Patents by Inventor Hiromichi Agata

Hiromichi Agata 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: 10259310
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device that includes a body case that accommodates at least the rotary electric machine; an inverter case joined to the body case; and an inverter case cover joined to the inverter case; wherein an inverter housing that accommodates the inverter device is formed in a space enclosed by at least the inverter case; wherein a connection terminal electrically connecting the rotary electric machine and the inverter device is disposed in the inverter housing; wherein the case outer wall is formed by a first outer wall, a second outer wall, and the inverter case cover, the first outer wall being an outer wall of the body case, the second outer wall being an outer wall of the inverter case; and wherein a supply port and a discharge port for liquid refrigerant for cooling the inverter device are formed on the second outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Agata, Tatsuyuki Uechi, Tomoyuki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20170232831
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device that includes a body case that accommodates at least the rotary electric machine; an inverter case joined to the body case; and an inverter case cover joined to the inverter case; wherein an inverter housing that accommodates the inverter device is formed in a space enclosed by at least the inverter case; wherein a connection terminal electrically connecting the rotary electric machine and the inverter device is disposed in the inverter housing; wherein the case outer wall is formed by a first outer wall, a second outer wall, and the inverter case cover, the first outer wall being an outer wall of the body case, the second outer wall being an outer wall of the inverter case; and wherein a supply port and a discharge port for liquid refrigerant for cooling the inverter device are formed on the second outer wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiromichi AGATA, Tatsuyuki UECHI, Tomoyuki SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 9571026
    Abstract: An inverter apparatus that includes an inverter that is interposed between an AC rotary electric machine and both a DC power supply and a smoothing capacitor and that includes a plurality of switching elements; a controller that controls driving of the plurality of switching elements; and a current sensor that detects a current flowing through a wire connecting the DC power supply and the inverter together, wherein the controller determines whether or not to stop driving of all of the plurality of switching elements based on the current detected by the current sensor while the AC rotary electric machine is caused to perform a regenerative operation of generating power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Agata, Kazuo Aoki, Yasushi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9358870
    Abstract: The overall outer shape of a vehicle drive device including an inverter device is reduced in size. An input member and a rotating electrical machine are arranged side by side on a first axis, and a differential gear unit is placed on a second axis. An inverter device is located so as to overlap the differential gear unit as viewed in a radial direction, and is located between a second reference line that extends perpendicularly to a first reference line passing through the first axis and the second axis and that passes through the first axis and a third reference line that extends perpendicularly to the first reference line and that passes the second axis, as viewed in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Hotta, Tatsuyuki Uechi, Hiromichi Agata, Kazuo Aoki, Tatsuya Kondo, Manabu Miyazawa
  • Publication number: 20160134221
    Abstract: An inverter apparatus that includes an inverter that is interposed between an AC rotary electric machine and both a DC power supply and a smoothing capacitor and that includes a plurality of switching elements; a controller that controls driving of the plurality of switching elements; and a current sensor that detects a current flowing through a wire connecting the DC power supply and the inverter together, wherein the controller determines whether or not to stop driving of all of the plurality of switching elements based on the current detected by the current sensor while the AC rotary electric machine is caused to perform a regenerative operation of generating power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Agata, Kazuo Aoki, Yasushi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20150251531
    Abstract: The overall outer shape of a vehicle drive device including an inverter device is reduced in size. An input member and a rotating electrical machine are arranged side by side on a first axis, and a differential gear unit is placed on a second axis. An inverter device is located so as to overlap the differential gear unit as viewed in a radial direction, and is located between a second reference line that extends perpendicularly to a first reference line passing through the first axis and the second axis and that passes through the first axis and a third reference line that extends perpendicularly to the first reference line and that passes the second axis, as viewed in an axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Yutaka Hotta, Tatsuyuki Uechi, Hiromichi Agata, Kazuo Aoki, Tatsuya Kondo, Manabu Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 8444518
    Abstract: A drive device includes: an input shaft connected to an engine; a first motor-generator; a second motor-generator; a planetary gear unit including three rotating elements; an output gear connected to the planetary gear unit; an output shaft that transmits rotation of the output gear to a driving wheel; and a control device that controls at least one of the first and second motor-generator. The output gear, the planetary gear unit, and the first motor-generator are coaxial with the input shaft. The planetary gear unit is provided radially inside the first motor-generator and is provided at the same position as the first motor-generator in the axial direction. The second motor-generator is provided on an axis different from the input shaft and the output shaft axes. The control device is provided on the side of the output gear, the planetary gear unit, and the first motor-generator that is opposite the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Tanae, Tomoo Atarashi, Natsuki Sada, Tomohiko Ito, Manabu Miyazawa, Hiromichi Agata, Tatsuyuki Uechi
