Patents by Inventor Seiji Kumazawa

Seiji Kumazawa 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: 20230088137
    Abstract: A cutting device includes: a conveyance unit that conveys a continuous body of a plurality of electrode plates; a laser scanning unit that scans the continuous body with laser light; and a control unit that controls the laser scanning unit. The control unit controls a laser scanning unit so as to scan the continuous body while performing intermit irradiation with laser light, thereby forming a plurality of unit cutting sections that are continuous and dividing the continuous body into a first portion and a second portion. The unit cutting sections have a main line section extending along the boundary of the first portion and the second portion, and a bent section that bends and extends from an end of the main line section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Seiji KUMAZAWA, Hideki MATSUI, Hiroyuki TAJIMA, Sadahiro HATTORI, Shinji KOJIMA
  • Patent number: 11428251
    Abstract: Weld structures of metal members include: a first member; and a second member that is layered together with the first member, wherein at least one first solidified part that extends from a surface of the first member to the inside of the first member, at least one second solidified part that is formed by a molten area extending through the first member and the second member, and at least one third solidified member that is formed by a molten area extending through the first member and the second member are provided, and the third solidified part is located closer to a non-layered surface of the second member than the second member is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Kumazawa, Tomomi Tanaka, Daisuke Shioga, Takayuki Ashida
  • Patent number: 11185947
    Abstract: A welding structure for a metal member includes a first member containing a metal member, a second member containing a metal member, a first solidifying portion, a second solidifying portion, and a third solidifying portion. The first solidifying portion is present from a first surface to a second surface of the first member. The second solidifying portion has a first end that is present in the second member and a second end that is connected to the first solidifying portion. The third solidifying portion has a first end that is present in the second member and a second end that is connected to the first solidifying portion. The third solidifying portion is shorter than the second solidifying portion. The second solidifying portion and the third solidifying portion are separated from each other in the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Kumazawa, Takayuki Ashida
  • Patent number: 11161197
    Abstract: A highly reliable joined structure and joining method by suppressing peeling at joined portions in the joined structure formed by joining metals together is provided. A joined structure includes a plurality of metals laminated and joined together. The plurality of metals are shaped to include a plurality of convex portions arranged on a surface positioned in a lamination direction, and flat portions arranged between the plural convex portions. Tip ends of the plurality of convex portions are formed as curved surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Hirose, Yasushi Taniguchi, Seiji Kumazawa, Takayuki Ashida
  • Patent number: 10601014
    Abstract: A plurality of battery cells are connected by a busbar. Electrode terminals of the battery cells each include a protruding portion and a welding surface around the protruding portion. The busbar includes a welding plate portion being in surface-contact with the welding surface and having a cut-away portion for guiding the protruding portion, and an exposure gap that exposes the welding surface between the inner side of the cut-away portion and the protruding portion. The busbar is welded to the welding surface in a predetermined welding width (H) by both of a fillet weld part and a penetration welding portion such that the inner edge of the cut-away portion as the fillet weld part is welded to the welding surface, and the boundary between the busbar and the welding surface is welded by the penetration welding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wataru Okada, Yoshihiro Shiotsu, Tomomi Tanaka, Seiji Kumazawa
  • Publication number: 20200009685
    Abstract: A welding structure for a metal member includes a first member containing a metal member, a second member containing a metal member, a first solidifying portion, a second solidifying portion, and a third solidifying portion. The first solidifying portion is present from a first surface to a second surface of the first member. The second solidifying portion has a first end that is present in the second member and a second end that is connected to the first solidifying portion. The third solidifying portion has a first end that is present in the second member and a second end that is connected to the first solidifying portion. The third solidifying portion is shorter than the second solidifying portion. The second solidifying portion and the third solidifying portion are separated from each other in the second member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: SEIJI KUMAZAWA, TAKAYUKI ASHIDA
  • Patent number: 10439191
