Patents by Inventor Shuhei Marukawa
Shuhei Marukawa 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: 8802260Abstract: A method for disassembling a battery pack to separate a secondary battery which can be reused, without impairing the performance of a secondary battery, having remaining life which, constitutes the battery pack. A pair of holding plates is brought into contact with binding plates on both ends of a battery pack to compress the battery pack in the stacking direction. The open circuit voltage before and after the compression is measured, and based on an amount of change of the open circuit voltage before and after compression, a battery pack which can be reused is separated.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2010Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiaki Nakanishi, Shuhei Marukawa
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Patent number: 8795862Abstract: A battery pack that electrically connects a terminal cover, which is attached to a terminal base, and a battery pack case even if the terminal cover and case are not in direct contact with each other. The case is formed from a conductive material and accommodates a battery. The terminal base is formed from a non-conductive material and attached to the case. The terminal cover is formed from a conductive material and attached to the terminal base. A conductor formed from a conductive material comes in contact with both of the terminal cover and the case.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2008Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shuhei Marukawa
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Patent number: 8701810Abstract: A battery pack to be mounted on a vehicle. The battery pack has a battery stack. A cooling fan, a fan relay, and a main relay (?) are disposed on one side of the battery stack. A control module, a register, a main relay (+), and a pre-charge relay are disposed on the other side of the same. As a result of devices being disposed on both sides of the battery stack, the weight of the battery pack is adjusted to the neighborhood of the center of the battery pack.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shuhei Marukawa, Toyohiko Eto, Masahiro Misu
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Patent number: 8338016Abstract: A battery pack to be mounted in a vehicle incorporates a battery stack and a cooling fan. An air intake is formed in a side face located in the vicinity of the cooling fan. In consideration of passengers entering and exiting the vehicle, the air intake is formed as well in a plane generated as a result of removal of a corner. A louver for preventing intrusion of extraneous matter is disposed at the front of the air intake. A decrease in the amount of cooling air induced by the louver is lessened by means of forming the air intake in the plane.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shuhei Marukawa, Toyohiko Eto, Masahiro Misu
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Patent number: 8178229Abstract: Noise generated from some air leaking from a water drain hole formed in an exhaust duct is reduced. A first water drain hole for exhausting liquid that has collected within the exhaust duct to outside the exhaust duct is formed in a bottom face of the exhaust duct for exhausting air after cooling a battery stack and a second water drain hole for exhausting liquid, which was exhausted from the first water drain hole, to outside a lower case is formed in the lower case housing the battery stack and the exhaust duct, with the second water drain hole formed at a position not on a line extending from the direction of outflow of air leaking out from the first water drain hole.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2007Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shuhei Marukawa, Masahiro Misu, Toyohiko Eto
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Patent number: 8173286Abstract: In a battery pack where a fan is housed within a case housing a battery stack, the noise generated from turbulence of a medium that is supplied and exhausted between a fan opening of the fan and the battery stack is reduced. The battery pack has a battery stack, a cooling fan installed adjacent to the battery stack and having a fan opening formed in a top surface for taking in cooling air after cooling the battery stack, an upper case for covering the upper part of the battery stack and the cooling fan, and a junction duct for guiding the cooling air after cooling the battery stack to the fan opening. The junction duct is formed from the duct lower unit having an opening formed at a location facing the fan opening and one wall of the upper case in contact with a lower end and periphery of the duct lower unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2007Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shuhei Marukawa, Naoki Fukusako, Masahiro Misu, Syogo Yoneda, Toyohiko Eto
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Patent number: 8163419Abstract: A battery pack comprises a plurality of battery modules and a holding spacer which holds the battery module. A plurality of projections are provided on the holding spacer. The projections contact the battery module to hold the battery module and form a flow path for a coolant. A heat generating structure is embedded in the holding spacer or inserted into a hollow section of the holding spacer. In a cold climate, electricity is applied to the heat generating structure, to heat the battery module.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shuhei Marukawa, Toshiaki Nakanishi
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Publication number: 20120086176Abstract: A gasket arranged between two sealed subject surfaces includes a plurality of segments. A recess is arranged in one of the two sealed subject surfaces at a portion corresponding to a clearance between adjacent segments. A seal is filled in the recess and deformed in accordance with the shape of the clearance between the segments.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: PRIMEARTH EV ENERGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroya KONDOU, Kenji FUKUMOTO, Hiroki TADAUCHI, Shuhei MARUKAWA
