Patents by Inventor Kimihiko Furukawa
Kimihiko Furukawa 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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Patent number: 10843567Abstract: A monitoring system includes: a first monitor that receives, from a first output terminal, a voltage detected by a voltage detector and information on a circuit failure; a second monitor that receives, from a second output terminal, an abnormal voltage signal detected by the voltage detector; and a vehicle controller that electrically disconnects a driving motor from an electricity storing unit. When a circuit failure occurs in one circuit of a circuit on a side of the first output terminal and a circuit on a side of the second output terminal and a circuit failure does not occur in the other circuit, and the electricity storing unit is normal, the vehicle controller connects the driving motor with the electricity storing unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Masato Nishikawa, Kimihiko Furukawa, Hidetsugu Mukae, Shinya Inui, Tomonori Kawamoto
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Patent number: 10627453Abstract: A integrated circuit includes a plurality of first connection terminals (410) and second connection terminals (420) for receiving an input of electrical signals, a first detection section, a second detection section, a plurality of switches (432), and a switch control section (430). The first detection section is connected to first connection terminals (410) and obtains input electrical signals. The second detection section is connected to second connection terminals (420). Each switch (432) connects adjacent second connection terminals (420) among second connection terminals (420) to each other, and are connected to each other in series. Switch control section (430) controls to turn off switches (432) and allows electrical signals input to second connection terminals (420) to be input to the second detection section, and controls to turn on any switch among switches (432) to bring adjacent second connection terminals (420) into electrical continuity.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2015Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Jun Asakura, Kimihiko Furukawa, Tomoyuki Matsubara
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Publication number: 20200033418Abstract: A monitoring system includes: a first monitor that receives, from a first output terminal, a voltage detected by a voltage detector and information on a circuit failure; a second monitor that receives, from a second output terminal, an abnormal voltage signal detected by the voltage detector; and a vehicle controller that electrically disconnects a driving motor from an electricity storing unit. When a circuit failure occurs in one circuit of a circuit on a side of the first output terminal and a circuit on a side of the second output terminal and a circuit failure does not occur in the other circuit, and the electricity storing unit is normal, the vehicle controller connects the driving motor with the electricity storing unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2018Publication date: January 30, 2020Applicant: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masato Nishikawa, Kimihiko Furukawa, Hidetsugu Mukae, Shinya Inui, Tomonori Kawamoto
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Publication number: 20200003842Abstract: A monitoring device includes a first detection block, a second detection block, and a monitoring unit. Each of the first detection block and the second detection block includes one or more voltage detectors that detect voltages across power storage cells. The monitoring unit includes a complement processor that, when a circuit in the first detection block breaks down and the first detection block fails to transmit the states of the power storage cells to the monitoring unit, complements the states of the power storage cells that have not been acquired from the first detection block, based on the states of the power storage cells detected in the second detection block.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2018Publication date: January 2, 2020Applicant: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masato Nishikawa, Kimihiko Furukawa, Hidetsugu Mukae, Shinya Inui, Tomonori Kawamoto
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Publication number: 20190285669Abstract: A cell voltage detection circuit is connected to each node of a plurality of cells connected in series by voltage detection lines, and detects the voltage of each of the cells. A total voltage detection circuit detects the voltage between the highest node and the lowest node of the cells. When the cell voltage of the highest cell or the lowest cell detected by the cell voltage detection circuit is abnormal, a controlling circuit compares the voltage detected by the total voltage detection circuit and a cell voltage sum obtained by adding the cell voltages of the cells detected by the cell voltage detection circuit. When the two voltages match, it is determined that the highest or the lowest cell is abnormal, and when the two voltages do not match, it is determined that a disconnection of the highest or the lowest voltage detection line has occurred.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2017Publication date: September 19, 2019Applicant: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kimihiko Furukawa
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Publication number: 20190067962Abstract: A management device includes a voltage detection circuit and a plurality of capacitor circuits. The voltage detection circuit is connected, by voltage detection lines, to each node in a plurality of cells connected in series, to detect the voltage of each of the plurality of cells. The plurality of capacitor circuits are respectively connected to between two of the voltage detection lines which are respectively connected to the cells. The capacitor circuits corresponding to the adjacent two cells, have capacitance values different from each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomoyuki Matsubara, Kimihiko Furukawa
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Patent number: 10056653Abstract: A plurality of cascade-connected voltage detection ICs detect each voltage of a plurality of battery cells connected in series and constituting an assembled battery, through a plurality of voltage detection lines. Power sources receive power from the assembled battery, for supplying power to the plurality of the voltage detection ICs. Communication lines connect between the plurality of the voltage detection ICs. A controlling circuit is connected to at least one of the plurality of the voltage detection ICs. First to third dummy resistors are connected to each of one or more of the voltage detection ICs which are not directly communicated to the controlling circuit out of the plurality of the voltage detection ICs. First to third switches turn on or off current supply through the first to third dummy resistors.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2014Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Kimihiko Furukawa, Tomoyuki Matsubara
