Patents by Inventor Kenji Murasato
Kenji Murasato 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).
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Publication number: 20230391198Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes: a power storage device; an electric motor configured to drive a drive wheel; a drive device configured to drive the electric motor by using electric power in the power storage device; relays configured to connect or disconnect the power storage device and the drive device; a converter connected to power lines between the relays and the drive device; and a control device configured to activate the converter or stop the converter when a voltage is applied to the power lines to which the converter is connected.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshiyuki UNO, Kenji MURASATO
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Patent number: 11837904Abstract: A casing of a charger includes a DC port and a plurality of AC ports. The charger includes a switching device configured to connect one of the AC ports selectively to a power conversion circuit. The power conversion circuit is configured to convert, into direct current electric power, alternating current electric power input from the AC port connected by the switching device, and output the direct current electric power to the DC port.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2021Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hironobu Hashimoto, Kenji Murasato
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Patent number: 11745610Abstract: A power conversion device configured to execute power conversion between a vehicle and an external power supply or an external load includes a DC connector, a charging port, a power supply port, a bidirectional power conversion circuit, a switching circuit configured to execute switching to choose whether to electrically connect the power conversion circuit and the charging port or electrically connect the power conversion circuit and the power supply port, and a control circuit configured to control the power conversion circuit and the switching circuit to selectively execute a charging operation or a power supply operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kenji Murasato, Hironobu Hashimoto
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Publication number: 20220402391Abstract: A power supply unit accommodates a main DC/DC converter and an AC charger (a charging circuit, a sub-DC/DC converter) in a housing. The main DC/DC converter and the sub-DC/DC converter are arranged in the same tier of the housing. The charging circuit is arranged in a tier different from that of the main DC/DC converter and the sub-DC/DC converter. The main DC/DC converter and the sub-DC/DC converter arranged in the same tier of the housing are controlled to operate in a mutually exclusive manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2022Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventors: Taiga DOI, Kenji MURASATO, Daisuke KAMIKIHARA
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Publication number: 20220407328Abstract: A power supply unit includes a current path, and is capable of receiving external power from an external power supply and supplying the received external power to a power storage device, and receiving power from the power storage device and supplying the received power to a device mounted in a vehicle. The power supply unit comprises one or more power converters, a relay that switches the current path. and a housing that accommodates the one or more power converters and the relay therein. The one or more power converters are heavier in weight than the relay and disposed in the housing below the relay.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2022Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventors: Taiga DOI, Kenji MURASATO, Daisuke KAMIKIHARA
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Publication number: 20220388419Abstract: A charging system includes: a main battery storing electric power for a vehicle to travel; an inlet connected to a charging connector; a charging relay that switches a path of electric power from the inlet to the main battery; a converter that steps down a voltage of the electric power from the inlet; and an ECU that controls the charging relay and the converter. The ECU: controls the converter so that the converter starts stepping down the voltage of the electric power from the inlet to the auxiliary voltage after receiving the electric power from the inlet; supplies, before the charging relay switches to the connected state, the charging relay with the electric power from the converter as operating power for switching to the connected state; and controls the charging relay so that the charging relay switches from the disconnected state to the connected state, using the operating power.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Taiga DOI, Kenji MURASATO, Tomoya AOKI
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Publication number: 20220209564Abstract: A casing of a charger includes a DC port and a plurality of AC ports. The charger includes a switching device configured to connect one of the AC ports selectively to a power conversion circuit. The power conversion circuit is configured to convert, into direct current electric power, alternating current electric power input from the AC port connected by the switching device, and output the direct current electric power to the DC port.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2021Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Hironobu Hashimoto, Kenji Murasato
