Patents by Inventor Sadashi Seto

Sadashi Seto 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: 10403558
    Abstract: A power system has a single-side-cooled power module including a contiguous five-layer substrate of two insulative layers interleaved with three conductive layers. A center one of the conductive layers is partitioned to define discrete spaced apart positive terminal and output terminal portions, and an outer of the conductive layers defines a negative terminal portion such that the positive terminal and negative terminal portions overlap. The power system also has semiconductors respectively in direct contact with the positive terminal and output terminal portions without directly contacting the other layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fan Xu, Lihua Chen, Sadashi Seto, Shuitao Yang, Yan Zhou, Baoming Ge
  • Publication number: 20190067160
    Abstract: A power system has a single-side-cooled power module including a contiguous five-layer substrate of two insulative layers interleaved with three conductive layers. A center one of the conductive layers is partitioned to define discrete spaced apart positive terminal and output terminal portions, and an outer of the conductive layers defines a negative terminal portion such that the positive terminal and negative terminal portions overlap. The power system also has semiconductors respectively in direct contact with the positive terminal and output terminal portions without directly contacting the other layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Fan Xu, Lihua Chen, Sadashi Seto, Shuitao Yang, Yan Zhou, Baoming Ge
  • Patent number: 9368771
    Abstract: An electric storage module includes: a plurality of electric storage units; a casing that houses the plurality of electric storage units, and includes a pair of resin side plates that hold and support at least the plurality of electric storage units from opposite sides; a plurality of conductive members for electrically connecting the plurality of electric storage units; a metal cover member that covers the casing on an outside of each of the side plates; and a peripheral wall protruding from each of the side plates so as to surround each of the plurality of conductive members, wherein: a height of the peripheral wall from each of the side plates is higher than a height of the conductive members from each of the side plates, and smaller than a distance from each of the side plates to the cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadashi Seto, Tatsuo Sugawara
  • Patent number: 8865338
    Abstract: A battery module includes: a plurality of battery cells; a casing in which the plurality of battery cells are housed; a plurality of conductive members that electrically connect the plurality of battery cells; and a voltage detection conductor that detects voltages at each of the plurality of battery cells. The casing includes at least a pair of resin side plates that sandwich and support the plurality of battery cells from both sides. The voltage detection conductor is formed in a predetermined shape and integrated with the side plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignees: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd., Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Sugawara, Shinichi Fujino, Hideki Honma, Sadashi Seto
  • Patent number: 8859121
    Abstract: An electricity storage device according to the present invention includes a battery module having side plates and cover members assembled to both the sides of a case member of the battery module, so that gas discharge spaces are defined into which gas is emitted from the terminals of battery cells that are stored within the case member. Projecting portions are provided to the side plates respectively, and have through-holes communicating with the gas discharge spaces. The lowermost surfaces of the through-holes of the projecting portions are positioned lower than a axe of any of the battery cells. The projecting portions are connected by a tubular rubber members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Sadashi Seto
  • Patent number: 8616311
    Abstract: An electrical storage device includes: a conductive battery house casing electrically connected to a chassis; a plurality of battery cells held in the battery house casing; and a control unit that comprises a circuit that manages the plurality of battery cells and is mounted on the battery house casing so that a negative terminal of the circuit and the battery house casing are electrically conducting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Tsurumi, Shinichi Fujino, Sadashi Seto
  • Patent number: 8353374
    Abstract: A battery module includes: a plurality of battery cells; a casing in which the plurality of battery cells are housed; a plurality of conductive members used to electrically connect the plurality of battery cells; a first chamber, formed in the casing, in which the plurality of battery cells are disposed; and a second chamber, formed in the casing and isolated from the first chamber, into which emitted matter from the battery cells is released, wherein: the conductive members and the battery cells are connected together within the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignees: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd., Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Sugawara, Seiichi Satoh, Yoshihisa Tsurumi, Masato Isogai, Sadashi Seto
  • Publication number: 20120094157
