Patents by Inventor Masakazu Umehara

Masakazu Umehara 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: 20240082871
    Abstract: A coating device includes a backup roll configured to transport a workpiece; a coating die configured to discharge a coating liquid onto the workpiece; a drive section capable configured to drive the backup roll; and a heat dissipation section configured to dissipate heat generated in the drive section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicants: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Primearth EV Energy Co., Ltd., Prime Planet Energy & Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Taichi URAKAMI, Seiji ISHIZU, Yu ICHINO, Masakazu UMEHARA, Naohiro ISHIZUKA, Naoya KISHIMOTO
  • Patent number: 11929481
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rechargeable battery includes forming a mixture layer and an insulating layer on an electrode substrate having an edge extending in a specified direction so that an exposed portion where the electrode substrate is exposed extends between the edge and the insulating layer; pressing the mixture layer; and stretching an extension portion, located between the edge and the mixture layer, and the insulating layer in the specified direction. The stretching includes applying a stress greater than or equal to yield stress of the electrode substrate or greater than or equal to 0.2% proof stress of the electrode substrate and less than tensile strength of the electrode substrate to the extension portion, and applying a stress greater than or equal to yield stress of the insulating layer or greater than or equal to 0.2% proof stress of the insulating layer to the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignees: PRIMEARTH EV ENERGY CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, PRIME PLANET ENERGY & SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Masakazu Umehara, Naomichi Ishikawa, Naoto Ooshiro, Yuuki Kudou, Hideki Hayashi, Hiroki Yamada, Naoya Kishimoto
  • Publication number: 20240033796
    Abstract: A roll exchange mechanism for a reduction roll apparatus, capable of contributing to simplifying work for replacing a roller is provided. A roll exchange mechanism for a reduction roll apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a rail member disposed parallel to a rotation shaft of a roller of the reduction roll apparatus, a placement part disposed in a support frame of a roll unit and configured to be placed on the rail member, a receiving part disposed in an apparatus frame of the reduction roll apparatus and configured so that the rail member is placed thereon, and an opening formed in the apparatus frame of the reduction roll apparatus and configured so that the roll unit can be inserted therein and removed therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicants: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Primearth Ev Energy Co., Ltd., Prime Planet Energy & Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Taichi URAKAMI, Seiji Ishizu, Kazutoshi Iwata, Masakazu Umehara, Shingo Mori, Naoya Kishimoto
  • Publication number: 20240029236
    Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes a support, an image capturing unit, and a controller. The support supports a workpiece. The image capturing unit generates captured image data including an image of the workpiece. The controller executes image processing on the captured image data to evaluate the workpiece. The support includes an engraved portion, including a groove and serving as a reference for inspection, on a surface of the support in a non-contact region that is free from contact with the workpiece. The engraved portion is included in an image capturing range of the image capturing unit. The controller evaluates the workpiece using a dimension of the engraved portion that is stored in the controller in advance and a reference image that is an image of the engraved portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicants: PRIMEARTH EV ENERGY CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, PRIME PLANET ENERGY & SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Masakazu UMEHARA, Shingo MORI, Naoya KISHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20240011754
    Abstract: A measurement method includes a step of measuring an object to be measured and a reference object by a first measurement unit and a second measurement unit. The first measurement unit has a first displacement meter and a second displacement meter that face each other in a first direction and measure the distance from the object to be measured. The second measurement unit has a third displacement meter and a fourth displacement meter that face each other in the first direction and measure the distance from the reference object. A frame-like supporting member includes a first frame portion supporting the first displacement meter and the third displacement meter, a second frame portion supporting the second displacement meter and the fourth displacement meter, and a third frame portion and a fourth frame portion that connect both end portions of the first frame portion and the second frame portion to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Primearth EV Energy Co., Ltd., Prime Planet Energy & Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Keito HORIBA, Taichi URAKAMI, Seiji ISHIZU, Kazutoshi IWATA, Masakazu UMEHARA, Naoya KISHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20240011525
    Abstract: In a press roll apparatus, bearing portions rotatably support end portions on both sides of a pair of press roll portions, respectively. Each of the bearing portions includes a bearing body portion, a rolling bearing, and a pair of oil seal portions. The bearing body portion has an annular shape, and the press roll portion is inserted. The rolling bearing is positioned on the side of the press roll portion inserted into the bearing body portion as viewed from the bearing body portion, and rotatably supports the press roll portion. The rolling bearing is coated with lubricant. The oil seal portions are positioned on both sides in the first direction as viewed from the rolling bearing. The oil seal portions are connected to the bearing body portion. The oil seal portions are positioned so as to be spaced from the press roll portion inserted into the bearing body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Primearth EV Energy Co., Ltd., Prime Planet Energy & Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Taichi URAKAMI, Seiji ISHIZU, Kazutoshi IWATA, Masakazu UMEHARA, Shingo MORI, Naoya Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 11811067
