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).

  • Publication number: 20230391198
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki UNO, Kenji MURASATO
  • Patent number: 11837904
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hironobu Hashimoto, Kenji Murasato
  • Patent number: 11745610
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Murasato, Hironobu Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20220402391
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Taiga DOI, Kenji MURASATO, Daisuke KAMIKIHARA
  • Publication number: 20220407328
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Taiga DOI, Kenji MURASATO, Daisuke KAMIKIHARA
  • Publication number: 20220388419
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Taiga DOI, Kenji MURASATO, Tomoya AOKI
  • Publication number: 20220209564
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Hironobu Hashimoto, Kenji Murasato
  • Publication number: 20220203852
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Murasato, Hironobu Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20200223487
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventor: Kenji Murasato
  • Patent number: 10005370
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Murasato, Eiji Kitano, Yasuo Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20170036559
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji MURASATO, Eiji KITANO, Yasuo SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 9168822
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinji Ichikawa, Kenji Itagaki, Masaru Sasaki, Wanleng Ang, Kenji Murasato, Atsushi Mizutani, Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taira Kikuchi, Yoshikazu Kataoka, Shingo Ieda, Hiroki Sawada, Yoshinori Fujitake
  • Patent number: 8774997
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Ichikawa, Kenji Itagaki, Masaru Sasaki, Wanleng Ang, Kenji Murasato, Atsushi Mizutani, Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taira Kikuchi, Yoshikazu Kataoka, Shingo Ieda, Hiroki Sawada, Yoshinori Fujitake
  • Patent number: 8502412
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Wanleng Ang, Kenji Murasato, Kenji Itagaki
  • Patent number: 8378628
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Ichikawa, Kenji Itagaki, Masaru Sasaki, Wanleng Ang, Kenji Murasato, Atsushi Mizutani, Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taira Kikuchi, Yoshikazu Kataoka, Shingo Ieda, Hiroki Sawada, Yoshinori Fujitake
  • Publication number: 20120248869
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Itagaki, Wan Leng Ang, Kenji Murasato, Hiroki Sawada
  • Publication number: 20120133326
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinji Ichikawa, Kenji Itagaki, Masaru Sasaki, Wanleng Ang, Kenji Murasato, Atsushi Mizutani, Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taira Kikuchi, Yoshikazu Kataoka, Shingo Ieda, Hiroki Sawada, Yoshinori Fujitake
  • Publication number: 20120133204
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Wanleng Ang, Kenji Murasato, Kenji Itagaki
  • Publication number: 20120091958
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinji Ichikawa, Kenji Itagaki, Masaru Sasaki, Wanleng Ang, Kenji Murasato, Atsushi Mizutani, Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taira Kikuchi, Yoshikazu Kataoka, Shingo Ieda, Hiroki Sawada, Yoshinori Fujitake
  • Publication number: 20110300753
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinji Ichikawa, Kenji Itagaki, Masaru Sasaki, Wanleng Ang, Kenji Murasato, Atsushi Mizutani, Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taira Kikuchi, Yoshikazu Kataoka, Shingo Ieda, Hiroki Sawada, Yoshinori Fujitake