Patents by Inventor Ichiro Murata

Ichiro Murata 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: 11909055
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes an electrode body that includes a positive and a negative electrode plate, a battery case that has an opening in which the electrode body is accommodated, a sealing body that seals the opening, an internal terminal that is disposed on an inner side of the sealing body and connected to the positive or the negative electrode plate, and an external terminal that is disposed on an outer side of the sealing body and connected to the internal terminal. The external terminal includes a rivet that is formed in such a manner as to extend through the sealing body, and the internal terminal includes a first portion made of a first metal and a second portion made of a second metal. The external terminal is made of the second metal, and the rivet of the external terminal is joined to the second portion of the internal terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ichiro Murata, Hiroaki Imanishi
  • Publication number: 20230261310
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte including a battery case which has an opening and a sealing plate sealing the opening includes: a blind rivet fixed to the sealing plate by inserting the blind rivet into an opening portion provided in the sealing plate via a gas permeable membrane. The gas permeable membrane includes a tubular portion and a flange. The blind rivet includes: a sleeve body including a sleeve portion and a flange portion; and a mandrel including a shaft to be inserted into a hollow portion of the sleeve portion and a head. The blind rivet is crimped with the sleeve portion, and fixed to the sealing plate with the sleeve portion and the head being covered with the tubular portion. A space communicating with the outside of the battery case is formed between the gas permeable membrane and the blind rivet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Hiroshi TAKAMATSU, Hiroaki IMANISHI, Ichiro MURATA
  • Publication number: 20220384915
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly including a positive and negative electrode plate; a rectangular outer casing having an opening; a sealing plate; an electrode terminal on the sealing plate; a first current collector connected to the electrode terminal; an insulation member; a second current collector connected to the first current collector; and a tab group extending from the electrode assembly toward the side wall and connected to the second current collector. The second current collector is a flat plate including a surface parallel to the side wall. The tab group is connected to the second current collector, and is bent at a connection portion with the second current collector such that the bent tab group extends parallel to the side wall. The second current collector is positioned on the first current collector by a guide portion extending from the insulation member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Ichiro MURATA, Hiroaki IMANISHI, Yukinobu MIYAMURA, Hiroshi TAKAMATSU
  • Publication number: 20220238908
    Abstract: A rectangular secondary battery includes: an electrode body including a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate; a rectangular battery case having an opening and housing the electrode body; a sealing plate sealing the opening; a current collector connected to an edge of the positive electrode plate or the negative electrode plate at a longitudinal end of the sealing plate; and an external terminal located outside the sealing plate and connected to the current collector. The current collector is a block body with a thickness along a width of the sealing plate, and having a hole at an end closer to the sealing plate. The current collector is connected to the external terminal with a connector interposed therebetween which is inserted into the hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Ichiro MURATA, Hiroaki IMANISHI
  • Publication number: 20210359380
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes an electrode body that includes a positive and a negative electrode plate, a battery case that has an opening in which the electrode body is accommodated, a sealing body that seals the opening, an internal terminal that is disposed on an inner side of the sealing body and connected to the positive or the negative electrode plate, and an external terminal that is disposed on an outer side of the sealing body and connected to the internal terminal. The external terminal includes a rivet that is formed in such a manner as to extend through the sealing body, and the internal terminal includes a first portion made of a first metal and a second portion made of a second metal. The external terminal is made of the second metal, and the rivet of the external terminal is joined to the second portion of the internal terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Murata, Hiroaki Imanishi
  • Patent number: 11094959
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a secondary battery is provided. According to the manufacturing method, laser light includes first peak light applied to a first irradiation position located on a cover body, second peak light applied to a second irradiation position located between the first irradiation position and a connecting surface, and third peak light applied to the connecting surface. The first peak light is higher in intensity than the second peak light and the third peak light. The third peak light is higher in intensity than the second peak light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroya Umeyama, Ichiro Murata
  • Patent number: 10734654
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes: an electrode body including an electrode main body, a collector foil protrusion section, and a collector foil connection portion; a first collector terminal including a first extension part that is welded to the collector foil connection portion; and a second collector terminal that is a member separate from the first collector terminal and includes a second extension part welded to the collector foil connection portion. The first extension part and the second extension part are located on the opposite sides of the collector foil connection portion. The secondary battery includes a welded joint at which both the first extension part and the second extension part are welded to the collector foil connection portion such that the first extension part, the second extension part, and the collector foil connection portion are united. The first collector terminal and the second collector terminal are united through the welded joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satomi Yamamoto, Mizuho Matsumoto, Hiroshi Takamatsu, Hiroaki Imanishi, Ichiro Murata, Kiyomi Kozuki