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Patent number: 7989102Abstract: A battery pack structure with heater including a plurality of secondary batteries, a housing case housing them, and a heater is arranged to prevent uneven heating among the secondary batteries, reducing temperature variations among the secondary batteries. Specifically, the battery pack structure with heater of the present invention includes: a battery pack including a plurality of secondary batteries and a housing case housing them; a first heater; and a second heater. The housing case includes a metal spaced part separated with a space S from each of the secondary batteries. The first heater and the second heater are placed on at least part of an outer surface of the spaced part of the housing case.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naoki Fukusako, Shuhei Marukawa, Masahiro Misu, Toyohiko Eto
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Patent number: 7964827Abstract: There is provided a laminated sheet heater whose mounting space is small, a lead wire-equipped laminated sheet heater that requires only a small mounting space and provides high reliability of electrical connection between a heater element and a lead wire, a heater-equipped battery structure provided with the laminated sheet heater or the lead wire-equipped laminated sheet heater, and a heater unit. In a first lead wire-equipped laminated sheet heater, a foil heater element includes a heater terminal portion protruding into a film void part in a planar direction of a laminated sheet heater. A lead core wire of a lead wire includes a lead terminal portion crimp-connected to a heater terminal portion by a crimping member so that the lead core wire is placed in contact with the surface of the heater terminal portion within a film void part in the planar direction of the laminated sheet heater.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Panasonic Corporation Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahiko Suzuki, Naoki Fukusako, Shuhei Marukawa, Yukie Uemura, Kunio Kanamaru
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Patent number: 7863781Abstract: A power unit including a plurality of series-connected battery modules and safety circuit wherein a service plug is inserted from the side of a terminal board of a battery pack, thereby establishing an electrical connection among battery modules. A connector is provided on a back of a terminal cover by way of a projecting section, and a second safety switch is activated by attachment of a terminal cover and insertion of the connector to the terminal board, thereby establishing an electrical connection among the battery modules. Even when the service plug is attached at the time of completion of maintenance without attachment of the terminal cover, the battery modules are still kept in an unconnected state by means of a second switch, and energization, which would otherwise arise with exposed terminals, is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2008Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shuhei Marukawa, Yoshikazu Miyagi, Yasushi Matsukawa
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Publication number: 20100300601Abstract: A method for disassembling a battery pack to separate a secondary battery which can be reused, without impairing the performance of a secondary battery, having remaining life which, constitutes the battery pack. A pair of holding plates is brought into contact with binding plates on both ends of a battery pack to compress the battery pack in the stacking direction. The open circuit voltage before and after the compression is measured, and based on an amount of change of the open circuit voltage before and after compression, a battery pack which can be reused is separated.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: PANASONIC EV ENERGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshiaki Nakanishi, Shuhei Marukawa
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Patent number: 7807284Abstract: A fan structure is provided, which includes: a fan case having an inlet and an outlet; a bladed wheel provided inside the fan case; a motor for rotating the bladed wheel; a circuit substrate for controlling the motor; and a scroll housing formed between the fan case and the bladed wheel. Rotation of the bladed wheel causes a fluid to enter the scroll housing from the inlet and to exit from the outlet. The circuit substrate and the motor are arranged inside the fan case. The fan structure further includes a waterproof member for dividing the motor and the circuit substrate from the scroll housing, and a cylindrical seal for sealing a hole formed in the waterproof member through which an output shaft of the motor extends. The fan structure is compact and prevents adhesion of salt, water, or dust to the built-in circuit substrate.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2006Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shuhei Marukawa, Masahiro Misu, Toyohiko Eto
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Publication number: 20100151309Abstract: A battery pack comprises a plurality of battery modules and a holding spacer which holds the battery module. A plurality of projections are provided on the holding spacer. The projections contact the battery module to hold the battery module and form a flow path for a coolant. A heat generating structure is embedded in the holding spacer or inserted into a hollow section of the holding spacer. In a cold climate, electricity is applied to the heat generating structure, to heat the battery module.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2009Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shuhei Marukawa, Toshiaki Nakanishi
