Patents by Inventor Shigeharu Taira

Shigeharu Taira 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: 10002976
    Abstract: A first finger electrode group including finger electrodes on the first principal surface. A second finger electrode group including finger electrodes on the second principal surface. The second finger electrode group is divided into divided electrode portions, the number of electrodes of the electrode portions decreasing as a distance from a central portion of the second finger electrode group increases towards outside, and a coupling portion is arranged between each adjacent ones of the divided electrode portions and electrically connects at least two of the finger electrodes of the divided electrode portion on inside with at least one of the finger electrodes of the divided electrode portion on outside. The number of finger electrodes of the divided electrode portion closest to the central portion of the second finger electrode group is larger than the number of finger electrodes of the first finger electrode group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Sato, Shigeharu Taira, Hirotada Inoue
  • Patent number: 9991404
    Abstract: A solar cell module manufacturing method is provided. This method includes: preparing a solar cell element that has a surface whose outer periphery is surrounded by a plurality of sides, an encapsulant that seals the solar cell elements, and a coating that has light diffusivity; applying the coating in an outer peripheral area of the surface via a printing plate that has a pattern corresponding to the outer peripheral area and in which a protection member is provided at a position that corresponds to a corner portion located between two sides of the plurality of sides, the two sides extending in directions that intersect with each other; and sealing, with the encapsulant, the solar cell element on which the coating is printed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Tohoda, Shigeharu Taira
  • Patent number: 9966287
    Abstract: A drying holder holds a solar cell in an upright state, and is used in an electrode drying process. The drying holder is provided with a base part on which the solar cell is placed, and a support part that is disposed on the base part, and forms a support slot that is capable of accommodating the solar cell. Vents are formed on the base part and/or the support part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Tohoda, Shigeharu Taira, Takeshi Nishiwaki
  • Publication number: 20180019366
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solar cell includes: providing an electrode layer containing thermosetting resin on at least one of a first main surface and a second main surface, located opposite to the first main surface, of a photoelectric conversion unit; heating the electrode layer by irradiation of infrared light; and producing an air stream around the photoelectric conversion unit during irradiation of infrared light. The irradiation of infrared light may include irradiation of first infrared light from a first emitter facing the first main surface; and irradiation of second infrared light from a second emitter facing the second main surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Naohiro HITACHI, Shigeharu TAIRA, Yayoi NAKATSUKA, Azumi UMEDA, Yuta SEKI, Shoji SATO
  • Publication number: 20170350614
    Abstract: When refrigerant gas leaks in an indoor unit, the leaked refrigerant gas locally accumulates in an area of the indoor space. This air conditioner includes an indoor unit having one or more outlets, and an outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit, wherein a flammable refrigerant or a mildly flammable refrigerant is used. The air conditioner includes a refrigerant gas sensor disposed in the indoor unit. When refrigerant gas is detected by the refrigerant gas sensor, a control is performed such that air is blown from the one or more outlets at a minimum air speed or higher, said minimum air speed being preset in accordance with the rated cooling capacity of the air conditioner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji NAGAOKA, Shigeharu TAIRA
  • Publication number: 20170148935
    Abstract: In the solar cell module including a plurality of solar cells interconnected with wiring members, each of the solar cells includes a plurality of front-side finger electrodes that are disposed on a light-receiving surface of the solar cell and connected with tabs and a plurality of rear-side finger electrodes that are disposed on a rear surface of the solar cell and connected with tabs. Rear-side auxiliary electrode sections are arranged in regions, which is wider than the front-side finger electrodes, on the rear surface opposite to regions where the front-side finger electrodes are present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeharu TAIRA, Yukihiro YOSHIMINE, Hiroyuki KANNOU, Tomonori TABE
  • Patent number: 9625195
