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).

  • Patent number: 10843567
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masato Nishikawa, Kimihiko Furukawa, Hidetsugu Mukae, Shinya Inui, Tomonori Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 10627453
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Asakura, Kimihiko Furukawa, Tomoyuki Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20200033418
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Nishikawa, Kimihiko Furukawa, Hidetsugu Mukae, Shinya Inui, Tomonori Kawamoto
  • Publication number: 20200003842
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Nishikawa, Kimihiko Furukawa, Hidetsugu Mukae, Shinya Inui, Tomonori Kawamoto
  • Publication number: 20190285669
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kimihiko Furukawa
  • Publication number: 20190067962
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Matsubara, Kimihiko Furukawa
  • Patent number: 10056653
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kimihiko Furukawa, Tomoyuki Matsubara
  • Patent number: 9945886
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Yugou, Kimihiko Furukawa
  • Publication number: 20170315181
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2015
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: JUN ASAKURA, KIMIHIKO FURUKAWA, TOMOYUKI MATSUBARA
  • Publication number: 20170089955
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: MASAKI YUGOU, KIMIHIKO FURUKAWA
  • Publication number: 20160261007
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: KIMIHIKO FURUKAWA, TOMOYUKI MATSUBARA
  • Patent number: 8878492
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimihiko Furukawa, Junya Yano, Kuniho Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8754654
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kimihiko Furukawa
  • Patent number: 8674703
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jyunya Yano, Kimihiko Furukawa, Kuniho Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20140009092
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Rui Ma, Tomonori Kunimitsu, Kimihiko Furukawa
  • Patent number: 8598884
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jyunya Yano, Kimihiko Furukawa, Kuniho Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8508232
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Yugou, Kimihiko Furukawa, Yutaka Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 8497661
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroya Murao, Yutaka Yamauchi, Kimihiko Furukawa
  • Publication number: 20130002016
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Kimihiko Furukawa, Junya Yano, Kuniho Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20130002017
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Jyunya YANO, Kimihiko Furukawa, Kuniho Tanaka