Patents by Inventor Kunihiko Arai
Kunihiko Arai 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: 11312252Abstract: A connector includes: an outer circumferential wall forming a recessed portion inside thereof, a counterpart connector being to be fitted into the recessed portion; a cylindrical portion provided inside the outer circumferential wall, having an inner circumferential surface, and configured to receive a counterpart terminal of the counterpart connector inside the inner circumferential surface; a terminal having a contact portion arranged inside the inner circumferential surface, the terminal being to be electrically connected to the counterpart terminal when the contact portion contacts the counterpart terminal; and a cooling mechanism having a heat absorption portion and a heat dissipation portion, the heat absorption portion being provided at a position opposite to the contact portion with respect to the inner circumferential surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kunihiko Arai
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Patent number: 11031716Abstract: A terminal structure for use in power feeding includes a first terminal that includes a base portion and a tip portion, that has a shape extending from the base portion to the tip portion along an axis of the first terminal, and that is insertable into and removable from a second terminal, which is tubular. At a predetermined temperature, the first terminal has a first form in which an outer dimension of the tip portion is smaller than that of the base portion when viewed in a direction of a central axis of the first terminal. When a temperature of the first terminal exceeds the predetermined temperature, the first terminal deforms into a second form in which an outer dimension of the tip portion is larger than that of the tip portion of the first form when viewed in a direction of the central axis of the first terminal.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2019Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kunihiko Arai
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Patent number: 10953761Abstract: A connector includes: a terminal including a base portion and a cylindrical portion, an outer circumferential surface thereof contacting a counterpart terminal; and a heat transfer member which contacts an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, absorbs a portion of heat generated at the cylindrical portion, and transports the absorbed heat to a base portion side. The heat transfer member is configured to satisfy Q1>Q2, where Q1 is defined as a heat transfer amount transported to the base portion side during conduction, using the heat transfer member, and Q2 is defined as a heat transfer amount transported to the base portion side during the conduction, using another heat transfer member constituted of a member having a heat conductivity identical to that of the cylindrical portion, when the other one is arranged to fill a space formed on an inner circumferential surface side of the cylindrical portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kunihiko Arai
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Patent number: 10879640Abstract: Provided is a terminal structure in which a first terminal is insertable in a second terminal. The first terminal includes a pin and a first rotor provided at an end of the pin. The second terminal includes a female pin, a hollow elastic member rotatable along the inner circumferential face of the receptacle in the female pin, and a second rotor provided at an end of the elastic member. The second rotor and the elastic member are configured to rotate circumferentially when the first rotor is moved in the insertion direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kunihiko Arai
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Publication number: 20200136290Abstract: A terminal structure for use in power feeding includes a first terminal that includes a base portion and a tip portion, that has a shape extending from the base portion to the tip portion along an axis of the first terminal, and that is insertable into and removable from a second terminal, which is tubular. At a predetermined temperature, the first terminal has a first form in which an outer dimension of the tip portion is smaller than that of the base portion when viewed in a direction of a central axis of the first terminal. When a temperature of the first terminal exceeds the predetermined temperature, the first terminal deforms into a second form in which an outer dimension of the tip portion is larger than that of the tip portion of the first form when viewed in a direction of the central axis of the first terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventor: Kunihiko Arai
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Publication number: 20200099157Abstract: Provided is a terminal structure in which a first terminal is insertable in a second terminal. The first terminal includes a pin and a first rotor provided at an end of the pin. The second terminal includes a female pin, a hollow elastic member rotatable along the inner circumferential face of the receptacle in the female pin, and a second rotor provided at an end of the elastic member. The second rotor and the elastic member are configured to rotate circumferentially when the first rotor is moved in the insertion direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2019Publication date: March 26, 2020Inventor: Kunihiko Arai
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Publication number: 20190344674Abstract: A connector includes: a terminal including a base portion and a cylindrical portion, an outer circumferential surface thereof contacting a counterpart terminal; and a heat transfer member which contacts an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, absorbs a portion of heat generated at the cylindrical portion, and transports the absorbed heat to a base portion side. The heat transfer member is configured to satisfy Q1>Q2, where Q1 is defined as a heat transfer amount transported to the base portion side during conduction, using the heat transfer member, and Q2 is defined as a heat transfer amount transported to the base portion side during the conduction, using another heat transfer member constituted of a member having a heat conductivity identical to that of the cylindrical portion, when the other one is arranged to fill a space formed on an inner circumferential surface side of the cylindrical portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2019Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventor: Kunihiko Arai
