Patents by Inventor Mitsutaka Hano

Mitsutaka Hano 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: 11990894
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first switch and a first driver. The first switch selects and outputs one of a power supply potential and a generated potential as a first switch output potential based on a synchronization signal from a transmission circuit and a delayed signal delayed from the synchronization signal. The first driver charges a gate of a bipolar transistor element based on the synchronization signal of the transmission circuit and the first switch output potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Fukudome, Kazuya Hokazono, Mitsutaka Hano, Yuki Terado
  • Patent number: 11711010
    Abstract: A drive circuit includes a first driver to control on/off of an upper arm, a second driver to control on/off of a lower arm, a first switching device including a first terminal connected with a power supply for the first driver, a second terminal connected with a power supply for the second driver and a control terminal, a booster circuit to turn on the first switching device by boosting a control signal which is at a high level when the lower arm is in an on state, a second switching device to cause continuity between the control terminal and the booster circuit when the control signal is at the high level, and first switch unit to short-circuit the control terminal and the terminal for grounding when the control signal is at the low level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shohei Sano, Akihisa Yamamoto, Mitsutaka Hano
  • Publication number: 20230076712
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first switch and a first driver. The first switch selects and outputs one of a power supply potential and a generated potential as a first switch output potential based on a synchronization signal from a transmission circuit and a delayed signal delayed from the synchronization signal. The first driver charges a gate of a bipolar transistor element based on the synchronization signal of the transmission circuit and the first switch output potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Jun FUKUDOME, Kazuya HOKAZONO, Mitsutaka HANO, Yuki TERADO
  • Patent number: 11476847
    Abstract: An object of the present disclosure is to provide a semiconductor device drive circuit stably preventing an erroneous operation in accordance with an application of dV/dt. A semiconductor device drive circuit includes: pulse transmission circuits outputting an on-pulse transmission signal and an off-pulse transmission signal based on a level shift on-pulse signal and a level shift off-pulse signal; a dV/dt detection circuit detecting a dV/dt period based on the level shift on-pulse signal and the level shift off-pulse signal; a logic filter circuit which does not change outputs when both the on-pulse transmission signal and the off-pulse transmission signal are input; and a latch circuit outputting a signal synchronized with an output of the logic filter circuit. The pulse transmission circuit includes impedance adjusting parts reducing a signal level of the on-pulse transmission signal and the off-pulse transmission signal during the dV/dt period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Fukudome, Kazuya Hokazono, Mitsutaka Hano
  • Publication number: 20220190823
    Abstract: An object of the present disclosure is to provide a semiconductor device drive circuit stably preventing an erroneous operation in accordance with an application of dV/dt. A semiconductor device drive circuit includes: pulse transmission circuits outputting an on-pulse transmission signal and an off-pulse transmission signal based on a level shift on-pulse signal and a level shift off-pulse signal; a dV/dt detection circuit detecting a dV/dt period based on the level shift on-pulse signal and the level shift off-pulse signal; a logic filter circuit which does not change outputs when both the on-pulse transmission signal and the off-pulse transmission signal are input; and a latch circuit outputting a signal synchronized with an output of the logic filter circuit. The pulse transmission circuit includes impedance adjusting parts reducing a signal level of the on-pulse transmission signal and the off-pulse transmission signal during the dV/dt period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Jun FUKUDOME, Kazuya HOKAZONO, Mitsutaka HANO
  • Patent number: 11283347
    Abstract: A control circuit of the present invention includes a drive circuit for outputting a gate drive signal, a charging circuit for generating a charging current when the drive circuit is started up, and a Vcc control circuit for, upon receiving an output from the charging circuit, outputting a control signal for supplying Vcc for the drive circuit, wherein the drive circuit, the charging circuit, and the Vcc control circuit are provided in one chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsutaka Hano
  • Publication number: 20220069695
