Patents by Inventor Ryuichi Kamaga
Ryuichi Kamaga 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: 8326476Abstract: In a vehicle, a power storage device starts to be charged at a set time. An electric power control unit monitors a charging/discharging device from startup of the charging/discharging device to the moment when charging starts. When the electric power control unit detects a problem in the charging/discharging device, a signal is sent to a timer control unit in order to cancel setting of the charging start time. When receiving the signal, the timer control unit cancels the setting. Specifically, even when the present time reaches the charging start time, the timer control unit does not transmits a signal for canceling the setting of the charging start time, i.e., a start instruction to the electric power control unit. The electric power control unit never allows operation of the charging/discharging device to start unless it receives the signal, so the charging/discharging device remains stopped.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2008Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Ryuichi Kamaga
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Publication number: 20120299377Abstract: An electric powered vehicle is equipped with a main battery for storing electric power input to and output from a motor, and an auxiliary battery as a power source for an auxiliary system including a control system. A DC/DC converter converts an output voltage of the main battery to a level of an output voltage of the auxiliary battery. During operation, a BAT-ECU monitors states of charge of the main battery and the auxiliary battery and controls operation/stop of the DC/DC converter. When the electric powered vehicle is in a key-off state (running stop state), the BAT-ECU is intermittently operated, while an external charging system and a vehicle running system are stopped.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2010Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomokazu Masuda, Ryuichi Kamaga
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Patent number: 8258744Abstract: An oscillator provided in a charging cable outputs a non-oscillating signal when the potential of a pilot signal is around V(1), and outputs an oscillating signal when the potential of the pilot signal is lowered to V(2). A pull-down resistance element provided in the plug-in hybrid vehicle is connected between a control pilot line and a vehicle earth, and changes the potential of the pilot signal from V(1) to V(2). A switch is connected in series between the pull-down resistance element and the vehicle earth. When the charging cable is connected to the vehicle, the switch is turned off and the pull-down resistance element is separated from the vehicle earth.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2008Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation, Fujitsu Ten LimitedInventors: Kenichi Ishii, Ryuichi Kamaga, Masahiro Karami, Satoshi Fukui
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Patent number: 8223004Abstract: If a condition about the state of a vehicle is satisfied, if charging connectors are being connected, and if a parking position has been released, an ECU performs a program including the steps of performing brake pressure increase control and performing notification control.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2008Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Ryuichi Kamaga
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Patent number: 8198855Abstract: Provided is a charging cable capable of detecting an abnormal state, such as a break, of a control line through which a pilot signal is transmitted, the charging cable including: a power cable through which an external power source feeds a power storage device; a signal generating circuit for generating a control signal to output to a vehicle; a control line L1 through which the control signal is transmitted to the vehicle; and a bypass circuit for changing a voltage applied from a vehicle side through the control line L1.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignees: Fujitsu Ten Limited, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso CorporationInventors: Satoshi Fukui, Kenichi Ishii, Ryuichi Kamaga, Masahiro Karami
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Patent number: 8179086Abstract: To properly resume charging when insertion and removal of a charging cable connector are repeated, a control apparatus includes a power control unit that turns on a charging mode signal when a signal state changes from a state with no change for a certain period of time to a changed state, to activate a charging control unit, and turns off the charging mode signal when detecting a charging completion signal turned on by the charging control unit and outputted from a signal generating unit included in the charging cable which connects an external power source to the vehicle; and the charging control unit turns on the charging completion signal when the charging has been completed, and thereafter turns off the charging completion signal when detecting that the charging mode signal has been turned off by the power control unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignees: Fujitsu Ten Limited, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshiaki Nakaso, Ryuichi Kamaga
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Publication number: 20110288710Abstract: A switch sets the voltage level of a control line to a first level corresponding to a first voltage by electrically coupling the control line with a first node when manual operation is not executed. The switch sets the voltage level of the control line at a second level corresponding to a second voltage by electrically coupling the control line with a second node during a period of time over which manual operation is executed. An ECU switches the operation mode of a hybrid vehicle having first and second power sources between a first mode in which the first power source is used having higher priority for the running of the hybrid vehicle, and a second mode in which said second power source is used having higher priority for the running of the hybrid vehicle, based on a change of the voltage level of the control line from the first level to the second level, and the change of the voltage level of the control line from the second level to the first level.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2008Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takahiro Ito, Ryuichi Kamaga
