Patents by Inventor Nobuyoshi Fujiwara

Nobuyoshi Fujiwara 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: 11831037
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a battery including a cell array and a case is provided. The cell array includes a plurality of single cells arranged in a certain direction. The case includes a pair of compartment members of which a longitudinal direction is a direction in which the single cells are arranged, and a first end member provided at a first end in the longitudinal direction. In the manufacturing method, in space surrounded by the compartment members and the first end member, the cell array and a second end member facing the first end member across the cell array are placed. In a direction to compress the cell array from an outside part of the second end member, each compartment member is joined with the second end member at a second end in the longitudinal direction while a predetermined load is applied to bind the cell array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KOJIMA PRESS INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Fujiwara, Taichi Egawa, Tomotaka Osakabe
  • Publication number: 20220399606
    Abstract: A battery case includes a housing configured to accommodate a battery stack, and an abutting wall portion that is cast integrally with the housing on an inner side of the housing. The abutting wall portion is configured to bear a load from the battery stack accommodated in the housing. The battery case further includes a reinforcing part that is made of a material more rigid than the abutting wall portion and that is cast into the abutting wall portion by enveloped casting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shintaro UTSUMI, Yuya KUMASAKA, Shunsuke NAGATA, Hiroshi ENDO, Yuko AZUMA, Nobuyoshi FUJIWARA
  • Patent number: 11283119
    Abstract: A battery device includes a battery stack having battery cells, a first end member fixture, a second end member fixture, a temperature adjusting member for cooling the battery stack, and an external force applying device which applies a force to a specific battery cell of the battery cells via a first in-between part and/or a second in-between part. The first in-between part is a part located at a position closer to a center part between both ends of the first end member fixture than the both ends thereof. The second in-between part is a part located at a position closer to a center part between both ends of the second end member fixture than the both ends thereof. The force applied by the external force applying device is a force for causing the specific battery cell to move toward the temperature adjusting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiro Kamo, Nobuyoshi Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 11223091
    Abstract: An electric power storage device includes at least one electric power storage cell having a first end provided with a first electrode, and a second end provided with a second electrode; a first electrode bus bar that is disposed on a side of the first end and is connected to the first electrode; and a second electrode bus bar that is disposed on a side of the second end and is connected to the second electrode. The first electrode bus bar is provided with a connection line connected to the first electrode. The first electrode bus bar and the second electrode bus bar are joined to each other by ultrasonic joining. A joint portion between the first electrode bus bar and the second electrode bus bar is disposed at a position that is closer to the second end than to the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta Watanabe, Nobuyoshi Fujiwara, Koichi Umeda
  • Publication number: 20210305652
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a battery including a cell array and a case is provided. The cell array includes a plurality of single cells arranged in a certain direction. The case includes a pair of compartment members of which a longitudinal direction is a direction in which the single cells are arranged, and a first end member provided at a first end in the longitudinal direction. In the manufacturing method, in space surrounded by the compartment members and the first end member, the cell array and a second end member facing the first end member across the cell array are placed. In a direction to compress the cell array from an outside part of the second end member, each compartment member is joined with the second end member at a second end in the longitudinal direction while a predetermined load is applied to bind the cell array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KOJIMA INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi FUJIWARA, Taichi EGAWA, Tomotaka OSAKABE
  • Patent number: 10981453
    Abstract: A power circuit protection device for a vehicle including a storage device, a drive motor, and a charging terminal includes a relaying device, a fuse device and a control device. The relaying device alternatively forms a first circuit that connects the storage device and the driving motor, and a second circuit that connects the storage device and the charging terminal. The fuse device is interposed between the storage device and the relaying device. The fuse device includes a first fuse, a second fuse having a fusing characteristic that is harder to blow than that of the first fuse, and a switching mechanism. The control device controls the switching mechanism such that the second fuse is connected to the power storage device when the control device controls the relaying device so that the second circuit is connected to the control device upon receiving a predetermined charging request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Fujiwara, Yoshihiko Hiroe
  • Patent number: 10930910