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Publication number: 20220203852Abstract: A power conversion device configured to execute power conversion between a vehicle and an external power supply or an external load includes a DC connector, a charging port, a power supply port, a bidirectional power conversion circuit, a switching circuit configured to execute switching to choose whether to electrically connect the power conversion circuit and the charging port or electrically connect the power conversion circuit and the power supply port, and a control circuit configured to control the power conversion circuit and the switching circuit to selectively execute a charging operation or a power supply operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2021Publication date: June 30, 2022Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kenji Murasato, Hironobu Hashimoto
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Publication number: 20200223487Abstract: A vehicle includes: a vehicle main body having an end surface and a compartment; a first electrical component which is arranged within the compartment, and to which a voltage that is more than or equal to a predetermined value is applied during traveling, and a second electrical component which is arranged within the compartment, and to which a voltage that is less than the predetermined value is applied during traveling or no voltage is applied during traveling. A first main body portion of the first electrical component and a second main body portion of the second electrical component are arranged such that a first end surface is located closer to a vehicle center than a second end surface in a vehicle front-back direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventor: Kenji Murasato
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Patent number: 10005370Abstract: A charging apparatus is for a vehicle and the charging apparatus includes a charging port, an AC-DC converter, a capacitor, a DC-DC conversion unit and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to reduce an output current from the DC-DC conversion unit to at least one of the electric power storage device or the auxiliary load in response to a deterioration from a predetermined state of a state of the electric power supplied from the outside of the vehicle to the charging port.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kenji Murasato, Eiji Kitano, Yasuo Suzuki
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Publication number: 20170036559Abstract: A charging apparatus is for a vehicle and the charging apparatus includes a charging port, an AC-DC converter, a capacitor, a DC-DC conversion unit and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to reduce an output current from the DC-DC conversion unit to at least one of the electric power storage device or the auxiliary load in response to a deterioration from a predetermined state of a state of the electric power supplied from the outside of the vehicle to the charging port.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2015Publication date: February 9, 2017Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kenji MURASATO, Eiji KITANO, Yasuo SUZUKI
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Patent number: 9168822Abstract: A charging system includes a locking device locking a connector provided at the end of a cable in the state where the connector is connected to an inlet provided in a vehicle; a release button for releasing locking by the locking device; a switch generating a signal indicating that the connector and the inlet are connected; a horn; and an ECU. In response to the operation of the release button, the switch stops generation of the signal. The ECU controls charging of a power storage device and detects whether the signal is issued or not. In the case where the ECU detects that generation of the signal is stopped during charging of the power storage device, the ECU causes the horn to issue an alarm.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shinji Ichikawa, Kenji Itagaki, Masaru Sasaki, Wanleng Ang, Kenji Murasato, Atsushi Mizutani, Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taira Kikuchi, Yoshikazu Kataoka, Shingo Ieda, Hiroki Sawada, Yoshinori Fujitake
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Patent number: 8774997Abstract: In a charging system for a vehicle for charging a power storage device, including the vehicle having the power storage device, and a charging cable for transmitting electric power supplied from an external power supply outside of the vehicle to the power storage device, charging information about charging performed by a charging device is set based on a signal generated by operation of an operation switch provided on a charging connector. This configuration can improve operability during charging.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2009Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinji Ichikawa, Kenji Itagaki, Masaru Sasaki, Wanleng Ang, Kenji Murasato, Atsushi Mizutani, Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taira Kikuchi, Yoshikazu Kataoka, Shingo Ieda, Hiroki Sawada, Yoshinori Fujitake
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Patent number: 8502412Abstract: A charger converts electric power supplied from an AC power supply external to a vehicle into a predetermined charging voltage. A relay is provided between the charger and a power storage device. A charging ECU controls the charger and the relay. An AC/DC converter converts electric power supplied from the AC power supply into a predetermined power supply voltage and supplies the electric power converted into the power supply voltage to a charging device constituted of the charger, the relay and the charging ECU. While the power storage device is charged by the AC power supply, the charging device operates with the operating electric power it receives from the AC/DC converter.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2009Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Wanleng Ang, Kenji Murasato, Kenji Itagaki