    Abstract: A strip-shaped electrode sheet includes an electrode foil including a strip-shaped foil exposed portion in which the electrode foil is exposed, a strip-shaped active material layer extending in a longitudinal direction, and a strip-shaped insulator layer containing insulating resin and formed on an insulator-layer support portion along a one-side layer edge portion of the active material layer and between the foil exposed portion of the electrode foil and an active-material-layer support portion. The insulator layer is located lower than a top face of the active material layer toward the electrode foil and includes a slant coating portion covering at least a lower portion of a one-side slant portion of the active material layer and a foil coating portion extending from the slant coating portion in a width-direction one side and covering the insulator-layer support portion of the electrode foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masakazu Umehara
  • Publication number: 20230332881
    Abstract: An optical axis adjustment jig includes a main unit portion that is configured to be disposed between a pair of head units, and is fashioned in a flat plate shape. The main unit portion includes a reference portion for adjusting a distance between the head units, and an inclination of an optical axis of each of the head units, and a screen portion for aligning the optical axes of the head units. The reference portion and the screen portion are disposed arrayed in a direction orthogonal to a thickness direction of the main unit portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, PRIMEARTH EV ENERGY CO., LTD., Prime Planet Energy & Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Keito HORIBA, Taichi Urakami, Seiji Ishizu, Kazutoshi Iwata, Masakazu Umehara, Naoya Kishimoto
  • Publication number: 20230261242
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode body includes a coater and an attraction magnet. The coater applies a mixture paste including an electrode active material to a substrate that is configured to be a current collector. The attraction magnet is opposed to an applied layer of the mixture paste formed on the substrate so that when the mixture paste contains a metal object, the attraction magnet attracts the metal object so as to change a shape of a surface of the applied layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicants: PRIMEARTH EV ENERGY CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, PRIME PLANET ENERGY & SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Yuki HIRAHARA, Masakazu UMEHARA, Naohiro ISHIZUKA, Kou SAITO, Naoya KISHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20230256404
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing slurry for an insulation protective layer of a rechargeable battery includes obtaining an insulation material calibration curve showing a relationship between particle size and compressibility of an insulation material using sets of particle size and compressibility of the insulation material, obtaining a binder calibration curve showing a relationship between particle size and compressibility of a binder using sets of particle size and compressibility of the binder, measuring particle sizes of the insulation material and the binder loaded, determining an optimal mixture weight ratio with reference to the curves so that compressibility of mixture powder of the insulation material and the binder equals a set compressibility based on the measured particle sizes, mixing the insulation material and the binder at the determined mixture weight ratio to form mixture powder, loading the mixture powder into a powder dispenser, and adding a solvent to the mixture powder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicants: PRIMEARTH EV ENERGY CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, PRIME PLANET ENERGY & SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Hideki HAYASHI, Masakazu UMEHARA, Naoto OOSHIRO, Hiroki YAMADA, Yuuki KUDOU, Naoya KISHIMOTO
  • Patent number: 11695120
    Abstract: A strip-shaped electrode sheet includes an electrode foil including a strip-shaped foil exposed portion in which the electrode foil is exposed, a strip-shaped active material layer extending in a longitudinal direction, and a strip-shaped insulator layer containing insulating resin and formed on an insulator-layer support portion along a one-side layer edge portion of the active material layer and between the foil exposed portion of the electrode foil and an active-material-layer support portion. The insulator layer is located lower than a top face of the active material layer toward the electrode foil and includes a slant coating portion covering at least a lower portion of a one-side slant portion of the active material layer and a foil coating portion extending from the slant coating portion in a width-direction one side and covering the insulator-layer support portion of the electrode foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masakazu Umehara
  • Patent number: 11695121
    Abstract: A strip-shaped electrode sheet includes an electrode foil including a strip-shaped foil exposed portion in which the electrode foil is exposed, a strip-shaped active material layer extending in a longitudinal direction, and a strip-shaped insulator layer containing insulating resin and formed on an insulator-layer support portion along a one-side layer edge portion of the active material layer and between the foil exposed portion of the electrode foil and an active-material-layer support portion. The insulator layer is located lower than a top face of the active material layer toward the electrode foil and includes a slant coating portion covering at least a lower portion of a one-side slant portion of the active material layer and a foil coating portion extending from the slant coating portion in a width-direction one side and covering the insulator-layer support portion of the electrode foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masakazu Umehara
  • Publication number: 20230187599
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rechargeable battery includes a simultaneous coating process for simultaneously coating an electrode substrate with one strip of a mixture paste and two strips of an insulation paste dispensed from a dispenser so that each widthwise end of the strip of the mixture paste is adjacent to a different strip of the insulation paste. The simultaneous coating process includes a gap adjustment process for changing a distance between the dispenser and the electrode substrate based on a coating width of the mixture paste, detected in the simultaneous coating process by an image inspection unit, so that the coating width of the mixture paste approaches a target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicants: PRIMEARTH EV ENERGY CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, PRIME PLANET ENERGY & SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Masakazu UMEHARA, Yuki HIRAHARA, Naohiro ISHIZUKA, Shunpei MORIYA, Kou SAITO, Shingo MORI, Seiji ISHIZU, Taichi URAKAMI, Yu ICHINO, Naoya KISHIMOTO