    Abstract: A drive circuit includes a first driver to control on/off of an upper arm, a second driver to control on/off of a lower arm, a first switching device including a first terminal connected with a power supply for the first driver, a second terminal connected with a power supply for the second driver and a control terminal, a booster circuit to turn on the first switching device by boosting a control signal which is at a high level when the lower arm is in an on state, a second switching device to cause continuity between the control terminal and the booster circuit when the control signal is at the high level, and first switch unit to short-circuit the control terminal and the terminal for grounding when the control signal is at the low level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shohei SANO, Akihisa YAMAMOTO, Mitsutaka HANO
  • Patent number: 10784856
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first drive circuit and a bootstrap control circuit. When a voltage VB is equal to or smaller than a power supply voltage VCC, the boost control circuit turns on a MOSFET by controlling a gate signal input to a gate terminal, and a back gate control circuit makes a voltage applied to a back gate terminal smaller than the voltage VB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsutaka Hano, Akihisa Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20200169253
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first drive circuit and a bootstrap control circuit. When a voltage VB is equal to or smaller than a power supply voltage VCC, the boost control circuit turns on a MOSFET by controlling a gate signal input to a gate terminal, and a back gate control circuit makes a voltage applied to a back gate terminal smaller than the voltage VB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsutaka HANO, Akihisa YAMAMOTO
  • Patent number: 10345833
    Abstract: A current to be supplied to a load driven by the current is linearly controlled in accordance with a voltage. A voltage-current converter according to the present invention includes a differential amplifier, a first current mirror, and a voltage setting unit. The differential amplifier receives an input voltage from an input terminal and outputs a voltage in accordance with a difference between the input voltage and a threshold voltage. The first current mirror receives the voltage from the differential amplifier and outputs an output current to an output terminal. The voltage setting unit sets the threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yo Habu, Mitsutaka Hano
  • Publication number: 20180091035
    Abstract: A control circuit of the present invention includes a drive circuit for outputting a gate drive signal, a charging circuit for generating a charging current when the drive circuit is started up, and a Vcc control circuit for, upon receiving an output from the charging circuit, outputting a control signal for supplying Vcc for the drive circuit, wherein the drive circuit, the charging circuit, and the Vcc control circuit are provided in one chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsutaka HANO
  • Publication number: 20170371363
    Abstract: A current to be supplied to a load driven by the current is linearly controlled in accordance with a voltage. A voltage-current converter according to the present invention includes a differential amplifier, a first current mirror, and a voltage setting unit. The differential amplifier receives an input voltage from an input terminal and outputs a voltage in accordance with a difference between the input voltage and a threshold voltage. The first current mirror receives the voltage from the differential amplifier and outputs an output current to an output terminal. The voltage setting unit sets the threshold voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yo HABU, Mitsutaka HANO
  • Patent number: 9130546
    Abstract: A drive circuit is provided with an input terminal for receiving input signals, an output terminal that outputs drive signals generated from the input signals, a control power supply terminal that receives a control power supply voltage, an output terminal that outputs an output signal, and a reset terminal that receives a reset signal. The output signal is given to a gate of a MOSFET. A secondary side circuit and a MOSFET constitute a step-down chopper circuit, which steps down a voltage through duty ratio control of the gate drive signal and generates a control power supply voltage. Upon receipt of a reset signal, the drive circuit stops outputting the drive signal and changes the output signal so as to reduce the control power supply voltage VCC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masayoshi Utani, Mitsutaka Hano
  • Publication number: 20150028925
    Abstract: A drive circuit is provided with an input terminal for receiving input signals, an output terminal that outputs drive signals generated from the input signals, a control power supply terminal that receives a control power supply voltage, an output terminal that outputs an output signal, and a reset terminal that receives a reset signal. The output signal is given to a gate of a MOSFET. A secondary side circuit and a MOSFET constitute a step-down chopper circuit, which steps down a voltage through duty ratio control of the gate drive signal and generates a control power supply voltage. Upon receipt of a reset signal, the drive circuit stops outputting the drive signal and changes the output signal so as to reduce the control power supply voltage VCC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masayoshi UTANI, Mitsutaka HANO