  • Patent number: 8195374
    Abstract: A control device for a motor that drives a vehicle and controls the motor by controlling an inverter device that converts a direct voltage, supplied from a direct current source, into an alternating voltage to be supplied to the motor, the control device having a refrigerant temperature detector that detects a refrigerant temperature of a heat exchanger for heat exchange with the inverter device, and a torque restrictor that restricts an output torque of the motor when the inverter device is put in a predetermined state, wherein the torque restrictor changes restrictions on the output torque on the basis of the refrigerant temperature detected by the refrigerant temperature detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Suzuki, Hiromichi Agata, Tatsuyuki Uechi
  • Patent number: 7972157
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical connection device that connects a rotating electrical machine and an inverter within a housing. The electrical connection device is configured with a first bus bar connected to a terminal of the rotating electrical machine such that the first bus bar that is insulated from the housing, and a second bus bar that is connected to a terminal of the inverter device such that the second bus bar is also insulated from the housing. An insulating connection member is configured to connect the first bus bar and the second bus bar. The first bus bar and second bus bar are housed within the housing such that they face each other to form a gap between them. The connection member is configured to pass through a wall of the housing so as to electrically connect the first and second bus bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Tanae, Tatsuyuki Uechi, Hiromichi Agata, Tomoo Atarashi
  • Publication number: 20110065298
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical connection device that connects a rotating electrical machine and an inverter within a housing. The electrical connection device is configured with a first bus bar connected to a terminal of the rotating electrical machine such that the first bus bar that is insulated from the housing, and a second bus bar that is connected to a terminal of the inverter device such that the second bus bar is also insulated from the housing. An insulating connection member is configured to connect the first bus bar and the second bus bar. The first bus bar and second bus bar are housed within the housing such that they face each other to form a gap between them. The connection member is configured to pass through a wall of the housing so as to electrically connect the first and second bus bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Tanae, Tatsuyuki Uechi, Hiromichi Agata, Tomoo Atarashi
  • Publication number: 20110039649
    Abstract: A drive device includes: an input shaft connected to an engine; a first motor-generator; a second motor-generator; a planetary gear unit including three rotating elements; an output gear connected to the planetary gear unit; an output shaft that transmits rotation of the output gear to a driving wheel; and a control device that controls at least one of the first and second motor-generator. The output gear, the planetary gear unit, and the first motor-generator are coaxial with the input shaft. The planetary gear unit is provided radially inside the first motor-generator and is provided at the same position as the first motor-generator in the axial direction. The second motor-generator is provided on an axis different from the input shaft and the output shaft axes. The control device is provided on the side of the output gear, the planetary gear unit, and the first motor-generator that is opposite the input shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Tanae, Tomoo Atarashi, Natsuki Sada, Tomohiko Ito, Manabu Miyazawa, Hiromichi Agata, Tatsuyuki Uechi
  • Patent number: 7819707
    Abstract: An electrical connection structure that includes a first connection portion of the connection member that is fixedly fastened to the first terminal by a fastening bolt, and a second connection portion of the connection member that is connected to the second terminal through an insertable/removable plug, the first connection portion is fixedly fastened to the first terminal by inserting the fastening bolt through an insertion hole provided in one of the connection member and the first terminal, and fastening the fastening bolt in a fastening hole provided in the other of the connection member and the first terminal, the insertion hole is formed larger than a diameter of a shaft-like portion of the fastening bolt, and an inserting/removing direction of the plug and an axial direction of the fastening bolt are substantially parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Aoki, Hiromichi Agata, Tatsuyuki Uechi, Tomoo Atarashi, Natsuki Sada, Masahiro Tanae, Manabu Miyazawa, Isao Fujishima, Daisuke Iimura
  • Publication number: 20100232112
    Abstract: A semiconductor module includes a base plate whose one surface is formed with a fin region in which a cooling fin is provided; a substrate that is disposed on the other surface of the base plate and provided with a switching device; and a case member having an internal space an opening formed in one wall of the case member so that the opening is smaller than the one surface of the base plate and larger than the fin region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Uechi, Hiromichi Agata, Kazuo Aoki, Tomoo Atarashi, Masahiro Tanae
  • Publication number: 20100105253