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Patent number: 9945886Abstract: An electrical current detection device is provided with a shunt resistor that includes a first conducting part, a second conducting part, a center conducting part disposed between the first conducting part and the second conducting part, a first resistor disposed between the first conducting part and the center conducting part, and a second resistor disposed between the second conducting part and the center conducting part, the second resistor having a greater resistance value than the first resistor. The electrical current detection device is further provided with: a signal output unit; an estimation unit that estimates a first estimated current value from the first detection signal, and estimates a second estimated current value from the second detection signal; and an determination unit that compares the first estimated current value and the second estimated current value, and determines the abnormality of the shunt resistor.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Masaki Yugou, Kimihiko Furukawa
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Publication number: 20170315181Abstract: A integrated circuit includes a plurality of first connection terminals (410) and second connection terminals (420) for receiving an input of electrical signals, a first detection section, a second detection section, a plurality of switches (432), and a switch control section (430). The first detection section is connected to first connection terminals (410) and obtains input electrical signals. The second detection section is connected to second connection terminals (420). Each switch (432) connects adjacent second connection terminals (420) among second connection terminals (420) to each other, and are connected to each other in series. Switch control section (430) controls to turn off switches (432) and allows electrical signals input to second connection terminals (420) to be input to the second detection section, and controls to turn on any switch among switches (432) to bring adjacent second connection terminals (420) into electrical continuity.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: JUN ASAKURA, KIMIHIKO FURUKAWA, TOMOYUKI MATSUBARA
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Publication number: 20170089955Abstract: An electrical current detection device is provided with a shunt resistor that includes a first conducting part, a second conducting part, a center conducting part disposed between the first conducting part and the second conducting part, a first resistor disposed between the first conducting part and the center conducting part, and a second resistor disposed between the second conducting part and the center conducting part, the second resistor having a greater resistance value than the first resistor. The electrical current detection device is further provided with: a signal output unit; an estimation unit that estimates a first estimated current value from the first detection signal, and estimates a second estimated current value from the second detection signal; and an determination unit that compares the first estimated current value and the second estimated current value, and determines the abnormality of the shunt resistor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2015Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: MASAKI YUGOU, KIMIHIKO FURUKAWA
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Publication number: 20160261007Abstract: A plurality of cascade-connected voltage detection ICs detect each voltage of a plurality of battery cells connected in series and constituting an assembled battery, through a plurality of voltage detection lines. Power sources receive power from the assembled battery, for supplying power to the plurality of the voltage detection. Communication lines connect between the plurality of the voltage detection ICs. A controlling circuit is connected to at least one of the plurality of the voltage detection ICs. First to third dummy resistors are connected to each of one or more of the voltage detection ICs which are not directly communicated to the controlling circuit out of the plurality of the voltage detection ICs First to third switches turn on or off current supply through the first to third dummy resistors.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2014Publication date: September 8, 2016Applicant: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: KIMIHIKO FURUKAWA, TOMOYUKI MATSUBARA
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Patent number: 8878492Abstract: The power source apparatus is provided with a plurality of modules (10), and a main controller (2) connected with communication interface units (16) in each module via a communication line CB. Each module is provided with a battery block (12) having a plurality of battery cells (11) stacked together and connected in series and/or parallel, a battery state detection section (14) to detect the state of the battery cells, communication interface units for data communication with other modules and the main controller, and a memory section (18) that can store data received through the communication interface units. The plurality of modules are connected in series and/or parallel with an output line OL.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kimihiko Furukawa, Junya Yano, Kuniho Tanaka
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Patent number: 8754654Abstract: A power supply device includes battery units. Each unit includes a battery block, a voltage detector, a power supply circuit, and a disconnection detector. The block includes serially-connected battery cells. The voltage detector detects the cell voltages through voltage detection lines. The power supply circuit supplies power from the block to the voltage detector. The voltage detector is powered by electric power from the block. The disconnection detector detects disconnection of the lines based on the detected cell voltages. An unbalance resistor is connected to one of the blocks to increase power consumption of this block. Thus, a current flows in the line that is connected to a node between this block and an adjacent block connected next to this block.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2011Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kimihiko Furukawa