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Publication number: 20110227714Abstract: If a condition about the state of a vehicle is satisfied, if charging connectors are being connected, and if a parking position has been released, an ECU performs a program including the steps of performing brake pressure increase control and performing notification control.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2008Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Ryuichi Kamaga
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Publication number: 20110193532Abstract: A device controls charging a battery with power supplied from a power supply located outside of a vehicle through a charge cable. The device includes a first microcomputer and a second microcomputer. The first microcomputer is configured to turn on a charge mode signal upon detecting a change in a pilot signal output through the charge cable, and to turn off the charge mode signal when a charge completion signal output from the second microcomputer is turned off. The second microcomputer is configured to charge the battery through the charge cable when the charge mode signal is turned on, and to turn off the charge completion signal when the charging is complete. When the charge completion signal is turned on at the time of the first microcomputer turning off the charge mode signal due to sudden fluctuations, the charge mode signal is turned on again.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2009Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicants: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takehito Iwanaga, Ryuichi Kamaga
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Publication number: 20110181104Abstract: A vehicle having an electricity accumulator for driving a vehicle, a charging inlet for receiving power supplied from a power supply provided on the outside of the vehicle, a circuit for charging the electricity accumulator with power from the power supply, and power lines for connecting the charging inlet and the charging circuit. An abnormality detector of vehicle having a circuit for applying a test voltage to the power lines, and an ECU as a short circuit detecting section. When the voltage value of the power line deviates from a predetermined normal range including the test voltage value although the test voltage is applied to the power line from the voltage application circuit, the ECU detects short circuit of the power line. The ECU specifies a short circuit mode corresponding to the detected short circuit among a plurality of short circuit modes based on the voltage value of the power line.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2008Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Ryuichi Kamaga
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Publication number: 20110057611Abstract: To properly resume charging when insertion and removal of a charging cable connector are repeated, a control apparatus includes a power control unit that turns on a charging mode signal when a signal state changes from a state with no change for a certain period of time to a changed state, to activate a charging control unit, and turns off the charging mode signal when detecting a charging completion signal turned on by the charging control unit and outputted from a signal generating unit included in the charging cable which connects an external power source to the vehicle; and the charging control unit turns on the charging completion signal when the charging has been completed, and thereafter turns off the charging completion signal when detecting that the charging mode signal has been turned off by the power control unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicants: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshiaki Nakaso, Ryuichi Kamaga
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Publication number: 20100295507Abstract: An oscillator provided in a charging cable outputs a non-oscillating signal when the potential of a pilot signal is around V(1), and outputs an oscillating signal when the potential of the pilot signal is lowered to V(2). A pull-down resistance element provided in the plug-in hybrid vehicle is connected between a control pilot line and a vehicle earth, and changes the potential of the pilot signal from V(1) to V(2). A switch is connected in series between the pull-down resistance element and the vehicle earth. When the charging cable is connected to the vehicle, the switch is turned off and the pull-down resistance element is separated from the vehicle earth.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2008Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION, FUJITSU TEN LIMITEDInventors: Kenichi Ishii, Ryuichi Kamaga, Masahiro Karami, Satoshi Fukui
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Publication number: 20100270860Abstract: A charging device for a vehicle includes a connector configured such that a coupler for transmitting electric power from an external power supply to the vehicle is connectable to the connector, a charging circuit for transmitting electric power from the connector to a power storage device, a charging control unit for charging the power storage device by controlling the charging circuit while in an operating state, and for halting control of the charging circuit while in a halting state, and an activation control unit for keeping the charging control unit in the halting state until detecting that the connector receives electric power, in a case where connection of the coupler and the connector is detected, and for switching the charging control unit from the halting state to the operating state when it is detected that the connector receives electric power.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2008Publication date: October 28, 2010Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Ryuichi Kamaga