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Publication number: 20190322186Abstract: A connector includes: an outer circumferential wall forming a recessed portion inside thereof, a counterpart connector being to be fitted into the recessed portion; a cylindrical portion provided inside the outer circumferential wall, having an inner circumferential surface, and configured to receive a counterpart terminal of the counterpart connector inside the inner circumferential surface; a terminal having a contact portion arranged inside the inner circumferential surface, the terminal being to be electrically connected to the counterpart terminal when the contact portion contacts the counterpart terminal; and a cooling mechanism having a heat absorption portion and a heat dissipation portion, the heat absorption portion being provided at a position opposite to the contact portion with respect to the inner circumferential surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventor: Kunihiko Arai
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Patent number: 10403941Abstract: A temperature controller, for a battery, includes: a temperature control part configured to control a temperature of the battery by a phase change of a heat medium between a liquid phase and a gas phase; a gas phase flow passage through which a gas phase heat medium that flows out of the temperature control part flows; a heat medium cooling part configured to condense the gas phase heat medium that flows in from the gas phase flow passage; and a liquid phase flow passage through which the liquid phase heat medium flows from the heat medium cooling part to the temperature control part, the temperature control part and the heat medium cooling part being arranged such that a liquid surface of the liquid phase heat medium in the heat medium cooling part is positioned on an upper side than a liquid surface of the liquid phase heat medium in the temperature control part.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2014Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kunihiko Arai, Yoshiaki Kawakami
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Patent number: 10040355Abstract: A converter can selectively use reactors through an ON-OFF control on relays by an electronic control unit. The first reactor is disposed as a component of the converter separately from a main battery. On the other hand, the second reactor is so disposed as to have a heat transfer path between the second reactor and the main battery. At least based on the output from the temperature sensor, in a low temperature state of the main battery, the electronic control unit turns off the first relay, and turns on the second relay, thereby configuring a reactor of the converter by using the second reactor.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2016Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kunihiko Arai
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Patent number: 9919613Abstract: A battery temperature regulating device is provided with a low temperature heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchange with the air conditioning system, a battery temperature regulating unit configured to allow heat exchange with the low temperature heat exchanger so as to regulate the temperature of the battery to approach a target temperature, and a control unit configured to control the battery temperature regulating unit. In the case where the charging is performed from the power supply external to the vehicle, the control unit determines whether or not it is necessary to accumulate heat in the battery, and in the case where it is determined that the heat accumulation is necessary, the control unit sets the target temperature of the battery during charging higher than that in the case where it is determined that the heat accumulation is unnecessary.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kunihiko Arai, Yoshiaki Kawakami
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Patent number: 9458756Abstract: A cooling device for electric equipment includes a cooling unit for cooling an inverter element as a heat source. The cooling unit has a surface on which the inverter element is provided and a back surface disposed on a back side of surface, and includes a heat mass for transferring heat generated by the inverter element, an air-cooling fin provided on the back surface and radiating heat transferred through the heat mass, and an air-conditioner coolant pipeline provided on the surface and forming a coolant passage through which the coolant for vehicle cabin air-conditioning flows. With such configuration, a cooling device for electric equipment excellent in the cooling efficiency is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2011Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kunihiko Arai
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Publication number: 20160276935Abstract: A converter can selectively use reactors through an ON-OFF control on relays by an electronic control unit. The first reactor is disposed as a component of the converter separately from a main battery. On the other hand, the second reactor is so disposed as to have a heat transfer path between the second reactor and the main battery. At least based on the output from the temperature sensor, in a low temperature state of the main battery, the electronic control unit turns off the first relay, and turns on the second relay, thereby configuring a reactor of the converter by using the second reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2016Publication date: September 22, 2016Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kunihiko ARAI
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Publication number: 20160204488Abstract: A temperature controller, for a battery, includes: a temperature control part configured to control a temperature of the battery by a phase change of a heat medium between a liquid phase and a gas phase; a gas phase flow passage through which a gas phase heat medium that flows out of the temperature control part flows; a heat medium cooling part configured to condense the gas phase heat medium that flows in from the gas phase flow passage; and a liquid phase flow passage through which the liquid phase heat medium flows from the heat medium cooling part to the temperature control part, the temperature control part and the heat medium cooling part being arranged such that a liquid surface of the liquid phase heat medium in the heat medium cooling part is positioned on an upper side than a liquid surface of the liquid phase heat medium in the temperature control part.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2014Publication date: July 14, 2016Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kunihiko ARAI, Yoshiaki KAWAKAMI