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Patent number: 8378628Abstract: A conversion adaptor enables utilization of a standardized charge cable used when a power storage device mounted on an electrically-powered vehicle is charged by a power source provided outside of the vehicle as a universal cable for transmitting electric power to electric loads having different plug shapes that are respectively standardized from one region to another. Conversion adaptor includes a primary side connector unit configured to be connectable to a connector of charge cable, a secondary side connector unit configured so as to have a plug of an electric load, such as a home electric appliance, connected thereto, and a manipulating unit for manipulating a CCID of charge cable so that relays are switched off when connector of charge cable is connected to first connector unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinji Ichikawa, Kenji Itagaki, Masaru Sasaki, Wanleng Ang, Kenji Murasato, Atsushi Mizutani, Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taira Kikuchi, Yoshikazu Kataoka, Shingo Ieda, Hiroki Sawada, Yoshinori Fujitake
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Publication number: 20120248869Abstract: An electric power unit for a vehicle mounted on a vehicle includes a base battery, a boost converter that converts the voltage supplied from the base battery to a target voltage to supply electric power to an inverter, an electric power line that connects the inverter with the boost converter, and a first battery and a second battery whose respective positive electrodes are connected with a node provided on the electric power line to supply electric power to the inverter.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2010Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kenji Itagaki, Wan Leng Ang, Kenji Murasato, Hiroki Sawada
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Publication number: 20120133326Abstract: A charging system includes a locking device locking a connector provided at the end of a cable in the state where the connector is connected to an inlet provided in a vehicle; a release button for releasing locking by the locking device; a switch generating a signal indicating that the connector and the inlet are connected; a horn; and an ECU. In response to the operation of the release button, the switch stops generation of the signal. The ECU controls charging of a power storage device and detects whether the signal is issued or not. In the case where the ECU detects that generation of the signal is stopped during charging of the power storage device, the ECU causes the horn to issue an alarm.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2009Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shinji Ichikawa, Kenji Itagaki, Masaru Sasaki, Wanleng Ang, Kenji Murasato, Atsushi Mizutani, Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taira Kikuchi, Yoshikazu Kataoka, Shingo Ieda, Hiroki Sawada, Yoshinori Fujitake
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Publication number: 20120133204Abstract: A charger converts electric power supplied from an AC power supply external to a vehicle into a predetermined charging voltage. A relay is provided between the charger and a power storage device. A charging ECU controls the charger and the relay. An AC/DC converter converts electric power supplied from the AC power supply into a predetermined power supply voltage and supplies the electric power converted into the power supply voltage to a charging device constituted of the charger, the relay and the charging ECU. While the power storage device is charged by the AC power supply, the charging device operates with the operating electric power it receives from the AC/DC converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2009Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Wanleng Ang, Kenji Murasato, Kenji Itagaki
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Publication number: 20120091958Abstract: In a charging system for a vehicle for charging a power storage device, including the vehicle having the power storage device, and a charging cable for transmitting electric power supplied from an external power supply outside of the vehicle to the power storage device, charging information about charging performed by a charging device is set based on a signal generated by operation of an operation switch provided on a charging connector. This configuration can improve operability during charging.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2009Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shinji Ichikawa, Kenji Itagaki, Masaru Sasaki, Wanleng Ang, Kenji Murasato, Atsushi Mizutani, Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taira Kikuchi, Yoshikazu Kataoka, Shingo Ieda, Hiroki Sawada, Yoshinori Fujitake
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Publication number: 20110300753Abstract: A conversion adaptor enables utilization of a standardized charge cable used when a power storage device mounted on an electrically-powered vehicle is charged by a power source provided outside of the vehicle as a universal cable for transmitting electric power to electric loads having different plug shapes that are respectively standardized from one region to another. Conversion adaptor includes a primary side connector unit configured to be connectable to a connector of charge cable, a secondary side connector unit configured so as to have a plug of an electric load, such as a home electric appliance, connected thereto, and a manipulating unit for manipulating a CCID of charge cable so that relays are switched off when connector of charge cable is connected to first connector unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2009Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shinji Ichikawa, Kenji Itagaki, Masaru Sasaki, Wanleng Ang, Kenji Murasato, Atsushi Mizutani, Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taira Kikuchi, Yoshikazu Kataoka, Shingo Ieda, Hiroki Sawada, Yoshinori Fujitake