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Publication number: 20100268406Abstract: An EVSE controller generates a pilot signal and sends the pilot signal to a vehicle. A resistance circuit is connected to a control pilot line through which the pilot signal is transmitted, and is configured to be capable of reducing the potential of the pilot signal to a prescribed potential in accordance with a state of the vehicle. A pull-down resistance and a switch are serially connected between the control pilot line and a ground line. A CPU turns on the switch when sensing an abnormality in the pilot signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2008Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: Toyota JIdosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takahiro Ito, Ryuichi Kamaga, Yuki Inoue, Masahiro Karami
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Patent number: 7791217Abstract: An open/close detection unit detects whether a lid covering a charge connector is closed or opened, and outputs the result of detection to a vehicle control unit. A connection detection unit receives a first signal and detects whether a plug and the charge connector are connected or not based on the voltage of the first signal. The vehicle control unit determines, based on the result of detection by the connection detection unit and information about an external power supply indicated by a second signal, whether the first signal is normal. When the first signal is abnormal, the vehicle control unit determines, based on the result of detection by the open/close detection unit, whether the lid is closed. When the lid is closed, the vehicle control unit controls the vehicle state to be in the travel-enabled state.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2008Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Ryuichi Kamaga
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Publication number: 20100213896Abstract: A switch of a connecting circuit is connected between a signal line branched from an input terminal for a pilot signal in a charging inlet and a ground line connected to a vehicle earth, and is turned on/off in response to a control signal from a CPU. The CPU causes the switch to be turned on when a connector is not connected to the charging inlet, and detects a break in a control pilot line based on whether or not a change in the potential of the pilot signal occurs at that time.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2008Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION, FUJITSU TEN LIMITEDInventors: Kenichi Ishii, Ryuichi Kamaga, Masahiro Karami, Satoshi Fukui
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Publication number: 20100204859Abstract: In a vehicle, a power storage device starts to be charged at a set time. An electric power control unit monitors a charging/discharging device from startup of the charging/discharging device to the moment when charging starts. When the electric power control unit detects a problem in the charging/discharging device, a signal is sent to a timer control unit in order to cancel setting of the charging start time. When receiving the signal, the timer control unit cancels the setting. Specifically, even when the present time reaches the charging start time, the timer control unit does not transmits a signal for canceling the setting of the charging start time, i.e., a start instruction to the electric power control unit. The electric power control unit never allows the operation of the charging/discharging device to start unless it receives the signal, so the charging/discharging device remains stopped.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2008Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Ryuichi Kamaga
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Patent number: 7688024Abstract: A resistor is connected to first and second terminals included in a vehicle inlet. To the first terminal, a control pilot line used for transmitting a pilot signal is connected. In the case where the vehicle inlet is not connected to a connector, a switch is turned off. A voltage generation circuit sets the potential of the second terminal to a potential higher than a vehicle earth potential. In the case where the vehicle inlet is not connected to the connector and the control pilot line is broken, the potential generated on the control pilot line is substantially equal to the earth potential level. Based on the potential of the control pilot line, a control unit detects a break.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2008Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Ryuichi Kamaga
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Publication number: 20100007306Abstract: Provided is a charging cable capable of detecting an abnormal state, such as a break, of a control line through which a pilot signal is transmitted, the charging cable including: a power cable through which an external power source feeds a power storage device; a signal generating circuit for generating a control signal to output to a vehicle; a control line L1 through which the control signal is transmitted to the vehicle; and a bypass circuit for changing a voltage applied from a vehicle side through the control line L1.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2009Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicants: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Satoshi FUKUI, Kenichi ISHII, Ryuichi KAMAGA, Masahiro KARAMI
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Publication number: 20090102433Abstract: A resistor is connected to first and second terminals included in a vehicle inlet. To the first terminal, a control pilot line used for transmitting a pilot signal is connected. In the case where the vehicle inlet is not connected to a connector, a switch is turned off. A voltage generation circuit sets the potential of the second terminal to a potential higher than a vehicle earth potential. In the case where the vehicle inlet is not connected to the connector and the control pilot line is broken, the potential generated on the control pilot line is substantially equal to the earth potential level. Based on the potential of the control pilot line, a control unit detects a break.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Ryuichi Kamaga