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Publication number: 20160111760Abstract: A power storage module includes a plurality of power storage elements extending in a predetermined direction; a holder in which a plurality of openings into each of which each of the plurality of power storage elements is inserted is arranged within a plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction; a heater provided at an end portion in a first direction in the plane of the holder, and disposed linearly in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the plane so as to increase a temperature of the power storage elements through the holder; and a busbar unit including a first busbar dividing the plurality of power storage elements in the first direction into a plurality of blocks along the second direction and connecting the plurality of power storage elements in each block in parallel to one another, and a second busbar connecting adjacent blocks in the first direction in series to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Inventor: Kunihiko Arai
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Patent number: 9237678Abstract: A cooling device for electric equipment includes a cooling unit for cooling inverter elements. Cooling unit includes a heat mass which has a surface provided with the inverter elements and a back surface arranged on a back side of surface to form a heat mass inner tank arranged between the surface and the back surface and transfers heat generated at the inverter elements, a fin portion which is provided on the back surface and radiates heat transferred through the heat mass, air-conditioner coolant pipelines which are provided on the surface and form a coolant passage through which a coolant for vehicle cabin air-conditioning flows, and a water pump which supplies and discharges coolant water to and from the heat mass inner tank. With such a configuration, a cooling device for electric equipment which is excellent in cooling efficiency is provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2011Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kunihiko Arai
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Patent number: 9233594Abstract: A cooling device utilizes a vapor compression refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a condenser, a receiver, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and an accumulator to cool a heat source with a coolant. The receiver separates the coolant having been subjected to heat exchange by the condenser into gas and liquid. The accumulator separates the coolant having been subjected to heat exchange by the evaporator into gas and liquid. The cooling device opens a switch valve capable of bringing the receiver and the accumulator into communication with each other to move the coolant liquid in the accumulator to the receiver. The cooling device restores the pressure difference between the receiver and the accumulator after the movement of the coolant liquid to the pressure difference before the movement of the coolant liquid by a pressure regulating unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2012Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kunihiko Arai, Yoshiaki Kawakami
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Publication number: 20150266392Abstract: A battery temperature regulating device is provided with a low temperature heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchange with the air conditioning system, a battery temperature regulating unit configured to allow heat exchange with the low temperature heat exchanger so as to regulate the temperature of the battery to approach a target temperature, and a control unit configured to control the battery temperature regulating unit. In the case where the charging is performed from the power supply external to the vehicle, the control unit determines whether or not it is necessary to accumulate heat in the battery, and in the case where it is determined that the heat accumulation is necessary, the control unit sets the target temperature of the battery during charging higher than that in the case where it is determined that the heat accumulation is unnecessary.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2015Publication date: September 24, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kunihiko Arai, Yoshiaki Kawakami
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Publication number: 20150013363Abstract: A cooling device utilizes a vapor compression refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a condenser, a receiver, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and an accumulator to cool a heat source with a coolant. The receiver separates the coolant having been subjected to heat exchange by the condenser into gas and liquid. The accumulator separates the coolant having been subjected to heat exchange by the evaporator into gas and liquid. The cooling device opens a switch valve capable of bringing the receiver and the accumulator into communication with each other to move the coolant liquid in the accumulator to the receiver. The cooling device restores the pressure difference between the receiver and the accumulator after the movement of the coolant liquid to the pressure difference before the movement of the coolant liquid by a pressure regulating unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2012Publication date: January 15, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kunihiko Arai, Yoshiaki Kawakami
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Publication number: 20140326010Abstract: A cooling device capable of improving constancy of the ability of a coolant to cool a heat source is provided. A cooling device-cooling an HV device includes a heat exchanger performing heat exchange between the coolant and air-conditioning air; a cooling unit connected in parallel with the heat exchanger and cooling the HV device using the coolant; an expansion valve provided on a downstream side of the heat exchanger and being regulated in opening degree in accordance with a temperature of the coolant between the heat exchanger and the expansion valve and regulating pressure of the coolant flowing through the heat exchanger; and an expansion valve provided on a downstream side of the cooling unit and being regulated in opening degree in accordance with a temperature of the coolant between the cooling unit and the expansion valve and regulating the pressure of the coolant flowing through the cooling unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2011Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshiaki Kawakami, Kunihiko Arai