    Abstract: A power storage module includes: a plurality of power storage elements; a power storage case accommodating the plurality of power storage elements; and a gas generator disposed in the power storage case, the plurality of power storage elements each having an exhausting portion, the power storage case having an exhaust channel formed therein to pass an exhaust gas exhausted from the exhausting portion, the gas generator being disposed in the exhaust channel, the gas generator supplying a supply gas into the exhaust channel when the gas generator attains an internal temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Fujiwara, Satoshi Morioka
  • Publication number: 20200235445
    Abstract: A battery device includes a battery stack having battery cells, a first end member fixture, a second end member fixture, a temperature adjusting member for cooling the battery stack, and an external force applying device which applies a force to a specific battery cell of the battery cells via a first in-between part and/or a second in-between part. The first in-between part is a part located at a position closer to a center part between both ends of the first end member fixture than the both ends thereof. The second in-between part is a part located at a position closer to a center part between both ends of the second end member fixture than the both ends thereof. The force applied by the external force applying device is a force for causing the specific battery cell to move toward the temperature adjusting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiro Kamo, Nobuyoshi Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20200139818
    Abstract: A power circuit protection device for a vehicle including a storage device, a drive motor, and a charging terminal includes a relaying device, a fuse device and a control device. The relaying device alternatively forms a first circuit that connects the storage device and the driving motor, and a second circuit that connects the storage device and the charging terminal. The fuse device is interposed between the storage device and the relaying device. The fuse device includes a first fuse, a second fuse having a fusing characteristic that is harder to blow than that of the first fuse, and a switching mechanism. The control device controls the switching mechanism such that the second fuse is connected to the power storage device when the control device controls the relaying device so that the second circuit is connected to the control device upon receiving a predetermined charging request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi FUJIWARA, Yoshihiko HIROE
  • Publication number: 20200136114
    Abstract: A power storage device includes a first power storage cell and a second power storage cell that are spaced from each other in a predetermined direction and located so that a side surface of the first power storage cell and a side surface of the second power storage cell face each other, a divider that is made of a thermoplastic resin and interposed between the side surface of the first power storage cell and the side surface of the second power storage cell, and a spacer that is made of an inorganic material and disposed to pass through the divider in the predetermined direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tadahiro KONDO, Satoshi MORIOKA, Nobuyoshi FUJIWARA
  • Patent number: 10553909
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules that includes a plurality of battery cells, a battery cell holder, a second-electrode assembly including a plurality of second-electrode bus bar plates, a first-electrode assembly, and a cover. The first-electrode assembly includes a plurality of first-electrode bus bar plates, a first-electrode terminal, a second-electrode terminal connected to one of the plurality of second-electrode bus bar plates, and an inter-electrode bus bar connecting the second-electrode bus bar plate and one of the first-electrode bus bar plate and the first-electrode terminal. The first-electrode assembly is in a first pattern or a second pattern. An arrangement of the first-electrode terminal and the second-electrode terminal in the battery module differs according to the pattern of the first-electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takenori Kobayashi, Nobuyoshi Fujiwara, Kiyonari Kojima
  • Publication number: 20190252666
    Abstract: An electric power storage device includes at least one electric power storage cell having a first end provided with a first electrode, and a second end provided with a second electrode; a first electrode bus bar that is disposed on a side of the first end and is connected to the first electrode; and a second electrode bus bar that is disposed on a side of the second end and is connected to the second electrode. The first electrode bus bar is provided with a connection line connected to the first electrode. The first electrode bus bar and the second electrode bus bar are joined to each other by ultrasonic joining. A joint portion between the first electrode bus bar and the second electrode bus bar is disposed at a position that is closer to the second end than to the first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenta Watanabe, Nobuyoshi Fujiwara, Koichi Umeda
  • Publication number: 20190237736
    Abstract: A power storage device includes: an electrode cell including a first electrode and a second electrode; a first electrode bus bar connected to the first electrode; a second electrode bus bar connected to the second electrode; and a connection member connected to the first electrode bus bar and joined to the second electrode bus bar. The connection member includes a body portion connected to the first electrode bus bar and joined to the second electrode bus bar, and an extension piece provided so as to extend from the body portion. The extension piece is folded from the body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenta Watanabe, Nobuyoshi Fujiwara, Koichi Umeda