    Abstract: An indoor unit includes: a casing; a heat exchanger through which a flammable refrigerant flows; a fan; a detection sensor detecting a leak of the flammable refrigerant; a warning device emitting a warning about a leak of the flammable refrigerant; a control unit controlling operations of the fan and the warning device; and an operation device inputting stop commands for the fan and the warning device to the control unit based on its manual operation. Upon detection of a leak of the flammable refrigerant by the detection sensor, the control unit starts up the fan on condition that the fan is at a stop, starts up the warning device, disregards a stop command for the fan by the operation device, and permits a stop command for the warning device by the operation device. As a result, a user is enabled to arbitrarily stop a warning started based on occurrence of a refrigerant leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masato Hiraki, Shinji Nagaoka, Shigeharu Taira
  • Patent number: 9608138
    Abstract: In the solar cell module including a plurality of solar cells interconnected with wiring members, each of the solar cells includes a plurality of front-side finger electrodes that are disposed on a light-receiving surface of the solar cell and connected with tabs and a plurality of rear-side finger electrodes that are disposed on a rear surface of the solar cell and connected with tabs. Rear-side auxiliary electrode sections are arranged in regions, which is wider than the front-side finger electrodes, on the rear surface opposite to regions where the front-side finger electrodes are present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeharu Taira, Yukihiro Yoshimine, Hiroyuki Kannou, Tomonori Tabe
  • Patent number: 9530903
    Abstract: This solar cell module (10) is manufactured by connecting in series with a wiring material (15) multiple solar cells including at least two types of solar cells (11A, 11B) having different electrode structures, and covering the same with a first protective member (12) and a second protective member (13). This solar cell is manufactured by producing a photoelectric conversion unit, measuring characteristic values of the photoelectric conversion unit, selecting electrode structure on the basis of said characteristic values, and forming an electrode on the photoelectric conversion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigeharu Taira
  • Publication number: 20160343897
    Abstract: A solar cell module is provided with: a plurality of solar cell elements each having a surface; a light diffusion portion provided in an outer peripheral area of the surface; and connection members which connect the plurality of solar cell elements. The outer peripheral area has restricted areas where formation of the light diffusion portion is restricted, in a part thereof, and the restricted areas are provided in positions where the outer peripheral area and the connection members intersect. The solar cell element may have, on the surface, bus bar electrodes which extend along the connection members. The restricted areas may be provided in the vicinity of ends of the bus bar electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Naohiro HITACHI, Tomohiro FUNATANI, Satoshi TOHODA, Shigeharu TAIRA
  • Publication number: 20160336472
    Abstract: To provide a solar cell having improved photoelectric conversion efficiency and a solar cell module. A solar cell (10) is provided with a photoelectric conversion portion (20), a light receiving surface electrode (21a) and a back surface electrode (21b). The light receiving surface electrode (21a) is arranged on the light receiving surface (20a) of the photoelectric conversion portion (20). The back surface electrode (21b) is arranged on the back surface (20b) of the photoelectric conversion portion (20). The back surface electrode (21b) includes metal film (21b1) and an electrical connection electrode (21b2). The metal film (21b1) at least partially covers the back surface (20b). The electrical connection electrode (21b2) is arranged on the metal film (21b1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeharu TAIRA
  • Publication number: 20160308076
    Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a solar cell, a photoelectric conversion element, which has a surface whose outer periphery is surrounded by a plurality of sides, and a coating having light diffusivity are prepared. The coating is applied to an outer peripheral area of the surface by screen printing in a direction from a lower side, which is one of the sides, toward an upper side, which is one of the sides and which is opposed to the lower side such that an application amount of the coating to be applied along the lower side is smaller than an application amount of the coating to be applied along the upper side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Shigeharu TAIRA, Naohiro HITACHI, Satoshi TOHODA
  • Publication number: 20160245566
    Abstract: An indoor unit includes: a casing; a heat exchanger through which a flammable refrigerant flows; a fan; a detection sensor detecting a leak of the flammable refrigerant; a warning device emitting a warning about a leak of the flammable refrigerant; a control unit controlling operations of the fan and the warning device; and an operation device inputting stop commands for the fan and the warning device to the control unit based on its manual operation. Upon detection of a leak of the flammable refrigerant by the detection sensor, the control unit starts up the fan on condition that the fan is at a stop, starts up the warning device, disregards a stop command for the fan by the operation device, and permits a stop command for the warning device by the operation device. As a result, a user is enabled to arbitrarily stop a warning started based on occurrence of a refrigerant leak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masato HIRAKI, Shinji NAGAOKA, Shigeharu TAIRA
