Patents by Inventor Koichi Ichikawa

Koichi Ichikawa 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: 20150338471
    Abstract: A determination method for a used secondary battery is provided. The determination method includes: comparing an alternating-current internal resistance threshold with an alternating-current internal resistance value; and determining whether a first secondary battery is allowed to be applied to a reconstructed battery pack. The alternating-current internal resistance value is acquired by applying an alternating-current signal having a predetermined frequency to the first secondary battery. The first secondary battery is the used secondary battery intended for determination. The alternating-current internal resistance threshold is a value corresponding to a liquid retention amount threshold of the separator of the first secondary battery. The liquid retention amount threshold is a liquid retention amount of a separator of a second secondary battery. The second secondary battery is the same type as the used secondary battery intended for determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Koichi Ichikawa, Yasuhiro Takahashi, Masahiko Mitsui
  • Publication number: 20150145521
    Abstract: A method of selecting a used secondary battery includes an internal resistance measurement step of measuring a specific internal resistance (second internal resistance) at a specific battery temperature (second battery temperature) of each of used secondary batteries, and a selection step of selecting a used secondary battery or batteries having the specific internal resistance (second internal resistance) smaller than a preset threshold from the plurality of used secondary batteries whose specific internal resistances (second internal resistance) have been measured in order to exclude an electrode-deteriorated battery from the used secondary batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Daisuke KOBA, Sachio TAKEDA, Koichi ICHIKAWA, Yasuhiro TAKAHASHI, Hirochika HABU
  • Publication number: 20140336964
    Abstract: A method includes discharging an assembled battery (10) formed of a plurality of batteries until a state of charge (SOC) of the assembled battery becomes smaller or equal to a lower limit of a predetermined normal use range used in charge and discharge control of the assembled battery, measuring the discharge capacity of each of a plurality of battery blocks in the discharge of the assembled battery, the plurality of batteries being divided into the plurality of battery blocks, calculating the capacity difference in the discharge capacity among the plurality of battery blocks, and determining the remaining life of the battery block or the assembled battery based on the calculated capacity difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, PRIMEARTH EV ENERGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Motoyoshi Okumura, Koichi Ichikawa, Yasushi Matsukawa, Katsunori Maegawa, Toshihiro Yamada
  • Publication number: 20140285157
    Abstract: In a method for adjusting a nickel-metal hydride storage battery, based on a correlation between a charge amount after valve opening and an increased amount of a discharge reserve capacity which are previously ascertained, the charge amount after valve opening corresponding to a target value of the set increased amount of the discharge reserve capacity is calculated and this calculated value is set as a target charge amount after valve opening. In a discharge reserve adjusting step, when a charge amount of the battery from the time when a safety valve device is opened after start of overcharge of the battery reaches the set target charge amount after valve opening, overcharge of the battery is terminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, PRIMEARTH EV ENERGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke KOBA, Sachio TAKEDA, Koichi ICHIKAWA, Masahiko MITSUI, Yasuhiro TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20140239908
    Abstract: A stationary electrical storage system includes: a stationary storage battery including nickel metal hydride secondary batteries; and a controller repeatedly carrying out charging with an external power supply and discharging to supply electric power to a load, stopping discharging to the load when an SOC of any secondary battery has become a first threshold, and stopping charging from the external power supply when an SOC of any secondary battery has become a second threshold. The controller additionally charges the whole stationary storage battery such that the secondary battery other than the secondary battery having the lowest SOC is allowed to be charged to a fully charged level beyond the second threshold by not stopping charging when the SOC of the any secondary battery has become the second threshold and the SOC of the secondary battery having the lowest SOC becomes higher than or equal to the second threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi ICHIKAWA, Yasuhiro TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20140015532
    Abstract: A remaining life determining system for a stationary storage battery has a detecting unit configured to detect an evaluation value indicative of a deterioration level of the stationary storage battery, a first storage unit configured to store a usage history of the stationary storage battery, a second storage unit configured to store remaining life information associated with usage information of the stationary storage battery, a third storage unit configured to store remaining life basic information of the stationary storage battery, and a controller configured to estimate the remaining life of the stationary storage battery, from the usage history, the evaluation value, and the remaining life information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masatoshi UCHIDA, Yasuhiro TAKAHASHI, Koichi ICHIKAWA, Masahiko MITSUI