  • Patent number: 10283743
    Abstract: A battery module provided in a vehicle, includes a holder plate. The holder plate includes openings, a first end surface, a second end surface, support portions and a vulnerable portion. The openings are configured such that cells are inserted in the openings respectively. The first end surface is configured to receive a collision load of a collision object to collide from a third direction. The second end surface is placed on an opposite side to the first end surface in the third direction of the holder plate. The holder plate is supported by the support portions so as to define a space between the second end surface and an adjacent member in the third direction. The vulnerable portion is configured to break the holder plate along a boundary between a first battery group and a second battery group when the vulnerable portion receives the collision load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nobuyoshi Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20190067658
    Abstract: A power storage module includes: a plurality of power storage elements; a power storage case accommodating the plurality of power storage elements; and a gas generator disposed in the power storage case, the plurality of power storage elements each having an exhausting portion, the power storage case having an exhaust channel formed therein to pass an exhaust gas exhausted from the exhausting portion, the gas generator being disposed in the exhaust channel, the gas generator supplying a supply gas into the exhaust channel when the gas generator attains an internal temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi FUJIWARA, Satoshi MORIOKA
  • Patent number: 9947912
    Abstract: A bus bar holding member comprises a plurality of bus bars arranged to connect terminals of respective batteries in each battery array group in parallel, and a resin support member comprising a resin stacking section which is stacked on a surface of the plurality of bus bars and a resin intervening section which intervenes between the plurality of bus bars to electrically insulate the plurality of bus bars from each other. The bus bar comprises a base plate on which the resin stacking section is stacked, and a jagged edge formed along an edge of the base plate. The jagged edge is formed in a wavy shape crossing a reference line, which is a straight line along an array direction of the batteries in each battery array group between an adjacent pair of the battery array groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignees: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiki Nakamura, Yoshiaki Tatsumi, Yoshiaki Kameda, Nobuyoshi Fujiwara, Kenji Kimura
  • Patent number: 9899647
    Abstract: An onboard power supply apparatus includes: power storage modules each including power storage devices; a pair of brackets configured to come into contact with respective ends of the power storage modules vertically stacked so as to fix at least an upper power storage module to a vehicle; and an insertion portion that is disposed between at least one of the pair of brackets and an end of one of the power storage modules located between terminal portions of the vertically stacked power storage modules, a connecting member used for connecting the terminal portions of the vertically stacked power storage modules being inserted in the insertion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Daisuke Murai, Nobuyoshi Fujiwara, Ikkei Ohgitani
  • Patent number: 9847182
    Abstract: An electric storage apparatus includes a plurality of electric storage elements, a bus bar electrically connecting the plurality of electric storage elements, and a case housing the plurality of electric storage elements. Each of the electric storage elements extends in a predetermined direction and has a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal at both ends in the predetermined direction. The plurality of electric storage elements are aligned in a plane orthogonal to the predetermined direction. The case has an opening portion configured to pass a heat exchange medium therethrough and extending in the predetermined direction. A portion of the bus bar extends in the predetermined direction and is disposed along a wall face of the case having the opening portion formed therein, the portion being disposed at a position different from a position of the opening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kosuke Kusaba, Nobuyoshi Fujiwara, Kazuma Asakura
  • Publication number: 20170346139
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules that includes a plurality of battery cells, a battery cell holder, a second-electrode assembly including a plurality of second-electrode bus bar plates, a first-electrode assembly, and a cover. The first-electrode assembly includes a plurality of first-electrode bus bar plates, a first-electrode terminal, a second-electrode terminal connected to one of the plurality of second-electrode bus bar plates, and an inter-electrode bus bar connecting the second-electrode bus bar plate and one of the first-electrode bus bar plate and the first-electrode terminal. The first-electrode assembly is in a first pattern or a second pattern. An arrangement of the first-electrode terminal and the second-electrode terminal in the battery module differs according to the pattern of the first-electrode assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takenori KOBAYASHI, Nobuyoshi FUJIWARA, Kiyonari KOJIMA
  • Patent number: D920257
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Audio-Technica Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyoshi Fujiwara