Patents by Inventor Kazuo Sugimura

Kazuo Sugimura 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: 20250091465
    Abstract: The power distribution device includes a first battery positive electrode terminal, a first battery negative electrode terminal, a second battery positive electrode terminal, a second battery negative electrode terminal, a charger positive electrode terminal, a charger negative electrode terminal, a first line, a second line, a third line, a first switch, a fourth line, a second switch, a fifth line, a third switch, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control conductive states and interruption states of the first switch, the second switch, or the third switch and includes a voltage measurement unit, a current measurement unit, and a failure determination unit configured to determine a failure in the first switch, the second switch, or the third switch based on the voltage measured by the voltage measurement unit and the current measured by the current measurement unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Morimoto, Kazuo Sugimura, Kazuhiro Koto
  • Publication number: 20250015607
    Abstract: It is provided a power supply device to connect a first anode-side battery terminal to a second cathode-side battery terminal, connect a first switch between a first cathode-side battery terminal and a cathode-side input terminal, connect a second switch between a first connection point, which is between the first anode-side battery terminal and the second cathode-side battery terminal, and the cathode-side input terminal, connect a third switch between a second connection point, which is between the first anode-side battery terminal and the second cathode-side battery terminal, and an anode-side input terminal, connect a fourth switch between a second anode-side battery terminal and an anode-side input terminal, connect the cathode-side output terminal to a line connecting the first switch and the first cathode-side battery terminal, and connect the anode-side output terminal to a line connecting the anode-side input terminal and the second anode-side battery terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuaki MORIMOTO, Kazuo SUGIMURA, Hiroteru KATO, Shoya WATANABE
  • Patent number: 12184098
    Abstract: A positive electrode-side input terminal is connected to a first positive electrode-side battery terminal, a negative electrode-side input terminal is connected to a second negative electrode-side battery terminal, a first switch is connected between a first negative electrode-side battery terminal and a second positive electrode-side battery terminal, a second switch is connected between a second positive electrode-side battery terminal and a first connection point between the positive electrode-side input terminal and the first positive electrode-side battery terminal, a third switch is connected between the first negative electrode-side battery terminal and a second connection point between the negative electrode-side input terminal and the second negative electrode-side battery terminal, a positive electrode-side output terminal is connected to a line connecting the second switch and the second positive electrode-side battery terminal, and a negative electrode-side output terminal to a line connecting the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Morimoto, Kazuo Sugimura, Hiroteru Kato, Shoya Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20230391228
    Abstract: Positive electrode-side input terminal is connected to first positive electrode-side battery terminal, negative electrode-side input terminal is connected to second negative electrode-side battery terminal, a switch is connected between first negative electrode-side battery terminal and second positive electrode-side battery terminal, between second positive electrode-side battery terminal and first connection point between positive electrode-side input terminal and first positive electrode-side battery terminal, and between first negative electrode-side battery terminal and second connection point between negative electrode-side input terminal and second negative electrode-side battery terminal, positive electrode-side output terminal is connected to positive electrode-side converter output terminal, negative electrode-side output terminal is connected to negative electrode-side converter output terminal, positive electrode-side converter input terminal is connected to a line connecting positive electrode-si
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuaki MORIMOTO, Kazuo Sugimura, Hiroteru Kato, Shoya Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20230396076
    Abstract: A positive electrode-side input terminal is connected to a first positive electrode-side battery terminal, a negative electrode-side input terminal is connected to a second negative electrode-side battery terminal, a first switch is connected between a first negative electrode-side battery terminal and a second positive electrode-side battery terminal, a second switch is connected between a second positive electrode-side battery terminal and a first connection point between the positive electrode-side input terminal and the first positive electrode-side battery terminal, a third switch is connected between the first negative electrode-side battery terminal and a second connection point between the negative electrode-side input terminal and the second negative electrode-side battery terminal, a positive electrode-side output terminal is connected to a line connecting the second switch and the second positive electrode-side battery terminal, and a negative electrode-side output terminal to a line connecting the
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuaki MORIMOTO, Kazuo SUGIMURA, Hiroteru KATO, Shoya WATANABE
  • Patent number: 11777325
    Abstract: An in-vehicle system is provided with a front J/B and a first voltage detection unit. The front J/B has a main relay unit, a second voltage detection unit, and a second MCU. Based on detection results detected by the first voltage detection unit and a second voltage detection unit when the main relay unit is subjected to on/off operations, the second MCU monitors whether each of the main relay unit, the first voltage detection unit, and the second voltage detection unit has abnormality or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya Tsubaki, Kazuo Sugimura, Mitsuaki Morimoto, Eiichiro Oishi