  • Patent number: 10700383
    Abstract: Provided is a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery that can be produced with high yield, through suppression of breakage of electrode collector portions during production and through suppression of damage to an electrode body during welding. The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery disclosed herein is provided with: an electrode body in which a plurality of electrodes are stacked; and a nonaqueous electrolyte. Each electrode has a collector and an active material layer formed on the collector. Each electrode has a collector portion being an active material layer non-forming portion. The collector portions of the electrodes are grouped and are clamped, in the stacking direction of the electrode body, by two or more members of an electrode collector terminal that is made up of the members. The collector portions of the electrodes and the members that clamp the collector portions are welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Matsuura, Yukio Harima, Hiroaki Imanishi, Ichiro Murata, Kiyomi Kozuki
  • Patent number: 10290842
    Abstract: During joining, while the inversion plate is inserted in a recessed portion of the connecting member and an opening of the recessed portion faces upward in a vertical direction, a boundary at which an inner wall surface of the recessed portion faces an outer side surface of the inversion plate is continuously radiated with a laser beam from above by one round or more. The inner wall surface in a circular shape of the connecting member is an inclined surface inclined further apart from the outer side surface of the inversion plate as the inclined surface is located closer to the laser beam radiation side, and the inclined surface satisfies w/(h·D)?0.002 (w: a length of the inclined surface in a radial direction, h: a height of the inclined surface, D: a diameter of the inclined surface on an opposite side to the laser beam radiation side).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroya Umeyama, Ichiro Murata
  • Publication number: 20180287210
    Abstract: Provided is a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery that can be produced with high yield, through suppression of breakage of electrode collector portions during production and through suppression of damage to an electrode body during welding. The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery disclosed herein is provided with: an electrode body in which a plurality of electrodes are stacked; and a nonaqueous electrolyte. Each electrode has a collector and an active material layer formed on the collector. Each electrode has a collector portion being an active material layer non-forming portion. The collector portions of the electrodes are grouped and are clamped, in the stacking direction of the electrode body, by two or more members of an electrode collector terminal that is made up of the members. The collector portions of the electrodes and the members that clamp the collector portions are welded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro MATSUURA, Yukio HARIMA, Hiroaki IMANISHI, Ichiro MURATA, Kiyomi KOZUKI
  • Publication number: 20180226653
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes: an electrode body including an electrode main body, a collector foil protrusion section, and a collector foil connection portion; a first collector terminal including a first extension part that is welded to the collector foil connection portion; and a second collector terminal that is a member separate from the first collector terminal and includes a second extension part welded to the collector foil connection portion. The first extension part and the second extension part are located on the opposite sides of the collector foil connection portion. The secondary battery includes a welded joint at which both the first extension part and the second extension part are welded to the collector foil connection portion such that the first extension part, the second extension part, and the collector foil connection portion are united. The first collector terminal and the second collector terminal are united through the welded joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satomi YAMAMOTO, Mizuho MATSUMOTO, Hiroshi TAKAMATSU, Hiroaki IMANISHI, Ichiro MURATA, Kiyomi KOZUKI
  • Patent number: 9761860
    Abstract: Disclosed is a secondary battery capable of preventing damage to a current interrupt device caused by generation and transmission of vibration, and thereby achieving prevention of malfunction of the current interrupt device, and improvement of quality of the secondary battery. In addition, disclosed is a method of manufacturing the secondary battery. Specifically disclosed is a secondary battery, in which a positive electrode terminal is placed on the upper face of a sealing plate, a holder is placed on the lower face of the sealing plate, and the sealing plate is joined to the positive electrode terminal and the holder by a rivet. The secondary battery includes an adhered portion for adhering the holder to the sealing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kosuke Nakamura, Naoyuki Wada, Ichiro Murata, Yukihiro Okada
  • Patent number: 9614200
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed battery is provided with a sealing member for air-tightly sealing the through-hole of a battery case from the outside. The sealing member has: a covering member secured to the battery case from the outside; an insertion portion inserted into the through-hole; an annular pressure contact portion in air-tight pressure contact with the hole surrounding portion of the battery case; and a connecting portion disposed between the insertion portion and the annular pressure contact portion so as to be integral with the insertion portion and the annular pressure contact portion. The connecting portion is provided with an annular groove surrounding the insertion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kokoku Intech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kusama, Tomohiro Matsuura, Takashi Harayama, Yasushi Hirakawa, Ichiro Murata, Shinya Muroi
