Patents by Inventor Kosei Maekawa

Kosei Maekawa 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: 11697423
    Abstract: An in-vehicle communication system includes a first relay apparatus installed in a first area of a vehicle, and a second relay apparatus installed in a second area and are connected via a communication main line. A main control apparatus and an auxiliary control apparatus are connected to the first relay apparatus and a controlled apparatus is connected to the second relay apparatus, each connected via a communication branch line. The first input apparatus is installed in the first area and inputs information to the main control apparatus and the auxiliary control apparatus. The second input apparatus is installed in the second area and inputs information to the main control apparatus and the auxiliary control apparatus via the first relay apparatus and the second relay apparatus. The first relay apparatus and the controlled apparatus communicate via an auxiliary communication line provided into both the first area and the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kosei Maekawa
  • Publication number: 20220126846
    Abstract: An in-vehicle communication system includes a first relay apparatus installed in a first area of a vehicle, and a second relay apparatus installed in a second area and are connected via a communication main line. A main control apparatus and an auxiliary control apparatus are connected to the first relay apparatus and a controlled apparatus is connected to the second relay apparatus, each connected via a communication branch line. The first input apparatus is installed in the first area and inputs information to the main control apparatus and the auxiliary control apparatus. The second input apparatus is installed in the second area and inputs information to the main control apparatus and the auxiliary control apparatus via the first relay apparatus and the second relay apparatus. The first relay apparatus and the controlled apparatus communicate via an auxiliary communication line provided into both the first area and the second area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventor: Kosei Maekawa
  • Patent number: 11299115
    Abstract: A power storage unit control device includes a discharging circuit that discharges from a power storage unit to a load, a control circuit that controls the discharging circuit, and a switching unit that executes a discharge prohibition mode in which discharge control of the discharging circuit by the control circuit is prohibited, if a stop signal based on an operation stopped state of a vehicle is received and a power source unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined voltage, and executes a discharge permission mode in which discharge control of the discharging circuit by the control circuit is permitted, if an operation signal based on the operating state of the vehicle is received and the power source unit is greater than or equal to the predetermined voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kosei Maekawa
  • Patent number: 11186157
    Abstract: Provided is a control device or a power storage device configured to efficiently increase the temperature of a vehicular power storage unit, while suppressing an increase in the size of the configuration. A control device includes: a holding unit that holds a power storage unit; a board unit in which one board surface is arranged on the power storage unit side; a charging circuit unit that performs charging operations of supplying charging current to the power storage unit; and a resistance unit, mounted on the one board surface of the board unit and disposed between the board unit and the power storage unit, wherein current flows in the resistance unit in response to a circuit unit performing predetermined charging operations, and the resistance unit emits heat at least toward the power storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kosei Maekawa
  • Patent number: 11173857
    Abstract: A control device for an on-board power supply unit includes a bypass conduction path that serves as a path for supplying power from a first position between power storage units in an on-board power supply unit to a second conduction path, a bypass relay that is interposed in the bypass conduction path, and a protective relay that is disposed between power storage units at a position farther toward a high-potential side than the first position. A control unit switches between first switching control for turning on the protective relay and turning off the bypass relay and second switching control for turning off the protective relay and turning on the bypass relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kosei Maekawa
  • Publication number: 20210300270
    Abstract: A power storage unit control device includes a discharging circuit that discharges from a power storage unit to a load, a control circuit that controls the discharging circuit, and a switching unit that executes a discharge prohibition mode in which discharge control of the discharging circuit by the control circuit is prohibited, if a stop signal based on an operation stopped state of a vehicle is received and a power source unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined voltage, and executes a discharge permission mode in which discharge control of the discharging circuit by the control circuit is permitted, if an operation signal based on the operating state of the vehicle is received and the power source unit is greater than or equal to the predetermined voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicants: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kosei Maekawa
  • Patent number: 11091107
    Abstract: A connection unit includes: a first terminal; a second terminal; a third terminal; a first switch part and a second switch part connected in series between the first terminal and the second terminal; a first diode; and a second diode, wherein the third terminal is connected between the first switch part and the second switch part that are connected in series, the flow of electricity in one direction between the third terminal and at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal is enabled and the flow of electricity in the direction opposite to the one direction is interrupted, by at least one of the first switch part and the second switch part is turned off, and flow of electricity between the first terminal and the second terminal is interrupted in both directions by the first switch part and the second switch part being turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kosei Maekawa