  • Patent number: 9425340
    Abstract: To provide a solar cell having improved photoelectric conversion efficiency and a solar cell module. A solar cell (10) is provided with a photoelectric conversion portion (20), a light receiving surface electrode (21a) and a back surface electrode (21b). The light receiving surface electrode (21a) is arranged on the light receiving surface (20a) of the photoelectric conversion portion (20). The back surface electrode (21b) is arranged on the back surface (20b) of the photoelectric conversion portion (20). The back surface electrode (21b) includes metal film (21b1) and an electrical connection electrode (21b2). The metal film (21b1) at least partially covers the back surface (20b). The electrical connection electrode (21b2) is arranged on the metal film (21b1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeharu Taira
  • Publication number: 20160190356
    Abstract: A solar cell module manufacturing method is provided. This method includes: preparing a solar cell element that has a surface whose outer periphery is surrounded by a plurality of sides, an encapsulant that seals the solar cell elements, and a coating that has light diffusivity; applying the coating in an outer peripheral area of the surface via a printing plate that has a pattern corresponding to the outer peripheral area and in which a protection member is provided at a position that corresponds to a corner portion located between two sides of the plurality of sides, the two sides extending in directions that intersect with each other; and sealing, with the encapsulant, the solar cell element on which the coating is printed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Satoshi TOHODA, Shigeharu TAIRA
  • Publication number: 20160172511
    Abstract: A first finger electrode group including finger electrodes on the first principal surface. A second finger electrode group including finger electrodes on the second principal surface. The second finger electrode group is divided into divided electrode portions, the number of electrodes of the electrode portions decreasing as a distance from a central portion of the second finger electrode group increases towards outside, and a coupling portion is arranged between each adjacent ones of the divided electrode portions and electrically connects at least two of the finger electrodes of the divided electrode portion on inside with at least one of the finger electrodes of the divided electrode portion on outside. The number of finger electrodes of the divided electrode portion closest to the central portion of the second finger electrode group is larger than the number of finger electrodes of the first finger electrode group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Lt d.
    Inventors: Shoji SATO, Shigeharu TAIRA, Hirotada INOUE
  • Publication number: 20160093753
    Abstract: There is provided a solar cell manufacturing method comprising: a step of preparing a photoelectric conversion cell having a first main surface and a second main surface; a step of forming a first collector electrode on the first main surface and forming a second collector electrode on the second main surface; a step of measuring characteristic values of the photoelectric conversion cell having the first collector electrode and the second collector electrode thereon; and a step of forming a third collector electrode on at least one of the first main surface and the second main surface based on the characteristic values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Shoji SATO, Shigeharu TAIRA, Naohiro HITACHI, Akinao KITAHARA
  • Patent number: 9196776
    Abstract: A first surface of a first section of a connection member includes a first conductive region, and a second surface of a second section of the connection member includes a second conductive region. The first conductive region is formed along an n-side electrode included in one solar cell, and is electrically connected to the n-side electrode. The second conductive region is formed along a p-side electrode included in a different solar cell, and is electrically connected to the p-side electrode. The first conductive region and the second conductive region are electrically connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigeharu Taira
  • Publication number: 20150300698
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator. A refrigerant containing R32 and refrigerator oil are used in the refrigeration apparatus. The refrigerator oil is used to lubricate the compressor. An acid scavenger added in an amount of 1.0 wt % to 5.0 wt % is blended in the refrigerator oil. The amount of air mixed into the refrigeration apparatus is controlled to 500 ppm or less relative to the amount of filled refrigerant. The amount of water mixed into the refrigeration apparatus is controlled to 300 ppm or less relative to the amount of filled refrigerant. A discharged-gas temperature of the refrigeration apparatus is controlled to 120° C. or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masaru TANAKA, Hideki MATSUURA, Shigeharu TAIRA, Akinori NAKAI
  • Patent number: D742306
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Tohoda, Shigeharu Taira, Naohiro Hitachi, Tomohiro Funatani, Tomoyuki Inase