  • Patent number: 11652019
    Abstract: A heat dissipation structure includes a heat dissipation portion and a heat storage portion. The heat dissipation portion has the heat receiving surface including the contact surface in contact with the semiconductor generating the heat, and dissipates the heat of the semiconductor in contact with the contact surface. The heat storage portion is arranged to sandwich the semiconductor. The heat storage portion has, for example, the heat storage opening portion in which the semiconductor is positioned, and surrounds the semiconductor. The heat storage portion is provided to he in contact with the heat receiving surface, and stores the heat of the semiconductor conducted through the heat dissipation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Morimoto, Kazuo Sugimura, Kazuya Tsubaki, Eiichiro Oishi
  • Patent number: 11581747
    Abstract: In a power supply device, switching section switch a connection between batteries to a series connection or a parallel connection. In a case where the connection between the batteries is switched from the series connection to the parallel connection to charge the batteries by an external charger, a controller does not switch the connection to the parallel connection, does not charge one battery having a larger voltage out of the batteries, and separately charges the other battery when a potential difference between a voltage of the battery and a voltage of the battery is a predetermined threshold value or higher; and the controller switches the connection to the parallel connection and charges the batteries when the potential difference is lower than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Morimoto, Kazuo Sugimura, Kazuya Tsubaki, Eiichiro Oishi, Yasuyuki Shigezane
  • Patent number: 11545470
    Abstract: In a semiconductor module, semiconductor chips are each provided with a drain portion on one of a pair of surfaces facing each other, and a source portion and a gate portion on the other surface. Substrates each include three power supply patterns capable of transmitting power supplied from a power supply, and at least two signal patterns capable of transmitting a control signal. The three power supply patterns and the two signal patterns extend in parallel to each other along a first direction. Among the three power supply patterns, two of them are capable of mounting the semiconductor chips and connectable to the drain portions of the mounted semiconductor chips, and remaining one of them is connectable to the source portions of the semiconductor chips. The two signal patterns are connectable to the gate portions of the semiconductor chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Morimoto, Kazuo Sugimura, Kazuya Tsubaki, Eiichiro Oishi, Yasuyuki Shigezane
  • Publication number: 20220416551
    Abstract: An in-vehicle system is provided with a front J/B and a first voltage detection unit. The front J/B has a main relay unit, a second voltage detection unit, and a second MCU. Based on detection results detected by the first voltage detection unit and a second voltage detection unit when the main relay unit is subjected to on/off operations, the second MCU monitors whether each of the main relay unit, the first voltage detection unit, and the second voltage detection unit has abnormality or not.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya TSUBAKI, Kazuo SUGIMURA, Mitsuaki MORIMOTO, Eiichiro OISHI
  • Patent number: 11500028
    Abstract: A sensor unit includes a current sensor that detects a current, a voltage sensor that detects a voltage, a ground fault sensor that detects a ground fault, and a common substrate on which the current sensor, the voltage sensor, and the ground fault sensor are mounted. In the sensor unit, for example, in a power supply circuit of a vehicle, the three sensors of the high voltage system can be integrated on the common substrate, so that an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Morimoto, Kazuo Sugimura, Kazuya Tsubaki, Eiichiro Oishi
  • Patent number: 11495581
    Abstract: In a semiconductor module, semiconductor chips are each provided with a drain portion on one of a pair of surfaces facing each other, and a source portion and a gate portion on the other surface. Substrates each include three power supply patterns capable of transmitting power supplied from a power supply, and at least two signal patterns capable of transmitting a control signal. The three power supply patterns and the two signal patterns extend in parallel to each other along a first direction. Among the three power supply patterns, two of them are capable of mounting the semiconductor chips and connectable to the drain portions of the mounted semiconductor chips, and remaining one of them is connectable to the source portions of the semiconductor chips. The two signal patterns are connectable to the gate portions of the semiconductor chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Morimoto, Kazuo Sugimura, Kazuya Tsubaki, Eiichiro Oishi, Yasuyuki Shigezane
  • Publication number: 20220097549
    Abstract: In an electric power supply system, a first supply system can supply electric power from a first battery to a first load unit via a front power supply box. A second supply system can supply electric power from a second battery to a second load unit via a rear power supply box independently of the first supply system. A front inlet can supply electric power from an external charging device to the first battery side. A rear inlet can supply electric power from an external charging device to the second battery side. A charging branch box is connected to each of the first supply system, the second supply system, the front inlet, and the rear inlet, and can switch a mutual connection relation between the first supply system, the second supply system, the front inlet, and the rear inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Eiichiro OISHI, Kazuo Sugimura, Kazuya Tsubaki, Mitsuaki Morimoto
  • Publication number: 20220068891
