Patents by Inventor Takashi Asahina

Takashi Asahina 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: 8859139
    Abstract: An alkaline storage battery has an electrode terminal that is inserted in a penetration hole, and disposed astride an inside of a battery case and an outside of the battery case, and fastened to a hole periphery portion via a packing. The negative terminal has a seal portion that, together with the hole periphery portion, clamps and compresses the packing to liquid-tightly seal the penetration hole. The seal portion includes an annular seal surface located facing the hole periphery portion, and a seal periphery surface located around the seal surface. The seal surface is protruded from the seal periphery surface toward the hole periphery portion. The surface roughness Ry of the seal surface of the negative terminal is 15 ?m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto, Masanori Ito
  • Patent number: 8298700
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Patent number: 8197961
    Abstract: A secondary battery according to the invention includes six power generation elements and a case having six mounting spaces in which the power generation elements are disposed, respectively. A positive electrode connecting portion of a positive electrode current collector plate of one of the power generation elements adjacent to each other is connected via a connecting hole in a partition wall to a negative electrode connecting portion of a negative electrode current collector plate of the other power generation element, whereby the secondary battery is provided. The positive electrode connecting portion of the positive electrode current collector is formed so as to bend more easily in an approaching direction B2, which is opposite to a detaching direction B1, than a first positive electrode plate welded portion and a positive electrode plate adjacent distal portion, where bending portions are provided on both sides, do.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Kambe, Takashi Asahina, Masato Onishi
  • Patent number: 8182934
    Abstract: A secondary battery comprises a power generating element, a battery case including a gas release hole, and a valve safety device configured to close the gas release hole and release gas out of the battery case when inner pressure in the battery case exceeds a predetermined value. The safety valve device comprises a valve member and a holding member. The valve member includes a sealing portion hermetically making contact with a sealed surface around the gas release hole, and the holding member is fixed to the battery case to elastically press the sealing portion by its elastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Publication number: 20120121948
    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: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicants: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Patent number: 8124270
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Patent number: 7914923
    Abstract: A cell includes an electrode plate group which is formed by laminating a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate with a separator interposed between them, and includes leads protruding toward directions opposite to each other from one side of the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate. Collectors are joined to the leads on both sides of the electrode plate group, and include connection protrusions formed so as to protrude outside. A bag-shape battery case containing the electrode plate group is joined to the collectors such that only the connection protrusions of the collectors are protruded outside the bag-shaped battery case. A battery module is constituted by placing a plurality of the cells, connected together, into a prismatic battery case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinsuke Fukuda, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto, Masato Onishi
  • Patent number: 7857867
    Abstract: An object is to provide a sealed battery with reduced electric resistance from a power generation element to an external terminal of the battery and a method of manufacturing the same. A sealed battery 100 comprises a power generation element 120 including positive electrode plates 121 each having a positive electrode active material layer and negative electrode plates 123 each having a negative electrode active material layer, which are alternately arranged. The power generation element 120 is configured such that negative electrode lead portions 123r of the negative electrode plates 123 are provided extending in a predetermined direction. Further, the sealed battery 100 includes a battery case 110 housing the power generation element 120. This battery case 100 includes a negative-electrode case member 115 made of an electrically conductive material and serving as a negative collector plate to which the negative electrode lead portions 123r are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Takashi Asahina, Toyohiko Eto
  • Patent number: 7785377
    Abstract: A sealed battery includes a metal case which functions as a connection terminal of one polarity and an electrode post which is mounted to the case in an insulated manner and functions as a connection terminal of the other polarity. A sealing section with electrical insulation properties is disposed between the electrode post formed from a hollow cylinder with one closed end and an electrode post through-hole provided in the case. A compression deformation section is produced by deforming the closed end of the electrode post radially outward, for compressing and sealing the sealing section, and for securing the electrode post to the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto, Shinichi Yuasa
  • Patent number: 7759000
    Abstract: A prismatic battery module includes a prismatic battery case having a plurality of prismatic cell cases connected to one another through separation walls, a planar electroconductive connector forming part of the separation wall between the cell cases, an electrode plate group arranged in each cell case, and an electrolyte placed in each cell case. Lead portions of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates of the electrode plate group are directly connected to the electroconductive connector. The prismatic battery module requires fewer connection points and provides shorter electrical communication paths, thereby reducing internal resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto, Shinsuke Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7740978