  • Patent number: 11673209
    Abstract: A manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus for a separator layer-coated electrode are provided capable of shortening the time required to cut out a separator layer-coated electrode with a laser beam. In a cutting process, a laser beam is irradiated to a laser irradiation target portion of a strip-shaped separator layer-coated electrode from a front-side separator layer side to cut a strip-shaped separator layer-coated electrode. Prior to the cutting process, a preheating process is conducted to preheat the front-side separator layer in the laser irradiation target portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masakazu Umehara, Takahiro Kuhara, Shingo Komura
  • Publication number: 20230178708
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rechargeable battery includes forming a mixture layer and an insulating layer on an electrode substrate having an edge extending in a specified direction so that an exposed portion where the electrode substrate is exposed extends between the edge and the insulating layer; pressing the mixture layer; and stretching an extension portion, located between the edge and the mixture layer, and the insulating layer in the specified direction. The stretching includes applying a stress greater than or equal to yield stress of the electrode substrate or greater than or equal to 0.2% proof stress of the electrode substrate and less than tensile strength of the electrode substrate to the extension portion, and applying a stress greater than or equal to yield stress of the insulating layer or greater than or equal to 0.2% proof stress of the insulating layer to the insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicants: PRIMEARTH EV ENERGY CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, PRIME PLANET ENERGY & SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Masakazu UMEHARA, Naomichi ISHIKAWA, Naoto OSHIRO, Yuuki KUDOU, Hideki HAYASHI, Hiroki YAMADA, Naoya KISHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20220246941
    Abstract: A strip-shaped electrode sheet includes an electrode foil including a strip-shaped foil exposed portion in which the electrode foil is exposed, a strip-shaped active material layer extending in a longitudinal direction, and a strip-shaped insulator layer containing insulating resin and formed on an insulator-layer support portion along a one-side layer edge portion of the active material layer and between the foil exposed portion of the electrode foil and an active-material-layer support portion. The insulator layer is located lower than a top face of the active material layer toward the electrode foil and includes a slant coating portion covering at least a lower portion of a one-side slant portion of the active material layer and a foil coating portion extending from the slant coating portion in a width-direction one side and covering the insulator-layer support portion of the electrode foil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventor: Masakazu UMEHARA
  • Publication number: 20220200008
    Abstract: A strip-shaped electrode sheet includes an electrode foil including a strip-shaped foil exposed portion in which the electrode foil is exposed, a strip-shaped active material layer extending in a longitudinal direction, and a strip-shaped insulator layer containing insulating resin and formed on an insulator-layer support portion along a one-side layer edge portion of the active material layer and between the foil exposed portion of the electrode foil and an active-material-layer support portion. The insulator layer is located lower than a top face of the active material layer toward the electrode foil and includes a slant coating portion covering at least a lower portion of a one-side slant portion of the active material layer and a foil coating portion extending from the slant coating portion in a width-direction one side and covering the insulator-layer support portion of the electrode foil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventor: Masakazu UMEHARA
  • Patent number: 11171363
    Abstract: There is provided a method for producing an electrode body including a current collection foil, an electrode mixture layer, a heat resistant layer, and a separator layer are laminated in this order. The method includes applying a liquid heat resistant material forming the heat resistant layer to the electrode mixture layer on an electrode plate that is obtained by forming an electrode mixture layer on the current collection foil and disposing the porous separator layer on the liquid heat resistant material before the liquid heat resistant material according to the application is dried after applying the liquid heat resistant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masakazu Umehara
  • Publication number: 20210249692
    Abstract: There is provided a method for producing an electrode body including a current collection foil, an electrode mixture layer, a heat resistant layer, and a separator layer are laminated in this order. The method includes applying a liquid heat resistant material forming the heat resistant layer to the electrode mixture layer on an electrode plate that is obtained by forming an electrode mixture layer on the current collection foil and disposing the porous separator layer on the liquid heat resistant material before the liquid heat resistant material according to the application is dried after applying the liquid heat resistant material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masakazu UMEHARA
  • Patent number: 11056721
    Abstract: There is provided a method for producing an electrode body including a current collection foil, an electrode mixture layer, a heat resistant layer, and a separator layer are laminated in this order. The method includes applying a liquid heat resistant material forming the heat resistant layer to the electrode mixture layer on an electrode plate that is obtained by forming an electrode mixture layer on the current collection foil and disposing the porous separator layer on the liquid heat resistant material before the liquid heat resistant material according to the application is dried after applying the liquid heat resistant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masakazu Umehara