    Abstract: In a semiconductor module, semiconductor chips are each provided with a drain portion on one of a pair of surfaces facing each other, and a source portion and a gate portion on the other surface. Substrates each include three power supply patterns capable of transmitting power supplied from a power supply, and at least two signal patterns capable of transmitting a control signal. The three power supply patterns and the two signal patterns extend in parallel to each other along a first direction. Among the three power supply patterns, two of them are capable of mounting the semiconductor chips and connectable to the drain portions of the mounted semiconductor chips, and remaining one of them is connectable to the source portions of the semiconductor chips. The two signal patterns are connectable to the gate portions of the semiconductor chips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuaki MORIMOTO, Kazuo SUGIMURA, Kazuya TSUBAKI, Eiichiro OISHI, Yasuyuki SHIGEZANE
  • Patent number: 11241966
    Abstract: The protection circuit unit includes an energization module disposed on an electric path between a high-voltage battery of a vehicle and a high-voltage load receiving supply of power from the high-voltage battery, to open and close the electric path, and a control board configured to be a member separated from the energization module and electrically connected with the energization module, to control opening and closing of the electric path. The energization module includes semiconductor switches opening and closing the electric path, and a control terminal connecting the semiconductor switches with the control board. The control board includes a connection unit corresponding to the control terminal of each of a plurality of types of the energization modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Morimoto, Kazuo Sugimura, Kazuya Tsubaki, Eiichiro Oishi
  • Patent number: 11186202
    Abstract: In a power supply device, a battery switching unit is a circuit capable of switching a series-connected relay, a parallel-connected relay, a parallel-connected relay, and a parallel-connected relay to switch to a series circuit connecting a first battery and a second battery in series or a parallel circuit connecting the first battery and the second battery in parallel. When charging the first battery and the second battery, a controller controls the battery switching unit to switch to a parallel circuit, controls the parallel-connected relay based on voltages applied to a first cathode terminal and a first anode terminal, and further controls the parallel-connected relay based on voltages applied to a second cathode terminal and a second anode terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuo Sugimura, Mitsuaki Morimoto, Kazuya Tsubaki, Eiichiro Oishi
  • Patent number: 11163325
    Abstract: In a power-supply device, a FET passes or blocks a current flowing from one side in a power-supply circuit. A current sensor detects a current flowing into the FET. A FET is coupled to the FET, and passes or blocks a current flowing from another side in the power-supply circuit. A current sensor detects a current flowing into the FET. A junction couples a load unit at a point between the FET and the FET. In each of switch units, a CPU controls the corresponding switch unit of the power-supply circuit based on the detection result detected by the corresponding current sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Morimoto, Kazuo Sugimura, Kazuya Tsubaki, Eiichiro Oishi
  • Patent number: 11117490
    Abstract: In a vehicle power supply device, a switch unit switches mutual connection among first to fourth batteries. When supplying electric power from the first to fourth batteries to a motor, a switch controller controls the switch unit and forms a backup battery corresponding to at least one of the first to fourth batteries that does not supply electric power to the motor and a serial battery group for supplying electric power that has the remaining batteries, except for the backup battery, connected in series. The switch controller supplies electric power from the serial battery group for supplying electric power to the motor, and, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, sequentially switches between a battery included in the serial battery group for supplying electric power and the backup battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya Tsubaki, Kazuo Sugimura, Mitsuaki Morimoto, Eiichiro Oishi
  • Publication number: 20210249875
    Abstract: In a power supply device, switching section switch a connection between batteries to a series connection or a parallel connection. In a case where the connection between the batteries is switched from the series connection to the parallel connection to charge the batteries by as external charger, a controller does not switch the connection to the parallel connection, does not charge one battery having a larger voltage out of the batteries, and separately charges the other battery when a potential difference between a voltage of the battery and a voltage of the battery is a predetermined threshold value or higher; and the controller switches the connection to the parallel connection and charges the batteries when the potential difference is lower than the threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Morimoto, Kazuo Sugimura, Kazuya Tsubaki, Eiichiro Oishi, Yasuyuki Shigezane
  • Patent number: 11050268
    Abstract: In a power supply system, a charge switching unit is relays switchable between a series circuit that connects a first high-voltage battery to a second high-voltage battery in series and a parallel circuit that connects the first high-voltage battery to the second high-voltage battery in parallel. If an input voltage is a first voltage (for example, approximately 400 V), a controller controls the charge switching unit to form the parallel circuit, and charges the first and second high-voltage batteries with power supplied from a quick charger. If the input voltage is a second voltage (for example, approximately 800 V) higher than the first voltage (for example, approximately 400 V), the controller controls the charge switching unit to form the series circuit, and charges the first and second high-voltage batteries with power supplied from a super-quick charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiichiro Oishi, Kazuo Sugimura, Kazuya Tsubaki, Mitsuaki Morimoto