    Abstract: The battery pack uses a restraining tool capable of secure restraint despite relatively low rigidity to achieve weight and cost reductions. The battery pack is formed of a plurality of parallel arranged battery modules (2), each consisting of a plurality of cells (5) electrically connected in series and coupled together in one piece with gaps (8) formed therebetween (5, 5), each cell being formed of elements for electromotive force encased in a prismatic case. The restraining tool includes connecting members (4) extending through the gaps (8) at both ends of the parallel arranged battery modules (2) and between two given cells (5, 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Takashi Asahina, Yoshitaka Sunagawa, Toyohiko Eto
  • Patent number: 7691532
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Hiromi Kajiya, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Publication number: 20090155672
    Abstract: A secondary battery comprises a power generating element, a battery case including a gas release hole, and a valve safety device configured to close the gas release hole and release gas out of the battery case when inner pressure in the battery case exceeds a predetermined value. The safety valve device comprises a valve member and a holding member. The valve member includes a sealing portion hermetically making contact with a sealed surface around the gas release hole, and the holding member is fixed to the battery case to elastically press the sealing portion by its elastic deformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: PANASONIC EV ENERGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Publication number: 20090029244
    Abstract: Provided are a low-cost battery in which an outermost first electrode plate is designed to be bent at a bent portion farther from a current collector than its own joint end so that a near portion extending from the bent portion to the joint end is positioned inward in a lamination direction than a distant portion positioned farther from the current collector than the bent portion, and first electrode plates including the outermost first electrode plate are connected to a collector joint part, and a manufacturing method thereof. In the battery of the invention, a negative collector joint part is connected to a negative joint end of an inside negative electrode plate with a fillet formed of metal melted from the negative collector joint part itself and also connected to a negative joint end of an outermost negative electrode plate with a fillet formed of metal melted from the negative collector joint part itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto, Masanori Ito
  • Publication number: 20090023063
    Abstract: A sealed battery includes a metal case which functions as a connection terminal of one polarity and an electrode post which is mounted to the case in an insulated manner and functions as a connection terminal of the other polarity. A sealing section with electrical insulation properties is disposed between the electrode post formed from a hollow cylinder with one closed end and an electrode post through-hole provided in the case. A compression deformation section is produced by deforming the closed end of the electrode post radially outward, for compressing and sealing the sealing section, and for securing the electrode post to the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi ASAHINA, Shinji HAMADA, Toyohiko ETO, Shinichi YUASA
  • Publication number: 20080038632
    Abstract: An object is to provide a sealed battery with reduced electric resistance from a power generation element to an external terminal of the battery and also having a large space for housing the power generation element, and a method of manufacturing the same. A sealed battery 100 comprises a power generation element 120 including positive electrode plates 121 each having a positive electrode active material layer and negative electrode plates 123 each having a negative electrode active material layer, which are alternately arranged. The power generation element 120 is configured such that negative electrode lead portions 123r of the negative electrode plates 123 are provided extending in a predetermined direction. Further, the sealed battery 100 includes a battery case 110 housing the power generation element 120.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Takashi Asahina, Toyohiko Eto
  • Publication number: 20070275301
    Abstract: An alkaline storage battery has an electrode terminal that is inserted in a penetration hole, and disposed astride an inside of a battery case and an outside of the battery case, and fastened to a hole periphery portion via a packing. The negative terminal has a seal portion that, together with the hole periphery portion, clamps and compresses the packing to liquid-tightly seal the penetration hole. The seal portion includes an annular seal surface located facing the hole periphery portion, and a seal periphery surface located around the seal surface. The seal surface is protruded from the seal periphery surface toward the hole periphery portion. The surface roughness Ry of the seal surface of the negative terminal is 15 ?m or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto, Masanori Ito
  • Patent number: 7291423
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromi Kajiya, Shoji Karasawa, Masato Onishi, Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Publication number: 20070254211
    Abstract: A secondary battery according to the invention includes six power generation elements and a case having six mounting spaces in which the power generation elements are disposed, respectively. A positive electrode connecting portion of a positive electrode current collector plate of one of the power generation elements adjacent to each other is connected via a connecting hole in a partition wall to a negative electrode connecting portion of a negative electrode current collector plate of the other power generation element, whereby the secondary battery is provided. The positive electrode connecting portion of the positive electrode current collector is formed so as to bend more easily in an approaching direction B2, which is opposite to a detaching direction B1, than a first positive electrode plate welded portion and a positive electrode plate adjacent distal portion, where bending portions are provided on both sides, do.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutaka Kambe, Takashi Asahina, Masato Onishi
  • Publication number: 20070202402
    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: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicants: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Hiromi Kajiya, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto