 MHz or more into an isolated first drive signal, and outputs the first drive signal to the drive circuit. The single substrate mounts the isolated power supply circuit and the isolation signal converter. Both the first semiconductor element and the second semiconductor element are wide bandgap semiconductor elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: HIROKI AKASHI, TAKUYA ISHII, YOSHIHITO KAWAKAMI, KAZUHIRO YAHATA, TAKESHI AZUMA, YOSHIHISA MINAMI
  • Publication number: 20230022728
    Abstract: EMI noise is reduced and a component mounting area is suppressed, and downsizing of a power supply device is achieved. Power supply device includes transistor block, gate drive circuit block, and driver block. First gate terminal and second gate terminal are disposed on the same side as gate drive circuit block when viewed from a center of transistor block. Two output terminals are disposed on the same side as transistor block when viewed from a center of gate drive circuit block. At least a part of first drain terminal is included in a region sandwiched between first source terminal and second source terminal. Second drain terminal is disposed at a position deviating from an extension region that extends the region sandwiched between the first source terminal and the second source terminal beyond second source terminal as viewed from first drain terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: TAKEYA OKUNO, MANABU YANAGIHARA, HIROKI AKASHI
  • Publication number: 20220139797
    Abstract: The semiconductor module includes: a heat dissipation board including first to third wiring patterns; a first metal plate on the first wiring pattern, a second metal plate on the second wiring pattern, a first semiconductor chip and a first intermediate board which are on the first metal plate, a second semiconductor chip and a second intermediate board which are on the second metal plate. A first metal film on the first intermediate board is electrically connected to the first semiconductor chip and the second metal plate, and a second metal film on the second intermediate board is electrically connected to the second semiconductor chip and the third wiring pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Koji TAKAHASHI, Kazuhiro YAHATA, Yoshihisa MINAMI, Hiroki AKASHI, Shinya MIYAZAKI
  • Patent number: 7592792
    Abstract: There are provided an inductive load current control circuit for detecting and controlling a current flowing to an inductive load with high accuracy, and a power supply. The inductive load current control circuit includes first and second switch elements connected in series between an input voltage and a ground potential, an inductive load connected to a connection point between the first and second switch elements, a third switch element having one terminal connected to the connection point between the first and second switch elements, a current comparator connected to another terminal of the third switch element to compare an output current of the third switch element with a reference current, decide and output a magnitude relation, and a switch element control circuit that controls transition from a state in which the second switch element is turned on to a state in which the first switch element is turned on according to an output of the current comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Ryu, Hiroki Akashi, Takuya Ishii, Hiroshi Saito
  • Patent number: 7550957
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a DC-DC converter, in which the relationship between the duty ratio of a drive signal and the output DC voltage is nonlinear, being characterized in that the relationship between an error signal and the output DC voltage is linear, and that the design of stabilizing the feedback system is facilitated. The DC-DC converter comprises an error-amplifier circuit for generating the error signal that is obtained by amplifying the error between the output and a target value, an oscillating circuit for generating a triangular wave signal having an amplitude corresponding to the error signal, and a comparison circuit for comparing the triangular wave signal with a reference signal having a predetermined value and for generating the drive signal to turn ON/OFF a switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Ishii, Hiroki Akashi, Makoto Ishimaru, Yoshiyuki Konishi
  • Patent number: 7541859
    Abstract: For downsizing a charge pump circuit which selects a voltage multiple ratio, converts its input voltage and outputs the converted voltage, the number of switching devices of the charge pump circuit is reduced. The control circuit of the charge pump circuit is configured to carry out switching control for multiple switching devices and charge/discharge at least a first capacitor and a second capacitor so as to have at least a 2Vi mode for alternately repeating a first state and a second state, and a 1.5Vi mode for alternately repeating a third state and a fourth state, thereby carrying out boosting depending on the detected input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Akashi, Takuya Ishii, Yoshiyuki Konishi, Makoto Ishimaru
  • Patent number: 7482789
    Abstract: A step-up converter includes an inductor which receives input voltage Vi at one end, a first FET of the first conduction type which functions as a switch for determining whether or not energy is accumulated in the inductor, a second FET of the second conduction type which rectifies a current output from the other end of the inductor, an output capacitor having an end connected to the source of the second FET, a current detection circuit, and a feedback control circuit. The current detection circuit detects a current flowing through the first N-channel FET to output current detection signal Vc. The feedback control circuit controls the operations of the first N-channel FET and a P-channel FET based on current detection signal Vc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Mikio Motomori, Takuya Ishii, Takashi Ryu, Hiroki Akashi, Hirohisa Tanabe, Makoto Ishimaru, Tomoya Shigemi
  • Publication number: 20080290851
    Abstract: A power supply has a soft-start function capable of raising its output DC voltage without generating overshoot even when its load condition is set light at the start-up. The power supply comprises an error amplifier for outputting an error signal corresponding to the error between the output DC voltage and the target value thereof, a control section for adjusting power to be supplied to the load on the basis of this error signal, and a limiting circuit for limiting the voltage of the error signal to a predetermined level for a predetermined time after the output DC voltage at the start-up exceeds a predetermined value being set less than the target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Akashi, Takuya Ishii
  • Publication number: 20080273354
    Abstract: There are provided an inductive load current control circuit for detecting and controlling a current flowing to an inductive load with high accuracy, and a power supply. The inductive load current control circuit includes first and second switch elements connected in series between an input voltage and a ground potential, an inductive load connected to a connection point between the first and second switch elements, a third switch element having one terminal connected to the connection point between the first and second switch elements, a current comparator connected to another terminal of the third switch element to compare an output current of the third switch element with a reference current, decide and output a magnitude relation, and a switch element control circuit that controls transition from a state in which the second switch element is turned on to a state in which the first switch element is turned on according to an output of the current comparator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Takashi Ryu, Hiroki Akashi, Takuya Ishii, Hiroshi Saito
  • Patent number: 7391199
    Abstract: In a DC-DC converter conforming to the current mode control system, in which the valley value of an inductor current is controlled for output control, a current detection circuit 6 is configured to detect the current flowing from a low-side FET 2 to an inductor 3 using an FET 60, an NPN transistor 61, an NPN transistor 62, a PNP transistor 64, a PNP transistor 65 and a resistor 66, to detect the current flowing from the inductor 3 to the low-side FET 2 using an FET 67, a differential amplifier 68, an FET 69 and the resistor 66, and to output a current detection signal Vc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Akashi, Takashi Ryu, Takuya Ishii, Mikio Motomori, Hirohisa Tanabe, Makoto Ishimaru, Tomoya Shigemi