  • Publication number: 20170077543
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a secondary battery is provided. According to the manufacturing method, laser light includes first peak light applied to a first irradiation position located on a cover body, second peak light applied to a second irradiation position located between the first irradiation position and a connecting surface, and third peak light applied to the connecting surface. The first peak light is higher in intensity than the second peak light and the third peak light. The third peak light is higher in intensity than the second peak light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroya UMEYAMA, Ichiro MURATA
  • Publication number: 20170062866
    Abstract: During joining, while the inversion plate is inserted in a recessed portion of the connecting member and an opening of the recessed portion faces upward in a vertical direction, a boundary at which an inner wall surface of the recessed portion faces an outer side surface of the inversion plate is continuously radiated with a laser beam from above by one round or more. The inner wall surface in a circular shape of the connecting member is an inclined surface inclined further apart from the outer side surface of the inversion plate as the inclined surface is located closer to the laser beam radiation side, and the inclined surface satisfies w/(h·D)?0.002 (w: a length of the inclined surface in a radial direction, h: a height of the inclined surface, D: a diameter of the inclined surface on an opposite side to the laser beam radiation side).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroya UMEYAMA, Ichiro MURATA
  • Patent number: 9287588
    Abstract: A current collector electrically connected to a first electrode plate or a second electrode plate includes a tubular current collection section. An external terminal electrically connected to the current collector includes a tubular terminal section into which the current collection section is inserted. The current collection section has, before being inserted into the terminal section, a greater outer diameter than the inner diameter of the terminal section. In the insertion process, the diameter of the current collection section is reduced or the diameter of the terminal section is expanded so that the outer diameter of the current collection section is equal to or smaller than the inner diameter of the terminal section, and then the current collection section is inserted into the terminal section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kusama, Tomohiro Matsuura, Ichiro Murata
  • Publication number: 20150214537
    Abstract: Disclosed is a secondary battery capable of preventing damage to a current interrupt device caused by generation and transmission of vibration, and thereby achieving prevention of malfunction of the current interrupt device, and improvement of quality of the secondary battery. In addition, disclosed is a method of manufacturing the secondary battery. Specifically disclosed is a secondary battery, in which a positive electrode terminal is placed on the upper face of a sealing plate, a holder is placed on the lower face of the sealing plate, and the sealing plate is joined to the positive electrode terminal and the holder by a rivet. The secondary battery includes an adhered portion for adhering the holder to the sealing plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kosuke NAKAMURA, Naoyuki WADA, Ichiro MURATA, Yukihiro OKADA
  • Publication number: 20140322565
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed battery is provided with a sealing member for air-tightly sealing the through-hole of a battery case from the outside. The sealing member has: a covering member secured to the battery case from the outside; an insertion portion inserted into the through-hole; an annular pressure contact portion in air-tight pressure contact with the hole surrounding portion of the battery case; and a connecting portion disposed between the insertion portion and the annular pressure contact portion so as to be integral with the insertion portion and the annular pressure contact portion. The connecting portion is provided with an annular groove surrounding the insertion portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kusama, Tomohiro Matsuura, Takashi Harayama, Yasushi Hirakawa, Ichiro Murata, Shinya Muroi
  • Publication number: 20120279053
    Abstract: A current collector electrically connected to a first electrode plate or a second electrode plate includes a tubular current collection section. An external terminal electrically connected to the current collector includes a tubular terminal section into which the current collection section is inserted. The current collection section has, before being inserted into the terminal section, a greater outer diameter than the inner diameter of the terminal section. In the insertion process, the diameter of the current collection section is reduced or the diameter of the terminal section is expanded so that the outer diameter of the current collection section is equal to or smaller than the inner diameter of the terminal section, and then the current collection section is inserted into the terminal section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kusama, Tomohiro Matsuura, Ichiro Murata
  • Patent number: 8040854
    Abstract: In a wireless communication system wherein at least two communication units employ the TDD wireless communication method based on OFDMA, an OFDM wireless communication method and a wireless communication apparatus are disclosed. The first communication unit transmits a pilot signal over the whole subband zone configured of divisions of a predetermined system band. The second communication unit having a plurality of antennas estimates a propagation path of the subchannels constituting continuous frequency blocks making up a subband from the pilot signal received. The second communication unit determines the array weight used at the time of signal transmission to the first communication unit using the estimation result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichiro Furueda, Mikio Kuwahara, Atsuhiko Sato, Ichiro Murata