Patents by Inventor Shinji Hamada

Shinji Hamada 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: 20040229121
    Abstract: A group of electrodes are accommodated in a prismatic cell case of a rechargeable battery. Intervening separators are provided between positive and negative electrode plates arranged alternately in parallel to long lateral walls of the cell case. The positive electrode plates each include a lead portion having a surface on which at least one lead plate is attached. Lateral edges of the positive electrode plates protrude beyond the negative electrode plates on one side, and lateral edges of the negative electrode plates protrude beyond the group of positive electrode plates on the opposite side. The protruding portions form the lead portions. Upper open ends of the cell cases are closed by an integral lid member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicants: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Hiroshi Inoue, Akihiro Taniguchi, Nobuyasu Morishita, Noriyuki Fujioka, Munehisa Ikoma, Yoshiaki Ogata
  • Publication number: 20040170891
    Abstract: A prismatic sealed battery has a prismatic battery case (3) which includes a plurality of prismatic containers (4) coupled in a row via partitions (5), electrode plate assemblies (8), and collectors (10) which are joined to lead portions on both sides of the electrode plate assemblies (8). Each container (4) contains the electrode plate assembly (8) to which said collectors 10 are joined. An opening (21) is formed in at least one side wall (20) of the prismatic battery case (3) and in a position where each partition (5) is disposed, in such a manner as to face the containers (4) on both sides, and a conductive connection member (23) disposed in the opening (21) is connected to the collectors (10, 10) on both sides of the partition (5). Since the current-carrying path between the electrode plate assemblies (8) becomes short, internal resistance decreases, and hence internal resistance per cell (2) is reduced. Even and full use of the whole electrode plate assembly (8) achieves higher power output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Hiromi Kajiya, Shoji Karasawa, Masato Onishi, Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Patent number: 6780538
    Abstract: A battery module is provided which includes multiple rechargeable batteries coupled together. The battery module includes multiple prismatic cell cases having short lateral walls and long lateral walls arranged side by side. Adjacent short lateral walls are integral with each other. The battery module includes holes extending through the short lateral walls of the cell cases at upper edge portions. The battery module also includes a pair of frame fittings that have base ends and protruding portions in each of the cell cases for connecting two adjacent cell cases. The protruding portions of the pair of frame fittings extend into the through holes in the upper edge portions of the short lateral walls of the cell cases from both sides and are welded together. Positive and negative electrode collector plates in the cell cases are respectively attached to the base ends of the frame fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Hiroshi Inoue, Akihiro Taniguchi, Nobuyasu Morishita, Noriyuki Fujioka, Munehisa Ikoma, Yoshiaki Ogata
  • Publication number: 20040142238
    Abstract: A prismatic sealed rechargeable battery includes a substantially prismatic battery case that accommodates an electrode plate assembly and an electrolyte solution. The battery case is formed of metal. On a side face of the battery case, a thin plate is provided which has a plurality of protruding portions formed in parallel at appropriate intervals. The protruding portion and the side face form spaces opened at both ends therebetween. The thin plate is bonded to the side face of the battery case by making flat portions between the protruding portions into surface-contact with the side face, thereby improving cooling capability of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicants: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Publication number: 20040131932
    Abstract: A sealed rechargeable battery includes: a metal case having an elliptical or rectangular cross section; a metal sealing plate for sealing an opening at one end of the case; and an electrode plate assembly being housed in the case with an electrolyte solution. In this configuration, a plurality of projecting ridges are formed in a continuous or discontinuous manner on both longer side faces of the case between a bottom face and the opening so as to enhance the cooling performance and to improve the strength of the side faces of the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicants: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Publication number: 20040096738
    Abstract: An electrode plate unit capable of suppressing the internal short circuit caused by flashing that is formed on the end portion of a positive electrode plate and a battery using the same. The electrode plate unit includes a group of electrode plates in which a plurality of positive electrode plates and a plurality of negative electrode plates are laminated alternately via separators, a positive electrode collector plate connected to one side face of the group of electrode plates for connection to the positive electrode plate, and a negative electrode collector plate connected to another side face of the group of electrode plates for connection to the negative electrode plate, wherein the edge portion of the positive electrode plate is protruded from the edge portion of the negative electrode plate on the entire side face excluding the side face to which the negative electrode collector plate of the group of electrode plates is connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicants: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinsuke Fukuda, Naoto Arai, Noriyuki Fujioka, Shinji Hamada
  • Publication number: 20040096739