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Publication number: 20090051226Abstract: A power unit including a plurality of series-connected battery modules and a safety circuit. A service plug is inserted from the side of a terminal board of a battery pack, thereby establishing an electrical connection among battery modules. A connector is provided on a back of a terminal cover by way of a projecting section, and a second safety switch is activated by attachment of a terminal cover and insertion of the connector to the terminal board, thereby establishing an electrical connection among the battery modules. Even when the service plug is attached at the time of completion of maintenance without attachment of the terminal cover, the battery modules are still kept in an unconnected state by means of a second switch, and energization, which would otherwise arise with exposed terminals, is prevented.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2008Publication date: February 26, 2009Applicant: PANASONIC EV ENERGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Shuhei Marukawa, Yoshikazu Miyagi, Yasushi Matsukawa
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Publication number: 20090053588Abstract: A battery pack that electrically connects a terminal cover, which is attached to a terminal base, and a battery pack case even if the terminal cover and case are not in direct contact with each other. The case is formed from a conductive material and accommodates a battery. The terminal base is formed from a non-conductive material and attached to the case. The terminal cover is formed from a conductive material and attached to the terminal base. A conductor formed from a conductive material comes in contact with both of the terminal cover and the case.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2008Publication date: February 26, 2009Applicant: PANASONIC EV ENERGY CO., LTD.Inventor: Shuhei MARUKAWA
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Publication number: 20080213653Abstract: In a battery pack where a fan is housed within a case housing a battery stack, the noise generated from turbulence of a medium that is supplied and exhausted between a fan opening of the fan and the battery stack is reduced. The battery pack has a battery stack, a cooling fan installed adjacent to the battery stack and having a fan opening formed in a top surface for taking in cooling air after cooling the battery stack, an upper case for covering the upper part of the battery stack and the cooling fan, and a junction duct for guiding the cooling air after cooling the battery stack to the fan opening. The junction duct is formed from the duct lower unit having an opening formed at a location facing the fan opening and one wall of the upper case in contact with a lower end and periphery of the duct lower unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2007Publication date: September 4, 2008Applicant: PANASONIC EV ENERGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Shuhei Marukawa, Naoki Fukusako, Masahiro Misu, Syogo Yoneda, Toyohiko Eto
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Patent number: 7417521Abstract: Noise generated by driving a relay provided on a battery pack is suppressed. A negative relay is fixed onto top of a bottom face and an inner side surface of a lower case of the battery pack via multiple mounting points formed on an L-shaped fixture. The center of gravity of the negative relay is located within a polygon having the mounting points as vertices.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2007Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shuhei Marukawa, Makoto Umeda, Masahiro Misu, Kunio Kanamaru
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Publication number: 20080179315Abstract: There is provided a laminated sheet heater whose mounting space is small, a lead wire-equipped laminated sheet heater that requires only a small mounting space and provides high reliability of electrical connection between a heater element and a lead wire, a heater-equipped battery structure provided with the laminated sheet heater or the lead wire-equipped laminated sheet heater, and a heater unit. In a first lead wire-equipped laminated sheet heater, a foil heater element includes a heater terminal portion protruding into a film void part in a planar direction of a laminated sheet heater. A lead core wire of a lead wire includes a lead terminal portion crimp-connected to a heater terminal portion by a crimping member so that the lead core wire is placed in contact with the surface of the heater terminal portion within a film void part in the planar direction of the laminated sheet heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2008Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: PANASONIC EV ENERGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Masahiko Suzuki, Naoki Fukusako, Shuhei Marukawa, Yukie Uemura, Kunio Kanamaru
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Publication number: 20080096072Abstract: A battery pack structure with heater including a plurality of secondary batteries, a housing case housing them, and a heater is arranged to prevent uneven heating among the secondary batteries, reducing temperature variations among the secondary batteries. Specifically, the battery pack structure with heater of the present invention includes: a battery pack including a plurality of secondary batteries and a housing case housing them; a first heater; and a second heater. The housing case includes a metal spaced part separated with a space S from each of the secondary batteries. The first heater and the second heater are placed on at least part of an outer surface of the spaced part of the housing case.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2007Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicant: PANASONIC EV ENERGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Naoki FUKUSAKO, Shuhei MARUKAWA, Masahiro MISU, Toyohiko ETO