    Abstract: A welded metal component, includes: a first component; a second component that is stacked on the first component and that is made of a material different from the first component; and at least one welded part that passes through the second component so as to reach the first component, wherein a proportion of an intermetallic compound present in the at least one welded part is from 15% to 60%, and the intermetallic compound includes a metal element that constitutes the first component, and a metal element that constitutes the second component. Further disclosed is a battery comprising the above welded metal component, wherein the second component serves as a bus bar, and the first component serves as an electrode for the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Kumazawa, Takayuki Ashida, Shinya Mori, Hiroaki Takano
  • Publication number: 20190224776
    Abstract: A highly reliable joined structure and joining method by suppressing peeling at joined portions in the joined structure formed by joining metals together is provided. A joined structure according to the present disclosure is a joined structure in which a plurality of metals are laminated and joined together, the plural metals include a plurality of convex portions arranged on a surface positioned in a lamination direction and flat portions arranged between the plural convex portions, and tip ends of the plural convex portions are formed by curved surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: TAKAYUKI HIROSE, YASUSHI TANIGUCHI, SEIJI KUMAZAWA, TAKAYUKI ASHIDA
  • Publication number: 20180245616
    Abstract: Weld structures of metal members include: a first member; and a second member that is layered together with the first member, wherein at least one first solidified part that extends from a surface of the first member to the inside of the first member, at least one second solidified part that is formed by a molten area extending through the first member and the second member, and at least one third solidified member that is formed by a molten area extending through the first member and the second member are provided, and the third solidified part is located closer to a non-layered surface of the second member than the second member is. Further disclosed are welding processes for producing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: SEIJI KUMAZAWA, TOMOMI TANAKA, DAISUKE SHIOGA, TAKAYUKI ASHIDA
  • Publication number: 20180026252
    Abstract: A welded metal component, includes: a first component; a second component that is stacked on the first component and that is made of a material different from the first component; and at least one welded part that passes through the second component so as to reach the first component, wherein a proportion of an intermetallic compound present in the at least one welded part is from 15% to 60%, and the intermetallic compound includes a metal element that constitutes the first component, and a metal element that constitutes the second component. Further disclosed is a battery comprising the above welded metal component, wherein the second component serves as a bus bar, and the first component serves as an electrode for the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: SEIJI KUMAZAWA, TAKAYUKI ASHIDA, SHINYA MORI, HIROAKI TAKANO
  • Publication number: 20170365838
    Abstract: A plurality of battery cells are connected by a busbar. Electrode terminals of the battery cells each include a protruding portion and a welding surface around the protruding portion. The busbar includes a welding plate portion being in surface-contact with the welding surface and having a cut-away portion for guiding the protruding portion, and an exposure gap that exposes the welding surface between the inner side of the cut-away portion and the protruding portion. The busbar is welded to the welding surface in a predetermined welding width (H) by both of a fillet weld part and a penetration welding portion such that the inner edge of the cut-away portion as the fillet weld part is welded to the welding surface, and the boundary between the busbar and the welding surface is welded by the penetration welding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: WATARU OKADA, YOSHIHIRO SHIOTSU, TOMOMI TANAKA, SEIJI KUMAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20170365827
    Abstract: A battery system includes a plurality of battery cells; a busbar that is laser-welded to electrode terminals of the adjacent battery cells and electrically connects the battery cells; and a plastic insulating wall disposed between the adjacent electrode terminals. The surface color of the insulating wall is a heat-ray reflecting color having far-infrared reflectance of 50% or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: WATARU OKADA, YOSHIHIRO SHIOTSU, TOMOMI TANAKA, SEIJI KUMAZAWA
  • Patent number: 9634298
    Abstract: A sealed battery including: an electrode group 4 formed by winding or stacking a positive electrode plate 1 and a negative electrode plate 2 with a separator 3 interposed between the positive electrode plate 1 and the negative electrode plate 2, and housed in a battery case 5, an opening of the battery case 5 being sealed with a sealing plate, wherein a lead 11 extending from one of the electrode plates in the electrode group 4 is laser-welded to the sealing plate 10, and a melting width of an end section 13 of a welded portion 9 between the lead 11 and the sealing plate 10 is smaller than a melting width of a center section of the welded portion 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukio Harima, Koji Funami, Seiji Kumazawa, Kyosuke Miyata, Takahiro Fukuoka, Seiichi Kato
