Patents by Inventor Hiroki KITOH

Hiroki KITOH 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: 20240039028
    Abstract: An assembled battery includes a plurality of battery cells stacked in a first direction, each battery cell including a terminal on a surface facing a second direction that intersects the first direction, and a busbar being welded to the terminal. A manufacturing device includes: a plurality of pressing pieces arranged along the first direction, a tip of each of the pressing pieces in the second direction facing the respective terminal with the busbar interposed between the pressing piece and the terminal; a rotor that extends along the first direction and that is rotated by an actuator, the rotor being engaged with the pressing pieces and being configured to press the pressing pieces against the busbars when rotated about an axis; and a welder that welds the busbars and the terminals. The welder welds the busbars to the terminals while the rotor presses the busbars against the terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shintaro MIYATA, Yoshinori SHIBATA, Tomo FUKAMI, Hiroki KITOH
  • Patent number: 10374245
    Abstract: In an manufacturing apparatus, a belt-shaped electrolyte polymer is conveyed in a state disposed to a back sheet. A first reinforcement membrane is conveyed in a state disposed to a back sheet, and, in a first sticking section, stuck with the belt-shaped electrolyte polymer. In a first thermocompression bonding section, the belt-shaped electrolyte polymer and the first reinforcement membrane are thermally compressed. At this time, a molten electrolyte polymer reaches between the first reinforcement membrane and the back sheet thereof, and the first adhesiveness between the first reinforcement membrane and the back sheet thereof becomes higher than the second adhesiveness between the belt-shaped electrolyte polymer and the back sheet thereof. A first peel section peels, in this state, the back sheet from the belt-shaped electrolyte polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Kitoh, Hiroshi Harada, Noritoshi Oka
  • Patent number: 10197503
    Abstract: A film inspection device is equipped with a first fixed roll, a second fixed roll, a first moving roll, and a second moving roll. The first and second fixed rolls stretch an electrolyte film, which includes a part that is irradiated with light between first and second driving rolls, from one surface side thereof. The first moving roll stretches the electrolyte film from the other surface side thereof. The second moving roll stretches the electrolyte film from the other surface side thereof. The second moving roll is moved such that a conveyance path of the electrolyte film between the second driving roll and the second fixed roll becomes short, while the first moving roll is moved such that the conveyance path of the electrolyte film between the first driving roll and the first fixed roll becomes long.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroki Kitoh
  • Publication number: 20180100809
    Abstract: A film inspection device is equipped with a first fixed roll, a second fixed roll, a first moving roll, and a second moving roll. The first and second fixed rolls stretch an electrolyte film, which includes a part that is irradiated with light between first and second driving rolls, from one surface side thereof. The first moving roll stretches the electrolyte film from the other surface side thereof. The second moving roll stretches the electrolyte film from the other surface side thereof. The second moving roll is moved such that a conveyance path of the electrolyte film between the second driving roll and the second fixed roll becomes short, while the first moving roll is moved such that the conveyance path of the electrolyte film between the first driving roll and the first fixed roll becomes long.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroki KITOH
  • Publication number: 20160093908
    Abstract: In an manufacturing apparatus, a belt-shaped electrolyte polymer is conveyed in a state disposed to a back sheet. A first reinforcement membrane is conveyed in a state disposed to a back sheet, and, in a first sticking section, stuck with the belt-shaped electrolyte polymer. In a first thermocompression bonding section, the belt-shaped electrolyte polymer and the first reinforcement membrane are thermally compressed. At this time, a molten electrolyte polymer reaches between the first reinforcement membrane and the back sheet thereof, and the first adhesiveness between the first reinforcement membrane and the back sheet thereof becomes higher than the second adhesiveness between the belt-shaped electrolyte polymer and the back sheet thereof. A first peel section peels, in this state, the back sheet from the belt-shaped electrolyte polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki KITOH, Hiroshi HARADA, Noritoshi OKA