    Abstract: An electricity storage device according to the present invention includes a battery module having side plates and cover members assembled to both the sides of a case member of the battery module, so that gas discharge spaces are defined into which gas is emitted from the terminals of battery cells that are stored within the case member. Projecting portions are provided to the side plates respectively, and have through-holes communicating with the gas discharge spaces. The lowermost surfaces of the through-holes of the projecting portions are positioned lower than a axe of any of the battery cells. The projecting portions are connected by a tubular rubber members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventor: Sadashi Seto
  • Publication number: 20110244282
    Abstract: An electric storage module includes: a plurality of electric storage units; a casing that houses the plurality of electric storage units, and includes a pair of resin side plates that hold and support at least the plurality of electric storage units from opposite sides; a plurality of conductive members for electrically connecting the plurality of electric storage units; a metal cover member that covers the casing on an outside of each of the side plates; and a peripheral wall protruding from each of the side plates so as to surround each of the plurality of conductive members, wherein: a height of the peripheral wall from each of the side plates is higher than a height of the conductive members from each of the side plates, and smaller than a distance from each of the side plates to the cover member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd
    Inventors: Sadashi SETO, Tatsuo Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20110244283
    Abstract: An electric storage module includes: a plurality of electric storage units; a casing that houses the plurality of electric storage units; a plurality of conductive members that electrically connect the plurality of electric storage units; and a voltage detection conductor that detects a voltage of each of the plurality of electric storage units, wherein: the casing includes a pair of resin side plates that hold and support at least the plurality of electric storage units from opposite sides, and the voltage detection conductor is formed so as to correspond to positions of the plurality of conductive members and placed on each of the side plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadashi SETO, Takatoshi Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20110155485
    Abstract: An electrical storage device includes: a conductive battery house casing electrically connected to a chassis; a plurality of battery cells held in the battery house casing; and a control unit that comprises a circuit that manages the plurality of battery cells and is mounted on the battery house casing so that a negative terminal of the circuit and the battery house casing are electrically conducting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicants: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa TSURUMI, Shinichi Fujino, Sadashi Seto
  • Patent number: 7961487
    Abstract: A power module having three unit power modules and a control circuit board including a gate drive circuit are set up side by side and mounted on a heat exchanger. A pair of positive and negative direct current terminals for connecting the smoothing capacitor and a plurality of alternating current terminals for inputting and outputting polyphase alternating current are integrally-molded into a power module case of the power module. A plurality of control pins for providing switching devices mounted on the unit power modules with control signals are set up on the opposite side of the side where the direct current terminals and the alternating current terminals are set up, which is figured as located in the right of the drawing. The control pins of the switching devices of the unit power modules and the gate signal output terminals of the control circuit board are wire-bonded. The smoothing capacitor is mounted on the side or top of the power module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadashi Seto, Shinichi Fujino
  • Publication number: 20110104533
    Abstract: A battery power source includes: a chassis, in which a cooling air path is formed, with the chassis comprising a cooling air inlet; a plurality of cells arranged in the cooling air path; and a temperature sensor that detects temperature at a cell. A through hole for fixing sensor formed on a chassis wall and a groove for wiring formed on an outer peripheral surface of the chassis wall are formed on the chassis. The temperature sensor includes: a sensor section that is inserted from an outside of the chassis and fixed to the through hole for fixing sensor and a front end portion of the sensor section thermally contacts a region to be measured of the cell; and a wire that is drawn from a portion, which is exposed to an outside of the chassis, of the sensor section and is set up inside a groove formed on an outer peripheral surface of the chassis wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicants: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventor: Sadashi SETO
  • Publication number: 20100248008
    Abstract: A battery module includes: a plurality of battery cells; a casing in which the plurality of battery cells are housed; a plurality of conductive members that electrically connect the plurality of battery cells; and a voltage detection conductor that detects voltages at each of the plurality of battery cells. The casing includes at least a pair of resin side plates that sandwich and support the plurality of battery cells from both sides. The voltage detection conductor is formed in a predetermined shape and integrated with the side plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicants: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd., Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo SUGAWARA, Shinichi FUJINO, Hideki HONMA, Sadashi SETO