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Patent number: 8674703Abstract: The car battery system of the present invention is provided with a battery block 2 that retains a plurality of battery cells 1 in a stacked configuration and has a terminal plane 2A, which is coincident with terminal surfaces 1A established by positive and negative battery cell 1 electrode terminals 13; and with a battery state detection circuit 30 that connects with the electrode terminals 13 of each battery cell 1. The battery system is provided with a circuit board 7 with surface-mounted electronic components 40 that implement the battery state detection circuit 30. The circuit board 7 is a single-sided board with electronic components 40 mounted on only one side, and the circuit board 7 is attached to the battery block 2 opposite the terminal plane 2A with the side having no electronic components 40 facing the battery block 2. The positive and negative electrode terminals 13 of each battery cell 1 are connected with the circuit board 7 for connection to the battery state detection circuit 30.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2012Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jyunya Yano, Kimihiko Furukawa, Kuniho Tanaka
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Publication number: 20140009092Abstract: An equalizing apparatus that includes discharging circuitry and charging circuitry. The discharging circuitry includes a plurality of discharging sections corresponding to the plurality of battery cells in the plurality of battery cell groups. The charging circuitry includes a first coil, a switching device, a plurality of second coils, a plurality of switching devices, and a plurality of diodes. Each of the plurality of second coils, switching devices, and diodes corresponds to a battery cell group. The first coil and second coil form a transformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2012Publication date: January 9, 2014Inventors: Rui Ma, Tomonori Kunimitsu, Kimihiko Furukawa
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Patent number: 8598884Abstract: A car battery system includes a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell having a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal, a battery block that retains the plurality of battery cells in a stacked configuration and has a terminal surface that is formed by battery cell terminal surfaces established by the positive and negative electrode terminals, and a battery state detection circuit that is connected to the electrode terminals of each battery cell to detect the condition of each battery cell. The positive and negative electrode terminals of each battery cell are connected to a circuit board and to the battery state detection circuit. The circuit board is connected to the positive and negative electrode terminals of each battery cell via voltage detection lines, and the voltage detection lines are connected to the same locations on the electrode terminals of each battery cell.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2009Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jyunya Yano, Kimihiko Furukawa, Kuniho Tanaka
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Patent number: 8508232Abstract: The battery system has a current detection circuit 2, an amplifier 6, and a detection circuit 7 that detects the current flowing through batteries 1 from amplifier 6 output. The current detection circuit 2 is provided with a voltage source circuit 8 that supplies a test voltage to the input-side of the amplifier 6. Current detection lines 10 connect the current detection resistor 5 to the input-side of the amplifier 6, and the detection circuit 7 stores a reference voltage corresponding to the current detection lines 10 in the connected state. When the voltage source circuit 8 supplies the test voltage to the input-side of the amplifier 6, the detection circuit 7 compares the amplifier 6 output voltage with the reference voltage. The detection circuit 7 detects an open-circuit in the current detection lines 10 by the shift in voltage from the reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaki Yugou, Kimihiko Furukawa, Yutaka Yamauchi
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Patent number: 8497661Abstract: A battery ECU acquires open circuit voltages of a plurality of battery cells that are divided into a plurality of groups A, B, C using a plurality of detecting units, and calculates SOCs of the battery cells based on the open circuit voltages. Then, the battery ECU selects the group to which the battery cell having the largest SOC among the SOCs of the plurality of battery cells belongs, and selects the battery cell to be discharged in the selected group. A series circuit composed of a resistor and a switching element is connected in parallel with each battery cell. The battery ECU turns on the switching element corresponding to the selected battery cell. At this time, the battery cell is connected to the resistor, thus being discharged.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroya Murao, Yutaka Yamauchi, Kimihiko Furukawa
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Publication number: 20130002016Abstract: The power source apparatus is provided with a plurality of modules (10), and a main controller (2) connected with communication interface units (16) in each module via a communication line CB. Each module is provided with a battery block (12) having a plurality of battery cells (11) stacked together and connected in series and/or parallel, a battery state detection section (14) to detect the state of the battery cells, communication interface units for data communication with other modules and the main controller, and a memory section (18) that can store data received through the communication interface units. The plurality of modules are connected in series and/or parallel with an output line OL.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2011Publication date: January 3, 2013Inventors: Kimihiko Furukawa, Junya Yano, Kuniho Tanaka
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Publication number: 20130002017Abstract: A car battery system includes a battery block 2 that retains a plurality of battery cells 1 in a stacked configuration and has a terminal plane 2A, and a battery state detection circuit 30 that connects with the electrode terminals 13 of each battery cell 1. The battery system is provided with a circuit board 7 with surface-mounted electronic components 40 that implement the battery state detection circuit 30. The circuit board 7 is a single-sided board with electronic components 40 mounted on only one side, and the circuit board 7 is attached to the battery block 2 opposite the terminal plane 2A with the side having no electronic components 40 facing the battery block 2. The positive and negative electrode terminals 13 of each battery cell 1 are connected with the circuit board 7 for connection to the battery state detection circuit 30.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Inventors: Jyunya YANO, Kimihiko Furukawa, Kuniho Tanaka