  • Patent number: 10998713
    Abstract: Provided is a relay device that can switch conduction of a current flow path between power storage units on and off, and can suppress a decrease in the output of the power storage units if an abnormality occurs. A relay device includes: a conductive path between a first power storage unit and a second power storage unit, the conductive path serving as a path through which a current flows; a switch unit that is switched between an ON state in which a current can flow through the conductive path, and an OFF state in which the conductive path is in a predetermined no current flow state; a coil that is connected in series to MOSFETs constituting the switch unit, and has an inductance component; and a control unit configured to switch off the switch unit if a value detected by a current detection unit is a predetermined abnormal value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Yasunori, Kosei Maekawa
  • Patent number: 10819099
    Abstract: Provided is a relay device that can switch conduction of a current flow path between power storage units on and off, and can suppress a decrease in the output of the power storage units if an abnormality occurs. A relay device includes: a conductive path; a switch unit switched between an ON state, and an OFF state; a coil connected in series to the switch unit; a first voltage detection unit configured to detect a voltage of the conductive path at a position on a first power storage unit side; a second voltage detection unit configured to detect a voltage of the conductive path at a position on a second power storage unit side; and a control unit configured to switch the switch unit to the OFF state if a value detected by the first voltage detection unit and/or the second voltage detection unit indicates a predetermined abnormal value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kosei Maekawa, Hiromichi Yasunori
  • Patent number: 10811897
    Abstract: A configuration can supply a charging current from a power generator to two power storage devices, and can suppress, if an abnormality occurs on one power storage device side, the abnormality from affecting the other power storage device side. A relay device includes: a first switch configured to interrupt a first conductive path ; a second switch configured to interrupt a second conductive path ; a bypass circuit with a series circuit in which a resistor and a third switch are connected in series to each other, the series circuit having one end electrically connected to a portion between the first switch and the first power storage device, and another end electrically connected to a portion between the second switch and the second power storage device; and a controller configured to turn the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch on/off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kosei Maekawa, Hiromichi Yasunori, Katsuma Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20200207296
    Abstract: A connection unit includes: a first terminal; a second terminal; a third terminal; a first switch part and a second switch part connected in series between the first terminal and the second terminal; a first diode; and a second diode, wherein the third terminal is connected between the first switch part and the second switch part that are connected in series, the flow of electricity in one direction between the third terminal and at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal is enabled and the flow of electricity in the direction opposite to the one direction is interrupted, by at least one of the first switch part and the second switch part is turned off, and flow of electricity between the first terminal and the second terminal is interrupted in both directions by the first switch part and the second switch part being turned off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventor: Kosei Maekawa
  • Patent number: 10676053
    Abstract: A power source device that includes a first battery; a second battery; a power supply line that supplies power to a plurality of loads; a power source line that connects the first battery and the power supply line; a first fuse that is connected between the power source line and the power supply line; a fuse portion whose current capacity is made smaller or larger than a current capacity of the first fuse depending on whether a potential of the power source line is higher or lower than a reference potential; and a first switch that is connected between the second battery and the fuse portion, and is connected to the power supply line via the fuse portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LIMITED, SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Kosei Maekawa
  • Publication number: 20200168867
    Abstract: Provided is a control device or a power storage device configured to efficiently increase the temperature of a vehicular power storage unit, while suppressing an increase in the size of the configuration. A control device includes: a holding unit that holds a power storage unit; a board unit in which one board surface is arranged on the power storage unit side; a charging circuit unit that performs charging operations of supplying charging current to the power storage unit; and a resistance unit, mounted on the one board surface of the board unit and disposed between the board unit and the power storage unit, wherein current flows in the resistance unit in response to a circuit unit performing predetermined charging operations, and the resistance unit emits heat at least toward the power storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventor: Kosei Maekawa
  • Publication number: 20200023794