  • Publication number: 20140015537
    Abstract: A control system for a battery assembly that consists of a plurality of batteries determines whether the battery assembly can be reused, by using detected values of the open voltage, internal resistance and full charge capacity of each of the batteries, as evaluation parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Masatoshi UCHIDA, Yasuhiro TAKAHASHI, Koichi ICHIKAWA, Masahiko MITSUI
  • Publication number: 20130294479
    Abstract: An electric storage system includes an electric storage apparatus connected to a load and performing charge and discharge, a temperature sensor detecting the temperature of the electric storage apparatus in response to connection of the electric storage apparatus to the load, and a controller estimating the deterioration state of the electric storage apparatus based on temperature information in a usage environment of the electric storage apparatus. The controller obtains a temperature distribution of the electric storage apparatus based on an output from the temperature sensor when the electric storage apparatus is connected to the load, and specifies a usage environment of the electric storage apparatus associated with the obtained temperature distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koichi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 6419604
    Abstract: A double-meshing-type silent chain of a silent chain drive includes link plates having the identical side profile. Each link plate has two meshing teeth and a flat back face formed opposite to the meshing teeth. Two kinds of links are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the chain, while the adjacent links are connected by pins. In one kind of link, an odd number of the link plates are disposed in the width direction of the chain. In the other kind of link, an even number of the link plates are disposed in the width direction of the chain. In each link, the link plates are oriented such that the meshing teeth of link plates located at widthwise opposite ends project outwardly with respect to the chain and the meshing teeth of the remaining link plates project inwardly with respect to the chain. Various types of sprockets used for meshing with the double-meshing-type silent chain are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Toyonaga Saito, Nobuto Kozakura, Koichi Ichikawa, Tsutomu Haginoya
  • Publication number: 20020013191
    Abstract: A double-meshing-type silent chain of a silent chain drive includes link plates having the identical side profile. Each link plate has two meshing teeth and a flat back face formed opposite to the meshing teeth. Two kinds of links are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the chain, while the adjacent links are connected by pins. In one kind of link, an odd number of the link plates are disposed in the width direction of the chain. In the other kind of link, an even number of the link plates are disposed in the width direction of the chain. In each link, the link plates are oriented such that the meshing teeth of link plates located at widthwise opposite ends project outwardly with respect to the chain and the meshing teeth of the remaining link plates project inwardly with respect to the chain. Various types of sprockets used for meshing with the double-meshing-type silent chain are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Applicant: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Toyonaga Saito, Nobuto Kozakura, Koichi Ichikawa, Tsutomu Haginoya
  • Patent number: 6334829
    Abstract: A double-meshing-type silent chain of a silent chain drive includes link plates having the identical side profile. Each link plate has two meshing teeth and a flat back face formed opposite to the meshing teeth. Two kinds of links are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the chain, while the adjacent links are connected by pins. In one kind of link, an odd number of the link plates are disposed in the width direction of the chain. In the other kind of link, an even number of the link plates are disposed in the width direction of the chain. In each link, the link plates are oriented such that the meshing teeth of link plates located at widthwise opposite ends project outwardly with respect to the chain and the meshing teeth of the remaining link plates project inwardly with respect to the chain. Various types of sprockets used for meshing with the double-meshing-type silent chain are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Toyonaga Saito, Nobuto Kozakura, Koichi Ichikawa, Tsutomu Haginoya
  • Patent number: 5989140
    Abstract: A both-side meshing type silent chain is provided which not only permits improvement in durability of a tensioner and a chain guide, but also permits a high-speed and smooth transfer of power. The both-side meshing type silent chain has a high durability and includes a plurality of articular train plates and a plurality of guide train plates. Each of the plurality of articular train plates and the plurality of guide train plates have main teeth for engagement with a sprocket disposed on an inner peripheral side of a chain. The plurality of articular train plates are alternately connected to the plurality of guide train plates with pins. Guide plates, which are guided by side faces of the teeth of the sprocket, are disposed on both outer sides of each of the plurality of guide train plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Koichi Ichikawa, Nobuto Kozakura, Tsutomu Haginoya