    Abstract: An electrode plate unit capable of suppressing the internal short circuit caused by flashing that is formed on the end portion of a positive electrode plate and a battery using the same. The electrode plate unit includes a group of electrode plates in which a plurality of positive electrode plates and a plurality of negative electrode plates are laminated alternately via separators, a positive electrode collector plate connected to one side face of the group of electrode plates for connection to the positive electrode plate, and a negative electrode collector plate connected to another side face of the group of electrode plates for connection to the negative electrode plate, wherein the edge portion of the positive electrode plate is protruded from the edge portion of the negative electrode plate on the entire side face excluding the side face to which the negative electrode collector plate of the group of electrode plates is connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicants: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO.,, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinsuke Fukuda, Naoto Arai, Noriyuki Fujioka, Shinji Hamada
  • Patent number: 6733918
    Abstract: An electrode plate group is accommodated together with liquid electrolyte in a metal case having an oval or rectangular cross section. The open end of the case is sealed by a metal sealing plate, with an insulation gasket fitted between the case and the sealing plate. The electrode plate group is constructed with a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate wound around with a separator interposed therebetween. Core materials of respective plates are protruded to opposite sides to form a positive electrode end face and a negative electrode end face at either end of the electrode plate group. The winding axis of the electrode plates is vertical to the open end of the case, and the positive and negative electrode end faces are respectively connected to the sealing plate and the bottom face of the case in direct or indirect surface contact therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Publication number: 20040058233
    Abstract: A battery pack is compos d of a plurality of battery modules, holding brackets, a tubular cover, and a fan. The battery module is composed of a plurality of sealed rechargeable batteries having a metal case, which are arranged in a row and integrally connected in series. The plurality of battery modules are arranged in parallel, and the holding brackets hold both ends of the battery modules in a direction perpendicular to a parallel direction. The tubular cover forms a coolant path by surrounding the periphery of the battery modules. The fan supplies coolant to the inside of the coolant path. In the battery pack with above structure, increase in the height thereof is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicants: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Patent number: 6709783
    Abstract: In a battery pack 1 wherein prismatic battery modules 2 are arranged parallel with each other, cooling passages 7 are formed by interposing spacers 6 made of metallic material between mutually facing long side faces 2a, 2a of the battery modules 2, 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Ogata, Shinji Hamada
  • Patent number: 6680146
    Abstract: An electrode plate unit capable of suppressing the internal short circuit caused by flashing that is formed on the end portion of a positive electrode plate and a battery using the same. The electrode plate unit includes a group of electrode plates in which a plurality of positive electrode plates and a plurality of negative electrode plates are laminated alternately via separators, a positive electrode collector plate connected to one side face of the group of electrode plates for connection to the positive electrode plate, and a negative electrode collector plate connected to another side face of the group of electrode plates for connection to the negative electrode plate, wherein the edge portion of the positive electrode plate is protruded from the edge portion of the negative electrode plate on the entire side face excluding the side face to which the negative electrode collector plate of the group of electrode plates is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinsuke Fukuda, Naoto Arai, Noriyuki Fujioka, Shinji Hamada
  • Publication number: 20040004461
    Abstract: In a battery pack including a plurality of prismatic rechargeable batteries arranged in parallel with ventilation spaces being provided therebetween, the battery pack is constituted so that cooling air is downwardly sent from above the battery pack through the ventilation spaces. In accordance with a temperature detected with a temperature detection sensor attached to the lower end of the rechargeable battery, a blower fan is controlled by a control section. Moreover, a sensor placement concave, which is separated from a space inside a battery case through a thin partition wall, is provided on a bottom wall of the battery case of the rechargeable battery. The temperature detection sensor is placed in the sensor placement concave so as to be pressed against the partition wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicants: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Takashi Asahina, Toyohiki Eto, Ko Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20030211384
    Abstract: In a battery pack including rechargeable batteries arranged in parallel, a cooling medium path for allowing a cooling medium to horizontally flow be formed between the rechargeable batteries. A cooling medium delivery device for delivering the cooling medium to the cooling medium path is provided so as to reduce a height of the battery pack including a cooling device. The cooling medium delivery device is constituted by a pair of cooling medium introduction ducts provided on both right and left sides of the battery pack, each having delivery ports for delivering the cooling medium alternately in horizontally opposed directions to each of the cooling medium paths, and a cooling medium compression transport device for supplying the cooling medium to both of the cooling medium introduction ducts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicants: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Publication number: 20030203278