    Abstract: A control device for an on-board power supply unit includes a bypass conduction path that serves as a path for supplying power from a first position between power storage units in an on-board power supply unit to a second conduction path, a bypass relay that is interposed in the bypass conduction path, and a protective relay that is disposed between power storage units at a position farther toward a high-potential side than the first position. A control unit switches between first switching control for turning on the protective relay and turning off the bypass relay and second switching control for turning off the protective relay and turning on the bypass relay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventor: Kosei Maekawa
  • Patent number: 10399518
    Abstract: Provided are a relay device and a power supply device that can switch on/off a current path between power storage units, and can suppress, if an earth fault has occurred on either power storage unit side, a voltage reduction on the other power storage unit side. A relay device includes: a serial structural portion in which a resistance unit and a switch unit are connected in series to each other; a relay unit that serves as a path for a current to flow between a first power storage unit and a second power storage unit when the switch unit is in the ON state; and a control unit configured to perform control of switching the switch unit of the relay unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kosei Maekawa, Hiromichi Yasunori, Katsuma Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20190237988
    Abstract: A configuration can supply a charging current from a power generator to two power storage devices, and can suppress, if an abnormality occurs on one power storage device side, the abnormality from affecting the other power storage device side. A relay device includes: a first switch configured to interrupt a first conductive path ; a second switch configured to interrupt a second conductive path ; a bypass circuit with a series circuit in which a resistor and a third switch are connected in series to each other, the series circuit having one end electrically connected to a portion between the first switch and the first power storage device, and another end electrically connected to a portion between the second switch and the second power storage device; and a controller configured to turn the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch on/off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicants: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kosei MAEKAWA, Hiromichi YASUNORI, Katsuma TSUKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20190123547
    Abstract: Provided is a relay device that can switch conduction of a current flow path between power storage units on and off, and can suppress a decrease in the output of the power storage units if an abnormality occurs. A relay device includes: a conductive path between a first power storage unit and a second power storage unit, the conductive path serving as a path through which a current flows; a switch unit that is switched between an ON state in which a current can flow through the conductive path, and an OFF state in which the conductive path is in a predetermined no current flow state; a coil that is connected in series to MOSFETs constituting the switch unit, and has an inductance component; and a control unit configured to switch off the switch unit if a value detected by a current detection unit is a predetermined abnormal value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Hiromichi Yasunori, Kosei Maekawa
  • Publication number: 20190123545
    Abstract: Provided is a relay device that can switch conduction of a current flow path between power storage units on and off, and can suppress a decrease in the output of the power storage units if an abnormality occurs. A relay device includes: a conductive path; a switch unit switched between an ON state, and an OFF state; a coil connected in series to the switch unit; a first voltage detection unit configured to detect a voltage of the conductive path at a position on a first power storage unit side; a second voltage detection unit configured to detect a voltage of the conductive path at a position on a second power storage unit side; and a control unit configured to switch the switch unit to the OFF state if a value detected by the first voltage detection unit and/or the second voltage detection unit indicates a predetermined abnormal value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicants: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kosei MAEKAWA, Hiromichi Yasunori
  • Publication number: 20190071038
    Abstract: A power source device that includes a first battery; a second battery; a power supply line that supplies power to a plurality of loads; a power source line that connects the first battery and the power supply line; a first fuse that is connected between the power source line and the power supply line; a fuse portion whose current capacity is made smaller or larger than a current capacity of the first fuse depending on whether a potential of the power source line is higher or lower than a reference potential; and a first switch that is connected between the second battery and the fuse portion, and is connected to the power supply line via the fuse portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicants: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Kosei MAEKAWA
  • Publication number: 20180361961
    Abstract: Provided are a relay device and a power supply device that can switch on/off a current path between power storage units, and can suppress, if an earth fault has occurred on either power storage unit side, a voltage reduction on the other power storage unit side. A relay device includes: a serial structural portion in which a resistance unit and a switch unit are connected in series to each other; a relay unit that serves as a path for a current to flow between a first power storage unit and a second power storage unit when the switch unit is in the ON state; and a control unit configured to perform control of switching the switch unit of the relay unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Kosei Maekawa, Hiromichi Yasunori, Katsuma Tsukamoto