  • Patent number: 8829952
    Abstract: A gate drive circuit of the present invention is a gate drive circuit for driving an insulated gate switching element, which comprises a control drive circuit for applying a driving voltage to a control terminal of the switching element at a predetermined timing, and a voltage monitoring circuit for monitoring both a first voltage which is a power supply voltage of the control drive circuit and a second voltage which negatively biases the control terminal of the switching element, and in the gate drive circuit, the control drive circuit cuts off an output when at least one of the first and second voltages monitored by the voltage monitoring circuit becomes lower than a threshold value. It is an object of the present invention to provide an insulated gate switching element which can suppress wrong ON.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakata, Akihisa Yamamoto, Mitsutaka Hano
  • Publication number: 20130214822
    Abstract: A gate drive circuit of the present invention is a gate drive circuit for driving an insulated gate switching element, which comprises a control drive circuit for applying a driving voltage to a control terminal of the switching element at a predetermined timing, and a voltage monitoring circuit for monitoring both a first voltage which is a power supply voltage of the control drive circuit and a second voltage which negatively biases the control terminal of the switching element, and in the gate drive circuit, the control drive circuit cuts off an output when at least one of the first and second voltages monitored by the voltage monitoring circuit becomes lower than a threshold value. It is an object of the present invention to provide an insulated gate switching element which can suppress wrong ON.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Hiroshi SAKATA, Akihisa YAMAMOTO, Mitsutaka HANO
  • Patent number: 8284533
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes, a high side drive circuit for controlling the high side power device and including a circuit load, a low side drive circuit for controlling the low side power device, a VCC terminal connected to the low side drive circuit and for supplying a VCC potential to the low side drive circuit, the VCC potential serving as a power supply potential to the low side drive circuit, a bootstrap diode connected at its anode to the VCC terminal and at its cathode to the high side drive circuit and used to produce a VB potential serving as a power supply potential to the high side drive circuit, and means for turning off the circuit load before the VB potential becomes lower than the VCC potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsutaka Hano
  • Patent number: 8248746
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes, a high side drive circuit for controlling the high side power device and including a circuit load, a low side drive circuit for controlling the low side power device, a VCC terminal connected to the low side drive circuit and for supplying a VCC potential to the low side drive circuit, the VCC potential serving as a power supply potential to the low side drive circuit, a bootstrap diode connected at its anode to the VCC terminal and at its cathode to the high side drive circuit and used to produce a VB potential serving as a power supply potential to the high side drive circuit, and means for turning off the circuit load before the VB potential becomes lower than the VCC potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsutaka Hano
  • Publication number: 20110199710
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes, a high side drive circuit for controlling the high side power device and including a circuit load, a low side drive circuit for controlling the low side power device, a VCC terminal connected to the low side drive circuit and for supplying a VCC potential to the low side drive circuit, the VCC potential serving as a power supply potential to the low side drive circuit, a bootstrap diode connected at its anode to the VCC terminal and at its cathode to the high side drive circuit and used to produce a VB potential serving as a power supply potential to the high side drive circuit, and means for turning off the circuit load before the VB potential becomes lower than the VCC potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsutaka HANO
  • Patent number: 6825700
    Abstract: A bootstrap circuit includes at least a chargeable semiconductor element region (D3, 6) and a drift region (Rn, 8) of a high-tension island, and junction between the chargeable semiconductor element region and the high-tension island drift region is isolated, and the high-tension island drift region has n+ layers (11, 12) provided at a high-tension side and at an opening portion in an n− semiconductor layer (106) of a high-tension island, and thus an ON operation of a parasitic transistor can be prevented to thereby reduce a current consumption of the circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsutaka Hano