    Abstract: In each of the cells of a battery module, multiple positive electrode plates and multiple negative electrode plates are layered, each of the cells has short lateral walls and long lateral walls intervening separators are provided between the positive and negative electrodes, parallel to the long lateral walls of prismatic cell cases. Lateral edge portions of the positive electrode plates protrude beyond the group of negative electrode plates on one side, and lateral edge portions of the negative electrode plates protrude beyond the group of positive electrode plates on the opposite side. The cells are arranged side by side with adjacent short lateral walls that are integral with each other. Upper open ends of the cell cases are integrally closed with a single lid member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicants: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Hiroshi Inoue, Akihiro Taniguchi, Nobuyasu Morishita, Noriyuki Fujioka, Munehisa Ikoma, Yoshiaki Ogata
  • Publication number: 20030203280
    Abstract: An electrode plate group is accommodated together with liquid electrolyte in a metal case having an oval or rectangular cross section. The open end of the case is sealed by a metal sealing plate, with an insulation gasket fitted between the case and the sealing plate. The electrode plate group is constructed with a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate wound around with a separator interposed therebetween. Core materials of respective plates are protruded to opposite sides to form a positive electrode end face and a negative electrode end face at either end of the electrode plate group. The winding axis of the electrode plates is vertical to the open end of the case, and the positive and negative electrode end faces are respectively connected to the sealing plate and the bottom face of the case in direct or indirect surface contact therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Publication number: 20030157402
    Abstract: A sealed prismatic battery having a battery case made of a plurality of prismatic cell cases coupled together via partition walls, electrode plate groups, and collectors bonded to lead portions on both sides of the electrode plate groups. In at least one side wall of the battery case is formed openings at locations corresponding to the partition walls such as to open to the cell cases on both sides of the partition walls. Pairs of conductive connection plates are connected to each other through the partition walls and formed with connection pieces that face the openings. The collectors are connected together via the conductive connection plates, i.e., they are connected to the connection pieces after the electrode plate groups are encased in the cell cases, and the openings are sealed by sealing plates in a manner that separates the cell cases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto, Takashi Asahina
  • Patent number: 6602636
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of cells accommodating an electrode plate group and an electrolyte, and a single integrated battery case for accommodating the plurality of cells. The ratio of the component resistance including the connecting resistance between the cells to the reactive resistance of the electrode plate group and the electrolyte in each cell, is set in the range of 1:99-40:60 at a temperature of 25° C. Thereby, the internal resistance per cell is reduced, and higher power output and improved service life characteristics are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Taniguchi, Shinji Hamada, Noriyuki Fujioka, Toyohiko Eto, Munehisa Ikoma, Toshiyuki Sekimori, Kazuo Tojima, Masayoshi Iwase, Tomokazu Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20030143458
    Abstract: A sealed prismatic battery includes an electrode plate group having positive and negative electrode plates stacked upon one another with a separator interposed therebetween, collectors each connected to a lead portion on either side of the electrode plate group and having one or more connection bosses formed in a middle part thereof, and a battery case, generally rectangular in shape, for accommodating the electrode plate group connected with the collectors. The battery case has a through-hole for the connection boss of the collector to penetrate therethrough via a rubber seal. A battery module includes a plurality of the sealed prismatic batteries, the connection bosses of which are connected to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Publication number: 20030138692
    Abstract: A sealed prismatic battery has a battery case made of a plurality of prismatic cell cases coupled together via partition walls. Electrode plate groups are accommodated together with liquid electrolyte in each of the cell cases. Each electrode plate group consists of alternately stacked-up positive and negative electrode plates with separators interposed therebetween, lead portions of positive and negative electrode plates being protruded on opposite sides. Collectors are bonded to these lead portions. Between the collectors and end walls (and/or partition walls) of the battery case are provided conductive plates that are connected to the collectors one or more than one location in their middle part so as to decrease the resistance between connection terminals and the electrode plate groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Hiromi Kajiya, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Publication number: 20030118898
    Abstract: A battery module is constructed of an integral battery case which is constituted by forming a plurality of prismatic cell cases into a unitized body, wherein positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates laminated alternately upon one another with intervening separators are respectively accommodated in each of the cell cases, thereby constituting a plurality of cells, these cells being electrically connected in series. A plurality of such battery modules are arranged in a direction in which the electrode plates within each cell are laminated in a condition with coolant passages formed between the battery modules, and bound tightly together with end plates arranged at both ends in the direction of adjacent arrangement of the battery modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadao Kimura, Shinji Hamada, Yoshiaki Ogata, Tomokazu Yamauchi, Toshiyuki Sekimori