  • Patent number: 7751201
    Abstract: A power converter includes semiconductor device, a driver device, a current sensor, a control device, and a capacitor. The semiconductor device has a plurality of switching elements for converting a direct current to an alternating current, the direct current being supplied from a direct current terminal. The driver device controls an operation of the plurality of switching elements provided in the semiconductor device. The current sensor detects the alternating current. The control device controls an operation of the driver device in accordance with the alternating current that has been detected by the current sensor. The capacitor is connected with the direct current terminal. The driver device and the control device are mounted on the same printed board. The driver device is arranged above the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Fujino, Jun Sato, Sadashi Seto
  • Publication number: 20100116570
    Abstract: A battery module includes: a plurality of battery cells; a casing in which the plurality of battery cells are housed; a plurality of conductive members used to electrically connect the plurality of battery cells; a first chamber, formed in the casing, in which the plurality of battery cells are disposed; and a second chamber, formed in the casing and isolated from the first chamber, into which emitted matter from the battery cells is released, wherein: the conductive members and the battery cells are connected together within the second chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicants: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd., Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo SUGAWARA, Seiichi Satoh, Yoshihisa Tsurumi, Masato Isogai, Sadashi Seto
  • Publication number: 20090229898
    Abstract: A controller for an electric storage device, one side of which is linked with a generator or a motor generator that is rotated by power of an engine to generate AC electrical power and includes a rectifier that converts the AC electrical power into DC electrical power, and the other side of which is linked with an on-vehicle battery and an auxiliary device, includes a switching element, an electric storage battery that is connected in parallel with the switching element, and a control unit that switches the switching element. The control unit turns the switching element ON when a state of charge of the electric storage battery is greater than a state of charge necessary for starting the engine and a voltage of the on-vehicle battery is less than a voltage necessary for starting the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi FUJINO, Sadashi Seto
  • Publication number: 20080316710
    Abstract: A power module having three unit power modules and a control circuit board including a gate drive circuit are set up side by side and mounted on a heat exchanger. A pair of positive and negative direct current terminals for connecting the smoothing capacitor and a plurality of alternating current terminals for inputting and outputting polyphase alternating current are integrally-molded into a power module case of the power module. A plurality of control pins for providing switching devices mounted on the unit power modules with control signals are set up on the opposite side of the side where the direct current terminals and the alternating current terminals are set up, which is figured as located in the right of the drawing. The control pins of the switching devices of the unit power modules and the gate signal output terminals of the control circuit board are wire-bonded. The smoothing capacitor is mounted on the side or top of the power module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadashi Seto, Shinichi Fujino
  • Publication number: 20080049477
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power converter having a structure capable of reducing switching noise and insusceptible to switching noise. The power converter comprises a semiconductor device, a driver device, a current sensor, a control device, and a capacitor. The semiconductor device has a plurality of switching elements for converting a direct current to an alternating current, the direct current being supplied from a direct current terminal. The driver device controls an operation of the plurality of switching elements provided in the semiconductor device. The current sensor detects the alternating current. The control device controls an operation of the driver device in accordance with the alternating current that has been detected by the current sensor. The capacitor is connected with the direct current terminal. The driver device and the control device are mounted on the same printed board. The driver device is arranged above the semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Fujino, Jun Sato, Sadashi Seto
  • Patent number: 7310001
    Abstract: A current sensing device for sensing current flowing through a MOSFET has a voltage divider circuit composed of a series circuit of a first resistor and a second resistor having different resistance temperature coefficients, with a voltage division ratio designed to change depending on temperature. The sensing device is connected between a source and a drain of said MOSFET. A sensing circuit takes out the source-to-drain voltage divided with the voltage divider to sense the current flowing through the MOSFET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Shigeta, Shinichi Fujino, Keita Hashimoto, Sadashi Seto