    Abstract: An electrical connection structure that includes a first connection portion of the connection member that is fixedly fastened to the first terminal by a fastening bolt, and a second connection portion of the connection member that is connected to the second terminal through an insertable/removable plug, the first connection portion is fixedly fastened to the first terminal by inserting the fastening bolt through an insertion hole provided in one of the connection member and the first terminal, and fastening the fastening bolt in a fastening hole provided in the other of the connection member and the first terminal, the insertion hole is formed larger than a diameter of a shaft-like portion of the fastening bolt, and an inserting/removing direction of the plug and an axial direction of the fastening bolt are substantially parallel to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuo Aoki, Hiromichi Agata, Tatsuyuki Uechi, Tomoo Atarashi, Natsuki Sada, Masahiro Tanae, Manabu Miyazawa, Isao Fujishima, Daisuke Iimura
  • Patent number: 7222685
    Abstract: A drive device with electronic circuit, including floated wiring for electrically connecting the solid wirings of a circuit to each other and an electronic circuit mechanically connected to an engine, wherein the electronic circuit is formed so that the flat surface thereof including the floated wiring is substantially disposed vertically relative to the output axis of the engine, whereby the vibration of the engine in the major X- and Z-directions can be prevented from applying to the floated wiring in Y-axis direction to increase the seismic resistance of the electronic circuit, and the arrangement of the drive device having the electronic circuit mechanically installed thereon can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Takenaka, Hiromichi Agata, Takeshi Hara, Kozo Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7019480
    Abstract: A synchronous-motor controller including an inverter for converting direct current to alternating current in order to supply a synchronous motor with a current responsive to a torque instruction value, a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the inverter and a control unit. The control unit detects a locking of the synchronous motor although current is supplied to the synchronous motor and calculates, based on the torque instruction value, a heating value of a switching element of the inverter at the time when the switching element is supplied with the current after the synchronous motor is in a locked condition, wherein a temperature of the switching element is estimated by adding the calculated heating value to an initial value of the temperature of the inverter measured by the temperature sensor when the locking of the synchronous motor is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Suzuki, Hiromichi Agata, Tatsuyuki Uechi
  • Patent number: 7012446
    Abstract: A device for detecting a motor drive current is arranged without substantially requiring additional space. The device for detecting a motor drive current, detects the currents of the phases flowing through the feeder lines that connect the motors to an inverter using a first bus bar for each of the phases arranged in parallel relative to each other and second bus bars extending from the ends of the first bus bars in a direction to intersect the axes of the first bus bar to which attached, by using magnetic field detector elements of each of the phases arranged near the feeder lines, wherein processing means for detecting the currents relying on the magnetic field detector elements of each of the phases are provided on a common circuit board. The magnetic field detector elements are disposed near the first bus bars of each of the phases, and the circuit board is arranged in a space sandwiched between the outermost first bus bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Taguchi, Hiromichi Agata, Masayuki Takenaka
  • Publication number: 20050055141
    Abstract: A control device for a motor that drives a vehicle and controls the motor by controlling an inverter device that converts a direct voltage, supplied from a direct current source, into an alternating voltage to be supplied to the motor, the control device having a refrigerant temperature detector that detects a refrigerant temperature of a heat exchanger for heat exchange with the inverter device, and a torque restrictor that restricts an output torque of the motor when the inverter device is put in a predetermined state, wherein the torque restrictor changes restrictions on the output torque on the basis of the refrigerant temperature detected by the refrigerant temperature detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Suzuki, Hiromichi Agata, Tatsuyuki Uechi
  • Publication number: 20050046379
    Abstract: A synchronous-motor controller including an inverter for converting direct current to alternating current in order to supply a synchronous motor with a current responsive to a torque instruction value, a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the inverter and a control unit. The control unit detects a locking of the synchronous motor although current is supplied to the synchronous motor and calculates, based on the torque instruction value, a heating value of a switching element of the inverter at the time when the switching element is supplied with the current after the synchronous motor is in a locked condition, wherein a temperature of the switching element is estimated by adding the calculated heating value to an initial value of the temperature of the inverter measured by the temperature sensor when the locking of the synchronous motor is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Suzuki, Hiromichi Agata, Tatsuyuki Uechi
  • Publication number: 20040251928
    Abstract: A device for detecting a motor drive current is arranged without substantially requiring additional space. The device for detecting a motor drive current, detects the currents of the phases flowing through the feeder lines that connect the motors to an inverter using a first bus bar for each of the phases arranged in parallel relative to each other and second bus bars extending from the ends of the first bus bars in a direction to intersect the axes of the first bus bar to which attached, by using magnetic field detector elements of each of the phases arranged near the feeder lines, wherein processing means for detecting the currents relying on the magnetic field detector elements of each of the phases are provided on a common circuit board. The magnetic field detector elements are disposed near the first bus bars of each of the phases, and the circuit board is arranged in a space sandwiched between the outermost first bus bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shin Taguchi, Hiromichi Agata, Masayuki Takenaka