  • Patent number: 8715850
    Abstract: A battery module 8 containing parallel blocks 9 connected to a protection circuit via a lead plate 2, wherein the parallel blocks 9 are welded to both sides of the lead plate without bending the lead plate 2 into a U shape. Thus it is possible to reduce the length of the lead plate 2 and suppress a voltage drop on the lead plate 2. Further, since the lead plate 2 is not bent into a U shape, the assembling accuracy of the battery module is improved and the battery module is easily packaged with a small size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Uchida, Kazuhiro Ikurumi, Seiji Kumazawa, Koji Funami, Masazumi Adachi
  • Patent number: 8487211
    Abstract: A fusion welding method includes the steps of: generating a hybrid laser beam obtained by mixing a low-intensity laser beam with a first high-intensity laser beam and a second high-intensity laser beam; moving the hybrid laser beam along a gap between a first member and a second member; and melting the first member and the second member in the periphery of the gap with the hybrid laser beam, and filling the gap with the melt of the first member and the melt of the second member to weld the first member and the second member, wherein the first high-intensity laser beam is applied to the area of the first member to which the low-intensity laser beam is applied, and the second high-intensity laser beam is applied to the area of the second member to which the low-intensity laser beam is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tutomu Sakurai, Seiji Kumazawa, Hidenao Kataoka
  • Publication number: 20120161753
    Abstract: An electric power measuring device (100) includes: a case (104) that includes a first opening (122); a cover (112) that covers the first opening (122); a printed board (128) that includes an electric power measuring portion; and a connector (114) that includes a plug portion (101) and a socket portion (102). In the electric power measuring device, the printed board (128) is arranged within the case (104), part of the connector (114) is arranged within the case (104), the plug portion (101) and the socket portion (102) are integrally coupled to each other, the connector (114) is fixed to a side opposite the first opening of the case (104), and the connector (114) is electrically connected to the printed board (128).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Seiji KUMAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20120121954
    Abstract: A sealed battery including: an electrode group 4 formed by winding or stacking a positive electrode plate 1 and a negative electrode plate 2 with a separator 3 interposed between the positive electrode plate 1 and the negative electrode plate 2, and housed in a battery case 5, an opening of the battery case 5 being sealed with a sealing plate, wherein a lead 11 extending from one of the electrode plates in the electrode group 4 is laser-welded to the sealing plate 10, and a melting width of an end section 13 of a welded portion 9 between the lead 11 and the sealing plate 10 is smaller than a melting width of a center section of the welded portion 9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Yukio Harima, Koji Funami, Seiji kumazawa, Kyosuke Miyata, Takahiro Fukuoka, Seiichi Kato
  • Patent number: 8105712
    Abstract: An electrode group 4 formed by stacking or winding a positive electrode plate 1 and a negative electrode plate 2 with a separator 3 interposed therebetween, is housed in a battery case 5. An opening of the battery case 5 is sealed with a sealing plate 10. A lead 11 extending from one of the positive and negative electrode plates in the electrode group 4 is laser-welded to the sealing plate 10 by application of a laser beam 12 having a spot diameter smaller than a thickness of the lead 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kyosuke Miyata, Takahiro Fukuoka, Yukio Harima, Koji Funami, Seiji Kumazawa
  • Publication number: 20110236728
    Abstract: A battery module 8 containing parallel blocks 9 connected to a protection circuit via a lead plate 2, wherein the parallel blocks 9 are welded to both sides of the lead plate without bending the lead plate 2 into a U shape. Thus it is possible to reduce the length of the lead plate 2 and suppress a voltage drop on the lead plate 2. Further, since the lead plate 2 is not bent into a U shape, the assembling accuracy of the battery module is improved and the battery module is easily packaged with a small size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Uchida, Kazuhiro Ikurumi, Seiji Kumazawa, Koji Funami, Masazumi Adachi
  • Publication number: 20110195288
    Abstract: A sealed battery includes electrode group 4 formed by winding or stacking a positive electrode plate 1 and a negative electrode plate 2 with a separator 3 interposed between the positive electrode plate 1 and the negative electrode plate 2, the electrode group being housed in a battery case 5, and an opening of the battery case 5 being sealed with a sealing plate 10, wherein a lead 11 extending from one of the electrode plates in the electrode group 4 is laser welded to the sealing plate 10, and a welding portion 14 between the lead 11 and the sealing plate 10 has a linear shape straddling at least an end portion of the lead 11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Yukio Harima, Seiji Kumazawa, Koji Funami, Takahiro Fukuoka, Kyosuke Miyata, Seiichi Kato